Matthew 28

Theological Commentary on Matthew 28

Overview

Matthew 28 is the decisive concluding chapter of the Gospels, centered on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It records the events following Jesus' crucifixion, focusing on His appearances to His disciples and the commission He gave them to spread the Gospel. Specifically, the narrative flows from the empty tomb, the testimony of the angels, Jesus' encounters with His disciples after His resurrection, and the Great Commission, clearly demonstrating the truth of the resurrection—the core of Christian faith—and the mission that stems from it. This chapter proves the divinity of Jesus Christ and the completion of His redemptive work, presenting the foundation for the Church and its mission.

Structure of the Text

Matthew 28 can be broadly divided into the following sections:

The Beginning of the Resurrection (28:1-10)

On the dawn of the first day of the week, after the Sabbath, the two Marys visit the tomb (v. 1).

A great earthquake occurs, and an angel of the Lord appears, rolling away the stone (v. 2).

The angel's appearance and the guards' reaction (vv. 3-4).

The angel announces Jesus' resurrection to the women and tells them they will see Him in Galilee (vv. 5-7).

The women, filled with joy and fear, run to tell the disciples (v. 8).

The resurrected Jesus appears to the women and greets them (vv. 9-10).

The Sanhedrin's False Testimony and the Priests' Plot (28:11-15)

The guards at the tomb report the events to the chief priests (v. 11).

The chief priests give the guards money and instruct them to spread the lie that Jesus' disciples stole the body (vv. 12-13).

This rumor spreads among the Jews (vv. 14-15).

Jesus' Appearance in Galilee and the Great Commission (28:16-20)

The eleven disciples go to the mountain in Galilee as Jesus directed (v. 16).

They see Jesus and worship Him, though some doubt (v. 17).

Jesus appears, declaring He has been given all authority, and commands them to preach the Gospel to all nations (v. 18).

He instructs them to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to teach all His commands (v. 19).

Jesus promises to be with them always, even to the end of the age (v. 20).

Key Themes

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: The central theme of Matthew 28 is the actual and historical resurrection of Jesus Christ. The empty tomb, the angelic testimony, and the encounters with the resurrected Jesus attest to the certainty of this event.

God's Power and Sovereignty: The resurrection demonstrates God's supernatural power and sovereignty, which is beyond human capability. The earthquake, the angelic intervention, and Jesus' triumph over death reveal God's absolute rule and plan.

The Mission Entrusted to the Disciples (The Great Commission): Jesus' resurrection is not merely a past event but leads to a present and future mission. After His resurrection, Jesus gives His disciples the Great Commission to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations.

The Expansion of the Kingdom of God: The authority of the resurrected Jesus encompasses all authority in heaven and on earth, foreshadowing the expansion of God's Kingdom on earth. The process of making disciples through baptism and teaching establishes the people of God's Kingdom.

Christ's Perpetual Presence: Along with the Great Commission, Jesus promises to be with His disciples always, even to the end of the age. This promise continues to be fulfilled through the Holy Spirit's presence in the history of the Church.

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

28:1-10 (The Beginning of the Resurrection)

v. 1: The phrase "As the Sabbath was ending and as the first day of the week was dawning" can be interpreted as a blending of Jewish timekeeping (the next day begins at sunset) and Roman timekeeping (the day begins at midnight or dawn). The Gospel writers describe the period from Saturday evening, when the Jewish Sabbath ended, to the early hours of Sunday morning, emphasizing the events that would soon unfold. "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary" were the first witnesses to Jesus' resurrection.

v. 2: "Suddenly there was a great earthquake" symbolizes God's presence and power, connecting to the earthquake that occurred at Jesus' death (Matt 27:51). The angel rolling away the stone is a physical act proving Jesus' resurrection. This signifies that Jesus' death was within God's sovereign plan and announces that the door to resurrection has been opened.

v. 3: The angel's "appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow" describes his divine glory and purity, sufficient to instill fear in the guards.

v. 4: The description of the guards trembling and becoming like dead men ("they were so terrified of him that they trembled and became like dead men") starkly contrasts human frailty in the face of the supernatural event of the resurrection with God's absolute power. This shows that Jesus' death was not preventable by human power or military might but was part of God's providence.

vv. 5-6: The angel reassures the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." This message declares that Jesus' death was not the end but a resurrection that fulfilled His words, marking a new beginning.

v. 7: The command "Go quickly and tell his disciples" assigns the mission to spread the news of the resurrection swiftly. The words, "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him," provide a specific promise that the disciples will meet Jesus again in Galilee.

v. 8: The women left the tomb "with great joy and with fear," showing the simultaneous shock and joy of the resurrection event.

vv. 9-10: The resurrected Jesus Himself appears to the women, greeting them with "Peace be with you." He allows them to grasp His feet and worship Him. This proves the reality of the resurrected Jesus and provides direct comfort and assurance to the disciples. Jesus again tells them to meet Him in Galilee.

28:11-15 (The Sanhedrin's False Testimony)

vv. 11-13: When the guards reported the resurrection events to the chief priests, they feared their authority would be undermined. They gave the guards money and instructed them to spread the lie, "Say that his disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep." This illustrates the human attempt to conceal Jesus' resurrection and the beginning of falsehood and distortion.

vv. 14-15: The record that this false rumor "has been widely told among the Jews to this day" suggests that malicious efforts to prevent belief in Jesus' resurrection have continued historically. This passage reveals the existence of forces that seek to distort the truth of the Gospel and reminds believers of the importance of discerning truth.

28:16-20 (Jesus' Appearance in Galilee and the Great Commission)

v. 16: The disciples go to "the mountain where Jesus had told them to go" in Galilee, as instructed by Jesus. This shows that obedience to Jesus' word is the way to encounter Him.

v. 17: Although the disciples worshiped Jesus when they saw Him, the record that "some doubted" indicates that the resurrection event was not immediately accepted by everyone. This suggests that doubt and faith can coexist in the journey of faith.

v. 18: Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," revealing His divine authority. This confirms Jesus' divinity through His resurrection and proclaims Him the ruler of all.

v. 19: The Great Commission, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," defines the fundamental mission of the Church. It signifies that the Gospel must be spread to all humanity, not just to a specific people. Baptizing "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" signifies the event of salvation accomplished in the name of the Triune God.

v. 20: The promise, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age," guarantees the continuing ministry of the Church and the presence of the Holy Spirit with His people even after Jesus' resurrection. This is a message of great comfort and assurance to believers.

Insights from the Original Languages

ἀνέστη (anestē): Used in verses 6 and 7, this is the aorist active indicative, third-person singular form of the verb ἀνίστημι (anistēmi), meaning "to rise" or "to resurrect." It emphasizes that Jesus' resurrection was not merely an act of getting up but an event of rising with new life, overcoming the power of death.

ἐξουσία (exousia): Translated as "authority" in verse 18, this word means "authority," "power," or "right." Jesus' declaration that He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth clearly demonstrates His divinity and His role as King of kings.

μαθητεύσατε (mathēteusate): Translated as "make disciples" in verse 19, this is the aorist imperative, second-person plural form of the verb μαθητεύω (mathēteuō), meaning "to make a disciple" or "to teach and make a disciple." It signifies the active mission of making people disciples of Christ through the Gospel, going beyond mere disciple training.

βαπτίζοντες (baptizontes): Translated as "baptizing" in verse 19, this is the present active participle of the verb βαπτίζω (baptizō), meaning "to baptize." It shows that baptism is an essential element in the process of making disciples.

διδάσκοντες (didaskontes): Translated as "teaching" in verse 20, this is the present active participle of the verb διδάσκω (didaskō), meaning "to teach." It indicates that teaching is a core part of the mission of making disciples.

Theological Perspectives — Comparative Analysis

Reformed Tradition: Views Jesus Christ's resurrection as the completion of His redemptive work and emphasizes that the Gospel of forgiveness of sins and eternal life obtained through it must be preached to all nations. The Great Commission is understood as the reason for the Church's existence and its mission, emphasizing both God's sovereign grace and humanity's responsible response.

Wesleyan/Methodist Tradition: Emphasizes the love and grace of the resurrected Jesus and urges all people to repent and believe the Gospel of salvation. The Great Commission is understood as a practical command to share Jesus' love with neighbors, emphasizing the empowerment by the Holy Spirit to fulfill this mission.

Lutheran Tradition: Emphasizes the Gospel of justification (being declared righteous) through the resurrected Jesus Christ. Jesus' atoning death and resurrection, which fulfilled the demands of the law, are the basis of faith that salvation is obtained by faith alone, not by human works.

Puritan Tradition: Stresses the holy presence of the resurrected Jesus and the absolute obedience to His commands. Fulfilling the Great Commission is for the glory of God, and deep meditation on Scripture and its application to life are considered important for this purpose.

Baptist Tradition: Views Jesus Christ's resurrection as confirmation of salvation and emphasizes the importance of biblical baptism. They value the ministry of preaching the Gospel according to the Great Commission and making disciples of those who are baptized by faith.

Anglican Tradition: Sees the resurrected Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church and believes that the power of Christ's resurrection is imparted to believers through the sacraments (especially Baptism and the Eucharist). The Great Commission is understood as the Church's public mission, emphasizing evangelism and education.

Greek Exegetical Approach: Deeply explores the meaning of the original languages to analyze the historical reality and theological significance of the resurrection event. It particularly seeks to grasp Jesus' divinity and the essence of His mission through the nuances of words like 'exousia' (authority) and 'mathēteusate' (make disciples).

German Pietist Tradition: Emphasizes a personal, experiential encounter with the resurrected Jesus and pursues a faith that leads to transformation and dedication in life. The Great Commission is understood as the practical outworking of this personal faith within the community.

Cross-References

Old Testament:

Isaiah 40:3: "A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'" (Connects to the angel's message in Matt 28:3)

Psalm 110:2: "The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies." (Related to the "all authority" in Matt 28:18)

Daniel 7:14: "He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men at every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." (Connects to the "all authority" in Matt 28:18)

New Testament:

Matthew 16:21: "From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." (Consistent with the resurrection prediction in Matt 28:6)

Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20: Other Gospel accounts of Jesus' resurrection.

Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Connects to the Great Commission in Matt 28:19-20)

Sermon / Application Points

Overcome Fear with the Power of the Resurrection: On the dawn of the first day of the week, the women who visited the tomb were filled with fear and sorrow. However, their fear turned into joy upon hearing the angel's message and meeting the resurrected Jesus. In the midst of any hardship or fear in our lives, the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection gives us new hope and courage.

Live as Witnesses of Truth: Jesus, after His resurrection, gave His disciples the mission to "make disciples of all nations." As witnesses of this resurrection Gospel, we must proclaim Christ's love and truth to the world through our lives and words.

Trust in Christ's Promise: Jesus promised, "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This promise assures us that we do not carry out this mission alone but live in the power and presence of Christ, who is always with us.

Move from Doubt to Faith: Even among the disciples, there were those who doubted after seeing the resurrected Jesus. Doubt may be a natural part of the journey of faith, but we must move beyond doubt to faith through Jesus' words and evidence.

Dedicate Yourselves to the Expansion of God's Kingdom: Jesus, who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, has commanded us to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. We must live lives that contribute to the expansion of this Kingdom through our lives, talents, and time.