Frameworks:
Matthew's Gospel, chapter 28
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each
verse we have also added in italic a description of what is happening)
FRAMEWORKS:
Matthew, chapter 28
v.1-10
Jesus Has Risen
v.11-15
The Guards' Report
v.16-20
The Great Commission
v.1-10
Jesus Has Risen
v.1
(on the Sunday
the two Mary's go to the tomb) After
the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene
and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
v.2
(an earthquake
caused by an angel opened the tomb) There
was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from
heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on
it.
v.3
(the angel shine
brightly) His
appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
v.4
(the guards
were petrified) The
guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead
men.
v.5
(the angel reassured
the two women) The
angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you
are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
v.6
(.. and told
them Jesus had risen) He
is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place
where he lay.
v.7
(go an tell
the others) Then
go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead
and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.'
Now I have told you.”
v.8
(so they hurried
off to tell the others) So
the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy,
and ran to tell his disciples.
v.9
(but found Jesus
before them) Suddenly
Jesus met them. “Greetings,”
he
said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
v.10
(he told them
what was to happen) Then
Jesus said to them, “Do
not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there
they will see me.”
v.11-15
The Guards' Report
v.11
(the guards
reported what had happened) While
the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the
city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
v.12,13
(the authorities
bribed the guards to lie) When
the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan,
they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling
them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and
stole him away while we were asleep.'
v.14
(we'll see it's
all right with the governor) If
this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep
you out of trouble.”
v.15
(they took the
bribe) So
the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And
this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very
day.
v.16-20
The Great Commission
v.16
(the disciples
went back up to Galilee) Then
the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus
had told them to go.
v.17 (when
they saw him most worshipped) When
they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
v.18
(Jesus declared
God's authority had been given to him now) Then
Jesus came to them and said, “All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
v.19,20
(so he instructed
them in what we call ‘the Great Commission) Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely
I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”