The big picture
Matthew 28 opens in verse 1 with “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 10 with “Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee…”, and closes in verse 20 with “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with…” Repeated or prominent terms include disciples, Jesus, fear, Galilee, tell. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Matthew · King James Version · 20Matthew 28:1-7
1–7: In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of…
Matthew 28:1–7 opens with “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary…” and reaches “And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on The women finding the opened tomb, meeting the risen Jesus, and the disciples receiving the commission in Galilee, with particular weight carried by angel, dead, fear.
Context that brings the passage to life
“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other…” Naming Mary and Magdalene keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Matthew 28:1-7
King James Version1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
Matthew 28:8-14
8–14: They departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and…
Matthew 28:8–14 opens with “And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his…” and reaches “And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on The women finding the opened tomb, meeting the risen Jesus, and the disciples receiving the commission in Galilee, with particular weight carried by disciples, Jesus, tell.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.” The line’s distinctive content terms include departed, disciples, fear. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
Matthew 28:8-14
King James Version8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
Matthew 28:15-20
15–20: So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is…
Matthew 28:15–20 opens with “So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among…” and reaches “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on The women finding the opened tomb, meeting the risen Jesus, and the disciples receiving the commission in Galilee, with particular weight carried by Jesus, alway, Amen.
Context that brings the passage to life
“So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Matthew 28:15-20
King James Version15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Matthew 28:1 begins with “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.”
Where the chapter turns
Matthew 28:10 forms a natural hinge: “Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”
The final note
Matthew 28:20 leaves the reader with “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words disciples, Jesus, fear, Galilee, tell, angel help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Which promise most directly answers Jacob's situation?
God will be with him, keep him and bring him back to the land in verse 15.
How does the place change for Jacob?
An ordinary stopping place becomes recognized as the setting of divine encounter.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- spake
- spoke
- raiment
- clothing
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.