What does Matthew 28:8 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 28:8 refers to the moment when the women, specifically Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, left the tomb where Jesus Christ had been buried after his crucifixion.

This passage occurs after an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled back the stone from the tomb's entrance, and announced to the women that Jesus was not there, as he had risen from the dead, just as he had promised.

The women's reaction blends fear and joy.

Their fear likely arose from the awe and trembling that comes from a divine encounter.

Their great joy is from the realization that Jesus Christ had indeed risen, confirming his divinity and the truth of his teachings.

They obey the angel's instruction to go quickly and tell Jesus' disciples about the resurrection, signifying their role as the first messengers of the Christian Good News.

Historical Context

The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally believed to have been written by the Apostle Matthew, a tax collector and one of Jesus' twelve disciples. This gospel is considered to have been composed in the late first century, mainly for a Jewish-Christian audience.

The context for this particular verse is the morning of the third day after Jesus' crucifixion, an event described as occurring after the Jewish Sabbath, at dawn.

In the cultural setting at the time, women's testimonies were not highly valued, which makes it all the more remarkable that women were chosen as the initial witnesses to the resurrection.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, this verse is critical in Christianity as it testifies to the fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy about his resurrection.

It underscores the themes of divine intervention, the transformation of fear into joy through belief, and the importance of being messengers of the Gospel.

Within Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of faith, representing the victory over sin and death, and the promise of eternal life.

The 'fear' the women felt can be seen as a reverent acknowledgement of God's power, whereas the 'great joy' signifies the ultimate fulfillment of the scriptures.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse presents believers with a model of how to respond to encounters with the divine and to news of great spiritual significance: with rapid response, reverence, obedience, and joy.

Believers are also encouraged to be messengers like the women, sharing their experiences and the truth of their faith with others.

It also assures those who believe that they can find joy amidst fear when they trust in the promises of God.

This mixture of fear and joy can serve as encouragement to navigate the complexities of life while holding onto a steadfast faith.

Cross-References

• Matthew 28:5-7: The preceding verses where the angel tells the women that Jesus has risen from the dead.
• Mark 16:8: A parallel account where the women also respond with trembling and astonishment.
• Luke 24:9-10: Describes the women reporting the events to the Apostles.
• John 20:1-2: Another account of Mary Magdalene coming to the sepulchre, then going to tell Peter and John that Jesus' body was missing.
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8: Paul recounts Jesus’ resurrection and his post-resurrection appearances to corroborate this event’s historicity.

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words such as "φόβος" (phobos) often translate to "fear", but can also imply reverence or awe. "χαράς μεγάλης" (charas megalēs) translates directly to "great joy" which emphasizes the intensity of the emotion.

The verb "ἔτρεχον" (etrechon), translated as "did run", implies hurried action, underscoring the urgency the women felt to share the news.

Understanding these words in their original context can deepen our comprehension of the mix of emotions the women experienced and the immediacy of their response.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient myths and religions, resurrection was not a common theme.

However, there were myths about gods dying and resurrecting in different cultures, such as the stories of Osiris in Egyptian mythology, or of Dionysus in Greek mythology.

Unlike these mythological accounts, the resurrection of Jesus is presented as a historical event with eyewitnesses, which fundamentally shapes the Christian faith.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, resurrection defies the natural laws of biology and physics as we understand them, making it a miraculous event within the Christian tradition.

While science requires empirical evidence and repeatability in experimentation, faith in the resurrection is based on historical accounts and personal beliefs rather than scientific validation.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse.

Some highlight the significance of the women as the first evangelists, suggesting that it elevates their role in a society where they were often marginalized.

Others focus on the dual nature of the women's response, seeing it as a natural human reaction to the divine which encompasses both fear and joy.

Some commentaries may also delve into the reliability of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection and explore what the varying reports from the Gospels tell us about the nature of these texts as ancient biographies with theological intent.