Matthew 28:1-4
28 1 After the Sabbath day, when Sunday morning was dawning, Mary (the one from Magdala) and the other Mary were on their way to look at the grave. 2 Suddenly, there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. He went to the large stone and rolled it away. Then the angel sat on top of it. 3 His appearance was shining like lightning. His clothes were as white as snow. 4 The men who were guarding the tomb acted as if they were dead men; they trembled with fear.
The Resurrection, 28:1-8 (Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10).
[1] Matthew indicated that the Sabbath was over when the women visited. Jewish days were marked from sundown to sundown. Therefore, Sunday (the first day of the week) began on Saturday night after 6:00 p.m. Matthew made it clear that the women visited near the dawn of Sunday morning. The two women had witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross (Matthew 27:56) and His burial (Matthew 27:61). Luke indicated that another woman was with them, Joanna (Luke 24:10).
[2-4] Matthew alone told about the opening of the tomb. Earthquakes often occurred when there was a powerful act by God or His messengers (Matthew 24:7; Acts 16:26). An angel from heaven came and rolled away the stone, breaking the seal (Matthew 27:65-66). Heavenly beings like angels appeared bright, like lightning (Daniel 10:6; Matthew 24:27). White garments represented purity (Daniel 7:9; Matthew 17:2; Revelation 1:14; 3:5). Snow is very white, frozen rain that is sometimes seen on the top of high mountains. All that happened frightened the guards. They became like dead men.
Matthew 28:5-20
5 The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who was nailed to the cross. 6 He is not here! He was raised from death, just as he said. Come, look at the place where he lay. 7 Go quickly and tell his followers: ‘Jesus has been raised from death! Listen, he will go ahead of you to the land of Galilee. You will see him there.’ Remember, I told you.” 8 The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, yet very happy. They ran to tell Jesus’ followers. 9 Suddenly, Jesus met them. He said, “Greetings!” They went to him, held onto his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee. They will see me there.” 11 While the women were going, some of the guards went into Jerusalem. They told the most important priests everything which had happened. 12 The priests had a meeting with the Jewish elders. They decided to give the soldiers some money to lie. 13 They said to the soldiers, “Say this: ‘While we were sleeping, the followers of Jesus came at night and stole his body.’ 14 If the governor hears about this, we will make him believe us. We will fix it; don’t worry.” 15 So, the soldiers took the money and did as they were told. This rumor has spread among Jewish people until this very day. 16 The eleven followers went to a mountain in Galilee where Jesus had told them to meet him. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some had doubts. 18 Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, after you’ve gone out, make followers for me from all nations. Immerse them by the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything I commanded you. Remember, I will always be with you—even until the end of time!”
[5-8] The angel caused the guards to fear, but he told the women not to be afraid. The angel was the first to announce the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection was the most powerful act in the history of the world. The fear of death waits for all people, but Jesus defeated death, and He was proclaimed Lord (Acts 2:24-36; Philippians 2:8-11). Jesus was raised to life “just as He said.” He had made many references to the fact that He would be raised from the dead (Matthew 12:40; 16:21; 17:9, 23; 20:19; 26:32). The women were given proof—the tomb was empty!
The Appearance of Jesus, 28:9-10.
[9-10] When Jesus greeted the women, they took hold of His feet and worshipped Him. The action of the women was a common action which showed submission to Christ. Jesus gave the same message as the angel (verse 7).
The Soldiers Tell a Lie, 28:11-15.
[11-14] None of the other gospel writers told about the soldiers. The soldiers went to the priests probably because they were temple guards or soldiers assigned to the temple (Matthew 27:65). Evidently, they were also responsible to Pilate (verse 14). The soldiers knew that the very thing which the Jewish leaders feared had happened (Matthew 27:64-66). The soldiers were witnesses of the events of the resurrection and also of the empty tomb. Their report was proof. The only way out for the Jewish leaders was to make the soldiers lie. They decided to bribe the soldiers. It appeared that possibly they had in mind to bribe the governor as well. It would have been a dangerous thing for a soldier to sleep while on guard duty (see Acts 16:27). This would have been an act punishable by death.
[15] “Until this very day” meant at the time Matthew wrote the gospel.
The Great Commission, 28:16-20.
[16-17] There were now only eleven disciples because Judas had killed himself (Matthew 27:3-5). They worshipped Him, just as the women did (Matthew 28:9). Jesus had said that some would doubt even after He was raised (Luke 16:31).
[18] Jesus had authority given to Him (Matthew 11:27; Revelation 2:27; Philippians 2:9-11). “Heaven and earth” emphasized that he had all authority. There is no authority that is not under Him. He has it all. The commission (verses 18-20) is also found in Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47-48; John 20:21-23; and Acts 1:8. Matthew states it the most powerfully.
[19-20] The followers were to do three things: make more followers, baptize (immerse) them (This is the point at which someone becomes a Christian and receives the forgiveness of sins – Acts 2:38), and teach them His ways. The Good News of Jesus was for all people, every ethnic group. In Acts 1:8 Jesus told them how they were to spread the news to all people. The rest of Acts tells how they did this. Study Acts to see stories of men being saved by the power of the risen Christ. God wants all people to know about Jesus and to follow Him. Teaching leads to a conversion or a new birth (John 3:3-5). Jesus said they were to baptize “by the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” All three were present at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 3:16-17). They are all involved in the salvation of men.
Teaching about Jesus and deciding to follow Him lead to a change in life. The Christian should continue to study so he can learn more and obey his Lord. An obedient life should be the continual response of Christ’s followers (see Romans 12:1-2). Jesus closed His speech with a promise. Jesus promised a close relationship with His followers. It is a secure, permanent promise. He promised to be with them. He did not leave them alone! His power and person are with them through the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; John 14:15-19; 16:7-15). Until the end of time, Jesus is with His followers, sharing His victory over the fear of evil and death.