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Matthew 28

BSB·20 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1AfterὈψὲOpse — late in the day, eveningG3796 — Full Word Study → the Sabbath, at dawnἐπιφωσκούσῃepiphōskousē — to dawn, to break (of day)G2020 — Full Word Study → onεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → the first day of the week, MaryΜαριὰμMariam — Of the seaG3137 — Full Word Study → MagdaleneΜαγδαληνὴMagdalēnē — Of MagdalaG3094 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → otherἄλληallē — another, other, different oneG243 — Full Word Study → MaryΜαρίαMaria — Of the seaG3137 — Full Word Study → wentἦλθενēlthen — to come, go, arrive, or appearG2064 — Full Word Study → to seeθεωρῆσαιtheōrēsai — To see, observe, or witness with understandingG2334 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → tombτάφονtaphon — Grave, tomb, burial placeG5028 — Full Word Study →. 2Suddenlyἰδοὺidou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study → there wasἐγένετοegeneto — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → a greatμέγαςmegas — Great in size, power, or intensityG3173 — Full Word Study → earthquakeσεισμὸςseismos — Earthquake; violent shaking of the earthG4578 — Full Word Study →, forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → an angelἄγγελοςangelos — Messenger; divine or heavenly envoyG32 — Full Word Study → of the Lord descendedκαταβὰςkatabas — to descend, come down, go downG2597 — Full Word Study → fromἐξex — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → heavenοὐρανοῦouranou — Heaven; the sky; God's dwelling placeG3772 — Full Word Study →, rolled awayἀπεκύλισενapekylisen — To roll away or remove by rollingG617 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → stoneλίθονlithon — Stone; rock; precious stoneG3037 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → satἐκάθητοekathēto — to sit, be seated, dwellG2521 — Full Word Study → onἐπάνωepanō — above, over, uponG1883 — Full Word Study → itαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →. 3Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → appearanceεἰδέαeidea — Outward appearance or visible formG2397 — Full Word Study → wasἦνēn — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → likeὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → lightningἀστραπὴastrapē — Lightning; brilliant flash of lightG796 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → clothes were whiteλευκὸνleukon — white; bright; pureG3022 — Full Word Study → asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → snowχιώνchiōn — snow; frozen precipitationG5510 — Full Word Study →. 4Theοἱhoi — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → guardsτηροῦντεςtērountes — to guard, keep, preserve, or observeG5083 — Full Word Study → trembledἐσείσθησανeseisthēsan — to shake, vibrate, or agitate physically or emotionallyG4579 — Full Word Study → inἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → fearφόβουphobou — Fear, terror, or reverent aweG5401 — Full Word Study → of himαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → becameἐγενήθησανegenēthēsan — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → likeὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → dead men. 5Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → angelἄγγελοςangelos — Messenger; divine or heavenly envoyG32 — Full Word Study → saidεἶπενeipen — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study → to theταῖςtais — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → womenγυναιξίνgynaixin — woman; wife; female personG1135 — Full Word Study →, “Do not be afraidφοβεῖσθεphobeisthe — to fear, be afraid; to reverence, respectG5399 — Full Word Study →, forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → I knowοἶδαoida — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → youὑμεῖςhymeis — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → are looking forζητεῖτεzēteite — to seek, search for, desire, requireG2212 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦνIēsoun — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study →, whoτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → was crucifiedἐσταυρωμένονestaurōmenon — to crucify; to execute by crucifixionG4717 — Full Word Study →. 6He isἔστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → hereὧδεhōde — in this place; hereG5602 — Full Word Study →; He has risenἠγέρθηēgerthē — To raise up, arise, or awakenG1453 — Full Word Study →, just asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → He saidεἶπενeipen — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study →! Comeδεῦτεdeute — Come here; come forth (imperative call)G1205 — Full Word Study →, seeἴδετεidete — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → placeτόπονtopon — A physical or geographical location; a place or regionG5117 — Full Word Study → whereὅπουhopou — where, wherever, the place in whichG3699 — Full Word Study → He layἔκειτοekeito — to lie, be laid, be appointedG2749 — Full Word Study →. 7Thenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → goπορευθεῖσαιporeutheisai — To go, travel, or journeyG4198 — Full Word Study → quicklyταχὺtachy — quickly, speedily, with hasteG5035 — Full Word Study → and tell Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → disciplesμαθηταῖςmathētais — A learner or follower of a teacherG3101 — Full Word Study →, ‘He has risenἨγέρθηĒgerthē — To raise up, arise, or awakenG1453 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → deadνεκρῶνnekrōn — dead, lifeless, corpseG3498 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → is going ahead ofπροάγειproagei — to go before, lead the way, precedeG4254 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → intoεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → GalileeΓαλιλαίανGalilaian — Northern Israel regionG1056 — Full Word Study →. Thereἐκεῖekei — in that place, there, thitherG1563 — Full Word Study → you will seeὄψεσθεopsesthe — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτὸνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →.’ Seeἰδοὺidou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study →, I have toldεἶπονeipon — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →.” 8SoΚαὶKai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → they hurried awayἀπελθοῦσαιapelthousai — to go away, depart, leaveG565 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → tombμνημείουmnēmeiou — tomb, grave, burial placeG3419 — Full Word Study → inμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → fearφόβουphobou — Fear, terror, or reverent aweG5401 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → greatμεγάληςmegalēs — Great in size, power, or intensityG3173 — Full Word Study → joyχαρᾶςcharas — Joy, gladness, delightG5479 — Full Word Study →, and ran to tellἀπαγγεῖλαιapangeilai — To announce, report, or declareG518 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → disciplesμαθηταῖςmathētais — A learner or follower of a teacherG3101 — Full Word Study →. 9Suddenlyκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦςIēsous — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → metὑπήντησενhypēntēsen — to go to meet, encounterG5221 — Full Word Study → themαὐταῖςautais — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → and said, “GreetingsΧαίρετεChairete — To rejoice, be glad, or greet with joyG5463 — Full Word Study →!” They came to Him, graspedἐκράτησανekratēsan — To grasp, seize, or hold firmlyG2902 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → feetπόδαςpodas — foot; the bodily extremity used for walkingG4228 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → worshipedπροσεκύνησανprosekynēsan — to bow down in worship or obeisanceG4352 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτῷautō — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →. 10“Do not be afraidφοβεῖσθεphobeisthe — to fear, be afraid; to reverence, respectG5399 — Full Word Study →,” saidλέγειlegei — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦςIēsous — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study →. “Goὑπάγετεhypagete — to go away, depart, or withdrawG5217 — Full Word Study → and tell Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοῖςadelphois — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study → toἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → goἀπέλθωσινapelthōsin — to go away, depart, leaveG565 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → GalileeΓαλιλαίανGalilaian — Northern Israel regionG1056 — Full Word Study →. Thereκἀκεῖkakei — and there; in that place alsoG2546 — Full Word Study → they will seeὄψονταιopsontai — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study → Meμεme — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →.” 11Whileδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → the women were on their wayΠορευομένωνPoreuomenōn — To go, travel, or journeyG4198 — Full Word Study →, someτινεςtines — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → of theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → guardsκουστωδίαςkoustōdias — A guard, watch, or military detachmentG2892 — Full Word Study → wentἐλθόντεςelthontes — to come, go, arrive, or appearG2064 — Full Word Study → intoεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → cityπόλινpolin — A city; a populated urban centerG4172 — Full Word Study → and reported to theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → chief priestsἀρχιερεῦσινarchiereusin — High priest; chief priestG749 — Full Word Study → allἅπανταhapanta — all, every, the wholeG537 — Full Word Study → thatτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → had happenedγενόμεναgenomena — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study →. 12And afterκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → the chief priests had met withμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → eldersπρεσβυτέρωνpresbyterōn — An elder; one who is older or senior in authorityG4245 — Full Word Study → andτεte — and; both; also; evenG5037 — Full Word Study → formed a planλαβόντεςlabontes — to take, receive, or obtainG2983 — Full Word Study →, they gaveἔδωκανedōkan — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → soldiersστρατιώταιςstratiōtais — A soldier; warrior; military fighterG4757 — Full Word Study → a largeἱκανὰhikana — Sufficient, adequate, capableG2425 — Full Word Study → sum of moneyἀργύριαargyria — Silver coin or money; monetary wealthG694 — Full Word Study → 13and instructed them: “You are to sayΕἴπατεEipate — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study →, ‘Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → disciplesμαθηταὶmathētai — A learner or follower of a teacherG3101 — Full Word Study → cameἐλθόντεςelthontes — to come, go, arrive, or appearG2064 — Full Word Study → by nightνυκτὸςnyktos — The period of darkness; nightG3571 — Full Word Study → and stole Him away while we were asleepκοιμωμένωνkoimōmenōn — to sleep; to die (euphemism for death)G2837 — Full Word Study →.’ 14Ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → this report reachesἀκουσθῇakousthē — to hear, listen, or understand by earG191 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → governorἡγεμόνοςhēgemonos — A ruler or governor; one who leadsG2232 — Full Word Study →, weἡμεῖςhēmeis — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → will satisfyπείσομενpeisomen — to persuade, convince, or win overG3982 — Full Word Study → him‹αὐτὸν›auton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → keepποιήσομενpoiēsomen — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → out of troubleἀμερίμνουςamerimnous — Free from anxiety; untroubled in mindG275 — Full Word Study →.” 15Soδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → the guards tookλαβόντεςlabontes — to take, receive, or obtainG2983 — Full Word Study → the‹τὰ›ta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → moneyἀργύριαargyria — Silver coin or money; monetary wealthG694 — Full Word Study → and did asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → they were instructedἐδιδάχθησανedidachthēsan — to teach, instruct, or communicate doctrineG1321 — Full Word Study →. AndΚαὶKai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thisοὗτοςhoutos — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → accountλόγοςlogos — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → has been circulatedδιεφημίσθηdiephēmisthē — to spread news widely; publish abroadG1310 — Full Word Study → amongπαρὰpara — from, beside, with, nearG3844 — Full Word Study → the Jews toμέχριmechri — until, up to the point thatG3360 — Full Word Study → thisτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → veryσήμερονsēmeron — Today; this present dayG4594 — Full Word Study → dayἡμέραςhēmeras — A 24-hour period; time; eraG2250 — Full Word Study →. 16Meanwhileδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study →, theΟἱHoi — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → elevenἕνδεκαhendeka — The number eleven; a group of eleven personsG1733 — Full Word Study → disciplesμαθηταὶmathētai — A learner or follower of a teacherG3101 — Full Word Study → wentἐπορεύθησανeporeuthēsan — To go, travel, or journeyG4198 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → GalileeΓαλιλαίανGalilaian — Northern Israel regionG1056 — Full Word Study →, toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → mountainὄροςoros — a high hill or mountainG3735 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦςIēsous — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → had designatedἐτάξατοetaxato — to appoint, assign, or ordainG5021 — Full Word Study →. 17Whenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → they sawἰδόντεςidontes — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτὸνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →, they worshiped Himπροσεκύνησανprosekynēsan — to bow down in worship or obeisanceG4352 — Full Word Study →, butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → someοἱhoi — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → doubtedἐδίστασανedistasan — to waver in mind; to doubt or hesitateG1365 — Full Word Study →. 18ThenΚαὶKai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦςIēsous — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → came toπροσελθὼνproselthōn — to approach, draw near, come toG4334 — Full Word Study → themαὐτοῖςautois — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → and said, “Allπᾶσαpasa — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → authorityἐξουσίαexousia — authority, power, or right to actG1849 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → heavenοὐρανῷouranō — Heaven; the sky; God's dwelling placeG3772 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → onἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → earthγῆςgēs — earth, land, ground, worldG1093 — Full Word Study → has been givenἘδόθηEdothē — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → to Meμοιmoi — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →. 19Thereforeοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study → go and make disciplesμαθητεύσατεmathēteusate — to make a disciple; to teach and trainG3100 — Full Word Study → of allπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → nationsἔθνηethnē — Gentiles, nationsG1484 — Full Word Study →, baptizingβαπτίζοντεςbaptizontes — to immerse in water; to baptizeG907 — Full Word Study → themαὐτοὺςautous — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → inεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → nameὄνομαonoma — name, reputation, or authorityG3686 — Full Word Study → of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → FatherΠατρὸςPatros — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → SonΥἱοῦHuiou — Son; male child or descendantG5207 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → HolyἉγίουHagiou — Set apart for God; morally pure and sacredG40 — Full Word Study → SpiritΠνεύματοςPneumatos — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study →, 20and teaching themαὐτοὺςautous — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → to obeyτηρεῖνtērein — to guard, keep, preserve, or observeG5083 — Full Word Study → allπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → thatὅσαhosa — as much as; how much; all that; to the extent thatG3745 — Full Word Study → I have commandedἐνετειλάμηνeneteilamēn — to command, order, or give instructionsG1781 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → surelyἰδοὺidou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study → Iἐγὼegō — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → amεἰμιeimi — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → withμεθ’meth’ — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → alwaysπάσαςpasas — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study →, even toἕωςheōs — until; up to a point in time or spaceG2193 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → endσυντελείαςsynteleias — completion, end, consummationG4930 — Full Word Study → of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → ageαἰῶνοςaiōnos — An age, era, or eternal period of timeG165 — Full Word Study →.”
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Chapter Commentary — Matthew 28
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Matthew 28 records the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its immediate aftermath—the pivotal event upon which all Christian faith rests. The chapter unfolds in three movements: the discovery of the empty tomb by the women, the appearance of the risen Jesus and His commission to the disciples, and the response of both believers and unbelievers to this transformative reality. Here we witness the triumphant vindication of Christ's claims, the confirmation of His redemptive work, and the launching of the Great Commission that defines the Church's mission to this day.

The Empty Tomb and the Angel's Announcement (Verses 1–8)

Matthew opens with the women arriving at the tomb at dawn on the first day of the week—Sunday, the day of resurrection. Their purpose was devotional: to anoint Jesus' body with spices (as recorded in the other Gospels). But they encounter a supernatural scene: a great earthquake, an angel descending from heaven, and the stone rolled away. The angel's appearance is described in verse 3 with imagery reminiscent of God's glory—his face like lightning, his clothing white as snow. This divine radiance causes the Roman guards to become "as dead men" (verse 4), powerless before heavenly authority.

The angel's words in verses 5–7 are the heart of the gospel: "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said" (verse 6). The women are invited to see the empty place where Jesus lay, then commissioned to tell His disciples that He has risen and will meet them in Galilee. This message transforms fear into joy. The women depart with "fear and great joy" (verse 8)—a holy reverence mixed with exuberant hope—and run to share the news. Their obedience models the believer's proper response to encountering the risen Christ: worship, wonder, and witness.

The Risen Jesus Appears and Commissions His Disciples (Verses 9–10)

As the women hurry to fulfill the angel's command, Jesus Himself meets them (verse 9). His greeting "All hail" (a form of joyful salutation) confirms He is truly alive. The women's response—holding His feet and worshipping Him—demonstrates both the physical reality of the resurrection and the appropriate response: Jesus accepts their worship without correction, affirming His divine identity. In verse 10, Jesus repeats the angel's message, sending the women to tell His "brethren" (a term emphasizing the renewed family relationship restored through resurrection) to meet Him in Galilee.

The Soldiers' False Account (Verses 11–15)

This section records a sobering contrast: while believers receive the true message of resurrection, the religious authorities manufacture a lie. The guards report everything to the chief priests (verse 11), who conspire with the elders to bribe the soldiers into claiming the disciples stole the body while they slept (verses 12–14). Matthew notes this false account "is commonly reported among the Jews until this day" (verse 15)—a historical comment confirming this lie circulated widely and long. This passage reminds us that rejection of Christ often hardens into deliberate deception rather than simple doubt.

The Great Commission (Verses 16–20)

The chapter culminates at a mountain in Galilee where the eleven disciples gather as Jesus had instructed. Even as they worship, "some doubted" (verse 17)—a refreshingly honest admission of human uncertainty in the presence of the miraculous. Jesus responds not with rebuke but with authoritative declaration: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (verse 18). On the basis of His resurrection power, He commissions them to "teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (verse 19), and to teach obedience to His commands (verse 20). The chapter closes with the profound promise of His perpetual presence: "lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

Application for Today

The resurrection is not merely a historical claim but the foundation of Christian hope and mission. Just as the women were called to be witnesses and the disciples commissioned to disciple nations, believers today are called to embrace both the comfort of Christ's presence and the responsibility to proclaim His resurrection. Our doubt need not disqualify us; our obedience in witnessing to Christ's power transforms us into agents of His kingdom.

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