Matthew 28:10 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 28:10 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

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

Jesus' words to the women repeat the angel's instruction with one significant addition: go and tell my brothers. The disciples who had abandoned him in Gethsemane, who had all fled when he was arrested, who had denied and betrayed him — Jesus calls them his brothers. The resurrection does not terminate the covenant relationship that the disciples' failure seemed to have ended; it restores it and renames its members. Tell them to go to Galilee; there they will see me — the resurrection appearance is promised but not yet given. The disciples must travel to Galilee in faith, trusting the testimony of the women who encountered Jesus, before they themselves encounter him. The structure is the same as the Christian life: those who receive the resurrection testimony must act on it before they experience the full reality of the risen Jesus themselves.

Church Fathers on Matthew 28:10

The women having been comforted by the Angel, are straightway met by the Lord, that when they should proclaim His resurrection to the disciples, they should speak rather from Christ’s own mouth than from an Angel’s.
Hilary of Poitiers · 4th century

'They departed forth of the tomb,' that is, from that spot of the garden which was before the tomb hewn in the rock.
Augustine · 4th century · de Cons. Ev., iii, 23

A twofold feeling possessed the minds of the women, fear and joy; fear, at the greatness of the miracle; joy, in their desire of Him that was risen; but both added speed to their women’s steps, as it follows, 'And did run to bring his disciples word.' They went to the Apostles, that through them might be spread abroad the seed of the faith. They who thus desired, and who thus ran, merited to have their rising Lord come to meet them; whence it follows, 'And, behold, Jesus met…
Jerome · 4th century

Read all 15 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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