Matthew 28 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
c. AD 30 (during Passover season)
Location
Jerusalem and Galilee (Judea, Roman province)
Audience
Jewish Christians in the late 1st century, likely in Syria or Antioch
Situation
Following Jesus' crucifixion and burial under Roman guard, women discover the empty tomb; an angel announces his resurrection, Jesus appears to them, and later commissions the disciples in Galilee to spread the gospel worldwide.
Key Background
This chapter counters Jewish claims that disciples stole Jesus' body by detailing the Roman guards' bribery. Matthew portrays Jesus as the risen Messiah fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, with the Great Commission echoing God's covenant with Abraham to bless all nations. Written post-AD 70 amid temple destruction and rising anti-Semitism, it urges faithfulness amid persecution.
After the as the first day of the week was just Mary from Magdala and the other Mary went to look at the
Suddenly there was a massive A of the came down from heaven, went to the stone, rolled it away, and sat on it.
His appearance was like and his clothes were as
The were so of him that they shook and collapsed like dead men.
The messenger said to the women, be I know you're looking for Jesus, who was on a
He's not here — he's been just like he told you he would be. Come, see the place where he was lying.
Now go quickly and tell his 'He has been raised from the dead, and — listen — he's going ahead of you to Galilee. You'll see him there.' That's my message to you."
The women hurried away from the tomb, with but also with and ran to tell his followers.
Suddenly Jesus met them. he said. They came to him, grabbed his feet, and him.
Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go tell my to head to Galilee. They'll see me there."
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the everything that had happened.
After the chief priests met with the and came up with a plan, they gave the soldiers a of
and told them, "Say this: 'His followers came during the night and stole his body while we were sleeping.'
If the hears about this, we'll take care of it and make sure you don't get in trouble."
So the soldiers took the money and did as they were told. And this story has been spread among the Jewish people and is still told
The remaining followers traveled to Galilee, to the where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him — though some
Jesus came close to them and said, "All in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
So go and from every my them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the of
and them to everything I've commanded you. And know this: I am with you every single day, until the very of this