Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): Functions of Present at the Tomb of Jesus

Bible > Topical > Angel (A Spirit)

◄ Angel (A Spirit): Functions of Present at the Tomb of Jesus ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian tradition, angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve as His messengers and to carry out His divine will. Their presence at the tomb of Jesus is a significant event recorded in the New Testament, highlighting their role in the resurrection narrative. The following outlines the functions of angels at the tomb of Jesus, as described in the Gospel accounts.

1. Announcing the Resurrection:
The primary function of the angels at the tomb was to announce the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28:5-6 , an angel speaks to the women who came to the tomb, saying, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay." This announcement serves as a divine confirmation of Jesus' victory over death and the fulfillment of His promise to rise on the third day.

2. Providing Reassurance and Comfort:
The presence of angels at the tomb also served to reassure and comfort the followers of Jesus. The angel's message begins with the words "Do not be afraid," addressing the fear and confusion of the women who discovered the empty tomb. This reassurance underscores the angels' role as messengers of peace and divine truth.

3. Instructing the Witnesses:
The angels provided specific instructions to the witnesses at the tomb. In Matthew 28:7 , the angel instructs the women, "Then 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.'" This directive emphasizes the angels' role in guiding the early followers of Christ to spread the news of His resurrection and to prepare for His post-resurrection appearances.

4. Demonstrating Divine Power:
The presence of angels at the tomb is a testament to the divine power at work in the resurrection event. In Matthew 28:2 , it is described that "there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled away the stone and sat on it." This act of rolling away the stone, which sealed the tomb, symbolizes the breaking of the bonds of death and the triumph of life through Christ.

5. Witnessing to the Truth:
The angels serve as witnesses to the truth of the resurrection. Their testimony is crucial in affirming the reality of the event to the first witnesses and, by extension, to all believers. The angelic presence at the tomb provides a heavenly endorsement of the resurrection, reinforcing its significance in the Christian faith.

In summary, the functions of angels at the tomb of Jesus encompass announcing the resurrection, providing reassurance, instructing the witnesses, demonstrating divine power, and witnessing to the truth. These roles highlight the importance of angels as divine messengers and participants in the pivotal event of the resurrection, which is central to Christian belief.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 28:2-6
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Further Exposition of the Heresy of the Naasseni; Profess to ...
... he was caught up by an angel, and ascended ... says, the ineffable mysteries of the Spirit,
which we ... things, and changes them into their own peculiar (functions). ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter iii further exposition of the.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... How can there be one Deity with opposite functions? ... can come only from the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ... a martyr, or to a holy soul, or to any angel. ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

The Pattern of Service
... of His sighing deeply in His spirit when prejudiced ... If some angel's touch could
annihilate all that portion ... doubt, His assertion of priestly functions, and of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the pattern of service.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... The Angel gave the essence of the meaning to Zechariah ... the Baptist who ministered
in the "spirit and power ... this harmonise with the powers and functions of any ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... it was formerly called a demon, or angel of Satan ... in the flesh, but in the spirit,
if the Spirit of God ... in their own sex without discharging the functions of sex ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm

Love's Triumph Over Sin
... as if He had said through His angel messengers"'I ... Love knows no difference of place,
conditions, or functions. ... I must let it flow into my spirit, and stir ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/loves triumph over sin.htm

Dialogue iii. --The Impassible.
... O most sagacious sir, have you mentioned those functions of the ... must accuse the loud
trumpet of the Spirit for giving ... how can you prove that the angel spoke to ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue iii the impassible.htm

Book vi. It is with a Full Knowledge of the Dangers and Passions ...
... is nothing but power, life, light, blessedness, Spirit. ... clearly indicated in terms
borrowed from bodily functions. ... Virgin birth brought by the angel from the ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book vi it is with.htm

Book ii.
... nature did not require its own functions, and brought ... changed in earthly habitation,
let us change in spirit. ... you read that when the seventh angel sounded his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... he saw a great vision and heard an angel, or the ... under Joshua our leader, even to
the present day know ... before the flood had said [4391] "My spirit shall not ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm