Matthew 28:8

8 And having gone forth quickly from the tomb, with fear and great joy, they ran to tell to his disciples;

Matthew 28:8 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 28:8

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre
Or "they went out from it", as it may be rendered, and as it is in ( Mark 16:8 ) , which shows, that they went into the sepulchre upon the invitation of the angel, and saw the place where the Lord lay; and here it was the angel gave them their instructions, and errand to the disciples; which as soon as they received, they quitted the sepulchre in all haste, partly in obedience to the angel's orders, and partly through surprise and fear; for Mark says, "they fled from the sepulchre", ( Mark 16:8 ) , as persons terrified and affrighted: and it is added here,

with fear and great joy:
a mixture of both these; with fear and dread, because of the vision they had seen, and with joy at the news of Christ's resurrection; and yet in this their faith might not be so confirmed, as to have no doubt about it: they might fear the body was taken away, and removed to some other place, and that this they had seen might be a deception and a delusion. However, between both joy and fear, they set out,

and did run to bring his disciples word;
as Mary Magdalene ran to Peter, ( John 20:2 ) , nor is running unusual for women, or unbecoming them on certain occasions; see ( Genesis 24:20 Genesis 24:28 ) ( 29:12 ) . Their fright, as well as their joy, and their regard to the angel's order, might cause them to run, and make the quicker dispatch.

Matthew 28:8 In-Context

6 he is not here, for he rose, as he said; come, see the place where the Lord was lying;

7 and having gone quickly, say ye to his disciples, that he rose from the dead; and lo, he doth go before you to Galilee, there ye shall see him; lo, I have told you.'

8 And having gone forth quickly from the tomb, with fear and great joy, they ran to tell to his disciples;

9 and as they were going to tell to his disciples, then lo, Jesus met them, saying, `Hail!' and they having come near, laid hold of his feet, and did bow to him.

10 Then saith Jesus to them, `Fear ye not, go away, tell to my brethren that they may go away to Galilee, and there they shall see me.'