The Empty Tomb and the Women's Report
Luke 24:1-12
Luke.24.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- μια: NUM,nom,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- σαββατων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- ορθρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- βαθεως: ADV
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μνημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- φερουσαι: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,f
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ητοιμασαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αρωματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 28:1 (verbal): Also places the visit 'on the first day of the week' at dawn; women go to the tomb—parallel timing and movement (dawn/first day language).
- Mark 16:1-2 (verbal): Mark records the women buying/bringing spices (16:1) and going very early on the first day of the week (16:2), combining the same elements of spices and early morning arrival.
- John 20:1 (thematic): John describes Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb 'early, while it was still dark' on the first day of the week—parallel emphasis on the early-morning visit to the tomb.
- Luke 23:56 (verbal): Immediate Lukan context: the women had 'prepared spices and ointments' and rested on the sabbath, explaining the spices they bring in 24:1 (same verb and material).
Alternative generated candidates
- But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
- But on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
Luke.24.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ευρον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λιθον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αποκεκυλισμενον: PART,perf,pass,acc,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- μνημειου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 28:2 (verbal): Narrative of the tomb with the stone moved: an angel descends and the stone is rolled away—direct verbal and narrative parallel to the stone being found rolled back.
- Mark 16:4 (verbal): The women see the large stone rolled away from the tomb—same report that the stone was moved, emphasizing the stone's size and its removal.
- John 20:1 (verbal): Mary Magdalene arrives and finds the stone taken away from the tomb (ἠρμένον/removed)—a verbal and thematic parallel in the Johannine resurrection account.
- Mark 16:3 (thematic): The women wonder who will roll the stone away from the tomb—an anticipatory theme that contrasts with the later discovery that the stone has indeed been moved.
Alternative generated candidates
- They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
- They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
Luke.24.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εισελθουσαι: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,f,pl
- δε: CONJ
- ουχ: PART,neg
- ευρον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- σωμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 28:6 (verbal): Empty tomb narrative—angelic declaration 'He is not here; for he is risen' parallels Luke's report that they entered and found no body.
- Mark 16:5-6 (verbal): Mark describes the women entering the tomb and finding no body, with a young man announcing Jesus' resurrection—direct parallel account of the empty tomb.
- John 20:1-7 (verbal): John records Mary Magdalene (and later Peter and the beloved disciple) finding the tomb empty and the linen cloths, corresponding to Luke's notice that the body was not found.
- 1 Corinthians 15:4 (thematic): Paul's summary that Christ 'was buried, and that he rose again the third day' connects the empty-tomb reports theologically to the resurrection proclaimed in Luke 24:3–.
Alternative generated candidates
- and when they went in they did not find the body.
- They went in, but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
Luke.24.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- απορεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- αυτας: PRON,acc,pl,f
- περι: PREP
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ιδου: PART
- ανδρες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- επεστησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυταις: PRON,dat,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- εσθητι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αστραπτουση: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Mark 16:5 (verbal): Women at the tomb encounter a young man/angel in a white robe — similar scene and language of a heavenly figure in bright clothing standing/ sitting by the tomb.
- Matthew 28:3 (verbal): The angel's appearance is described like lightning and his clothing white as snow, echoing Luke's image of dazzling/flash‑like attire (εσθητι αστραπτουση).
- John 20:12 (verbal): Mary and the other disciple see two angels in white where Jesus' body had lain — parallels Luke's mention of two men/angels in brilliant garments at the empty tomb.
- Acts 1:10 (thematic): Two men in white garments appear at Jesus' ascension to address the disciples — a similar motif of two heavenly figures in white who interpret divine action to witnesses.
Alternative generated candidates
- While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
- While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood beside them in garments of dazzling brightness.
Luke.24.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εμφοβων: VERB,pres,act,part,masc,gen,pl
- δε: CONJ
- γενομενων: VERB,aor,pass,part,masc,gen,pl
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- κλινουσων: VERB,pres,act,part,masc,gen,pl
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- προσωπα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ειπαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- αυτας·Τι: PRON,acc,pl,f
- ζητειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ζωντα: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Mark 16:6 (verbal): An angelic announcement to the women at the tomb uses very similar language: addressing their fear and declaring that the crucified One is no longer there because he has risen (parallels the idea of 'seeking the living among the dead').
- Matthew 28:5-6 (verbal): An angel tells the women 'Do not be afraid' and announces that Jesus is not here, for he has risen—closely parallels Luke's question about seeking the living among the dead and the angelic reassurance.
- John 20:13 (structural): Angels address a grieving woman at the tomb with a question ('Woman, why are you weeping?'), paralleling the scene's structure of angelic interlocutors confronting frightened/mourning women.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20 (thematic): Paul's proclamation that Christ has been raised as the firstfruits of those who have died resonates thematically with the proclamation implied by Luke's question—affirming the reality and centrality of the resurrection.
Alternative generated candidates
- Terrified, they bowed their faces to the ground; the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
- Terrified, they bowed their faces to the ground; the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead?'
Luke.24.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ωδε: ADV
- αλλα: CONJ
- ηγερθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- μνησθητε: VERB,aor,pas,imp,2,pl
- ως: ADV
- ελαλησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ετι: ADV
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- Γαλιλαια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Mark 16:6 (verbal): Angel's announcement at the empty tomb uses the same core line: 'Do not be alarmed... He has risen; he is not here,' closely matching Luke's phrasing.
- Matthew 28:6 (verbal): Matthew records the angel's words 'He is not here; for he has risen,' a direct parallel in wording and message to Luke 24:6.
- Matthew 28:7 (thematic): Includes the instruction to tell the disciples he will meet them in Galilee—parallels Luke's reminder to recall Jesus' words about Galilee and his post‑resurrection appearance.
- Luke 9:22 (allusion): An earlier prediction by Jesus (made while in Galilee) that the Son of Man must suffer, be killed, and rise on the third day—this is the kind of saying Luke 24:6 urges the disciples to remember.
- 1 Corinthians 15:4 (thematic): Paul's creedal summary that Christ 'was raised on the third day' reflects the same central claim of resurrection that Luke 24:6 proclaims and connects to Jesus' prior predictions.
Alternative generated candidates
- He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,
- 'He is not here; he has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,'
Luke.24.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- παραδοθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- εις: PREP
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αμαρτωλων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- σταυρωθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- και: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- τριτη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αναστηναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Mark 8:31 (verbal): Near-identical prediction: Jesus teaches that the Son of Man must suffer, be killed, and after three days rise again—close verbal parallel to Luke 24:7.
- Matthew 16:21 (verbal): Same prediction language: from this time Jesus begins to show his disciples that he must suffer, be killed, and be raised on the third day.
- Luke 9:22 (quotation): An earlier, nearly identical statement within Luke: Jesus tells the disciples the Son of Man must suffer, be killed, and on the third day be raised—internal Gospel parallel.
- Matthew 12:40 (allusion): Jesus cites Jonah’s three days in the fish as a sign pointing to his own 'three days'—an Old Testament-type allusion to resurrection on the third day.
- Isaiah 53:7-12 (thematic): The Suffering Servant motif (taken, delivered, afflicted, vindicated) thematically echoes Jesus being handed over, suffering, and ultimately vindicated—background for the passion and vindication/resurrection.
Alternative generated candidates
- that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day rise."
- 'that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day rise again.'
Luke.24.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εμνησθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ρηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,neut
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- John 2:22 (verbal): After Jesus' resurrection the disciples 'remembered that he had said this'—a direct verbal/narrative parallel of remembering Jesus' words on the occasion of the resurrection.
- Luke 22:61 (verbal): Peter 'remembered the word of the Lord' after Jesus' look—uses the same verb and motif of recollecting Jesus' prediction or teaching.
- Mark 16:7 (verbal): The angel tells the women they will see Jesus 'as he told you'—echoing the idea that the disciples/women recall Jesus' prior words about his rising and appearances.
- John 14:26 (thematic): Jesus promises the Spirit will 'bring to your remembrance' all he said—provides theological background for the post-resurrection remembering of his words.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they remembered his words,
- And they remembered his words.
Luke.24.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- υποστρεψασαι: VERB,aor,act,part,f,nom,pl
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- μνημειου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- απηγγειλαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ενδεκα: NUM,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- λοιποις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 28:8-10 (thematic): Women run from the tomb to tell the disciples; Jesus meets them and affirms the resurrection, paralleling the report to the eleven and the disciples' commission.
- Mark 16:9-10 (verbal): Mary Magdalene (and the women) report that they have seen the risen Lord and tell those who had been with him, echoing the Luke account of the women announcing the events to the apostles.
- John 20:18 (verbal): Mary Magdalene goes and announces to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord,' directly paralleling Luke's note that the women returned and reported to the believers.
- Luke 24:10 (structural): Immediate parallel within Luke: this verse names the women who found the tomb and states that they told the apostles, providing the narrative antecedent and close correspondence to 24:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
- Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
Luke.24.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- Μαγδαληνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- Μαρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Μαρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- Ιακωβου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- λοιπαι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- συν: PREP
- αυταις·ελεγον: PRON,dat,pl,f+VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αποστολους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Mark 16:1,8-10 (verbal): Lists Mary Magdalene and other women (including Mary mother of James) at the tomb who encounter the angel and subsequently report to the disciples—close overlap in names and the women’s role as witnesses and reporters.
- Matthew 28:1,8-10 (verbal): Names Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visiting the tomb, then running to tell the disciples; Jesus also appears and commissions the women to inform the disciples—parallel testimony and function.
- John 20:1,11-18 (verbal): Focuses on Mary Magdalene as the primary female witness who finds the empty tomb, sees Jesus, and goes to tell the disciples that she has seen the Lord—aligns with Luke’s emphasis on women reporting the resurrection to the apostles.
- Acts 1:14 (thematic): Describes women (including Mary the mother of Jesus) gathered with the apostles in prayer after the resurrection—reflects the continued inclusion and importance of women in the apostolic community, echoing Luke 24:10’s portrait of women as bearers of the resurrection message.
Alternative generated candidates
- It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who reported these things to the apostles.
- It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles.
Luke.24.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εφανησαν: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- ενωπιον: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ωσει: ADV
- ληρος: NOUN,masc,sg,nom
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- ηπιστουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυταις: PRON,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Mark 16:11 (verbal): The women report the risen Jesus to the disciples, and 'they did not believe'—a near-verbatim parallel to Luke's statement of unbelief.
- Mark 16:13 (verbal): After the women’s report, the disciples likewise do not believe them; Mark preserves the same skeptical reaction found in Luke 24:11.
- Luke 24:38 (structural): In the same chapter Jesus addresses the disciples' doubt ('Why are you troubled? and why do doubts arise in your hearts?'), thematically linking the report‑rejection in v.11 with the problem of unbelief.
- Matthew 28:17 (thematic): When the disciples see the risen Jesus some 'worshiped, but some doubted,' echoing the mixed response to resurrection testimony and the motif of doubt present in Luke 24:11.
- John 20:25 (thematic): Thomas's refusal to believe without sight reflects the same skeptical posture toward resurrection claims as the disciples' unbelief of the women's account in Luke 24:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe the women.
- But their words seemed to the apostles like an idle tale, and they did not believe the women.
Luke.24.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Πετρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αναστας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εδραμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μνημειον·και: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- παρακυψας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- βλεπει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- οθονια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- μονα·και: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- απηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- θαυμαζων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- γεγονος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
Parallels
- John 20:3-8 (verbal): Peter runs to the tomb, enters, and sees the linen wrappings (and the face-cloth), paralleling Luke's image of Peter running to the tomb and seeing only the grave-clothes; very close verbal and narrative parallel.
- Mark 16:5-8 (structural): Mark recounts the discovery of the empty tomb and the presence of the linen cloths (and the women's fear), providing a closely related structural account of the empty tomb and the astonishment it produces.
- Matthew 28:5-8 (thematic): Matthew describes the empty tomb and the angelic announcement and the women's reaction (fear and joy), paralleling Luke's emphasis on the empty grave and the amazed response to the resurrection event.
- 1 Corinthians 15:5 (allusion): Paul's list of post‑resurrection appearances names Cephas (Peter) specifically, alluding to Peter's central role as an early witness consistent with Luke's depiction of Peter investigating the empty tomb.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw only the linen cloths; then he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.
- Then Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and peering in, he saw the linen cloths lying there by themselves, and he went away to his home, amazed at what had happened.
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. And entering they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
While they were perplexed about this, two men stood beside them in dazzling apparel.
Being terrified, they bowed their faces to the ground.
The men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen.
Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee: that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day rise again."
Then they remembered his words. And returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who reported these things to the apostles. But their words seemed to them like an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves, and he went home, wondering at what had happened.