Preface: In this chapter, Jesus is resurrected. Only two appearances are recorded: Jesus appears to two disciples as they are walking to Emmaus. Jesus later appears to the disciples. In both instances, He remains with them for an extended period of time.

Bible Summary: The women found the tomb empty. Jesus met two on the road to Emmaus. He appeared to the disciples and opened the Scriptures to them.

This should be the most extensive examination of Luke 24 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Outline of Chapter 24:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–7           The Female Disciples of Jesus Come to the Tomb Early, but Jesus is not There

         vv.     8–12         The Women Tell the Other Disciples and Return to the Tomb with Peter

         vv.    13–35         That Same Day, Jesus Speaks to Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus

         vv.    36–43         Jesus Appears to His Gathered Disciples

         vv.    44–49         Jesus Teaches His Disciples from the Scriptures and Gives Them a Final Command

         vv.    50–51         Jesus Leads the Disciples to Bethany and then Departs from Them

         vv.    52–53         The Disciples Return to Jerusalem Rejoicing

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Luke 24 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Luke 24 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Luke 24

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel of Luke 24

         Introduction         The Principals of Luke 24

         Introduction         The Places of Luke 24

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 24

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Luke 24 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 24 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Luke 21–24)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      11              Monster Film Dialogue

         v.      12              Jesus’ Followers Going to the Tomb (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      25              What Jesus Taught About the Suffering Servant

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Luke 24 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Luke 24

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Luke 24

         Summary 

         Summary 

         Addendum          Commentary on Luke 24:1 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 24:1–7

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 24:8–12

         Addendum          Commentary on Luke 24:13 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 24:13–16

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 24:17–24

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 24:25–31

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 24:32–35

         Addendum          Commentary on Luke 24:36 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 24:36–40

         Addendum          Commentary on Luke 24:44 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 24:41–49

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 24:50–53

         Addendum 

         Addendum 

         Addendum 

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Luke 24

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Luke 24

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of Luke 24

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Luke 24

——————————

An Introduction to Luke 24

I ntroduction: Luke 24 takes place on the Sunday following the crucifixion. The women have gone to the tomb and His body is missing. Peter (and John) go to the tomb and they confirm what the woman say. In the next scene, Jesus joins two disciples on the road who are leaving Jerusalem for Emmaus. Jesus spends at least two hours with them explaining the Scriptures (during which time, the disciples do not know Who Jesus is). Jesus disappears shortly after letting Himself be known. These disciples return to Jerusalem that night and go to a gathering of the other disciples. Jesus appears once again to them all.

One of the things which I find remarkable about the Lord revealing Himself to various people after the resurrection is how remarkably small these incidents are. We have studied the book of Exodus where what God does before Israel and Egypt is quite remarkable. And, quite obviously, the resurrection of our Lord is far more remarkable; as well as more important to us as human beings. Yet, for the most part, the appearances of Him to His disciples and to other believers is presented as a series of relatively small, almost intimate incidents (the exception to this is the mention by Paul, decades after, of Jesus appearing to five hundred at once (1Cor. 15:6).

I believe the importance of these appearances is that they emphasize the importance of the individual Christian life; or the importance of the individual Christian. Now, do not forget for a moment that we are a part of a greater body, and that no Christian man is an island. I would not want you to get fatheaded about your place in God’s plan. But you, no matter who you are, have an important role to play in God’s plan. You may not be a pastor-teacher, an evangelist or a missionary; but your part as a part of a great team is important and fundamental. The things which you do as a Christian may seem small and unimportant to you, but as you gain greater understanding of God’s plan and your place in His plan, the more you become cognizant of the importance of your life.

Maybe you are encouraging or guiding another believer (not bullying, mind you); perhaps you are slowly but surely winning your spouse to Jesus Christ; perhaps you faithfully teach your two children the Bible. Our place in God’s plan is not necessarily that of a Billy Graham, a Dwight Moody, or an R. B. Thieme, Jr. But our lives have importance, meaning, and definition.

Jesus, as God, could have presented Himself as a 50' tall apparition to all of Jerusalem, but He did not do that. When it comes to His post-resurrection appearances, Jesus appeared to a relatively small group of people. I would argue to you that, the entire Christian movement was based upon this very small group of people.

Jesus did not spend a long time on this earth after His resurrection. Unlike all religious leaders/founders before or after Him, Jesus wrote nothing down. His ministry was limited in the geographical area covered and the number of people that He spoke to. His public ministry was a scant 3 or 4 years, which is barely the blink of an eye insofar as human history is concerned. And yet, we divide human history using His birth as a marker (although our calenders are a bit off in this regard). Every historical date is either before Christ or in the year of our Lord (Anno Domini).

This is why you, as an individual, need to know Bible doctrine. You need to have divine truth in your soul. This is why, despite our many failures, we get up and we move forward. This is why each day, we set time aside for His Word (not reading the Bible, but learning it from one who is qualified to teach it, in the classroom of the local church if possible). We expose ourselves to the truth of God’s Word, taught by the authority of a well-qualified pastor-teacher, and we move forward in our spiritual lives as a result.

——————————

The Female Disciples of Jesus Come to the Tomb Early, but Jesus is not There

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    But in the first of the week [lit., Sabbaths], at daybreak deep, to the tomb they went bearing what they made ready, fragrant spices. But they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. But entering, they did not find the body [of the Lord Jesus].

Complete Apostles’ Bible      And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

But they found the stone having been rolled away from the tomb.

And going in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared.

And they found the stone rolled back from the sepulchre.

And going in, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        Then b’khad b’shaba {lit. on the first in the seven, i.e. on the first day of the week}, at dawn, while dark, they came unto the tomb house, and they brought herume {fragrant herbs}, those which they had prepared. And there were other women with them.

And they found the kepha {the rock} that was rolled away from the tomb house.

And they entered, and didn’t find the body of Eshu {Yeshua}.

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And on the first day of the week, in the morning, while it was yet dark, they came to the sepulchre, and brought the aromatics they had prepared. And there were other women with them.

And they found the stone rolled from the sepulchre.

And they entered, and found not the body of Jesus.

Original Aramaic NT              But on Sunday morning, while it was dark, they came to the tomb and they brought the spices that they had prepared, and there were other women with them.*

And they found the stone which had been rolled from the tomb.

And they entered and they did not find the body of Yeshua.

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             But on the first day of the week, at dawn, they came to the place where his body had been put, taking the spices which they had got ready. 

And they saw that the stone had been rolled away. 

And they went in, but the body of the Lord Jesus was not there.

Bible in Worldwide English     On the first day of the week, early in the morning, the women went to the grave. They took with them the things they had made ready.

They saw that the stone was rolled away from the grave.

So they went in. But they did not see the body of the Lord Jesus.

Easy English                          Very early on the first day of the week, they went to the place where Joseph had put Jesus' dead body. They took with them the spices that they had prepared. They arrived there. They found that someone had rolled the big stone away from the hole. They went inside the hole in the rock, but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus there.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Very early Sunday morning, the women came to the tomb where Jesus' body was laid. They brought the sweet-smelling spices they had prepared. They saw that the heavy stone that covered the entrance had been rolled away. They went in, but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Good News Bible (TEV)         Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

J. B. Phillips                           The first day of the week: the empty tomb

But at the first signs of dawn on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb, taking with them the aromatic spices they had prepared. They discovered that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but on going inside, the body of the Lord Jesus was not to be found.

The Message                         Looking for the Living One in a Cemetery

At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn’t find the body of the Master Jesus.

NIRV                                      Jesus Rises From the Dead

It was very early in the morning on the first day of the week. The women took the spices they had prepared. Then they went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from it. When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

New Life Version                    Jesus Is Raised from the Dead

Early in the morning on the first day of the week, the women went to the grave taking the spices they had made ready. They found the stone had been pushed away from the grave. They went in but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              LUKE 24

JESUS IS ALIVE

JESUS RISES FROM THE DEAD

At first light on Sunday[1] morning, the women who had been following Jesus went to his tomb. They brought scented spices they had prepared to use in anointing his body for burial. When they got to the tomb, they found that the stone used to seal the entrance had been rolled away.

They stepped inside. They couldn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.

¹24:1Literally, “the first day of the week,” which Jews would have known as Sunday—the first day after the Sabbath day of rest.

Contemporary English V.       Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices that they had prepared. When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, and they did not know what to think. Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. V. 4 is included for context.

Goodspeed New Testament  Then they went home, and prepared spices and perfumes. On the Sabbath they rested in obedience to the commandment, but on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking spices they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled back from the tomb, and when they went inside they could not find the body. Luke 23:56 is included for context.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           The Resurrection

But very early on Sunday morning [Greek But on the first day of the week, very early in the morning.] the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.

The Passion Translation        Very early that Sunday morning, the women made their way to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. ⁽¹⁰⁾ Among them were Mary Magdalene; Joanna; and Mary^a, Jesus’ mother.  Arriving at the tomb they discovered that the huge stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside, so they went in to look. But the tomb was empty. The body of Jesus was gone!

^a. For the sake of the English narrative, the information found in v. 10 is placed here.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Before dawn on Sunday those women went to the burial chamber. They took with them the spices that they had prepared to put on the body of Jesus. When they arrived, they discovered that somebody had rolled the stone away from the entrance to the burial chamber. They went into the burial chamber, but the body of the Lord Jesus was not there!

Williams’ New Testament      Now on the Sabbath they rested, in accordance with the commandment, but on the first day of the week at early dawn they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. But they found the boulder rolled back from the tomb, and yet on going inside they did not find the body.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          It was on the first day of the week, at early dawn, that [the women] went back to the tomb carrying the spices that they’d prepared. But when they got there, they found that the stone [that covered the tomb’s entrance] had been rolled away; and when they went inside, they couldn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body.

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            On the first day after the Sabbaths at deep daybreak, they came on the grave carrying fragrant spices that they had ready. But they found the stone that had been rolled away from the burial vault. When they went in, they did not find the body of the Master, Jesus.

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           Now on the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared and certain [other things] with them, and found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They entered but didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles But the first day of the week, they went by daybreak, with some others, to the tomb, carrying the spices which they had provided, and found the stone rolled away from the tomb; and having entered, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       And at very early dawn on the first day of the week they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared: and found the stone already rolled away from the door of the tomb. They went into it, and could not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

20^th Century New Testament But very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb, taking with them the spices that they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb; And, on going into it, they could not find the body [of the Lord Jesus].

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Christian Standard Bible        Resurrection Morning

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they [Other mss add and other women with them] came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Conservapedia Translation    Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulcher [Should we use "tomb" or stay with sepulchre? My only concern is illustrating the connection to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.], bringing the spices they had prepared, and other items to anoint the dead.But they found the stone had been rolled away from the tomb [Emphasize that this was not a natural act ], And as they entered, they did not see the body of the Lord Jesus.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                But at day-break upon the first day following the Sabbaths, they proceeded to the tomb, carrying the aromatics which they had prepared.

The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

They found, however, the stone rolled away from the tomb; but, having entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Free Bible Version                 Very early on the first day of the week*, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they’d prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, but when they went in they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           On the morrow after the Saboth, early in the morning, they came unto the tomb and brought the odours which they had prepared and other women with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and went in: but found not the body of the Lord *Jesu.

International Standard V        Jesus is Raised from the Dead

(Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; John 20:1-10)

But at early dawn on the first day of the week, [Lit. first of the Sabbaths] they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. [Other mss. lack of the Lord Jesus]

Montgomery NT                     On the Sabbath Day they rested in obedience to the commandment, but in the deep dawn of the first day of the week they took the spices which they had prepared, and came to the tomb. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, and on entering they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Weymouth New Testament    And, on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled back from the tomb, and on entering they found that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there.

Wikipedia Bible Project          Very early Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they’d prepared. They discovered that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb entrance. So they went in but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     The Lord has risen

(Mk 16:1; Mt 28:1; Jn 20:1)

• On the sabbath the women rested according to the commandment, but the first day of the week, at dawn, they went to the tomb with the perfumes and ointments they had prepared. Seeing the stone rolled away from the opening of the tomb, they entered, and were amazed to find that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there.

Commentary from the Christian Community Bible is placed in the Addendum.

The Heritage Bible                 And on the first day of the week, very early in the dawn, they came upon the tomb, carrying the aromatics which they had prepared, and some others with them.

And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

And going in, they absolutely did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

New American Bible (2011)   VIII.   The Resurrection Narrative (24:1–53)

The Resurrection of Jesus.

^a But at daybreak on the first day of the week they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

a. [24:1–8] Mt 28:1–8; Mk 16:1–8; Jn 20:1–17.

* [24:1–53] The resurrection narrative in Luke consists of five sections: (1) the women at the empty tomb (Lk 23:56b–24:12); (2) the appearance to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (Lk 24:13–35); (3) the appearance to the disciples in Jerusalem (Lk 24:36–43); (4) Jesus’ final instructions (Lk 24:44–49); (5) the ascension (Lk 24:50–53). In Luke, all the resurrection appearances take place in and around Jerusalem; moreover, they are all recounted as having taken place on Easter Sunday. A consistent theme throughout the narrative is that the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus were accomplished in fulfillment of Old Testament promises and of Jewish hopes (Lk 24:19a, 21, 26–27, 44, 46). In his second volume, Acts, Luke will argue that Christianity is the fulfillment of the hopes of Pharisaic Judaism and its logical development (see Acts 24:10–21).

New Catholic Bible                 The Resurrection

Chapter 24

Jesus Rises from the Dead.^[a] 1 At daybreak on the first day of the week, the women came to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

[a] The man who was thought to have been buried forever receives the important title “the Living One,” a title that the Old Testament reserves to the Lord (see Jos 3:10; Jdg 8:19; Rev 1:18), and the hearts of the witnesses are opened to the Word of God. This is the first Christian Sunday, the Lord’s Day, the new day (v. 1). Luke does not mention the order given to the disciples to wait for Jesus in Galilee; in his view, the mystery finds its completion in Jerusalem, and it is from Jerusalem that the Christian mission will make its way throughout the entire world.

New English Bible–1970        The Resurrection of Jesus Passover, c.30ce (the garden)

[ Lk.24.1-12 → ] - Mk.28.1-10, Mk.16.1-8, Jn.20.1-10

But on the Sunday morning very early they came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared. 2Finding that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, 3they went inside; but the body was not to be found.

New Jerusalem Bible             On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but on entering they could not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) The Resurrection of Jesus

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. [Other ancient authorities add of the Lord Jesus]

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           On Shabbat the women rested, in obedience to the commandment; but the next day, while it was still very early, they took the spices they had prepared, went to the tomb, and found the stone rolled away from the tomb! On entering, they discovered that the body of the Lord Yeshua was gone! A portion of Luke 23:56 is placed with this passage for context.

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               And the first of the Sabbaths (The seven week Sabbath count to Shavuot) at dawn, while still dark, they came on the tomb, carrying spices which they prepared; and some were with them.

And they found the stone having been rolled away from the tomb.

And going in, they did not find the body of the Master Yahshua.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    Very early on the first day of the week, the women came to the tomb. They brought the sweet-smelling things they had prepared. But the women found that the rock was rolled away from the tomb. They went in but they didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body.

The Scriptures 2009              But on day one of the week^a, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.  And having entered, they did not find the body of the Master יהושע.

^aLit. Sabbath.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...[on] the but one [one] [of] the breaks (weekly) dawn deep to the tomb [Women] come Carrying which* [They] prepare spices [They] find but the stone having been rolled from the tomb Entering but not [Women] find the body [of] the lord jesus...

Alpha & Omega Bible            (3 days & 3 nights later) BEFORE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK (Sunday), NEAR EARLY DAWN, THEY CAME TO THE TOMB BRINGING [more of] THE SPICES WHICH THEY HAD PREPARED.

AND THEY FOUND THE STONE ROLLED AWAY FROM THE TOMB, †(This was before Sunday & before sunrise. They did not witness the resurrection of JESUS because He had already been risen before they got there. Therefore the traditional doctrine that Jesus rose Sunday morning at sunrise is a lie of the devil. He rose Sabbath/Saturday night at 3 a.m. before the weekly Sabbath concluded at sunrise.)

BUT WHEN THEY ENTERED, THEY DID NOT FIND THE BODY OF THE LORD JESUS.

Awful Scroll Bible                   And on the first of the week, at deep dawn, they came to the sepulcher, carrying the spices, which they make ready, indeed several with them.

And they found the stone, having been rolled-away from the sepulcher.

And coming-in, they found not the body, of the Lord Jesus.

Concordant Literal Version    Now in the early depths of one of the sabbaths, they, and certain others together with them, came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they make ready."

Now they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

Now, entering also, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus."

exeGeses companion Bible   THE RESURRECTION OF YAH SHUA

And on the first of the shabbaths,

deep in the morning, they come to the tomb,

bringing the aromatics they prepared,

and some with them:

and they find the stone rolled away from the tomb:

and they enter

and find not the body of Adonay Yah Shua.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           But on Yom HaRishon, the first day of the shavua (week), very early in the boker, they went to the kever (tomb) bringing what spices they prepared.

But they found the even (stone) having been rolled away from the kever (tomb),

and, having entered, they did not find geviyyato (his body, DEVARIM 21:23; BERESHIS 47:18) of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu. [TEHILLIM 16:9-10; IYOV 19:25-27; YESHAYAH 26:19; 53:11]

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                The Resurrection

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared [to finish anointing the body]. And they found the [large, circular] stone rolled back from the tomb, but when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

An Understandable Version   Now at early dawn on the first day of the week [i.e., early Sunday morning], the women [See Mark 16:1] went to Jesus’ grave site, taking the spices which they had prepared [for His burial]. But they found the stone [had already been] rolled away from the [opening of the] grave site. So, they went in [i.e., into the cave-like tomb], but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Now in the early depths of one of the sabbaths they came upon the memorial tomb, progressively carrying [the] spices which they had prepared, [comment: the sabbath of 23:56, above, would have been the Day of Passover; the sabbath of this verse would then been the seventh day of that week, or, the weekly sabbath]

and they found the stone having been rolled away from the tomb,

yet, upon entering, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

P. Kretzmann Commentary    Verses 1-7

The Resurrection of Christ.

The women at the grave:

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.

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

Syndein/Thieme                     {The Resurrection}

``Now, on the first {day} of the week at early dawn {the Gentile Sunday morning - and daybreak of the Jewish 'Sunday' that began on Saturday at sundown}, they {the women} went to the tomb . . . carrying the aromatic oils they had prepared.

``Now they discovered/found the stone had been 'rolled away in the past with results that last forever' {apokulio - perfect tense - this was a huge stone that was rolled down covering the opening of the grave tomb - a stone like this might take 16 Roman soldiers to move it away} from the tomb.

``And, having entered in {the tomb}, they absolutely did not {ouk} discover/find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Translation for Translators              Some women discovered that Jesus had become alive again.

Luke 24:1-12

Before dawn on Sunday those women went to the tomb. They took with them the spices that they had prepared to put on Jesus’ body. They discovered that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance to the tomb. They went in the tomb, but the body of the Lord Jesus was not there!

The Voice                               Early on Sunday morning, even before the sun had fully risen, these women made their way back to the tomb with the spices and ointments they had prepared. When they arrived, they found the stone was rolled away from the tomb entrance, and when they looked inside, the body of the Lord Jesus was nowhere to be seen.

Bible Translations with a Lot of Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         Jesus Is Raised

Now on the first day of the week, at very early dawn, they came back to the tomb bringing the fragrant spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but when they [*Here “when ” is supplied as a component of the participle (“went in”) which is understood as temporal] went in, they did not find the body. [Some manuscripts add “of the Lord Jesus”]

NET Bible®                             The Resurrection

Now on the first day¹ of the week, at early dawn, the women² went to the tomb, taking the aromatic spices³ they had prepared. They⁴ found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb,⁵ but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.⁶

^1sn The first day of the week is the day after the Sabbath.

^2tn Grk “they”; the referent (the women mentioned in 23:55) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

^3tn On this term see BDAG 140-41 s.v. ἄρωμα. See also the note on “aromatic spices” in 23:56.

^4tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

^5sn Luke tells the story of the empty tomb with little drama. He simply notes that when they arrived the stone had been rolled away in a position where the tomb could be entered. This large stone was often placed in a channel so that it could be easily moved by rolling it aside. The other possibility is that it was merely placed over the opening in a position from which it had now been moved.

^6tc The translation follows the much better attested longer reading here, “body of the Lord Jesus” (found in {Ã75 א A B C L W Θ Ψ À1,13 33 565 700 œ}), rather than simply “the body” (found in D it) or “the body of Jesus” (found in 579 1241 pc). Further, although this is the only time that “Lord Jesus” occurs in Luke, it seems to be Luke’s normal designation for the Lord after his resurrection (note the many references to Christ in this manner in Acts, e.g., 1:21; 4:33; 7:59; 8:16; 11:17; 15:11; 16:31; 19:5; 20:21; 28:31). Although such a longer reading as this would normally be suspect, in this case some scribes, accustomed to Luke’s more abbreviated style, did not take the resurrection into account.

^sn What they found was not what they expected – an empty tomb.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B.                                       § 95. The Resurrection.

Mt. xxviii. 1–10; Mk. xvi. 1–14; Jn. xx. xxi.

And ||on the Sabbathˎ^f indeed|| they were quietˎ according to the commandment^g;

Chapter 24.^h

but ||on the first day of the weekˎi at early dawn|| |unto the tomb| came theyˎ bringing the spices which they had preparedʹ. And they found the stoneˎ rolled away from the tomb; but |when they entered| they found not the body [[of the Lordʹ Jesus]]. A portion of Luke 23:56 is included for context.

^f Ap: “Sabbath.”

^g Exo. xx. 10; Lev. xxiii. 7.

h Publisher’s note: This verse is part of the preceding paragraph and should be displayed as follows:

“…according to the commandment; 24 but ||on the first day of the weekˎ at early dawn||…”

Inclusion of the chapter heading for correct bookmark creation prevents it from being displayed as it was in the original printed text.

The Spoken English NT         The Resurrection of Jesus (Mt. 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-8; Jn 20:1-10)
But before dawn on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were bringing the spices they’d prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the opening of the tomb. And when they went inside, they didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body.^a

^a.Some mss lack the words “Lord Jesus.’”

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Resurrection Day
“He is not here, but is risen!”
Then on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb carrying the spices they had prepared, along with some others.¹

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but upon entering they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Analytical-Literal Translation  Now on [the] first [day] of the week [i.e. Sunday], at early dawn, they came to the tomb, carrying the spices which they prepared, and some [others] with them. But they found the stone having been rolled away from the tomb. And having entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Charles Thomson NT             And on the first day of the week, they went very early in the morning to the sepulchre, carrying the spices which they had provided. And there were some others with them.

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, but on going in did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Far Above All Translation       Then on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they went to the tomb carrying the fragrances which they had prepared, and some others went with them, and they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, and when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Modern Literal Version 2020  {Mar 16:1-8 & Mat 28:1-8 & Luk 24:1-8, 12 & Joh 20:1-10 Dawn and very early Sun.}

Now on the first day of the week, from the deep foggy daybreak, they and some others together-with them came upon the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. Now they found the stone has been rolled away from the tomb. And having entered in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

New Matthew Bible                The women come to the grave. Christ appears to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, stands in the midst of his disciples, opens their understanding in the scriptures, gives them a charge, and ascends up to heaven.

On the morrow after the Sabbath, early in the morning, the women went to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared and other women with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and went in, but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

NT (Variant Readings)           But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared, |and certain [others] with them|.

And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

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

A Voice in the Wilderness      Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone having been rolled away from the tomb. And they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage:     Some of the women who had followed Jesus got together their spices and oils and went to the Lord’s tomb at daybreak to anoint His expired body. When they arrived, the stone n front of the tomb had been rolled aside and there was no one in the tomb.

1-3

Translation: On the first of the week, at early daybreak,...

The end of the Sabbath was dusk on Saturday. They would not go to the tomb in the middle of the night. Going at dark would give them no light by which to work; and it would not have been safe.

At this point, this was Sunday morning. The women who had followed Jesus (see v. 10) planned to go to His tomb at first light Sunday.

Translation: ...the women [lit., they] went to the tomb...

The women—which included Mary Magdalene; Joanna; and Mary, Jesus’ mother—went to the tomb of Jesus.

In the original manuscript, there is no chapter break. The last few verses of Luke 23 read: It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (Luke 23:54–56; ESV; capitalized) So, the context tells us that we are speaking of the women who came with Jesus from Galilee.

Translation: ...carrying the fragrant spices which they had prepared...

The women had watched Jesus being placed in the tomb (Luke 23:55). This pretty much tells us when Jesus was crucified. Had He been crucified on Wednesday or Thursday, the women would have come the next day with these spices. Since He was crucified on Friday, with the Sabbath beginning at sunset, the women had no opportunity to come to the tomb until after the Sabbath (Saturday evening).

Jesus is crucified on Friday, which is the Passover (remember that He ate the Passover meals the night before with His disciples). Each day for the Jew begins in the evening; so their Passover began at dusk. For us, this would have been Thursday night; for the Jewish person, this was the beginning of Friday, the Passover.

Jesus died physically on Friday. He is in the tomb for a portion of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is where the 3 days come from. He is in the tomb Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday when it is dark (which would be considered a part of Sunday). That is how the 3 nights are calculated.

Any other approach would have these women taking a day off (not on the Sabbath) before getting the spices together. They simply would not do that. Let’s say the Passover is Thursday. Jesus would have been placed in the tomb near the end of the day on Thursday. This would be followed by Friday, a day where there are no restrictions; followed by the Sabbath, a day on which there are many restrictions.

The only way that these women do not go to the tomb on Friday is if they are so overcome with grief and fear that they just do not go there. The problem with this approach is, we have no text indicating that this is what happened; and despite the fact that they were overwhelmed, they would have still gone to the tomb, regardless. Remember that some of these women were right there at the cross during the crucifixion. Nothing could have been more emotion-wrenching than that. Only one thing would have kept the women from performing these final duties to the body of the Lord, and that would be the Sabbath.

Translation: ...(and certain ones with them).

This phrase is questionable. Are there others with the original women from Galilee? Quite possibly.

Luke 24:1 On the first of the week, at early daybreak, the women [lit., they] went to the tomb carrying the fragrant spices which they had prepared (and certain ones with them). (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: However, they found the stone rolled away from the [front of] the sepulcher.

The stone had not been mentioned previous to this. It is a very large stone, so the women could not help but notice it. However, had they known earlier that the stone was place in front of the tomb, they might not have gone to the tomb (having no way of entering into it). Luke, by omitting the stone’s placement in the previous context, says, without saying anything, that the women did not know about this stone. They had not seen themselves the stone being placed there.

So, what appears to have been the case is, Jesus’ body was first placed in the tomb by Joseph of Aramathaea, and the women saw this. There appears to have been no contact between Joseph and these women (Luke 23:54–56).

Sometime after this, the Roman soldiers would have placed a stone in front of the tomb; so the women are now seeing this stone for the first time. It is not blocking entry into the tomb; but it was not there when they were last there.

The very small point that I am making here is, the women have come to the Lord’s tomb expecting to find an accessible tomb so that they can go into it and add more spices and scented oils to the body.

Now, apparently, Joseph had already seen to that. He was prepared with the tomb and he probably had hired people to wrap and preserve the body (that will be apparent in v. 12 of this chapter).

So the women came to the tomb, not knowing that a stone had been placed in front of it and not knowing that the Lord’s body had already been prepared for lying in state.

Luke 24:2 However, they found the stone rolled away from the [front of] the sepulcher. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

There are two things which we can piece together because of this. Jesus did not require the stone be removed in order for Him to walk out. There are other passages which allow for Him to walk through solid objects. So when Jesus was resurrected, He simply stood up, leaving the bandages and ointments laying on the stone slab (I have assumed that He was placed on a stone slab), and then He walked right through the rock to the outside.

There were at least two angels there. The angels were there (1) to roll away the stone so that the people could see in; and (2) to provide information for the people who would come to the tomb. See Matthew 28:5 Luke 24:4, 23 John 20:12.

At this point, the women see the tomb and large stone.

Translation: [Upon] entering, they did not find the body [of the Lord Jesus].

The women are able to enter into the tomb because the stone has been moved out of the way. Also, even though there is an armed guard at this tomb, it appears that the Roman soldiers guarding the tomb are asleep. They are and not mentioned in the Lukian narrative.

Luke 24:3 [Upon] entering, they did not find the body [of the Lord Jesus]. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Luke 24:1–3 On the first of the week, at early daybreak, the women [lit., they] went to the tomb carrying the fragrant spices which they had prepared (and certain ones with them). However, they found the stone rolled away from the [front of] the sepulcher. [Upon] entering, they did not find the body [of the Lord Jesus]. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Luke 24:1–3 On the first day of the week, at first light, the women went to the tomb carrying the spices which they had prepared for the body. They first saw a stone rolled away from the entrance to the sepulcher. Upon entering into the tomb, they found no body. (Kukis paraphrase)

——————————

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    And he/it became in the (mental) loss to them about this, and behold, men, two, stood with them in clothes [that] were flashing.

Complete Apostles Bible        And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And it came to pass, as they were astonished in their mind at this, behold, two men stood by them, in shining apparel.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        And it happened, that while they were astonished concerning this, behold, two gabriyn {men} stood above them. And their clothing was shining.

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And as they wondered at this, behold, two men stood opposite them; and their raiment was effulgent.

Original Aramaic NT              And it happened that while these wondered at this, behold, two men stood above them and their clothing was shining.

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

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

Bible in Worldwide English     They were troubled about this. Then they saw two men standing near them. They were dressed in white clothes.

Easy English                          They did not understand this at all. But while they were thinking about it, two men appeared. Their clothes shone brightly like lightning. These men came and stood beside them.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  They did not understand this. While they were wondering about it, two men in shining clothes stood beside them.

God’s Word™                         While they were puzzled about this, two men in clothes that were as bright as lightning suddenly stood beside them.

Good News Bible (TEV)         They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them.

J. B. Phillips                           While they were still puzzling over this, two men suddenly stood at their elbow, dressed in dazzling light.

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

NIRV                                      They were wondering about this. Suddenly two men in clothes as bright as lightning stood beside them.

New Life Version                    While they wondered about what had happened, they saw two men standing by them in shining clothes.

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              They stood there bewildered, wondering what was going on. Suddenly two men appeared beside them, wearing clothes that had a dazzling shine.

Contemporary English V.       .

Goodspeed New Testament  They were in great perplexity over this, when suddenly two men in dazzling clothing stood beside them.

The Living Bible                     They stood there puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it. Suddenly two men appeared before them, clothed in shining robes so bright their eyes were dazzled.

New Berkeley Version           .

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

The Passion Translation        They stood there, stunned and perplexed. Suddenly two men in dazzling white robes shining like lightning appeared above them.

Radiant New Testament        As they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes as bright as lightning stood beside them.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  They did not know what to think about that. Then suddenly two men stood by them wearing bright, shining clothes!

William's New Testament       And as they were being perplexed about this, two men in dazzling robes suddenly took their stand beside them.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            And it happened during the time for them to not be sure what to think about this; and look, two men stood over them in a bright outfit.

Common English Bible           They didn’t know what to make of this. Suddenly, two men were standing beside them in gleaming bright clothing.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles While they were in perplexity on this account, behold, two men stood by them, in robes of a dazzling brightness.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       They were still puzzling over this, when two men came and stood by them, in shining garments.

20^th Century New Testament While they were at a loss to account for this, all at once two men stood beside them, in dazzling clothing.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Berean Study Bible                While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them.

Conservapedia Translation    As they stood there, astonished, two men in shining clothes came to them, And they grew afraid, and bowed their faces to the ground. The men said to them, "Why are you looking for the living here among the dead? V. 5 is included for context.

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  Now while they were searching about for it, suddenly two men stood near them in robes of dazzling brightness.

Free Bible Version                 While they were wondering what was going on, two men suddenly appeared dressed in clothes that shone brilliantly.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           And it happened, as they were amazed thereat: behold two men stood by them in shining vestures.

Lexham Bible                         And it happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men in gleaming clothing stood near them.

NIV, ©2011                             While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

The Spoken English NT         They didn’t know what to think. And suddenly two men stood by them in brilliantly shining clothes. Confused

Weymouth New Testament    At this they were in great perplexity, when suddenly there stood by them two men whose raiment flashed like lightning.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

The Heritage Bible                          And it was, in their being perplexed concerning this, that, behold, two men⁴ stood by them in shining garments;

And they became afraid, and bowing down their faces to the earth, they said to them, Why do you seek the living one with the dead ones? V. 5 is included for context.

⁴ 24:4 men, aner, males.

New American Bible (2011)   While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them.^b

b. [24:4] 2 Mc 3:26; Acts 1:10.

New English Bible–1970        While they stood utterly at a loss, all of a sudden two men in dazzling garments were at their side.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           They were standing there, not knowing what to think about it, when suddenly two men in dazzlingly bright clothing stood next to them.

Hebraic Roots Bible               And it happened, as they were astonished about this, even behold, two men in shining clothing stood above them.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    .

The Scriptures 2009              And it came to be, as they were perplexed about this, that see, two men stood by them in glittering garments.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...and [It] becomes in the+ to wonder them about this and look! Men two stand [by] them in clothing shining...

Awful Scroll Bible                   And it came about, from-within they are to be thoroughly-constrained about this, even Be Looked!, two men stood-before them, from-within dazzling apparel.

exeGeses companion Bible   And so be it,

they are thoroughly perplexed about this,

that behold,

two men in flashing apparel stand by them.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           It came about while they were perplexed about this, indeed, hinei, shnayim (two), who were garmented in dazzling robes, stood by them.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   And it happened, while they wondered about the situation, suddenly two men in brilliant clothing [were seen] standing beside them.

The Expanded Bible              While they were ·wondering [puzzling; perplexed] about this, two men in ·shining [dazzling; gleaming like lightning; 9:29] clothes suddenly stood beside them.

Jonathan Mitchell NT             And then – it happened in the midst of a perplexity for them to be without a way [to explain or understand] about this – look! two adult men (human males), in clothing that was constantly flashing and radiating beams of light, stepped up suddenly and stood by them.

P. Kretzmann Commentary    .

Syndein/Thieme                     ``And, it came to pass {new scene/subject} while they were in a quandary concerning this . . . behold {pay attention} two noble men {aner - actually they thought they were men, but they were angels} stood beside them in 'dazzling attire'/'garments that flashed like lightening' {astrapto}.

Translation for Translators     They did not know what to think about that. Then suddenly two men wearing bright shining clothes stood by them!

The Voice                               They didn’t know what to think. As they stood there in confusion, two men suddenly appeared standing beside them. These men seemed to glow with light.

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

NET Bible®                             While⁷ they were perplexed⁸ about this, suddenly⁹ two men stood beside them in dazzling¹⁰ attire.

^7tn Grk “And it happened that while.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

^8tn Or “bewildered.” The term refers to a high state of confusion and anxiety.

^9tn Grk “behold.”

^10sn The brilliantly shining clothing (dazzling attire) points to the fact that these are angels (see 24:23).

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. And it came to pass <while they were perplexing themselves concerning this> that lo! |two men| stood near themˎ in dazzling^j raiment.

^j Or: “flashing,” “effulgent.”

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  And it came to pass that while they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in shining garments stood by them.

Charles Thomson NT             And while they were in perplexity on this account, lo! two men stood by them in glistening robes; at which they being terrified, and inclining their face to the ground, the men said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?? V. 5 is included for context.

Far Above All Translation       And it came to pass as they were at a loss on this matter, that this happened: two men in dazzling clothes came into their view.

Literal Standard Version        And it came to pass, while they are perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in clothing—flashing [with light]; and on their having become afraid, and having inclined the face to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living with the dead? V. 5 is included for context.

Modern Literal Version 2020  And it happened, while* they were perplexed concerning this, and behold, two men stood by them in flashing apparels.

New Matthew Bible                And it happened as they wondered at this, behold, two men stood by them in shining vestures.

NT (Variant Readings)           And it came to pass, while °they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel:...

°Byz.-they were greatly perplexed...

Revised Geneva Translation  And it happened that (as they were perplexed by this) behold, two men suddenly stood by them in shining garments.

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage:     The women see two men in dazzling apparel.

Translation: It came to pass, while [there was] confusion about this [happening] to them,...

There were several things happening that the women were each trying to process. There was no stone there before; but there is a stone there now. However, instead of being in front of the tomb, it was rolled to the side. Then they saw that the body of the Lord was gone.

There were two other things that they observed, not mentioned by Luke. There are two Roman guards there who are asleep; and the grave bandages along with the heavy coating of spices and oils remained on the stone bed inside (this is how I visualize it; perhaps Jesus was just laid on the ground?).

In other words, for however women who were there, they had a great deal to process. What happened, where did this stuff come from, what does all of this mean? But, most importantly, where is the body of their Lord?