Matthew 28:1
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.
(a) After the Sabbath. The Sabbath ended at sundown on Saturday.
(b) The first day of the week was Sunday.
(c) Mary Magdalene; see entry for Luke 8:2.
(d) The other Mary was Mary the mother of James and Joseph (Mat. 27:56). Matthew neglects to mention that a third woman, Salome, also came to the tomb (Mark 16:1).
Matthew 28:5
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.
The women. At least three womb were at the tomb: Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome (Mark 16:1). It’s possible that Joanna was also there along with another unnamed woman (see Luke 24:10).
Matthew 28:14
“And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”
The governor’s ears. The soldiers entrusted with guarding the tomb were Roman soldiers, rather than temple guards.
Matthew 28:19
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
(a) Baptizing. The original word implies total immersion. See entry for Baptism.
(b) In the name of the Father. We don’t baptize in the name of the Creator or the Almighty, but God the Father. This is the name of God that Jesus came to reveal.
(c) The Father; see entry for Matthew 5:16.
Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
(a) Teaching them. The kingdom is not advanced through education, but through the proclamation of the gospel. God calls and we come (1 Pet. 2:9). We speak and they hear and believe (Rom. 10:17).
(b) All that I commanded. God commands that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 3:23).
In the old covenant, obedience meant following a long list of laws. But in the new covenant, obedience is the fruit of trusting Jesus. See entry for 1 John 3:23.
(c) I am with you always. Jesus said the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit abide or make their home with us (John 14:16–17, 23). Home means home. You are not a motel room for the Lord. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit and he will never leave you (Heb. 13:5). Jesus promises to be us to the utter end.
(d) The end of the age; see entry for Matt. 13:40.
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