Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 28:4

"and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men." — Matthew 28:4 (ASV)

The clause introduced by “for” either suggests that the violent earthquake came with the “angel of the Lord” or was the means the angel used to open the tomb. The stone was rolled back, the seal broken, and the soldiers made helpless —not to let the risen Messiah escape, but to let the first witnesses in.