Matthew28
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.
3His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.
5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who hath been crucified.
6He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
9And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.
10Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pass.
12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money unto the soldiers,
13saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care.
15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continueth until this day.
16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.
18And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
19Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
20teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 28.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Christ's resurrection. (1–8). He appears to the women. (9, 10). Confession of the soldiers. (11–15). Christ's commission to his disciples. (16–20).
vv1-8
Christ rose the third day after his death; that was the time he had often spoken of. On the first day of the first week God commanded the light to shine out of darkness. On this day did He who is the Light of the world, shine out of the darkness of the grave; and this day is from henceforward often mentioned in the New Testament, as the day which Christians religiously observed in solemn assemblies, to the honour of Christ. Our Lord Jesus could have rolled back the stone by his own power, but he chose to have it done by an angel. The resurrection of Christ, as it is the joy of his friends, so it is the terror and confusion of his enemies. The angel encouraged the women against their fears. Let the sinners in Zion be afraid. Fear not ye, for his resurrection will be your consolation. Our communion with him must be spiritual, by faith in his word. When we are ready to make this world our home, and to say, It is good to be here, then let us remember our Lord Jesus is not here, he is risen; therefore let our hearts rise, and seek the things that are above. He is risen, as he said. Let us never think that strange which the word of Christ has told us to expect; whether the sufferings of this present time, or the glory that is to be revealed. It may have a good effect upon us, by faith to view the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly. It was good to be there, but the servants of God have other work appointed. Public usefulness must be chosen before the pleasure of secret communion with God. Tell the disciples, that they may be comforted under their present sorrows. Christ knows where his disciples dwell, and will visit them. Even to those at a distance from the plenty of the means of grace, he will graciously manifest himself. The fear and the joy together quickened their pace. The disciples of Christ should be forward to make known to each other their experiences of communion with their Lord; and should tell others what God has done for their souls.
vv9-10
God's gracious visits usually meet us in the way of duty; and to those who use what they have for others' benefit, more shall be given. This interview with Christ was unexpected; but Christ was nigh them, and still is nigh us in the word. The salutation speaks the good-will of Christ to man, even since he entered upon his state of exaltation. It is the will of Christ that his people should be a cheerful, joyful people, and his resurrection furnishes abundant matter for joy. Be not afraid. Christ rose from the dead, to silence his people's fears, and there is enough in that to silence them. The disciples had just before shamefully deserted him in his sufferings; but, to show that he could forgive, and to teach us to do so, he calls them brethren. Notwithstanding his majesty and purity, and our meanness and unworthiness, he still condescends to call believers his brethren.
vv11-15
What wickedness is it which men will not be brought to by the love of money! Here was large money given to the soldiers for advancing that which they knew to be a lie, yet many grudge a little money for advancing what they know to be the truth. Let us never starve a good cause, when we see bad ones so liberally supported. The priests undertook to secure them from the sword of Pilate, but could not secure these soldiers from the sword of God's justice, which hangs over the heads of those that love and make a lie. Those men promise more than they can perform, who undertake to save a man harmless in doing a wilful sin. But this falsehood disproved itself. Had the soldiers been all asleep, they could not have known what passed. If any had been awake, they would have roused the others and prevented the removal; and certainly if they had been asleep, they never would have dared to confess it; while the Jewish rulers would have been the first to call for their punishment. Again, had there been any truth in the report, the rulers would have prosecuted the apostles with severity for it. The whole shows that the story was entirely false. And we must not charge such things to the weakness of the understanding, but to the wickedness of the heart. God left them to expose their own course. The great argument to prove Christ to be the Son of God, is his resurrection; and none could have more convincing proofs of the truth of that than these soldiers; yet they took bribes to hinder others from believing. The plainest evidence will not affect men, without the work of the Holy Spirit.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
ὀψέ (opsé): (adverbially) late in the day; by extension, after the close of the day
σάββατον (sábbaton): the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἐπιφώσκω (epiphṓskō): to begin to grow light
μία (mía): one or first
Μαρία (María): Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females
Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnḗ): a female Magdalene, i.e. inhabitant of Magdala
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἄλλος (állos): "else," i.e. different (in many applications)
Cross References
Matthew 28Fulfills Jesus' specific promise before His death that He would go before them into Galilee.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Jesus' post-resurrection designation of His disciples as 'my brethren' to assure them of forgiveness.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The Old Testament prophetic vision of all dominion and power being given to the Son of man.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects Jesus' final promise, 'I am with you alway,' to His birth-name Immanuel, 'God with us.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Fulfills Jesus' explicit predictions during His ministry that He must rise on the third day.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Theological exposition of why the resurrected Lord is not ashamed to call believers His brethren.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The direct parallel of the Great Commission to preach the gospel to every creature.
Supported by JFB
Parallel account of the global scope of the commission, beginning at Jerusalem to all nations.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Direct Gospel parallel concerning the women coming to the sepulchre as the Sabbath ended.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
John's parallel narrative of the first day of the week and the empty tomb.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Points to Christ showing Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs over forty days.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The resurrection earthquake mirrors the great earthquake that occurred at the moment of Christ's death.
Supported by JFB