Matthew 28:8

Matthew 28:8, in plain English

The women rushed away from the tomb, trembling with a mixture of awe and overwhelming joy, and ran to find the disciples.

Why it's here

Fear and joy at the same time—that's what it feels like when something so good happens that you can barely believe it. They couldn't contain themselves.

Who's speaking

Matthew describes the women's emotional state as they ran to deliver the incredible news.

Where it sits in the story

They didn't stroll. They ran. Their hearts were pounding with fear at what they'd just witnessed and bursting with joy at what it meant. This is what it looks like when hope explodes back to life.

The scholarly reading

The women departed with a mixture of fear (phobos) and great joy (charas megalēs), running (edramon) to fulfill the angelic commission.

Language and setting

The combination of fear and joy is characteristic of genuine encounters with the divine in Scripture, reflecting both human awe before the holy and exhilaration at the good news.

Voice

Matthew narrates the women's emotional response and their immediate obedience to the angel's instruction.

Significance

Their response perfectly captured the overwhelming nature of the moment: terror at the supernatural encounter mingled with euphoria at the news. They ran—not walked—combining reverence with urgency.

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.”

8So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.

9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.

10“Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”

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.