Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Matthew 28

Mat 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

The order of events, combining the four narratives, is as follows: Three women, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome, start for the sepulchre, followed by other women bearing spices. The three find the stone rolled away, and Mary Magdalene goes to tell the disciples (Luk 23:55 - 24:9; Jhn 20:1-2). Mary, the mother of James and Joses, draws nearer the tomb and sees the angel of the Lord (Mat 28:2). She goes back to meet the other women following with the spices. Meanwhile Peter and John, warned by Mary Magdalene, arrive, look in, and go away (Jhn 20:3-10). Mary Magdalene returns weeping, sees the two angels and then Jesus (Jhn 20:11-18), and goes as He bade her to tell the disciples. Mary (mother of James and Joses), meanwhile, has met the women with the spices and, returning with them, they see the two angels (Luk 24:4-5; Mar 16:5). They also receive the angelic message, and, going to seek the disciples, are met by Jesus (Mat 28:8-10).

end of the sabbath

Literally end of the sabbaths. The sabbaths end, the first day comes. Scofield Matthew 12:1, note; Jhn 20:19; Act 20:7; 1Co 16:2; Rev 1:10.

the other Mary

Supposed to be Mary the mother of James and Joses.

Mat 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

the angel [See also Mat 28:5.]

an angel, etc.

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.

Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

His countenance

Cf. Dan 10:6; Rev 10:1.

Mat 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

became as dead men

Act 17:31; Rev 1:17.

Mat 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

Fear not

Mar 16:6; 2Ti 1:7; Rom 8:15.

Mat 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

he is risen

Christ (First Advent). Act 1:9. (Gen 3:15; Acts 1:9.)

Mat 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Jesus met them

The order of our Lord's appearances would seem to be:

• On the day of his resurrection:
  1. To Mary Magdalene (Jhn 20:14-18).
  2. To the women returning from the tomb with angelic message (Mat 28:8-10).
  3. To Peter, probably in the afternoon (Luk 24:34; 1Co 15:5).
  4. To the Emmaus disciples toward evening (Luk 24:13-31).
  5. To the apostles, except Thomas (Luk 24:36-43; Jhn 20:19-24).
• Eight days afterward:
  1. To the apostles, Thomas being present (Jhn 20:24-29).
• In Galilee:
  1. To the seven by the Lake of Tiberias (Jhn 21:1-23).
  2. On a mountain, to the apostles and five hundred brethren (1Co 15:6).
• At Jerusalem and Bethany again:
  1. To James (1Co 15:7).
  2. To the eleven (Mat 28:16-20; Mar 16:14-20; Luk 24:33-53; Act 1:3-12).
• To Paul:
  1. Near Damascus (Act 9:3-6; 1Co 15:8).
  2. In the temple (Act 22:17-21; 23:11).
• To Stephen outside Jerusalem (Act 7:55).
• To John on Patmos (Rev 1:10-19).

All hail

Literally O joy!

Mat 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

go tell my brethren

Jhn 20:17; Heb 2:11, 12.

Mat 28:12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

they gave large money unto the soldiers

Mat 27:4.

Mat 28:14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

we will persuade him, and secure you

Cf. Act 12:19.

Mat 28:17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

some doubted

Jhn 20:24-29; 1Co 15:5, 6.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

All power is given unto me

Jhn 5:22; 17:2; Eph 1:22.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Go ye therefore

With the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ begins the "dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph 3:2), which is defined as "his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus"; and, "the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph 2:7-9). Under grace God freely gives to the believing sinner eternal life (Rom 6:23); accounts to him a perfect righteousness (Rom 3:21-22; 4:4-5); and accords to him a perfect position (Eph 1:6). The predicted results of this sixth testing of man are:

1. the salvation of all who believe (Act 16:31);
2. judgment upon an unbelieving world and an apostate church (Mat 25:31-46; 2Th 1:7-10; 1Pe 4:17-18; Rev 3:15-16).

1. Man's state at the beginning of the dispensation of grace (Rom 3:19; Gal 3:22; Eph 2:11-12).
2. Man's responsibility under grace (Jhn 1:11-12; 3:36; 6:28-29).
3. His predicted failure (Mat 24:37-39; Luk 18:8; 19:12-14).
4. The judgment (2Th 2:7-12).

teach

Or, disciple. Mar 16:15-16; Luk 24:47-48; Act 1:8.

baptizing

Act 2:38, 41.

in

Or, unto.

name

The word is in the singular, the "name," not names. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the final name of the one true God. It affirms:

1. That God is one.
2. That He subsists in a personality which is threefold, indicated by relationship as Father and Son; by a mode of being as Spirit; and by the different parts taken by the Godhead in manifestation and in the work of redemption, e.g. Jhn 3:5-6, (Spirit), Jhn 3:16-17 (Father and Son). In Mat 3:16-17; Mar 1:10-11; Luk 3:21-22 the three persons are in manifestation together.
3. The conjunction in one name of the Three affirms equality and oneness of substance.
   • See O.T. Names of God: Scofield Genesis 1:1, note; Genesis 2:4, note; Genesis 14:18, note; Genesis 15:2, note; Genesis 17:1, note; Genesis 21:33, note; 1 Samuel 1:3, note; Mal 3:18, Summary.
   • See "Lord" Scofield Matthew 8:2, note; "Word" (Logos), Scofield John 1:1, note; "Holy Spirit," Scofield Acts 2:4, Summary.
   • See "Christ, Deity of," Scofield John 20:28, note.

Holy Ghost

Holy Spirit (N.T.). Mar 1:8, 10, 12. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

whatsoever I have commanded you

Inspiration. Mat 28:19-20; Mar 1:44. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)

I am with you alway

Act 4:31; 23:11.

end of the world

consummation of the age.