And 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. The risen Christ personally appears to the women—'Jesus met them' (Ἰησοῦς ὑπήντησεν αὐταῖς/Iēsous hypēntēsen autais). This is more than angels' testimony; they encounter the living Lord Himself. Jesus takes initiative, revealing Himself to those who seek Him. As He promised, 'Seek and ye shall find' (Matthew 7:7).
'All hail' (Χαίρετε/Chairete) is a common Greek greeting meaning 'Rejoice!' But on resurrection morning, this greeting carries profound significance—true joy is found only in the risen Christ. The imperative calls them to continue in the joy already filling their hearts (verse 8). Ironically, the same word was mockingly spoken by soldiers at His trial (Matthew 27:29); now the Risen King genuinely offers the joy those mockers could not comprehend.
'They came and held him by the feet' (ἐκράτησαν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας/ekratēsan autou tous podas)—this physical contact proves Jesus's bodily resurrection. He is not a ghost or vision but possesses a real, tangible (though glorified) body. Thomas would later touch His wounds (John 20:27); Jesus ate food (Luke 24:42-43). Early heresies claiming Jesus only rose spiritually are refuted by such details. Christianity confesses bodily resurrection, not mere immortality of the soul.
'And worshipped him' (προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ/prosekynēsan autō)—they rendered worship (proskyneō) appropriate only for deity. Jesus accepted this worship, confirming His divine nature. A mere man or angel would refuse worship (Revelation 19:10, 22:9), but Jesus receives it as His due. The resurrection vindicated Jesus's divine claims; He is truly 'Emmanuel—God with us' (Matthew 1:23), now revealed in resurrection power.
Historical Context
Holding someone's feet was an ancient gesture of reverence, supplication, and homage (2 Kings 4:27). It expressed humility before superior authority while also confirming the person's reality—they could touch Him, proving He was not an apparition.
This appearance to the women is recorded in Matthew and John (who specifically mentions Mary Magdalene, John 20:14-18). Some suggest these are different appearances, but more likely they describe the same event from different perspectives, with John focusing particularly on Mary Magdalene's experience.
Critics have claimed the resurrection accounts contradict each other. However, differences in perspective and emphasis (which Gospel writers chose which details to include) do not constitute contradictions. Multiple witnesses to an event naturally recall different aspects while agreeing on central facts—in this case, the women encountered the risen Jesus who commissioned them to tell the disciples.
The physical nature of Jesus's resurrection body became crucial in early church debates against Gnostic heresies that denied matter's goodness and bodies' resurrection. The Apostles' Creed explicitly affirms 'resurrection of the body,' grounded in Christ's own bodily resurrection as firstfruits and pattern for believers' future resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20, 42-44).
Questions for Reflection
How does Jesus's bodily, tangible resurrection (evidenced by the women holding His feet) assure us of our own future bodily resurrection rather than mere spiritual immortality?
What does Jesus accepting worship from the women teach us about His divine identity and the appropriateness of rendering Him full adoration and devotion?
How does Jesus personally meeting the women (going beyond what the angel had announced) demonstrate His personal care for individual believers and His desire for intimate relationship?
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Analysis & Commentary
And 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. The risen Christ personally appears to the women—'Jesus met them' (Ἰησοῦς ὑπήντησεν αὐταῖς/Iēsous hypēntēsen autais). This is more than angels' testimony; they encounter the living Lord Himself. Jesus takes initiative, revealing Himself to those who seek Him. As He promised, 'Seek and ye shall find' (Matthew 7:7).
'All hail' (Χαίρετε/Chairete) is a common Greek greeting meaning 'Rejoice!' But on resurrection morning, this greeting carries profound significance—true joy is found only in the risen Christ. The imperative calls them to continue in the joy already filling their hearts (verse 8). Ironically, the same word was mockingly spoken by soldiers at His trial (Matthew 27:29); now the Risen King genuinely offers the joy those mockers could not comprehend.
'They came and held him by the feet' (ἐκράτησαν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας/ekratēsan autou tous podas)—this physical contact proves Jesus's bodily resurrection. He is not a ghost or vision but possesses a real, tangible (though glorified) body. Thomas would later touch His wounds (John 20:27); Jesus ate food (Luke 24:42-43). Early heresies claiming Jesus only rose spiritually are refuted by such details. Christianity confesses bodily resurrection, not mere immortality of the soul.
'And worshipped him' (προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ/prosekynēsan autō)—they rendered worship (proskyneō) appropriate only for deity. Jesus accepted this worship, confirming His divine nature. A mere man or angel would refuse worship (Revelation 19:10, 22:9), but Jesus receives it as His due. The resurrection vindicated Jesus's divine claims; He is truly 'Emmanuel—God with us' (Matthew 1:23), now revealed in resurrection power.