Matthew 28 10

Matthew 28:10 kjv

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

Matthew 28:10 nkjv

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."

Matthew 28:10 niv

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Matthew 28:10 esv

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

Matthew 28:10 nlt

Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there."

Matthew 28 verses

Matthew 28 10 Meaning

This verse captures Jesus’ direct affirmation of His resurrection to the women, commanding them to dispel their fear and immediately convey the good news to His disciples, whom He now calls "My brothers." He instructs these disciples to proceed to Galilee, assuring them that they will see Him there, confirming a pre-arranged reunion that symbolizes the continuation of His ministry and a new phase of relationship with His followers.

Matthew 28 10 Context

Matthew 28:10 occurs on the pivotal resurrection morning. Earlier in the chapter, Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary" go to the tomb, witnessing a great earthquake, the appearance of an angel descending, and the stone being rolled away. The angel declares Jesus' resurrection and commands them to tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee (Mt 28:1-7). As the women leave "with fear and great joy," hurrying to deliver the message, Jesus Himself encounters them (Mt 28:8-9). Verse 10 is Jesus’ first post-resurrection verbal communication in Matthew's Gospel, directly reinforcing and personalizing the angel's instruction. This setting emphasizes the unique privilege of women as the initial eyewitnesses and messengers of the risen Christ. The instruction to meet in Galilee marks a strategic shift from Jerusalem, the place of crucifixion and suffering, to Galilee, the region of Jesus' primary ministry, signifying a renewal and expansion of His mission. Historically, the reliability of female testimony was questioned in Jewish courts, making their role as primary witnesses in the Gospels particularly striking and subversive to contemporary norms, asserting a new kingdom reality where social status does not limit divine commissioning.

Matthew 28 10 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - Tote): Signifies a direct and immediate sequence, emphasizing Jesus' appearance happened shortly after the angel's instruction to the women.
• Jesus (ὁ Ἰησοῦς - ho Iesous): The proper name identifies the resurrected Christ, underscoring His bodily presence and continuity with the Jesus who was crucified.
• said (λέγει - legei): Present tense (historical present), used to make the narration vivid and immediate, as if the events are unfolding now. It conveys the authority and directness of Jesus' words.
• to them (αὐταῖς - autais): Refers specifically to the women (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary), highlighting their foundational role as the first to encounter the risen Lord directly.
• “Do not be afraid (Μὴ φοβεῖσθε - Me phobeisthe):” A prohibitive aorist subjunctive, a strong command to stop being afraid or to prevent fear from gripping them. It reflects their state of "fear and great joy" (Mt 28:8) and is a common divine reassurance in the face of overwhelming encounters (Lk 1:30, Rev 1:17).
• go (ὑπάγετε - hypagete): A present imperative, suggesting an immediate and ongoing action. It is a command to depart quickly.
• and tell (ἀπαγγείλατε - apangeilate): Aorist imperative, meaning to report or announce, often a decisive message. This underscores the urgency and importance of their mission as messengers of the resurrection.
• My brothers (τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου - tois adelphois mou): This term is profoundly significant. Before the resurrection, Jesus referred to His disciples primarily as "disciples" or "friends." After the resurrection (Jn 20:17), this new address signifies a new, intimate relationship—one of shared sonship with God through Him (Heb 2:11-12). It is a radical act of grace, forgiving their desertion and elevating them to family. This inclusion anticipates the establishment of the new spiritual family of believers.
• to go (ἵνα ἀπέλθωσιν - hina apelthosin): A purpose clause indicating the reason for the command: for them (the brothers) to depart. Apelthosin is an aorist subjunctive, again stressing the decisive nature of their departure.
• to Galilee (εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν - eis ten Galilaian): A specific geographical command. Galilee was the center of Jesus' ministry, symbolizing a return to the roots and a fresh start for the disciples. It was where Jesus had gathered them (Mt 4:18-22) and now where He would re-commission them, away from Jerusalem, the place of His suffering and their failure.
• and there (κἀκεῖ - kakei): Conjunction combining "and" with "there," emphasizing the specific location for their reunion.
• they will see Me (με ὄψονται - me opsontai): A future indicative verb, a definite promise that the encounter will happen. Opsontai implies not just a casual glance but a direct, confirming observation, essential for eyewitnesses to the resurrection (1 Cor 15:5-8).

• “Do not be afraid; go and tell”: This phrase combines reassurance with commissioning. The divine presence often evoked fear (as seen with the women in Mt 28:8), but Jesus dispels it, immediately redirecting their emotional state into purposeful action and evangelism. This pattern reflects God empowering His servants beyond their natural reactions.
• “My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me”: This forms a complete command and promise. "My brothers" elevates the disciples to an unparalleled familial status, signifying forgiveness and a renewed covenant after their abandonment of Jesus. The specific geographical instruction to "Galilee" sets the stage for a private, personal reunion away from the intense scrutiny and opposition of Jerusalem, where Jesus would consolidate their understanding of the resurrection and prepare them for the Great Commission (Mt 28:16-20). The promise of "seeing Me" validates the reality of the resurrection and prepares them for future instruction.

Matthew 28 10 Bonus section

• Significance of the Women: The choice of women as the first witnesses and messengers is deliberate. It counters prevailing cultural norms regarding testimony and elevates their status within the new community being formed. This aligns with Jesus' consistent affirmation of women throughout His ministry. Their role here serves as a template for all believers—regardless of social standing—to become proclaimers of the Gospel.
• The Power of Divine Command: "Do not be afraid" is not merely a suggestion but an imperative. It indicates that genuine peace and courage come from trusting in Christ's victory over death, transcending human fear in the face of overwhelming events or opposition. This command remains relevant for believers facing fear in proclaiming Christ.
• Continuity and Discontinuity: The return to Galilee provides a sense of continuity with Jesus' pre-crucifixion ministry, rooted in the familiar region. Yet, the disciples are no longer just followers; they are "brothers" to the Risen Lord, signifying a radical discontinuity in their relationship with Him and their future mission. This is no mere resumption but a re-genesis of their purpose.
• Anticipation of Pentecost: While not directly mentioned, the gathering in Galilee and the instruction to see Jesus implicitly sets the stage for further post-resurrection appearances and teachings (Acts 1:3), culminating in the commissioning power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which fully empowers the "brothers" to fulfill their global mission.

Matthew 28 10 Commentary

Matthew 28:10 is a pivotal verse in the resurrection narrative. Jesus' encounter with the women is profound, serving to personally validate the angelic message they had just received and infuse it with His own living presence and authority. His opening command, "Do not be afraid," directly addresses the human reaction to the divine, transitioning their natural apprehension into spiritual courage, readying them for their urgent mission. By immediately sending them to "tell My brothers," Jesus elevates the role of women as the primary evangelists of the resurrection—a counter-cultural and revolutionary act for its time.

The designation "My brothers" for His disciples is a statement of immense grace and reconciliation. These were the men who had scattered and, in some cases, denied Him (Peter). Yet, Jesus, in His resurrected glory, chooses to redefine their relationship not on the basis of their recent failure, but on an enduring spiritual kinship (Jn 20:17; Heb 2:11-12). This speaks to the New Covenant reality where believers become adopted into God's family through Christ, transformed by grace.

The command for the disciples to go to Galilee carries significant weight. Galilee, Jesus’ primary training ground and ministry base, serves as a symbolic location for renewal. It signals a shift from the Jerusalem of crucifixion to a new beginning, away from the old order, providing a space for a focused reunion. Here, He could continue His teachings, strengthen their faith, and commission them for their future global mission without immediate scrutiny from the religious authorities. The promise "there they will see Me" assures them of His bodily resurrection and tangible presence, laying the groundwork for the Great Commission that immediately follows (Mt 28:18-20). The verse therefore encapsulates themes of divine grace, empowering mission, and the dawning of a new era.