King James Version

What Does Luke 24:8 Mean?

Luke 24:8 in the King James Version says “And they remembered his words,” — study this verse from Luke chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And they remembered his words,”

Luke 24:8 · KJV

Context

6

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8

And they remembered his words,

9

And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

10

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they remembered his words. This brief but pivotal verse records the moment when angelic reminder (verses 6-7) triggered recollection. The Greek emnēsthēsan (ἐμνήσθησαν) means they recalled, were reminded—an aorist passive indicating the memory came to them through divine prompting, not merely their own effort. The angels had said, "Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee" (v. 6), quoting Jesus' predictions about His death and resurrection (Luke 9:22, 18:31-33).

His words (tōn rhēmatōn autou, τῶν ῥημάτων αὐτοῦ) refers specifically to Jesus' passion predictions. The women had heard these prophecies but failed to comprehend them—the disciples consistently misunderstood Jesus' suffering predictions (Luke 9:45, 18:34). Now, standing in the empty tomb with angels explaining, Scripture and reality converged in their minds. Resurrection made Jesus' words suddenly comprehensible.

This verse demonstrates how divine illumination unlocks Scripture's meaning. The same words that previously confused now brought clarity. The pattern repeats throughout Luke 24: remembered words (v. 8), opened Scriptures (v. 32, 45), recognition (v. 31). Faith requires both objective revelation (God's Word) and subjective illumination (the Spirit's work). The women's remembering shows that God's truth, once deposited in hearts through hearing, can be activated by the Holy Spirit at the appointed time.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus had repeatedly predicted His passion and resurrection during His Galilean ministry and journey to Jerusalem. Each prediction specified the third-day resurrection (Luke 9:22: "be raised the third day"; 18:33: "the third day he shall rise again"). Yet disciples and followers consistently failed to grasp this, perhaps due to Jewish expectations of Messiah's immediate political triumph or inability to conceive of resurrection before the general end-time raising of all the dead.

The women's remembering at the angels' prompting parallels Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit would "bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26). This principle became foundational for apostolic teaching—the Spirit helped Jesus' followers recall and understand His words after His resurrection and ascension, enabling them to write Gospels and epistles decades later.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Holy Spirit bring Jesus' words to remembrance in believers' lives today at crucial moments?
  2. Why is it significant that the women needed angelic prompting to remember what Jesus had clearly predicted?
  3. What does this verse teach about the relationship between hearing God's Word and understanding it?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 5 words
καὶ1 of 5

“And”

G2532

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

ἐμνήσθησαν2 of 5

“they remembered”

G3415

to bear in mind, i.e., recollect; by implication, to reward or punish

τῶν3 of 5
G3588

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

ῥημάτων4 of 5

“words”

G4487

an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat

αὐτοῦ5 of 5

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

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 24:8 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 24:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 12:16John 14:26John 2:19-22

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