Matthew 28King James Version
After the sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to the tomb. An angel descends in lightning and rolls back the stone. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. They run to tell the disciples. Jesus meets them on the way: 'All hail.' They worship him. Then on a mountain in Galilee he gives the Great Commission: 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.'
At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to the tomb. An earthquake, an angel, the stone rolled away. The guards are like dead men. The angel tells the women: he is risen, go tell his disciples, meet him in Galilee. They leave with fear and great joy. Jesus meets them on the road; they clasp his feet and worship. The chief priests bribe the guards to spread a cover story. Jesus meets the eleven on a mountain in Galilee. He declares all authority, commissions them to make disciples of all nations, and promises to be with them to the end of the age.
The gospel that began with a genealogy proving Jesus belongs to Israel ends with a commission that sends his followers to every nation on 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." The scope expands from the lost sheep of Israel to every nation on earth in one sentence.
The mountain in Galilee is unnamed. The eleven travel back north to where this all began, to where the fishermen were called and the sermon was preached. The Great Commission happens not in Jerusalem but in Galilee, among working people on a hillside, which is where Matthew's gospel has always lived.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, first witnesses; the angel who announces; the guards who become like dead men; the risen Jesus; the eleven on the mountain in Galilee, some of whom still doubt.
The Great Commission closes Matthew with a Trinitarian formula and an unbounded geographic mandate. The 'some doubted' in verse 17 is one of the most honest details in the resurrection accounts: worship and doubt coexisting in the same scene. Jesus does not address the doubt; he gives the mission anyway. The final promise, 'I am with you always,' echoes the Immanuel of chapter 1.
For when the thing you hoped for has actually happened and you are not sure you can believe it. The women leave the tomb with fear and great joy simultaneously. Both are real. The resurrection does not remove the fear; it runs alongside it.
1In 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.
2And, 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.
3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7And 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.
8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9And 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.
10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11Now 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.
12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching 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.