The Gospel According to St. Matthew

⭑ Catholic Public Domain Version 2009 ⭑

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- Chapter 28 -

(Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–9)

Now on the morning of the Sabbath, when it began to grow light on the first Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher.(a)

(b)

And behold, a great earthquake occurred. For an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and as he approached, he rolled back the stone and sat down on it.

Now his appearance was like lightning, and his vestment was like snow.

Then, out of fear of him, the guards were terrified, and they became like dead men.

Then the Angel responded by saying to the women: “Do not be afraid. For I know that you are seeking Jesus, who was crucified.

He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where the Lord was placed.

And then, go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has risen. And behold, he will precede you to Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have told you beforehand.”

And they went out of the tomb quickly, with fear and in great joy, running to announce it to his disciples.

And behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Hail.” But they drew near and took hold of his feet, and they adored him.

Then Jesus said to them: “Do not be afraid. Go, announce it to my brothers, so that they may go to Galilee. There they shall see me.”

The Report of the Guards

And when they had departed, behold, some of the guards went into the city, and they reported to the leaders of the priests all that had happened.

And gathering together with the elders, having taken counsel, they gave an abundant sum of money to the soldiers,

saying: “Say that his disciples arrived at night and stole him away, while we were sleeping.

And if the procurator hears about this, we will persuade him, and we will protect you.”

Then, having accepted the money, they did as they were instructed. And this word has been spread among the Jews, even to this day.

The Great Commission

(Mark 16:14–18)

Now the eleven disciples went on to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

And, seeing him, they worshipped him, but certain ones doubted.

And Jesus, drawing near, spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.(c)

Therefore, go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I have ever commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the consummation of the age.”

Footnotes

(a)28:1 The two Marys set out at first light, but before the sun rose over the horizon. This period of time is similar to the time after sunset, when it is not yet dark. The length of this time is approximately an hour. Although the word ‘evening’ is used very broadly today, it specifically refers to that period of time between sunset and darkness, or, as in this case, between darkness and sunrise. So the two Marys set out at evening, that is, at first light in the morning, but before sunrise. The translation avoids this confusion of terms by using morning, instead of evening.(Conte)

(b)28:1 Notice that Matthew, after the Crucifixion, begins to count Sunday, the day of the Resurrection, as the Sabbath. Whereas, elsewhere in his Gospel, he counts Saturday as the Sabbath. He also states that this day is the first (Christian) Sabbath.(Conte)

(c)28:18 All power, etc:See here the warrant and commission of the apostles and their successors, the bishops and pastors of Christ’s church. He received from his Father all power in heaven and in earth: and in virtue of this power, he sends them (even as his Father sent him, St. John 20. 21) to teach and disciple, not one, but all nations; and instruct them in all truths: and that he may assist them effectually in the execution of this commission, he promises to be with them, not for three or four hundred years only, but all days, even to the consummation of the world. How then could the Catholic Church ever go astray; having always with her pastors, as is here promised, Christ himself, who is the way, the truth, and the life. St. John 14.(Challoner)