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Matthew 28 · Berean Standard Bible

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¹After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ²Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. ⁵But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. ⁷Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.” ⁸So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. ⁹Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. ¹⁰“Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.” ¹¹While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. ¹²And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money ¹³and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵So the guards took the money and did as they were instructed. And this account has been circulated among the Jews to this very day. ¹⁶Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated. ¹⁷When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Berean Standard Bible · public domain. More versions and languages in the Reading Plan.

Matthew

Matthew 28

The Resurrection Dawn and the Commission of Authority

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Objective

To reveal the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of His promise, the establishment of His sovereign authority, and the sending forth of His disciples to make disciples of all nations.

Overview

Matthew 28 unfolds the climactic moment of the gospel: the resurrection of Jesus. It begins with the women arriving at the tomb at dawn, encountering an angelic revelation that Christ is risen. Fear and joy mingle as they receive the command to inform the disciples. Jesus appears to them, affirming His victory over death and commissioning His followers with all authority to disciple the nations, promising His abiding presence until the end of the age.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

As the Sabbath ends and dawn breaks on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary approach the tomb. Suddenly, a great earthquake shakes the ground as an angel of the Lord descends from heaven, rolls back the stone, and sits upon it. His appearance is radiant, like lightning and snow. The guards tremble in terror and become as dead men. The angel speaks to the women, assuring them not to fear, declaring that Jesus, who was crucified, is not there—He has risen as He said. He invites them to see the place where Jesus lay and commands them to quickly tell the disciples that Jesus will meet them in Galilee. Filled with a mixture of fear and great joy, they run to deliver the message.

Central Themes

The reality of the resurrection

Divine power over death and nature

Fear mingled with joy in encountering the divine

Faithfulness of God’s promises

Cultural & Historical Context

The resurrection was the pivotal hope of Israel, yet unexpected in its manner. The angelic messenger and the earthquake signify divine intervention, echoing Old Testament theophanies where God’s presence shakes the earth (Psalm 18:7; Exodus 19:18). The women’s role as first witnesses challenges cultural norms, underscoring God’s overturning of human expectations. The empty tomb confirms Jesus’ victory over death, fulfilling His predictions (Matthew 16:21; 17:23).

Key Verse

Matthew 28:6

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Resurrection Morning: Fear and Joy at the Empty Tomb

A dawn sky tinged with soft gold and pale blue, the massive stone rolled away from the dark tomb entrance. A radiant angel, glowing with lightning-like brilliance and snow-white robes, sits serenely upon the stone. The earth trembles beneath, and trembling guards lie prostrate, shadows cast long in the early light. Two women stand at the threshold, faces a mixture of awe, fear, and joy, as the first light of resurrection breaks the darkness.

The Appearance of the Risen Lord and the Women’s Worship

In a quiet, green hillside of Galilee, Jesus stands before the women, His countenance calm and victorious. The women fall at His feet, their hands reaching out in worship and reverence. The morning sun bathes the scene in warm light, symbolizing new life and hope. The atmosphere is charged with peace overcoming fear, and the promise of reunion and mission.

The Conspiracy of Silence: The Guards and the Chief Priests

A dimly lit chamber where stern-faced chief priests and elders gather around a table strewn with silver coins. Soldiers, weary and anxious, receive the bribe, their faces shadowed with fear and complicity. The room is heavy with tension and deceit, contrasting starkly with the radiant light of the resurrection outside, unseen and unacknowledged by these men.

The Great Commission: Authority and Mission

On a mountain bathed in golden sunlight, the risen Christ stands tall, arms raised in blessing and command. Around Him, the disciples stand in varied postures—some worshipful, some hesitant, some resolute. The horizon stretches wide, symbolizing the nations to be reached. A subtle glow surrounds Jesus, signifying His all-encompassing authority and presence. The scene pulses with the call to mission and the promise of divine accompaniment.

Song

Matthew 28 Song

Verse 1:

At dawn’s first light, the stone rolled away, An angel’s voice breaks the silent gray. Fear and joy entwined in trembling hearts, The tomb is empty, death departs.

Verse 2:

Women run with news to share, Met by Jesus, risen there. Worship flows from hearts set free, Fear replaced by victory.

Chorus:

He is risen, the Lord has won, Over death, the risen Son. Go and tell, proclaim His name, All authority, His to claim.

Bridge:

Though some doubt, His word remains, Power given, breaking chains. Baptize, teach, make disciples true, He is with us, ever new.

Final Chorus:

He is risen, the Lord has won, Over death, the risen Son. Go and tell, proclaim His name, All authority, His to claim. Forever near, till time shall cease, The risen Christ, our Prince of Peace.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Embrace the resurrection as the foundation of personal hope and victory over fear and death.

Respond to Jesus’ presence with worship and obedience, trusting His promises.

Allow the resurrection power to transform doubt into faith and courage.

Community & Society

Encourage the church to witness boldly, sharing the resurrection message with joy and reverence.

Promote unity in mission, teaching and baptizing as commanded by Christ.

Resist falsehoods and deceptions that seek to undermine the gospel truth.

Global Perspective

Engage in the Great Commission by supporting missions and cross-cultural disciple-making.

Recognize the universal authority of Christ over all nations and cultures.

Pray for the abiding presence of Christ to empower the global church until the end of the age.

Conclusion

Matthew 28 stands as the triumphant climax of the gospel narrative. The resurrection dawn breaks the power of death and ushers in a new era of divine authority and mission. The risen Christ, radiant and victorious, commissions His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching in the name of the triune God. His promise to be with His people always assures the church of His enduring presence and power. This chapter calls believers to live in the light of resurrection hope, worship in spirit and truth, and labor faithfully in the harvest of the nations.