The Keepers Afraid and Like Dead Men - Matthew 28:4

Matthew the apostle wrote, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse four of his book, Matthew wrote, “for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men” where we read:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

The verse reads, “And for fear of him the keepers did shake, ...” Matthew began words, “and for fear of him” which means “and because they were afraid of the angel in bright clothing” “the keepers” or “the guard who was commissioned over the sepulcher of Jesus” “did shake” which means “were agitated, caused to tremble and quaked in fear”. Matthew shared how the “Roman guard” were so afraid of the “angel” that they began to “quiver and tremble”.

The verse continues, “... and became as dead men.” Matthew added the words, “and became” or “and came to pass, happened and brought in existence” “as dead men” which means “like unto men who were lifeless, without breath and deceased”. Matthew shared how the “guardsmen” became like men who had died.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the appearance of the “angel” affected the “Roman guard” who were commissioned to make the tomb of Jesus secure. They were so afraid of the “angel” that they began to “shake” and passed out like “men” who were “dead”. This mighty supernatural appearance of the “angel” was from God, and because God's Son Jesus was to be “resurrected” from the grave, no “security team” or “guard” would ever be able to prevent it. God knew people would be “separated” from Him forever because of their “sins”, and when Jesus paid the price of death for the “sins” of the world He was certain to be “raised” from the dead so everyone would have the opportunity to be “saved” through belief and trust in Him.

Next time Matthew shares how, “the angel answered … Fear not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".