Matthew 28:1-20 reveals the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the giving of the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:1-20, we see the empty tomb, the testimony of the angel, and the first witnesses to the risen Lord. This passage shows that Jesus is not in the grave but alive, and it establishes the foundation of the gospel message.
In Matthew 28:1-20, we also see the authority of Jesus declared and the command to go into all nations. The resurrection confirms His power, and the Great Commission reveals His purpose for His people. These verses bring the Gospel of Matthew to its conclusion by showing that Jesus is risen, reigning, and sending His followers to make disciples.
Matthew 28:1-20 Study Series Context
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW BIBLE STUDY SERIES
This study of Matthew: Matthew 28 1-20 Resurrection How to Stop Seeking Dead Christ is part of a verse-by-verse teaching series through the Gospel of Matthew.
Previous: Matthew 27:28-66 Crucifixion
Next: This completes the Gospel of Matthew. You may be interested in the Gospel of Luke Series.
Matthew 28:1-20 – Resurrection and Great Commission
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Scriptures used in this lesson on Matthew 28:1-20 – Resurrection and Great Commission
- Matthew 28:1, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Exodus 19:18, Psalm 18:6-7,13, Isaiah 2:19, Isaiah 13:13, Isaiah 29:6, Revelation 11:13-15, Hebrews 12:26-29, Matthew 28:2-4, Matthew 28:5-7, Matthew 26:32, Matthew 28:8-10, Matthew 28:11-15, Matthew 28:16-17, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, 1 Corinthians 15:24-25
Ending the Matthew Study with Matthew 28:1-20 – Resurrection, Earthquakes, and the Great Commission
We will conclude the study on the book of Matthew, the book of the King. I believe He has done the things we asked the Lord to do at the beginning. We asked Him to give us a kingdom mentality and to show us that He is King now. I believe He has helped us and shown us many principles. This study has helped, encouraged, and blessed me.
I was thinking about how I wish I could have taken a snapshot of where we were spiritually when we began and compare it to where we are now. Like children growing, I wish we had a picture of that moment. It was a difficult time for me, but now I see it as a good time. I know we have changed, and this book has helped, encouraged, and blessed us.
When I go through a long study like this, it feels like leaving an old friend. You wake up with it, go to bed with it, and it gets inside of you. It is hard to leave, but the principles remain. We pray that fruit has been produced and that it will remain.
Today, we will see the end of the Sabbath, how women were drawn to Jesus, and what earthquakes mean in Scripture. We will hear the angel say, “I know you seek Jesus, He is not here” (Matthew 28:5-6). Many still look for Him where He is not. We will see that to meet Jesus, we must leave where we are. It is not far, but we must move. We will look at worship, the guards being bribed, and the great commission, where all power belongs to Jesus. There is no power above Him.
Matthew 28:1-20 The Resurrection Begins (Verses 1-10)
Matthew 28 divides into the resurrection verses 1-10, the guards bribed verses 11-15, and the Great Commission 16-20.
Let’s look at the resurrection in verses 1 through 10.
Matthew 28:1
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Why Christians Worship on Sunday (Matthew 28:1-20 Context)
This brings up the Sabbath. Christians do not worship on the Sabbath today. It is not the day set aside for Christian worship, and many do not understand why. There are two reasons. First, Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, Sunday (Matthew 28:1). Second, the Holy Spirit came on the first day of the week, the day after the Sabbath, also Sunday (Acts 2:1). These are the reasons Christians began to worship on Sunday.
As you study the book of Acts, you will see that Paul refers to gathering on the first day of the week and breaking bread on that day (Acts 20:7). I have included these references, but I will not spend much time on them. The two major events of the New Testament – the resurrection of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost – both happened on the first day of the week, Sunday, not Saturday.
This fulfills Leviticus 23:9-17, which speaks of the sheaf of the first fruit and the day after the seventh Sabbath, the fiftieth day, when the Pentecost offering was lifted. First Corinthians 15:23 shows that Jesus became the first fruit (1 Corinthians 15:23). I have shown that the Sabbath day was to end. Hosea says it would end (Hosea 2:11). Colossians says it did end and was nailed to the cross along with the ordinances (Colossians 2:14-16). The Sabbath has ended, and it is not the day Christians come together in worship.
The First Day of the Week Gathering in Matthew 28:1-20
Acts 20:7
7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1 Corinthians 16:2
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
It says you lay aside the collections on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Lord was raised on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1). The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost on the first day of the week (Acts 2:1). So the corporate time when Christians come together has from the beginning been Sunday, not the Sabbath, or Saturday.
Women Drawn to Jesus in Matthew 28:1-20
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary are mentioned, and Mark adds Salome, while Luke adds Joanna (Mark 16:1) (Luke 24:10). This connects back to the women at the cross. We see the same principle again – women are naturally drawn to Jesus Christ. We also warned that women can be spiritually deceived, as the serpent beguiled Eve rather than Adam (1 Timothy 2:14). The serpent targets the woman because if he gets the woman, he can get the man. Yet the women were with Jesus in His ministry, at the cross, at the tomb, and here they are again coming early on the first day of the week to anoint His body (Matthew 28:1).
The women were always present. I often ask, where were the men? The disciples and apostles were hiding. They were running from reality and responsibility. That same pattern is seen today, with more women in churches and men still avoiding responsibility.
A point I want to make is that Jesus was a true man. He was not a macho man, a mirror man, a money man, a mommy’s boy, or a crybaby. He is the perfect pattern man. This is the kind of man a woman truly wants. She may not think so at first, but in the end, she wants a spiritual man to lead, raise children, and handle life. A man patterned after Jesus Christ is the man a woman really wants.
Seeking a Living Jesus Not a Dead Christ
They came to see the sepulcher, and that shows that many people today are still looking for a dead Jesus. They look for Him on the cross, in the manger, or in the tomb. Sadly, they have not met a living Jesus Christ. That is what we will move into.
Matthew 28:1-20 The Earthquake and God’s Voice (Verses 2-4)
Then verses 2 through 4 show the great earthquake, the angel descending, the stone rolled away, and the keepers shaking with fear (Matthew 28:2-4).
Earthquakes in Scripture – God Sends, Speaks, and Is Present
What happens when we get around an earthquake? Everything that can be shaken is shaken. We conducted a study on this and provided you with many scriptures. I looked up about 22 passages, and what I want to show is three things. First, who sends earthquakes? Second, who is present in an earthquake? Third, who is speaking during an earthquake? I want us to understand this principle clearly.
Exodus 19:18 God Appears in Fire and Shaking
The first use of earthquakes is in Exodus 19:18 (Exodus 19:18). This happens just before the Ten Commandments are given in Exodus 20.
Exodus 19:18
18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
Israel came to Mount Sinai, and Moses went up to speak with God. God said He would come in three days and meet the people (Exodus 19:10-11). When the time came, God came down with fire, quaking, and earthquakes. The people did not stand and talk with God – they ran because they were afraid.
Earthquakes Reveal God’s Presence and Voice
The principle is that the shaking and the fire happened because God was there. God was present in the earthquake, and God spoke to Israel in it. In an earthquake, God wants to speak. This applies to personal earthquakes in our lives. When we go through shaking, God likely sent it, is present in it, and is speaking through it. No matter what we face, He is there.
God Speaks Through Earthquakes in Scripture
In Numbers 16, the earth opened and swallowed Korah and his company in their rebellion, and the Lord spoke in that event (Numbers 16:31-33,36).
Job 9:6
6 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
Job speaks of the Lord as the one who shakes the earth, showing who sends the earthquake (Job 9:6). I’ll ask it another way – who is the earthquake? The answer points back to God.
In Psalms, David sings of calling on the Lord and being heard, and then the earth shook and trembled as God gave His voice (Psalms 18:7-13).
Psalm 18:6-7,13
6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
I want you to see the principle that in earthquakes, God is speaking. The principle in Scripture is that when an earthquake occurs, God is speaking. Sometimes He speaks about good things, but often He speaks negatively and involves judgment. He is trying to get attention. If something starts shaking, it gets our attention, and that is what happens in our lives. God is there, He is present, and, likely, He sent it. The earthquake is God.
Earthquakes Reveal God’s Judgment and Glory
The voice of His thunder is in the heavens, the lightnings light the world, and the earth trembles and shakes (Psalm 77:18).
Isaiah, speaking there of the day of the Lord, says for the glory of his majesty when He arises, to shake the earth terribly (Isaiah 2:19).
Isaiah 2:19
19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
We don’t see God’s glory in an earthquake, do we? However, is that what it says, though? For the glory of his majesty when he arises to shake terribly the earth. But is it his glory? It is the glory of his majesty.
Isaiah 13:13
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
Isaiah 29:6
6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
How will He visit? When God comes, He begins to shake things. He does this because He wants a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Everything in us that is not part of that kingdom will be shaken, and if it shakes, it is not built correctly (Hebrews 12:27-28).
Matthew 28:1-20 Earthquake Pattern Throughout Scripture
You can see this principle throughout the Old Testament. It is hard to find a place where an earthquake is not connected to God sending it, God being present in it, or God speaking through it. Even in Matthew 24:7, earthquakes are mentioned in relation to His activity (Matthew 24:7).
Remember, we studied Matthew 24 and 25 in depth and saw that it refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. In that context, earthquakes are connected to the coming and presence of the Lord at the end of the Mosaic age. The question is whether God was speaking and present in those earthquakes.
Matthew 27:51 shows an earthquake at the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:51) when the veil was rent. And now, in Matthew 28:2, in our study, we have an earthquake. Scriptures speak of an earthquake at the death of Jesus and of earthquakes in relation to the resurrection. God’s always speaking through an earthquake. There’s something that he’s saying.
Revelation Earthquake and the Establishing of the Kingdom
Turn to Revelation in your Bible. I have much of it here, but I want us to see it in the Word.
Revelation 11:13-15
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
God Forms His People Through Shaking
We see something that seems strange in Revelation 11:13. There was a great earthquake, part of the city fell, 7,000 men died, and the remnant were afraid and gave glory to God (Revelation 11:13). This shows that even in judgment, God’s people gave Him glory.
This raises the point that when an earthquake comes, whether natural or spiritual, God is in it. He is speaking and making His presence known. The kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord after this shaking (Revelation 11:14-15). The pattern is that after the earthquake removes what is not right, the kingdom is established. The same happens in our lives. God sends the shaking, He speaks through it, and He removes what does not belong.
Job speaks of God taking hold of him and shaking him (Job 16:12). God is forming a people and removing what is not right so that He can have a kingdom that stands. This aligns with being made without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27).
After the earthquake, the elders worship God and declare His power and reign. The temple of God is opened, and spiritual things are revealed. When the temple is opened, we see lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and hail (Revelation 11:19). This shows that earthquakes come from God. He controls them, He is present in them, and He speaks through them.
God Shakes to Remove What Cannot Stand (Hebrews 12:26-29)
Let’s look at Hebrews. I want you to see that earthquakes come from God. They are from God, and that is the principle. If the remnant could give God glory in an earthquake, then I can understand giving God glory in the earthquakes of life. I do not enjoy them, and I do not like seeing them in my life or others, but when I understand the principle, I know God is working something in me. He is shaking things and forming something He can use in His kingdom (Hebrews 12:26-28).
Hebrews 12:26-29
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
There is nothing beyond earth and heaven, so when He finishes shaking, nothing else will remain to be shaken. This shaking removes what can be shaken (Hebrews 12:27). If something shakes in me, then it is not part of the kingdom and must be removed.
If It Shakes It Is Not Built Right
The principle is clear. If it shakes, it is not built right. If it hurts, it is not dead. God wants a people who can stand through the shaking and still give Him glory. When I see God shaking, I should be able to glorify Him. I may weep and pray with those going through it, but I know that through the shaking, God is producing something better. The same is true in my life.
Shaking is not enjoyable, but it is necessary. God is removing what can be shaken so that what cannot be shaken will remain (Hebrews 12:27). What remains is His kingdom, which cannot be moved. Because we receive an unshakable kingdom, we need grace to serve God with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28). God is a consuming fire, even in the shaking (Hebrews 12:29). When we understand this, we begin to listen to what He is saying in it.
Now moving on, the angel of the Lord rolled back the stone and sat on it (Matthew 28:2). The stone represented the sealing of Jesus in the tomb. It was their security, meant to keep Him contained and guarded.
Matthew 28:2-4 The Earthquake at the Resurrection
Matthew 28:2-4
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
When God was ready to move the stone, He did not ask permission. He moved their security. We also have stones in our lives that we guard and seal, but when God decides to move them, He will do it. He sends ministering spirits to minister to those who are heirs of salvation, and He removes those securities (Hebrews 1:14). He moves the stone and sits on it, showing that it is finished.
Matthew 28:1-20 The Empty Tomb and Angel’s Message (Verses 5-7)
Matthew 28:5-7
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 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.
Matthew 28:5-6 He Is Not Here He Is Risen
The angel declared that Jesus is not in the tomb (Matthew 28:5-6). It is fine to look, but we must not stay there. Jesus is not on the cross, not in the tomb, and not in the manger. He is risen and seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:3). If we want to meet Him, we will not find Him in those former places. We will meet Him as Lord of lords and King of kings.
Matthew 28:7 Go to Galilee to Meet Jesus
The angel said He is risen and that He goes before us into Galilee, where we will see Him (Matthew 28:7).
The truth is that Jesus is not in those places. He is on the throne (Revelation 3:21). Many still look for Him where He was instead of where He is. They look at His past instead of His present. The call is to go where He is now. He told them to go to Galilee, where they would meet Him (Matthew 28:10). He had already told them this before the crucifixion (Matthew 26:32).
Matthew 26:32
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Matthew 28:1-20 Jesus Goes Before His People
Jesus told them before the crucifixion that after His resurrection, they would meet Him in Galilee. Galilee had received light through His ministry, even though it had been a place of darkness (Matthew 4:12-17). This shows the purpose of the church – to bring light into darkness. Our mission is not to build buildings but to bring light where we are.
Even though Jesus had great power and popularity, He ministered in a small, focused area. Later, His ministry spread, but He remained centered. This shows that we should not become too spread out, but focus our energy where we are. The women were told to go and tell the disciples to go to Galilee.
You Must Move to Meet Jesus
Jerusalem was where they were, but Galilee was where they had to go to meet Jesus. They had to leave one place to reach another. The principle is that we must leave where we are to truly find Him. We may have to leave our natural state or even what we think is spiritual. The principle is we must move to meet Him. We are raised up to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).
He is risen as he said (Matthew 28:6). Jesus told them this over and over, yet they still did not understand. We laugh at them, but the same thing happens to us when we hear truth repeatedly and still do not grasp it.
Matthew 28:1-20 Worship and Encounter (Verses 8-10)
Matthew 28:8-10
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 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.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
In verses 8 through 10, the women departed quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell the disciples (Matthew 28:8-10). As they went, Jesus met them. They held Him and worshiped Him.
Matthew 28:8-10 Fear and Great Joy Together
That moment shows both fear and joy working together. Fear means alarm and reverence. Great joy means deep cheerfulness. When we share the word of God, both must be present. There must be a fear of mishandling the word and misleading people. At the same time, there must be joy. Fear without joy presents God wrongly. Joy without fear also presents Him wrongly. Both must be held together.
As they were moving, Jesus met them. He meets us as we move in obedience. He comes and chooses us (John 15:16). The Father draws (John 6:44). We respond and are born again (John 3:5). Then we mature (Ephesians 4:13). This is the process.
True Worship in Matthew 28:1-20
When they met Him, they worshiped Him (Matthew 28:9). True meeting produces worship. People who truly meet the Lord do not struggle with worship. Worship is the natural response. The word means to adore, to bow, to show reverence, and to humble oneself before Him.
According to that definition of worship, we have to ask how we are really doing. It is possible that most Christians have never truly worshiped Him. Many have attended worship services and meetings, yet never actually met Jesus there. The truth is that many do not truly want to worship Him.
Receiving from Unexpected Voices
He appeared first to the women before the apostles (Matthew 28:9-10). That shows a principle I had to learn. A godly woman may speak something from the Lord, and I can either reject it because of my position or receive it and meet the Lord through it. I have learned to listen.
The account of the guards shows the foolishness of their story (Matthew 28:11-15).
Matthew 28:1-20 The Guards and False Report (Verses 11-15)
Matthew 28:11-15
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Matthew 28:11-15 The Bribed Guards
They claimed to be asleep yet said the disciples stole the body. That creates obvious questions. There were two messages being spread. Both were religious. One leads to Jesus and truth. The other leads to deception. We live in a world full of voices, and it is easy to follow the wrong one. I want to follow the voice that leads me to meet the Lord.
Judas followed the wrong voices and went to his own place (Acts 1:25). I do not want that path. I want to go to the mountain and meet the Lord.
The disciples went to Galilee as instructed.
Matthew 28:1-20 Worshipers and Doubters (Verses 16-17)
Matthew 28:16-17
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted (Matthew 28:16-17). This shows two types of followers. Both are present, both are in the right place, yet one worships and the other doubts.
Doubt means to waver. If I focus on people and circumstances, I will find reasons to doubt. If I focus on Him, I will worship. Every church has both worshipers and doubters. The difference is where the focus is placed.
Doubters are saved, they are on the mountain, and they are in the heavenly places with Christ. They are going to heaven, yet there are worshipers and doubters. If I look around, I will find reasons to doubt. The Lord will allow me to waver if that is what I choose. He allowed them to doubt, and He will allow us to do the same. Worshipers keep their focus on Jesus. They are not looking for faults or reasons to waver. They simply see Him and worship.
When Worship Stops Doubt Begins
When worship stops, grumbling and doubting begin.
Israel loved the Lord while miracles were happening. They were willing to follow Him. When worship stopped, murmuring and complaining began (Exodus 16:2-3). The same pattern continues. When people stop worshiping, they begin to question everything. They begin to complain and lose focus. This reveals the difference between worshipers and doubters.
Jesus then declares that all power is given unto Him in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18-20).
Matthew 28:1-20 The Great Commission and Authority (Verses 18-20)
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
“All” power means all. He has every kind of power. There is no authority that He does not possess. The word “power” means authority, privilege, and ability. Jesus has the right and the freedom to exercise that power. Nothing limits Him. No person, no demon, no situation, and no condition is outside His authority. This power was given to Him long ago, and it is fully His now.
Nothing Is Outside His Authority
There is nothing and no one anywhere that Jesus does not have authority over. This is not the future. This is now. All power has already been given to Him, and He has the right to use it. The devil does not limit Him. The only limitation is His body. Because He has all authority, He commands us to go. This is not optional. If He has called us and sent us, then what He has assigned will have His backing. Nothing can stop what He has truly established except His body. If He has not called it, it will be shaken and fall.
Discipleship Means Teaching All Things
He says to “teach all nations.” That means to disciple, to instruct, and to train. The disciple’s role is to teach. The Lord chooses (John 15:16). The Father draws (John 6:44). We respond and are born again (John 3:5). Then we mature (Ephesians 4:13). After that, we become learners and then teachers. The command is to make disciples, not just converts. A disciple is a learner. If I am a disciple, I am learning. If I disciple others, I am teaching them what He commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).
He commands us to make disciples in all nations, baptizing and teaching them all things He taught. That includes the beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7), the parables (Matthew 13), the Lord’s table (Matthew 26:26-28), teachings on divorce (Matthew 19:3-9), the signs of the end (Matthew 24), and the judgment of nations (Matthew 25:31-46). These are His teachings.
If we are going to teach others, we must first know these things. We cannot teach what we do not know. This is the problem. We do not know enough to teach, and our lives do not change. Our lives must reflect what we teach. We must take His word seriously and be able to teach others.
Matthew 28:19 Baptizing in the Name
He then speaks about baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19). I’ve got to show you something.
Matthew 28:19
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
The emphasis is on the name, not names. Notice that the word “name” is singular. It is one name. Covenant is always established in a name. When God made a covenant with Noah, it bore his name (Genesis 6:18). When He made a covenant with Abraham, it bore his name (Genesis 17:2). In the covenant with Moses, it bore his name (Exodus 19:5). The name carries the authority of the covenant. That is why Jesus said he had all authority before He said this.
Jesus commands us to continue His ministry and to act in His name. He said to cast out devils and lay hands on the sick in His name (Mark 16:17-18). The authority is in the name. That name includes the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that name is Jesus. The covenant name of the New Testament is Jesus.
Apostles Baptized in the Name of Jesus
In the New Testament, the apostles baptized everyone in the name of Jesus. At Pentecost, Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38).
Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In Acts 8, they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12). That’s Philip at Samaria.
Acts 8:12
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Gentiles Baptized in the Name of Jesus the Lord
Acts 10:48: This is Peter at Cornelius’s house.
Acts 10:48
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Notice Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Acts 19:5, this is Paul at Ephesus.
Acts 19:5
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
If you were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, you are baptized. There is no need to be baptized again unless the Holy Spirit impresses that on you. The principle is that the authority is in the name. We are baptized into the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). Everything we do in word or deed is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17).
When I baptize, unless instructed otherwise, I baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the covenantal power name. All authority has been given to Him. We are baptized into His name because His name carries that authority.
Matthew 28:1-20 Jesus Is With Us Always
He also says that He is with us always (Matthew 28:20). He is with us at all times, throughout the day, and in every season. This promise extends through this age. It speaks of the present age, not the end of the physical world. During this time, He is with us as we go, baptize, teach, and make disciples. His presence remains constant.
All authority belongs to Him. There is nothing outside of His rule. This truth is reinforced in what we see in (1 Corinthians 15:23-28).
1 Corinthians 15:24-25
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father…
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not in conflict over authority. There is no debate in heaven about who has power.
Jesus Has All Authority Over All Things
The Lord Jesus has all authority. He is subject to no one. There is nothing above Him.
He is Lord. This is how Matthew closes. Jesus has all authority in heaven and in earth. There is no place you can go where He does not have authority. Nothing is outside His rule. There is nothing over Him. That authority remains always.
Matthew 28:1-20 Conclusion and Final Authority of Christ
Matthew ends with “Amen.” That means it is firm and trustworthy. It can be relied upon. The gospel closes with the assurance that His power and authority are with His people through this age (Matthew 28:20). This is the book of the King, Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). There is no king above Him. There is no name above Him (Philippians 2:9). He alone has all authority.
We agree with Matthew. Jesus Christ is King. Amen.
Matthew 28:1-20 Summary Recap
Matthew 28:1-20 shows that Jesus Christ is risen and is no longer in the grave. The empty tomb declares that He is alive, and the resurrection confirms His power and authority. The angel said He is not here, and that truth still stands. We must stop looking for Jesus where He was and go where He is.
This chapter teaches that when God moves, He shakes things. Earthquakes in Scripture reveal that God is present, that He is speaking, and that He is removing what cannot remain. When things shake in our lives, God is working to establish what cannot be shaken.
We see that people respond differently to Jesus. Some worship and some doubt. The difference is where the focus is placed. When we focus on Him, we worship. When we focus on circumstances, we begin to doubt.
Jesus declares that all power is given to Him in heaven and in earth. There is nothing outside His authority. Because He has all authority, He commands us to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach all things that He has commanded.
Matthew closes by showing that Jesus is with us always. He is King of kings and Lord of lords, and there is no authority above Him. We can trust this. We can rely on it. Jesus Christ is risen, and He has all authority. Amen.
Matthew 28:1-20 Key Lessons
Jesus Christ Is Risen and Alive in Matthew 28:1-20
Matthew 28:1-20 shows that Jesus is not in the grave. The resurrection proves that He is alive and that death has no power over Him. We must stop looking for Him in the past and recognize Him as the living Lord.
God Uses Shaking to Speak and Remove in Matthew 28:1-20
In Matthew 28:1-20, the earthquake reveals that God is present, that He is speaking, and that He is removing what cannot remain. When things shake in our lives, God is at work. If it shakes, it is not part of His kingdom.
We Must Move to Truly Meet Jesus
Matthew 28:1-20 shows that the women had to leave where they were to meet Him. We cannot stay in the same place and expect to encounter Him. We must respond and move where He is leading.
Worship or Doubt Depends on Focus in Matthew 28:1-20
In Matthew 28:1-20, some worshiped and some doubted. The difference is focus. When we look at Jesus, we worship. When we look at circumstances, we begin to doubt.
Matthew 28:1-20 Key Lessons on Authority and Discipleship
Jesus Has All Authority Now in Matthew 28:1-20
Matthew 28:1-20 declares that all power has been given to Jesus in heaven and in earth. There is nothing outside His authority. This is not future. This is now.
The Command to Make Disciples in Matthew 28:1-20
In Matthew 28:1-20, Jesus commands us to go, to make disciples, to teach, and to train others in everything He taught. This is not optional. This is our assignment.
The Authority Is in the Name of Jesus
Matthew 28:1-20 shows that the name carries the authority. Everything we do in word or deed is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. His name represents the covenant and His power.
Jesus Is With Us Always in Matthew 28:1-20
Matthew 28:1-20 ends with the promise that He is with us at all times, in every season, and in every place. We are never sent alone. His presence remains with us as we go.
Matthew 28:1-20 Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in Matthew 28:1-20?
Matthew 28:1-20 records the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the discovery of the empty tomb, the appearance of Jesus to His followers, and the giving of the Great Commission. This chapter shows that Jesus is risen and that He has all authority.
What is the main message of Matthew 28:1-20?
The main message of Matthew 28:1-20 is that Jesus Christ is alive and has all power in heaven and in earth. Because of this, He commands His followers to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach all nations.
Why is the resurrection important in Matthew 28:1-20?
The resurrection in Matthew 28:1-20 proves that Jesus has authority over death and confirms that He is the Son of God. It is the foundation of the gospel and the reason believers have hope.
What is the Great Commission in Matthew 28:1-20?
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:1-20 is Jesus’ command to go into all nations, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to observe everything He commanded. It is the mission of every believer.
What does Matthew 28:1-20 teach about Jesus’ authority?
Matthew 28:1-20 teaches that all authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and in earth. There is nothing outside His rule, and He has the right to command and send His people.
Why did the women go to the tomb in Matthew 28:1-20?
In Matthew 28:1-20, the women came to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. Instead, they found the tomb empty and became the first witnesses of His resurrection.
What does the earthquake mean in Matthew 28:1-20?
The earthquake in Matthew 28:1-20 shows that God is present, that He is moving, and that He is revealing His power. In Scripture, earthquakes often accompany God’s voice and His activity.
What does it mean that Jesus is with us always in Matthew 28:1-20?
Matthew 28:1-20 ends with the promise that Jesus is with His people at all times. His presence remains with believers as they go, teach, and make disciples.
Truths from Matthew 28:1-20 Study
Jesus Christ Is Alive and Not in the Grave
Matthew 28:1-20 reveals that Jesus is not in the tomb. He is risen, just as He said. This truth calls us to stop looking for Him in the past and recognize Him as the living Lord.
God Is Present and Speaking in the Shaking
In Matthew 28:1-20, the earthquake shows that God is present and that He is speaking. When things shake, God is at work. He is revealing, removing, and establishing what belongs to His kingdom.
We Must Move to Meet the Risen Christ
Matthew 28:1-20 shows that the women had to leave where they were to meet Jesus. We cannot stay where we are and expect to encounter Him. Obedience requires movement.
A True Encounter with Jesus Produces Worship
In Matthew 28:1-20, those who truly met Jesus worshiped Him. Worship is the natural response of seeing Him clearly. When we focus on Him, worship follows.
There Are Worshipers and Doubters
Matthew 28:1-20 shows two types of followers. Some worshiped, and some doubted. The difference is not location but focus. What we look at determines how we respond.
Truths from Matthew 28:1-20 About Authority and Mission
Jesus Has All Authority in Heaven and Earth
Matthew 28:1-20 declares that all power belongs to Jesus. There is no authority above Him. This is not future authority. This is present authority.
The Great Commission Is a Command, Not an Option
In Matthew 28:1-20, Jesus commands His followers to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. This is the mission given to every believer.
Discipleship Requires Teaching and Learning
Matthew 28:1-20 teaches that disciples are learners. To make disciples, we must teach what Jesus commanded. We cannot give what we do not know.
The Authority Is in the Name of Jesus
Matthew 28:1-20 emphasizes that the name carries authority. Everything we do must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, because His name represents His power.
Jesus Is Always With His People
Matthew 28:1-20 closes with the promise that Jesus is with us always. His presence remains with us in every moment, as we live out His command.
Other Related Sermons:
Salvation and Resurrection of the Dead – sermon video audio notes
I Am the Resurrection and the Life – Easter sermon video audio notes
Also see: