Session 7 Matthew 28:1-10,16-20
MATTHEW 28:1-10,16-20
MEMORY VERSE: MATTHEW 28:6
A game show on television allows contestants to reach out by phone to a person they know for assistance. The host generally asks the contestant why he or she selected that person. The reasons vary, but typically it is because the contestant trusts that person and what that person knows about the subject. The more firsthand knowledge the person has, the greater the confidence and trust. When we consider the resurrection of Jesus, we find confidence in knowing that the biblical accounts reflect firsthand knowledge.
(In PSG, p. 64)
The chapters immediately leading up to Matthew 28 are filled with distressing news. Matthew 27:3-4 reveals that Jesus was betrayed by Judas. Judas had seen the miracles of Christ. He had firsthand knowledge of Jesus walking on water, feeding the masses, and healing the sick. Yet, he set all this aside for thirty pieces of silver in pursuit of his own personal agenda.
The story continues with the rejection of Jesus. Pilate, who was the governor of that region during this time, knew Jesus to be innocent of the charges and appealed to the crowd for action. It was Pilate’s intention to release Jesus (27:15-26). One would think the story would improve here since Jesus had faithfully served and ministered to some in this crowd over the past three years. Instead, the story continues down a troubling path as the crowd opted for the release of a common criminal.
Jesus then was openly ridiculed. The Roman soldiers mocked Him by putting a crown of thorns on His head and dressing Him in purple to symbolize royalty. They then proceeded to beat Him and spit on Him (27:27-31). While Jesus hung on the cross, the elders and scribes taunted Him and challenged Him to save Himself. They indicated that if He would simply come down from the cross, then they too would believe in Him (27:42).
A centurion—a Roman soldier—was at the cross of Jesus and observed all that took place. Upon the death of Jesus the centurion said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Matt. 27:54). Jesus died and was placed in a tomb. The distress found in the events leading up to this point was about to be reversed.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb.
When Jesus died on Friday, His followers acted quickly to prepare His body for burial. Once the Sabbath began, they could do no work, especially work involving a dead body. But once the first day of the week (Sunday) arrived, they could return to finish the task.
Joseph of Arimathea, who owned the tomb, and Nicodemus had done what they could before the Sabbath (Matt. 27:57-60; John 19:38-42). Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had been with them and knew the way (Matt. 27:56,61). Mary Magdalene had followed and supported Jesus after He had delivered her from seven demons (Mark 15:40-41; Luke 8:2). The other Mary was probably the mother of James, one of the disciples. Early Sunday morning, these women left to complete the burial process.
Identifying women as the first witnesses of the resurrection is significant. Since the testimony of women was not legally binding in first-century culture, early church leaders would not have used them as eyewitnesses if they had fabricated the story about the resurrection of Jesus. The fact that they did, however, validates their account.
2 There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.
Matthew recorded a violent earthquake on Sunday morning. Earlier in his Gospel, he described a powerful quake associated with the tearing of the temple veil and the resurrection of saints in the area (Matt. 27:50-53). This was a different earthquake, caused by an angel of the Lord.
Angels are heavenly messengers, and this angel had a specific task to perform. He approached the tomb and rolled back the stone. The stone would have required several men to move. Additionally, it carried the governor’s seal (Matt. 27:62-66). In his Gospel, Mark noted that the women were not sure how they would remove the stone without help (Mark 16:3). The angel’s action made their concerns a moot point; and, in a sign of triumph, the angel was sitting on the stone he had just moved.
The angel did not move the stone to let Jesus out of the tomb. His resurrection had already taken place, and the tomb was empty by then. Instead, the angel’s action allowed Christ’s followers to enter the tomb and understand that God had raised Him from the dead.
The angel’s appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow. Undoubtedly, this angel was unlike anything the Roman soldiers had ever encountered. In response, the guards were shaken by fear. The Greek word here is closely related to the word describing the earthquake in verse 2. The angel’s power and glory created a personal earthquake in their hearts. In fear, they became like dead men. Roman soldiers were tough men, known for their strength and courage. Yet they fainted when faced with God’s power. Once they recovered, they likely abandoned their posts completely. Their presence was not mentioned when the women arrived.
5 The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
While the women likely were shocked to see this heavenly being, the angel urged them: don’t be afraid. The Greek structure is a command to stop doing something that’s already being done. The angel told them to release their fears. Angels offered similar encouragement to Zechariah (Luke 1:13), Mary (Luke 1:30), and the Bethlehem shepherds (Luke 2:10). One reason the women had no reason to fear was the nature of their mission. The angel knew they were looking for Jesus.
The object of the women’s search (Jesus) was on target, but they were looking in the wrong place. The angel declared that he is not here. The angel’s simple statement represents the heart of Easter and of the Christian faith (1 Cor. 15:3-8). Paul told the Corinthians that Christianity without a resurrected Savior is a fraud and Christians “should be pitied more than anyone” (1 Cor. 15:19).
The angel assured the women that Jesus has risen. The Greek verb is passive, meaning Jesus was acted upon. He had been dead and could not raise Himself. Instead, Christ rose through the power of God the Father. The angel confirmed this in two ways. First, he reminded the women that Jesus had told them about His resurrection (Matt. 16:21; Mark 8:31). Even His enemies knew about this claim (Matt. 27:62-66).
Second, the angel invited them to see the place where he lay. The women knew that Joseph and Nicodemus had put Jesus’s body in the grave on Friday night. The angel’s offer verified they were at the correct tomb. Now, they had the opportunity to see that it was empty.
7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
The angel’s announcement came with an assignment. As the first witnesses to the empty tomb, the women were instructed to go quickly and tell his disciples. Just as the angel had calmed their fears, they would help relieve the anxieties of the disciples.
In addition to the resurrection, the disciples also needed to know that Jesus was going ahead of them to Galilee, possibly at the end of the Passover festival. Located in the northern region of Palestine, Galilee was the home of several disciples and served as Jesus’s “headquarters” on earth. During Passover, Jesus had said He would meet His disciples in Galilee (Matt. 26:32). They would see him there and would receive His marching orders for the initiation and spread of the early church.
(In PSG, p. 69)
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Greetings! ” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
The women understood two things clearly. First, they knew Jesus had been raised from the dead. Second, they knew that Jesus expected them to tell others about what they had witnessed. So they quickly did as they were told.
As they ran, they experienced a mixture of emotions. On one hand they were filled with fear. This word indicates some residual panic but also suggests reverence and awe. They also experienced great joy. The hopelessness of Friday and the questions of Sunday morning were gone. This combination of fear and joy suggests that they knew something wonderful had happened and that things would never be the same.
Along the way, the women encountered the risen Messiah: Jesus met them. Matthew’s wording suggests a sudden appearance, even as they were still trying to process the morning’s events. He offered them a common salutation—Greetings—that was anything but ordinary. For these women, it provided a positive and affirming welcome.
Rather than a ghost or spirit, Jesus appeared with a physical—though heavenly—body. This is clear from two things Matthew mentioned in verse 9. First, the women recognized Jesus. They came up to Him, which indicates they were familiar with Him. Second, Matthew said they took hold of his feet, a common act of submission in the first-century Near East. This would have been impossible if Jesus was just a spirit. Instead, they were able to touch Him like any other person.
The women also worshiped him. They had seen His dead corpse and His empty tomb. Now, they were seeing His living body. That was enough to convince them that He was divine and worthy of worship.
Jesus offered them the same encouragement as did the angel. He urged them to not be afraid then gave them the same instructions: go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee. They would see Him there.
It is interesting to note the Lord’s reference to brothers rather than “disciples.” This is the only place in the Gospels Jesus used that term of endearment for His followers. Most of them had deserted Him, and Peter had denied Him. Only John came to the crucifixion site. Yet Jesus still embraced them and affirmed the relationship they shared.
16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted.
Matthew followed the resurrection story with a brief account of the Jewish leaders bribing the Roman soldiers to lie about Christ’s resurrection (28:11-15). They knew the claims Jesus had made and were eager to squelch any speculation. From there, the narrative turns back to Jesus and His brothers. Matthew pointed out that the eleven disciples made the trip to Galilee. This would have been the original disciples with the exception of Judas. Most likely, others were also present, but Matthew focused on the apostles.
They traveled to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. Throughout his Gospel, Matthew highlighted mountains as a backdrop for the life and ministry of Jesus. In addition to teaching (Matt. 5:1; 24:3), Jesus also prayed (14:23), healed (15:29-30), was tempted (4:8-10), and was transfigured (17:1-4) on a mountain.
While this is the only post-resurrection meeting between Jesus and His followers recorded in Matthew, the other Gospels describe additional encounters. Some of these occurred in Jerusalem soon after the resurrection (Luke 24:13-53; John 20:19-29). Others happened in Galilee (John 21:1-14). Paul mentioned a time when Jesus appeared to five hundred people at once (1 Cor. 15:6).
On the mountain, Christ’s followers worshiped Him. Some, though, doubted. This Greek word refers to wavering or having a divided mind. The idea is more like hesitation or confusion than skepticism. Some of those present responded more slowly, while others quickly believed.
18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Great Commission serves as the marching orders for the church. While many Christians associate the commission only with verses 19-20, it is important to understand the marching orders in light of verse 18. As Jesus sent His disciples into the world, He promised all authority. Without His authority and power, our efforts would be wasted.
Jesus alone holds ultimate power in heaven and on earth. Nothing exists outside His influence and control. The implication is that He would share this power with His followers. All Jesus had was at their disposal to fulfill His command.
The disciples were called to use this authority to make a spiritual impact on the world. The word go is better translated “as you are going,” which suggests a lifestyle of evangelism. The Christian life is not stagnant but active and purposeful as we share and support others who share.
Make disciples is the primary command in the Greek structure. And these disciples would come from all nations. The Greek word used here is ethne, from which comes our word “ethnic.” It is a broad term and includes every demographic category. Everyone needs the gospel, and everyone should be given the chance to respond to it. This meant Gentiles could be saved without becoming Jews first. This was a significant matter for Christ’s followers and Matthew’s Jewish audience.
The process of making disciples is modified by two phrases. Once individuals become disciples, they should be baptized. In fact, ancient readers may have seen baptism as a natural extension of evangelism. Of course, baptism does not provide salvation, but it does proclaim salvation as an act of obedience. Jesus also shared a triune formula for such baptisms: in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The singular use of name to reference all three members of the Godhead affirms the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
In addition to evangelizing and baptizing, the disciples were responsible for teaching. False teachers would arise within the church and attempt to lure believers away from solid doctrine. But disciples who observe everything Jesus taught will stand firm. Jesus was the new standard for righteousness before God. All Scripture—the Law, the Prophets, even the New Testament—finds its substance and fulfillment in the Person of Christ.
Jesus opened the commission with a promise of His power (v. 18) and concluded it with a promise of His presence. His presence is eternal, taking believers to the end of the age. Christ offered His personal presence while ministering on earth, and He assures His followers that His spiritual presence will remain until He returns to earth. Even then, He won’t leave His people but will dwell with them for eternity. Just as Matthew began his Gospel with a promise that Immanuel (“God with us”) had come (Matt. 1:23), he closed his work with a promise of the Messiah’s abiding presence.
Jesus
Jesus was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion (See Luke 24:46; John 20:27.)
Use a Bible dictionary to gain insight.
Read an article from a Bible dictionary on resurrection. Note the various occurrences of a person being brought back to life and how those experiences are different from what happened to Jesus. Focus on the difference between resuscitation and resurrection. Write a summary of what you discover.