VV. 8-10 - “The Appearance of the Risen Savior”
After the women returned to the tomb for the second time, they were met by the angel. With the instructions for the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee, they were in shock but also pure joy as they went to tell them. The tomb seemed to be easily accessible for both the women and the disciples. John 19:41 explains that the tomb was in the same garden as Golgotha. We do not know the exact location of either. (God likely has not allowed such locations or original writings to be preserved to prevent potential idolatry.) The disciples could have still been staying at the man’s house where they had the Lord’s Supper. The women may have been at the house of Simon the Leper, where Jesus was anointed.
In verse 9, Jesus appeared to the women on their way to tell the disciples. In the Gospel of John, Mary did not recognize Jesus at first. Luke also recorded that when the disciples first saw him, they failed to recognize him. Mark 16:12 uses peculiar language to describe Jesus’s appearances. It is clear from scripture that Jesus’s manifestation on earth was very different after the resurrection, so much so, those that knew him had trouble perceiving him. The women and disciples eventually recognized him and were certain he was resurrected. However, he had not come back exactly as he was before.
Interestingly, Jesus instructed the women to not be afraid. This line was often spoken by angels, but rarely by Jesus. The two times Jesus previously spoke these words were when he was walking on water and on the mountain of transfiguration. From the text, it appears that Jesus’s glory was not as concealed as it was before the resurrection.

VV. 11-15 - “The Great Cover Up”
With the miraculous appearance of the angel and the earthquake, those who were keeping watch fled and went to tell chief priests. (Once again, as if they needed more proof they had killed the wrong guy.) However, the chief priests were already fully committed to their narrative. Without any consideration that he may have truly been resurrected, the chief priests gave them hush money. (Those in power have always engaged in the practice of hiding information from the public. So never assume that the authorities are being completely truthful.) It is also very possible that a big event happened shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus to distract the people. (Look over here, not over there!) So they decided to make up their fake story and accused the disciples of being conspiracy theorists.

VV. 16-20 - “Jesus’s Last Instructions”
Going to Galilee, the disciples met Jesus upon a mountain. Which mountain would this be? Once again, the exact location is unknown. This could have possibly been the same location as the sermon on the mount. If so, this would have been right off the coast of the Sea of Galilee. It could have possibly been Mount Arbel (west), maybe Mount Tabor (southwest), the exact location is just not known.
Verse 17 gives great insight into the understanding of the disciples and the rest of the Jewish people. The idea of the Messiah actually dying and being resurrected was not clearly understood. It was not until after the resurrection that Jesus explained the Old Testament prophecies so that the disciples could understand them. Luke 24:44-45 gives this account. (Also, take some comfort in that doubt is a common human experience. It is normal for some people to need reminding and assurance.)
In verses 18-20, Jesus gave his final instructions to the disciples. You know this passage as “the Great Commission”. It is interesting that his passage was not called this until the 1800’s when Hudson Taylor, a British missionary, coined the term. On one hand, Jesus’s instructions to the disciples are very similar to our goals today. We want to proclaim the gospel of salvation to all people. Do keep in mind that we are instructed to rightly divide the word of truth.
Therefore, there are a few distinctions we need to make. If we do not rightly divide, we will potentially run into issues such as requiring baptism for salvation or people needing to speak in tongues. Most people like to quote Matthew 28 for the “Great Commission” but they often ignore verse 20 which is very commandment focused. Also, they rarely ever use Mark 16:6 as a part of the “Great Commission”. This is why we need to diligently study the Word of God, so that we can rightly divide it.


Important Takeaways from Matthew
#1) Jesus was everything he was promised to be and so much more.
#2) God proved his faithfulness time and again by fulfilling the Messianic prophecies.
#3) We need to rightly divide the word of truth so we do not try to apply kingdom promises to us.
We also get blessed assurance by dividing the word of truth.
We are already forgiven, we do not have to worry about the tribulation or enduring till the end.
The Sermon on the Mount is full of wisdom, but not our standard of salvation today.
#4) Christ was perfectly holy and obedient to God the Father and alone was the only perfect sacrifice for sin.
#5) Our savior is resurrected, alive and well, and will return!