Matthew Chapter 28

Matthew 28 — “He Is Not Here: The Victory of the Risen King and the Mission of the Church”

Matthew 27 revealed the death of the Son of God.
Matthew 28 reveals the triumph of the Son of God.

After the silence of the tomb,
the voice of heaven is heard.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

The Resurrection is the foundation of faith and the beginning of the Church’s mission to the world.

1. The Dawn of the New Creation

“Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week…” (Matt 28:1)

The Resurrection occurs on the first day —
the day of creation.

St Augustine writes:

“The Lord rose on the first day, that a new creation might begin where the old began.”
(Sermons)

The women come in sorrow,
but dawn comes with joy.

The first witnesses are those who remained faithful at the Cross.

2. The Earthquake and the Angel

“And behold, there was a great earthquake…” (v. 2)

Creation trembles again,
as it did at the Cross.

St Ambrose teaches:

“The earth quaked when death was conquered, as it quaked when life was given.”
(On the Faith)

The angel descends, not to release Christ,
but to reveal that He has already risen.

3. The Stone Rolled Away

“He rolled back the stone and sat upon it.” (v. 2)

The stone is removed
for witnesses, not for Christ.

St John Chrysostom explains:

“He did not need the stone moved to rise, but we needed it moved to believe.”
(Homilies on Matthew)

The tomb is opened
as a sign of victory.

4. The Fear of the Guards

“The guards trembled and became like dead men.” (v. 4)

Those who guarded death
are struck with fear.

St Jerome writes:

“They who watched the tomb were themselves seized by death-like terror.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

Power without truth
cannot stand before heaven.

5. “Do Not Be Afraid”

“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid.’” (v. 5)

Fear belongs to soldiers,
not to believers.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Terror is for those who resist truth; joy is for those who seek it.”
(Homilies)

Grace speaks peace
before it speaks news.

6. “He Is Not Here”

“He is not here; for He has risen, as He said.” (v. 6)

This is the Gospel in one sentence.

St Augustine writes:

“He was not taken away; He rose by His own power.”
(Sermons)

The promise spoken in Galilee
is fulfilled in Jerusalem.

7. The Empty Tomb

“Come, see the place where He lay.” (v. 6)

Faith is invited to see,
not imagine.

St Ambrose says:

“The tomb is shown empty so that doubt may find no home.”
(On the Mysteries)

Absence becomes evidence.

8. “Go and Tell”

“Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen.” (v. 7)

The women become apostles to the apostles.

St Jerome comments:

“Life is first announced by those who had witnessed death.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

Mission is born
from encounter.

9. Joy and Fear Together

“They departed quickly with fear and great joy.” (v. 8)

Resurrection produces both awe and gladness.

St Augustine teaches:

“Fear guards reverence; joy proclaims victory.”
(Sermons)

True faith
holds both.

10. Jesus Meets Them

“And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Hail.’” (v. 9)

The risen Christ speaks simply.

St Ambrose writes:

“He did not thunder from heaven; He greeted them as a friend.”
(On Luke)

Familiar voice,
new glory.

11. They Took Hold of His Feet

“They took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.” (v. 9)

The Resurrection is bodily.

St John Chrysostom says:

“They touched Him, that the truth of the flesh might be known.”
(Homilies)

Not a ghost,
but the Lord.

12. “Do Not Be Afraid”

(v. 10)

Resurrection replaces fear
with mission.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“He takes fear from them so He may send them to others.”
(Homilies)

Peace prepares proclamation.

13. The Bribe of the Soldiers

“Say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away.’” (v. 13)

Falsehood is hired
to oppose truth.

St Augustine writes:

“They paid money to hide what money could not buy.”
(Sermons)

The lie itself
confirms the miracle.

14. A Story Spread Among the People

(v. 15)

Unbelief chooses
darkness over light.

St Jerome remarks:

“They invented a theft because they could not deny the Resurrection.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

Error requires explanation;
truth stands.

15. The Mountain in Galilee

“The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain…” (v. 16)

Revelation returns
to the place of first calling.

St Bede writes:

“He leads them back to Galilee, where faith first began.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

The mission rises
where discipleship began.

16. Worship and Doubt

“When they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted.” (v. 17)

Faith and weakness
stand together.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“They doubted not the Resurrection, but the vision of glory.”
(Homilies)

Doubt becomes
path to stronger faith.

17. “All Authority Has Been Given to Me”

(v. 18)

The Crucified now reigns.

St Leo the Great writes:

“He who was judged by men now judges the world.”
(Sermon)

The Cross
leads to the throne.

18. The Great Commission

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (v. 19)

The Kingdom becomes universal.

St Augustine says:

“The Church is sent where Christ has conquered.”
(Sermons)

No nation is excluded.
No culture is outside grace.

19. Baptizing in the Name of the Trinity

“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (v. 19)

The Trinity is revealed
as the heart of salvation.

St Basil the Great teaches:

“We are baptized not into a creature, but into the divine Name.”
(On the Holy Spirit)

Faith becomes sacrament.

20. Teaching Obedience

“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (v. 20)

Doctrine and life
cannot be separated.

St John Chrysostom remarks:

“He commands teaching not words only, but works.”
(Homilies)

The Gospel forms nations
by forming souls.

21. “I Am With You Always”

(v. 20)

The risen Christ remains.

St Augustine writes:

“He ascended in body, but did not leave in power.”
(Sermons)

Presence becomes perpetual.

22. Until the End of the Age

(v. 20)

History is enclosed
within Christ’s promise.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“The Church will labor until the Lord returns, and He will not abandon her labor.”
(Homilies)

Mission continues
until glory appears.

Christ in Matthew 28

Jesus is:

• the Risen Lord
• the Victor over Death
• the True Creator
• the Universal King
• the Giver of Baptism
• the Teacher of Nations
• the Ever-Present Savior

Spiritual Application

Believe the Resurrection.

Leave the tomb behind.

Hold Christ’s feet in worship.

Do not fear lies.

Proclaim truth.

Make disciples.

Live baptized.

Trust His presence.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
Risen Savior and Lord of all nations,
You conquered death and opened the way to life
and sent Your Church into the world with Your Gospel.

Strengthen our faith in Your Resurrection.
Drive fear from our hearts and joy into our witness.
Make us faithful disciples and courageous messengers.
Keep us in the grace of Baptism
and in obedience to Your word.

Remain with us always,
as You have promised,
until the day when faith gives way to sight
and we behold You risen in glory
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever.

Amen.