4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

Other Translations of Luke 24:4

King James Version

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

English Standard Version

4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.

The Message

4 They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there.

New King James Version

4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.

New Living Translation

4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 24:4

Commentary on Luke 24:1-12

(Read Luke 24:1-12)

See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ, after he was dead and buried. Observe their surprise when they found the stone rolled away, and the grave empty. Christians often perplex themselves about that with which they should comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather to find their Master in his grave-clothes, than angels in their shining garments. The angels assure them that he is risen from the dead; is risen by his own power. These angels from heaven bring not any new gospel, but remind the women of Christ's words, and teach them how to apply them. We may wonder that these disciples, who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true Messiah, who had been so often told that he must die, and rise again, and then enter into his glory, who had seen him more than once raise the dead, yet should be so backward to believe his raising himself. But all our mistakes in religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has spoken. Peter now ran to the sepulchre, who so lately ran from his Master. He was amazed. There are many things puzzling and perplexing to us, which would be plain and profitable, if we rightly understood the words of Christ.

23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.

Other Translations of Luke 24:23

King James Version

23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

English Standard Version

23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

The Message

23 and couldn't find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive.

New King James Version

23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.

New Living Translation

23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive!

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 24:23

Commentary on Luke 24:13-27

(Read Luke 24:13-27)

This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus, happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It well becomes the disciples of Christ to talk together of his death and resurrection; thus they may improve one another's knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up each other's devout affections. And where but two together are well employed in work of that kind, he will come to them, and make a third. Those who seek Christ, shall find him: he will manifest himself to those that inquire after him; and give knowledge to those who use the helps for knowledge which they have. No matter how it was, but so it was, they did not know him; he so ordering it, that they might the more freely discourse with him. Christ's disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they cannot take the comfort offered to them. Though Christ is entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those are strangers in Jerusalem, that know not of the death and sufferings of Jesus. Those who have the knowledge of Christ crucified, should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus reproved them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Did we know more of the Divine counsels as far as they are made known in the Scriptures, we should not be subject to the perplexities we often entangle ourselves in. He shows them that the sufferings of Christ were really the appointed way to his glory; but the cross of Christ was that to which they could not reconcile themselves. Beginning at Moses, the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded to them the things concerning himself. There are many passages throughout all the Scriptures concerning Christ, which it is of great advantage to put together. We cannot go far in any part, but we meet with something that has reference to Christ, some prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or other. A golden thread of gospel grace runs through the whole web of the Old Testament. Christ is the best expositor of Scripture; and even after his resurrection, he led people to know the mystery concerning himself, not by advancing new notions, but by showing how the Scripture was fulfilled, and turning them to the earnest study of it.