King James Version

What Does Luke 24:22 Mean?

Luke 24:22 in the King James Version says “Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; — study this verse from Luke chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

Luke 24:22 · KJV


Context

20

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21

But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

22

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

23

And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

24

And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Certain women also of our company made us astonished (γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, gynaikes tines ex hēmōn exestēsan hēmas)—The verb existēmi (astonished/amazed) literally means 'to stand outside oneself,' indicating overwhelming bewilderment rather than believing joy. Luke emphasizes the women's early arrival (which were early at the sepulchre, ὀρθριναὶ ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, orthrinai epi to mnēmeion), contrasting their faithfulness with male disciples' absence.

The phrase of our company (ἐξ ἡμῶν, ex hēmōn) acknowledges these women as full members of Jesus' disciple community—Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James (24:10). Yet the men's response was skeptical dismissal (v. 11: 'idle tales'). The women's testimony, though legally inadmissible in first-century courts, became the resurrection's first proclamation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Women visiting tombs at dawn to complete burial rites was customary Jewish practice, as the Sabbath had prevented proper preparation. However, women's testimony carried no legal weight in Jewish or Roman courts. Luke's emphasis on female witnesses demonstrates the gospel's counter-cultural elevation of women and historical authenticity—no fabricated account would feature women as primary witnesses.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did God choose women as the first resurrection witnesses despite cultural dismissal of their testimony?
  2. How does the disciples' astonishment without belief reflect modern skepticism toward miracle claims?
  3. What does the women's early morning devotion teach about prioritizing Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
ἀλλὰ1 of 13

Yea

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

καὶ2 of 13

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γυναῖκές3 of 13

women

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

τινες4 of 13

and certain

G5100

some or any person or object

ἐξ5 of 13

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ἡμῶν6 of 13

our company

G2257

of (or from) us

ἐξέστησαν7 of 13

astonished

G1839

to put (stand) out of wits, i.e., astound, or (reflexively) become astounded, insane

ἡμᾶς8 of 13

us

G2248

us

γενόμεναι9 of 13

which were

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ὀρθριαὶ10 of 13

early

G3721

in the dawn, i.e., up at day-break

ἐπὶ11 of 13

at

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ12 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μνημεῖον13 of 13

the sepulchre

G3419

a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 24:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 24:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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