“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.”– Matthew 28:5 (KJV)
“Then the angel spoke to the women. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.’– Matthew 28:5 (NLT)
“The angel spoke to the women: ‘There is no reason to be afraid. I know you are here looking for Jesus, the one they nailed to the cross.’– Matthew 28:5 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 28:5 Mean?
Matthew 28:5 is a profound verse found in the Gospel of Matthew. The context here is during the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a monumental event that forms the cornerstone of Christian faith. The angel of the Lord speaks directly to the women who arrived at Jesus’s tomb, telling them not to be afraid. This message addresses their fear and confusion after witnessing the events surrounding Jesus’s crucifixion. It also serves as an assurance that Jesus has risen, a key proclamation that shapes our faith and offers hope. The angel acknowledges their search for Jesus, reinforcing that they are looking in the right place but for the wrong reason—Jesus is no longer dead. In many ways, this verse is a gentle reminder to us that God understands our fears and invites us to seek Him with confidence, knowing that He is alive and still active in our lives.
When we read this verse, we are reminded of the importance of fearlessness in our spiritual walk. The enormity of what the women experienced at the tomb cannot be understated; yet, the angel’s words bring comfort. Fear can often cloud our judgment and prevent us from experiencing the fullness of God’s promises. The declaration that Jesus is not there, but has risen, signifies hope and triumph over death. As followers of Christ, this knowledge empowers us to confront our challenges and doubts confidently, knowing that Christ has already conquered the greatest enemy—death itself.
Matthew 28:5 Explanation and Commentary
The angel’s message in Matthew 28:5 resonates deeply, especially when we consider the emotional state of the women who had come to the tomb. Their hearts were heavy with grief, facing the crushing reality of loss. Each of us, at some point, can relate to this feeling of loss. The angel’s powerful reassurance of ‘Do not be afraid’ is not only a command but also a soothing balm for our anxious hearts. In our moments of despair or uncertainty, we need to remember that God is with us and offers comfort. This comfort is especially vital during times of loss, as we navigate our feelings and emotions.
The statement ‘I know that you seek Jesus’ highlights the sincerity of their search. The women came, not anticipating a resurrection, but hoping to pay their respects to Jesus’s body. The recognition of their intention signifies that God sees our efforts, however small they may seem. When we reach out to God, seeking Him in our lives, He acknowledges that pursuit. It is in our searching that we often find more than we are looking for, as the angel reveals the truth about Jesus’s resurrection. This revelation shouldn’t only transform our hearts but should also propel us to share the good news and spread the joy of the resurrection to others.
Jesus’s resurrection is central to our faith, as it signifies the victory over sin and death. Romans 6:4 reminds us that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too can walk in newness of life. This new life is offered to all who believe and seek after Him. It is not merely a historical event but a present reality that invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. The resurrection is our hope and assurance that no matter what we face, God has overcome. So, as we contemplate this verse, we allow its meaning to shape how we experience life and the hope we carry.
The phrase ‘which was crucified’ illuminates the harsh reality of Jesus’s sacrifice. It serves as a reminder of the suffering and pain He endured for our sake. Understanding the weight of this sacrifice helps us grasp the depth of God’s love for us. As we reflect on this, we are called to share that love with others, letting the truth of His resurrection change how we live daily. After all, the resurrection is not just an event we remember; it informs who we are as followers of Christ.
Context of Matthew 28:5
To fully grasp the significance of Matthew 28:5, we must also consider its context within the larger narrative of the resurrection story. The chapter takes place after the crucifixion of Jesus, a time when despair and hopelessness overwhelmed His disciples and followers. Just days before, they had witnessed a horrific scene—Jesus’s suffering and death on the cross. The mourning women, likely Mary Magdalene and others, approach the tomb with hearts full of sorrow. Their encounter with the angel symbolizes a dramatic shift from despair to hope, marking the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.
This scene takes place on the first day of the week, signifying a new beginning. The resurrection introduces a new era in God’s relationship with humanity. It shifts the focus from the law and practices of Judaism to a relationship built on faith in Christ. This transition embodies a central theme of the New Testament: the victory of life over death and the promise of eternal life. Understanding this gives us a richer appreciation of what the resurrection signifies for us personally; it offers us grace, love, and the chance to live in relationship with God.
In looking at the Gospel accounts, we see that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each share their perspective on the resurrection. Matthew emphasizes the angel’s message, focusing on the assurance given to the women and the fulfillment of prophecy. By contrasting the fear of the women with the angel’s uplifting message, Matthew paints a vivid picture of the transformation from fear to hope. This narrative encourages us to embrace our own moments of fear and seek God’s assurance in our lives through prayer and reflection.
The angel’s greeting reinforces an essential aspect of God’s character: He desires to dispel our fears. As followers of Christ, we can find comfort in knowing that even in our states of anxiety and worry, God is present—we are not alone in our struggles. He permits us to turn to Him, experiencing comfort, healing, and hope. This exchange also encourages us to express our fears to God, trusting that He cares about our hearts and can handle our worries.
With the resurrection, we are reminded that death is not the end but a transitioning point into eternal life with Christ. This hope gives us the strength to face challenges in our lives today. We can carry that hope forward, sharing it with those around us so that they may experience the same comfort and joy that we have found in Christ. This context enriches our understanding of who Jesus is and what His resurrection means for each of us personally and collectively.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 28:5
Matthew 28:5 comprises vital components that communicate essential truths of the Christian faith. The opening phrase, “the angel answered and said unto the women,” introduces us to the divine messenger. Angels are often seen as God’s messengers in scripture, each delivering vital news to humans. Here, they serve as an instrument to convey hope, contrasting the sorrow the women feel.
Next, we encounter the words “Fear not ye.” This powerful directive speaks volumes. Fear can be paralyzing, often preventing us from making decisions or moving forward. Throughout scripture, God repeatedly instructs His people to “fear not.” God understands our humanity and the emotions we face. The encouragement to let go of fear, especially following a traumatic event, allows us to accept God’s love and to trust in His promises.
“For I know that ye seek Jesus” acknowledges the genuine desire of the women to connect with Jesus in their sadness. Their search was marked by love and devotion, showcasing what it means to genuinely pursue a relationship with Christ. This same pursuit remains vital for us, urging us to seek Jesus actively. As we explore our faith, our longing for connection with Him deepens, and we are reminded to keep our hearts open to His presence in our lives.
The phrase “which was crucified” serves as the anchor to our understanding of Jesus’s sacrifice. We reflect on the pain that He endured for our sake and the love represented in that sacrifice. This recognition calls us to embody that same love towards others. Sharing the good news of the Gospel means reflecting on what Christ has done for us, allowing His love to flow through our lives as we encounter the world around us.
Finally, the angel’s revelation that Jesus is no longer in the tomb serves as a game-changing announcement in our faith journey. It pivots the narrative of death into a message of hope, catapulting Jesus into the role of our Savior. His resurrection assures us that our fears and worries do not have the final say. This pivotal event invites us to live boldly, knowing that we serve a risen Christ who has conquered death and offers us life everlasting.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 28:5
Matthew 28:5 conveys essential lessons for us as followers of Christ. The most apparent is the directive to not be afraid. Fear is a universal feeling that can hinder us from experiencing the fullness of our faith. Each encounter with God starts with recognizing that we can lay our fears at His feet. He desires a relationship with us, and fear should not be a barrier in that pursuit. Remembering that God knows our hearts and cares deeply for us prepares us to step out in faith, letting go of doubt.
The search for Jesus depicted in this passage reflects our spiritual journey. Striving to seek after Him daily invites growth and transformation. We can examine ourselves freely, asking: are we genuinely seeking Christ? This pursuit requires time devoted to prayer, reading scripture, and engaging in community with other believers. It encourages us to lean into our relationship with Him, allowing the truths of His Word to shape our lives.
Additionally, the acknowledgment that they were looking for the “crucified” Jesus emphasizes that we cannot forget His sacrifice. Reflecting on the cross teaches us gratitude for the grace extended to us, reminding us of the love behind His suffering. How can we exhibit this love to others? It pushes us toward kindness, compassion, and serving those around us. Love, inspired by Christ’s example, invites us to act in ways that mirror His heart.
Living in the light of Jesus’s resurrection encourages us to embrace hope regardless of our circumstances. Just as the angel told the women of His rising, we, too, can walk into each day with assurance. Acknowledging that Jesus lives means acknowledging that we have access to His power and strength to overcome life’s challenges. We are called to live with purpose, knowing that He equips us with the tools to navigate difficult paths as we rely on Him.
Finally, we must learn to share the good news of the resurrection with others. In the same way the angel spoke boldly to the women, we are called to share our faith, to be witnesses of His love in a world that desperately needs hope. We carry this message not just in our words but in our actions—through love, kindness, and our everyday interactions with the people around us. This impacts our relationships, communities, and the world at large.
Final Thoughts
As we contemplate Matthew 28:5, we are reminded of God’s intimate knowledge of us, our fears, and our desires to seek Him. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith, giving us confidence in our walk with Him. This pivotal moment shifts our focus from despair to hope, failure to restoration, sorrow to joy, and ultimately, life over death.
Let this passage inspire us to lean into our faith, nurturing our personal relationship with Jesus daily. May we find courage in our fears, knowing that God reassures us in our times of uncertainty. The resurrection is not just a historical fact; it is our present reality that infuses our lives with purpose and hope.
We encourage each other to keep seeking Christ, allowing His love and grace to shape who we are. Let this powerful truth permeate our hearts, guiding our actions as we share the good news with the world. Seek out spiritual nourishment in God’s Word, explore other powerful Biblical texts such as Matthew 11, and let our lives shine brightly with the light of His love.