Matthew 28:1-7

Context

The Resurrection

28:1 Now after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 28:2 Suddenly there was a severe earthquake, for an angel of the Lord¹ descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. 28:3 His² appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 28:4 The³ guards were shaken and became like dead men because they were so afraid of him. 28:5 But the angel said⁴ to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know⁵ that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.⁶ 28:6 He is not here, for he has been raised,⁷ just as he said. Come and see the place where he⁸ was lying. 28:7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. He⁹ is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you!”

[28:2] ¹tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 1:20.

[28:3] ²tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[28:4] ³tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[28:5] ⁴tn Grk “But answering, the angel said.” This is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation.

[28:5] ⁵tn Grk “for I know.”

[28:5] ⁶sn See the note on crucified in 20:19.

[28:6] ⁷tn The verb here is passive (ἠγέρθη, hgerqh). This “divine passive” (see ExSyn 437-38) points to the fact that Jesus was raised by God.

[28:6] ⁸tc Expansions on the text, especially when the Lord is the subject, are a common scribal activity. In this instance, since the subject is embedded in the verb, three major variants have emerged to make the subject explicit: ὁ κύριος (Jo kurio", “the Lord”; A C D L W 0148 Ë^1,13 Ï lat), τὸ σῶμα τοῦ κυρίου (to swma tou kuriou, “the body of the Lord”; 1424 pc), and ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς (Jo Ihsou", “Jesus”; Φ). The reading with no explicit subject, however, is superior on both internal and external grounds, being supported by א B Θ 33 892* pc co.

[28:7] ⁹tn Grk “And behold he.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).