The Resurrection Announced and Confirmed
Study note
An angel descends with an earthquake, rolls back the stone, and terrifies the guards into immobility. The angel's message to the women is direct and electrifying: 'He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said.' The women leave with a mixture of fear and overwhelming joy, and on their way they encounter the risen Jesus himself, who confirms the angel's instructions. The women's worship of the resurrected Christ marks the dawn of a new reality -- death has been conquered, and everything Jesus promised has proven true.
1 The sabbath ended. At the first light of dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 All of a sudden the ground shook violently. An angel of the Lord dropped down from heaven, walked up to the tomb, pushed the massive stone aside, and sat on top of it. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 The angel's face blazed like lightning, and his clothes were brilliant white, like fresh-fallen snow. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 The guards were so terrified that they shook uncontrollably and collapsed as though they were dead. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 The angel turned to the women and said, "Don't be scared. I know you are here looking for Jesus, the one who was crucified. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here — he has come back to life, just as he promised! Come look at the spot where his body was lying. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 Now hurry and go tell his followers this news: 'He has risen from the dead! He is heading to Galilee ahead of you — you will see him there.' That is the message I was sent to deliver." And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 The women rushed away from the tomb as fast as they could. They were trembling with a mixture of fear and incredible joy. They ran to tell the followers what had happened. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 Suddenly, Jesus himself met them on the path. He said, "Hello!" They ran to him, grabbed hold of his feet, and worshipped him. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Jesus told them, "Don't be afraid. Go find my brothers and tell them to head to Galilee. That is where they will see me." Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
The Guards' False Report
Study note
The chief priests, confronted with the guards' testimony of supernatural events, respond by fabricating a lie: that the disciples stole the body while the guards slept. The irony is profound -- the very precautions taken to prevent fraud become evidence against the fraudulent alternative explanation. The guards accept the bribe and spread the false story, illustrating how desperate unbelief becomes when confronted with undeniable evidence of God's power.
11 While the women were on their way, some of the tomb guards rushed into the city. They told the chief priests everything that had happened. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 The chief priests huddled up with the elders and came up with a scheme. They paid the soldiers a large amount of money And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 and told them to say, "His followers appeared in the middle of the night and stole the body while we were sleeping." Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 "If the governor catches wind of this, we will handle him. We will make sure you stay out of trouble." And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 The soldiers pocketed the money and spread the story they had been told to tell. That made-up version has been repeated among the Jewish people from that day all the way to now. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
The Great Commission
Study note
On a mountain in Galilee, the risen Jesus meets his eleven remaining disciples. Despite some doubt, they worship him, and he delivers the Great Commission: all authority in heaven and earth is his, and on the basis of that authority, they are to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them. The Gospel of Matthew ends as it began -- with Emmanuel, God with us -- as Jesus promises his continual presence 'to the end of the world.' This command transforms the disciples' mission from Israel alone to the entire human race.
16 The eleven followers went to Galilee. They climbed the mountain where Jesus had told them to meet him. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 The moment they saw him, they bowed down and worshipped him — though a few still struggled with doubt. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 Jesus walked up to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been handed over to me. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.