Did You Know? (Sunday, April 25, 2021)

In the canonical resurrection stories there are six occurrences of various forms of the root word fear. Twice the word is used to express terror: the Roman guards before the dazzling angel at the empty tomb (see Matthew 28:4) and the confounded disciples later running away from the same tomb (see Mark 16:8). In three of the occurrences, reassurance is given to relieve the fear Luke tells of the women being frightened but immediately reassured in the presence of the angel at the tomb (see 24:5).And in Matthew, first the angel and later Jesus tell the women, “Do not be afraid” (25:5, 10). Sandwiched between these reassurances in Mathew, the word conveys a sense of reverent joy (see 28:8).

Prof. Eugene H. Peterson, Living the Resurrection