A modern English translation drawn directly from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Translated word-for-word where possible, by a committee with scholarly oversight.
Uses the same source texts as the ESV, NASB, and most academic Bibles, including the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and the Nestle-Aland critical edition.
Matthew 28
Matthew 28 is the twenty-eighth and final chapter of the first gospel. The 20-verse chapter records the resurrection of Jesus and contains his closing command to the disciples, known as the Great Commission.
The chapter opens early on Sunday morning. Mary Magdalene and another Mary go to look at the tomb. An earthquake occurs. An angel of the Lord comes down from heaven, rolls back the stone, and sits on it. His appearance is like lightning and his clothes white as snow. The guards posted at the tomb are so frightened they become like dead men.
The angel addresses the women directly. They should not be afraid. Jesus, who was crucified, is not here. He has risen, just as he said. They should come and see the empty tomb, then go quickly and tell the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee. As they run with the news, Jesus himself meets them. They fall at his feet and worship him. He repeats the instruction to send the disciples to Galilee.
The chapter then describes what the guards do. They report to the chief priests, who pay them a large sum to say that the disciples came at night and stole the body. The story circulates widely.
The closing scene takes place on a mountain in Galilee where Jesus has arranged to meet the eleven disciples. They worship him, though some doubt. Jesus tells them: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Verse 1. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Verse 2. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it.
Verse 3. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
Verse 4. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.
Verse 5. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
Verse 6. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.
Verse 7. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”
Verse 8. So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.
Verse 9. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.
Verse 10. “Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”
Verse 11. While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.
Verse 12. And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money
Verse 13. and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’
Verse 14. If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
Verse 15. So the guards took the money and did as they were instructed. And this account has been circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Verse 16. Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.
Verse 17. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.
Verse 18. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
Verse 19. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Verse 20. and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Last updated: