They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body. While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.
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Luke 24:2-4 sits inside this longer paragraph.
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body. While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
Parallel Translations
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They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body.
While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.
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And they founde the stone rouled awaye from the sepulcre
and went in: but founde not the body of the Lorde Iesu.
And it happened as they were amased therat: Beholde two men stode by them in shynynge vestures.
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And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre,
And went in, but found not the body of the Lord Iesus.
And it came to passe, that as they were amased thereat, beholde, two men suddenly stood by them in shining vestures.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Contradictions (5)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
- When did the women discover that Jesus's body was missing?
- Was the tomb opened or closed when the women arrived?
- Were the men or angels sitting or standing?
Show all 5
Cross-references (12)
- Mark 16:5 (v4) Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.
- John 20:11-12 (v4) But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white…
- Luke 24:23 (v3) and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
- Acts 1:10 (v4) While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
- Matthew 28:2-6 (v4) Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door,…
Show all 12 cross-references
- Matthew 27:60-66 (v2) and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock, and he rolled a great stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.…
- Matthew 28:2 (v2) Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door,…
- Mark 15:46-47 (v2) He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He…
- Mark 16:3-4 (v2) They were saying among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” for it was very big. Looking up, they…
- John 20:1-2 (v2) Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the…
- John 20:6-7 (v3) Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, and the cloth that had been on his head,…
- Genesis 18:2 (v4) He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (12 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–4 2 And they found the stone rolled away from…
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
Ver. 2. See Mat 27:60; Mat 27:66.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv2–4 The stone which Joseph had rolled to the mouth…
The stone which Joseph had rolled to the mouth of the sepulchre, when he had laid in the body, Mat 27:60, and the Jews had sealed, Mat 27:66, and which, as they came walking, they were so troubled about, how they should get it removed, Mar 16:3. How it came to be rolled away Matthew telleth us, Mat 28:2.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–4 And they found the stone rolled away the sepulchre.…
And they found the stone rolled away the sepulchre. Which Joseph had laid there, security of the body, and in the sight of these women; and which gave them a concern, as they went along, seeing they were all women, who should roll away the stone for them, Mar 16:3 but when they came to the sepulchre, to their great surprise, they found it rolled away, which was done by an angel, Mat 28:2.
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Luke 24:3
luk 24:3
luk 24:3
luk 24:3And they entered in,.... To the sepulchre, being invited, encouraged, and led on by the angel that sat upon the stone; for the Jews' sepulchres were built large enough for persons to go into; See Gill on Mar 16:5.
and found not the body of the Lord Jesus; as they expected, having seen him put there, and had observed in what cave in the sepulchre, and in what form he was laid.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v4 Behold two - Angels in the form of men.…
Behold two - Angels in the form of men. Mary had seen them a little before. They had disappeared on these women's coming to the sepulchre, but now appeared again. St. Matthew and Mark mention only one of them, appearing like a young man.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv2–3 Verse 2. They found the stone rolled away] An…
Verse 2. They found the stone rolled away] An angel from God had done this before they reached the tomb, Mt 28:2: On this case we cannot help remarking, that, when persons have strong confidence in God, obstacles do not hinder them from undertaking whatever they have reason to believe he requires; and the removal of them they leave to him: and what is the consequence? They go on their way comfortably, and all difficulties vanish before them.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v2 Luk 24:2-8. They found the stone rolled away —…
Luk 24:2-8. They found the stone rolled away — Their inquiry among themselves, while they were going along, had been, Who shall roll us away the stone? That difficulty, however, they found removed, but alas! when they entered in, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. About this, as we may well suppose, they were much perplexed. God, however, was graciously pleased soon to remove their perplexity. For, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments — Or, suddenly appeared to them, as the word επεστησαν may be properly rendered. It does not imply that the angels, at their first appearing, were close by the women, as may be proved from the Greek translation of Gen 18:2, where, though it be said, that Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, lo, three men (ειστηκεισαν επανω αυτω) stood by him, it is added, that when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, which shows that they were at some distance from him. It is probable that both these angels were in a sitting posture when they first showed themselves to the women, because Mark affirms it expressly of the one whom he mentions, (Luk 24:5,) and because they showed themselves in this posture afterward to Mary Magdalene, Joh 20:12. Or, the evangelists may be reconciled by supposing that the angel of whom Mark speaks, arose when the women went down into the sepulchre. See on Mar 16:3-6. And as they were afraid — Mark says, εξεθαμβηθησαν, affrighted, or terrified, at this extraordinary and surprising sight; and bowed down their faces to the earth — Fixed their eyes upon it, in token of the profoundest respect; they — Namely, the angels; said unto them — This evangelist, having no intention to tell which of the angels spake, attributes to them both words, which, in the nature of the thing, could be spoken only by one of them, probably the one mentioned by Matthew and Mark, it being the custom, as has been just observed, of the sacred historians to mention one person or thing only, even in cases where more were concerned. Why seek ye the living among the dead? — Why are you come hither with materials for embalming one who is possessed of an immortal life? He is not here, but is risen — He has quitted the grave to return no more to it. Remember how he spake when he was yet in Galilee — Thus they refer the women to his own words, which if they and his other disciples had duly believed and observed, they would more easily have credited the fact when it took place. That the tidings, therefore, might not be such a surprise to them as they seemed to be, the angels repeat to them what Christ had often said in their hearing. And they remembered his words — When they were thus reminded of them. And now, doubtless, they were ashamed of the preparations they had made to embalm him on the third day, who had so often said, he would on the third day rise again.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–4 2-12. Vision of Angels to the Women. Peter visits…
2-12. Vision of Angels to the Women. Peter visits the Tomb.
2. they found the stone rolled away] On their way they had considered how they should get over this difficulty, since the stone was “very great” (Mar_16:3). From St Mark’s expression, “looking up,” we infer that the tomb was slightly elevated; and from St John’s “lifted” (ἠρμένον) that the first aperture of the tomb was horizontal.
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St Matthew also tells us of the Angel and the Earthquake (Mat_28:2-4).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2, 4 (2) And they found the stone rolled away .—The…
(2) And they found the stone rolled away .—The narrative is less vivid and detailed than St. Mark’s; possibly, we may believe, because St. Luke’s report may have come, not from one of the Maries, but from Joanna (named in Luk_24:10). or Susanna, who were less prominent, and might only have heard of what had passed from others.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2, 4 And they found the stone rolled away from the…
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. The tomb in which the body of the "King"s Son" was laid was in a garden close by the scene of the Crucifixion. It had been recently hewn out of a rock, the low ridge opposite the slight ascent of Calvary. "In front of a tomb belonging to a rich family there was generally a vestibule open to the air, then a low entrance sometimes, as in this case, on the side of a rock, leading into a square chamber of moderate dimensions, on one side of which was a place for the body, either cut some seven feet into the rock, or lengthways, three feet deep, with a low arch over it... The tomb had been lately made, and the door which closed the entrance, the only aperture into the tomb, was a large stone". ("Speaker"s Commentary," on Mat_27:60) Recent investigations in Jerusalem serve to confirm the accuracy of the original traditional sites. (comp. Williams, "Holy City," 2:240; Professor Willis, "Treatise on the Holy Sepulchre," etc.). We find the following passage in the Bordeaux Pilgrim (A.D. 333): "On the left side (of the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre) is the hillock Golgotha, where the Lord was crucified. Thence about a stone-throw distance is the crypt where his body was deposited." St. Cyril of Jerusalem makes several references to the spot. In the days of Eusebius (first half of the fourth century) there was no doubt as to the site.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v4 Mat 28:5-7; Luk 24:4-8; Mar 16:5-7 : “Having come…
ANGELS AT THE SEPULCHER
Mat 28:5-7; Luk 24:4-8; Mar 16:5-7 : “Having come to the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right, clothed with a white robe; and they were affrighted. And he says to them, Be not alarmed; you are seeking Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified; He is risen; He is not here; behold the place where they laid Him. But go tell His disciples, and Peter, that He goes before you into Galilee; and there you shall see Him, as He said to you.” Luke: “And it came to pass, while they were at a loss concerning Him, and two men stood before them in shining apparel, they being afraid, and inclining their face toward the ground, he said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how He spoke to you, being yet in Galilee, saying that it behooves the Son of man to be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and to be crucified, and to arise the third day; and they remembered His words.” These were angels in human form, and it is highly probable that Gabriel, who announced His conception, was one of them. We see here that these holy women were much alarmed, as in all ages it has been very trying to mortal nerves to meet glorified spirits. In this there is nothing condemnatory, but a demonstration of the simple fact of decisive, angelic superiority, so that their presence, when seen with mortal eyes, inundates us with the realization that we are actually in contact with the eternal world, and hence overawed, and even panic-stricken, by the certainty of the heavenly inhabitants literally present and looking us in the face. Here we observe an especial message sent to Peter, doubtless from the fact of the unhappy notoriety he gave himself by denying the Lord while under prosecution.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 General Information:
General Information:
Two angels appear and begin speaking to the women.
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It happened
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
were filled with fear
"became afraid"
bowed down their faces to the earth
"bowed low to the ground." This action expresses their humility and submission to the men. (See: Symbolic Action)
Why do you seek the living among the dead?
The men use a question to mildly criticize the women for looking in a tomb for a living person. AT: "You are looking for a living person among dead people!" or "You should not be looking for someone who is alive in a place where they bury dead people!" (See: Rhetorical Question)
Why do you seek
Here "you" is plural, referring to the women who came. (See: Forms of You)
translationWords
fear
bow
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv2, 4 24:2 The stone was probably a large round stone…
24:2 The stone was probably a large round stone that was rolled down a track to cover the tomb’s entrance.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.