A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 24:4

A.T. Robertson Commentary

Luke 24:4

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
A.T. Robertson
A.T. Robertson

A.T. Robertson Commentary

Luke 24:4

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel:" — Luke 24:4 (ASV)

While they were perplexed thereabout (εν τω απορεισθα αυτας περ τουτου). Luke's common Hebraistic idiom, εν with the articular infinitive (present passive απορεισθα from απορεω, to lose one's way) and the accusative of general reference.

Two men (ανδρες δυο). Men, not women. Mr 16:5 speaks of a young man (νεανισκον) while Mt 28:5 has "an angel." We need not try to reconcile these varying accounts which agree in the main thing. The angel looked like a man and some remembered two. In verse 23 Cleopas and his companion call them "angels."

Stood by (επεστησαν). Second aorist active indicative of εφιστημ. This common verb usually means to step up suddenly, to burst upon one.

In dazzling apparel (εν εσθητ αστραπτουση). This is the correct text. This common simplex verb occurs only twice in the N.T., here and Lu 17:24 (the Transfiguration). It has the same root as αστραπη (lightning). The "men" had the garments of "angels."