What Does Matthew 28:1-7 Mean?
Matthew 28:1-7 describes the morning of the first day after the Sabbath, when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. An angel of the Lord appeared, rolled back the stone, and delivered the stunning news: 'He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.' The women were filled with fear and joy, and the angel sent them to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen and would meet them in Galilee.
Matthew 28:1-7
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you."
Key Facts
Book
Author
Matthew
Genre
Gospel
Date
circa 80-90 AD
Key Themes
Key Takeaways
- Jesus has risen - just as He promised.
- Women were first witnesses to the resurrection.
- The resurrection launches a mission to all nations.
Context of the Empty Tomb Visit
The scene opens early on the first day of the week, after the Jewish Sabbath ended, setting the stage for the discovery that would change everything.
Because the Jewish day begins at sunset, 'after the Sabbath' and 'toward the dawn' means the women arrived in the early morning hours after Saturday had ended and Sunday had begun. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb not to witness a Resurrection, but to mourn and anoint Jesus’ body, showing their deep love and devotion. Instead, they encountered an angel of the Lord who rolled back the stone - not to let Jesus out, but to reveal the tomb was already empty.
This moment fulfills Jesus’ repeated promise that He would rise on the third day, and the angel’s command - 'Go quickly and tell' - turns the women into the first messengers of the resurrection, sending them to the disciples with news that would launch a movement.
The Angel, the Earthquake, and the Fulfillment of Promises
This moment - marked by an earthquake, a radiant angel, and the declaration 'He has risen' - is a divine sign that God’s promises are being fulfilled exactly as foretold.
The earthquake echoes God’s power in moments of revelation, like when He spoke to Elijah or tore the temple veil at Jesus’ death. Here, it signals that the spiritual ground of the world has shifted - death itself has been defeated. The angel’s appearance, 'like lightning, and his clothing white as snow,' recalls Daniel 10:6, where a heavenly being with a face like lightning delivers a crucial message about God’s plan - this angel now announces the climax of that plan: Jesus has risen. This fulfills Psalm 16:10, which says, 'You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption' - a promise that the Messiah would not remain dead, and one that Jesus Himself pointed to in His teachings (Matthew 16:21; 20:19) when He said He would be killed and rise on the third day. The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out - He had already risen - but to let the women in, so they could see and believe.
In Jewish society, women were not considered reliable witnesses, yet God chooses Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to be the first to hear and share the resurrection news - a radical act that underscores God’s upside-down kingdom, where the overlooked are entrusted with the greatest truth. The angel’s command, 'Go quickly and tell,' turns grief into mission, making these women the first messengers of the living Christ. The original Greek word for 'risen' - *ēgerthē* - is a perfect passive participle, meaning Jesus was raised by God and remains in a state of resurrection life, revived and transformed.
The resurrection wasn’t just a miracle - it was the divine confirmation that Jesus is Lord, just as the Scriptures foretold.
The guards who 'became like dead men' in fear contrast sharply with the women who, though afraid, also felt 'great joy' and ran in faith. This moment bridges the private resurrection and the public mission: the women will meet Jesus soon, and He will repeat the call to go to Galilee - where the full commission to the disciples will be given.
The Resurrection Changes Everything
The resurrection isn’t a miracle only in the past - it’s the foundation of a living mission that continues today.
Jesus didn’t stay dead - He rose, and now He sends us to tell the world.
Jesus conquered death, proving He is who He said He is, and now He sends His followers to share this hope with everyone. The angel’s words - 'He has risen' - are news; they’re a call to go quickly and tell others, like the women did, because the risen Jesus is alive and still changing lives today.
The Resurrection and the Launch of God’s Global Mission
This moment at the empty tomb isn’t isolated - it’s the pivotal event that launches Jesus’ final mission to the world, directly setting the stage for the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20.
After the angel announces Jesus’ resurrection, the risen Lord Himself appears and tells the women to send the disciples to Galilee, where He will give them their worldwide mission: to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them - showing that the good news is no longer for Israel alone but for all peoples. This fulfills the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, that 'in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed,' now realized through the risen Christ who holds 'all authority in heaven and on earth' (Matthew 28:18).
The resurrection isn’t the end of the story - it’s the power behind the Great Commission.
From His resurrection to His Ascension in Acts 1:3-11, Jesus spends forty days proving He is alive and preparing His followers to carry this message to the ends of the earth - making the resurrection the foundation of our hope and our mission today.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
Imagine carrying a secret that changes the world - like the women did that morning. They went from grief to mission in moments, their fear mixed with joy as they ran to tell the disciples. That same mix of awe and urgency can still define our lives today. When guilt or failure weighs us down, the truth 'He has risen' isn’t merely history - it’s the power that says death doesn’t get the final word, and neither do our mistakes. The same Jesus who conquered the grave walks with us now, turning our shame into purpose, our silence into witness. Like those first women, we’re not called to stay at the tomb, staring at the past - we’re sent out with news too good to keep quiet.
Personal Reflection
- Where in my life am I still looking for Jesus among the dead - trying to find hope in old regrets or past failures, instead of running toward the living Christ?
- Who is one person I can 'go quickly and tell' this week about how Jesus is alive and active in my life?
- How does knowing that God entrusted the first message of resurrection to women - people society overlooked - challenge the way I see who is 'qualified' to share hope with others?
A Challenge For You
This week, share one real way you’ve experienced Jesus’ presence or power with another person - like the women ran to tell the disciples. And take a moment each day to thank God that Jesus is not dead, but alive and with you.
A Prayer of Response
Jesus, thank you for rising from the dead - as you said. You didn’t stay in the tomb, and you don’t leave me stuck in my sin or sadness either. Help me to live with the same mix of awe and courage the women had - afraid but joyful, and always ready to run with your good news. I trust that you are alive, with me, and going before me. Amen.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Matthew 28:8
The women leave the tomb with fear and joy, continuing the emotional and narrative flow from the angel’s message.
Matthew 28:9-10
Jesus appears to the women, confirming His resurrection and reiterating the call to go to Galilee.
Connections Across Scripture
Psalm 16:10
Foretells the Messiah’s body not seeing decay, prophetically fulfilled in Jesus’ resurrection.
Isaiah 53:10
Speaks of the Suffering Servant’s resurrection after death, connecting Christ’s sacrifice and victory.
Acts 2:24
Peter preaches that God raised Jesus, linking the resurrection to apostolic proclamation.