Matthew 28 is the final chapter of the Book of Matthew. This Gospel recounts the story of Jesus’ resurrection and the Great Commission to His disciples.
Summary of Matthew 28
Matthew chapter 28 opens with Mary Magdalene and another Mary visiting Jesus’ tomb after the Sabbath. Their grief is interrupted by a powerful scene: an angel of the Lord descends from heaven, rolls back the stone sealing the tomb, and declares that Jesus has risen from the dead. This miraculous event forms the core of the chapter and the entire Gospel of Matthew.
The angel instructs the women to inform the disciples about Jesus’ resurrection. Filled with a mixture of fear and joy, they set out on their errand. On their way, they encounter the risen Jesus Himself, who reinforces the message and tells them to instruct the disciples to meet Him in Galilee.
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. They devised a plan to give the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The chapter concludes with a transformative moment: the disciples meet Jesus on a mountain in Galilee. Here, Jesus delivers the Great Commission, entrusting His followers with the crucial task of making disciples of all nations. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28 Themes
- Triumphant Resurrection: The overriding theme of Matthew 28 is the resurrection of Jesus. This event serves as the ultimate validation of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and His teachings. It demonstrates Jesus’ power over death, offering hope and eternal life to His followers.
- The Great Commission: Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples, known as the Great Commission, marks a significant turning point. He charges them with the monumental task of spreading the Gospel message and making disciples throughout the world. This mission becomes the central purpose of the early Church.
- Significance of Women: Matthew 28 sheds light on the significance of women in the early Christian movement. It’s noteworthy that women are the first witnesses to the empty tomb and the first to encounter the risen Jesus. This challenges the societal norms of the time, which negated testimony by women, and emphasizes the importance of women as credible witnesses.
- Spectrum of Emotions: The chapter portrays a range of emotions experienced by the characters. The women display fear and grief at the tomb, which is then replaced by joy at the news of the resurrection. The disciples, upon encountering Jesus, experience a mixture of awe, worship, and even doubt. This spectrum of emotions reflects the profound impact of these events.
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