What Does Matthew 28:8 Mean in the King James?

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Matthew 28:8 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The women run toward the disciples with fear still in them, turning what they have heard into a message carried forward.

THE MEANING

Fear and great joy can occupy you at once; one does not have to erase the other. What reaches you can become a message you carry onward, even while alarm is still present.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Fear means the joy is not real, or the message must wait until you are calm.

THE ROOT

ἀπαγγεῖλαι

apangeilai

GROWS FROM

ἀγγελ-

aggel-

announce, convey a message

The phrase rendered “bring word” uses a verb from the same word-family as “messenger.” The women move from receiving news to carrying it, so their run itself becomes an act of message-bearing.

ALSO GROWS

angelos: messenger

ἄγγελος

This branch names the one who carries a message; the women become messengers as they run to the disciples.

euangelion: good news, good message

εὐαγγέλιον

This branch shows the same message-bearing word-family carrying news that brings joy.

THE PATTERN

An encounter becomes a message carried onward, even while the messenger is still holding strong emotion.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Psalm 66:16 · KJVThe speaker carries what has been experienced into a declaration for others to hear.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

John 20:18 · KJVMary carries what she has seen and heard directly to the disciples.

For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Acts 4:20 · KJVWhat is encountered presses outward as a message that cannot remain unspoken.

THE THREAD

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Matthew 28:10 · KJV

Jesus uses the same announce-and-report word-family when he tells them to go tell his brothers. Their run in verse 8 already enacts the message-bearing that verse 10 names.

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