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Matthew Chapter Twenty-eight

Matthew 28

Chapter Contents

Christ's resurrection. (1-8) He appears to the women. (9,10) Confession of the soldiers. (11-15) Christ's commission to his disciples. (16-20)

Commentary on Matthew 28:1-8

(Read Matthew 28:1-8)

Christ rose the third day after his death; that was the time he had often spoken of. On the first day of the first week God commanded the light to shine out of darkness. On this day did He who is the Light of the world, shine out of the darkness of the grave; and this day is from henceforward often mentioned in the New Testament, as the day which Christians religiously observed in solemn assemblies, to the honour of Christ. Our Lord Jesus could have rolled back the stone by his own power, but he chose to have it done by an angel. The resurrection of Christ, as it is the joy of his friends, so it is the terror and confusion of his enemies. The angel encouraged the women against their fears. Let the sinners in Zion be afraid. Fear not ye, for his resurrection will be your consolation. Our communion with him must be spiritual, by faith in his word. When we are ready to make this world our home, and to say, It is good to be here, then let us remember our Lord Jesus is not here, he is risen; therefore let our hearts rise, and seek the things that are above. He is risen, as he said. Let us never think that strange which the word of Christ has told us to expect; whether the sufferings of this present time, or the glory that is to be revealed. It may have a good effect upon us, by faith to view the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly. It was good to be there, but the servants of God have other work appointed. Public usefulness must be chosen before the pleasure of secret communion with God. Tell the disciples, that they may be comforted under their present sorrows. Christ knows where his disciples dwell, and will visit them. Even to those at a distance from the plenty of the means of grace, he will graciously manifest himself. The fear and the joy together quickened their pace. The disciples of Christ should be forward to make known to each other their experiences of communion with their Lord; and should tell others what God has done for their souls.

Commentary on Matthew 28:9,10

(Read Matthew 28:9,10)

God's gracious visits usually meet us in the way of duty; and to those who use what they have for others' benefit, more shall be given. This interview with Christ was unexpected; but Christ was nigh them, and still is nigh us in the word. The salutation speaks the good-will of Christ to man, even since he entered upon his state of exaltation. It is the will of Christ that his people should be a cheerful, joyful people, and his resurrection furnishes abundant matter for joy. Be not afraid. Christ rose from the dead, to silence his people's fears, and there is enough in that to silence them. The disciples had just before shamefully deserted him in his sufferings; but, to show that he could forgive, and to teach us to do so, he calls them brethren. Notwithstanding his majesty and purity, and our meanness and unworthiness, he still condescends to call believers his brethren.

Commentary on Matthew 28:11-15

(Read Matthew 28:11-15)

What wickedness is it which men will not be brought to by the love of money! Here was large money given to the soldiers for advancing that which they knew to be a lie, yet many grudge a little money for advancing what they know to be the truth. Let us never starve a good cause, when we see bad ones so liberally supported. The priests undertook to secure them from the sword of Pilate, but could not secure these soldiers from the sword of God's justice, which hangs over the heads of those that love and make a lie. Those men promise more than they can perform, who undertake to save a man harmless in doing a wilful sin. But this falsehood disproved itself. Had the soldiers been all asleep, they could not have known what passed. If any had been awake, they would have roused the others and prevented the removal; and certainly if they had been asleep, they never would have dared to confess it; while the Jewish rulers would have been the first to call for their punishment. Again, had there been any truth in the report, the rulers would have prosecuted the apostles with severity for it. The whole shows that the story was entirely false. And we must not charge such things to the weakness of the understanding, but to the wickedness of the heart. God left them to expose their own course. The great argument to prove Christ to be the Son of God, is his resurrection; and none could have more convincing proofs of the truth of that than these soldiers; yet they took bribes to hinder others from believing. The plainest evidence will not affect men, without the work of the Holy Spirit.

Commentary on Matthew 28:16-20

(Read Matthew 28:16-20)

This evangelist passes over other appearances of Christ, recorded by Luke and John, and hastens to the most solemn; one appointed before his death, and after his resurrection. All that see the Lord Jesus with an eye of faith, will worship him. Yet the faith of the sincere may be very weak and wavering. But Christ gave such convincing proofs of his resurrection, as made their faith to triumph over doubts. He now solemnly commissioned the apostles and his ministers to go forth among all nations. The salvation they were to preach, is a common salvation; whoever will, let him come, and take the benefit; all are welcome to Christ Jesus. Christianity is the religion of a sinner who applies for salvation from deserved wrath and from sin; he applies to the mercy of the Father, through the atonement of the incarnate Son, and by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and gives up himself to be the worshipper and servant of God, as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons but one God, in all his ordinances and commandments. Baptism is an outward sign of that inward washing, or sanctification of the Spirit, which seals and evidences the believer's justification. Let us examine ourselves, whether we really possess the inward and spiritual grace of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness, by which those who were the children of wrath become the children of God. Believers shall have the constant presence of their Lord always; all days, every day. There is no day, no hour of the day, in which our Lord Jesus is not present with his churches and with his ministers; if there were, in that day, that hour, they would be undone. The God of Israel, the Saviour, is sometimes a God that hideth himself, but never a God at a distance. To these precious words Amen is added. Even so, Lord Jesus, be thou with us and all thy people; cause thy face to shine upon us, that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Matthew》

Matthew 28

Verse 2

[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.

An angel of the Lord had rolled away the stone and sat upon it — St. Luke and St. John speak of two angels that appeared: but it seems as if only one of them had appeared sitting on the stone without the sepulchre, and then going into it, was seen with another angel, sitting, one where the head, the other where the feet of the body had lain.

Verse 6

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

Come, see the place where the Lord lay — Probably in speaking he rose up, and going before the women into the sepulchre, said, Come, see the place. This clearly reconciles what St. John relates, John 20:12, this being one of the two angels there mentioned.

Verse 7

[7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

There shall ye see him — In his solemn appearance to them all together. But their gracious Lord would not be absent so long: he appeared to them several times before then.

Lo, I have told you — A solemn confirmation of what he had said.

Verse 9

[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.

Hail — The word in its primary sense means, "Rejoice:" in its secondary and more usual meaning, "Happiness attend you."

Verse 10

[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 — I still own them as such, though they so lately disowned and forsook me.

Verse 13

[13] Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

Say, his disciples came by night, and stole him while we slept — Is it possible, that any man of sense should digest this poor, shallow inconsistency? If ye were awake, why did you let the disciples steal him? If asleep, how do you know they did?

Verse 16

[16] Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

To the mountain where Jesus had appointed them — This was probably Mount Tabor, where, (it is commonly supposed,) he had been before transfigured. It seems to have been here also, that he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once.

Verse 18

[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

All power is given to me — Even as man. As God, he had all power from eternity.

Verse 19

[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:

Disciple all nations — Make them my disciples. This includes the whole design of Christ's commission. Baptizing and teaching are the two great branches of that general design. And these were to be determined by the circumstances of things; which made it necessary in baptizing adult Jews or heathens, to teach them before they were baptized; in discipling their children, to baptize them before they were taught; as the Jewish children in all ages were first circumcised, and after taught to do all God had commanded them. Mark 16:15.

── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Matthew》

Chapter 28. Resurrect and Reign

Not in the Tomb
Risen from the Dead

I. Final Victory of the King

1. Women Seek the Lord
2. Angels Preach the News
3. The Lord Grants Peace

II. Magistrates Spread Rumors

1. Consult a Wicked Plan
2. Confuse and Misguide
3. Bribe the Soldiers

III. Preach the Good News to All Nations

1. Go
2. Baptize Them
3. Teach Them to Observe

── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
 
The Significance Of The Resurrection (28:1-10)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. According to the four gospels, Jesus rose from the dead following
 His crucifixion...
 a. Matthew records how the women found the tomb empty and were
 instructed by an angel to tell the disciples - Mt 28:1-8
 b. Also how Jesus appeared to them while on their way - Mt 28:9-10
 -- In all, the New Testament records ten distinct resurrection
 appearances of Christ prior to His ascension to heaven
 
2. The significance of the resurrection of Jesus to the Christian faith
 cannot be overestimated...
 a. It has great significance for one who has yet to believe in Jesus
 b. It also has great significance for those who are Christians
 
[In this study we shall consider "The Significance Of The Resurrection"
for both unbelievers and believers...]
 
I. FOR THE UNBELIEVER
 
 A. IT VERIFIES THE DEITY OF JESUS...
 1. The resurrection proves that Jesus truly is the Son of God
 - Ro 1:4
 2. It also demonstrates that He truly has all authority in heaven
 and on earth - Mt 28:18; Ac 2:36
 
 B. IT VERIFIES THE TRUTHFULNESS OF JESUS...
 1. Jesus foretold His resurrection on three occasions - Mt 16:21;
 17:22-23; 20:17-19
 a. If Jesus was telling the truth in describing His suffering
 and resurrection...
 b. ...then He was telling the truth in everything else He said
 -- Would God raise a liar?
 2. Therefore the following teachings of Jesus are true:
 a. He was from the Father above, and spoke the words of the
 Father - Jn 8:28-29
 b. No one can come to the Father but through Him - Jn 14:6
 c. His blood was shed for the remission of sins - Mt 26:28
 d. He came to offer abundant life - Jn 10:10
 e. He went to prepare a place for us - Jn 14:2
 f. He shall come again - Jn 14:3
 g. There will be a resurrection of the dead and ensuing
 judgment - Jn 5:28-29; 12:48; Ac 17:30-31
 
[If Jesus was in fact raised from the dead, "The Significance Of The
Resurrection" for the unbeliever is enormous! It compels unbelievers
to come face to face with reality, and the need to accept the Lordship
of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus has even more significance...]
 
II. FOR THE BELIEVER
 
 A. IF JESUS HAS NOT BEEN RAISED...
 1. Gospel preaching is vain - 1 Co 15:14
 a. The preaching of the apostles is empty, meaningless
  b. There would be no purpose in preaching about a liar, or
 lunatic
 2. Our faith is vain - 1 Co 15:14
 a. Our belief in Christ would also be empty, meaningless
 b. For our faith would be in a liar, or lunatic
 3. The apostles were false witnesses - 1 Co 15:15
 a. They swore that God raised Jesus from the dead - Ac 2:32
 b. They claimed to spend 40 days with Him after the
 resurrection, eating and drinking with Him - Ac 10:39-41
  c. There is no way they could have been deceived or mistaken;
 either they told the truth or they were deliberate liars,
 deceivers, and frauds!
 4. We are still in our sins - 1 Co 15:17
 a. It would have been a liar or lunatic that died on the cross
 b. No such person could have provided a sacrifice that was
 holy and without blemish
 5. Believers have perished at death - 1 Co 15:18
 a. Their faith would have been in a false Messiah
  b. They would have had no atonement for their sins
 c. Dying in their sins, there would be no hope
 6. Christians are to be pitied - 1 Co 15:19
 a. Because we believe in a false Messiah
 b. Because our faith in Him leads us to refrain from much
 worldly pleasure
 c. Because we are often ridiculed or persecuted for our faith
 
 B. IF JESUS HAS BEEN RAISED...
 1. It verifies our justification - Ro 4:24-25
 a. Jesus claimed His blood would be adequate - Mt 26:28
 b. By raising Jesus from the dead, God demonstrated His
 acceptance of Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins! - Ro 8:
 33-34
 2. It demonstrates the power available to the Christian - Ep 1:
 18-20
  a. Power available at our conversion - Co 2:11-12; 1 Pe 3:21
 b. Power available to live the Christian life - Ro 8:11-13;
 Ph 2:12-13; 4:13; Ep 3:20; 6:10
 3. It gives us hope concerning our own resurrection - 1 Pe 1:3
  a. His resurrection gives us a living hope! - 1 Pe 1:21
 b. Especially concerning the resurrection of believers! - 1 Th
 4:13-14
 4. It demands our complete loyalty to Him - Ro 14:9
 a. He was raised and then exalted to become our Lord - Ac 2:
 32-36; Ep 1:20-23
 b. Thus our lives and service belong to Him - Ro 14:7-8; 2 Co
 5:15
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The impact of the resurrection of Jesus should not go unfelt in our
 lives...
 a. As a historical event it has everlasting implications
 b. For both the unbeliever and believer
 
2. The unbeliever needs to examine the evidence for the resurrection
 carefully...
 a. The nature of the testimony provided by the witnesses
 b. The unfeasibility of alternative explanations for the empty tomb
 -- For if Jesus rose from the dead, one must believe in Him! - Jn 8:
 24
 
3. The believer must never lose sight of the significance of the
 resurrection...
 a. Do our lives demonstrate that we serve a risen Lord and Savior?
 b. Do we possess the hope, peace, and strength that the reality and
 power of His resurrection gives to the Christian?
 
May we never forget "The Significance Of The Resurrection" of Jesus
Christ in our lives!

The Witnesses Of The Resurrection (28:1-10)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. If the resurrection of Jesus Christ really took place, it has great
 significance...
 a. For those who have yet to believe in Christ
 b. For those who are Christians
 -- Which we examined in another lesson
 
2. Upon what basis should one believe Jesus actually rose from the 
 dead?
 a. The evidence presented in the New Testament involves eyewitness
 testimony
 b. Ten distinct resurrection appearances of Christ are recorded in
 the New Testament
 c. One such case is that found in Mt 28:1-10
 
3. It is clear from the Scriptures that our faith in Jesus is based 
 upon such testimony...
 a. As Jesus intimated in His prayer, and John in his gospel - Jn 17:
 20; 20:30-31
 b. Jesus expected His apostles to be His witnesses - Jn 15:27; Ac
 1:8
 c. Especially concerning His resurrection - Ac 1:22; 2:32; 3:15;
 4:33; 10:39-41; 13:31
 
4. Since our faith rests upon the testimony of these witnesses...
 a. Were they credible witnesses, that we should take them seriously?
 b. How strong is their testimony?
 c. How do we know they did not make it up, or were simply deluded?
 
[As with any event alleged to have occurred, there are a number of
factors to consider before we accept the event as a historical fact.
One such factor is...]
 
I. THE NUMBER OF WITNESSES
 
 A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
 1. The strength or weakness of any testimony is affected by the
 number of witnesses
 2. The Law of Moses required at least two or three witnesses 
 - Deu 17:6
 3. Today, the number of witnesses also plays a crucial role in
 our justice system
 -- The more witnesses you have, the stronger your evidence!
 
 B. THERE WERE MANY WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION...
 1. Paul lists many of these witnesses in 1 Co 15:3-8
 a. Jesus was seen by Cephas (Simon Peter) - Lk 24:34
 b. Jesus was seen by the twelve (apostles) - Lk 24:36-43; Ac
 1:2-3
 c. He was seen by five hundred people at one time (probably in
 Galilee) - cf. Mt 28:10,16-17
 d. He was seen by James, the Lord's brother
 e. He was seen by Paul, on the road to Damascus - Ac 22:6-10
 2. Other appearances are recorded in the Scriptures
 a. To Mary Magdalene - Mk 16:9; Jn 20:14
 b. To other women returning from the tomb - Mt 28:9,10
 c. To two disciples on the road to Emmaus - Lk 24:13-33
 d. To the apostles, Thomas absent - Jn 20:19-24
 e. To the apostles, Thomas present - Jn 20:26-29
 f. To seven disciples by the Lake of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee)
 - Jn 21:1-23
 g. To the apostles at the ascension - Ac 1:3-12
 
[So for a period of forty days (Ac 1:3), over 500 people had ample
opportunity to see Jesus, and determine for themselves if He was really
raised from the dead. They were convinced, but are they reliable
witnesses? How do we know they were not simply gullible, believing
whatever they wanted to believe? This leads us to consider another
factor important to accepting the testimony of witnesses...]
 
II. THE CHARACTER OF THE WITNESSES
 
 A. SOME HAD NOT BELIEVED IN JESUS...
 1. Like His brothers in the flesh - Jn 7:3-5
 2. They even thought Him crazy - Mk 3:21
 -- But seeing Him after His resurrection, they became His
 disciples! - Ac 1:14
 
 B. SOME WERE SKEPTICAL AFTER JESUS' DEATH...
 1. Thomas would not accept the words of others - Jn 20:24-25
 2. Not until he had empirical evidence would he believe - Jn 20:
 26-28
 3. This demonstrates witnesses who were not gullible or easily
 deceived
 a. Which is why the Lord appeared to select witnesses - Ac 10:
 40-41
 b. Witnesses qualified to know if it really were Jesus
 
 C. ONE WAS EVEN A FORMER ENEMY...
 1. Saul of Tarsus, who later became known as Paul the apostle 
 - Ac 9:1-2
 2. Until he saw Jesus raised from the dead, he believed it to be
 God's will to oppose Jesus and His followers - Ac 26:9-11
 
[These were not gullible witnesses, ready to believe any hint that
Jesus had risen. They required overwhelming evidence to convince them
that Jesus was truly raised from the dead. Now let's consider...]
 
III. THE STRENGTH OF THEIR WITNESS
 
 A. DEMONSTRATED BY THE NATURE OF THEIR TESTIMONY...
 1. Their testimony appealed to empirical evidence
 a. Evidence derived from experiment and observation rather
 than theory
 b. For forty days they were given infallible proofs - Ac 1:3
 c. They ate and drank with Jesus - Ac 10:41
 d. They saw, heard, and touched Him - Jn 20:24-28; 1 Jn 1:1-2
  2. There is no way they could have been deceived or deluded
 a. If all they had were individual dreams, visions, or
 hallucinations...perhaps
 b. But they testified that Jesus appeared to them in groups as
 well as to individuals
 
 B. DEMONSTRATED BY THEIR TRANSFORMATION...
 1. Prior to the resurrection, Jesus' disciples were afraid and
 without hope
 a. They fled at his arrest - Mk 14:50
 b. Peter cowardly denied Him three times - Mk 14:66-72
 c. The women mourned His crucifixion - Lk 23:27
 d. After His death, the disciples were sad - Lk 24:13-17
 e. After His death, the disciples hid behind closed doors, for
 fear of the Jews - Jn 20:19
 2. But after the resurrection, they fearlessly praised God and
 proclaimed Jesus!
 a. Praising God in the temple - Lk 24:52-53
 b. Proclaiming Christ, despite persecution - Ac 5:28-32,41-42
 3. This transformation in their lives is strong evidence for the
 resurrection, as admitted by one Orthodox Jewish scholar:
 a. "If the disciples were totally disappointed and on the
 verge of desperate flight because of the very real reason
 of the crucifixion, it took another very real reason in
 order to transform them from a band of disheartened and
 dejected Jews into the most self-confident missionary
 society in world history." - Pinchas Lapide, former
 Chairman of the Applied Linguistics Department at Israel's
 Bar-Iland University (TIME, May 7, 1979)
 b. He concluded that a bodily resurrection could possibly have
 been that reason!
 
 C. DEMONSTRATED BY THEIR HIGH MORAL STANDARD...
 1. They taught others to live holy lives - 1 Th 4:1-7; Ep 4:25
 2. They lived their own lives in unimpeachable way - 1 Th 2:3-12
 -- Does this sound like people who propagate lies when they know
 better?
 
 D. DEMONSTRATED BY THE PRICE THEY PAID...
 1. The apostles endured much suffering because of their testimony
 - 1 Co 4:9-13
 2. All but one died a martyr's death because of their testimony
 3. Even Jesus' brother, James, was thrown off the temple and then
 clubbed to death for his testimony
 -- There was no motive for them to persistently lie about Jesus'
 resurrection!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The nature of their witness does not allow for the option that they
 were simply deceived or deluded...
 a. Again, they professed empirical evidence
 b. They claimed to eat and drink with Him, touch Him, see Him
 
2. If Jesus was not raised from the dead, there is only one
 alternative...
 a. These witnesses were liars, deceivers
 b. Even Paul admits this is the only alternative - 1 Co 15:14-15
 
3. Is it reasonable to believe they successfully propagated a lie?
 a. Too many people attested to the same fact
 b. They were not the kind of people to fabricate such a falsehood
 c. They lived noble lives, and were ALL willing to suffer and die
 for their testimony!
 
When we carefully examine the lives and testimony of "The Witnesses Of
The Resurrection", the only reasonable conclusion to draw is that
they really saw what they claimed: Jesus is risen!
 
And His resurrection from the dead is assurance from God that Judgment
is coming and we must repent:
 
 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands
 all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on
 which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He
 has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising
 Him from the dead." - Ac 17:30-31
 
Are you ready for that Day?

Alternatives To The Resurrection (28:11-15)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. There are certain facts of history that no one can deny...
 a. Many people testified they saw Jesus raised from the dead
 b. These same people suffered greatly because of their testimony
 -- Such facts support the actual resurrection of Jesus from the dead
 
2. From the beginning, there have been alternative theories to explain
 the empty tomb...
 a. Matthew records the earliest theory: the disciples stole the body
 - Mt 28:11-15
 b. Other theories have been raised as well
 
3. Because of the significance of the resurrection (described in a
 previous lesson)...
 a. Those opposed to the gospel know this event must be discredited
 b. We who believe in Jesus must always be ready to provide a defense
 - 1 Pe 3:15
 1) Not only why we accept the testimony of the witnesses (see
 previous lesson)
 2) But why we find alternative explanations impossible to accept
 
[In this study, we shall consider various "Alternatives To The
Resurrection", and why they are inadequate to explain the empty tomb.
We begin with the first explanation...]
 
I. THE DISCIPLES STOLE THE BODY
 
 A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
 1. The disciples stole the body, then claimed He rose from the
 dead
 2. This was the "official" theory offered from the very beginning
 - Mt 28:11-15
 
 B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
 1. The explanation defies logic
 a. If the soldiers were asleep...
 1) How did they know it was the disciples who took the
 body?
 2) How could the large stone guarding the entrance be
 rolled away without awakening the soldiers?
 b. The soldiers guarding the tomb were Romans - Mt 27:62-66
 1) They were professional soldiers
 2) Charged to guard the tomb with their lives
 3) The punishment for falling asleep on duty was death
 2. This would make those who testified they saw Jesus liars and
 frauds
 a. As we saw in the previous lesson, they claimed empirical
 evidence
 b. Suppose just a few disciples stole the body, unbeknown by
 others...
 1) Such as Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, or the women
 2) Others still say they saw Jesus, ate and drank with Him
 c. You have to explain why they were willing to lie and die
 knowing it was a lie
 
[The likelihood of timid disciples stealing the body of Jesus out from
under the noses of highly disciplined and skilled Roman soldiers while
they slept (an offense punishable by death) is hard to believe! Perhaps
that is why those who refuse to believe in the resurrection have
proposed alternative explanations, one being...]
 
II. THEY WENT TO THE WRONG TOMB
 
 A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
 1. The women went to the wrong tomb, and found it empty
 2. They erroneously concluded that Jesus had risen, and their
 story spread
 
 B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
 1. The women had been to the tomb before - Mt 27:61
 2. The religious and political leaders could have easily silenced
 the apostles' claim
 a. If the women went to the wrong tomb, then the right tomb
 was still sealed and guarded by the Roman soldiers
 b. When the apostles' created an uproar with their story of
 the resurrection of Jesus (cf. Ac 4:1-2; 5:27-33), the
 Jewish leaders could have directed people to the right tomb
 and presented the body of Jesus!
 3. You still have the testimony of the apostles to contend with
 
[A more popular explanation in some circles is...]
 
III. JESUS SWOONED AND LATER REVIVED
 
 A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
 1. Jesus did not actually die on the cross, He only swooned
 a. Suffering from shock, pain, and loss of blood, He fainted
 (swooned) from exhaustion
 b. Thinking that He was dead, the Roman soldiers took Him down
 and buried Him in the tomb
 2. In the coolness of the tomb, Jesus revived
 a. Somehow He left the tomb
 b. Appeared to His disciples, then lived in obscurity to die
 years later
 
 B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
 1. Jesus would have had to revive sufficiently enough to:
 a. Break through the burial garments that bound Him, including
 a hundred pounds of spices used in preparing His body for
 burial - Jn 19:38-40
 b. Role away the large stone that sealed the tomb
 c. Fight off the Roman guards protecting the tomb
 d. Walk the seven miles to Emmaus where He was seen by the two
 disciples
 e. Walk back to Jerusalem where He was seen by the apostles
 -- All within the same day!
 2. Every effort was made to prove He was dead
 a. The Roman soldiers at the cross pierced His side - Jn 19:
 31-34
 1) Out of which flowed blood and water
 2) An indication He was already dead, having died of a
 ruptured heart
 b. Pilate made sure He was dead - Mk 15:43-45
 1) When Joseph of Arimathea wanted the body
 2) The Roman centurion confirmed that Jesus was dead
 3. Not only would this make the apostles liars and frauds, but
 Jesus also for allowing a lie to spread for years!
 
[Another popular alternative explanation is...]
 
IV. THE DISCIPLES HAD HALLUCINATIONS OR VISIONS
 
 A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
 1. All of Christ's post-resurrection appearances were only
 supposed appearances
 2. Those who claimed to see Jesus had hallucinations
 
 B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
 1. Remember that the appearances were not just to individuals,
 one at a time
 a. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus claimed to see Him
 - Lk 24:13-35
 b. Ten apostles claimed to see Him - Jn 20:19-25
 c. He appeared to over 500 people at once - 1 Co 15:6
 2. The hallucination theory contradicts laws and principles which
 psychiatrists say are essential to hallucinations:
 a. Only certain kinds of people have hallucinations
 1) These are usually high-strung, highly imaginative, and
 very nervous people
 2) Usually only paranoid or schizophrenic individuals have
  hallucinations
 3) The appearances were not restricted to people of any
 particular psychological make up
 b. Hallucinations are linked in an individual's subconscious
 1) An individual may have an hallucination
 2) But hallucinations do not appear to groups of people
 c. They occur in people when there is a spirit of anticipation
 or hopeful expectation
 1) The disciples had no such anticipation - Lk 24:13-21
  2) They were prone to disbelieve even after they were told
 of the resurrection - Jn 20:24-25
 
[Then there is the theory that...]
 
V. SOMEONE IMPERSONATED JESUS
 
 A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
 1. The appearances were not really Christ at all, but someone
 impersonating Him
 2. This is evident because in some cases they did not recognize
 Him at first
 
 B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
 1. The disciples were reluctant to believe in the resurrection
  a. Some were doubtful, such as Thomas - Jn 20:24-25
 b. It would have been hard to convince them unless it was
 really Him
 2. It would have been impossible to impersonate Christ's wounds
 a. This was Christ's proof it was really Him - Jn 20:26-27
 b. Which convinced doubting Thomas - Jn 20:28-29
 3. The apostles traveled with Jesus for three years
 a. It is incredible that anyone could have gotten away with an
 impersonation
 b. Which is why the apostles were witnesses of the 
 resurrection - Ac 10:39-41
 4. The one claiming to be Jesus performed miracles
 a. Suddenly appearing in locked rooms - Jn 20:19
 b. Directing them how to catch fish - Jn 21:1-7
 
[Closely related to this would be the theory that...]
 
VI. SOMEONE WAS MISTAKEN FOR JESUS
 
 A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
 1. The disciples simply mistook for Jesus someone who looked like
 Him
 2. For example, the women mistook the gardener for Jesus - Jn 20:
 14-15
 
 B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
 1. The same problems as with the impersonation theory
 a. Disciples reluctant to believe in the resurrection
 b. Impossible to recreate the wounds of Jesus
 c. Ample time with Jesus to verify His identity
 2. While Mary may have mistaken Jesus for the gardener, she was
 able to look through her grief and recognize who He was
 
[Finally, here is an alternative proposed by some theologians who just
cannot accept the idea of a physical, bodily resurrection...]
 
VII. IT WAS ONLY A SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION
 
 A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
 1. Christ's resurrection was not a real physical resurrection
 2. Christ's body remained in the grave and His real resurrection
 was spiritual in nature
 3. It was only told this way to illustrate the truth of spiritual
 resurrection
 
 B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
 1. If it was only a spiritual resurrection, what happened to the
 body?
 a. The enemies of Christ were never able to produce a body
 b. Which they would have gladly done to discredit the apostles
 2. Again, the nature of the apostles' testimony is empirical:
 they ate and drank with Him, touched Him - Lk 24:36-43; Ac 10:
 39-41; 1 Jn 1:1-2
 3. Paul argued a bodily resurrection of Jesus as evidence for our
 own bodily resurrection - 1 Co 15:12-58
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The resurrection of Jesus has been variously interpreted as...
 a. A great hoax (the resurrection is false)
 b. Mythology (the resurrection is fiction)
 -- Therefore various alternatives have been proposed to explain the
 empty tomb
 
2. But there is only one interpretation worth accepting...
 a. It is the supreme event of history (the resurrection is fact)
 b. Supported by empirical testimony provided by reliable witnesses
 c. With implications of great significance for both unbeliever and
 believer alike
 
When you consider the strength of the apostles' testimony, and contrast
it with the weakness of the alternative explanations that have been
proposed, it leads an honest person in only one direction: to faith in
Jesus Christ as the Son of God...
 
 "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His
 disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are
 written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son
 of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
  (Jn 20:30-31)
 
Are you willing to believe in Jesus, that you might have life in His
name? Then heed the words of the apostle Peter proclaimed in the first
gospel sermon:
 
 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God
 has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said
 to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what
 shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every
 one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
 remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
 Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to
 all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
 (Ac 2:36-39)

The Great Commission (28:16-20)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The gospel of Matthew ends with Jesus meeting with His apostles in
 Galilee...
 a. Foretold by Jesus before His betrayal - Mt 26:31-32
 b. Announced by both an angel and Jesus after His resurrection - Mt
 28:7,10
 
2. It was a meeting filled with mixed emotions - Mt 28:16-17
 a. Seeing Jesus, they worshipped Him
 b. Yet some were doubtful
 1) It is unlikely this refers to the apostles, for they had seen
 Jesus earlier - cf. Jn 20:19-20,24-29
 2) This may have been the occasion where over 500 saw Him at
 once, and some may have wondered what they were seeing - cf.
 1 Co 15:6
 
3. It was a meeting in which Jesus gave His disciples a command - Mt
 28:18-20
 a. To make disciples of all the nations
 b. Baptizing and teaching them
 -- Ending with a promise to always be with them
 
[This command is commonly called "The Great Commission". As we take a
few moments to look at it more closely, we may better understand what
was so "great" about it...]
 
I. GREAT IN ITS AUTHORITY
 
 A. JESUS HAS BEEN GIVEN "ALL AUTHORITY"...
 1. As the Creator, He had the original right to all things - Co
 1:16-17
 2. As our Redeemer, even more so! - Ph 2:6-11
 
 B. "ALL AUTHORITY" BOTH IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH...
 1. He now rules in the heavenly realm - 1 Pe 3:22; Ep 1:20-23
 2. He also rules over the kings of the earth! - Re 1:5; Psa 2:
 1-12; 110:1-6
 
 C. WITH "ALL AUTHORITY" IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH...
 1. Jesus certainly deserves our obedience to Him as Lord - Ac 2:
 36; Lk 6:46
 2. Jesus certainly can deliver on His promises - 2 Pe 1:2-5
 
[On the basis of such great authority, Jesus gives "The Great 
Commission". As we continue, we notice that it is...]
 
II. GREAT IN ITS MISSION
 
 A. THEY WERE TO "MAKE DISCIPLES"...
 1. The KJV says "teach", the Greek word means "to make disciples"
 2. Thus they were to make "learners", "adherents", "imitators" of
 Jesus Christ
 a. Jesus had been inviting people to become His disciples all
 along - Mt 4:18-22; 11:28-30
 b. He expected His disciples to become like Him - Lk 6:40
 
 B. HOW THEY WERE TO "MAKE DISCIPLES"...
 1. First, by "baptizing them" in the name of the Father, Son, and
 Holy Spirit
 a. A baptism for the remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16
 b. A baptism in water - Ac 8:35-38; 10:47-48
 c. A burial - Ro 6:3-6; Co 2:11-12
 2. Then by "teaching them to observe all things" He had commanded
 a. Baptism is only the beginning, teaching must continue
 b. Such was the case with the early disciples - Ac 2:41-42
 -- Both baptism and ongoing teaching is essential to true
 discipleship!
 
[We should also observe concerning "The Great Commission" that it
was...]
 
III. GREAT IN ITS SCOPE
 
 A. IT IS FOR "ALL NATIONS"...
 1. They were to go into all the world, and preach to every
 creature - Mk 16:15
 2. They were to be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth
 - Ac 1:8
 
 B. FOR "ALL NATIONS", NOT JUST ISRAEL...
 1. With the Limited Commission, it was just for Israel - Mt 10:
 5-6
 2. Now the Gentiles (all nations) could become fellow-heirs - Ep
 2:11-22
 
 C. FOR "ALL NATIONS", NOT JUST OUR OWN...
 1. Jesus would have us think "globally", not just locally
 2. While we should be mindful of our local community, we should
 also be thinking of those abroad
 
[Finally, we note concerning "The Great Commission" that it is...]
 
IV. GREAT IN ITS PROMISE
 
 A. "I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS"...
 1. A promise similar to those Jesus made earlier:
 a. To His apostles - Mt 18:20
 b. To those who keep His commandments - Jn 14:18-23
 2. A promise similar to those God gave to:
 a. Moses - Exo 3:11-12
 b. Joshua - Josh 1:5
 c. The nation of Israel - Isa 41:10
 3. A promise that ought to provide much comfort when oppressed
 - Ro 8:31-38; He 13:5-6
 
 B. "EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE"...
 1. Even to the time when:
 a. The Great Harvest will occur - Mt 13:39-43
 b. The wicked shall be separated from the just - Mt 13:49
 2. Throughout this Christian age or dispensation, Jesus will
 forever be with His disciples
 a. As they go into all the world
 b. Making more disciples
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Is "The Great Commission" limited just to the apostles?
 a. Note well that disciples were to "observe all things that I
 commanded you"
 b. What did Jesus just command the apostles? (Go therefore and make
 disciples...)
 c. Future disciples were to observe all commands, including this
 one!
 -- Therefore "The Great Commission" is a commission to the church as
 well!
 
2. Do we honor "The Great Commission" in our lives? We do if we are...
 a. Submitting to the authority of Jesus
 b. Working to make disciples of Jesus
 c. Striving to make disciples in all the nations of the world
 d. Abiding in His Word and thereby ensuring His abiding presence in
 our lives
 
Shortly after giving "The Great Commission", Jesus ascended to heaven
(Ac 1:9-11). His earliest disciples took that commission and did
great things with it.
 
May these words of Jesus motivate us to do great things in our service
to Him also!

－－《Executable Outlines》