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 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, 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 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 tomb entrance. 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 was only a sign for the women to see the empty place where the Lord was laid and to confirm Jesus' meeting with the disciples in Galilee. 3) The risen Lord meets Mary Magdalene and the other Mary on the way from the tomb to a place where the disciples were gathered. The Lord Jesus meets the women and tells 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 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 meets with His eleven disciples in Galilee on a mountain. This is an important meeting 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 Jesus from all the nations of the earth. At this point, 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 descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.
3
His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4
and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.
5
And the angel answered and said to the women, Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus , who hath been crucified.
6
He is not here; for He is risen, even as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
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 they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
9
And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of His feet, and worshipped Him .
10
Then says Jesus to them, Fear not: go tell My brothers that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see Me .
Comments Matthew 28:10
These women have the privilege to see the resurrected Lord first because of sorrow in their hearts. As they sit in front of the tomb, the Lord has mercy for them. The Lord sends these women to remind the disciples about the meeting in Galilee. This is human nature; when too many things happen, we forget what we have been told. The disciples are commoners as well; regardless of how many times the Lord will tell them when things happen, all will forget what the Lord has told them.
11
Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told to the chief priests all the things that were come to pass.
12
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money to the soldiers,
13
saying, Say you, His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept.
14
And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care.
15
So they took the money, and did as they were instructed: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until this 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 the money and 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 that have seen, money still buys the words of their mouths. "Among the Jews," because they must discredit Jesus towards the Jews first because Jesus is a Jew; people of His own flesh, but they are the least who accept Him.
16
But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17
And when they saw Him , they worshipped Him ; but some doubted.
Comments Matthew 28:16-17
In this place in Galilee, on this mountain, the Lord 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 that believe. The Lord has given the disciples specific direction on where to meet Him. In the same way, the Lord gives the rest of the world directions in the Bible on 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.
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 our soul that has the inner connection with 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 our soul that has the inner connection with the Lord.
18
And Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and on earth.
19
Go you therefore, and 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 28:18-20a
These verses tell those who follow the Lord's teaching that all should do the same way as the Bible has taught. When you meet someone, the first thing in your heart should be calling 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 that word, for all that you have 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 but think of the Lord first, and the word will come.
“baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”; When you baptize, you cannot omit any names; a complete baptism must always be in the God of Three; you cannot skip any names, and this is an order of the Way. Therefore, if anywhere baptizes differently, do not even be involved with them; you cannot be baptized without all 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, you cannot omit any names; a complete baptism must always be in the God of Three; you cannot skip any names, and this is an order of the Way. Therefore, if anywhere baptizes differently, do not even be involved with them; you cannot be baptized without all Three (The Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit).
20
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Comments Matthew 28:20
In this verse, we have two portions, "I am with you always" 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 has told; "To the end of the world (or age)" means until, the earth itself has collapsed, and the end of all things takes place. This refers not just to the end of the human race but the end of the earth itself because in Him, 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 has risen, and as He met the disciples on the Galilee Mountain, 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 search for the power that money has to offer. The Bible teaches us that money is the root of evil, and if money controls your mind, you will hear the voice of money louder than the voice of the Lord. 3) As a follower of Jesus Christ, we must follow the Lord's commandments and spread the Word of God to all people, and all followers must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.