Matthew 28
About MatthewWritten by AI
Matthew is the first of the four Gospels, the accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Early Christians said it was written by Matthew, the tax collector Jesus called to follow Him. The book itself does not name its author, and scholars differ on its date, though many place it in the later first century.
Matthew writes with Jewish readers especially in mind. He opens with a family line reaching back to Abraham and David, and he keeps showing how Jesus fulfills what the prophets said. He also gathers Jesus' teaching into five long sermons, starting with the Sermon on the Mount, set between stories of healing, conflict, and the road to the cross.
Watch for the phrase "the kingdom of heaven," and for how the book is bookended by God's presence. Jesus is named Immanuel, God with us, at the start, and at the end He promises, “And surely I am with you always.”
Before you read Matthew 28Written by AI
Early on the first day of the week, the women find the tomb empty, and an angel says Jesus has risen, just as He said. Jesus meets them on the way. The guards are paid to spread a false story. On a mountain in Galilee Jesus sends His disciples to make disciples of all nations, promising to be with them always.
The Resurrection
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”
So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said,
“Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.
“Do not be afraid,” said Jesus.
“Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”
The Report of the Guards
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
So the guards took the money and did as they were instructed. And this account has been circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The Great Commission
Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.
Then Jesus came to them and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”