Why seek ye the living among the dead?

This line is spoken by angelic messengers at Jesus’ tomb on the first Easter morning. In the Gospel narrative, women (including Mary Magdalene and others) come to the sepulchre expecting to find Jesus’ body, but discover the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. The angels rebuke their assumption that Jesus remains among the dead and announce the resurrection, reminding them that Jesus had foretold his death and rising again. The wording “seek ye” reflects the traditional English of the King James Version and has been widely echoed in Christian preaching and literature as a concise challenge to misplaced expectations and spiritual misunderstanding.

The question contrasts two realms: “the living” (Christ, now risen) and “the dead” (the tomb, death’s domain). It functions as both correction and proclamation: the women’s search is understandable, yet it is based on an outdated view of reality. More broadly, the line has become a metaphor for seeking meaning, truth, or hope in places defined by loss, decay, or past assumptions. In Christian theology it underscores the central claim of resurrection—death does not have the final word—and invites a reorientation of faith from mourning and finality toward life, promise, and transformation.

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.

1) “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” 2) “Why seekest thou the living among the dead?” 3) “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?”