Matthew28
English Standard Version
1 the , the of the day of the , the to the .
2 , there a , an of the and the .
3 , .
4 of the men.
5 the to the , Do be , I was .
6He , he has , he . , the he .
7 and he has the , , he is going ; you will . , I have .
8 they the , to .
9 , and , ! they and took of .
10 to , be ; and , and they will .
11 were , , of the the and the that had taken .
12 when they had the , they a of to the
13and , people, by and away while were .
14 the , will out of .
15 they the and they were . has been the day.
16 the , the to had .
17 when they they him, some .
18 and to , has been to .
19 and of , the of the of the of the ,
20 to I have . , , the of the .
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.
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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.
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