Devine Scripture

Matthew 28:2

What does Matthew 28:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 28:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 28:2 means

Suddenly, a tremendous earthquake occurred, signifying a divine intervention. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, powerfully rolling away the enormous stone that sealed the tomb's entrance. The angel then sat upon the stone, indicating both the completion of his task and his sovereign authority over the grave. This dramatic display was not to let Jesus out, for He had already risen, but to open the tomb so that the women and others could see that it was empty, providing undeniable proof of the resurrection.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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 upon it.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there was a great earth-shock; for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, rolling back the stone, took his seat on it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and lo, there came a great earthquake, for a messenger of the Lord, having come down out of heaven, having come, did roll away the stone from the door, and was sitting upon it,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and coming rolled back the stone and sat upon it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of [the] Lord, descending out of heaven, came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

Context

Following the women's arrival at the tomb, this verse describes the supernatural event that confirms Jesus' physical absence. The earthquake and the angel's actions immediately precede the angel's direct address to the women. This powerful display serves to both demonstrate God's power and to prepare the way for the joyful, yet fearful, pronouncement of Jesus' resurrection to the women and later to the disciples.

v.1Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

v.2This passage

v.3His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Timothy 3:16

    And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

  • Matthew 27:51

    And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent;

  • Acts 16:26

    and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and every one’s bands were loosed.

  • 1 Peter 1:12

    To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

  • John 20:12

    and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

  • John 20:1

    Now on the firstdayof the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb.

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