Matthew 28:16 kjv
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
Matthew 28:16 nkjv
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.
Matthew 28:16 niv
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
Matthew 28:16 esv
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
Matthew 28:16 nlt
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
Matthew 28 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 26:32 | "But after I have been raised, I will go before you into Galilee." | Jesus prophesies meeting in Galilee |
| Mt 28:7 | "...He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee..." | Angel commands disciples to go to Galilee |
| Mt 28:10 | "Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee; there they will see Me." | Jesus repeats command to go to Galilee |
| Mk 14:28 | "However, after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." | Jesus prophesies meeting in Galilee (parallel) |
| Mk 16:7 | "...tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee..." | Angel commands disciples to go to Galilee |
| Jn 21:1-24 | Jesus appears to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) | Post-resurrection appearance in Galilee |
| 1 Cor 15:5 | "...He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve." | Early appearance to Peter and then the group |
| 1 Cor 15:6 | "After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time..." | Possible Galilean appearance to large group |
| 1 Cor 15:7 | "Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;" | Subsequent appearances |
| Lk 24:33 | "And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together..." | Refers to the "eleven" |
| Acts 1:13 | "...Upper room where they were staying: Peter, John, James and Andrew...the eleven." | Lists the "eleven" remaining apostles |
| Acts 1:26 | "And Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostles." | Context of "the eleven" before Matthias |
| Deut 11:29 | "...you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal." | Mountains as places of divine pronouncement |
| 2 Sam 2:29 | "But Joab...fled...and went through all Bithron..." | Journey to appointed place |
| Jer 3:6 | "See what treacherous Israel has done! She has gone up on every high hill..." | Significance of hills/mountains |
| Hab 2:2 | "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets... so that he who runs may read it." | Clarity of divine instructions |
| Jn 14:21 | "He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me..." | Obedience as a mark of love |
| Jn 15:14 | "You are My friends if you do what I command you." | Obedience linked to friendship |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses..." | Connects with Great Commission |
| Mt 5:1 | "And seeing the multitudes, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated..." | Jesus teaches on a mountain |
| Mt 17:1 | "And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John...and led them up a high mountain apart." | Transfiguration on a mountain |
| Mt 24:3 | "Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives..." | Olivet Discourse on a mountain |
| Isa 2:2-3 | "Now it shall come to pass...the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established...and all nations shall flow to it." | Mountain as center of divine activity/nations |
Matthew 28 verses
Matthew 28 16 Meaning
Matthew 28:16 records the disciples' obedient response to Jesus' instruction, setting the scene for His post-resurrection commissioning. It details their journey to a pre-appointed mountain in Galilee, highlighting their faith and the deliberate nature of this significant encounter. This meeting fulfills earlier prophecies by Jesus concerning His appearance to His disciples after His resurrection.
Matthew 28 16 Context
This verse is positioned strategically within the final chapter of Matthew, immediately following the narratives of Jesus' resurrection (Mt 28:1-8) and His direct instruction to the women (Mt 28:9-10) to tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee. It precedes the account of the Roman guards' bribery (Mt 28:11-15) and serves as the immediate setting for the "Great Commission" (Mt 28:18-20), which defines the mission of the church. Historically, Galilee was Jesus' primary base during His earthly ministry, distinct from Jerusalem, the religious and political center. This relocation signifies a new phase of ministry, moving beyond the Jewish stronghold to a region known for its diverse population, making it an apt starting point for a mission to "all nations." The journey demonstrates the disciples' faith and obedience in heeding Jesus' direct, personal command.
Matthew 28 16 Word analysis
- Then (Tote - Greek): Denotes immediate consequence and progression. It highlights the direct action taken by the disciples after receiving the command, indicating obedience.
- the eleven disciples (hoi hendeka mathētai - Greek):
- "The eleven" specifically notes the remaining apostles, signifying Judas Iscariot's absence and demise (cf. Mt 27:3-5). It establishes the definitive apostolic core after betrayal but before Matthias's election (Acts 1:26).
- "Disciples" (mathētai): Implies "learners" or "followers." Though called apostles elsewhere, their primary role as those who follow Jesus' teaching is emphasized here in their act of obedience.
- went away (eporeuthēsan - Greek, from poreuomai): This verb suggests a purposeful journey, a deliberate departure from Jerusalem, indicating an active response rather than passive waiting.
- into Galilee (eis tēn Galilaian - Greek): Galilee was a region north of Judea, less conservative and more Gentile-influenced. It was Jesus' adopted home region for His public ministry. The shift from Jerusalem (the place of Jesus' passion and initial resurrection appearances to individuals/small groups) to Galilee for this planned corporate gathering symbolizes a new, expanded, outward-focused mission, consistent with the eventual Great Commission to "all nations."
- to the mountain (eis to oros - Greek):
- The definite article "the" (to) suggests a specific mountain, either already known to them or one that would become definitive by this encounter. Its unnamed status could imply its symbolic significance outweighs a literal landmark, or it was understood among early Christians.
- Mountains in biblical narratives frequently serve as significant locations for divine revelation, teaching, covenant-making, and significant encounters with God (e.g., Sinai, Transfiguration, Sermon on the Mount). It is a setting for monumental spiritual events.
- which Jesus had appointed for them (hou etaxato autois ho Iēsous - Greek):
- "Appointed" (etaxato - from tassō): Means to arrange, set in order, appoint, or determine. This powerfully conveys Jesus' divine initiative, sovereign control, and pre-planned intention for this meeting. It was not a random gathering but a precise, orchestrated rendezvous established by the resurrected Christ. It underscores the divine authority behind the upcoming commission.
Matthew 28 16 Bonus section
The meeting on this unspecified mountain is traditionally linked by some scholars with the appearance to over 500 brethren at once mentioned in 1 Cor 15:6, suggesting this was not just an encounter for the apostles, but potentially for a larger group of early believers. If so, it would make the site truly significant as the gathering place for an initial "send-off" for many followers into their broader Christian mission. The journey itself highlights the practical dimension of faith – it's not merely intellectual assent but requires physical effort and obedience. This Galilean meeting distinguishes itself from Jesus' sudden, unannounced appearances in Jerusalem; this was a deliberate, commanded appointment, emphasizing its weight and the specific instructions Jesus intended to impart there.
Matthew 28 16 Commentary
Matthew 28:16 presents a pivotal moment, showing the eleven disciples' faith and obedience in following Jesus' pre-arranged command to meet Him in Galilee. This simple act of travel carries immense significance: it demonstrates the disciples' belief in His resurrection and trust in His words, despite their recent experiences of fear and doubt. Their journey to a designated mountain underscores Jesus' deliberate intent for this encounter—a planned assembly for a profound purpose, foreshadowing the global mission He would soon bestow. The choice of Galilee, a region deeply associated with Jesus' earthly ministry and known for its mixed population, also symbolizes the expansion of God's redemptive work beyond Jerusalem and the confines of Jewish tradition, preparing the groundwork for the Great Commission to reach all peoples. It serves as a practical example of discipleship: hearing the Master's word, trusting its truth, and responding with action.