ESV Study Bible | English Standard Version
Matthew 28
The Resurrection
28 m Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and n the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for o an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 p His appearance was like lightning, and q his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and r became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, s as he said. Come, see the place where he [1] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, t he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb u with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus v met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and w took hold of his feet and x worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; y go and tell z my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The Report of the Guard
11 While they were going, behold, some of a the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, b ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to c the governor's ears, we will d satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews e to this day.
The Great Commission
16 Now the eleven disciples f went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they g worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, h “All authority i in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 j Go therefore and k make disciples of l all nations, j baptizing them m in [2] n the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them o to observe all that p I have commanded you. And behold, q I am with you always, to r the end of the age.”
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Matt. 28:1–20 The Resurrection and Commission of the Messiah. Matthew's concluding chapter recounts Jesus' resurrection from the dead. His resurrection confirms his identity and that his accomplishment at the cross was accepted by God the Father. Jesus now lives as the faithful companion, master, and Lord of those who respond to his great commission (vv. 16–20).
Matt. 28:1–10 An Empty Tomb and the Risen Jesus. The female disciples of Jesus discover an empty tomb (vv. 1–4). After an angel announces Jesus' resurrection and instructs them (vv. 5–7), they meet the risen Jesus (vv. 8–10).
Matt. 28:1 first day of the week. Sunday morning. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (cf. 27:61). The women remain courageously faithful. Cf. note on 26:31.
Matt. 28:2 great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord. The earthquake either occurred simultaneously with the appearance of the angel or was the means the angel used to roll away the stone.
Matt. 28:3–4 fear of him. The appearance of angels often produced fear (cf. Judg. 13:19–20). The guards are probably battle-hardened soldiers, but they have never witnessed anything like this.
Matt. 28:7 his disciples. Probably the Eleven. Galilee. The central location of Jesus' earthly ministry continues in importance during his post-resurrection ministry.
Matt. 28:9 Took hold of his feet shows that this is no mere vision or hallucination but a physical resurrection. By allowing this act of worship, here and in v. 17, Jesus accepts the acknowledgment of his deity, as only God is to be worshiped.
Matt. 28:10 my brothers. Perhaps the Eleven, but more likely the broader group of disciples who had followed Jesus (cf. “my brothers” in 12:49–50; 25:40). If so, this is the larger group of disciples who will see the risen Lord (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:6).
Matt. 28:11–15 The Conspiracy to Deny the Truth of Jesus' Resurrection. taken counsel. Faced with the reality of Jesus' resurrection, the religious leaders are forced once again (cf. 26:3–5) to conspire together in order to preserve their religious and political influence. The soldiers faced possible execution for dereliction of guard duty, one of the most severe offenses while occupying foreign territory. In cooperating with the Jewish religious leaders, they at least have a chance to save themselves.
Matt. 28:16–20 The Risen Jesus' Great Commission. As the resurrected Lord, Jesus calls upon his followers to make disciples of all people groups through the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom.
Matt. 28:17 Some doubted probably refers to people other than the 11 disciples (see note on 28:10).
Matt. 28:18 All authority. In his risen state, Jesus exercises absolute authority throughout heaven and earth, which shows his deity. His authority has been given by the Father, which indicates that he remains subject to the Father (see note on 1 Cor. 15:28).
Matt. 28:19 The imperative (make disciples, that is, call individuals to commit to Jesus as Master and Lord) explains the central focus of the Great Commission, while the Greek participles (translated go, baptizing, and “teaching” [v. 20]) describe aspects of the process. all nations. Jesus' ministry in Israel was to be the beginning point of what would later be a proclamation of the gospel to all the peoples of the earth, including not only Jews but also Gentiles. The name (singular, not plural) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an early indication of the Trinitarian Godhead and an overt proclamation of Jesus' deity.
Matt. 28:20 Teaching is a means by which disciples of Jesus are continually transformed in order to become more like Christ (cf. 10:24–25; Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18). observe. Obey. I am with you always. Jesus concludes the commission, and Matthew his Gospel, with the crucial element of discipleship: the presence of the Master, who is “God with us” (cf. Matt. 1:23).
