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1Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone from the door and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men. 5The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. 7Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”

8They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. 9As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!”

They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.

10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”

11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12When they were assembled with the elders and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers, 13saying, “Say that his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept. 14If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.” 15So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until today.

16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. 17When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted. 18Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew's Careful Presentation of the Resurrection of Jesus (28:1-15)

Matthew's Careful Presentation of the Resurrection of Jesus (28:1-15)

Topical Study | Matt 28:1 | Hershel Wayne House

Matthew's account of the resurrection of Jesus is carefully written and detailed. First  he indicates that Mary Magdalene (of Magdala) and another person of the same name.[1] The writer then describes a miraculous event of the earthquake that occurred due to the descension of an angel who rolled away the stone from the tomb. The description of the angel is next provided. Due to this earthquake and the angel's appearance the soldiers guarding the tomb expressed fear to the point they were as dead men. As the guards were fearful for their lives, the angels spoke to the two women, speaking of their coming to the tomb to visit the body (presumably to complete the burial practices of the Jews). The angel took them to see where Jesus had been and declared that He had risen from the dead. Last of all, the women are instructed to tell the disciples of the Messiah that Jesus would see them in the Galilee, which was the base for the ministry of Jesus and the disciples.

Such detail from the apostle Matthew clearly indicates that this was not a mythical tale, but an accurate account of the events that Easter morning. The historical event of the Messiah's resurrection (prophesied by Jesus during His time with the apostles (see Matt 16:21; 17:22, 23; 20:17-19) is a pivotal and necessary event for the Christian faith (1 Cor 15:12-19).

  • [1] Mary, or Miriam, was a popular name for women in the first century A.D., apparently with one in four women having the name, which makes it difficult, at times, to determine which Mary is to be spoken of. See Miriam, Maria, Mariamne, and Mary in the Bible.