Learn Matthew 28: What It Means and Why It Matters

Chapter Summary: The Point

Matthew 28 records the resurrection of Jesus and the sending of his disciples to all nations. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to the tomb after the Sabbath, and an angel of the Lord rolls away the stone and announces that Jesus has risen. The guards tremble, while the women receive the angel’s command to tell the disciples. Jesus meets the women, receives their worship, and sends them to tell his brothers to go to Galilee. Some guards report the events to the chief priests, and the leaders bribe them to spread a false story about the disciples stealing the body. The eleven disciples go to the mountain in Galilee, where they worship Jesus, though some hesitate in doubt. Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. He commands them to make disciples of all nations through going, baptizing, and teaching, and he promises his presence until the end of the age.

Outline: The Structure of Matthew 28

• Verses 1-4: The women come to the tomb, and the angel rolls away the stone.
• Verses 5-7: The angel announces that Jesus has risen.
• Verses 8-10: Jesus meets the women and sends them to his brothers.
• Verses 11-15: The guards report the events, and the leaders spread a false explanation.
• Verses 16-17: The eleven disciples meet Jesus in Galilee.
• Verses 18-20: Jesus gives the Great Commission and promises his presence.

Context: The Setting

Literary Flow and Genre: Matthew writes Gospel narrative with fulfillment themes, conflict scenes, teaching blocks, miracle accounts, and resurrection testimony. The traditional Christian view identifies Matthew the apostle as the author, writing to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah, Son of David, Son of Abraham, and King. Matthew 28 belongs to The Passion, Resurrection, and Mission of the King in Matthew 26:1-28:20. Chapter 27 ends with Jesus buried, the tomb sealed, and guards stationed there because the chief priests and Pharisees fear a resurrection claim. Matthew 28 answers that concern with angelic announcement, eyewitness encounter, a false report from the guards, and the risen Christ’s commission. Readers should follow the chapter as historical narrative and theological climax. Matthew uses movement, testimony, worship, authority, and mission to show that the crucified Jesus has risen and now sends his people to the nations.

History and Culture: The first day of the week follows the Sabbath and becomes the resurrection morning in the Christian witness. Tombs were commonly sealed with stones, and guards at the tomb made the claim of theft harder to sustain. Women function as the first witnesses in Matthew’s resurrection account, which fits the Gospel’s repeated concern for humble and unexpected recipients of revelation. Chief priests and elders had influence in Jerusalem and access to Roman authorities, so their promise to protect the soldiers from the governor fits the political setting. Galilee matters because Jesus had told the disciples they would see him there, and Galilee also recalls the place where much of his public ministry began. The final command turns Matthew’s Gospel outward from Israel’s Messiah to all nations under the risen King’s authority.

Matthew 28 Commentary: The Walkthrough

Verses 1-2: The Women and the Stone

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to see the tomb after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week begins to dawn. Matthew names women who had already been present near the cross and burial. Their witness connects death, burial, and resurrection within the same narrative line. They seek the tomb of the crucified Jesus, and the chapter immediately shows God’s action.

A great earthquake occurs because an angel of the Lord descends, rolls away the stone, and sits on it. The stone is moved to reveal the empty tomb, not to let Jesus escape. The resurrection has already happened by the time the angel speaks. The opened tomb displays what God has done.

Matthew uses earthquake language at Jesus’ death and again at the resurrection morning. Creation responds to the death and victory of the Son. The angel’s seated posture on the stone signals authority over the sealed tomb and over the human attempt to secure it.

Verses 3-4: The Angel and the Guards

The angel’s appearance is described with brightness and purity. Matthew says his appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. These are textual details, not added decoration. They mark the angel as a heavenly messenger sent by God.

The guards respond with fear. They shake and become like dead men. The armed guards are powerless before God’s messenger, though they had been placed there to secure the tomb. Their condition also forms a striking reversal. Jesus lives, and the guards at the tomb become like the dead.

Matthew prepares two lines of testimony. The women will receive the true announcement and carry it to the disciples. The guards will report what happened to the chief priests and then participate in a false explanation. The resurrection divides witnesses by response.

Verses 5-6: The Announcement

The angel speaks to the women: “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.” The crucifixion remains part of Jesus’ identity in the announcement. The risen one is the same Jesus who was crucified. The resurrection vindicates the crucified Christ.

The angel then says, “He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said.” The empty tomb is joined to Jesus’ own prior word. Matthew has recorded Jesus predicting his death and resurrection several times. The resurrection fulfills Jesus’ promise.

“Come, see the place where the Lord was lying” invites them to verify the tomb’s emptiness. The announcement is both spoken and shown. The women receive a word from heaven and a visible confirmation in the tomb.

Verse 7: The Command to Tell

The angel sends the women quickly to tell the disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead. Resurrection news must move. The first command after the announcement is witness. The women become messengers to the disciples.

The angel also says that Jesus goes before them into Galilee and that they will see him there. This fulfills Jesus’ word from Matthew 26:32. Galilee is the appointed place of reunion after failure, fear, and scattering. Jesus gathers his disciples again by grace.

“Behold, I have told you” gives solemn weight to the message. The women are entrusted with a clear report. They are to say what the angel has told them, not create their own explanation.

Verses 8-10: Jesus Meets the Women

The women depart quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy. Their response holds reverence and gladness together. They run to bring word to the disciples. Obedience begins at once.

Jesus meets them as they go and says, “Rejoice!” They take hold of his feet and worship him. The physical detail matters. They grasp the risen Jesus, and he receives worship. Matthew presents bodily resurrection and divine honor together.

Jesus repeats the command: “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.” Calling the disciples “my brothers” shows mercy after their abandonment. Jesus restores relationship before giving the global commission.

Verses 11-12: The Guards Report

While the women are going, some guards enter the city and report all that happened to the chief priests. The guards know enough to describe the events. Their testimony reaches the leaders who had tried to prevent a resurrection claim.

The chief priests assemble with the elders and take counsel. They respond through strategy rather than repentance. The leaders answer resurrection testimony with bribery. Matthew shows hardened unbelief at its most deliberate.

They give a large amount of silver to the soldiers. Silver has already appeared in the passion narrative through Judas’ betrayal. Money again serves the rejection of Jesus. The leaders cannot undo the empty tomb, so they attempt to control the explanation.

Verses 13-15: The False Story

The soldiers are told to say that the disciples came by night and stole Jesus while they slept. The claim is unstable on its face. Sleeping guards could not reliably identify thieves. Soldiers also faced serious consequences for failed watch, which explains the promise of protection from the governor.

The leaders say, “If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.” Political influence now supports religious resistance. The false report depends on money, fear, and protection from power.

Matthew says the story spread among the Jews and continued until his day. He writes to answer a known counterclaim. The Gospel faces denial directly. The empty tomb stands with angelic announcement, eyewitness worship, and the risen Jesus’ own appearance.

Verses 16-17: The Eleven in Galilee

The eleven disciples go into Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had appointed. Matthew says “the eleven” because Judas is gone. The number carries loss, yet Jesus still gathers them. Failure does not end the mission Jesus gives.

When they see him, they bow down to him, but some doubt. The word can describe hesitation or uncertainty. Matthew includes it honestly. The risen Jesus commissions worshiping disciples who still need his word, authority, and presence.

The mountain setting recalls important revelation scenes in Matthew, including the Sermon on the Mount and the transfiguration. Jesus teaches and reveals his authority on mountains. Here the risen King announces the authority that grounds the mission.

Verse 18: All Authority

Jesus comes near and speaks. His first statement is the foundation for everything that follows: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” The scope is total. Heaven and earth name the whole created order. The risen Jesus reigns with universal authority.

The phrase “has been given” points to the Father’s grant of authority to the Son. Daniel 7 stands behind the language of the Son of Man receiving dominion and kingdom. Matthew has shown Jesus’ authority over teaching, disease, demons, nature, sin, the temple, and judgment. Now his resurrection authority is announced openly.

The Great Commission rests on Jesus’ reign. Mission flows from authority already given to Christ. The church goes because the King reigns.

Verse 19: Make Disciples and Baptize

Jesus commands, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” WEBU notes that major textual traditions add “therefore,” and the logic is clear from verse 18. Because Jesus has all authority, his disciples must make disciples among all nations. The mission now extends beyond Israel to the nations.

The main command is to make disciples. Going serves that command. Baptizing serves that command. Teaching in verse 20 serves that command. The mission aims at formed followers of Jesus, not bare decisions or ethnic expansion.

Baptism is “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” “Name” is singular, and Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are named together. Matthew closes with Trinitarian baptism under the authority of the risen Christ. Baptism marks public entry into allegiance to the triune God.

Verse 20: Teach and Trust His Presence

Jesus commands the apostles to teach disciples “to observe all things that I commanded you.” The mission includes instruction and obedience. Christian teaching aims at practiced allegiance. The commands of Jesus are to be received, taught, and lived.

The content is broad: “all things.” Matthew’s Gospel has preserved Jesus’ teaching about righteousness, mercy, prayer, forgiveness, mission, endurance, church life, judgment, and love. New disciples from all nations must learn the King’s way.

Jesus ends with promise: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The Gospel began with Immanuel, “God with us,” and ends with Jesus’ continuing presence. The mission is sustained by the risen Christ himself. His presence remains with his people until the age reaches its appointed completion.

Timeline: The Dates

• After the Sabbath: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to see the tomb (Matthew 28:1).
• As it began to dawn on the first day of the week: The women arrive at the tomb on resurrection morning (Matthew 28:1).
• While they were going: Some guards enter the city and report the events to the chief priests (Matthew 28:11).
• Until today: The false report about the disciples stealing the body continues in Matthew’s day (Matthew 28:15).
• To the end of the age: Jesus promises his presence with his disciples throughout the mission (Matthew 28:20).

Application: The Practice

Personal Faith and Discipleship

1. Believe the risen Christ | The angel announces that Jesus has risen just as he said, and the women see the empty place where he had lain. Faith receives Jesus’ word as reliable because the resurrection confirms his promises. References: Matthew 28:5-7.
2. Worship without delay | The women take hold of Jesus’ feet and worship him when he meets them. Discipleship begins with honoring the risen Jesus as Lord before any task is performed. References: Matthew 28:8-10.
3. Obey through fear and joy | The women leave the tomb with fear and great joy, and they run to bring the message. Faithfulness in that setting meant carrying resurrection news despite trembling; Christian obedience now carries Christ’s word with reverence, gladness, and courage. References: Matthew 28:7-10.
4. Trust his presence | Jesus promises to be with his people always, even to the end of the age. The mission can expose weakness, hesitation, and opposition, yet the risen Christ sustains his disciples by his own presence. References: Matthew 28:16-20.

Church and Community

1. Center resurrection witness | Matthew grounds the church’s mission in the empty tomb, the angelic announcement, and the risen Jesus’ appearance. Congregations should keep the resurrection central in preaching, worship, baptism, and hope. References: Matthew 28:1-10.
2. Reject managed falsehood | The chief priests and elders use money and influence to spread a false report. Churches should resist the temptation to protect reputation through half-truths, secrecy, or controlled narratives. References: Matthew 28:11-15.
3. Make disciples patiently | Jesus commands his followers to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching obedience. The church’s task is formation under Christ’s authority, not merely gathering crowds or creating religious consumers. References: Matthew 28:18-20.

Leadership and Teaching

1. Lead from Christ’s authority | Jesus begins the commission by declaring all authority in heaven and on earth. Leaders should ground mission, preaching, discipline, and pastoral care in the risen King rather than personal influence or institutional strength. References: Matthew 28:18.
2. Teach all Jesus commanded | Jesus commands the apostles to teach disciples to observe all his commands. Christian leaders must teach the full counsel of Christ’s instruction in Matthew, including mercy, righteousness, forgiveness, mission, endurance, and judgment. References: Matthew 28:20.
3. Baptize with Trinitarian clarity | Jesus names the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the baptismal command. Teaching should present baptism as public allegiance to the triune God under the risen Christ’s authority. References: Matthew 28:19.
4. Strengthen hesitant worshipers | Some disciples bow down while some doubt, and Jesus still speaks his commission to them. Leaders should address hesitation with the word of the risen Christ and call people from uncertainty into obedient participation in his mission. References: Matthew 28:16-20.

Interpretive Options: The Differences

Who are “some” who doubted in verse 17?

• Broad Christian consensus: Many Christian interpreters understand the doubters as members of the gathered disciples who hesitate before the risen Jesus. Matthew reports this honestly to show that Jesus’ word and authority answer uncertainty. The commission rests on Christ’s authority rather than the disciples’ emotional strength.
• Some Protestant and evangelical interpreters: Some suggest that a larger group beyond the eleven may be present, making the doubt refer to others in the gathering. This view often connects the scene with wider resurrection appearances mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Matthew’s wording names the eleven directly, so the larger-group view remains possible but secondary.
• Pastoral reading across traditions: Many teachers stress that doubt here means hesitation rather than settled unbelief. The disciples bow before Jesus, and he comes near to speak. The passage encourages weak disciples without treating doubt as a virtue.

What does “make disciples of all nations” require?

• Broad Christian consensus: Jesus commands the church to bring all nations under his teaching through gospel proclamation, baptism, and instruction in obedience. The mission is grounded in Christ’s universal authority. The nations are included as disciples, not as outsiders receiving a lesser blessing.
• Reformed and many evangelical interpreters: These traditions often emphasize evangelism joined to teaching, baptism, and church formation. The command includes conversion and lifelong discipleship. Matthew 28 gives a comprehensive mission rather than a single evangelistic moment.
• Catholic and Orthodox: These traditions connect disciple-making with baptism, catechesis, worship, sacramental life, and incorporation into the visible church. They stress that the command forms a people who confess and obey Christ within the life of the church.

How should the baptismal formula in verse 19 be understood?

• Broad Christian consensus: Historic Christianity reads Matthew 28:19 as Trinitarian baptism into the one name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The singular “name” with the threefold naming supports the church’s confession of the triune God. Baptism marks belonging to God through the risen Christ.
• Oneness Pentecostal reading: Oneness Pentecostal interpreters often argue that baptisms “in Jesus’ name” in Acts override or reinterpret Matthew 28:19. Historic Christian interpretation reads Acts and Matthew together. Baptism in Jesus’ name identifies allegiance to Jesus, and Matthew gives the fuller Trinitarian wording commanded by the risen Lord.
• Some recent academic proposals: A few modern proposals have questioned the originality or liturgical development of the formula. The received text of Matthew includes the Trinitarian wording, and historic Christian teaching has treated the verse as central to baptismal confession. This commentary follows the WEBU text as given.

Common Misreadings: The Mistakes

“The stone was rolled away so Jesus could get out of the tomb.” Matthew says the angel rolled away the stone and then announced that Jesus had already risen. The opened tomb gives the women visible confirmation of the resurrection. The stone serves witness and revelation, while God has already raised the Son.

“The guards’ theft story is a reasonable alternative explanation.” Matthew shows that the story is purchased with silver and protected by political persuasion. Sleeping guards cannot give reliable testimony about who stole a body. The report functions as a deliberate false explanation against the resurrection witness.

“The Great Commission is only for the original apostles.” Jesus speaks first to the eleven, yet the command reaches all nations and continues to the end of the age. The promise of Christ’s presence spans the mission of the church. The apostles receive the commission as foundational witnesses, and the church continues that disciple-making task under their testimony.

Cult Watch: The Counterfeits

Oneness Pentecostalism: Matthew 28:19 is often reinterpreted in anti-Trinitarian baptismal teaching, especially by claiming that baptism must use only the words “in Jesus’ name” and that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are merely titles. Jesus commands baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The verse places the three together under one divine name, and the wider New Testament presents the Father, the Son, and the Spirit in personal relation within God’s saving work.

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Matthew 28:18-20 is sometimes used while denying the full deity of the Son and the personhood of the Holy Spirit. The chapter presents Jesus receiving worship, possessing all authority in heaven and on earth, and naming the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in baptism. The risen Christ’s authority and presence require a higher confession than created-agent language can carry.

Leading: The Teaching Guide

The Aim: Matthew 28 teaches that the crucified Jesus has risen, possesses all authority, and sends his disciples to make disciples of all nations with the promise of his abiding presence, with verses 5-10 and 18-20 carrying the chapter’s main claim most clearly.

A Teaching Flow:

1. Begin at the tomb. Show the women, the angel, the empty place, and the announcement that Jesus has risen just as he said.
2. Move to the first witnesses. Emphasize the women’s fear, joy, obedience, worship, and commission to tell the disciples.
3. Explain the false report. Show how the guards’ testimony is redirected by money and political pressure.
4. Gather the disciples in Galilee. Point out worship, hesitation, and Jesus’ authority as the basis of mission.
5. Finish with the commission. Teach going, disciple-making, baptism, instruction, and Christ’s promised presence as one unified charge.

The Approach: Teach Matthew 28 as the climax of the Gospel rather than an isolated mission slogan. The resurrection confirms Jesus’ identity, the false report shows continuing resistance, and the Great Commission sends the church under the risen King’s authority. Keep the chapter’s comfort and command together. Jesus is risen, Jesus reigns, Jesus sends, and Jesus remains with his people.

Cross-References: The Connections

Daniel 7:13-14 – Describes the Son of Man receiving dominion and kingdom, which illuminates Jesus’ claim to all authority.

Psalm 2:7-12 – Presents God’s anointed King receiving the nations and calls rulers to submit to the Son.

Isaiah 52:7-10 – Announces good news and God’s salvation reaching the nations, fitting the worldwide direction of Jesus’ commission.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 – Displays God’s power to bring life from death, strengthening the resurrection hope fulfilled in Christ.

Luke 24:44-49 – Connects Jesus’ resurrection with repentance and forgiveness preached to all nations.

John 20:19-23 – Shows the risen Jesus sending his disciples and giving them peace.

Acts 1:8 – Gives the risen Christ’s mission pattern from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 – Summarizes the apostolic testimony that Christ died, was buried, rose, and appeared to witnesses.

Revelation 1:17-18 – Presents the risen Jesus as the living one who died and now lives forever with authority over death.

Further Study: The Articles

Coming Soon!