Encountering the Resurrected Christ: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Matthew 28

Executive Summary ✨

Matthew 28, the concluding chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, unveils the cornerstone of our faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This chapter isn’t just a historical account; it’s a profound theological statement. It begins with the discovery of the empty tomb, followed by angelic proclamations and Christ’s own appearances to Mary Magdalene and the other women. The chapter culminates in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Understanding Matthew 28 is crucial for grasping the core tenets of Christianity: the victory over death, the divine authority of Jesus, and the call to evangelization. This verse-by-verse commentary will unpack the historical, theological, and spiritual significance of this pivotal chapter from a Coptic Orthodox perspective, deepening our appreciation for the resurrected Christ and His enduring mission.

This commentary focuses on the profound implications of Matthew 28 – The Resurrection and the Great Commission, exploring its Coptic Orthodox interpretation.

Commentary Sections 📖

Matthew 28:1

Greek: Ὀψὲ δὲ σαββάτων, τῇ ἐπιφωσκούσῃ εἰς μίαν σαββάτων, ἦλθεν Μαριὰμ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ ἡ ἄλλη Μαριὰμ θεωρῆσαι τὸν τάφον.

English: Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

The timing is significant. “After the Sabbath” (Ὀψὲ δὲ σαββάτων) marks the transition from the old covenant law, symbolized by the Sabbath rest, to the new covenant of grace inaugurated by the resurrection. “As the first day of the week began to dawn” (τῇ ἐπιφωσκούσῃ εἰς μίαν σαββάτων) is not merely a chronological detail. It foreshadows the dawn of a new era, a new creation, where Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, rises to dispel the darkness of sin and death. The presence of Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” demonstrates their unwavering devotion. Despite the danger and grief, they were compelled to visit the tomb. This unwavering loyalty is a testament to the power of love and a model for our own faithfulness.

Spiritual Application: Let us emulate the devotion of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, seeking Christ even in moments of darkness and despair. May we be faithful in our love and service to Him, even when it is difficult.

Matthew 28:2-4

Greek: καὶ ἰδοὺ σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας· ἄγγελος γὰρ Κυρίου καταβὰς ἐξ οὐρανοῦ προσελθὼν ἀπεκύλισεν τὸν λίθον ἀπὸ τῆς θύρας καὶ ἐκάθητο ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ· ἦν δὲ ἡ εἰδέα αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀστραπή, καὶ τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ λευκὸν ὡς χιών· ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ φόβου αὐτοῦ ἐσείσθησαν οἱ τηροῦντες καὶ ἐγένοντο ὡς νεκροί.

English: And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

The earthquake (σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας) symbolizes the upheaval caused by the resurrection. It’s not just a physical event; it’s a cosmic disruption, signifying the shattering of death’s power. The angel’s appearance (ἡ εἰδέα αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀστραπή, καὶ τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ λευκὸν ὡς χιών) underscores the divine nature of the event. Lightning and snow represent divine purity and power. The guards, representing the earthly authority that sought to suppress the truth, are paralyzed with fear (ἐγένοντο ὡς νεκροί). This is a direct parallel to the fear experienced by Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea. Their powerlessness illustrates the futility of opposing God’s will. The stone being rolled away is not to let Jesus out, but to let the witnesses *in* to see that He has risen.

St. Cyril of Alexandria writes, “Οὐχ ἵνα ὁ Κύριος ἐξέλθῃ, ἀλλ’ ἵνα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις δείξῃ τὸν κενὸν τάφον.” (“Not so that the Lord might go out, but so that he might show the empty tomb to the people.”) (Cyril of Alexandria, *Commentary on Matthew*, PG 72:452)

Spiritual Application: The resurrection is a powerful force that shakes the foundations of our lives, challenging our preconceived notions and inviting us to embrace a new reality in Christ. Let us not fear the upheaval that comes with following Him.

Matthew 28:5-7

Greek: Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἄγγελος εἶπεν ταῖς γυναιξίν· Μὴ φοβεῖσθε ὑμεῖς· οἶδα γὰρ ὅτι Ἰησοῦν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον ζητεῖτε. οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε· ἐγήγερται γὰρ, καθὼς εἶπεν· δεῦτε ἴδετε τὸν τόπον ὅπου ἔκειτο ὁ Κύριος· καὶ ταχὺ πορευθεῖσαι εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἐγήγερται ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν, καὶ ἰδοὺ προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε. ἰδοὺ εἶπον ὑμῖν.

English: But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 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, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

The angel’s first words are “Do not be afraid” (Μὴ φοβεῖσθε ὑμεῖς). This reassurance is crucial, as fear is a common response to encountering the divine. The angel affirms their quest for Jesus (οἶδα γὰρ ὅτι Ἰησοῦν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον ζητεῖτε), acknowledging their faithfulness and devotion. The proclamation “He is not here; for He is risen” (οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε· ἐγήγερται γὰρ) is the central message of the Gospel. It confirms the victory over death and the fulfillment of Jesus’ own prophecies. The instruction to “Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (δεῦτε ἴδετε τὸν τόπον ὅπου ἔκειτο ὁ Κύριος) invites them to verify the truth of the resurrection. This is important, as faith is not blind; it is based on evidence and experience. They are then commissioned to tell the disciples (εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ) to go to Galilee, where they will see Him. Galilee, often associated with the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, symbolizes a new beginning, a fresh start for the disciples.

Spiritual Application: The resurrection removes our fear and fills us with hope. We are called to seek Christ, to witness the empty tomb, and to share the good news with others.

Matthew 28:8

Greek: καὶ ἀπελθοῦσαι ταχὺ ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου μετὰ φόβου καὶ χαρᾶς μεγάλης ἔδραμον ἀπαγγεῖλαι τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ.

English: So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.

Their reaction is a mixture of “fear and great joy” (μετὰ φόβου καὶ χαρᾶς μεγάλης). The fear stems from the awe of encountering the divine and the uncertainty of what the resurrection means. The great joy comes from the overwhelming realization that death has been defeated. This mixture of emotions reflects the human experience of encountering God. They “ran to tell His disciples” (ἔδραμον ἀπαγγεῖλαι τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ), demonstrating their eagerness to share the good news. This highlights the importance of evangelization.

Spiritual Application: Let us approach God with reverence and awe, but also with great joy and enthusiasm. And let us be eager to share the good news of the resurrection with everyone we meet. Consider using e-commerce solutions to spread your spiritual message online.

Matthew 28:9-10

Greek: καὶ ἰδοὺ Ἰησοῦς ἀπήντησεν αὐταῖς λέγων· Χαίρετε. αἱ δὲ προσελθοῦσαι ἐκράτησαν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ. τότε λέγει αὐταῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Μὴ φοβεῖσθε· ὑπάγετε ἀπαγγείλατε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου ἵνα ἀπέλθωσιν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, κἀκεῖ με ὄψονται.

English: And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

Jesus meets them, saying, “Rejoice!” (Χαίρετε). This greeting underscores the joy and triumph of the resurrection. Their act of holding Him by the feet and worshiping Him (ἐκράτησαν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ) demonstrates their recognition of His divinity and their deep love for Him. Jesus again tells them, “Do not be afraid” (Μὴ φοβεῖσθε), reinforcing the message that the resurrection brings freedom from fear. He refers to the disciples as “My brethren” (τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου), highlighting the familial relationship He has with those who follow Him. The reiteration of the instruction to go to Galilee emphasizes its importance.

Spiritual Application: In the presence of the risen Christ, we find joy and freedom from fear. We are invited to worship Him and to embrace our relationship with Him as our brother and friend.

Matthew 28:11-15

These verses detail the conspiracy of the chief priests and elders to suppress the truth of the resurrection. They bribe the soldiers to spread a false narrative, claiming that the disciples stole the body while they slept. This highlights the opposition that the Gospel will inevitably face and the lengths to which those in power will go to maintain their control. The fact that the soldiers, who were entrusted with guarding the tomb, accepted the bribe and spread the lie demonstrates the corruption and dishonesty that existed even in the face of such a miraculous event. This fabricated story circulated widely among the Jews and persists even to this day. This demonstrates the ongoing spiritual battle between truth and falsehood.

Spiritual Application: We must be discerning and vigilant against falsehoods and deception, always seeking the truth in Christ. We should expect opposition and remain steadfast in our faith.

Matthew 28:16-17

Greek: Οἱ δὲ ἕνδεκα μαθηταὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, εἰς τὸ ὄρος οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν.

English: Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

The eleven disciples obey Jesus’ command and go to Galilee (εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν). This obedience is crucial. Galilee, as mentioned before, symbolizes a new beginning. They worshiped Him (προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ), acknowledging His divinity. However, “some doubted” (οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν). This honesty is remarkable. Even in the presence of the resurrected Christ, some struggled with doubt. This shows that doubt is not necessarily the opposite of faith; it can be a part of the journey of faith. It reminds us that even those closest to Jesus experienced moments of uncertainty. The mountain (εἰς τὸ ὄρος) is a place of encounter with God, reminiscent of Mount Sinai. It is a place where God reveals Himself.

Spiritual Application: Obedience is essential for encountering Christ. Even when we struggle with doubt, we can still worship Him and seek His guidance. He meets us where we are, even in our uncertainty.

Matthew 28:18

Greek: καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς λέγων· Ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς.

English: And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

Jesus approaches them (προσελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς), taking the initiative to speak. He declares, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς). This is a pivotal statement, establishing His absolute sovereignty and divine power. This authority is not something He seized; it was *given* to Him. This reflects the eternal relationship between the Father and the Son, as affirmed in the Nicene Creed. He is not merely a teacher or a prophet; He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Spiritual Application: We must recognize and submit to the authority of Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives. He is the ultimate source of power and guidance. He is the final arbiter of truth and justice.

Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)

Greek: πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος, διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθ’ ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος.

English: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The Great Commission is the culmination of Matthew’s Gospel. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη) is a universal mandate. It is not limited to a specific time or place. Making disciples (μαθητεύσατε) is more than just evangelism; it involves teaching and nurturing believers to live according to Christ’s teachings. “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος) is the initiatory sacrament of Christian life. It signifies cleansing from sin and union with Christ. This Trinitarian formula is a fundamental affirmation of Christian belief. “Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν) emphasizes the importance of ongoing instruction and discipleship. It is not enough to be baptized; we must continue to learn and grow in our faith. “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθ’ ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος) is Jesus’ promise of unwavering presence and support. This promise sustains us in the face of challenges and empowers us to fulfill the Great Commission. Matthew 28 – The Resurrection and the Great Commission provides the essential foundation for Christian life and ministry.

St. Athanasius writes, “Οὐκ ἄρα ἐστὶν κτίσμα ὁ Λόγος, ἀλλὰ Θεὸς ἀληθινός, συνεδρεύων τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Πνεύματι.” (“Therefore, the Word is not a created thing, but the true God, co-enthroned with the Father and the Spirit.”) (Athanasius, *Against the Arians*, PG 26:48)

Spiritual Application: We are all called to participate in the Great Commission, sharing the Gospel, baptizing new believers, and teaching them to follow Christ. We do not do this alone, but with the assurance of His constant presence and support.

Subtopic Sections 💡

Let’s explore some key reflections on the Great Commission:

Universal Scope: The command to make disciples of “all nations” transcends cultural, ethnic, and geographical boundaries.
Trinitarian Foundation: Baptism in the name of the Trinity affirms the core of Christian theology and the unity of God.
Ongoing Discipleship: Discipleship is not a one-time event but a continuous process of learning, growing, and obeying Christ’s commands.
Divine Authority: The authority of Jesus empowers us to fulfill the Great Commission, despite our limitations.
Assurance of Presence: Jesus’ promise to be with us “always” provides comfort, strength, and confidence.
Transformation not merely information: The goal is not to simply transmit facts but to transform lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

FAQ ❓

Let’s address some frequently asked questions about Matthew 28:

Q: Why is the resurrection so important?
A: The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. It proves that Jesus is the Son of God, validates His teachings, and guarantees our own resurrection and eternal life. Without the resurrection, Christianity would be meaningless (1 Corinthians 15:14).
Q: What does it mean to “make disciples”?
A: Making disciples involves more than just converting people to Christianity. It includes teaching them the commands of Jesus, nurturing their faith, and helping them grow into mature followers of Christ who can then disciple others (2 Timothy 2:2).
Q: How can I participate in the Great Commission?
A: You can participate in the Great Commission by sharing your faith with others, supporting missionaries, praying for the spread of the Gospel, and living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ. Consider helping others find domain hosting so they can start their own online ministries. Every act of service and witness contributes to fulfilling this mandate.
Q: What if I feel inadequate to fulfill the Great Commission?
A: Jesus doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Remember Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Lean on His strength, seek His guidance, and trust in His promise to empower you.

Conclusion 🕊️

Matthew 28 – The Resurrection and the Great Commission is a powerful testament to the victory of Christ over death and the ongoing mission of His Church. The resurrection is not just a historical event; it’s a living reality that transforms our lives and empowers us to share the good news with the world. The Great Commission is not merely a suggestion; it’s a command that calls us to participate in God’s redemptive plan. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we embrace this mission with zeal, knowing that Christ is with us always, guiding and empowering us to make disciples of all nations. Let us go forth with faith, courage, and love, proclaiming the resurrected Christ to the ends of the earth.

Meta Description

Explore Matthew 28 – The Resurrection and the Great Commission from a Coptic Orthodox perspective. Dive into verse-by-verse commentary, Patristic insights, and practical applications.

Tag: Matthew 28

Matthew 28 – The Resurrection and the Great Commission