Give an account of the resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ as related in St. Matthew's Gospel.

Answer Details

The resurrection appearances of Jesus in St. Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 28)

The empty tomb and the appearance to the women.

• After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
• There was a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. The guards trembled and became like dead men.
• The angel told the women, Do not be afraid; He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. He invited them to see the place where He lay and told them to go quickly and tell the disciples that He had risen and was going before them to Galilee.
• As they ran with fear and great joy to tell the disciples, Jesus Himself met them and said, Greetings. They came, took hold of His feet and worshipped Him. Jesus said, Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.

The report of the guards.

• Some of the guards told the chief priests what had happened. The priests bribed the soldiers to say, His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we slept.

The appearance on the mountain in Galilee (the Great Commission).

• The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him they worshipped Him, but some doubted.
• Jesus came and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
• He commanded them, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
• He gave the promise, And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.