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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:
THE RISEN CHRIST APPEARS

Matthew 28:1 – Two Marys Visit the Grave

|| Mark 16:1, 2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1

MT28:1 Now after the sabbaths at the first light of dawn 1733 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to view the grave.

1733	Now after the sabbaths at the first light of dawn: Or, KJV: in the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week; RHM: late in the week; NEB: about daybreak on Sunday.

Matthew 28:2-4 – An Angel Rolled Away the Stone

|| Mark 16:3-5; Luke 24:2-4; John 20:11, 12

MT28:2 Now, look! a great earthquake occurred. An angel of the Lord [YHWH] descended from heaven and approaching [the tomb] he rolled away the stone and sat on top of it. MT28:3 The outward appearance of the angel was like lightning 1734 and his clothing as white as snow.

1734	Was like lightning: Compare Judges 13:6 and Daniel 10:6. Luke 24:4 adds, “in flashing clothing.” r, NEB: face shone like lightning; TCNT: as dazzlingly as lightning.

MT28:4 Out of fear of the angel those custodial guards who saw this began to tremble with fear and became as dead persons. 1735

1735	Became as dead persons: That is, unconscious. Or, BER: became like corpses; PME: collapsed like dead men.

Matthew 28:5-7 – “Jesus Was Raised Up!”

|| Mark 16:6, 7; Luke 24:5-8; John 20:13

MT28:5 Now responding to their fear the angel spoke to the women, 1736 “Do not be frightened. I know you are looking for the one executed, Jesus.

1736	The women: The first to be told – the first to behold the empty tomb – are the female followers of Jesus who are not among his disciples. It is highly unlikely that Jewish males editing this material would admit to this unless it were the truth.

MT28:6 He is not here! For he has risen just as he told you. Approach and see where he lay. MT28:7 Now, quickly be on your way and tell his disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead! Look! Jesus goes ahead of you into Galilee. 1737 There you will see him. Behold, I have told you so!”

1737	Galilee: This is some distance north where the Nazarene’s ministry began. They are not told where exactly.

Matthew 28:8-10 – The Two Marys Met by the Risen Christ

|| Mark 16:8; Luke 24:9; John 20:14-17

MT28:8 So, the women left quickly from the memorium with a mixture of fear and great joy. They ran to report back to the disciples of Jesus. MT28:9 And, look! Jesus met the women, saying, “What a joyous day!” 1738 Those women came to Jesus falling forward to grab hold of his feet, bowing to kiss them. 1739

1738	What a joyous day: Or, KJV: all hail; NEB: he gave them his greeting; WMS: good morning; RHM: joy to you; WEY: peace be to you.

1739	Bowing to kiss them: The Greek is PROSEKUNESAN which literally means to bow and kiss in prostration to the ground. Or, KJV: worshipped him; NEB: clasped his feet, falling prostrate before him; BER: knelt before him.

MT28:10 Now Jesus spoke to them, “Do not be frightened! Go and report back to my brothers so that they might leave for Galilee and there they will see me.”

Matthew 28:11-15 – The False Report the Body Was Stolen

MT28:11 While the women were on their way, look! some of the custodial guards entered the city of Jerusalem and reported back to the religious hierarchy everything that had happened. MT28:12 Now in a conference with the Jewish elders they took counsel. They agreed to give plenty of money to the soldiers, 1740

1740	Give plenty of money to the soldiers: Or, KJV: large money; KNX: a rich bribe. Compare Proverbs 17:23. See notes on Matthew 27:64.

MT28:13 telling them, “Say that his disciples came in the night and stole his body while you were sleeping. MT28:14 And if this ever reaches the governor we will convince him and you need not fear.” MT28:15 Those soldiers took the silver money and did as they were told. And just so the rumor spread around among the Jews down to this very day.

Matthew 28:16-19 – The King’s Commission

MT28:16 Now the eleven disciples traveled to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. 1741

1741	To meet them: Compare the additional information in the gospel of Luke 24:12-49 and John 20:1-21:19.

MT28:17 When they saw Jesus they bowed to the ground before him 1742 but some doubted.

1742	They bowed to the ground before him: The Greek is PROSEKUNESAN (to bow before and kiss).

MT28:18 Upon approaching Jesus he said to them, “All authority 1743 in heaven and upon earth was given to me.

1743	All authority: Note this celestial and terrestrial authority has been given the Risen Lord. It is not something he possessed before. Compare Ephesians 1:20-22.

MT28:19 Therefore, go your ways and make disciples 1744 of all the nations, baptizing persons in the name of 1745 the Father, the Son and the holy Pneuma.

1744	Go your ways and make disciples: These instructions are directed to the eleven apostles.

1745

In the name of: This was never a formula used by these apostles in their baptizing. The recorded Acts shows they always baptized “in the name of Jesus.” Therefore, this pronouncement is likely more of an authorization or commission upon the apostles. Regarding so-called triune formulas research the phrase.

MT28:20 Teach them to observe everything I commanded you. 1746 And, look! I am with you 1747 [apostles] until the consummation of the Age.” 1748 [Daniel 9:26, 27]

1746	Teach them to observe everything I commanded you: It seems this suggest preliminary instruction before a person is baptized. A Christian should at least know the “commandments” of Jesus. Indeed, the Friends of the Nazarene are those who observe his commandments (John 15:14).

1747	I am with you: These words are directed to his eleven apostles not necessarily a statement to all disciples throughout all time. See notes on Matthew 18:20.

1748

Until the consummation of the Age: The Greek is TES SYNTELEIAS TOU AIONOS. Judging from Matthew 24:3 (Daniel 9:26, 27) and Hebrews 9:26, 27 Jesus means the Jewish Temple Age which ended in 70 CE (1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 1:2). Research last days. Or, KJV: the end of the world; RHM: conclusion of the age; RIEU: to the end of time; WEY: until the close of the Age. This does not mean the King has abandoned his disciples throughout the Gospel Age until the consummation of the Age at his Parousia and the angelic Harvest (see notes on Matthew 13:40). Luke 24:45-49 adds, “Then he opened up their minds fully to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures, and he said to them: ‘In this way it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations-starting out from Jerusalem, you (apostles) are to be witnesses of these things. And, look! I am sending forth upon you (apostles) that which is promised by my Father. You (apostles), though, abide in the city until you (apostles) become clothed with power from on high.’” (NW)