Matthew Chapter 28: Analysis, Key Verses and Catholic Reflection

Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s scriptures and the inaugurator of a new covenant community. Chapter 28 brings the Resurrection to the foreground, confirming Jesus’ victory over death and commissioning his followers for mission. The narrative moves from the empty tomb in Jerusalem to appearances in Galilee, culminating in the Great Commission. In the NABRE, Matthew emphasizes an orderly, faith-filled response: awe at the risen Lord, obedience to the risen Christ, and a universal call to evangelize. This chapter thus serves as both a theological culmination and a practical mandate for the Church’s missionary life.

Text and Context of Mt 28

Mt 28 narrates the discovery of the empty tomb, angelic proclamation, and the risen Jesus appearing to the women and later to the disciples in Galilee. The chapter begins at the tomb on the first day of the week, moves through the angelic message, and culminates in the commissioning of the apostles to go and make disciples of all nations. Key speakers include the angel, the risen Jesus, and the evangelist narrator; settings include the tomb, the road to Galilee, and the mountain in Galilee. The overarching purpose is to confirm the Resurrection and to authorize the disciples to continue Jesus’ mission in every nation and culture.

Key Verses of Mt 28

Note on NABRE quotations: Full verses are copyrighted. The following excerpts are brief NABRE fragments (≤90 characters) for reference.

Mt 28:1 — After the Sabbath

After the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.

The verse marks the miraculous dawn of the Resurrection story and highlights the women as the first witnesses. In Matthew, the women’s presence signals a reversal of expectations and the inclusivity of the gospel witness. The setting underscores a transition from tomb to proclamation and from fear to faith.

Mt 28:6 — He has been raised

He has been raised; he is not here.

This brief declaration proclaims the core truth of the Christian faith: Jesus has conquered death. It anchors the apostolic proclamation and invites faith beyond the tomb’s emptiness. The verse also foreshadows the disciples’ call to announce the risen Christ to the world.

Mt 28:7 — Then go quickly

Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised.’

The directive to go and tell emphasizes speed and urgency in missionary witness. It links the resurrection with apostolic proclamation and the forming of a community that testifies to Christ’s victory. The verse also signals that the risen Jesus begins to direct the early Church through its messengers.

Mt 28:8 — So they left the tomb quickly

So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy.

This verse captures the mixed emotion of fear and joy that accompanies faith in the Resurrection. It shows the women’s immediate obedience and their role as bearers of the good news. The reaction reflects a transformative encounter that propels the mission forward.

Mt 28:9 — Jesus met them

Jesus met them and greeted them.

p>The personal encounter with the risen Lord reaffirms divine presence and consolation. The reaction of worship that follows demonstrates a proper response to the Resurrection: faith, reverence, and trust. This meeting bridges the tomb to the personal reception of the risen Christ by his followers.

Mt 28:10 — Do not be afraid

Do not be afraid; go tell my brothers to go to Galilee.

The risen Jesus reassures the women and directs them toward the disciples’ gathering in Galilee. The instruction to tell the brothers expands the mission to the entire group of Jesus’ followers. It also highlights the continuity between the Resurrection appearances and the ongoing communal mission of the Church.

Mt 28:19–20 — Go therefore and make disciples

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.

The Great Commission encapsulates the Church’s universal mission: evangelization, baptism, and teaching. It asserts Jesus’ authority and promises divine presence until the end of the age. In Matthew, this commission grounds the Church’s apostolic activity in the Eucharistic and catechetical life of the community.

Church Teaching on This Passage

The Resurrection narrative in Mt 28 is foundational for Catholic faith and life. The Fathers and the Magisterium read the chapter as the decisive proclamation of Christ’s victory and the source of the Church’s missionary mandate. Church Fathers such as Chrysostom and Augustine emphasized the Resurrection as the decisive event that validates the gospel and calls the Church to bear witness to all nations. The Magisterium teaches that the Great Commission (Mt 28:19–20) is the Church’s mission mandate, guiding evangelization, baptism, and discipleship (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 121–123, 849, 2043). The Resurrection also grounds Catholic hope in eternal life and forms the basis for liturgical celebration of Easter as the center of the Church year.

This Chapter in the Liturgy

In the Roman liturgical year, Mt 28 is prominently featured at Easter Sunday Mass in many cycles, especially in Year A and Year B where the Resurrection narratives of Matthew and Mark are proclaimed in the Easter season. The Gospel is also heard during the Easter Octave as part of the ongoing celebration of the Resurrection, and it informs the readings during the Easter season and the liturgy of the Word with its emphasis on the Empty Tomb, the Risen Christ, and the mission to the nations.

Lectio Divina

Verse for reflection: Mt 28:20 — “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Meditation question: How does the presence of Christ shape your daily choices and your witness to others?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant me faith to trust your abiding presence, courage to proclaim your Resurrection, and generosity to serve your mission in the world. Amen.

FAQ

1. What is the central message of Matthew 28?

The Resurrection confirms Jesus’ divinity and victory over death, while the Great Commission empowers the Church to evangelize and baptize all nations.

2. Why are women the first witnesses in Mt 28?

Matthew highlights the women as primary witnesses to the resurrection, emphasizing the inclusive nature of Jesus’ mission and the trustworthiness of their testimony in a patriarchal setting.

3. How does Mt 28 relate to the Church’s mission today?

The Great Commission remains a foundational mandate for evangelization, catechesis, and mission, grounded in Christ’s authoritative presence with the Church.

4. How is this chapter used in Catholic worship?

Its Resurrection narrative is often proclaimed at Easter Sunday Mass and during the Easter season, shaping liturgical themes of hope, faith, and mission.