Matthew 28 is the final chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, bringing to a close the story of Jesus’ earthly ministry with His resurrection and final instructions to His disciples. It is a chapter filled with triumph, divine intervention, and a commission that still carries meaning for us today.
The chapter begins with the resurrection of Jesus. At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to see the tomb. Suddenly, a great earthquake occurs, and an angel of the Lord descends from heaven, rolls away the stone, and sits on it. His appearance is described as being like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards who had been stationed at the tomb are so terrified that they shake and become like dead men.
The angel speaks to the women, telling them, "Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying." The angel then instructs them to quickly go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead and that He will go ahead of them to Galilee, where they will see Him.
The women leave the tomb quickly, filled with both fear and great joy, running to bring the news to the disciples. On their way, Jesus Himself meets them, greeting them with a simple "Rejoice!" Overcome with emotion, they come to Him, take hold of His feet, and worship Him. Jesus reassures them, "Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me."
Meanwhile, the guards recover from their fear and go into the city to report what has happened to the chief priests. The religious leaders, unwilling to acknowledge the truth, devise a plan. They gather with the elders and agree to bribe the soldiers with a large sum of money. They instruct the soldiers to spread a false story, saying, "His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept." They assure the guards that if the governor hears of this, they will protect them from any punishment. The soldiers take the money and do as they are told, and Matthew notes that this false story has been widely spread among the Jews.
The chapter then shifts to the disciples, who go to Galilee as Jesus had instructed. They gather at the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they see Him, they worship Him, though some still have doubts. It is here that Jesus gives them what is now known as the Great Commission.
He begins by declaring His divine authority: "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth." With this authority, He commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He instructs them to teach people to observe all that He has commanded. Finally, He offers them words of comfort and reassurance, saying, "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28 is a powerful conclusion to the Gospel. It begins with fear and confusion at the empty tomb, but it ends with clarity, mission, and divine presence. The resurrection is the central message of Christianity, proving that Jesus has conquered sin and death. His appearance to the women and then to the disciples confirms that He is truly alive, not merely a vision or spirit, but risen in bodily form.
The angel’s words, "He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said," emphasize that Jesus had already foretold His resurrection. His victory was always part of the divine plan. The women’s response—both fear and joy—mirrors the experience of many who first encounter the risen Christ. Their immediate obedience to go and tell the disciples is a model of faith in action.
The contrast between the women’s joyful testimony and the deception of the religious leaders highlights the stark difference between those who accept the truth and those who reject it. The bribing of the guards is a desperate attempt to suppress the reality of the resurrection, but it also ironically confirms that the tomb was indeed empty. If the body had been stolen while the guards slept, they would not have known who took it. Their willingness to spread this falsehood reveals their fear of the truth.
Jesus' Great Commission is one of the most significant moments in Scripture. It establishes the mission of His followers: to spread the gospel to all nations. The command to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit affirms the unity of the Trinity. The call to teach everything He has commanded shows that discipleship is not just about conversion but about a life of obedience to Christ.
Finally, Jesus' promise, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age," is one of the most comforting assurances in Scripture. It reminds us that His presence is not limited to His time on earth but extends throughout history, guiding and strengthening His followers. No matter what challenges or opposition we face, He is with us.
Matthew 28 leaves us with a challenge. Just as the women and disciples were sent to proclaim the resurrection, we too are called to share the good news. Just as they worshiped Him, we are invited to do the same. And just as He promised to be with them, we can trust that He is with us today.
The resurrection is not just an event of the past—it is the foundation of our faith, the source of our hope, and the reason we follow Christ.