What is the context?
On the first day of the week, the women return with the spices they prepared. These are the women who saw the tomb and how Jesus’ body was placed there. They find the stone rolled away and the body gone.
Two men in radiant clothing stand beside them and ask why they are looking for the living among the dead. They announce that Jesus has risen and remind the women that He had foretold His betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection on the third day.
The women remember His words and report what happened to the Eleven and the others. Luke names Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James, along with other women. The apostles initially dismiss their report as nonsense.
Peter runs to the tomb, sees only the linen cloths and leaves wondering. Luke records the empty tomb, the announcement, the remembered promise and the first responses to the news; fuller recognition follows in the rest of the chapter.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christian traditions commonly understand the empty tomb within the announcement that Jesus truly rose from the dead. The Catholic Catechism describes it as an essential sign leading toward recognition of the resurrection, and Westminster affirms His rising in the same body in which He suffered. (Catechism §§639–641; Westminster Confession 8.4)
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The announcement calls the women back to Jesus’ own promise, including the suffering they had just witnessed. Acts later presents His burial and resurrection as the fulfillment of God’s promises, applying the promise that God’s Holy One would not see decay to Jesus. It joins that proclamation with forgiveness through Him. (Luke 9:22; Luke 18:31–33; Acts 13:29–39)
Paul also explains Christ’s resurrection as the beginning of the promised harvest: those who belong to Him will be raised at His coming. Romans connects being united with His death and resurrection with walking in newness of life now. The empty tomb therefore stands within both the hope of resurrection and the new life His people are called to live. (1 Corinthians 15:20–23; Romans 6:3–11)
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.