Matthew 28:4

4 And the guards trembled from the fear of him and became like dead men.

Matthew 28:4 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 28:4

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.

Matthew 28:4 In-Context

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came up [and] rolled away the stone and sat down on it.

3 Now his appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow.

4 And the guards trembled from the fear of him and became like dead men.

5 But the angel answered [and] said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

6 He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying.