He Is Risen
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. Matthew 28:5 · Berean Standard Bible
The angel spoke gently to the women: 'Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus, who was crucified.'
Notice the angel didn't say 'don't be afraid' to the guards—he said it to the women. God's messengers always have tender words for those who come seeking with faithful hearts.
The angel addresses Mary Magdalene and the other Mary directly, calming their fear.
In the middle of earthquakes and blinding light, the angel's first priority was to comfort these women. He saw their grief and their love, and he met them right where they were.
The angel addresses the women with 'do not be afraid' (mē phobeisthe), a standard divine reassurance formula, and acknowledges their search for 'Jesus the crucified one' (ton estaurōmenon).
The perfect passive participle estaurōmenon ('the one having been crucified') permanently identifies Jesus with His atoning work, even in the announcement of His resurrection.
The angel speaks directly to the women, distinguishing them from the terrified guards and affirming their faithful purpose.
While the soldiers lay paralyzed, the angel tenderly addressed the grieving women. The heavenly messenger knew exactly why they had come and gently prepared them for news beyond their imagining.
3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.
5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.
7Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”
Read all of Matthew 28 — An earthquake. An angel. An empty tomb. And then the most important words ever spoken: He is not here. He has risen.
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