Matthew 28

28:1-10 The discovery of the empty tomb and the various resurrection appearances are presented with different emphases in each of the four Gospels. Matthew focuses on the reunion in Galilee, the attempt on the part of the Jewish leaders to discredit the resurrection, and the significance of the resurrection for the salvation of the world.28:1 Mary Magdalene (see 27:56): The mention of two women as witnesses lends credibility to the historicity of the account—an inventor of tales would not have used women as witnesses, since a woman’s testimony was considered less reliable than a man’s.

28:12 Such a bribe was contrary to the law (see Exod 20:16; 23:8). • elders: See study note on Matt 21:23.

28:13 stole his body: Tomb robbery was a common problem in the ancient world, so such an accusation would have been entirely believable.

28:15 still tell it today: Justin Martyr wrote to Jews of his day (about AD 165), “You have sent . . . men throughout all the world to proclaim, ‘A godless and lawless heresy has sprung from one Jesus, a Galilean deceiver, whom we crucified, but his disciples stole him by night from the tomb . . . and now [the disciples] deceive men by asserting that he has risen from the dead and ascended into heaven’” (Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 108). This misinformation probably became widespread after the disciples began to proclaim Jesus’ resurrection (see Acts 2:22-36).

28:17 some of them doubted: This might be a veiled reference to Thomas (John 20:24-29), but all eleven might have experienced a mixture of both worship and doubt (see also Matt 14:31; Luke 24:10-11; John 20:24-29).

28:18 Jesus’ authority is power delegated from the Father (see 7:29; 9:6-8; 21:23-27; 26:64; John 3:35).

28:19 go and: Literally going, a participle that supports the main imperative, make disciples. Matthew probably intended go to be understood as a separate command (as it is translated) and not as a circumstantial modifier (i.e., while you go; cp. the same construction in 9:6; Acts 10:20). • make disciples: A disciple is one who repents of sin, trusts in Jesus for salvation, and obeys his teachings. • all the nations: The mission to the Gentile nations formally began here (see Matt 10:5-6; 15:24; see also 1:1; 2:1-12; 8:5-13; 21:43; 24:14; 26:13). • Two aspects of making disciples are baptizing and teaching (28:20).. Baptism indicates public identification with, and surrender to, Jesus and the work he has done for salvation (see 3:13-17; 10:32-33; 20:28; 26:28; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:1-11; 1 Pet 3:21). • In the name of means entrance into a relationship and its benefits, which come to those who truly believe. • Father . . . Son . . . Holy Spirit: This is a formulaic expression for the nature of God as a trinity (see also 1 Cor 12:4-6; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 4:4-6; 2 Thes 2:13-14; 1 Pet 1:2; Rev 1:4-6).

28:20 Teach: The disciples’ curriculum is comprised of all the commands of Jesus (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount, chs 5–7). The church is to be marked by its obedience to Jesus’ commands (5:17-20; 7:13-27). Jesus’ authority and presence are the basis for the disciples’ mission (see also 1:23; 18:20).