Matthew 28:4

4 And for feare of him the kepers were astunnyed and became as deed 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 beholde ther was a greate erth quake. For the angell of ye lorde descended from heven: and came and rowlled backe the stone from the dore and sate apon it.

3 His countenaunce was lyke lyghtnynge and his raymet whyte as snowe.

4 And for feare of him the kepers were astunnyed and became as deed men.

5 The angell answered and sayde to the wemen feare ye not. I knowe yt ye seke Iesus which was crucified:

6 he is not here: he is rysen as he sayde. Come and se the place where the lorde was put: