Why does the angel say, "Do not be afraid" in Matthew 28:5? Immediate Textual Context The angel’s words, “Do not be afraid,” appear in Matthew 28:5 immediately after the dramatic description of a “great earthquake” and the angel’s descent, whose appearance was “like lightning, and his clothing white as snow” (Matthew 28:3). The guards “trembled and became like dead men” (v. 4). The women therefore stand amid seismic activity, blazing supernatural glory, and incapacitated soldiers. The imperative addresses their natural terror in the face of overwhelming holiness and power. Consistent Angelic Pattern The expression “Do not be afraid” (μὴ φοβεῖσθε) forms a standard element in angelic encounters (Genesis 15:1; Daniel 10:12; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10; Acts 27:24). Angels, as messengers from the unseen realm, routinely calm human fear so that the divine revelation can be heard and understood rather than eclipsed by panic. Matthew intentionally preserves this formula to signal continuity with previous redemptive events. Theological Reassurance Rooted in Covenant History 1. Presence of God: Throughout Scripture fear accompanies divine presence (Exodus 20:18-20; Isaiah 6:5). Yet God’s covenant love drives out terror for those who trust Him (Psalm 27:1; 1 John 4:18). The angel underscores that the holy presence now manifested does not portend judgment upon these women; it heralds salvation. 2. Fulfillment of Promise: Jesus had repeatedly foretold His resurrection (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19). By announcing its accomplishment, the angel confirms the reliability of God’s word. Fear is displaced by faith because God has done exactly what He pledged (Numbers 23:19). 3. Restoration of Edenic Fellowship: Humanity’s first emotion after sin was fear (Genesis 3:10). The resurrected Christ reverses that alienation. The angel’s command anticipates the reconciliation secured in the empty tomb (Romans 5:10-11). Psychological and Behavioral Dimension Modern behavioral science recognizes that acute fear impairs cognition, memory encoding, and motor function. The angel’s directive lowers arousal, enabling Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” (Matthew 28:1) to attend, comprehend, and later relay the resurrection report accurately. The instruction thus facilitates reliable eyewitness testimony, foundational to early Christian proclamation (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Commissioning Function The angel immediately follows with the task: “Go quickly and tell His disciples…” (Matthew 28:7). Reassurance is prerequisite to mission. Divine assignments often begin with a “fear not” to transform passive recipients into active heralds (Judges 6:23-24; Jeremiah 1:8; Luke 5:10). Contrast with the Guards While the guards collapse in paralyzing fear (Matthew 28:4), the believing women are liberated from fear to become witnesses. Matthew contrasts unbelief that petrifies with faith that mobilizes, underscoring that one’s stance toward God determines whether fear enslaves or is dispelled. Redemptive-Historical Motif of Fear Expelled Scripture traces a trajectory from fear in Eden (Genesis 3:10) to perfect peace in the New Jerusalem where “His servants will serve Him… and they will see His face” (Revelation 22:3-4). The angel’s exhortation at the empty tomb stands at the pivot of that arc, grounded in the completed atonement and bodily resurrection of Jesus, “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Pastoral Application Believers today face cultural hostility, personal trials, and mortality itself. The angel’s words resonate as Christ’s own assurance: because He lives, fear yields to joy, purpose, and hope (John 14:19, 27). The resurrection is not merely a datum but the definitive antidote to ultimate fear—the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). Conclusion The angel says “Do not be afraid” in Matthew 28:5 to calm the women’s immediate terror, align them with the covenantal pattern of divine reassurance, facilitate accurate witness, commission them for proclamation, and signify the new era inaugurated by the risen Christ in which fear is conquered by resurrection reality. |
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