Matthew 28

Matthew 28 is the concluding chapter of the Gospel of Matthew and focuses on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, His appearances after rising, and the commissioning of His disciples. It is divided into three main sections:

  1. The Resurrection and Appearance to the Women (Verses 1-10):

    • Early on the first day of the week (Sunday), Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visit Jesus' tomb and find it empty. There is a violent earthquake as an angel of the Lord descends, rolls back the stone, and sits on it. The angel tells the women Jesus has risen, as He had promised, and instructs them to tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee.
    • As the women leave, Jesus Himself appears and greets them, reassuring them not to be afraid and reiterating the message to inform the disciples to go to Galilee to see Him. The women worship Jesus, confirming His physical resurrection (they hold His feet) and reporting the news to the disciples.

  2. The Guards’ Report and the Chief Priests’ Conspiracy (Verses 11-15):

    • The guards at the tomb, who were terrified and "like dead men," report what happened to the chief priests. The priests bribe the soldiers to spread the false story that Jesus’ disciples stole His body while the guards were asleep, which the guards accept to avoid trouble. This fabricated story is noted as being circulated among the Jewish people.

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

    • The eleven remaining disciples go to Galilee as directed, where they meet the resurrected Jesus on a mountain. Some worship Him while others doubt.
    • Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him and commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach obedience to His commands.
    • He ends with the promise, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age," assuring His ongoing presence and authority.

Key Themes and Significance:

  • Victory over Death: Jesus’ resurrection is the climactic event demonstrating His power over sin and death, providing hope and renewal for believers.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Matthew highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and shows how the resurrection confirms His messianic identity.
  • Role of Women: The women are the first witnesses to the resurrection, a striking emphasis given the cultural context, underscoring their vital role in the gospel narrative.
  • Universal Mission: The command to make disciples of “all nations” reflects Matthew’s emphasis on the gospel’s reach beyond Israel to the Gentiles, beginning in Galilee, identified as the “doorway to the world”.
  • Jesus’ Authority: The great commission highlights Jesus’ supreme authority over heaven and earth as the basis for His disciples’ mission.

This chapter encapsulates the transformational power of the resurrection, the inauguration of Christ’s global mission, and the assurance of His continual presence with His followers.

In summary, Matthew 28 recounts the resurrection event, addresses the attempted cover-up, and concludes with Jesus commissioning His disciples to evangelize the world under His authority.

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