What is the meaning of Matthew 28?
Imagine standing at the edge of history’s greatest moment—the very morning when death was defeated, and hope was forever secured. What if everything you believed about life, purpose, and eternity hinged on a single event? Matthew 28 isn’t just the final chapter of a Gospel; it’s the turning point of humanity through the finished work of the Messiah and His Body (the Church).
This chapter bursts with the triumphant resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus) and His final command—the Great Commission—setting in motion a worldwide movement that continues to this day. It’s more than ancient history; it’s the foundation of your faith, your mission, and your calling. Whether you’ve read this passage countless times or are encountering it anew, its significance cannot be overstated. Let’s step into the wonder, power, and purpose of Matthew 28 together.
Context of Matthew 28
Within the immediate context of Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 28 serves as the triumphant conclusion to a narrative that began with Yeshua’s genealogy and birth. Matthew has carefully constructed his account to demonstrate that Yeshua is the promised Messiah, the son of David, and the fulfillment of Hebrew prophecy. The resurrection account in this chapter serves as the divine vindication of all of Yeshua’s claims and teaching, while the Great Commission flows naturally from His newly declared “all authority in heaven and on earth.”
In the broader biblical context, this chapter fulfills numerous Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s victory over death (e.g., Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 53:10-12). The resurrection narrative here also parallels and complements the accounts in the other Gospels, while the Great Commission expands the covenant promise to Abraham that through his seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).
The chapter’s placement at the end of Matthew’s Gospel is particularly significant as it forms a bridge between the Gospels and Acts, setting the stage for the worldwide expansion of the Messianic faith. It provides the theological foundation and practical imperative for the church’s mission that would unfold in the book of Acts and continue throughout history.
Ancient Key Word Study
- ἐγερθεὶς (egertheis) – “Risen” in Matthew 28:6. This passive participle emphasizes divine action in the resurrection. God the Father raised Yeshua, highlighting both His power over death and the vindication of His Son.
- προάγει (proagei) – “Goes ahead” in Matthew 28:7. This present tense verb pictures Yeshua as the Good Shepherd leading His flock, a theme that would have resonated with Matthew’s Jewish audience.
- ἐξουσία (exousia) – “Authority” in Matthew 28:18. This term denotes legitimate power and right to rule, not mere force. It’s the same word used in Daniel 7:14 (LXX) regarding the Son of Man’s eternal dominion.
- πορευθέντες (poreuthentes) – “Going” or “As you go” in Matthew 28:19. This participle implies continuous action and carries the sense of “as you proceed through life.” It’s not just about specialized missionary journeys but about making disciples in the natural course of life’s journey.
- μαθητεύσατε (mathēteusate) – “Make disciples” in Matthew 28:19. This is the only imperative verb in the Great Commission, emphasizing that discipleship is the central command, with baptizing and teaching being aspects of that process.
- βαπτίζοντες (baptizontes) – “Baptizing” in Matthew 28:19. This present participle suggests ongoing action and implies full immersion, reflecting the Jewish mikvah tradition of ceremonial cleansing and spiritual transformation.
- διδάσκοντες (didaskontes) – “Teaching” in Matthew 28:20. Another present participle indicating continuous action, emphasizing that discipleship involves ongoing instruction in Yeshua’s commands.
- ἰδοὺ (idou) – “Behold” in Matthew 28:7, 28:20. This attention-getting word brackets the chapter’s main events, highlighting both the resurrection announcement and Yeshua’s promise of His presence.
- συντελείας (syneleias) – “End” in Matthew 28:20. This term specifically refers to the consummation or completion of an age, not merely its termination, suggesting the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
Question the Text
- Why did the angel roll away the stone if Yeshua had already risen? (Matthew 28:2) – Was this for Yeshua’s benefit, or was it meant to reveal something to the witnesses?
- Why did the guards become ‘like dead men’ while the women were able to interact with the angel? (Matthew 28:4) – What does this suggest about spiritual perception and readiness?
- Why does Yeshua meet the women before appearing to His disciples? (Matthew 28:9-10) – What significance does this hold in a cultural context where women’s testimony was often discounted?
- How could the guards and religious leaders believe Yeshua’s disciples stole His body if they also knew about the supernatural events at the tomb? (Matthew 28:11-15) – Were they blinded by fear, power, or something else?
- Why do some of the disciples still doubt when they see Yeshua? (Matthew 28:16-17) – What might this reveal about human nature, faith, and the challenges of believing even in the face of miracles?
- What does it mean that ‘all authority in Heaven and on earth’ has been given to Yeshua? (Matthew 28:18) – How does this connect to previous biblical themes of divine rule and kingship?
- Why does Yeshua command baptism in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? (Matthew 28:19) – How would this have been understood by first-century Jewish believers?
- What does Yeshua mean when He says, ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age’? (Matthew 28:20) – How should believers understand His presence today?
Matthew 28 Unique Insights
The resurrection account in Matthew contains several unique elements not found in the other Gospels. The description of the angel’s descent and the earthquake (σεισμός) connects this event with the earthquake at Yeshua’s death (Matthew 27:51-54), suggesting cosmic recognition of these pivotal moments. The Greek word σεισμός is the same used in the Septuagint to describe God’s appearance at Sinai, linking this event to other major theophanies in Israel’s history.
The Jewish leaders’ attempt to cover up the resurrection by bribing the guards presents a fascinating historical detail preserved only in Matthew. This account would have been particularly relevant to Matthew’s Jewish audience, as it addresses a rumor that apparently circulated in Jewish communities (and is actually mentioned in early rabbinic literature). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) and Justin Martyr’s “Dialogue with Trypho” both reference various Jewish explanations for the empty tomb, inadvertently providing extra-biblical confirmation of the historical core of the resurrection account.
Early church father Ignatius of Antioch, writing around 108 AD, commented on the unique authority given to the disciples in this chapter, noting that they were commissioned not merely as witnesses but as authorities empowered to teach and baptize. This understanding shaped the early church’s view of apostolic authority and succession.
The reference to some disciples doubting (verse 17) even while worshiping the risen Messiah presents a profound psychological insight into the nature of faith. The Greek word used here (ἐδίστασαν) implies not intellectual doubt but hesitation or uncertainty in the face of something overwhelming. This honest admission of the disciples’ struggle actually strengthens the credibility of the account.
Matthew 28 Connections to Yeshua
The resurrection account in this chapter serves as the ultimate vindication of Yeshua’s messianic claims and teaching throughout Matthew’s Gospel. His resurrection fulfills His own predictions (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19) and validates His authority to forgive sins and grant eternal life. The empty tomb stands as the Father’s divine stamp of approval on Yeshua’s completed work of atonement.
The Great Commission reveals Yeshua’s divine nature through His claim to “all authority in heaven and on earth” and His promise to be present with His disciples “to the end of the age.” These claims would be blasphemous if made by a mere human but are appropriate for One who shares the divine nature. The trinitarian baptismal formula further emphasizes Yeshua’s deity by placing Him on equal footing with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28 Scriptural Echoes
This chapter resonates with numerous Old Testament themes and prophecies:
- The women’s early morning visit to the tomb echoes Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
- The Great Commission fulfills Isaiah 49:6 – “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
- Yeshua’s authority over heaven and earth reflects Daniel 7:14 – “And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.”
- The promise of His continuing presence echoes Isaiah 41:10 and God’s promises to be with His people.
Matthew 28 Devotional
This chapter challenges us to live in the reality of the resurrection and the authority of our risen Messiah. The women’s response of “fear and great joy” provides a model for our own worship – combining reverent awe with delighted intimacy. Their immediate obedience to the angel’s command to “go and tell” reminds us that encountering the risen Messiah naturally leads to sharing the good news with others.
The Great Commission calls us to participate in God’s global mission, not as a burden but as a privilege flowing from Yeshua’s authority and empowered by His presence. The command to make disciples challenges us to move beyond superficial evangelism to the deeper work of helping others follow Yeshua fully. His promise to be with us “always, to the end of the age” provides the encouragement and empowerment we need for this mission.
Did You Know
- The Greek word translated “angel” (ἄγγελος) in verse 2 is the same word used for human messengers, emphasizing the role rather than the nature of the being. The description of his appearance, however, clearly indicates a supernatural messenger.
- The Guards at the tomb were likely Roman soldiers, not Temple guards, as suggested by the Greek terminology used and the fact that they reported to the chief priests rather than the Temple authorities.
- The phrase “to this day” in verse 15 regarding the spread of the story about the disciples stealing the body provides internal evidence that Matthew’s Gospel was written while eyewitnesses were still alive to contest false narratives.
- The word for “doubted” (ἐδίστασαν) in verse 17 is different from the usual word for doubt (ἀπιστέω) and suggests temporary hesitation rather than settled unbelief.
- The trinitarian baptismal formula in verse 19 is one of the earliest clear expressions of trinitarian theology in Christian literature.
- The word “go” in “go and make disciples” is actually a participle in Greek, meaning “as you are going,” suggesting that making disciples should be a natural part of life rather than a separate activity.
- The phrase “end of the age” uses a specific Greek term (συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος) that refers to the completion or fulfillment of an era rather than simply its termination.
- The women’s encounter with the risen Yeshua in this chapter makes them the first apostles (in the literal sense of “sent ones”) of the resurrection.
- The command to baptize in verse 19 uses language that would have reminded Jewish readers of proselyte baptism, suggesting that entering the Messianic community was as significant as converting to Judaism.
