Commentaires bibliques

Matthew 28:2. he particulars in this and the following two verses are peculiar to Mt.: first, an earthquake (σεισμὸς), as in Matthew 27:51; second, an angel descending from heaven; third, the angel rolling away the stone; fourth, the angel sitting on the stone as guard.

Matthew 28:3. ἰδέα (here only in N. T.; in Sept[160], Daniel 1:13; Daniel 1:15), the appearance, aspect (of the countenance of the angel). Vide Trench, Syn., p. 262, on μορφή, σχῆμα, ἰδέα.—ὡς ἀστραπὴ (Matthew 24:27), as lightning—brilliant, dazzling.—τὸ ἔγδυμα α., his raiment as distinct from his face—ὡς χιών, white as snow (cf. Matthew 17:2).

[160] Septuagint.

Matthew 28:4. ὡς νεκροί: the keepers, through fear of the angel, were shaken as by an earthquake, and became as dead men—stupefied, helpless, totally incapacitated for action by way of preventing what is assumed, though not directly stated, to have happened. The resurrection is not described.

Matthew 28:5-7. The angel speaks to the women.—μὴ φοβεῖσθε ὑμεῖς, fear not ye, with tacit reference to the guards.—οἶδα γὰρ: γὰρ gives a reason for the soothing tone of the address. The angel recognises them as friends of the Crucified.

Matthew 28:6. οὐκ ἔστιν, etc.: with what sublime simplicity and brevity is the amazing story told! “Versus hic incisa habet perquam apta” (Beng.). The last clause is better without the epithet ὁ κύριος, more in keeping with the rest. Bengel calls it gloriosa appellatio, but, as Meyer remarks, just on that account it was more liable to be added than omitted.

Matthew 28:7. ταχὺ πορευθεῖσαι: introducing “quite in his own (the evangelist’s) manner of expression” (Weiss) the command of the angel = go quickly and tell, etc.—προάγει: present; He is even now going before you into Galilee; in accordance with the prediction in Matthew 26:32 the risen Shepherd is on His way to the pre-appointed rendezvous.—ὄψεσθε, there shall ye see Him, and be able to satisfy yourselves that He is indeed risen. With this word ends the message to the disciples.—ἰδοὺ εἶπον ὑμῖν, behold I said it to you = note what I say, and see if it do not come true. Mark has καθὼς εἶπεν ὑμῖν = as He said to you, referring to the promise of Jesus, and forming part of the message to the disciples.

Matthew 28:8-10. Appearance of Jesus to the women on the way to deliver their message.

Matthew 28:8. ἀπελθοῦσαι: the reading of T. R. (ἐξελθ.) implies that they had been within the tomb, of which no mention is made in Matthew. They went away from, not out of, the tomb. ἀπὸ τ. μν., depending on ἀπελθοῦσαι, in Mark on ἔφυγον.—μετὰ φόβου καὶ χαρᾶς μεγάλης, with fear and great joy. This union of apparently opposite emotions is true to human nature. All powerful tides of gladness cause nervous thrills that feel like fear and trembling. Cf. Isaiah 60:5 and Php 2:12. The fear and trembling St. Paul speaks of are the result of an exhilarating consciousness of having a great solemn work in hand—a race to run, a prize to win.

Matthew 28:9. καὶ ἰδοὺ, and behold, another surprise (Matthew 28:2). They are on the way to tell the disciples that they are to be favoured with a meeting in Galilee, and lo! they are themselves privileged to meet the risen One.—ὑπήντησεν, cf. chap. Matthew 8:34, Matthew 25:1; Matthew 25:6.—ἐκράτησαν, etc., they took hold of His feet and cast themselves before Him; the gesture befitting the circumstances, an unlooked-for meeting with one who has been crucified and whose aspect is greatly changed. Impossible to resume the old familiar relations as if nothing had happened.