Matthew
Chapter 28
Overview
At dawn on Sunday, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to Jesus’ tomb in grief, but the morning overturns everything they expect. An angel announces that Jesus has been raised to life, and the women hurry away with both fear and great joy before meeting Jesus himself. While the guards and religious leaders spread a paid explanation for the empty tomb, the eleven disciples go to Galilee. There Jesus gives them a worldwide mission and promises to remain with them always.
1After the Sabbath, as Sunday morning began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
2Suddenly, a powerful earthquake struck. An angel from God came down from heaven, approached the tomb, rolled away the stone, and sat on it.
3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.
4The guards shook with fear and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6The angel continued, “He is not here. He has been raised to life, just as he said he would be. Come and see where he was lying.
7“Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead and is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ I have now told you.”
8The women hurried away from the tomb, filled with fear and great joy, and ran to tell Jesus’ disciples.
9Suddenly, Jesus met them and said, “Hello!” They went to him, took hold of his feet, and bowed down in worship.
10Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers, the disciples, to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”
11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests everything that had happened.
12The leading priests met with the community elders and agreed on a plan. They gave the soldiers a large amount of silver money.
13They told the soldiers, “Say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night and stole his body while we were sleeping.’
14“If the Roman governor hears about this, we will persuade him and keep you out of trouble.”
15The soldiers took the money and did as they had been told. This story spread widely among the Jewish people and is still told today.
16The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17When they saw him, they bowed down in worship, but some hesitated.
18Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19Jesus continued, “Therefore, go and make people from every nation my followers. Baptize them in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
20“Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And know this: I am with you every day, until the end of the age.”