Matthew 28

KJV · Chapter 28/28

1In the end of the sabbath, 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 the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large 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 secure you.

15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Jesus rises on the third day; an angel announces the news to the women who went to the tomb, Jesus appears to them and then to the eleven disciples in Galilee, sending them to make disciples of all nations and promising to be with them always.

Explanation

The fact that women were the first witnesses of the resurrection is a historically significant detail, since a woman's testimony carried little legal weight in the Jewish society of the time — an invented account would likely have chosen male witnesses to seem more culturally credible. The bribe given to the soldiers to spread the story of a stolen body shows that even Jesus's opponents did not deny the empty tomb, only offered an alternative explanation. The so-called 'Great Commission,' to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, expands the mission that had previously been limited to Israel to reach every people. The final promise, 'and lo, I am with you always,' closes the Gospel with an assurance of continual presence, central to the Christian faith to this day.

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