Matthew 28 Summary - Quick Bible Study

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MATTHEW 28 SUMMARY IN 5 MINUTES

• WHEN:

  • The birth of Jesus probably occurred around 4 B.C..

  • From Luke 3:23, we know Jesus began His ministry when He was about 30 years old.

  • This would place the events of Jesus’ ministry roughly between 26-31 A.D..

• CHARACTERS:

  • Jesus - The Messiah. The Son of God.

  • 11 Apostles - Jesus’ students to whom He entrusted His Church.

  • Women at the Tomb - A number of female disciples who visited Jesus’ burial location on the Sunday morning following His death.

  • Guards - The Jews hired guards to stand watch at Jesus‘ tomb to make sure nothing happened to His body.

  • Chief Priests - Jewish officials who tried to cover up Jesus’ resurrection.

• WHERE:

  • Jesus’ resurrection and the events immediately following occurred in-and-around the city of Jerusalem.

  • At the end of chapter 28, Jesus met the Apostles in Galilee on a mountain (the name of the mountain is not mentioned).

• OUTLINE:

  • THE RESURRECTION (28:1-28:10):

    • On Sunday, the first day of the week, an angel descended from heaven and rolled away the stone in front of Jesus’ tomb.

    • Around dawn, Mary Magdalene and some other women went to Jesus’ tomb.

    • The angel told the women Jesus had resurrected from the dead.

    • They were instructed to go to Jesus‘ disciples and tell them the good news.

    • On their way, Jesus appeared to them.

  • THE GUARDS TELL THE CHIEF PRIESTS THE NEWS (28:11-28:15):

    • After the women left, the guards at the tomb ran into the city and told the chief priests what had happened.

    • The Chief Priests decided to bribe the guards to keep them from spreading the news in the community.

    • Instead of recounting the actual events, they were told to say Jesus’ disciples came at night and stole the body.

  • THE GREAT COMMISSION (28:16-28:20):

    • The 11 Apostles went to Galilee and met Jesus on a mountain.

    • When they saw Him they worshiped Him.

    • Jesus told them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

• BIG PICTURE:

  • The day Jesus was crucified was the saddest day in human history, but His resurrection day was the happiest.

  • Jesus’ resurrection proved that He had power over death.

  • His resurrection assures us of His ability to give us eternal life on the final day.

• APPLICATION:

  • One of Jesus’ very last instructions to His Apostles was for them to go out into the world and to make more disciples.

  • Christians can busy themselves with many “good” things, but if we aren’t actively trying to make disciples, we aren’t following our Lord’s instructions.

  • Finding ways to reach lost souls needs to be a priority for every Christian.