Are Angels Male Or Female? (Matthew 22:30; Luke 24:4)

1. Introduction

You probably picture angels as something familiar — maybe like the statues in churches or figures from films — and often that image looks male. Scripture includes many appearances where angels show up as “men” (for example, Luke 24:4). But the Bible also teaches that angels are spiritual beings (Hebrews 1:14) and that earthly categories like marriage and gender don’t map neatly onto heavenly life (Matthew 22:30). That tension matters because it shapes how you interpret Scripture, how you pray, and how you imagine spiritual reality.

You’ll walk through the key verses, the biblical language, historical and theological context, and practical implications so you can think clearly and faithfully about angels. By the end, you’ll have a balanced view that respects the biblical text while freeing your imagination from unnecessary limitations.

2. The Bible Foundation

Read these two key verses first; they anchor our whole conversation.

• Matthew 22:30 (NIV): “At the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
• Luke 24:4 (NIV): “While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.” (These “men” are understood in the scene as angels who appear to the women at the tomb.)

Both passages are straightforward in what they say and how they’re used. Matthew 22:30 is part of Jesus’ teaching to correct a misunderstanding about the resurrection and marriage. The point: life after resurrection won’t involve marriage as you know it, and Jesus uses angels as a comparison to describe how relationships and social structures will be different. Luke 24:4 recounts angels appearing as “men” to the women at the empty tomb — an instance where angels assume human forms to communicate.

Another helpful verse for context is Hebrews 1:14 (NIV): “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
Hebrews 1:14

That verse highlights angels as spiritual, functional beings — not beings defined by human roles like husband or wife.

3. Understanding the Core Truth

The main point is simple: angels are spiritual beings, not humans, and the Bible never assigns them a fixed male or female gender the way humans experience sex and marriage. You’ll find masculine language and human-like appearance in many biblical accounts because angels often appear as male-looking messengers. Yet the theology of Scripture indicates that angels transcend human categories.

Why this matters: if you assume angels must be one gender, you might import cultural assumptions into your theology. The Bible uses human language to communicate divine realities. That language includes calling angels “men” or using masculine nouns in Hebrew and Greek — but grammar and human description aren’t the same as ontological gender.

Hebrews 1:14 underscores that angels are “ministering spirits.” That tells you their role is service, not gendered relationships. Matthew 22:30’s comparison about the resurrection shows Jesus drawing attention to life beyond earthly institutions. Luke 24:4 shows angels adapting their appearance to communicate. Both verses together help you see that gendered imagery is functional and communicative, not an ontological statement that angels are male or female as humans are.

4. Going Deeper — The Hidden Meaning

When you unpack the deeper lesson, a few things stand out:

• Biblical language is anthropomorphic: Scripture often describes God and spiritual realities using human terms. That’s how finite humans relate to the infinite God. Angels described as “men” or given male pronouns fit this pattern. It’s functional language to communicate, not exhaustive metaphysics.
• Angels embody God’s message and mission: They appear in forms that fit the situation. In Genesis 18, Abraham meets three “men” (one is the LORD), and they behave like humans because that’s what the narrative needs. At the empty tomb (Luke 24), angels appear in dazzling clothing described as “men” to convey both authority and a calming presence.
• The resurrection reframes relationships: In Matthew 22:30, Jesus points you to a future reality where social institutions like marriage will be transformed. You should recognize that the statement serves pastoral and eschatological purposes: it comforts and corrects anxious thinking about the afterlife and relational longing.

A relatable example: imagine you receive a message from an important person, and they send a courier dressed in a uniform. You call that courier “the man who brought the message,” but you’re really focused on the message, not the courier’s personal identity. Similarly, angels function as God’s messengers; their appearance serves God’s purpose rather than revealing ultimate truths about sexual identity.

5. Modern Connection — Relevance Today

What does all this mean for your daily life? Several practical implications:

• Don’t make angels theologically central: People sometimes fixate on angels — their gender, hierarchy, or supposed offices. Scripture centers Christ. Angels are servants of God’s plan, not objects of worship (Colossians 2:18 warns against angel worship).
  Colossians 2:18
• Reframe the way you picture spiritual encounters: If you expect angels to look a certain way, you might miss God’s message because you’re focused on appearances. Be open to how God communicates — sometimes through unexpected forms.
• Let the resurrection reshape priorities: Jesus’ remark in Matthew 22:30 invites you to see how eternity changes priorities. Marriage is good and God-breathed, but it’s not the final consummation of human fulfillment. Your identity in Christ matters more than social labels.
• Be cautious with gendered spiritual claims: Avoid using angels as justification for gender stereotypes, spiritual authority structures, or supernatural claims that don’t line up with Scripture.

6. Practical Application — Living the Message

Here are some practical, doable steps you can take this week to live out what you’ve learned:

1. When you read angelic stories in the Bible, ask: What’s the message God is delivering? Focus on content over creaturely details. That will keep your theology centered on God’s purposes and not peripheral curiosities.
2. Pray for discernment: If you’re curious or anxious about spiritual experiences, ask God for wisdom and confirmation through Scripture, community, and pastoral counsel.
3. Re-orient your eternal hope: Spend a few minutes each morning reflecting on Matthew 22:30. Let the reality of resurrection reshape how you invest in relationships, work, and service.
4. Avoid sensationalism: If someone claims an angelic visit with detailed gendered descriptions or prescriptive claims about roles, test those claims against Scripture and wise counsel.
5. Serve like angels: Hebrews 1:14 calls angels “ministering spirits.” Emulate that humility; serve others without needing recognition.

These steps help you move from abstract curiosity to faithful living that honors God’s Word and reflects a healthy, balanced imagination.

7. Faith Reflection Box

Pause for a moment and ask yourself: How has your picture of angels shaped your view of God and eternity? Are you more drawn to the appearance or the message?

Key Takeaways:

• Angels are spiritual beings; the Bible never assigns them human gender as their essential identity.
• Biblical accounts often describe angels as appearing male because of cultural language and narrative needs.
• Matthew 22:30 points to a transformed future where earthly institutions (like marriage) are different; angels are a helpful comparison.
• Focus on the message and mission of angels, not sensational details.
• Live with resurrection hope that reorders priorities and relationships.

8. Q&A

Q1: If angels appear as men (like in Luke 24:4), doesn’t that mean they’re male?
Answer: Not necessarily. In Luke 24:4, the angels appear in human-like form, described as “men” to communicate clearly to the women at the tomb. The Bible often uses human language to describe spiritual realities. Hebrews 1:14 calls angels “ministering spirits,” emphasizing their spiritual nature over human gender. Think of it this way: angels can appear in forms people understand; that appearance serves the message. Scripture doesn’t teach that angels have sex or marry, which points away from human-like gender as their defining trait.
References: Luke 24:4, Hebrews 1:14

Related: Can Humans Become Angels? (Luke 20:36; Hebrews 1:14)

Q2: Does Matthew 22:30 prove that angels have no gender because people won’t marry in heaven?
Answer: Matthew 22:30 shows Jesus teaching that, in the resurrection, earthly categories like marriage won’t apply the same way. The verse says people “will be like the angels in heaven,” meaning angels serve as an example of life oriented differently than ours now. It doesn’t provide a technical taxonomy of angelic sex but indicates that angels aren’t defined by marriage or the sexual roles that marriage implies. So Matthew helps you see that the afterlife transcends current social structures; it’s a theological, not a scientific, statement.
Reference: Matthew 22:30

Q3: Can I worship angels if they seem powerful or gendered?
Answer: No. Scripture warns against giving angels worship or letting angelic fascination displace Christ (Colossians 2:18). Angels are mighty and important, but they are servants sent to help God’s people (Hebrews 1:14). Worship belongs to God alone. If you encounter teachings that elevate angels to intermediary mediators or prescribe roles based on angelic appearances, test them against Scripture and the centrality of Jesus. Keep prayers directed to God through Christ, and use angels’ ministry as encouragement, not as objects of devotion.
References: Colossians 2:18, Hebrews 1:14

See also: Do Angels Have Wings In The Bible? 

9. Conclusion & Reflection

You’ve explored how Matthew 22:30 and Luke 24:4 shape a thoughtful biblical perspective: angels are spiritual, functional beings who sometimes appear in human-like forms. The Bible uses masculine language and imagery as a way to communicate, but that doesn’t mean angels are male or female in the same way humans are. The larger theological point is even more freeing: God’s reality transcends our categories. The resurrection reshapes everything you hope for and long for in this life.

A brief prayer you can use:
Lord, thank You for the glimpses of heaven Your Word gives us. Help me to hold a faithful imagination — one that trusts the Bible’s truth without becoming fixated on peripheral details. Teach me to listen for Your message, serve like Your messengers, and live with the hope of resurrection. In Jesus’ name, amen.

More Inspiration Awaits — Read These Next

 For deeper insight into Isaiah 40:31 and how it renews your strength in both faith and daily life

 For practical lessons on compassion and neighborliness from the Good Samaritan

 For a clear explanation of what we can learn from the Parable of the Good Samaritan

 For meaningful insights from the Parable of the Pearl and its hidden treasures

 For a deeper look at the Rich Man and Lazarus and what it reveals about the afterlife

 For guidance on the Parable of the Ten Virgins and preparing for God’s Kingdom

 For clarity on the Parable of the Lamp and how it calls us to shine our light

 For insights from the Parable of the Wedding Feast and the meaning behind the invited guests

 Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery – Grace and Mercy Over Judgement
A powerful retelling of John 8:1-11. This book brings to life the depth of forgiveness, mercy, and God’s unwavering love.
 Check it now on Amazon