Matthew 28:4 NIV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 28:3-4

Matthew 28:3-4. His countenance was like lightning Coruscations of light darting from his face; and his raiment white as snow Glittering with an extraordinary lustre, beyond what any human eyes could bear; and for fear of him the keepers Though Romans and soldiers; did shake, and became as dead men Falling down on their faces in a most helpless condition; for they were effectually frightened by the majestic appearance of the angel, and especially by the lightning which flashed from... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 28:1-15

RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION161. Morning of the resurrection (Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18)It is not surprising that there are differences in the accounts of what people saw on the Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead. The sight of the empty tomb and the heavenly messengers produced a mixture of reactions - excitement, joy, anxiety, fear, wonder. There was confusion as people rushed here and there to tell others. One writer records what he heard from some,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 28:4

for = from. Greek. apo. dead men. See App-139 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 28:4

And for fear of him the watchers did quake and became as dead men.Only a single angel was required to render impotent a whole band of armed men; in view of this, it was an almost incomprehensible power that was available to Jesus who might have called for twelve legions of angels to rescue him from the cross (Matthew 26:53). How easily were the designs of the Pharisees countermanded by the Eternal. A solitary messenger from heaven appeared, and his simple presence struck the whole band into the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 28:2-4

Matthew 28:2-4. And behold, there was a great earthquake— While the women were going to the sepulchre, there was a great earthquake, namely, that which preceded the most memorable event that ever happened among men,—the resurrection of the Son of God from the dead. This earthquake probably frightened the women to such a degree, that they immediately returned back;or their return might have been rendered necessary by a storm, if this earthquake was attended with a storm; or we may espouse the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 28:4

4. 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. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 28:1-7

1. The empty tomb 28:1-7 (cf. Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1) read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 28:2-4

A second earthquake (divine intervention) had occurred (cf. Matthew 27:51). The relationship between the earthquake, the descent of the angel, and the rolling away of the stone is indefinite in the text. All of these events have supernatural connotations. An angel had announced the Incarnation, and now an angel announced the Resurrection (Matthew 1:20-23; cf. Matthew 18:10). [Note: Plummer, p. 417.] The angel rolled the stone away to admit the witnesses, not to allow Jesus to escape (cf. John... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 28:1-20

The ResurrectionFor the Resurrection see special article. 1-10. The Resurrection and appearance to the women (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). If it be remembered that a considerable number of women visited the tomb—Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Salome (Mk), Joanna (Lk), and ’the other women with them’ (Lk)—the fragmentary accounts of the evangelists are not very difficult to arrange in order. (1) Mary Magdalene and the other women visit the tomb immediately after the resurrection, and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 28:4

(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. read more