Matthew - 28:4

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4 For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Matthew 28:4.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.
And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror, and became as dead men.
And for fear of him the guards trembled and became as dead men.
And for fear of him the keepers trembled and became as dead men.
For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became like dead men.
And for fear of him the watchmen were shaking, and became as dead men.
Then, out of fear of him, the guards were terrified, and they became like dead men.
and, in their terror of him, the men on guard trembled violently and became like dead men.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

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.

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.

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.

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men--Is the sepulchre "sure" now, O ye chief priests? He that sitteth in the heavens doth laugh at you.

The keepers. The Roman soldiers placed to guard the tomb with Pilate's consent.

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