And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The earthquake and the angel aren't just dramatic events; they signify God's powerful intervention to prove Jesus' resurrection. By rolling away the stone and sitting upon it, the angel acted as a divine signpost, not only making the empty tomb accessible but also declaring that Christ's victory over death was complete and final.
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As the Sabbath ends and the first day of the week dawns, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary approach Jesus' tomb with spices to anoint his body. At this critical moment, a powerful earthquake shakes the ground, signaling the arrival of a radiant angel from heaven who rolls away the massive stone sealing the tomb. This dramatic event, unfolding just as the women arrive, sets the stage for the announcement of the resurrection, startling the Roman guards and preparing the women for the astonishing news.
A simple visit to a tomb turns into a cosmic event. What does this dramatic display of power tell us about God's work in the resurrection?
Matthew doesn't just say an angel arrived; he describes a great earthquake preceding the angel's appearance. This wasn't just a localized tremor. It signifies God's immense power at work, shaking the very foundations of the earth.
Shaking Off Death's Chains
This earthquake is more than just a dramatic special effect. It's a powerful symbol:
The stone was massive, a real obstacle. Who moved it, and why did the angel sit on it?
The angel's role at the tomb is crucial. While Christ's resurrection was His own power, the angel's actions serve specific purposes:
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Rolling Away the Stone
Sitting on the Stone
The angel sat on the stone. This wasn't just a brief moment. It conveyed authority and a message:
Understand the original words
angelos · Greek Noun
A spiritual being created by God to serve as His messenger, representative, or agent in executing His will on earth.
ouranos · Greek Noun
The dwelling place of God and the celestial realm where His presence and authority are fully manifested.
The dramatic earthquake and angelic appearance at Jesus' tomb underscore the monumental significance of his resurrection, signaling a divine intervention that validates his claims and inaugurates a new era of salvation.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Crucified
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified under Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, and buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.
c. AD 30 (First Day of the Week)
Resurrection Morning
Early in the morning, women disciples arrive at Jesus' tomb to anoint his body, finding the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. AD 30
Angelic Announcement
Angels appear to the women at the tomb, announcing Jesus' resurrection and instructing them to tell the disciples.
c. AD 30
Appearances to Witnesses
Jesus appears to various individuals and groups, including Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and others, over a period of 40 days.
c. AD 30
Ascension
Jesus ascends into heaven, commissioning his disciples to spread the gospel throughout the world.
c. AD 33
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, empowering them to begin their ministry and boldly proclaim the resurrection of Jesus.
This passage echoes the concern of the women about the stone, highlighting their initial struggle with the physical barrier, which the angel's action in Matthew 28:2 overcomes.
John 20:1This verse describes Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb and seeing the stone rolled away, providing a slightly different perspective on the immediate aftermath of the angel's intervention described in Matthew 28:2.
Revelation 11:19The earthquake in Matthew 28:2, accompanying the angel's descent, is a powerful sign of divine intervention, much like the temple in heaven opening in Revelation, signaling God's active presence and judgment.
Isaiah 26:19The earthquake and the angel's action at the tomb foreshadow the ultimate resurrection of the dead, a theme powerfully declared in Isaiah where the dead are called to rise and awake.
Matthew 28:4This verse immediately follows the earthquake and angelic activity, describing the guards' terrified reaction, which directly results from the supernatural event detailed in Matthew 28:2.
calvinMatthew 28:1-7: "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 sepulchre."
- Now in the evening of the Sabbaths, [298] which began to dawn towards the first of the Sabbaths, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulcher. 2. And lo, there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and approached, and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3. And his c…
henryMatthew 28:1-8: "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 sepulchre."
28:1-8 Christ rose the third day after his death; that was the time he had often spoken of. On the first day of the first week God commanded the light to shine out of darkness. On this day did He who is the Light of the world, shine out of the darkness of the grave; and this day is from henceforward often mentioned in the New Testament,…
The earthquake and the angel aren't just dramatic events; they signify God's powerful intervention to prove Jesus' resurrection. By rolling away the stone and sitting upon it, the angel acted as a divine signpost, not only making the empty tomb accessible but also declaring that Christ's victory over death was complete and final.
As the Sabbath ends and the first day of the week dawns, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary approach Jesus' tomb with spices to anoint his body. At this critical moment, a powerful earthquake shakes the ground, signaling the arrival of a radiant angel from heaven who rolls away the massive stone sealing the tomb. This dramatic event, unfolding just as the women arrive, sets the stage for the announcement of the resurrection, startling the Roman guards and preparing the women for the astonishing news.
As the Sabbath ends and the first day of the week dawns, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary approach Jesus' tomb with spices to anoint his body. At this critical moment, a powerful earthquake shakes the ground, signaling the arrival of a radiant angel from heaven who rolls away the massive stone sealing the tomb. This dramatic event, unfolding just as the women arrive, sets the stage for the announcement of the resurrection, startling the Roman guards and preparing the women for the astonishing news.
"And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it." — The earthquake and the angel aren't just dramatic events; they signify God's powerful intervention to prove Jesus' resurrection. By rolling away the stone and sitting upon it, the angel acted as a di…
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Last reviewed October 2026