Matthew 28 4

Matthew 28:4 kjv

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

Matthew 28:4 nkjv

And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

Matthew 28:4 niv

The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

Matthew 28:4 esv

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

Matthew 28:4 nlt

The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Matthew 28 verses

Matthew 28 4 Meaning

Matthew 28:4 vividly portrays the overwhelming divine power demonstrated at the resurrection of Jesus. The Roman guards, specifically positioned to secure the tomb, were utterly incapacitated by the awe-inspiring presence of the angel of the Lord and the accompanying seismic event. Their trained human strength and resolve proved futile against the spiritual and supernatural forces at work, leaving them trembling and seemingly lifeless, highlighting the invincibility of God's plan and the finality of Christ's triumph over death.

Matthew 28 4 Context

Matthew 28:4 is an integral part of the narrative describing Jesus' resurrection, specifically the scene at the tomb on the first Easter morning. The immediate context (Matthew 28:1-3) sets the stage: two women approach the tomb, there is a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord descends from heaven, rolling away the stone and sitting on it. The angel's appearance is described as like lightning, with clothing as white as snow. Verse 4 immediately follows this majestic description, portraying the terrified reaction of the Roman guards stationed at the tomb by the Jewish authorities and Pilate (Matt 27:62-66) to prevent the disciples from stealing the body.

Historically and culturally, Roman guards were elite soldiers known for their strict discipline; dereliction of duty, especially guarding a prisoner, could result in severe punishment, even death. Their abject failure here underscores the power of God, far surpassing human strength or military might. This passage directly counters the polemic that Jesus’ body was stolen, validating the supernatural resurrection and emphasizing that no human force could have overcome God's plan. It also serves as a sharp contrast between those who witnessed God's power and were overcome with fear (the guards), and those who witnessed God's grace and were told "Do not be afraid" (the women, Matt 28:5).

Matthew 28 4 Word analysis

• And for fear of him: (Greek: ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου αὐτοῦ, apo tou phobou autou). "Apo" denotes "from" or "because of," clearly stating the cause of their reaction. "Phobou" (fear) here is a profound, paralyzing dread, akin to terror, instigated by the overwhelming, supernatural sight of the angel described in the preceding verse. It implies not just an emotional state, but a physical response triggered by a direct encounter with divine power.

• the guards: (Greek: οἱ τηροῦντες, hoi tērountes). This is a present active participle, meaning "the ones guarding" or "the ones keeping watch." This emphasizes their ongoing duty and the professional nature of their presence. These were not mere bystanders but trained Roman soldiers, whose job was to maintain control and security. The word implies their duty, highlighting their failure despite being disciplined and equipped.

• trembled: (Greek: ἐσείσθησαν, eseisthēsan). This is the aorist passive form of seió, meaning "to shake" or "to be moved with terror." The passive voice is significant: they were acted upon, not simply internally afraid, but physically shaken, literally rattled by the divine power. This word choice connects directly to the "earthquake" (seismos) mentioned in Matthew 28:2, suggesting the same divine force that shook the earth also physically affected the guards. Their trembling was not just a symptom of fear, but a manifestation of God's power overwhelming them.

• and became: (Greek: ἐγένοντο, egenonto). The aorist indicative of ginomai, "to come into being," "to become," or "to happen." It signifies a sudden, distinct transformation in their state from active guards to a completely incapacitated condition.

• like dead men: (Greek: ὡσεὶ νεκροί, hōsei nekroi). "Hōsei" means "as if" or "like," emphasizing a simile. They were not literally deceased but utterly paralyzed, unconscious, or prostrated with terror to the point of immobility and senselessness. This comparison powerfully illustrates their absolute helplessness and the draining of all vitality and capability from them. It signifies that they were rendered powerless, unable to perform their duties, or even react as living beings.

• The guards... trembled and became like dead men: This phrase signifies the absolute futility of human power and precaution against divine action. The best of human military strength, even with strict orders and the threat of severe punishment, was completely nullified by God's manifest power. It illustrates the inability of man to hinder God's purposes, especially regarding the resurrection.

• For fear of him... became like dead men: This highlights the immediate, direct, and overwhelming effect of encountering the angel's divine majesty. It was not a battle, but a revelation that simply crushed any human ability to stand. The "fear" was not just psychological, but led to a physical, death-like state, demonstrating the tangible impact of the heavenly realm breaking into the earthly.

Matthew 28 4 Bonus section

The detailed description of the guards' reaction (trembling, becoming like dead men) serves several crucial narrative purposes beyond simply showing divine power. It definitively debunks any alternative explanation for the empty tomb, such as the disciples stealing the body while the guards slept, a fabricated lie promoted later (Matt 28:11-15). Their state of being "like dead men" implies a total lack of awareness or capability, making their later testimony of having "fallen asleep" clearly false. This incident thus underscores the irrefutable, public, and divinely orchestrated nature of Christ's resurrection. It also highlights the ironic reversal: the ones guarding against the death-defying act were themselves rendered "as dead" by the very power they sought to contain, while Jesus, truly dead, was made alive.

Matthew 28 4 Commentary

Matthew 28:4 serves as a potent theological statement concerning the nature of the Resurrection and God's sovereignty. The seemingly invincible Roman guards, placed to thwart any attempt to retrieve Jesus' body, are rendered completely impotent not by violence or strategy, but by the sheer, awe-inspiring presence of an angel. Their trembling and becoming "like dead men" underscores the divine, miraculous nature of the event; it was not a covert operation by disciples, but an open display of heavenly power that literally stopped time and incapacitated human resistance. This paralysis validates the empty tomb and ensures no human claims could diminish the truth of the resurrection. The scene beautifully sets up the following verses where the women are encouraged not to fear, establishing a profound contrast: divine encounters are terrifying for those opposing God, but comforting for those seeking Him. It’s a vivid illustration that God's plans cannot be frustrated by any human or worldly authority.