Matthew 28 7

Matthew 28:7 kjv

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Matthew 28:7 nkjv

And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."

Matthew 28:7 niv

Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

Matthew 28:7 esv

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."

Matthew 28:7 nlt

And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you."

Matthew 28 verses

Matthew 28 7 Meaning

Matthew 28:7 records the angel's urgent instruction to the women who came to Jesus' tomb. It conveys the central truth that Jesus has risen from the dead and gives a specific command to quickly deliver this life-changing news to His disciples. The message also includes a reassuring directive: Jesus is preceding them to Galilee, where they are assured they will see Him, a confirmation directly from the angelic messenger. This verse is pivotal as it announces the reality of the resurrection and initiates the process of gathering the disciples after the crucifixion.

Matthew 28 7 Context

Matthew 28:7 is found at the dramatic climax of Matthew's Gospel. Just before this verse, two Marys (Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary") arrived at Jesus' tomb at dawn on the first day of the week. They witnessed a great earthquake, an angel of the Lord descending, rolling back the stone, and sitting upon it. The angel's appearance was dazzling, causing the guards to tremble and become like dead men. The immediate context of verse 7 is the angel’s address to these women, reassuring them, showing them the empty tomb, and then giving them this crucial commission.

This event directly fulfills Jesus' prior predictions of His death and resurrection, particularly His promise to meet the disciples in Galilee after He had risen (Mt 26:32, Mk 14:28). For the original audience, who would have known of Jesus' extensive ministry in Galilee, this promised reunion there signified a return to familiar ground, a reaffirmation of His continuing presence with them, and perhaps a symbol of a new beginning, shifting focus from Jerusalem (the place of rejection) back to the Gentile-inclusive region of Galilee. It challenged conventional thought by making women the primary witnesses of this most important event, a role traditionally not afforded them in society or Jewish legal testimony, thus highlighting God's direct, divine choice.

Matthew 28 7 Word analysis

• Then go quickly (καὶ πορευθεῖσαι ταχὺ, kai poreutheisai tachy):

  • "Go" (poreutheisai): A participle, emphasizing movement and the action of going. It signifies an imperative to undertake a journey, a divine commission.
  • "Quickly" (tachy): Indicates urgency and immediacy. The news of the resurrection was too significant to delay. This word reflects the eagerness of the angel for the message to be spread swiftly, a characteristic of divine pronouncements in the Bible. It also implicitly highlights the emotional state of the women—fear and great joy leading to quick obedience (Mt 28:8).

• and tell His disciples (ἀπαγγείλατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ, apaggeilate tois mathētais autou):

  • "Tell" (apaggeilate): A verb meaning to report, announce, or bring tidings. It implies a definitive, authoritative declaration, not mere speculation.
  • "His disciples" (tois mathētais autou): Specific recipients of the message. These were the very individuals who had forsaken Him during His arrest and crucifixion, showing Jesus' grace and continued commitment to them. It prepares them for the next stage of their mission.

• that He has risen from the dead (ὅτι ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν, hoti ēgerthē apo tōn nekrōn):

  • "He has risen" (ēgerthē): Aorist passive indicative. The passive voice ("He has been raised") points to God the Father as the ultimate agent of resurrection. This is a central theological truth—Jesus did not raise Himself, but God raised Him (e.g., Acts 2:24, Rom 8:11).
  • "from the dead" (apo tōn nekrōn): Emphasizes the completeness of His death and the miraculous nature of His return to life, triumphant over the grave. This is the cornerstone of Christian faith.

• and behold, He is going ahead of you to Galilee (καὶ ἰδοὺ προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, kai idou probainei hymas eis tēn Galilaian):

  • "behold" (idou): An interjection used to draw attention to something important or surprising. It emphasizes the truth and certainty of the following statement.
  • "He is going ahead of you" (probainei hymas): This verb suggests leading the way, acting as a guide, or pioneering. It indicates Jesus' leadership and His active anticipation of meeting His disciples. It confirms His prior promise (Mt 26:32) and underscores His divine initiative.
  • "to Galilee" (eis tēn Galilaian): A significant geographical detail. Galilee was where Jesus had spent most of His public ministry and where many of His disciples were from. It contrasts with Jerusalem, the place of His rejection and death, indicating a new beginning and a broader mission beyond the religious center.

• there you will see Him (ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε, ekei auton opesthe):

  • "there" (ekei): Reaffirms Galilee as the precise location of the promised encounter.
  • "you will see Him" (auton opesthe): A direct promise, offering concrete proof and reassurance of Jesus' physical, resurrected presence. It anticipates a personal encounter for the disciples, moving them from hear-say to direct experience.

• behold, I have told you (ἰδοὺ εἶπον ὑμῖν, idou eipon hymin):

  • "behold" (idou): Used again for emphasis, underscoring the certainty and authority of the angelic message. It validates the angel's commission.
  • "I have told you" (eipon hymin): The perfect tense implies a completed action with ongoing validity. It signifies that this is a definitive and true declaration, removing any doubt from the women's minds about the message's authenticity. The angelic voice speaks with divine authority, reiterating what God intended to be known.

• Group Analysis:

  • "Then go quickly and tell His disciples...": This phrase encapsulates the Great Commission's embryonic form—a swift and directed command to disseminate the vital truth of Jesus' triumph. It establishes the disciples' primary role as witnesses.
  • "...that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him...": This sequence combines the astounding news of the resurrection with a concrete, verifiable instruction and promise. It validates the resurrection through the promise of a future meeting and specifies the place, dispelling confusion and giving clear direction for the scattered disciples.

Matthew 28 7 Bonus section

• The Power of Divine Appointment: The angel, as a messenger from God, directly intervened to provide clarity, comfort, and commissioning at a moment of profound spiritual crisis and confusion. This highlights God's active involvement in human affairs and His intentional guidance of His followers.
• Galilee as a New Beginning: The choice of Galilee, rather than Jerusalem, signifies a shift. Jerusalem, the place of rejection and crucifixion, gives way to Galilee, often associated with Gentile regions and humble origins. This meeting place underscores that the message of the resurrected Christ is not confined to the religious elite or the holy city but extends to all, embracing the periphery as central to God's plan.
• The Disciples' Scattered State: The command to "tell His disciples" implies their scattered and despondent state following Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. This message was vital for gathering and restoring their hope and faith, setting the stage for their future role as apostles.
• Fulfillment of Prophetic Words: The instruction to meet in Galilee directly fulfills Jesus' own prediction (Mt 26:32), validating His prophetic authority and demonstrating that His words, even amidst His suffering, were true and reliable. This provides a deep sense of trustworthiness to His entire ministry.
• Urgency of the Gospel: The "quickly" aspect of the angelic command sets a precedent for the urgency with which the gospel message is to be shared throughout history. The good news of Christ's triumph over death cannot be delayed.

Matthew 28 7 Commentary

Matthew 28:7 is more than a simple instruction; it's a foundational declaration that reshapes reality for the disciples and, by extension, for all believers. The angel's message is incredibly succinct yet packed with theological weight and practical command. It unequivocally announces the resurrection of Jesus, the central tenet of the Christian faith. The use of the passive voice ("He has risen" implying God raised Him) points to the Father's sovereign power and faithfulness. This resurrection conquers sin and death, transforming defeat into triumph and despair into hope.

The instruction for the women to "go quickly and tell His disciples" highlights the urgency of proclaiming this good news. It elevates women to the role of the first evangelists, challenging societal norms of the time but perfectly aligning with God's non-discriminatory calling of messengers. This act of telling brings solace and instruction to the frightened and scattered disciples, demonstrating Jesus' unwavering love and continued commitment to them despite their failures. The promise of meeting in Galilee serves as a rallying point and a sign of Jesus' real, physical, resurrected body. It's a re-commissioning, a calling back to their roots in Galilee where Jesus first called them, and a foreshadowing of the broader mission that would emanate from this humble region to the entire world. The angel's final emphatic "behold, I have told you" serves to validate the divine source of this extraordinary news and the absolute certainty of its fulfillment.