Matthew 28:4

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men].

And {G1161} for {G575} fear {G5401} of him {G846} the keepers {G5083} did shake {G4579}, and {G2532} became {G1096} as {G5616} dead {G3498} men.

The guards were so terrified at him that they trembled and became like dead men.

The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.

and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.

Matthew 28:4 describes the profound impact of the resurrection event on the Roman soldiers guarding Jesus' tomb. Following the dramatic appearance of an angel and a great earthquake, these hardened keepers were utterly overcome by fear, rendering them completely incapacitated.

Context

This verse immediately follows the description of the angel's descent from heaven and the great earthquake that rolled away the stone from the tomb. The Roman guards had been stationed there at the insistence of the Jewish chief priests and Pharisees, who feared Jesus' disciples would steal His body and claim He had risen (Matthew 27:64). Their presence was meant to ensure security and prevent any 'fraud.' However, the divine intervention was so overwhelming that their military training and resolve were useless against it.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Authority: The scene powerfully demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty and power over human attempts to thwart His plan. The angel's glory and the earthquake were not mere coincidences but manifestations of the supernatural power accompanying Christ's resurrection.
  • Overwhelming Fear: The guards' reaction—shaking and becoming "as dead men"—underscores the terrifying and awe-inspiring nature of encountering divine power. Their fear was not just psychological but physically debilitating, causing them to collapse as if lifeless.
  • Irrefutable Witness: Ironically, those appointed to prevent the resurrection narrative from gaining traction became unwitting witnesses to its undeniable reality. Their fear and subsequent report (Matthew 28:11-15) further solidified the historical truth of the event, even though the Jewish leaders tried to suppress it.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "shake" here is eseisthēsan (ἐσείσθησαν), which is related to seismos (σεισμός), meaning "earthquake." This connection subtly links the guards' physical trembling to the very ground that was shaking around them, emphasizing the profound and visceral nature of their terror. The phrase "became as dead [men]" (ἐγένοντο ὡς νεκροί, egenonto hōs nekroi) does not mean they literally died but that they were utterly paralyzed, incapacitated, and perhaps even lost consciousness from the shock and terror, appearing lifeless.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God's power is not something to be trifled with or easily contained by human efforts. Even those who are hostile or indifferent to God's truth can be confronted by His undeniable presence and power. The guards, whose job was to secure the tomb, became a testament to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For believers, it reinforces the immense power behind our hope; for skeptics, it presents a compelling moment of divine intervention that could not be denied by its very witnesses.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 1:17

    And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

  • Daniel 10:7

    And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

  • Matthew 28:11

    ¶ Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

  • Acts 16:29

    Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

  • Matthew 27:65

    Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make [it] as sure as ye can.

  • Matthew 27:66

    So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

  • Job 4:14

    Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

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