And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Parallel translations
- WEB For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
- BSB The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.
- NKJV And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
- NASB The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men.
- NLT The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Roman guards tremble in terror and become like dead men at the angel's appearance. The very men set to secure the tomb are overcome by God's power.
Overview
Ironically, the soldiers stationed to keep Jesus in the grave are themselves reduced to a death-like state, while the dead Christ has risen to life. Their fear stands in contrast to the comfort soon offered to the women. Human power and Roman authority are shown to be powerless before the acts of God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Rev 1:17And 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:
- Dan 10:7And 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.
- Matt 27:65–66Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
- Acts 16:29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
- Matt 28:11Now 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.
- Ps 48:6Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
- Acts 9:3–7And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
- Job 4:14Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 28:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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