Matthew 28:8 Meaning Explained

Matthew 28:8

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The text highlights an incredible paradox: their departure was "quick," fueled by "fear and great joy." This wasn't a simple, happy skip home, but a whirlwind of awe and disbelief, showing just how profoundly the reality of the resurrection shattered their previous understanding of life and death.

What Matthew 28:8 means

The women, having encountered angels at Jesus' empty tomb and received the astonishing news of His resurrection, are sent to inform the disciples. They leave the tomb immediately, a mix of awe-filled fear and overwhelming joy propelling them to share this world-changing message. This sets the stage for Jesus Himself to appear to them on the way, further confirming the resurrection before they even reach the disciples.

The Shock and Awe of Resurrection

Imagine stepping out of the tomb where Jesus was just laid, and hearing He's alive! What would that feel like?

Matthew 28:8 paints a powerful picture of the women's immediate reaction: "fear and great joy." This wasn't a calm, collected response. It was a whirlwind of emotions!

A Collision of Feelings

Fear: This wasn't just being startled. It was the awe that comes from encountering the divine and the utterly unexpected. The angelic appearance, the empty tomb – these were realities that shook them to their core.
Great Joy: The message itself – "He is risen!" – was the most glorious news imaginable. It erased their grief and filled them with overwhelming happiness.

This combination shows the profound impact of witnessing the impossible. Their hearts were racing, not just with fear, but with a joy so immense it felt almost unbelievable. It was a holy shock that propelled them forward.

Propelled by Divine Urgency

They didn't just walk; they 'ran.' What drove their haste?

The women's response wasn't passive. The angel's message, combined with their own awe, ignited an immediate mission. They 'departed quickly' and 'ran to tell his disciples.'

The Angel's Commission

Obedience: They had just received a direct command from a heavenly messenger: 'Go quickly and tell his disciples.'
Shared Joy: Their 'great joy' was too immense to keep to themselves. They had to share this life-altering news.
Urgency: The disciples were mourning and likely felt abandoned. The women knew this message would bring comfort and hope.

This swift action highlights the power of the resurrection announcement. It wasn't just a historical event; it was a living reality that demanded immediate proclamation. Their running symbolizes the urgent, unstoppable spread of the Gospel's good news.

Understand the original words

Original language

fearφόβου

phobou · Greek Noun

In a biblical context, this often refers to a profound awe, reverence, or trembling in the presence of the divine or supernatural, recognizing God's power and holiness.

joyχαρᾶς

charas · Greek Noun

A deep, divinely-given sense of gladness and delight that transcends earthly circumstances, often rooted in the awareness of God's presence or redemptive acts.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 70-100 AD, reflecting the period after the destruction of the Second Temple.
Author: Traditionally understood as Matthew the Apostle, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. However, some scholars debate the authorship due to differences in style and perspective from other Gospels.
Location: Written from an unknown location, likely reflecting events that occurred in and around Jerusalem, Judea.
Genre: Gospel narrative, a biographical account of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Key features include parables, dialogues, and miracle stories.

Key themes

01Sudden, overwhelming revelation
02Fear mixed with joy
03Urgent divine commission
04Astonishing grace shown

Cross-references

John 20:11-18

This passage parallels the women's encounter with Jesus after his resurrection, focusing on Mary Magdalene's initial confusion and then her joyful recognition and commission to tell the disciples, mirroring the mixed emotions and urgent mission of the women in Matthew.

Luke 24:9-12

This passage describes the women reporting Jesus' resurrection to the apostles, highlighting their initial disbelief and Peter's subsequent, solitary trip to the tomb to verify the report, which echoes the haste and the disciples' eventual reception of the news.

Mark 16:9-11

This passage details Jesus' first appearance to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection and her subsequent telling of the news to the disciples, emphasizing their reaction of grief and disbelief despite her testimony, showing a similar emotional response from those receiving the news.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

This passage provides a foundational summary of the resurrection appearances, including an appearance to the women, underscoring the central importance of the resurrection event and the witness of those who first saw the risen Christ.

Acts 1:8

Jesus tells his disciples they will be his witnesses starting in Jerusalem, then going to the ends of the earth, which directly parallels the women's commission to go and tell, acting as the first witnesses of the resurrection and initiating the spread of the gospel.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 28:8-10: "And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word."

And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to inform his disciples. 9. And while they went to inform his disciples, then, lo, Jesus met them, saying, Hail. [305] And they approached, and held his feet, and worshipped him. 10. Then Jesus saith to them, Fear not; go, tell my brethren to go into Galilee; and there shall they see me.

8.…
calvin

Matthew 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,…
henry

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