Matthew 28:5-6
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The angel’s “Fear not ye” emphasizes a crucial distinction: while the soldiers collapsed in terror from God's power, these women's fear is recognized as a natural reaction to the overwhelming supernatural event, not a sign of guilt or rejection. His statement, "for I know that you seek Jesus," shows God sees the heart of their search, even if their actions (coming to anoint a dead body) were based on incomplete understanding.
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As the sun begins to rise on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and another Mary arrive at Jesus' tomb, expecting to find his body. Instead, they are met by a dazzling angel who has rolled away the massive stone. This startling event, combined with the sight of the empty tomb, understandably fills them with fear, which the angel immediately addresses by telling them not to be afraid.
Imagine the scene: an earthquake, an angel descending, guards fleeing in terror. When the divine presence shows up, fear is a natural reaction. But what does it mean when God's messenger says, 'Do not be afraid'?
The angel's greeting, 'Do not be afraid,' is a powerful divine reassurance. It’s not just a suggestion to calm down, but a divine decree designed to address the specific terror the women were experiencing. Think about it: they’d just witnessed supernatural events that terrified hardened soldiers. The angel’s words cut through that terror with a specific focus on them.
The Contrast:
The angel states, 'I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.' This isn't just an observation; it's the key that unlocks their fear. Why is remembering the crucifixion so central to their reassurance?
The angel’s specific mention of 'Jesus who was crucified' is incredibly significant. It’s the very thing that would likely cause them the most grief and fear. They came seeking a dead body, perhaps to anoint it, still grieving the brutal execution.
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The Angel's Insight:
Understand the original words
stauroō · Greek Verb (Passive Participle)
The historical act of Jesus Christ being executed by Roman crucifixion, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and serving as the substitutionary atonement for the sins of humanity.
ēgerthē · Greek Verb
To return to life after death, specifically referring to Christ's bodily resurrection as the foundation of the Christian faith. It signifies victory over sin, death, and the grave.
c. AD 30— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified by Roman authorities in Jerusalem. His body is placed in a tomb.
c. AD 30
Roman Guard at the Tomb
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, orders a guard to secure Jesus' tomb, fearing his disciples might steal the body.
c. AD 30
Resurrection Morning
Early on the first day of the week, women disciples arrive at the tomb to anoint Jesus' body, finding the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. AD 30
Angel Appears to Women
An angel of the Lord appears, causing the guards to flee in terror and speaking to the women, announcing Jesus' resurrection.
c. AD 30
Message to the Disciples
The angel instructs the women to quickly tell Jesus' disciples, including Peter, that he has risen and will meet them in Galilee.
This passage shows Mary Magdalene directly seeking Jesus and being confused when she encounters someone she believes to be the gardener, highlighting the initial difficulty in recognizing the resurrected Christ, similar to the women's fear and confusion in Matthew 28:5.
Luke 24:4This verse describes the women's reaction to the angelic visitors, being terrified and bewildered. It parallels the fear mentioned in Matthew 28:5, emphasizing the awe-inspiring nature of the resurrection announcement.
Isaiah 53:3This Old Testament prophecy speaks of the 'Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief,' who was 'despised and rejected.' It lays the groundwork for understanding why the angel needed to reassure the women seeking Jesus who was crucified, as His suffering was foretold.
Philippians 2:8This verse describes Jesus humbling himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. It contextualizes the angel's reference to Jesus 'who was crucified' by underscoring the depth of Christ's sacrifice that the women were seeking to honor.
Romans 8:34This passage emphatically states that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus, not even death. The angel's assurance 'Fear not' speaks to this unshakeable love and the reality of Christ's victory over death, which is why the women's search was not in vain.
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 angel’s “Fear not ye” emphasizes a crucial distinction: while the soldiers collapsed in terror from God's power, these women's fear is recognized as a natural reaction to the overwhelming supernatural event, not a sign of guilt or rejection. His statement, "for I know that you seek Jesus," shows God sees the heart of their search, even if their actions (coming to anoint a dead body) were based on incomplete understanding.
As the sun begins to rise on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and another Mary arrive at Jesus' tomb, expecting to find his body. Instead, they are met by a dazzling angel who has rolled away the massive stone. This startling event, combined with the sight of the empty tomb, understandably fills them with fear, which the angel immediately addresses by telling them not to be afraid.
As the sun begins to rise on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and another Mary arrive at Jesus' tomb, expecting to find his body. Instead, they are met by a dazzling angel who has rolled away the massive stone. This startling event, combined with the sight of the empty tomb, understandably fills them with fear, which the angel immediately addresses by telling them not to be afraid.
"But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay." — The angel’s “Fear not ye” emphasizes a crucial distinction: while the soldiers collapsed in terror from God's power, these women's fear is recognized as a natural reaction to the overwhelming super…
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Last reviewed October 2026
