1.0 KiB
Before the women arrived, there was a great earthquake at the tomb
The connecting word "Before" introduces a sequential clause. First there was the earthquake and appearance of the angel, and then the women arrived at the tomb. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential)
there was a great earthquake
This could also be translated as, “there was a violent earthquake” or, “there was a forceful shaking of the ground.” Some languages may prefer to reword this as, “the ground began to shake violently.” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknowns)
was shining as brightly as lightning
That is, “whose appearance was as bright as lightning.”
fell to the ground like dead men
This is a simile that means the soldiers fell down and did not move, just like dead men do not move. They probably had fainted from fright. To make this clear, this could be translated as, “suddenly fell to the ground and did not move.” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile)