The notes you’re reading in the Gospels Journal come from our 🟦 Blue (Start) Commentary Series—designed to help you clearly understand each passage as you begin your journey in God’s Word. As you grow, take your next step into our 🟩 Green (Grow) commentaries to see how each passage fits into the bigger story of Scripture.
📘 Companion Resource
These study notes align with The Gospels Discipleship Journal (Matthew Reading) — a structured, Scripture-first guide designed to help you build daily habits of reading, reflection, and prayer.
If you want to move from occasional reading to consistent spiritual formation, this journal walks you step-by-step through the Gospel accounts in chronological order, helping you see the life of Jesus unfold clearly and cohesively.
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Jesus rises from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death, revealing Himself as the risen King, and commissioning His followers to make disciples with His authority and presence.
How to Use These MTSM Study Notes
These study notes are designed to provide foundational insight into the passage you have read in The Gospels Discipleship Journal .
Before reading these notes, spend time with the Scripture itself. Wrestle with the text. Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you.
These notes are meant to supplement your reading — not replace it. They are a guide to help you understand the passage more clearly, not a substitute for personal engagement with God’s Word.
The Empty Tomb (Matthew 28:1–7)
Early Sunday morning, at dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb. They had personally seen where Jesus was buried (27:61), so there was no confusion about the location.
Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the ground. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled back the stone, and sat on it. His appearance flashed like lightning, and his clothing was white as snow.
The Roman guards—trained soldiers—were overwhelmed with fear. They trembled and collapsed like dead men.
The angel spoke to the women:
“Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.”
The stone was not rolled away so Jesus could get out—His resurrected body needed no help. It was rolled away so the women could look in and see that the tomb was empty.
Then came the command:
“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.”
The resurrection is not just an event—it is proof.
Jesus is alive.
And because He is alive, every person will one day stand before Him—as Savior or Judge.
The Risen King Appears (Matthew 28:8–10)
The women left the tomb quickly, filled with both fear and great joy.
Before they could reach the disciples, Jesus Himself met them.
He greeted them simply:
“Greetings.”
Overwhelmed, they fell at His feet and worshiped Him. This was no vision or illusion—they were holding onto the reality of His risen body.
Jesus reassured them:
“Do not be afraid.”
Then He repeated the mission:
“Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Notice His grace—He calls the disciples “my brothers,” even though they had abandoned Him.
This moment shows us something powerful:
Jesus is not distant. He is a risen Savior who meets His people personally.
The Lies of the Enemy (Matthew 28:11–15)
While the women went to share the truth, the guards went into the city to report what had happened.
They told the chief priests everything.
Instead of repenting, the religious leaders chose deception.
They bribed the soldiers with a large sum of money and told them to spread a false story:
“The disciples came during the night and stole the body while we were sleeping.”
But this explanation creates more problems than it solves:
- Roman soldiers sleeping on duty could be executed
- If they were asleep, how did they know who took the body?
- Why risk admitting failure unless forced to?
Yet this lie spread widely and was still circulating when Matthew wrote his Gospel.
Even today, people create alternative explanations.
But the existence of these theories points to one undeniable fact:
The tomb was empty.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20)
The scene shifts to Galilee.
On a mountain, the eleven disciples saw Jesus. They worshiped Him—though some still struggled with doubt.
Jesus spoke with absolute authority:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
His resurrection proved it—no power could defeat Him.
Then He gave His final command:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations…”
This mission includes:
- Going to all people
- Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- Teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded
The goal is not just converts—it is disciples.
People who follow Jesus and help others follow Him.
And Jesus ends with a promise:
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew’s Gospel began with Immanuel—God with us (1:23)
It ends with the same truth:
Jesus is still with His people.
Conclusion
Matthew 28 is the turning point of history.
- The tomb is empty
- The King is alive
- The mission is clear
Death has been defeated.
Hope is secure.
The gospel now moves forward through Jesus’ followers.
Truths and Lessons for Today
1. The Resurrection Proves Jesus’ Victory
The empty tomb confirms that Jesus is alive and that death has been defeated.
🡲 Application: Live with confidence and courage. Your future is secure in Christ.
📖 “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” (Matthew 28:6, NLT)
2. The Great Commission Is Our Calling
Jesus calls His followers to make disciples—not just believers, but obedient followers.
🡲 Application: Be intentional about disciple-making in your home, church, and everyday life.
📖 “Go and make disciples of all the nations.” (Matthew 28:19, NLT)
3. We Go with His Authority and Presence
We are not sent alone—we go with the authority of Christ and the promise of His presence.
🡲 Application: Step into opportunities to share and serve with boldness—Jesus is with you.
📖 “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, NLT)
Want to go deeper?
Our MTSM 3-Tiered Commentary offers richer context and greater insight for those who want more than surface-level notes. It’s a great next step in studying God’s Word.
Matthew MTSM Commentary
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