Luke 24:5

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living^[a] among the dead?

Luke 24:5 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 24:5

And as they were afraid
That is, the women were afraid of these angels; these bright appearances and majestic forms, as it was usual for good men and women to be, as appears from the cases of Zacharias, the Virgin Mary, and others: and bowed down their faces to the earth,
through great fear and reverence of these heavenly spirits, and as not being able to bear the lustre of their countenances and garments: they said unto them,
that is, the angels: why seek ye the living among the dead?
intimating, that Christ, though he had been dead, was now living, and not to be sought for in a sepulchre; a way of speaking, much like this, is used in a parable of R. Levi's, concerning Pharaoh's not finding the name of God among the gods of the nations, upon searching for it. Moses and Aaron said to Pharaoh,

``thou fool, is it usual for the dead to "seek" them among the living? (Mytmh lua Myyxh amv) , "or ever the living among the dead?" our God is living, these thou speakest of are dead ^F9.''

Nor is Christ to be found among dead sinners, or lifeless professors, but among living saints, and among the churches of the living God; nor is life to be found among the dead works of the law, or to be obtained by lifeless performances on the dead letter of the law.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Shemot Rabba, sect. 5. fol. 95. 3.

Luke 24:5 In-Context

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 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?

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. the living: or, him that liveth