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Matthew 28

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1Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men. 5The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. 7Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” 8They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. 9As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers, 13saying, “Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.” 15So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until today. 16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. 17When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted. 18Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

World English Bible (public domain)

“And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'”

Matthew 28:18

Summary

Matthew chapter 28 narrates the resurrection of Jesus and the commissioning of the disciples. The chapter begins with Mary Magdalene and another Mary visiting Jesus' tomb, only to find it empty and to receive the angelic message that Jesus has risen. The earth shakes and an angel appears, rolling back the stone and sitting on it, declaring Jesus' resurrection and instructing the women to inform the disciples that they will see Jesus in Galilee. As they hurry away, Jesus meets them, confirming the angel's message and instructing them further. The chapter then transitions to the guards' report to the chief priests, who, in their disbelief, devise a plan to spread the false story that Jesus' body was stolen by His disciples. Despite this, the resurrected Jesus meets the eleven disciples at a mountain in Galilee. Here, Jesus delivers the Great Commission, commanding them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that He has commanded. He assures them of His continual presence, empowering and encouraging them in their mission. The resurrection is a key theme, highlighting victory over death and sin. This chapter emphasizes faith, obedience, and the global mission of the church. It underscores the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection, calling for a response of worship and proclamation by His followers.

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Chapter outline

How Matthew 28 unfolds

  1. Matthew 28:1–4 The Resurrection Announcement

    Mary Magdalene and another Mary visit the tomb after the Sabbath. An angel appears, rolls away the stone, and terrifies the guards.

  2. Matthew 28:5–8 Angel's Message to the Women

    The angel reassures the women, announcing that Jesus has risen and instructs them to inform the disciples in Galilee.

  3. Matthew 28:9–10 Jesus Meets the Women

    As they leave, Jesus greets the women, telling them to rejoice and directing them to inform His brothers.

  4. Matthew 28:11–15 Guards Report to the Priests

    The guards report the resurrection to the chief priests, who conspire to spread a false narrative about the disciples stealing Jesus's body.

  5. Matthew 28:16–20 The Great Commission

    The eleven disciples meet Jesus in Galilee, where He commissions them to make disciples of all nations and assures them of His presence.

Key verses

  • Matthew 28:18This key verse highlights Jesus' authority, which underpins the entire chapter and the mission given to His followers.

Main themes in Matthew 28

Resurrection

The theme of resurrection is central in Matthew 28, particularly in verses 5-6 where the angel announces Jesus' rising. This announcement signifies Jesus' victory over death and sin, affirming His divine nature and mission. In the context of the chapter, the resurrection serves as the foundation for the disciples' future endeavors and embodies the hope that believers hold regarding eternal life.

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Authority of Christ

The authority of Christ is explicitly declared in verse 18, where Jesus asserts His power both in heaven and on earth. This proclamation underscores His position as the ultimate divine authority, which is crucial for the Great Commission that follows. By affirming His authority, the chapter legitimizes the mission given to the disciples, empowering them to spread His teachings and perform baptisms across nations.

Great Commission

The Great Commission is articulated in verses 19-20, where Jesus instructs His disciples to make disciples of all nations. This command outlines the foundational mission of the church, emphasizing the importance of obedience and teaching in spreading the gospel. Within the chapter's progression, this moment marks a significant transition, as it sets the stage for the global expansion of faith and the establishment of a vibrant Christian community.

Faith and Obedience

The themes of faith and obedience are vividly illustrated through the reactions of the women and disciples in verses 8 and 16-17. Their worship and recognition of Jesus' authority reflect profound faith and a willingness to follow His commands. This underscores the essential role of the believer in responding to Jesus' resurrection, highlighting the importance of faith as a catalyst for obedience in the life of a disciple.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Matthew 28

Study questions

Questions for studying Matthew 28

  1. What events occurred at the tomb on the first day of the week?
  2. How did the women respond to the angel's message?
  3. What instructions did Jesus give to the women?
  4. What plan did the chief priests devise regarding the guards' report?
  5. What is the significance of Jesus’ statement about authority?
  6. How does the Great Commission shape the mission of the church?
  7. What does the women's worship of Jesus reveal about their faith?

Matthew 28: frequently asked questions

What is Matthew 28 about?+
Matthew chapter 28 narrates the resurrection of Jesus and the commissioning of the disciples. The chapter begins with Mary Magdalene and another Mary visiting Jesus' tomb, only to find it empty and to receive the angelic message that Jesus has risen. The earth shakes and an angel appears, rolling back the stone and sitting on it, declaring Jesus' resurrection and instructing the women to inform the disciples that they will see Jesus in Galilee. As they hurry away, Jesus meets them, confirming the angel's message and instructing them further. The chapter then transitions to the guards' report to the chief priests, who, in their disbelief, devise a plan to spread the false story that Jesus' body was stolen by His disciples. Despite this, the resurrected Jesus meets the eleven disciples at a mountain in Galilee. Here, Jesus delivers the Great Commission, commanding them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that He has commanded. He assures them of His continual presence, empowering and encouraging them in their mission. The resurrection is a key theme, highlighting victory over death and sin. This chapter emphasizes faith, obedience, and the global mission of the church. It underscores the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection, calling for a response of worship and proclamation by His followers.
What is the key verse in Matthew 28?+
Matthew 28:18: "Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth."
What are the main themes of Matthew 28?+
The main themes of Matthew 28 are Resurrection, Authority of Christ, Great Commission, Faith and Obedience.

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