Study Content

The chapter opens at dawn on the first day of the week.

Mary Magdalene and another Mary go to visit the tomb where Jesus had been buried. Their visit reflects devotion and grief, not expectation of resurrection.

Suddenly a great earthquake occurs.

Matthew says an angel of the Lord descends from heaven, rolls back the stone from the tomb, and sits upon it. His appearance is described as lightning, and his clothing is white as snow.

The Roman guards stationed at the tomb become so overwhelmed with fear that they shake and fall like dead men.

The angel then speaks to the women.

“Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.”

He declares the words that stand at the center of the Christian faith: “He is not here: for he is risen.”

The angel invites them to see the place where Jesus had been laid.

The empty tomb becomes the first visible sign that death could not hold the Son of God.

The angel then instructs the women to go quickly and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and that He will meet them in Galilee.

As the women run to deliver the message, something remarkable happens.

Jesus Himself meets them along the way.

They fall before Him and worship Him, taking hold of His feet. This detail confirms the physical reality of the resurrection. Jesus is not a spirit or vision but truly alive.

Jesus repeats the instruction given by the angel. The disciples are to go to Galilee where they will see Him.

Matthew then briefly describes another event unfolding simultaneously.

Some of the guards return to the city and report everything that happened to the chief priests.

The religious leaders meet with the elders and develop a plan. They give the soldiers money and instruct them to spread a story that the disciples stole Jesus’ body while the guards were sleeping.

The leaders promise to protect the soldiers if the story reaches the Roman authorities.

Matthew notes that this explanation circulated widely among the people.

This moment shows that even the resurrection did not immediately convince everyone. Some people chose to protect their positions rather than acknowledge the truth.

The narrative then shifts to Galilee where the disciples gather on a mountain as Jesus had instructed.

When they see Him, they worship Him, though Matthew notes that some still struggle with doubt.

This detail reminds readers that faith sometimes grows gradually even in the presence of extraordinary events.

Jesus approaches them and makes a profound declaration.

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

The Greek word translated as power is exousia, meaning authority, jurisdiction, or the right to rule.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus now exercises complete authority over all creation.

With that authority He gives the disciples their mission.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”

The Greek word translated as teach is mathēteuō, meaning to make disciples or followers who learn and live according to the teaching of a master.

The command is not merely to spread information but to form disciples.

Jesus instructs them to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Baptism symbolizes identification with Christ’s death and resurrection as well as entrance into the community of believers.

He also commands them to teach people to observe everything He has commanded.

The mission involves both proclamation and instruction.

The chapter closes with one of the most comforting promises in Scripture.

Jesus tells them, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

The phrase translated as world comes from the Greek aiōn, meaning an age or era.

Jesus promises His presence with His followers throughout the unfolding of history.

Matthew’s Gospel begins with the declaration that Jesus is “Emmanuel,” meaning God with us.

It ends with the same truth.

The risen Christ remains present with His people as they carry His message into the world.

Matthew 28 therefore transforms the story of the cross from tragedy into victory.

The resurrection confirms that Jesus is truly the Son of God, validates His teachings, and establishes the foundation for the mission of the church.

Death has been overcome, the tomb is empty, and the Kingdom of God continues advancing through those who follow the risen King.