Matthew 28 meaning explained in AI Summary

The Resurrection

• An earthquake occurs, and an angel announces Jesus' resurrection.
• Mary Magdalene and other women visit the empty tomb.
• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and later to the disciples.
• He commissions them to make disciples of all nations.

Matthew 28 concludes the Gospel with the resurrection of Jesus and his final instructions to his disciples.

1. The Empty Tomb (vv. 1-10):

• Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" visit Jesus' tomb and find it open, the stone rolled away.
• An angel appears, explaining Jesus has risen and instructs them to tell the disciples to meet him in Galilee.
• Filled with fear and joy, they run to tell the disciples.
• Jesus appears to them on the way, confirming the message and asking them to not be afraid.

2. The Guards' Story and Bribery (vv. 11-15):

• The guards at the tomb report the earthquake and angel to the chief priests.
• The priests bribe the guards to spread a lie that Jesus' disciples stole the body while they slept.
• This fabricated story persists among some Jews even to this day, according to Matthew.

3. The Great Commission (vv. 16-20):

• The eleven disciples meet Jesus in Galilee, as instructed.
• Some doubt, but Jesus reassures them.
• He claims all authority in heaven and on earth.
• He gives them the Great Commission:
  • Go and make disciples of all nations.
  • Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • Teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.
• Jesus promises to be with them always.

Key Themes:

• Resurrection: The central event, proving Jesus' victory over death and validating his claims.
• Mission: The resurrected Jesus commissions his followers to spread the Gospel globally.
• Authority: Jesus possesses ultimate authority, empowering his disciples for their mission.
• Presence: Jesus promises his constant presence, offering comfort and strength to his followers.

Matthew 28 concludes the Gospel with a message of hope, purpose, and the ongoing mission of Jesus' followers to share his message with the world.

Matthew 28 bible study ai commentary

Matthew 28 serves as the climax of the Gospel, substantiating all of Jesus's claims through His resurrection. This chapter validates Christ's identity and victory over death, contrasts divine power with the failed opposition of human authorities, and inaugurates the universal mission of the Church. The narrative moves from the empty tomb in Jerusalem to a mountain in Galilee, symbolizing the transition from a ministry focused on Israel to a global commission for all nations, all built upon the foundational truth of the resurrected King who promises His unending presence.

Matthew 28 context

Matthew wrote primarily to a Jewish audience, and this chapter concludes his argument that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah and King. The inclusion of the guards' bribery (vv. 11-15) is a direct rebuttal to a specific rumor circulating within the Jewish community to discredit the resurrection. Roman law prescribed death for a guard who fell asleep on duty, making the concocted story unbelievable, yet Matthew includes it to show the depth of the opposition's denial. The entire chapter hinges on eyewitness testimony—first from the women, then the disciples—which was a critical element of verification in Jewish culture. The shift of focus from Jerusalem (the center of Jewish religious life) to Galilee (the "Galilee of the Gentiles") signifies the expansion of God's kingdom beyond ethnic Israel to all nations, a key theme in Matthew.

Matthew 28:1

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

In-depth-analysis

• After the Sabbath: The timing is precise. The work of God's new creation begins immediately after the Jewish day of rest concludes.
• First day of the week: This day becomes the primary day of Christian worship, known as the "Lord's Day," commemorating the resurrection. It marks a new beginning and a new era of salvation history.
• Mary Magdalene and the other Mary: Matthew spotlights two witnesses. In a culture where female testimony was often discounted, using women as the primary witnesses adds a layer of authenticity to the account; a fabricated story would have likely used men. "The other Mary" is identified in Matt 27:61 as the mother of James and Joses.
• Went to see the tomb: Their purpose is simple devotion. They are not expecting a resurrection but are going to mourn, contrasting their human expectation with God's divine action.

Bible references

• Mark 16:1: "And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him." (Corroborates the timing and adds detail about their purpose).
• Luke 24:1: "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared." (Parallel account of the women's visit).
• John 20:1: "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark..." (John focuses on Mary Magdalene as the central figure).

Cross references

Ps 118:22-24 (The stone the builders rejected...), Acts 20:7 (Breaking bread on first day of week), 1 Cor 16:2 (Offering on first day of week), Rev 1:10 (Lord's day).

Matthew 28:2-4

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

In-depth-analysis

• Great earthquake: In Scripture, earthquakes (seismos) often accompany a a theophany, or a powerful manifestation of God's presence and action (e.g., Mount Sinai). It signals a cosmic event, not just a local one.
• Angel of the Lord: The angel's actions demonstrate Heaven's authority over Earth. He doesn't roll the stone to let Jesus out; he rolls it to show everyone that Jesus is already gone.
• Sat on it: This posture signifies complete victory and authority. The obstacle, meant to seal death in, has become a throne for a heavenly messenger proclaiming life.
• Lightning... white as snow: This imagery describes a being of divine glory and holiness, terrifying to mortal eyes. It draws from Old Testament descriptions of heavenly beings.
• Guards... became like dead men: This is a profound irony. The living soldiers, representing the pinnacle of human power (Rome), become "like dead men" in the presence of the messenger of life, while the dead man, Jesus, has risen.

Bible references

• Dan 10:5-6: "...a man clothed in linen... His face was like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches..." (Classic OT description of a celestial being).
• Matt 27:51: "And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two... and the earth shook, and the rocks were split." (Parallel use of an earthquake to mark a key salvific event).
• Rev 1:17: "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not...'" (John's reaction to the glorified Christ mirrors the guards' fear).

Cross references

Ex 19:18 (Sinai trembling at God's presence), Dan 7:9 (Ancient of Days' clothing), Acts 12:7 (Angel freeing Peter from prison), Heb 1:14 (Angels as ministering spirits).

Matthew 28:5-7

But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you."

In-depth-analysis

• Do not be afraid: A standard greeting from a divine messenger to faithful people, contrasting sharply with the guards' terror. The angel's message is for believers, not mockers.
• As he said: This is the crucial anchor of the angel's message. The resurrection is not a surprise event but the fulfillment of Jesus's own explicit prophecies. It validates His every word.
• Come, see: The angel invites empirical verification. Faith is not blind; it is based on evidence. They are called to witness the empty space as proof.
• Go quickly and tell: The women are immediately commissioned as the first evangelists. The good news of the resurrection is not to be kept private but proclaimed.
• Galilee: The designated meeting place is significant. It moves the center of revelation away from Jerusalem—the site of religious rejection—and to the region where Jesus began His ministry, "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Matt 4:15), foreshadowing the universal mission.

Bible references

• Matt 16:21: "From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must... be killed, and on the third day be raised." (The specific prophecy now fulfilled, "as he said").
• Matt 26:32: "But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." (The specific prophecy of the location, now confirmed by the angel).
• Luke 24:6-7: "He is not here, but has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee..." (The angels in Luke's account also point back to Jesus's own words).

Cross references

Mark 16:6-7 (Parallel account), John 2:19-22 (Destroy this temple prophecy), Isa 52:7 (How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news).

Matthew 28:8-10

So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

In-depth-analysis

• Fear and great joy: A paradox of authentic spiritual experience. The awe-inspiring fear of God mixed with the overwhelming joy of the Gospel.
• Jesus met them: This is the first resurrection appearance in Matthew's Gospel, granted to the faithful women. Their devotion is rewarded with a direct encounter.
• Greetings!: The Greek Chairete literally means "Rejoice!". The first word from the resurrected Lord is a command to be joyful.
• Took hold of his feet and worshiped him: This is crucial. It confirms His physical, bodily resurrection—He is not a spirit or ghost. The act of "worship" (proskyneō) is an explicit acknowledgment of His divinity. They don't just revere him; they worship him as God.
• My brothers: This is a term of new, profound intimacy. He no longer calls them disciples or servants, but family, bound by His resurrection. Jesus Himself commissions the women, elevating their status and confirming the angel's message.

Bible references

• John 20:17: "Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them...'" (A parallel appearance where Jesus also calls the disciples "my brothers").
• Luke 24:5: "...they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground..." (Parallel reaction of reverence and fear).
• Heb 2:11: "For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers." (Theological explanation of Jesus calling His followers "brothers").

Cross references

Ps 22:22 (I will tell of your name to my brothers), Rom 8:29 (Firstborn among many brothers), John 1:12 (Right to become children of God).

Matthew 28:11-15

While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, "Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor's hearing, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

In-depth-analysis

• Told the chief priests all: The enemies of Jesus receive the same evidence as His followers. The guards' report corroborates the supernatural events.
• Taken counsel: Their response to miraculous evidence is not faith but conspiracy. They actively choose to suppress the truth, revealing the depth of their hardened hearts.
• Sufficient sum of money: The bribery shows their desperation and moral bankruptcy. They use wealth to create a lie, contrasting with the free gift of salvation.
• While we were asleep: The lie is logically weak. If they were asleep, how could they know who stole the body? If they weren't asleep, the disciples couldn't have overpowered armed Roman guards.
• To this day: Matthew writes this to his contemporary audience, directly addressing and refuting the slanderous rumor they would have known was circulating. This is a powerful apologetic aimed at his immediate readers.

Polemics

This section is a direct polemic against the official Jewish leadership's explanation for the empty tomb. It serves as historical evidence that the tomb was indeed empty—both sides agreed on that fact; they only disputed the cause. Scholars like N.T. Wright argue this section strongly supports the historicity of the event, as early Christians would not invent a story that gives credence to the very counter-argument used against them unless they were directly refuting it.

Bible references

• Matt 27:62-66: "So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard." (Their own precautions now serve to highlight the absurdity of their lie).
• Acts 4:1-2: "the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead." (Shows their continued active suppression of the resurrection message).
• John 11:47-48: "So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, 'What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.'" (Their pattern of behavior was to conspire against evidence, not investigate it).

Cross references

Prov 21:30 (No wisdom against the LORD), Isa 28:15 (Covenant with death, agreement with Sheol), 2 Tim 3:8 (Men who oppose the truth).

Matthew 28:16-17

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted.

In-depth-analysis

• The eleven: The painful reminder of Judas's betrayal.
• To the mountain: Mountains are places of divine revelation throughout Scripture (e.g., Sinai, Transfiguration). Jesus delivers His new "law" or commission from a mountain, positioning Himself as the new and greater Moses.
• They worshiped him: Again, the response of the majority is proskyneō—worship due to God alone. This is the disciples' full acknowledgment of His divine nature.
• But some doubted: This is a mark of historical candor. A fabricated story would portray perfect, unwavering faith. The Greek word distazō means "to waver" or "hesitate." It’s not outright disbelief but a struggle to comprehend the reality before them. This humanizes the disciples and strengthens the credibility of the account.

Bible references

• Luke 24:38-41: "And he said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?'... and while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling..." (Highlights the disciples' complex mixture of joy and disbelief).
• John 20:25: "So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, 'Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails... I will never believe.'" (The story of Thomas is the ultimate example of this post-resurrection doubt).
• Dan 7:13: "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man..." (The disciples are seeing the one Daniel prophesied, who would receive an everlasting dominion).

Cross references

Mark 9:24 (I believe; help my unbelief!), James 1:6 (He who doubts is like a wave), 1 Cor 15:6 (He appeared to more than 500).

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

In-depth-analysis

• All authority (exousia): This is a declaration of absolute sovereignty. The power lost by Adam in the Garden is reclaimed and magnified by the Son of Man. This authority is the basis for the commission that follows.
• Go therefore and make disciples (mathēteusate): This is the central command. "Going," "baptizing," and "teaching" are participles that explain how disciples are made. A disciple is a learner, a follower, an apprentice of Jesus.
• All nations (panta ta ethnē): The mission is now explicitly global. The promises made to Abraham are fulfilled as the blessing extends to every ethnic group on earth.
• In the name of: The word "name" is singular, indicating one unified Being. This is the New Testament's clearest and most concise declaration of the Trinity. Baptism is an identification with the Triune God.
  • The Father: The Sovereign Creator.
  • The Son: The Resurrected Lord and Savior.
  • The Holy Spirit: The Empowering Presence.
• Teaching them to observe: Discipleship is not just a one-time decision (baptism) but a lifelong process of obedience to Christ's teachings.
• I am with you always: The Gospel of Matthew, which began with the promise of "Immanuel" (God with us) in Matt 1:23, ends with the fulfillment of that promise. The resurrected King promises His abiding, personal presence to empower and comfort His followers until history's consummation.
• To the end of the age: This connects the present mission to the final eschatological hope.

Bible references

• Dan 7:14: "And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him..." (The clearest OT prophecy of the Son of Man receiving "all authority").
• Gen 12:3: "...in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (The commission fulfills the Abrahamic Covenant on a global scale).
• Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Luke's parallel version of the commission).
• Matt 1:23: "'...they shall call his name Immanuel' (which means, God with us)." (The bookends of Matthew's Gospel—the promise and fulfillment of God's presence).
• Col 2:9-10: "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Theological grounding for Christ's "all authority").

Cross references

Isa 49:6 (A light to the nations), John 14:15 (If you love me, keep my commandments), 2 Cor 13:14 (Trinitarian blessing), Eph 1:20-22 (Seated at His right hand... head over all things), Phil 2:9-11 (Name that is above every name).

Matthew Chapter 28 Analysis

• The Immanuel Bookend: The Gospel begins with the virgin birth, announcing His name as Immanuel, "God with us" (1:23), and ends with Jesus's final words, "I am with you always" (28:20). The entire narrative is framed by the promise and reality of God's personal presence in Christ.
• Mountain Typology: The Great Commission is given on a mountain, creating a deliberate parallel with Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai. Jesus is presented as the new and greater Moses, who does not just deliver law but imparts divine authority and presence.
• Theological Progression: The chapter progresses from proof (the empty tomb), to proclamation (the women as first evangelists), to plot (the leaders' lie), to commission (the Great Commission). It demonstrates that faith in the resurrection naturally leads to mission.
• Kingdom Transferred: The move to Galilee for the final commission symbolizes the transfer of the kingdom's focus. It is no longer centered in the institutions of Jerusalem, which rejected the King, but is now a mobile, global movement that will go out from the "Galilee of the Gentiles" to "all nations."
• Apologetic Focus: Matthew's unique inclusion of the guards' report and bribery (vv. 11-15) shows a clear apologetic purpose. He is not just telling a story; he is defending the core of the Christian faith against specific, known counter-arguments of his day, thereby strengthening the faith of his audience.

Matthew 28 Summary

Christ's resurrection is authoritatively declared by an angel and confirmed by a direct appearance to devoted women. This divine event is contrasted with the conspiracy of the Jewish leaders, who bribe the Roman guards to spread a lie, highlighting their willful rejection of the truth. The narrative culminates on a mountain in Galilee, where the risen Jesus, endowed with all authority in heaven and on earth, commissions His eleven disciples. He commands them to make new disciples of all nations, initiating them into the community through Trinitarian baptism and teaching them ongoing obedience, all undergirded by His climactic promise to be with them always, to the very end of the age.