Mary Magdalene, who typically witnesses Jesus' death and burial, here encounters divine earthquake, angelic revelation, and resurrection victory—marking her unique transition from mourning follower to triumphant herald.
Matthew 28
The Resurrection
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.”
The Report of the Guard
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.
The Great Commission
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.
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Theme
Matthew 28 records the resurrection of Jesus Christ, beginning with the women's discovery of the empty tomb and their encounter with an angel who announces Christ's victory over death. While the religious authorities attempt to suppress the truth by bribing the guards to spread false reports, Jesus appears to his disciples and delivers the Great Commission. This climactic chapter transforms the narrative from Jesus' earthly ministry to the global mission of the church, establishing the foundation for Christian evangelism and discipleship.
Context
This final chapter of Matthew's Gospel completes the narrative arc from Jesus' death and burial in chapter 27 to his resurrection and the launching of the worldwide Christian mission.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-4 The Empty Tomb Discovered Mary Magdalene and the other Mary find the tomb opened by an angel amid an earthquake, while the guards are paralyzed with fear.
- 5-10 The Angel's Announcement and Jesus' Appearance An angel proclaims Christ's resurrection to the women, who then encounter the risen Jesus himself on their way to tell the disciples.
- 11-15 The Guards' False Report The chief priests bribe the soldiers to claim Jesus' body was stolen, creating a counter-narrative that persists among the Jewish population.
- 16-20 The Great Commission Jesus appears to the eleven disciples in Galilee and commissions them to make disciples of all nations, promising his continued presence.
The Resurrection
28:1–28:10 gospel narration joyful
An angel announces Jesus' resurrection to the women at the tomb, and Jesus appears to them personally. This represents the climactic victory over death in Christian theology.
person_contrast
Mary Magdalene, who typically witnesses Jesus' death and burial, here encounters divine earthquake, angelic revelation, and resurrection victory—marking her unique transition from mourning follower to triumphant herald.
The Report of the Guard
28:11–28:15 gospel narration defiant
Religious leaders bribe the guards to spread false reports about Jesus' body being stolen. This passage contrasts human deception with divine truth regarding the resurrection.
theme_rarity
Money and witness converge in only three biblical passages, with Matthew's guards receiving "large silver" to bear false testimony about the resurrection, creating a stark parallel to Judas's thirty pieces of silver for betraying Jesus.
The Great Commission
28:16–28:20 gospel speech solemn
Jesus gives his final commission to the eleven disciples, commanding them to make disciples of all nations through baptism and teaching. He assures them of his authority and eternal presence with them.
person_contrast
Jesus's claim to "all authority in heaven and on earth" uniquely combines his typical authority language with a commissioning mandate, creating the only passage where divine sovereignty directly empowers human mission.
Insights
Money and witness converge in only three biblical passages, with Matthew's guards receiving "large silver" to bear false testimony about the resurrection, creating a stark parallel to Judas's thirty pieces of silver for betraying Jesus.
Jesus's claim to "all authority in heaven and on earth" uniquely combines his typical authority language with a commissioning mandate, creating the only passage where divine sovereignty directly empowers human mission.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Matthew 28:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 27:61 Lexical
Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
John 20:1 Lexical
Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the ston…
Mark 15:40 Lexical
There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the less and…
Mark 15:47 Lexical
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.
Mark 16:1 Lexical
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come…
Matthew 28:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Revelation 20:1 Lexical
I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
Revelation 18:1 Lexical
After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated wi…
Mark 16:4 Lexical
for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.
Revelation 6:8 Lexical
And behold, a pale horse, and the name of he who sat on it was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth…
Matthew 23:22 Lexical
He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it.
Matthew 28:3 1 reference
Matthew 28:5 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 1:13 Lexical
But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will…
Matthew 1:20 Lexical
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of…
Mark 5:33 Lexical
But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all…
Matthew 28:6 2 references
Matthew 28:7 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 16:7 Lexical
But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.’”
Mark 14:28 Lexical
However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”
Matthew 26:32 Lexical
But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”
Matthew 2:9 Lexical
They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until it…
John 12:9 Lexical
A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they mi…
Matthew 28:8 2 references
Matthew 28:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 16:7 Lexical
But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.’”
Matthew 2:22 Lexical
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. B…
Acts 5:26 Lexical
Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might s…
Acts 9:17 Lexical
Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to…
Matthew 5:24 Lexical
leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer yo…
Matthew 28:12 2 references
Matthew 28:14 1 reference
Matthew 28:15 2 references
Matthew 28:16 1 reference
Matthew 28:18 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 21:23 Lexical
When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and sai…
Revelation 18:1 Lexical
After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated wi…
Revelation 11:6 Lexical
These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over th…
Colossians 1:16 Lexical
For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones…
Revelation 9:3 Lexical
Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
Matthew 28:19 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 9:15 Lexical
But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the…
John 14:26 Lexical
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you…
Revelation 11:18 Lexical
The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants th…
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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Theological Significance
Translation Notes
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Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Resurrection
~30 ADJesus' victory over death through his bodily resurrection on the third day after crucifixion. This cornerstone event validates Jesus' divinity and provides hope of eternal life for believers.
Jesus' resurrection fulfills his repeated promises to rise on the third day
The Resurrection