Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Mt 28:10)
τότε λέγει αὐταῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· μὴ φοβεῖσθε· ὑπάγετε ἀπαγγείλατε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου ἵνα ἀπέλθωσιν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, κἀκεῖ με ὄψονται.
tunc ait illis Iesus nolite timere ite nuntiate fratribus meis ut eant in Galilaeam ibi me videbunt.
Jesus’ mē phobeisthe (“Do not be afraid”), spoken to the chosen women just after the Resurrection, is a response to the fear and emptiness that fell upon all of Jesus’ disciples at the hour of the Cross. A total paralysis takes hold of the soul of a person who wants to walk the paths of life in any way—but without Christ. Encountering the Lord Himself on the roads of the Resurrection is the antidote to that emptiness, but it also becomes a challenge to live a new life. The word of consolation—“Do not be afraid”—is also a word that strengthens faith. Then come Jesus’ imperatives: “Go and tell,” which are a clear encouragement to become an authentic witness of His Resurrection.
The Greek word φοβεῖσθαι [phobeisthai] means to feel fear /terror /dread, and also reverent awe. In the biblical context, it refers both to the fear of danger or punishment and a respectful fear of God’s power and holiness, as well as a warning against sin and disobedience to God. The word comes from the verb φέβομαι [phébomai], meaning “to be frightened.” The Hebrew equivalent is יָרֵא [yare’].