Matthew 28:1-4 1But after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord after descending from heaven and coming, rolled away the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.
The story of Jesus makes a big shift (marked by the conjunction but) and reaches the climax in chapter 28. The significance of Jesus’ death on the cross is confirmed by the events of that took place after. Matthew is specific about the time of these events. In the modern week, this was early Sunday morning as the sun was beginning to rise. Nothing could be done in the dark, and so the women had to wait for enough light to see their way. This story builds on the them of surprise. The women were not expecting what they found. Usually when God appears (usually through angels) in the Bible, it is a surprise to the recipients.
Matthew names two women who stuck with Jesus throughout his suffering and trials. They were present with him as he died on the cross and watched as he was buried (27:56, 61). Matthew does not state why they went to the tomb, but Mark and Luke states that they brought spices to annoint the body in a proper way because of the haste of the burial. There was little they could do except mourn. Mourning is an expression of our love for the person who has died. There were several suprises for them when they got to the tomb. First, they did not know that the tomb had been sealed with mortar and guards placed in front of it. Their plans were significantly altered with this fact because it was impossible for them to do as they hoped.
The second is introduced by the phrase and behold which Matthew uses to introduce something significant for the reader to note. The appearance of an angel caused (indicated by for) an earthquake. An earthquaked marked both the death and resurrection of Jesus. The angel had no difficulty rolling away the sealed stone that covered the tomb. Sitting on the stone further shows the power over and even contempt for human effort to keep Jesus in the tomb and from fulfilling prophecy. The holiness of God is shown by the appearance of the angels who are “messengers” and representatives of God’s presence. When angels appear in the Bible, they speak the voice of God and represent his holiness. The guards also witnessed these events. These powerful Roman soldiers were ready for any person who tried to steal the body, for their orders had come “from the top,” but an angel was another matter. A second “earthquake” took place when they saw what was happening. No doubt, their lives would be forever changed.
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