Six Reasons for the Earthquake
Bishop Hacket. Matthew 28:2-4 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven… I. It makes us conceit that there was a great struggling, and a combat between Christ and death. II. It betokens what noise and tumult there shall be in all the elements at the last and great resurrection. III. It signifies that the majesty of the Lord was upon the earth to defend His people. IV. The anger of the Lord did roar out of the earth against those Jews who thought to prevail that death should devour him, against Pilate that allowed his seal to this conspiracy, and against the soldiers that watched the sepulchre. V. Because the consciences of these evil men were only wounded, and no other harm done by the earthquake, therefore, some say, the place round about did rather dance for joy than quake for trembling. VI. Is allegorical, and thus in brief, that our hearts must be shaken and inwardly troubled with compunction and repentance before we believe steadfastly in the resurrection of Jesus. (Bishop Hacket.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.