MATTHEW 28

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS + THE GREAT COMMISSION

After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, visit the tomb. Mary Magdalene was a disciple of Jesus and one of His ministry’s financial supporters. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus healed her of seven demons (Luke 8:1-3). She witnessed the crucifixion and burial of Jesus and was the first person to see Him after the resurrection. Mary, mentioned in Matthew as the other Mary, is most likely the mother of Jesus.

There is a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord comes from heaven and rolls back the stone guarding the tomb. The appearance of the angel startles the guards, and they shake with fear.

The angel encourages the women, telling them not to be afraid. Sharing the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, the angel tells them, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” After seeing the empty tomb of Jesus, the women run to tell the disciples.

On their way to share the news, Jesus meets them, and they fall to His feet in worship. Jesus says to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

While the women are on their way, some of the guards report the news of the resurrection to the chief priests. Wanting to keep the resurrection quiet, the priests and elders bribe the guards with a large sum of money to say that the body of Jesus was stolen while they were asleep.

The eleven remaining disciples, the original twelve minus Judas, arrive in Galilee. When they see Jesus, they worship Him, but some still doubted, unable to comprehend the resurrection. Jesus shares with them the Great Commission, instructing them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey the commands. Jesus promises to be with the disciples always, to the very end of the age.