Matthew 28: He Is Risen Indeed
Jesus rises from the dead, meets his followers, and sends them to disciple all nations.
Matthew 28 (WEB)
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
2 Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
4 For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
5 The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.
6 He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.
7 Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”
8 They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
9 As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all the things that had happened.
12 When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers,
13 saying, “Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.”
15 So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until this day.
16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.
17 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted.
18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go,and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28 (KJV)
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, 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 secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28 (ASV)
1 Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
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 unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye 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 lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
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 saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto 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 unto the soldiers,
13 saying, Say ye, 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 taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continueth until this day.
16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go ye 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:
20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Summary
Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to the tomb. A great earthquake occurs as an angel descends, rolls back the stone, and sits on it, terrifying the guards. The angel tells the women not to be afraid: Jesus has risen, just as he said. He invites them to see the empty place and to go quickly and tell the disciples. As they run with fear and great joy, Jesus himself meets them, and they worship at his feet. He repeats the message to go to Galilee. Meanwhile, the guards report to the chief priests, who bribe them to spread a lie that the disciples stole the body. The eleven go to Galilee, where the risen Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and earth is his, commissions them to make disciples of all nations, and promises to be with them always.
Main Characters
- Jesus — The risen Lord who meets the women, claims all authority in heaven and earth, and sends his disciples to all nations.
- Mary Magdalene and the other Mary — The women who come to the tomb, hear the angel, and become the first to see and worship the risen Jesus.
- The angel of the Lord — God's messenger who rolls back the stone and announces that Jesus has risen just as he said.
- The eleven disciples — The gathered followers who worship Jesus in Galilee, though some doubt, and receive the Great Commission.
Key Verse
Matthew 28:19-20 (WEB)
Go,and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Lessons Learned
- The resurrection is the Father's vindication of Jesus and the foundation of Christian hope.
- The risen Christ holds all authority in heaven and on earth.
- Every believer is sent to make disciples of all nations through the gospel.
- Jesus promises his abiding presence to his people to the very end of the age.
- The resurrection is a real, historical victory. The angel announces, 'He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said' (Matthew 28:6, WEB).
- Encountering the risen Christ leads to worship. The women take hold of his feet and worship him (Matthew 28:9, WEB).
- Truth is often resisted by convenient lies. The leaders bribe the guards to claim the disciples stole the body (Matthew 28:13, WEB).
- Jesus reigns with complete authority. He declares, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth' (Matthew 28:18, WEB).
- The church is sent to disciple the nations. Jesus commands his followers to make disciples, baptizing and teaching them (Matthew 28:19, WEB).
- We never go alone. Jesus promises, 'I am with you always, even to the end of the age' (Matthew 28:20, WEB).
- How does the angel's message, 'He is not here, for he has risen,' change everything about the story so far?
- Why do you think the women feel both fear and great joy, and how do those mix in our own faith?
- What is the connection between Jesus' authority and the command to make disciples of all nations?
- How does the promise 'I am with you always' encourage you in the task Jesus gives?
- What is one step you can take to share in the Great Commission where God has placed you?
- The empty tomb means Jesus' death was not defeat but the path to victory; his promise to rise has come true, validating all he taught and securing salvation for those who trust him (Matthew 28:6).
- They have just faced the terror of a quaking earth and an angel like lightning, yet receive the best news imaginable; reverent fear and joyful wonder belong together when we meet the risen Lord (Matthew 28:4-8).
- Because all authority in heaven and earth belongs to Jesus, his command carries his power; we make disciples not in our own strength but under the reign of the risen King (Matthew 28:18-19).
- This is a personal-application question. Encourage members to share where the task feels daunting, and dwell on Jesus' presence as the source of courage rather than self-sufficiency (Matthew 28:20).
- This is a personal-application question. Help each person name one concrete, realistic step in their own setting, and consider praying for one another to follow through (Matthew 28:19-20).