Matthew 28: Resurrection of Jesus
The women at the cross felt the earthquake when Jesus died. How might this have affected their thinking if they felt another quake on the way to the tomb?
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Matthew 27:51 The earth shook. Rocky cliffs broke apart. The Temple veil ripped in two, from top to bottom.
28:1–2 After observing the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary headed to the tomb at the break of dawn on Sunday, the first day of the week. A great earthquake shook the ground. God’s angel came from Heaven, rolled the stone away from the tomb entrance, and sat on it.
King James
Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
28:1–2 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. 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.
Why did God’s angel roll the stone from the tomb? If Matthew wasn’t there, how did he know what happened?
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Matthew 28:2 A great earthquake shook the ground. God’s angel came from Heaven, rolled the stone away from the tomb entrance, and sat on it.
King James
Matthew 28:2 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.
What did the women see when they reached the tomb?
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Matthew 28:2–3 A great earthquake shook the ground. God’s angel came from Heaven, rolled the stone away from the tomb entrance, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow.
King James
Matthew 28:2–3 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. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Why were the Roman guards “scared to death”?
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Matthew 28:4 When the guards saw him, they trembled and became like dead men.
King James
Matthew 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Why did the angel remain at the tomb after rolling away the stone?
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Matthew 28:5–7 The angel spoke to the women. “Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, because he has risen as he said he would. Come and see where his body was. Hurry now! Tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead. He will go before you, and you will see him in Galilee as I have told you.”
King James
Matthew 28:5–7 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which 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, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
When leaving the tomb, what reasons did the women have for being fearful?
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Matthew 28:8 With fear and amazement, they ran from the tomb to tell the disciples.
King James
Matthew 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
If Jesus met the women coming back from the tomb, how could Mary Magdalene be the “first to see Jesus” as Mark reports?
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Matthew 28:9–10 As they left, Jesus met and greeted them. They fell at his feet, reached out, and worshiped him.
“Do not be afraid,” Jesus said. “Tell my brothers to go to Galilee, where they will see me.”
Mark 16:9 Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom Jesus had cast out seven evil spirits, was the first to see Jesus after he rose from the dead on the first day of the week.
King James
Matthew 28:9–10 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. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
Why did the Roman guards report to the chief priests and not their superiors?
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Matthew 28:11 While the women were on their way, the guards went into the city and told the chief priests what had happened.
King James
Matthew 28:11 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.
Why did religious leaders bribe the Roman guards? What motivated the guards to accept?
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Matthew 28:12–15 The priests met with other religious leaders to decide what to do. They gave a large amount of money to the guards and told them, “Tell everyone that his disciples came during the night and stole the body while you were asleep. If the governor hears that you have failed in your duty, we will speak to him and protect you from punishment.”
The guards took the money and did as they were told, so that story spread among the Jews.
King James
Matthew 28:12–15 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Who believed the lie that Jesus’ body had been stolen by his disciples?
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Matthew 28:15 The guards took the money and did as they were told, so that story spread among the Jews.
King James
Matthew 28:15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
How many disciples might have been present at the mountain in Galilee?
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Matthew 28:16 The eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go.
Luke 24:15 While they discussed the events and reasoned together, Jesus came near and walked with them,
1 Corinthians 15:6 During the days that followed, more than five hundred people saw him at one time. Most of them are still living and can verify that Jesus died and was raised from the dead, but some have died.
King James
Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
Luke 24:15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
What kinds of doubts might Jesus’ disciples have had?
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Matthew 28:17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some had doubts.
King James
Matthew 28:17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
If Jesus has been given all authority, why does evil still exist?
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Matthew 28:18 Jesus said to them, “I have been given all authority in Heaven and on Earth.”
King James
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
What are the benefits of spreading the good news as Jesus commanded? The liabilities?
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Matthew 28:19–20 “Therefore, go to all nations and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey all that I have commanded you. Remember, I will always be with you, even until the end of the world.”
King James
Matthew 28:19–20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.