Matthew 28:4

Matthew 28:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
• New International Version (NIV)The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

Context of Matthew 28:4

2And a great earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone [from the opening of the tomb], and sat on it. 3The angel’s appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. The guards shook, paralyzed with fear [at the sight] of him and became like dead men [pale and immobile]. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said [He would]. Come! See the place where He was lying.

Matthew 28:4 word by word

ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ φόβου αὐτοῦ ἐσείσθησαν οἱ τηροῦντες καὶ ἐγενήθησαν ὡς νεκροί.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andδέde · thenG1161
• forἀπόapo · away fromG575
• fearὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• fearφόβοςphobos · fearG5401
• of himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• the keepersτηρέωtēreō · to keep: guardG5083
• did shakeσείωseiō · to shakeG4579
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• becameγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• asὡσείhōsei · like/as/aboutG5616
• deadνεκρόςnekros · deadG3498

Cross-references for Matthew 28:4

• Matthew 28:11While they were on their way, some of the [Roman] guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
• Matthew 27:65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard [of soldiers]; go [with them], make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
• Job 4:14Dread and trembling came upon me, Which made all my bones shake.
• Psalms 48:6Panic seized them there, And pain, as that of a woman in childbirth.
• Daniel 10:7And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision [of this heavenly being], for the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great panic overwhelmed them, so they ran away to hide themselves.
• Acts 9:3As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ];
• Acts 16:29Then the jailer called for torches and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,
• Revelation 1:17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God],

Commentaries on Matthew 28:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4The 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4The 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-10The four gospels each emphasize different aspects of the empty tomb and resurrection appearances. Matthew focuses on three things: the reunion of Jesus and his disciples in Galilee, the Jewish leaders' attempt to discredit the resurrection, and the importance of the ressurection for the salvation of the world.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. 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 the comment

Topics related to Matthew 28:4

• Angel (a Spirit)
• Cowardice
• Fear of God
• Friendship
• Jesus, the Christ
• Love

In the dictionaries

• Angel
• Dawn
• Observe
• Fear
• Jesus Christ
• Matthew, the Gospel of
• Angels

Commentaries on Matthew 28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings