Luke 24:23

23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive.

Luke 24:23 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 24:23

And when they found not his body
In the sepulchre, as they expected, and so could not do what they intended: they came;
they returned from the sepulchre with great haste, and in a very great fright, and came to the disciples, where they were assembled; saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels.
The Syriac and Persic versions add, "there"; at the sepulchre, for there were two of them at least, if not three; see ( Luke 24:4 ) ( John 20:12 ) ( Matthew 28:2 ) . They not only reported, that they could not find the body of Jesus, but also that they had seen some angels: or the sense may be, that they told them, that though they could not find the dead body of their Lord, yet they had seen him alive, as they did by the way, as they were returning, ( Matthew 28:9 Matthew 28:10 ) and also that a vision of angels had appeared to them: which said that he was alive;
see ( Luke 24:5 Luke 24:6 ) . So that it was not a deception of their sight, they certainly saw both Christ and the angels; and were assured from their testimony, as well as by their own eyes and ears, that he was certainly risen: now, though this was so clear a point, and so well attested, the disciples knew not how to believe it; they were perplexed about it; they could neither receive it, nor discredit it; they hoped it might be so, but feared it was not.

Luke 24:23 In-Context

21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.
22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,
23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him."
25 Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.