Matthew 28:7 · Bible study
Matthew 28:7 Commentary: Proclaiming the Risen Christ
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
The angel's command to the women at the tomb to tell the disciples Jesus is risen.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The angel commissions the women to urgently proclaim the resurrection and the promised meeting in Galilee.
- Key words: ἠγέρθη (he was raised, passive, divine action); προάγει (he goes before, present tense, ongoing movement); ταχύ (quickly, urgency).
- Main debate: Why women were chosen as first witnesses: a reversal of Eve's role (Gill) or a humbling of the male disciples (Calvin).
- Theological theme: The resurrection as fulfillment of Jesus' promises; the elevation of the lowly as proclaimers of the gospel.
- Best use: Easter proclamation; teaching on evangelism and the inclusive nature of the gospel.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Then 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.’ See, I have told you.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and having gone quickly, say ye to his disciples, that he rose from the dead; and lo, he doth go before you to Galilee, there ye shall see him; lo, I have told you.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And go quickly and say to his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goes before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him. Behold, I have told you.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen. And behold he will go before you into Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
E id presto, decid á sus discípulos que ha resucitado de los muertos: y he aquí va delante de vosotros á Galilea; allí le veréis; he aquí, os lo he dicho.
Ide depressa dizer aos seus discípulos que ele ressuscitou dos mortos; e eis que vai adiante de vós para a Galileia; ali o vereis. Eis que eu tenho vos dito.
et allez promptement dire à ses disciples qu’ il est ressuscité des morts. Et voici, il vous précède en Galilée: c’ est là que vous le verrez. Voici, je vous l’ ai dit.
Und gehet eilend hin und sagt es seinen Jüngern, daß er auferstanden sei von den Toten. Und siehe, er wird vor euch hingehen nach Galiläa; da werdet ihr ihn sehen. Siehe, ich habe es euch gesagt.
En gaat haastelijk heen, en zegt Zijn discipelen, dat Hij opgestaan is van de doden; en ziet, Hij gaat u voor naar Galilea, daar zult gij Hem zien. Ziet, ik heb het ulieden gezegd.
E andate presto a dire a’ suoi discepoli: Egli è risuscitato da’ morti, ed ecco, vi precede in Galilea; quivi lo vedrete. Ecco, ve l’ho detto.
A prędko idąc, powiedzcie uczniom jego, że zmartwychwstał; a oto uprzedza was do Galilei, tam go ujrzycie; otom wam powiedział.
и пойдите скорее, скажите ученикам Его, что Он воскрес из мертвых и предваряет вас в Галилее; там Его увидите. Вот, я сказал вам.
快 去 告訴 他的 門徒，說 他從 死 裡復活了，並且 在你們 以先 往 加利利去，在那裡 你們要見 他。看哪，我已經告訴 你們了。」
And go quickly and give his disciples the news that he has come back from the dead, and is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him, as I have said to you.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 28:7
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse records a moment of extraordinary honor and urgent mission. The women at the tomb, low in status and legally less credible as witnesses, are commissioned by the angel to become the first proclaimers of the resurrection. Clarke calls it 'extraordinary honor' that God puts on those who persevere. Gill notes the theological reversal: as woman was first in transgression, women now bring the first news of life. The command 'go quickly' uses the adverb ταχύ, stressing the need for immediate action, the disciples were mourning and despaired; quick dispatch was needed to revive their faith, as Gill states. The verb προάγει (he goes before) is present tense active, Vincent emphasizes that Jesus is in the very act of going ahead, fulfilling his own promise from Matthew 26:32. The angel's closing 'Behold, I have told you' is a solemn divine confirmation (Calvin, Wesley). The message includes a special word for Peter (Mark 16:7), which Barnes and Calvin see as tender assurance of forgiveness. Across traditions, the verse affirms that the resurrection is not a secret to be guarded but a truth to be broadcast with speed and joy.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The angel commands the women to proclaim the resurrection to the disciples and to tell them Jesus is going before them into Galilee, where they will see him, fulfilling his prior promise (Matt 26:32).
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Role of women as first witnesses | All Christian traditions affirm that women were the first to receive and proclaim the resurrection. | Catholic and Orthodox traditions see this as affirming women's dignity in God's plan; some Protestant traditions emphasize the humbling of the male disciples; others note the women's faithfulness in contrast to the disciples' flight. |
| Significance of Galilee as meeting place | The meeting in Galilee fulfills Jesus' promise (Matt 26:32). | Some see it as a private confirmation for the eleven; others as a public appearance to many (1 Cor 15:6). The exact location (a mountain, Matt 28:16) is also interpreted differently: some read it as a specific site, others as symbolic of divine revelation. |
| Urgency of the command | The angel's 'go quickly' underscores the importance of the resurrection news. | Some understand the urgency as practical, to avoid the guards or authorities; others see it as theological, the disciples needed immediate hope after despair. |
| The angel's closing affirmation | The phrase 'Lo, I have told you' functions as a solemn confirmation of the message. | Calvin sees it as earnest assurance for the women; Gill connects it to prophetic formulas in the Old Testament, emphasizing the angel's authority as God's messenger. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse sits at the climax of Matthew's passion narrative, following the crucifixion, the sealing of the tomb, and the guards set there (27:62-66). The women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (28:1), come to the tomb at dawn on the first day of the week, after the Sabbath ended. They expected to anoint a dead body; instead they meet an angel whose appearance terrifies the guards (28:4). The angel rolls back the stone (28:2), but Jesus has already risen.
In Jewish society, women's testimony was not given the same legal weight as men's. By choosing women as the first witnesses, God deliberately upends cultural expectations. This pattern continues in the early church: the women run to tell disciples who initially doubt (Luke 24:11). The mention of Galilee is crucial. Jesus had told the disciples earlier, 'After I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee' (Matt 26:32). Galilee was the region where Jesus began his ministry, called the disciples, and performed most of his public works. By naming Galilee, the angel roots the resurrection in Jesus' own prediction and points to a planned, large-scale meeting (Matt 28:16-17).
The Cambridge Bible notes that the varying details in the Gospel accounts, different women named, the number of angels, the exact sequence, reflect the agitation of the witnesses. But all accounts agree on the core: the tomb is empty, the angels speak, the women are sent. The command to 'go quickly' also has practical urgency: the women should leave before the guards recover or authorities arrive (see 28:11-15). But more than that, it signals that the gospel cannot wait. The resurrection is the hinge of history, and the first hinge-movers are these faithful women.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Matthew 28:7. The verse is stable in the Greek manuscript tradition. The parallel accounts in Mark 16:7 and Luke 24:5-7 contain similar phrasing but with their own emphases; no variant affects the interpretation of this verse in Matthew.
Reception History
From the early church onward, this verse has been valued for its exaltation of the women as first witnesses. Matthew Henry highlights the angel's testimony as proof of the resurrection and the honor given to the faithful women. Calvin uses the verse to underscore God's willingness to use the lowly to confound the wise. In Reformed and Protestant traditions, the command to 'go quickly' has been applied to the urgency of evangelism. The verse also features prominently in Easter liturgies across denominations, often read alongside the accounts in Mark and Luke. The inclusion of the message for Peter has been a source of pastoral comfort, reinforcing that failure does not disqualify one from grace.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Urgent Commission: The angel says 'go quickly' (ταχύ). The resurrection is news that cannot sit still. The women run with fear and joy (v.8). Their speed matches the magnitude of the message.
- Inclusive Invitation: The message is for the disciples, specifically Peter (Mark 16:7). Those who failed, fled, and denied are called back. The risen Christ does not write off failures; he sends word to them first.
- Promised Meeting: 'He goes before you into Galilee.' Jesus is not waiting passively; he is leading. The disciples are not left to find their own way. The resurrection includes direction, purpose, and a place to encounter the Lord.
Five-point outline
- God Honors the Faithful Women: The angel speaks directly to women. Clarke calls it extraordinary honor. In a culture that marginalized their testimony, God makes them the first evangelists.
- The Certainty of the Resurrection: The angel states 'He is risen' (ἠγέρθη, passive divine). The empty tomb is the proof, and the angel's word is the interpretation.
- Assurance for the Fallen: The special mention of Peter (in Mark) assures that even the most shameful denial is forgiven. Calvin says Christ 'had not cast him off, though he basely and wickedly fell.'
- Fulfillment of Promise: Jesus had already said he would meet them in Galilee (Matt 26:32). The resurrection vindicates his word. The angel's message is a reminder that Christ keeps his promises.
- Divine Confirmation: 'Lo, I have told you', the angel seals the message with the authority of heaven. Wesley calls it a 'solemn confirmation.' The women can trust what they heard.
Illustration hooks
- Urgent news: Imagine receiving a call that a loved one declared dead is actually alive. You don't walk, you run. The women's speed mirrors the life-changing weight of the news.
- Forgiveness after failure: Think of a friend who let you down but then reaches out specifically to you, not ignoring the failure but naming it and still wanting you present. That is what Jesus does for Peter.
- An arranged meeting: When someone says 'I'll meet you at this place,' the promise maps the future. Galilee is not just geography; it's the promise that the risen Christ will meet his people again.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did the angel choose women to be the first to hear the resurrection news?
- If Jesus had already predicted his resurrection, why were the disciples so surprised and slow to believe?
- How does the command to 'go quickly' apply to our own telling of the gospel today?
Leading a Discussion
This verse is the hinge between the empty tomb and the mission of the church. The women are not told to keep the news secret; they are told to run and tell. The angel also gives a specific location, Galilee, tying the resurrection to Jesus' own words. As we discuss this passage, notice the speed, the inclusion, and the promise. Let the text ask us: what does it mean to be a messenger of the resurrection?
Discussion questions
- Why do you think the angel tells the women to 'go quickly'? What does the urgency tell us about the message?
- How does the inclusion of Peter (in Mark 16:7) change the way you see Jesus' response to failure?
- What significance does Galilee have in Matthew's Gospel? Why does the angel name that specific place?
- How do the women's emotions, 'fear and great joy' (v.8), reflect the reality of encountering the risen Christ?
- The angel's final words are 'Lo, I have told you.' How does this divine confirmation encourage the women? How does it encourage us when we share the gospel?
- What cultural barriers did the women face as witnesses? How does God's choice of them challenge our assumptions about who can share the faith?
- How can our church community embody the same urgency and inclusiveness in telling others about Jesus?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Isaiah 44:8 | Don’t fear, neither be afraid. Haven’t I declared it to you long ago, and shown it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not. I don’t know any other Rock.” |
| Isaiah 45:21 | Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior. There is no one besides me. |
| Matthew 24:25 | “Behold, I have told you beforehand. |
| Matthew 26:32 | But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” |
| Matthew 28:10 | Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.” |
| Matthew 28:16 | But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. |
| Matthew 28:17 | When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted. |
| Mark 14:28 | However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights the remarkable honor God bestows on these faithful women: they become the first to proclaim the risen Christ to the disciples who will later teach the whole world. He also notes a Jewish tradition that speaks of the Messiah's soul returning to his body after three days.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights the special tenderness of the angel’s instruction to name Peter separately. This personal mention was meant to comfort the apostle who had denied Jesus, reassuring him of forgiveness and showing that Christ still cherished his unfaithful follower.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin notes the extraordinary honor given to women to proclaim the resurrection to the apostles. The angel's specific mention of Peter was not due to his rank but to offer him special
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator treats the slight differences among the Gospel accounts of the resurrection as natural given the witnesses' agitation. He then constructs a single probable order of events that harmonizes the four versions, placing Mary Magdalene's first visit, Peter and John's inspection, and Jesus's appearance to her alone before a second appearance to the group of women.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And go quickly, and tel his disciples that he is risen from ye dead: and behold, he goeth before you into Galile: there ye shall see him: loe, I haue told you.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the striking reversal that women, who were first in the transgression and the cause of death, were the first to bring news of Christ's resurrection and the life it secures. He sees this as a great honor, relieving the disciples' despair and confirming that Christ would meet them in Galilee.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the angel's command for the disciples to go to Galilee refers to Christ's larger public appearances there, not to the private sightings some of these women would have almost immediately. The phrase "Lo, I have told you" is treated as a solemn message directly from heaven's realm.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that God's wisdom deliberately chose not to let anyone witness Jesus actually rising from the dead. The women saw the empty tomb and the risen Lord, but the moment of resurrection itself remained hidden, a mystery fitting for Christ's new, glorified state.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws attention to the Greek word for "goeth before," which carries the sense of an ongoing action: He is in the act of going. The point is that Christ's leading is not a past event but a present, active movement ahead of his followers.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that while the disciples would later see their risen Lord in a solemn gathering, he graciously appeared to them several times beforehand. The phrase "Lo, I have told you" serves as a solemn confirmation of this promise.