Note: Words are shown in their original Greek order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
7Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Study Notes — Matthew 28
5 sectionsMatthew 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.
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.
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.
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 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."
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.