What does Luke 24:4 mean?
"And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:" - Luke 24:4
Luke 24:4 - "And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:"
Luke 24:4 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments."
This verse is taken from the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, where a group of women goes to the tomb to anoint His body. When they arrive, they find the stone rolled away, and the body of Jesus is missing. As they are "much perplexed" about this situation, two angels appear to them in shining garments.
This verse is significant for many reasons, as it contains layers of symbolism and themes that are important to Christian theology and the story of Jesus' resurrection.
Firstly, the theme of confusion and perplexity is evident in this verse. The women are at a loss as to what has happened to Jesus' body. This confusion mirrors the state of the disciples and followers of Jesus in the aftermath of His crucifixion. They were lost, grief-stricken, and uncertain about the future. However, the appearance of the angels signifies that there is a higher purpose at work, and that despite the confusion, there is hope and clarity to be found.
The presence of the angels in shining garments is also highly symbolic. In the Bible, angels are often depicted as messengers of God, bringing important news or guidance to humans. The shining garments represent their divine nature and the radiance of God's glory. This imagery serves to emphasize the supernatural and miraculous nature of Jesus' resurrection. It also functions as a sign of hope and comfort for the women, as the angels' presence reassures them that God is in control and that there is a plan unfolding beyond their understanding.
Furthermore, the theme of divine intervention is evident in this verse. The fact that the angels appear at this exact moment, in response to the women's confusion and distress, suggests that God is actively involved in the events surrounding Jesus' resurrection. It also foreshadows the revelation that the women are about to receive regarding the risen Christ, thus serving as a testimony to the divine sovereignty and providence at work in the world.
The context of this verse is also significant. In the larger narrative of the resurrection, this moment marks a pivotal turning point. The discovery of the empty tomb and the appearance of the angels signal the beginning of a new chapter in the story of Jesus' ministry. It is the moment when the disciples and the world at large are confronted with the reality of the resurrection and its implications for their faith.
In terms of symbolism, the empty tomb and the appearance of the angels represent the victory of life over death, hope over despair, and light over darkness. They point to the central message of Christianity – that Jesus conquered death and sin through His resurrection, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
In conclusion, Luke 24:4 from the King James Version of the Bible holds rich theological, symbolic, and thematic significance within the broader story of Jesus' resurrection. It communicates themes of confusion and divine intervention, and it symbolizes hope, victory, and the transformative power of the resurrection. This verse plays a crucial role in the foundational narrative of Christianity, as it marks the moment when the disciples and the world were confronted with the reality of Christ's resurrection and the promise of new life in Him.
Luke 24:4 Artwork
Luke 24:4 - "And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:"
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Luke 23:24 - "And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required."
Luke 23:24 - "And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required."
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Luke 24:45 - "Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,"
Luke 24:16 - "But their eyes were holden that they should not know him."
Luke 24:43 - "And he took it, and did eat before them."
Luke 24:52 - "And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:"
Luke 24:42 - "And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb."
Luke 24:2 - "And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre."
Luke 24:24 - "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."
Luke 24:37 - "But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit."
Luke 24:14 - "And they talked together of all these things which had happened."
Luke 24:53 - "And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."
Luke 24:11 - "And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not."
Luke 24:34 - "Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon."
Luke 24:31 - "And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight."
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Luke 22:24 - "¶ And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest."
Luke 4:19 - "To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."