Devine Scripture

Luke 24:4

What does Luke 24:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 24:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 24:4 means

As the women stand perplexed, two men in dazzling apparel appear beside them—angels in human form, clothed with heavenly brightness. Their presence signals that the event at hand is no ordinary occurrence or human scheme. Heaven has drawn near to interpret what earth cannot explain. The women’s confusion is understandable; the last thing they anticipated at a tomb was glory. God graciously meets their bewilderment with revelation. The messengers do not first rebuke; they arrive in the very place of doubt to transform it into understanding. Divine initiative takes the lead, turning an empty tomb into a pulpit of life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And while they were in doubt about it, they saw two men in shining clothing by them:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it came to pass, while they are perplexed about this, that lo, two men stood by them in glittering apparel,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it came to pass, as they were astonished in their mind at this, behold, two men stood by them, in shining apparel.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass as they were in perplexity about it, that behold, two men suddenly stood by them in shining raiment.

Context

The scene shifts from human observation to divine revelation. After the women find the tomb empty (v. 3), God sends two radiant messengers (v. 4). This parallels other key moments in Luke where angels interpret God’s saving acts. What follows in verses 5–7 will be a concise gospel: Jesus is alive, just as He said. The women’s fear and posture of humility in this verse set the stage for receiving the angelic message. Luke is showing that the resurrection must be believed on God’s testimony, grounded in Jesus’ prior words and the prophets, not merely on puzzling circumstances.

v.3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

v.4This passage

v.5and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 1:10

    And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel;

  • Genesis 18:2

    and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood over against him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth,

  • Matthew 28:2

    And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.

  • Mark 16:5

    And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed.

  • John 20:11

    But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb;

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