New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Matthew 28
1
The Sabbath day was now over. It was dawn on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
Reference
2
There was a powerful earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. The angel went to the tomb. He rolled back the stone and sat on it.
Reference
3
His body shone like lightning. His clothes were as white as snow.
Reference
Light
Revelation 18:1
Matthew 17:2
Parallel theme
Acts 1:10
Mark 9:3
Mark 16:5
John 20:12
Revelation 10:1
5
The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
Reference
6
He is not here! He has risen, just as he said he would! Come and see the place where he was lying.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 12:40
Luke 24:23
Luke 24:44
Resurrection
Mark 16:6
Matthew 16:21
Matthew 27:63
Mark 8:31
Matthew 20:19
Matthew 17:23
John 2:19
7
Go quickly! Tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 28:10
John 16:4
Isaiah 44:8
Isaiah 45:21
Mark 16:10
Mark 16:13
1 Corinthians 15:4
Matthew 24:25
Resurrection
Matthew 26:32
Mark 14:28
8
So the women hurried away from the tomb. They were afraid, but they were filled with joy. They ran to tell the disciples.
Reference
9
Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings!" he said. They came to him, took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 20:28
Luke 7:38
2 Corinthians 13:11
Luke 1:28
References Jesus
John 12:3
John 20:19
Worship
Matthew 28:17
Matthew 14:33
Luke 24:52
Revelation 3:9
10
Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me."
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 8:29
Matthew 28:7
Mark 16:7
Matthew 25:40
Matthew 25:45
John 6:20
References Jesus
John 20:17
Matthew 28:5
Matthew 14:27
11
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city. They reported to the chief priests all that had happened.
12
When the chief priests met with the elders, they came up with a plan. They gave the soldiers a large amount of money.
13
They told the soldiers, "We want you to say, 'His disciples came during the night. They stole his body while we were sleeping.'
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 26:64
14
If the governor hears this report, we will pay him off. That will keep you out of trouble."
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 27:2
15
So the soldiers took the money and did as they were told. This story has spread all around among the Jews to this very day.
Reference
16
Then the 11 disciples went to Galilee. They went to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
Reference
18
Then Jesus came to them. He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 3:35
1 Peter 3:22
Matthew 11:27
Hebrews 2:8
1 Corinthians 15:27
John 17:2
Colossians 2:10
Hebrews 1:2
Luke 10:22
References Jesus
John 13:3
19
So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Reference
Holy
Acts 1:8
Parallel theme
Isaiah 49:6
Galatians 3:27
Romans 10:18
Acts 28:28
Acts 2:41
1 Peter 3:21
Acts 14:21
Genesis 1:26
Spirit
Ephesians 2:18
Chapter Summary
Matthew 28 opens at dawn on the first day of the week, when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary approach Jesus' tomb and discover that a dramatic earthquake has accompanied the arrival of an angel who has rolled away the stone.
The guards who had been assigned to secure the tomb are overwhelmed with fear, while the angel tells the women not to be afraid because Jesus, who was crucified, has risen from the dead, inviting them to see the place where His body had been lying.
The women are instructed to go quickly and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and is going ahead of them into Galilee, transforming their grief into a mixture of fear, joy, urgency, and hope as they run to deliver the message.
Before they reach the disciples, Jesus Himself meets them, and they recognize Him, take hold of His feet, and worship Him, providing Matthew's first direct encounter between Jesus and His followers after the resurrection.
Jesus again tells them not to be afraid and instructs them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee, where He will meet them, emphasizing continuity with His earlier promises that His death would not be the end of His relationship with them.
Meanwhile, the guards return to Jerusalem and report the events at the tomb to the chief priests, who respond not by investigating the resurrection claim but by creating an alternative explanation, paying the soldiers to say that Jesus' disciples came during the night and stole His body while they were sleeping.
The authorities even promise to protect the guards if the governor hears about the missing body, revealing that the leaders understand the potential consequences of an empty tomb but choose to control the narrative rather than accept what Matthew presents as the truth.
The disciples then travel to Galilee, where Jesus meets them on a mountain, and although they worship Him, some still doubt, demonstrating that the resurrection encounters do not eliminate every human uncertainty immediately.
Jesus responds by declaring that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, presenting His resurrection as the beginning of a new stage in His universal kingship and mission.
He then gives His disciples what is commonly called the Great Commission, commanding them to go to all nations, make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything He has commanded.
This command represents a major expansion of the mission because the message of Jesus is no longer directed only toward the people of Israel but is intentionally extended to all nations and peoples.
The chapter ends with one of the most important promises in the Gospel: Jesus assures His disciples that He will be with them always, even to the end of the age, meaning that the mission will continue under His authority and with His presence.
Matthew 28 therefore moves through a clear progression from death to life, fear to joy, confusion to understanding, defeat to authority, and a small group of frightened disciples to a worldwide mission.
The chapter's central message is that Jesus has risen from the dead, possesses authority over heaven and earth, and sends His followers to make disciples among all nations while promising to remain with them throughout their mission.
Matthew 28 ultimately presents the resurrection as the decisive confirmation of Jesus' identity and authority, transforming His disciples from witnesses of His death into messengers of His resurrection and commissioning them to carry His teaching, baptism, and message of salvation to the entire world.
The guards who had been assigned to secure the tomb are overwhelmed with fear, while the angel tells the women not to be afraid because Jesus, who was crucified, has risen from the dead, inviting them to see the place where His body had been lying.
The women are instructed to go quickly and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and is going ahead of them into Galilee, transforming their grief into a mixture of fear, joy, urgency, and hope as they run to deliver the message.
Before they reach the disciples, Jesus Himself meets them, and they recognize Him, take hold of His feet, and worship Him, providing Matthew's first direct encounter between Jesus and His followers after the resurrection.
Jesus again tells them not to be afraid and instructs them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee, where He will meet them, emphasizing continuity with His earlier promises that His death would not be the end of His relationship with them.
Meanwhile, the guards return to Jerusalem and report the events at the tomb to the chief priests, who respond not by investigating the resurrection claim but by creating an alternative explanation, paying the soldiers to say that Jesus' disciples came during the night and stole His body while they were sleeping.
The authorities even promise to protect the guards if the governor hears about the missing body, revealing that the leaders understand the potential consequences of an empty tomb but choose to control the narrative rather than accept what Matthew presents as the truth.
The disciples then travel to Galilee, where Jesus meets them on a mountain, and although they worship Him, some still doubt, demonstrating that the resurrection encounters do not eliminate every human uncertainty immediately.
Jesus responds by declaring that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, presenting His resurrection as the beginning of a new stage in His universal kingship and mission.
He then gives His disciples what is commonly called the Great Commission, commanding them to go to all nations, make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything He has commanded.
This command represents a major expansion of the mission because the message of Jesus is no longer directed only toward the people of Israel but is intentionally extended to all nations and peoples.
The chapter ends with one of the most important promises in the Gospel: Jesus assures His disciples that He will be with them always, even to the end of the age, meaning that the mission will continue under His authority and with His presence.
Matthew 28 therefore moves through a clear progression from death to life, fear to joy, confusion to understanding, defeat to authority, and a small group of frightened disciples to a worldwide mission.
The chapter's central message is that Jesus has risen from the dead, possesses authority over heaven and earth, and sends His followers to make disciples among all nations while promising to remain with them throughout their mission.
Matthew 28 ultimately presents the resurrection as the decisive confirmation of Jesus' identity and authority, transforming His disciples from witnesses of His death into messengers of His resurrection and commissioning them to carry His teaching, baptism, and message of salvation to the entire world.