Knowing The Word in Matthew 28:1-10

The Resurrection

[The New Testament never describes the resurrection. It tells us the tomb was empty and that the disciples saw the risen Lord.]

1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake [the means by which the stone is moved?], for an angel of the Lord [who comes to explain and instruct] descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. [The stone is moved for the benefit of the women, not to let Jesus out for he has already risen.] 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [See Daniel 10:6.] 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. [See Daniel 10:7-10.] 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. [The same women who saw him placed in the tomb see the tomb empty.] 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” [Why Galilee? The light will dawn in Galilee while it goes out in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will cease to be where one can find the Lord.] 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them [as per John and Mark but not Luke] and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”