# Overview Matthew Chapter 28 concludes the Gospel with the triumphant resurrection of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], a cornerstone of the Christian faith. The chapter opens with #MaryMagdalene and the other Mary visiting Jesus' tomb at dawn on the first day of the week. They encounter a great earthquake and an angel of the Lord, who descends from heaven, rolls back the stone, and sits upon it. The angel's appearance is like lightning, and his clothing white as snow, causing the guards to tremble and become like dead men. The angel announces to the women that Jesus, who was crucified, has risen, instructing them to see the empty tomb and to go quickly to tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead and will meet them in #Galilee. As the women depart with fear and great joy to deliver the message, Jesus himself meets them, greets them, and they worship him. Jesus also instructs them to tell his brethren to go to Galilee, where they will see him. The chapter further narrates the response of the guards who report the events to the chief priests. A plan is concocted to spread the false story that Jesus' disciples stole his body while the guards were asleep, to counter the resurrection report. The narrative then transitions to the final commissioning of Jesus' disciples in Galilee. Jesus appears to them on a mountain and declares his authority over heaven and earth, commissioning them with the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the #HolySpirit, and teaching them to observe all things he has commanded. Jesus concludes with the assurance of his continual presence with them always, even to the end of the age, affirming the perpetual guidance and support for the disciples' mission in spreading the Gospel. ## Theological Insights Matthew 28 serves as the climactic conclusion to the Gospel of Matthew, presenting several profound theological insights. 1. **The Resurrection of Jesus**: The chapter begins with the account of the resurrection of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], which is central to Christian faith. The resurrection is the validation of Jesus’ divine identity and the fulfillment of His predictions about His death and resurrection (e.g., [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 16|Matthew 16:21]], [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 17|Matthew 17:23]]). It underscores Jesus' victory over sin and death, affirming His power and authority as the Son of #God. 2. **The Great Commission**: Jesus' commissioning of His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 is a pivotal moment for the #Christian mission. It underscores the universality of the Gospel, commanding the disciples to "make disciples of all nations." This directive aligns with God's promise to #Abraham that all nations will be blessed through him ([[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Genesis 12:3]]), and it emphasizes the expansion of God’s kingdom to include all peoples. 3. **Authority of Christ**: Jesus declares that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). This statement reflects the fulfillment of prophetic declarations about the Messiah's rule, such as in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 7|Daniel 7:14]]. This authority is foundational for the mission of the Church, as it is underpinned by Jesus’ sovereign rule. 4. **The Presence of Jesus**: Jesus promises His continual presence with His followers, saying, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). This assurance echoes the promise of #Immanuel, "God with us" ([[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 7|Isaiah 7:14]]), and provides the disciples with confidence and hope as they carry out their mission. 5. **Fulfillment of Prophecy**: The events of Matthew 28 also fulfill Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering, death, and resurrection, as well as the proclamation of His victory (e.g., [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 22|Psalm 22]], [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53]]). Overall, Matthew 28 encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message: the victory of Jesus over death, the commissioning to spread this good news, and the assurance of His presence with His followers, all rooted in the authority and fulfillment of divine prophecy. ## Thematic Connections ### The Resurrection and Victory Over Death Matthew 28 begins with the account of the #Resurrection of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], emphasizing the theme of victory over death. This pivotal event connects to the promise found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 25|Isaiah 25:8]] that God will "swallow up death forever" and resonates with the hope expressed in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 15|1 Corinthians 15:54-57]] where #Paul declares the defeat of death through Christ. It highlights the fulfillment of Jesus' own predictions about His resurrection, as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 16|Matthew 16:21]], and reinforces the assurance of eternal life for believers. ### The Great Commission and Global Mission The chapter concludes with the #GreatCommission, where Jesus instructs His disciples to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This charge connects to the wider biblical theme of God's desire to bless all nations, first articulated in the promise to [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Abraham]] that all peoples on earth will be blessed through him. It also aligns with the expansion of the gospel seen in the early church, as depicted in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 1|Acts 1:8]] and carried out through the missionary journeys of #Paul and others. ### The Presence of Jesus with His Followers In His final words, Jesus promises, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). This assurance echoes God's promise to be with His people throughout the Old Testament, such as to Joshua in [[Joshua/Joshua Chapter 1|Joshua 1:9]], and reaffirms the name "Immanuel," meaning "God with us," introduced in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1|Matthew 1:23]]. This theme emphasizes the ongoing presence and support of Jesus in the lives of believers, a reassurance that undergirds the mission of the Church. ### Authority of Christ Jesus’ declaration that "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18) underscores the theme of Christ's divine authority. This connects to #Daniel's vision of the Son of Man receiving authority in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 7|Daniel 7:13-14]] and is further affirmed in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 2|Philippians 2:9-11]], where #Paul speaks of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus is Lord. This authority empowers the Church’s mission and assures believers of Christ's sovereign rule over all creation. ### Fear and Joy in the Resurrection The reactions of the women at the tomb, filled with both fear and great joy (Matthew 28:8), reflect a recurring theme of encountering the divine with reverence and elation. Similar responses can be seen in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 2|Luke 2:9-10]], where the shepherds react to the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth, and in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 1|Revelation 1:17]], where #John falls at the feet of the risen Christ. This theme captures the awe-inspiring and transformative nature of experiencing God's power and presence. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Resurrection of the Messiah Matthew 28 highlights the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the #Resurrection of the #Messiah. Passages such as [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 16|Psalm 16:10]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53:10-11]] foretold that God’s Holy One would not see decay and would prolong his days, respectively. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, as depicted in Matthew 28, confirms His identity as the prophesied Messiah and underscores the victory over death, affirming the hope of eternal life for believers. ### The Great Commission and the Nations The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 aligns with prophecies about the inclusion of the #Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan. In [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 49|Isaiah 49:6]], God speaks of making His servant a light to the nations, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations fulfills these prophecies, extending the promise of salvation beyond #Israel to all humanity, illustrating the global scope of God's redemptive mission. ### The Authority of the Messiah In Matthew 28:18, Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, fulfilling Old Testament expectations of a divine ruler. Prophecies such as those found in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 7|Daniel 7:13-14]], where a Son of Man is given dominion and glory, are realized in Jesus. His resurrection and authoritative commission underscore His role as the sovereign King, bringing to fruition the prophetic vision of a ruler with everlasting dominion. ### Assurance of God's Presence Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always, to the end of the age," fulfills the prophetic promise of God’s enduring presence with His people. This echoes the Emmanuel prophecy from [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 7|Isaiah 7:14]], where God is with us, and reinforces the theme of God’s continual presence, support, and guidance for His followers, assuring them of His perpetual companionship as they fulfill their mission. ## Verses - **Matthew 28:1** - "Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary #Magdalene and the other #Mary went out to visit the tomb." - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 16]] - **Matthew 28:2** - "Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it." - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]] - **Matthew 28:3** - "His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow." - See also: [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 10]], [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 1]] - **Matthew 28:4** - "The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint." - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]] - **Matthew 28:5** - "Then the angel spoke to the women. 'Don’t be afraid!' he said. 'I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.'" - See also: [[Luke/Luke Chapter 24]], [[John/John Chapter 20]] - **Matthew 28:6** - "'He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.'" - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 16]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 16]] - **Matthew 28:7** - "'And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.'" - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 26]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 16]] - **Matthew 28:8** - "The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message." - See also: [[Mark/Mark Chapter 16]], [[Luke/Luke Chapter 24]] - **Matthew 28:9** - "And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him." - See also: [[John/John Chapter 20]] - **Matthew 28:10** - "Then Jesus said to them, 'Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.'" - See also: [[John/John Chapter 20]], [[Acts/Acts Chapter 1]] - **Matthew 28:11** - "As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened." - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]] - **Matthew 28:12** - "A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe." - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]] - **Matthew 28:13** - "They told the soldiers, 'You must say, "Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body."'" - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]] - **Matthew 28:14** - "'If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.'" - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]] - **Matthew 28:15** - "So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today." - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]] - **Matthew 28:16** - "Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go." - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 26]], [[John/John Chapter 21]] - **Matthew 28:17** - "When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!" - See also: [[John/John Chapter 20]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 16]] - **Matthew 28:18** - "Jesus came and told his disciples, 'I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.'" - See also: [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 7]], [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 2]] - **Matthew 28:19** - "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." - See also: [[Acts/Acts Chapter 1]], [[Acts/Acts Chapter 2]] - **Matthew 28:20** - "Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - See also: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1]], [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 13]]