Matthew 28:8-10
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The verse highlights a profound, often overlooked, human reaction: the powerful mix of "fear and great joy." This isn't just fear of the supernatural, but a trembling awe at the impossible made real, intertwined with an overwhelming joy that their Lord is alive. It shows us that even the most miraculous news can initially shake us to our core before settling into a profound, faith-filled peace.
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
These women, after encountering the angel at the empty tomb and hearing the incredible news of Jesus' resurrection, are overcome with a mixture of awe and elation. They hurry away from the tomb, their minds reeling, with the urgent mission to share this life-changing message with the disciples. This immediate rush to tell others sets the stage for Jesus himself appearing to them on the road, further confirming His resurrection before they even reach the disciples.
Imagine the scene: You've just witnessed the impossible. How do you feel? For these first witnesses of the resurrection, it wasn't a simple emotion.
Matthew 28:8 tells us the women left the tomb 'with fear and great joy.' This isn't a contradiction; it's a profound reflection of encountering the divine and the unbelievable.
Awe and Trembling
The 'fear' wasn't the paralyzing terror of a ghost. It was the reverent awe that accompanies a divine encounter – the kind that makes you tremble before the power and holiness of God. Think of Isaiah's reaction in the temple (Isaiah 6:5), 'Woe is me! For I am a man of unclean lips...' It's the fear that recognizes our smallness in the face of God's greatness.
Uncontainable Joy
The 'great joy' stemmed from the angel's message: He is risen! This was the ultimate good news, the answer to prayers, the victory over death. It's a joy so immense it must burst forth, driving them to share it immediately.
The Heart's Wilderness
This combination of emotions highlights that their faith was still developing. They weren't yet fully settled in the certainty of the resurrection. It shows that even in moments of profound spiritual encounter, our hearts can be a mix of wonder, doubt, and exhilaration, moving towards a settled faith.
They didn't just walk away; they . What fueled this urgent, immediate departure?
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The verse says they 'departed quickly' and 'ran to tell his disciples.' This wasn't a casual stroll; it was an urgent mission.
Fueled by Divine Command
They had just received direct instructions from the angel: 'Go quickly and tell his disciples' (Matthew 28:7). Obedience to God's word, especially when it carries such monumental news, spurs immediate action.
Driven by Joy and Hope
The 'great joy' wasn't just a feeling; it was a powerful motivator. The resurrection was the turning point, the victory that offered hope to all who believed. They couldn't contain this good news and felt compelled to share it with those who were mourning and likely despairing.
A New Mission Begins
This departure marks the beginning of the Great Commission. The women, who had followed Jesus faithfully, were now the first evangelists, commissioned by heaven to announce the greatest event in history. Their hurried steps symbolize the dawning of a new era of spreading the Gospel.
Understand the original words
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.
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.
chairete · Greek Verb
The Greek word used here (chairete) literally means 'rejoice,' serving as a common greeting but carrying profound theological weight when spoken by the resurrected Christ, signaling the arrival of the age of salvation.
prosekynēsan · Greek Verb
The act of showing profound reverence, adoration, and submission to God or Christ as an expression of recognition of His divinity and lordship.
adelphois · Greek Noun
A term of endearment and spiritual identification used by the resurrected Jesus for His disciples, signifying the new covenant family relationship established through His death and resurrection.
The women’s immediate departure with 'fear and great joy' highlights the overwhelming, almost disorienting, nature of witnessing the resurrection. Their mixed emotions show how the miraculous can shatter ordinary understanding, compelling them to share the unbelievable news despite their own lingering awe and disbelief.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified and buried in a tomb near Jerusalem, marking the culmination of his earthly ministry.
c. AD 30, First Day of the Week— this verse
Discovery of the Empty Tomb
Women, including Mary Magdalene and others, go to the tomb early Sunday morning and find it empty, encountering angels who announce Jesus' resurrection.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to the Women
Jesus himself appears to the women as they are leaving the tomb, confirming the angelic message and commissioning them to tell the disciples.
c. AD 30
Women Report to the Disciples
The women rush to tell the disciples the news of the resurrection, experiencing a mixture of awe, fear, and overwhelming joy.
c. AD 30
Disciples' Initial Disbelief
Despite the women's testimony and Peter's later visit to the empty tomb, the disciples initially regard the news as idle tales or unbelievable.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Disciples
Jesus begins to appear to his followers in various settings over the next forty days, gradually convincing them of his resurrection.
This passage names some of the same women who encountered the risen Christ and immediately reported the news to the apostles, mirroring the urgent commission given in Matthew.
John 20:11-18This account highlights Mary Magdalene's initial encounter with Jesus after his resurrection, showing her own mixture of joy and awe as she is sent to tell the disciples.
Acts 1:3This verse speaks of Jesus appearing to his disciples over a period of 40 days after his resurrection, emphasizing the reality and impact of his risen life, which began with these initial joyous encounters.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8This passage provides the theological core of the resurrection, listing the appearances of Christ to various witnesses, including the women, reinforcing the significance of their testimony.
calvinMatthew 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.…
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 verse highlights a profound, often overlooked, human reaction: the powerful mix of "fear and great joy." This isn't just fear of the supernatural, but a trembling awe at the impossible made real, intertwined with an overwhelming joy that their Lord is alive. It shows us that even the most miraculous news can initially shake us to our core before settling into a profound, faith-filled peace.
These women, after encountering the angel at the empty tomb and hearing the incredible news of Jesus' resurrection, are overcome with a mixture of awe and elation. They hurry away from the tomb, their minds reeling, with the urgent mission to share this life-changing message with the disciples. This immediate rush to tell others sets the stage for Jesus himself appearing to them on the road, further confirming His resurrection before they even reach the disciples.
These women, after encountering the angel at the empty tomb and hearing the incredible news of Jesus' resurrection, are overcome with a mixture of awe and elation. They hurry away from the tomb, their minds reeling, with the urgent mission to share this life-changing message with the disciples. This immediate rush to tell others sets the stage for Jesus himself appearing to them on the road, further confirming His resurrection before they even reach the disciples.
"So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not…" — The verse highlights a profound, often overlooked, human reaction: the powerful mix of "fear and great joy." This isn't just fear of the supernatural, but a trembling awe at the impossible made real,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
