Matthew 28:1-10 · Matthew

Empty Tomb

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visit the tomb of Jesus and find it empty after an angel rolls away the stone. The angel tells them Jesus has risen and instructs them to inform the disciples. As they leave, Jesus appears to them and reassures them, asking them to tell his disciples to meet him in Galilee.

Summary

The passage in Matthew 28:1-10 describes the discovery of Jesus' empty tomb, a pivotal moment in the Christian narrative. It begins with Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visiting Jesus' tomb early on the first day of the week, just after the Sabbath has ended (28:1). They arrive with the intention of seeing the sepulchre, setting the stage for the events that follow.

As the women approach, a great earthquake occurs, and an angel of the Lord descends from heaven. The angel rolls back the stone from the tomb's entrance and sits on it, his appearance dazzling like lightning and his clothes white as snow (28:2-3). The guards at the tomb are so terrified that they become like dead men (28:4). The angel speaks to the women, telling them not to be afraid and informing them that Jesus, who was crucified, is not there because he has risen (28:5-6). The angel instructs them to quickly tell Jesus' disciples that he has risen and will meet them in Galilee (28:7). The women leave the tomb with a mix of fear and joy, running to deliver the message to the disciples (28:8).

As the women hurry to tell the disciples, Jesus himself meets them on the way. He greets them, and they respond by worshiping him, holding his feet (28:9). Jesus reassures them, telling them not to be afraid and instructing them to inform his "brethren" to go to Galilee, where they will see him (28:10). The passage concludes with the women tasked with delivering Jesus' message, establishing the risen Jesus' intention to reunite with his followers in Galilee.

Chiastic structure

ⓘ
A

Matthew 28:1-5

“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary... the angel of the Lord... said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.”

B

Matthew 28:6-7

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead...”

A'

Matthew 28:8-10

“And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them... Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren...”

Both A and A' involve the women encountering divine messengers and receiving instructions about Jesus' resurrection and where to meet him.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The passage in Matthew 28:1-10 establishes the foundational Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead, marking a victory over death. The text underscores this event's significance by detailing the angel's announcement that Jesus is not in the tomb because he has risen (28:6). This moment is crucial because it validates Jesus' prior predictions of his resurrection, reinforcing his divine authority and the truth of his teachings. The encounter between the women and the risen Jesus further solidifies the resurrection as a tangible reality, not a metaphorical or spiritual occurrence, as they physically hold his feet and worship him (28:9). This passage, therefore, asserts the resurrection as a pivotal event that transforms despair into hope, anchoring Christian faith in the reality of Jesus' victory over death.

The Catholic interpretation emphasizes the resurrection as a literal and physical event. This view draws directly from verses 6 and 9, where the angel states Jesus "is risen," and the women physically hold Jesus' feet. These verses suggest a bodily resurrection, not merely a spiritual or symbolic one. This interpretation is central to Catholic theology, which insists on the bodily resurrection as proof of Jesus' divinity and the future hope of believers' own resurrection. The tactile interaction between Jesus and the women underscores the physicality of the event, affirming that the resurrection involves Jesus' actual body, not an apparition or vision.

In contrast, the Eastern Orthodox tradition highlights the role of the women as the first witnesses to the resurrection, underscoring their faithfulness and courage. The focus here is on verses 5 and 7, where the angel addresses the women directly, giving them the task of announcing the resurrection to the disciples. This perspective values the women's immediate response to the angel's message, marked by both fear and joy (28:8), as an act of deep faith. By being the first to encounter the risen Christ (28:9), the women are honored as apostles to the apostles, a theme that resonates with Orthodox emphasis on the importance of witness and tradition.

The passage offers a multifaceted understanding of the resurrection. It conveys not only the physical reality of Jesus rising from the dead but also elevates the role of the women as primary witnesses. The physical resurrection underscores the defeat of death and the promise of eternal life for believers. Simultaneously, the women's role highlights the importance of faith and witness in the Christian narrative. Both interpretations emphasize different aspects of the text but together enrich the understanding of the resurrection as both a historical event and a call to faithful witness. This dual focus invites readers to appreciate the resurrection as a cornerstone of Christian belief and an invitation to participate in its proclamation.

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