Luke 24
The empty tomb
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 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. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
At dawn on the first day of the week, the women bring spices to the tomb and find the stone rolled away and the body gone. Two men in dazzling clothes ask why they look for the living among the dead, and remind them that Jesus said in Galilee he would be crucified and rise on the third day. The women tell the apostles, who dismiss their words as nonsense, but Peter runs to the tomb, sees the linen cloths lying by themselves and goes home wondering.
What does this mean?
"The first day of the week" is Sunday, the day after the Sabbath. "Idle tales" (KJV) or "nonsense" (WEB) translates a word used for the delirious talk of the sick.
Historical context
Ancient writers, including Josephus, show that women's testimony was often given little weight; many historians therefore think early Christians would not have invented women as the first witnesses. Verse 12 is missing from one important early group of manuscripts but present in most.
Why does it matter?
The women, including Joanna and Mary Magdalene, were introduced as followers in Galilee (8:2–3).
Editorial notes, not scripture.
Told in all four Gospels
Matthew 28:1–8
The empty tomb
How Matthew tells it
Only Matthew describes an earthquake, an angel descending to roll away the stone and sit on it, and terrified guards. The women leave with 'fear and great joy', whereas Mark's account ends with them saying nothing because they were afraid. Luke has two men in dazzling clothes; John has Mary Magdalene, then Peter and another disciple.
Continue reading in Matthew →Mark 16:1–8
The empty tomb
How Mark tells it
Mark names three women, including Salome, and alone tells of them buying spices and wondering who will move the stone. Mark's messenger is a young man in white sitting inside the tomb, and only Mark has 'his disciples and Peter'. Mark ends with the women fleeing and telling no one, where the other accounts have the disciples told.
Continue reading in Mark →John 20:1–10
The empty tomb
How John tells it
In John, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb alone, though she says "we", and runs to fetch Peter and the beloved disciple; no angel speaks to her at this stage. Luke briefly mentions Peter running to the tomb, but only John describes two disciples racing there, the arrangement of the grave cloths, and the other disciple seeing and believing.
Continue reading in John →How Luke tells it
Luke has "two men" in shining clothes (Mark: a young man; Matthew: an angel; John: two angels). They recall what Jesus said "in Galilee" rather than sending the disciples to Galilee, keeping Luke's story around Jerusalem. Only Luke names Joanna and has the apostles dismiss the women's report. Peter runs alone (John: Peter and the beloved disciple).