What does Luke 24:22 mean?

Explanation

Luke 24:22 presents a statement made by two of Jesus' disciples on the road to Emmaus as they recount to a stranger, who is the resurrected Jesus, unbeknownst to them at that time, the events that have recently occurred in Jerusalem.

They speak of the women who visited Jesus' tomb early in the morning following his crucifixion and found it empty.

These women had reported seeing visions of angels who told them Jesus was alive, causing amazement among the disciples.

The verse emphasizes not only the role of women in the Gospel resurrection accounts but also the astonishment and initial disbelief of Jesus' followers to the testimony of these women.

Historical Context

Luke 24 is set in the immediate aftermath of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which is dated by historians to around 30-33 AD. The political and social milieu was in Judea under Roman occupation.

Jewish religious practices and beliefs about the afterlife and messianic expectations shaped the disciples' understanding of and reaction to Jesus' death.

Women in Jewish society had a limited public role, yet it is striking that in this passage, they are the first witnesses to the resurrection.

Their testimony in this historical context would not typically be considered as credible as that of men.

Theological Insights

The verse brings up several theological insights. First, it underscores the concept of the resurrection, central to Christian doctrine. The astonishment of the disciples suggests that the resurrection was unexpected and hence contributes to the argument for its miraculous nature.

Additionally, there's a theological statement about the role of women in God's plan.

The Gospel of Luke displays an inclusive approach by highlighting the significance of women's testimony.

This challenges some cultural assumptions of the time and elicits discussions within Christian circles about the role of women in the church.

From a theological perspective, the passage also illustrates a human tendency toward disbelief when faced with the divine or unexplainable. This functions as a prelude to the eventual revelation and understanding that will come to the disciples.

Practical Applications

The verse can offer various practical applications for daily life:

Encouraging the value of testimony and witness, despite societal biases, as seen in the importance given to the women's report. 2.

Emphasizing the openness to the unexpected and miraculous, reminding individuals to be open to occurrences that challenge their understanding and beliefs. 3.

Promoting an understanding that all members of a community can be bearers of significant news or truth, irrespective of their social status.

Cross-References

• Mark 16:1-7 - Narrates the visit of the women to the tomb and their encounter with the angel.
• Matthew 28:1-8 - Another account of the women and the empty tomb, along with their instruction to tell the disciples.
• John 20:1-18 - Gives details of Mary Magdalene's experience at the tomb and her encounter with the risen Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - Paul the Apostle speaks of Christ's resurrection as a critical belief and lists those who witnessed the risen Jesus, with a notable absence of the women's testimony.

Language Study

Key words from the original Greek text of Luke 24:22 include:

• "γυναῖκές" (gunaikes) - Translated as "women," pointing to the notable role of female disciples.
• "ἐξέστησαν" (exestēsan) - Often translated as "made us astonished" or "amazed us," conveying a sense of bewilderment or being greatly surprised.
• "ὄρθρου" (orthrou) - Meaning "early" or "at dawn," signifying the time of day the women visited the tomb.

Examining these terms enriches our understanding of the emphasis on the women's credibility and the dramatic nature of their account.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the cultural and religious context of the period, women's testimonies were not highly valued.

However, the fact that women are the primary witnesses to the resurrection in the Gospels contrasts with other ancient myths and religious narratives where men often play the central roles.

This inclusive nature of the Gospel narratives reflected a broader and more egalitarian view of humanity's role in the divine plan.

Comparatively, in other religious traditions, there are likewise instances where individuals of supposedly lower social status are accorded divine encounters or roles, such as the Hindu god Krishna revealing his cosmic form to the charioteer Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific perspective tends to approach biblical events like Jesus’ resurrection with skepticism.

From a strictly historical standpoint, the discipline typically requires empirical evidence to validate such events.

While there's physical evidence for some biblical locations and cultural practices, matters of faith and miraculous events cannot be substantiated or refuted in the same manner, as they fall outside the scope of scientific inquiry.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Luke 24:22 often focus on the central role of women as the first witnesses to the resurrection, suggesting a challenge to the social norms of the time.

Commentators also point out that the initial astonishment and disbelief of the disciples serve to authenticate the resurrection narrative, arguing that no one would have fabricated a story that highlights the incredulity of Jesus' closest followers.

Furthermore, some commentaries underscore the gentle rebuke that comes later in the story when the stranger (Jesus) chides them for not believing the women and explains the prophecies concerning the Messiah.

These resources generally agree on the fundamental importance of this event in Christianity, as it is the moment that the hope of the resurrection begins to dawn on the disciples, despite their initial doubts.