Matthew 28:7

Analysis

And 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. The angel commissions the women as apostles to the apostles—'go quickly' (πορευθεῖσαι ταχύ/poreuthei sai tachy) conveys urgency. The greatest news demands immediate proclamation. Truth about the resurrection must not be delayed or hidden but declared swiftly.

'Tell his disciples' (ἀπαγγείλατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ/apangeilate tois mathētais autou)—the verb means to announce, report, declare. The women become heralds of resurrection, though their testimony would initially meet skepticism (Luke 24:11). Yet God chose them for this honor, demonstrating that in His kingdom, the last are first and the humble are exalted.

'He is risen from the dead' (ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν/ēgerthē apo tōn nekrōn)—the message to proclaim. This becomes the core apostolic preaching (kerygma) throughout Acts. Christianity stands or falls on resurrection's historicity. Paul states it plainly: if Christ is not raised, faith is futile and we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).

'He goeth before you into Galilee' (προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν/proagei hymas eis tēn Galilaian) fulfills Jesus's own prediction (Matthew 26:32). The Good Shepherd goes before His sheep (John 10:4). Galilee, where Jesus's ministry began, will witness post-resurrection appearances—Jesus restores what sin and denial had broken, renewing the disciples for their mission.

'There shall ye see him' (ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε/ekei auton opsesthe)—a promise, not merely a possibility. They will see the risen Lord because He promises to manifest Himself to His own. And so it occurred—Jesus appeared to the eleven in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20), commissioning them to world evangelism.

Historical Context

Galilee held significance as the region of Jesus's primary ministry (Matthew 4:12-23). Most disciples were Galileans. By directing them there rather than keeping them in Jerusalem, Jesus demonstrated that His resurrection was for the nations, not just Judaism's center. From Galilee, a region despised by Jerusalem's elite ('Can anything good come from Nazareth?'), the gospel would spread to the world.

The choice of Galilee also provided safety. Jerusalem was hostile territory where Jesus had just been executed. The disciples feared the Jewish authorities (John 20:19). Galilee offered refuge and familiar territory where they could process the resurrection's implications before returning to Jerusalem for Pentecost.

Ancient skeptics like Celsus (2nd century) attacked Christianity partly by noting that Jesus appeared primarily to followers, not enemies. Yet this objection misunderstands resurrection's purpose—not to convince hostile opponents but to commission faithful disciples and establish His church. The appearances provided sufficient testimony for those with eyes to see and validated the disciples' apostolic authority.

Reflection

• What does the urgency ('go quickly') teach us about the priority and importance of proclaiming Christ's resurrection in our own lives?
• How does Jesus 'going before' the disciples into Galilee illustrate His ongoing role as our Good Shepherd who leads, guides, and prepares the way?
• Why did Jesus choose to appear primarily to disciples rather than to hostile authorities, and what does this reveal about the nature of saving faith versus mere intellectual acknowledgment?