The Great Commission
How does the story of a crushed, dead rabbi turn into an unstoppable global revolution?
Matthew 28:1-20
Read the whole passage before anything else. Everything below exists to help you understand what you just read.
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.
What just happened?
It was the earliest hours of the first day of the week, Sunday morning, in Jerusalem. The Sabbath, a day of rest for devout Jews, had just concluded at sundown on Saturday. Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary, possibly Jesus' mother or a close relative, were making their way to a burial site just outside the city walls. They were not expecting a reunion; they were going to anoint the body of their crucified teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, with burial spices, a final act of devotion for a man whose life had ended brutally on a Roman cross just two days prior. The city itself was still recovering from the Passover festival and the raw shock of Jesus' public execution.
What they encountered at the tomb was far from the quiet, mournful ritual they had anticipated. There had been a violent earthquake, a dramatic sign in ancient cultures often associated with divine intervention. A figure described as an angel, appearing with blinding light and clothing 'white as snow,' had descended from the sky. This powerful being had casually rolled aside the massive stone sealing the tomb entrance, then sat atop it. Roman guards, who had been stationed there to prevent Jesus' followers from stealing the body and faking a resurrection, were utterly incapacitated by fear, appearing 'like dead men' themselves. The scene was less a grave, more a stage for something utterly unprecedented.
The angel’s message to the frightened women was direct and staggering: 'He has risen, just like he said.' This was the same message Jesus had tried, unsuccessfully, to prepare his disciples for. Before the women could fully process this, Jesus himself appeared to them on their way to tell the disciples, offering words of comfort and a renewed command: tell his 'brothers' to go to Galilee. This region, Jesus' home territory north of Jerusalem, was where he had spent most of his ministry. The eleven remaining disciples—Judas having taken his own life—followed these instructions, traveling some 70 miles north, to a specific mountain where Jesus had promised to meet them, setting the stage for his final, most critical instructions.
The Empty Tomb and the Angel's Message
Matthew opens this pivotal chapter by placing us at the very edge of dawn on Sunday. The women, Mary Magdalene and 'the other Mary,' approach the tomb, not with expectation of life, but with the heavy grief of mourners. What greets them is not a silent grave but a scene of divine upheaval. An earthquake, not a gentle tremor, signals something profound. Then, an 'angel of the Lord' appears, described with a terrifying brilliance 'like lightning,' his clothes 'white as snow.' This wasn't some soft, ethereal presence; this was an awe-inspiring, fear-inducing manifestation of divine power.
The angel's first words to the terrified women are crucial: 'Don’t be afraid.' This phrase is a common refrain in moments of divine encounter throughout Scripture, signaling that while God's presence can be overwhelming, His intent is not to harm. The angel then delivers the news that will forever change history: 'He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said.' This isn't a whisper or a suggestion; it's a declarative statement of fact, backed by an invitation to 'see the place where the Lord was lying.' The empty tomb isn't merely a missing body; it's evidence of a fulfilled promise. The angel gives them a mission: 'Go quickly and tell his disciples... there you will see him' in Galilee.
Jesus Appears, Lies Spread
As the women rush from the tomb, a whirlwind of 'fear and great joy' propelling them, Jesus himself appears. His first words mirror the angel's, 'Rejoice!' and then, 'Don’t be afraid.' The women respond with raw devotion, taking 'hold of his feet, and worshiped him.' This physical interaction is significant; it’s not a ghost or a vision. It’s a resurrected body that can be touched. Jesus then reiterates the command: 'Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.' He calls his disciples 'brothers,' a profound term that speaks to a new level of intimacy and shared family with him, even after his death and resurrection.
But even as the truth was unfolding, a lie was being constructed. While the women were spreading the incredible news, some of the Roman guards, shaken but alive, reported to the chief priests. These religious leaders, who had plotted Jesus' death, quickly convened. Instead of investigating the incredible story of an angel and an empty tomb, they concocted a scheme. They bribed the soldiers with 'a large amount of silver' to spread a fabricated story: that Jesus’ disciples had stolen his body 'while we slept.' This was a dangerous lie for Roman guards, as sleeping on duty was punishable by death. The priests, however, promised to protect them from the governor's wrath. This conspiracy ensured that a false narrative about Jesus' disappearance began circulating immediately and 'continues until today,' Matthew notes, highlighting its persistence.
The Great Commission and the Promise
Following Jesus' instructions, the 'eleven disciples' journey to Galilee, to 'the mountain where Jesus had sent them.' When they saw him, their reactions were mixed, complex, and human: 'they bowed down to him; but some doubted.' This detail is crucial for its honesty. Even after hearing the reports, even seeing him, some still wrestled with belief. This isn't blind faith; it's faith born from struggle and witnessed reality. Jesus doesn't dismiss their doubt; he simply moves forward with his final, authoritative pronouncement.
Jesus steps forward and declares, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.' This is not a suggestion or a hopeful wish; it's a statement of absolute, comprehensive power. Based on this radical claim of universal authority, he issues what has come to be known as 'The Great Commission': 'Go and make disciples of all nations.' He doesn't say 'go and make converts' or 'go and get people to say a prayer.' He says 'make disciples,' meaning followers who learn, imitate, and embody his teachings. This involves 'baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,' a ritual of initiation, and 'teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you.' This implies a lifelong process of learning and obedience.
Jesus concludes with a profound and lasting promise: 'Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' This isn't just a farewell; it's an assurance of his enduring, active presence with those who undertake this mission. Despite the disciples' initial fear, past failures, and even lingering doubt, Jesus entrusts them with the monumental task of extending his kingdom to 'all nations,' powered by his own limitless authority and sustained by his constant presence. It is this promise that transforms a small group of fishermen and tax collectors into the unexpected architects of a global movement.
What are we supposed to see?
This passage shows Jesus as a figure who not only transcends death but actively orchestrates the next phase of his kingdom's expansion. His resurrection is not a quiet event; it's announced by an angel and confirmed by an earthquake, demonstrating divine power breaking into human history. His appearance to the women and then to his disciples proves he is not a spirit, but a real, embodied person, capable of being touched and conversed with. By meeting his followers after such a public humiliation and execution, he demonstrates unwavering commitment to his mission and to them, despite their past failures and fears.
Crucially, Jesus demonstrates his ultimate authority not through brute force, but through a commission built on teaching and transformation. His claim, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth,' is the foundation for everything that follows. He doesn't seize power through conquest; he establishes it through sacrifice and resurrection. His final command is not to build an empire of land or wealth, but an 'upside-down kingdom' of disciples, spreading through love, teaching, and baptism, demonstrating his value for humble, personal transformation over political or military might. His promise to be 'with you always' underscores his continuous, active engagement in the lives of his followers, empowering their mission.
- 1IDENTITY
Jesus is the resurrected Lord, with 'all authority... in heaven and on earth,' confirming his divine identity and power over death.
- 2WHAT HE VALUES
Jesus values authentic discipleship, deep transformation, and the sharing of his message across 'all nations,' rather than just a select group.
- 3WHAT HE CONFRONTS
Jesus directly confronts the power of death, the fear of his followers, and the deliberate spread of misinformation by religious authorities.
Where this sits in the whole Bible
Matthew 28:6 → Matthew 16:21 → Matthew 17:23 → Matthew 20:19
The angel's words, 'He has risen, just like he said,' directly confirm Jesus' own repeated predictions of his death and resurrection, proving his prophetic word true and his divine foresight.
Matthew 28:19 → Genesis 12:3 → Isaiah 49:6
Jesus' command to 'make disciples of all nations' echoes God's ancient promise to Abraham that 'all peoples on earth will be blessed through you,' and Isaiah's prophecy of Israel being a 'light for the Gentiles,' showing the global scope of God's redemptive plan was always intended.
Matthew 28:20 → Hebrews 13:5 → John 14:18
Jesus' promise, 'I am with you always,' reassures his followers of his enduring presence and support, a theme woven throughout Scripture, confirming he will never abandon his people.
The women clinging to Jesus' feet and worshipping him, even as 'some doubted' among the disciples later, highlights the deeply personal and varied ways people encounter profound truth; faith often coexists with lingering questions.
Don't rush past this
The most uncomfortable part of this passage is the explicit mention that 'some doubted' even after seeing the resurrected Jesus. This detail cracks open the facade of perfect, instant belief, revealing that even those closest to Jesus struggled with the sheer magnitude of what had happened. It suggests that faith isn't always a clean, clear-cut embrace, but often a wrestling match, even in the face of undeniable evidence. It means that doubt isn't necessarily a sign of a failed believer, but a deeply human response to the extraordinary.
Another challenging aspect is the cold, calculated lie spread by the chief priests and elders. They didn't just disbelieve; they actively manufactured and propagated a false narrative to discredit Jesus, using bribery and intimidation. This reveals the darker side of human nature, where personal power and reputation are valued above truth, and where inconvenient facts are actively suppressed. It shows how systemic corruption can quickly move from denial to deliberate deception, establishing a counter-narrative that directly opposes the miraculous truth.
Turn it inward
Three questions from this passage. Answer them or just sit with them — nothing here is required to finish the lesson.
God, the story of Jesus' resurrection and his final words is overwhelming. Help me to truly grasp the depth of his authority and the incredible mission he entrusted to his followers. Guide me to be a disciple who learns and lives out his commands, not perfectly, but faithfully. Strengthen me to share his message, not with hype, but with genuine love and clear understanding, trusting in his promise to be with me always.
This week, identify one specific 'commanded' action from Jesus' teachings (e.g., forgive someone, serve a neighbor, speak kindly) that you often overlook. Consciously and intentionally practice that command once or twice, observing how it changes your interactions or perspective.
History, language, objections and sources. None of it is needed to understand the passage.
Matthew says the guards were 'like dead men' from fear, but then they recover and report to the chief priests. How could they have been 'like dead' and also observed what happened to report it accurately?
The phrase 'like dead men' is a vivid literary description, not a literal medical diagnosis. It conveys the extreme terror and incapacitation the guards experienced in the presence of the angel. They were overwhelmed, frozen, and perhaps even temporarily unconscious or paralyzed by fear. While they may not have been fully coherent or aware during the exact moment the stone was rolled away, their fear and the angel's presence would have been undeniable upon their recovery. Their report to the chief priests would have been based on what they experienced and perhaps partially what they pieced together, likely omitting details that made them look incompetent or fearful. The priests' ready offer of a bribe and an alternative story suggests they were less interested in the exact 'how' and more in controlling the narrative, regardless of the guards' specific observations.
The story of the stolen body was supposedly 'spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until today.' Is there any historical evidence outside the Bible for this specific counter-narrative?
While Matthew specifically states this lie 'continues until today' (referring to his own time of writing), direct external archaeological or textual evidence definitively proving the widespread prevalence of this exact 'stolen body' rumor among non-Christian Jews from the 1st century onwards is limited. However, early Christian apologists like Justin Martyr (2nd century CE) mention similar Jewish counter-claims about Jesus' body being stolen by his disciples. This suggests the type of rumor Matthew describes did indeed circulate. The absence of extensive independent corroboration isn't necessarily disproof; ancient non-biblical texts are scarce, and opposing religious groups often didn't preserve each other's polemics. What Matthew includes serves to show that skepticism and alternative explanations for the empty tomb were immediate and persistent issues even for his first readers.
Why would Jesus, with 'all authority,' command his followers to 'make disciples of all nations' through teaching and baptism, instead of just instantly transforming everyone or forcing belief?
This question touches on the nature of God's relationship with humanity and the 'upside-down' kingdom Jesus established. If Jesus used his 'all authority' to force belief or magically transform everyone, it would negate human free will and the possibility of genuine relationship and love. Instead, Jesus consistently demonstrated a kingdom built on invitation, personal transformation, and ethical living. His method involves patient teaching ('teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you'), which implies a process of understanding, conviction, and voluntary commitment. Baptism is a public declaration of that commitment. This approach respects human agency and cultivates disciples who actively choose to follow, rather than subjects who are coerced. It's a revolution of the heart and mind, not a military conquest, reflecting the kind of kingdom God desires—one built on love and willing allegiance.
The Galilee Connection
The instruction for the disciples to go to Galilee was significant. While Jerusalem was the religious and political center, Galilee was Jesus' primary area of ministry, a region often looked down upon by the Judean elite (John 1:46). By meeting them there, Jesus re-establishes their mission in familiar territory, away from the immediate hostile environment of Jerusalem, and perhaps signaling a return to the roots of their calling. Early Christian traditions suggest that the 'mountain' mentioned could be any of several prominent peaks in Galilee, though no specific one is named by Matthew. This general location underscores that the power of the resurrection was not confined to a single sacred spot but was accessible wherever Jesus' followers gathered.
Furthermore, Galilee was a more diverse region, populated by Jews and Gentiles, known for its strategic trade routes. This geographical context subtly foreshadows the 'all nations' aspect of the Great Commission. It’s as if Jesus was taking them back to the diverse soil where his ministry first blossomed, to prepare them for an even wider harvest among all peoples, transcending the rigid social and religious boundaries of Jerusalem.