Matthew 28
Summary. The events presented in Chapter 28 take place at the tomb where Jesus was laid, on the way from the tomb to a place where the disciples were gathered, in the city, and in Galilee on a mountain where the Lord Jesus directed His disciples to go. In this chapter, we encounter various people (Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, the soldiers guard, the chief priests, the elders, the Lord Jesus’ disciples), an angel of the Lord, and the risen Lord Jesus. The events described in this chapter are in order: 1) Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb of the Lord Jesus; on the Sunday morning before sunrise, these women went to the tomb because of concern and love for the Lord. 2) An angel of the Lord came from heaven to roll back for these women, the large stone that Joseph put at the entrance of the tomb. The coming of the angel was miraculous and real; there was an earthquake, and the angel rolled the stone back while the guards became like dead men because of fear. This miracle was only a sign for the women to see the empty place where the Lord lay and to confirm the Lord Jesus’ meeting with the disciples in Galilee. 3) The risen Lord met Mary Magdalene and the other Mary on the way from the tomb to a place where the disciples were gathered. The Lord Jesus met the women and told them to go to remind the disciples about the meeting on the mountain in Galilee that He had told them about before His arrest. 4) The tomb’s guard went into the city and told the chief priest about what had happened at the tomb of the Lord Jesus. The chief priests and the elders gave money to the soldiers and plotted with them to lie about the events that took place at the tomb. 5) The risen Lord Jesus met with His eleven disciples in Galilee on a mountain. This meeting is important for the disciples because they see the risen Lord Jesus face to face, and He gives them the great commission to go and make disciples of the Lord Jesus from all the nations of the earth. At this moment, the Lord has commanded them to go and spread the Word and start the work.
[1]
Then, after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the tomb.
Comments Matthew 28:1
“As it began to dawn” means the beginning of the twilight before sunrise. “Towards the first day of the week” is Sunday morning. For “the other Mary,” see Comments Matthew 27:61.
This verse shows who has come to see the tomb, not the disciples who are concerned, but the women: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came because of their love for the Lord. They are concerned for the dead and come to see; they did not expect a reward for their concern for the dead. That is true love that is difficult to find nowadays. Many people go to church for the reason of receiving but do not really give their hearts truly to worship (seeking) the Lord.
This verse shows who has come to see the tomb, not the disciples who are concerned, but the women: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came because of their love for the Lord. They are concerned for the dead and come to see; they did not expect a reward for their concern for the dead. That is true love that is difficult to find nowadays. Many people go to church for the reason of receiving but do not really give their hearts truly to worship (seeking) the Lord.
[2]
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord having descended from heaven, and having come, rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.
Comments Matthew 28:2
The angel rolled the stone away as a sign for the women only to see the place where the Lord laid and confirm the Word of the Lord that He has told before where He will be when He will rise (See Matthew 26:32}.
[3]
Now, His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow;
[4]
and from fear of him the watchers trembled, and became as dead.
[5]
Now answering, the angel said to the women, Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus , the One having been crucified.
[7]
And go quickly, and tell His disciples, He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall you see Him : behold, I have told you.
Comments Matthew 28:2-7
The angel rolled the stone away as a sign for the women, only to see the place where the Lord laid and confirm the Word of the Lord that He has told before where He will be when He rises (See Matthew 26:32).
Q: Has the Lord Jesus risen out of the tomb and passed through the rock, or has the rock been moved before? A: The Lord Jesus has risen in the human body, and the Father’s hand led the Lord through the rock to be out of the tomb because that was not the place for Him to be. The Lord rose in the palm of the Father, led out through the rock; He was in the palm of the Father; nothing can block that hand. The Father’s hand from the heaven had come there to take the Son out from the tomb, and nothing could stop this. The angel came after the Lord rose, which was for the women who came. The Father had already taken the Lord away before the women arrived. The guards did not see when the Father took the Lord; humans can’t see the Father’s hand. When the disciples have seen Jesus by the Father’s side, it is in the Bible, the Father has taken Jesus to His side. That is where the Lord Jesus should be, beside the Father; He has finished the job the Father has given Him. (See Acts 7:54-55).
Q: Has the Lord Jesus risen out of the tomb and passed through the rock, or has the rock been moved before? A: The Lord Jesus has risen in the human body, and the Father’s hand led the Lord through the rock to be out of the tomb because that was not the place for Him to be. The Lord rose in the palm of the Father, led out through the rock; He was in the palm of the Father; nothing can block that hand. The Father’s hand from the heaven had come there to take the Son out from the tomb, and nothing could stop this. The angel came after the Lord rose, which was for the women who came. The Father had already taken the Lord away before the women arrived. The guards did not see when the Father took the Lord; humans can’t see the Father’s hand. When the disciples have seen Jesus by the Father’s side, it is in the Bible, the Father has taken Jesus to His side. That is where the Lord Jesus should be, beside the Father; He has finished the job the Father has given Him. (See Acts 7:54-55).
[8]
And having gone out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to report His disciples.
[9]
And behold, Jesus met them, saying, Hail! And having come, they took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him .
[10]
Then Jesus says to them, Fear not; go tell My brothers that they depart into Galilee, and there will they see Me .
Comments Matthew 28:10
These women had the privilege to see the resurrected Lord first because of sorrow in their hearts. As they sat in front of the tomb, the Lord had mercy for them. The Lord sent these women to remind the disciples about the meeting in Galilee. Forgetting is human nature; when too many things happen, we forget what we have been told. The disciples were commoners as well; regardless of how many times the Lord would tell them, when things happened, all would forget what the Lord had told them.
[11]
Now, as they were going, behold, some of the guard, having come into the city, reported to the chief priests all the things that were come to pass.
[12]
And having been gathered together with the elders, and having taken counsel, they gave sufficient silver pieces to the soldiers,
[14]
And if this is heard by the governor, we will persuade him, and will keep you out of trouble.
[15]
And having taken money, they did as they were instructed; and this report is spread abroad among the Jews, until the present day.
Comments Matthew 28:11-15
As it says in many places in the Bible, money is the root of evil. Humans can sell their own souls for money and the riches of this world. The root and not the truth itself that troubles their heart; money is the root. These verses clearly show that money has the power to control the deepest part of the heart of men; even for the soldiers who have seen the truth, money still buys the words of lies out of their mouths.
“Among the Jews.” They must discredit the Lord Jesus towards the Jews first because the Lord Jesus is a Jew; these are the people of His own flesh, but they are the least who accept Him.
“Among the Jews.” They must discredit the Lord Jesus towards the Jews first because the Lord Jesus is a Jew; these are the people of His own flesh, but they are the least who accept Him.
[16]
And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus assigned them.
[17]
And having seen Him , they worshipped; but some doubted.
Comments Matthew 28:16-17
In this place in Galilee, on this mountain, the Lord Jesus just met with His eleven disciples. These verses tell us that among all of those who follow the Lord, there is always hope for all who believe. The Lord has given the disciples specific directions where they should meet Him. In the same way, the Lord gives the rest of the world directions in the Bible where to meet Him. The Lord always asks us to meet Him in our hearts; come to the Lord with a sincere heart, and you will always meet with the Lord. He comes to you as He went to meet the disciples; it is the same way for all who believe: you meet with the Lord as you go, or He comes to meet with you.
“And having seen Him, they worshipped.” Unlike the disciples here, we don’t see the Lord physically, but He is in our hearts. The Lord Jesus is in our hearts, not with the eyes to see; the internal connection we have with the Lord is deeper than the physical appearance; it is the soul that has the internal connection with the Lord.
“And having seen Him, they worshipped.” Unlike the disciples here, we don’t see the Lord physically, but He is in our hearts. The Lord Jesus is in our hearts, not with the eyes to see; the internal connection we have with the Lord is deeper than the physical appearance; it is the soul that has the internal connection with the Lord.
[18]
And Jesus having come, spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on the earth.
[19]
Go therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit :
Comments Matthew 28:18-19
These verses tell those who follow the Lord’s teaching that all should do the same way as the Bible tells. When you meet someone, the first thing in your heart should be to call upon the Lord for help to be the guide to your tongue to speak and to deposit words in your heart to be able to speak out those words for all that you have a chance to meet. But first, be aware of the fake (insincere) appearances of people who come and ask for opinions of the Word; don’t answer from your own understanding; think of the Lord first, and the words will come.
“Baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” When you baptize someone, you cannot omit any names. A complete baptism must always be in the God of Three; you cannot skip any of the names, and this is an order of the Way. If they baptize differently anywhere, do not even be involved with them; you cannot be baptized without all the Three (The Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit).
“Baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” When you baptize someone, you cannot omit any names. A complete baptism must always be in the God of Three; you cannot skip any of the names, and this is an order of the Way. If they baptize differently anywhere, do not even be involved with them; you cannot be baptized without all the Three (The Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit).
[20]
teaching them to observe all things whatever I commanded you; and behold, I am with you all the days, until the end of the age.
Comments Matthew 28:20
“Behold, I am with you all the days, until the end of the age.” In this verse, we have two portions: “I am with you all the days,” which refers to the people who have accepted the Deity of the Son of God, that He is the true and only Son of God, and all things were created through Him as the Bible tells; and “until the end of the age,” which means until the earth itself has collapsed and the end of all things takes place. “The end of the age” refers not only to the end of the human race but the end of the earth itself because, in Him (the Son of God), all things were created; all things were created through Him, so He will not abandon all things until the end of the age.
AMEN!
AMEN!
Life and Faith Applications. 1) The Lord Jesus is risen, and as He met the disciples on the Galilee Mountain; furthermore, He is waiting to meet with all that seek Him; seek and ask Him to meet with you first in your heart, and your faith will grow from the inside out. You meet with the Lord as you go, or He comes to meet with you. 2) Do not let money control your mind, and do not seek the power that money has to offer. The Bible teaches us that money is the root of all kinds of evil, and if money controls your mind, you will hear the voice of money louder than the voice of the Lord. 3) As followers of Jesus Christ, we must follow the Lord’s commandments and spread the Word to all people. All followers must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.