The Means of His grace helping us to find our participation in His work of Redemption
Disruption
Matthew 28
Ex Libris Alexus Minimus
A commentary from the pastor’s library
Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has been raised from the dead, and behold, he is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him. Behold, I have told you’ (28:7). 1. Victory accomplished. What the angel told the women (28:6), they are to announce to the disciples: ēgerthē, ‘he has been raised.’ Here he adds the phrase apo tōn nekrōn (‘from the dead’). Not only did the Father loose Jesus from the pangs of death (thanatos, Acts 2:24). He also raised him from among the vast company of the dead (nekroi), and made him ‘the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep’ (1 Cor. 15:20), the first of those to win a lasting triumph over death (Rev. 1:18). Such news cannot wait: ‘Then go quickly [kai tachy poreutheisai] and tell [eipate].…’ The truth of the angel’s verbal witness will be confirmed for disciples by the forthcoming visible witness: ‘there you will see him’ (ekei auton opsesthe). 2. Renewal anticipated. ‘And behold, he is going before you into Galilee [proagei hymas eis tēn Galilaian].’ This opening (kai idou again) signals the statement’s great significance. Disciples are thus reminded of Jesus’ prophecy in 26:32, ‘But after I have been raised [meta de to egerthēnai me], I will go before you [proaxō hymas] into Galilee [eis tēn Galilaian].’ The last five Greek words of 26:32 (as here noted) all have matching terms in 28:7; and the opening clause of 26:32, with the infinitive of egeirō, corresponds to ēgerthē (‘he has been raised’) in 28:7. The verb proagō in these two texts means not ‘lead’ (despite the reference to sheep in 26:31) but ‘precede,’ as is clear from the following words in 28:7, ‘There you will see him,’ and from Jesus’ repetition of this promise in 28:10. Jesus the Good Shepherd will surely gather his scattered sheep (cf. 26:31, 56) and renew his fellowship with them—essential preparation for their mission (28:18–20).
Chamblin, J. K. (2010). Matthew: A Mentor Commentary (pp. 1467–1468). Mentor.
TO SEE.
Knowing the Person & Work of the Triune God of the Universe.
Why did the Risen Christ start his greetings for Mary with “Do not be afraid”?
TO ENJOY.
Motivation and support to imitate His humanity through the service to others.
It has been said that our service to others should be incarnational; how could we present a more resurrectional service?
TO SHARE.
Telling others about His work in your life.
How are our efforts to tell others about Him related to our commitment to the Truth?
