Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 28:4
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men.]
The keepers did shake – It was night. The appearance was sudden and unexpected, and to them terrific. The stone was probably suddenly removed. At the noise, the light, the suddenness of the appearance, they were affrighted.
And became as dead men – Probably by terror they fainted, or were thrown into a swoon. At this time it is probable that the Lord Jesus arose, and hence he was not seen by them when he came forth. At what precise time of the night this was we are not certainly informed. The narrative, however, leads us to suppose that it was not long before the women came to the sepulchre, or near the break of day.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 4. The keepers – became as dead men.] God can, by one and the same means, comfort his servants, and terrify his enemies. The resurrection of Christ is a subject of terror to the servants of sin, and a subject of consolation to the sons of God; because it is a proof of the resurrection of both, the one to shame and everlasting contempt-the other to eternal glory and joy.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
4. And for fear of him the keepersdid shake, and became as dead menIs the sepulchre “sure”now, O ye chief priests? He that sitteth in the heavens doth laugh atyou.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And for fear of him the keepers did shake,…. Though they were soldiers, Roman soldiers and veterans, who had been used to terrible sights in the field of battle; were men of courage, and fearless of danger; and yet were seized with a panic, and every limb of them shook and trembled at the sight of the angel, for fear he was come as an executioner of divine vengeance upon them; who had been concerned in the crucifixion of Christ, had watched him as he hung upon the cross, and now his body in the sepulchre: and even supposing no consciousness of guilt in them, or dread of punishment from him; yet such was the glory and majesty in which he appeared, of which they had never seen the like before, that it had this effect upon them:
and became as dead men: they turned pale, as dead men, and had scarce any life, or spirit, left in them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The watchers did quake ( ). And no wonder that they became as dead men and fled before the women came.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
4. Through fear the guards trembled. The Lord struck the guards with terror, as if he had engraved their consciences with a hot iron, so as to constrain them reluctantly to feel his divine power. The terror had, at least, the effect of hindering them from treating with careless mockery the report of the resurrection which was to be spread abroad shortly afterwards. For though they were not ashamed of prostituting their tongues for him, still they were compelled, whether they would or not, to acknowledge inwardly what they wickedly denied before men. Nor can it be doubted that, when they were at liberty to talk freely among their acquaintances, they frankly admitted what they dare not openly avow, in consequence of having been gained over by money.
We must attend to the distinction between the two kinds of terror, between which Matthew draws a comparison. The soldiers, who were accustomed to tumults, were terrified, and were so completely overwhelmed by alarm, that they fell down like men who were almost dead; but no power was exerted to raise them from that condition. A similar terror seized the women; but their minds, which had nearly given way, were restored by the consolation which immediately followed, so as to begin, at least, to entertain some better hope. And, certainly, it is proper that the majesty of God should strike both terror and fear indiscriminately into the godly, as well as the reprobate, that all flesh may be silent before his face. But when the Lord has humbled and subdued his elect, he immediately mitigates their dread, that they may not sink under its oppressive influence; and not only so, but by the sweetness of his grace heals the wound which he had inflicted. The reprobate, on the other hand, he either overwhelms by sudden dread, or suffers to languish in slow torments. As to the soldiers themselves, they were, no doubt, like dead men, but without any serious impression. Like men in a state of insensibility, they tremble, indeed, for a moment, but presently forget that they were afraid; not that the remembrance of their terror was wholly obliterated, but because that lively and powerful apprehension of the power of God, to which they were compelled to yield, soon passed away from them. But we ought chiefly to attend to this point, that though they, as well as the women, were afraid, no medicine was applied to soothe their terror; for to the women only did the angel say, Fear not. He held out to them a ground of joy and assurance in the resurrection of Christ. Luke adds a reproof, Why do you seek the living among the dead? as if the angel pulled their ear, that they might no longer remain in sluggishness and despair.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(4) The keepers did shake.The words imply that the two Maries when they reached the sepulchre saw the soldiers prostrate in their panic terror.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. As dead men It is very probable that the splendour of a glorified body is always sufficient to overwhelm the senses and prostrate the strength of a living mortal. Such was the effect of the transfiguration upon the disciples. See also Dan 8:27; Rev 1:17. These men were not, therefore, eye-witnesses of the resurrection.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The message of the angel:
v. 5. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
v. 6. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
v. 7. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him; lo, I have told you.
v. 8. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy, and did run to bring His disciples word. In the course of the morning a number of angels came to the grave to partake of the holy joy of Christ’s resurrection, as the various gospel-accounts relate. But here only the one is mentioned, as the spokesman to the two women remaining, Mary Magdalene having returned to the city upon seeing the empty grave. The message of the angel was that which characterizes all Gospel-preaching, an admonition not to fear, just as the Christmas herald had said to the disciples. The message of the Gospel is one that must banish all terror of sin and death from the heart, and fill it with holy joy in the Lord. Jesus indeed had been crucified, but they should no longer seek Him with the dead. For He is risen, as He had told them, time and again, as they should have known from the Old Testament prophecies. The place where the Lord had lain was before them, but His body had been released from the bonds of death, which He had conquered. Now they should not delay, but go at once with the glorious news to the disciples, reminding them, incidentally, of the Lord’s promise to precede them into Galilee, chapter 26:32. While the appearance of the messenger, of the holy angel of God, filled them with fear, his message of the resurrection of their Lord and Master filled them with the greatest delight. Hurriedly they leave the grave, to run and bring the good tidings to the disciples. “That the angel is so much concerned about announcing the resurrection of Christ to the disciples who were now lying there with lack of faith and a bad conscience, is a certain indication that the Lord Jesus Christ has risen for the sake and comfort of those of little faith, yea, for those without faith, in order that they might have the benefit of His work, find help and refuge with Him. That Christ lives. He lives for our benefit, that we should ever be defended by Him and protected from all distress.”
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men .
Ver. 4. The keepers did shake ] And well they might, as coming to see they had borne arms against God, and were therefore obnoxious to his wrath. It is a fearful thing to fall into the punishing hands of the living God here: how then will wicked men bear the horror of the last day, when they shall have an angry God over them, hell gaping beneath them, an accusing conscience within them, the world all on alight fire about them, the elements melting like scalding lead upon them, the good angels testifying against them, Job 20:27 , the evil angels waiting to worry them, and hurry them to hell? Oh the unspeakable achings and quakings of heart, the terrible apprehensions, the convulsions of spirit, that shall seize and surprise them at that dreadful day!
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
4. ] , objective, of him , the angel; as Joh 7:13 ; Heb 2:15 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 28:4 . : the keepers, through fear of the angel, were shaken as by an earthquake, and became as dead men stupefied, helpless, totally incapacitated for action by way of preventing what is assumed, though not directly stated, to have happened. The resurrection is not described.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
for = from. Greek. apo.
dead men. See App-139.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
4.] , objective, of him, the angel; as Joh 7:13; Heb 2:15.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 28:4. , as dead men) Not even militany daring endures the power of the inhabitants of heaven.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
the: Mat 28:11, Mat 27:65, Mat 27:66
shake: Job 4:14, Psa 48:6, Dan 10:7, Act 9:3-7, Act 16:29, Rev 1:17
Reciprocal: Jdg 13:6 – terrible Mar 16:6 – Be not Act 12:6 – and the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
28:4
The keepers were the members of the watch who were stationed there to see that no person would disturb the tomb. When this angel ignored the entire setup and removed the stone it was a great surprise to the watchers who were soldiers. No wonder it filled them with fear and trembling and rendered them helpless.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 28:4. For fear of him, i.e., of the angel. As the angel was there when the women came, and the guard did not go back to the city until after the women departed (Mat 28:11), it seems most probable that all these occurrences took place, just as the women came.
The watchers did quake. In their terror they did not prevent the women from going into the sepulchre.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 4
The keepers; the watch mentioned Matthew 27:66.