NOTES for Mat 28:1-20
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. |
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. |
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: |
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. |
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. |
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. |
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. |
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. |
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. |
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. |
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. |
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, |
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. |
14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. |
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. |
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. |
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. |
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. |
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: |
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. |
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The angel who announced the Resurrection addresses the women who came to the tomb, but not the guards who are nearby. This must be because there is no point imposing factual knowledge on those who are not yet ready to receive it. After all, to accept the Gospel message does not mean to memorize the contents of a text; it means to begin a new life. So the guards are free to decide how they should relate to the miracle that has taken place. The Angel addresses those who accepted Jesus and love Him, and to them the Angel entrusts the task of telling the disciples the news of the Resurrection.
On the way to the apostles they met the Risen One Himself. Well, a meeting with Him can happen precisely when, fulfilling our duty, we are going to our brothers. And how important Matthew's testimony to the faithfulness of these women is!
The behavior of the chief priests may seem strange. Are they really blinded to such a degree that they are unable to accept the miraculous event as testimony that Jesus truly is the Son of God?
Yes, to exactly that degree. The level of teaching they have absorbed is for them the fullness of truth, and what goes beyond rigid boundaries is hard for them to perceive. And pride and "political considerations" prevent them from admitting that they were wrong and had sent an innocent man to death. They do not need the Truth. But Truth nevertheless rose.
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Readings for 14 October 2025
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