Matthew 26:32

KJV

But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} after {G3326} I {G3165} am risen again {G1453}, I will go before {G4254} you {G5209} into {G1519} Galilee {G1056}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you into the Galil."

Berean Standard Bible

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

American Standard Version

But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this pivotal moment at the Last Supper, Jesus, facing imminent betrayal and crucifixion, offers His disciples a profound promise of future hope and restoration. Despite foretelling their scattering and His own suffering, He declares that after His resurrection, He will precede them into Galilee, signaling not only His triumph over death but also His unwavering commitment to reunite and re-commission His faltering followers in a familiar place of new beginnings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is uttered by Jesus immediately following His somber prediction that all His disciples will fall away and be scattered that very night, a prophecy He grounds in the Old Testament scripture from [Zechariah 13:7](/zechariah/13-7 "Zechariah 13:7 - The Striking of the Shepherd"). The disciples, particularly Peter, vehemently deny this possibility, asserting their loyalty. Against this backdrop of impending failure, betrayal, and suffering for both Jesus and His followers, Matthew 26:32 stands as a beacon of hope—a divine assurance of resurrection and subsequent reunion, promising that their current crisis is not the end of their relationship or mission. It directly anticipates the post-resurrection appearances described later in Matthew's Gospel, particularly in [Matthew 28:7-10](/matthew/28-7-10 "Matthew 28:7-10 - The Angel's and Jesus' Instructions to Go to Galilee").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Last Supper, likely held in an upper room in Jerusalem, during the Passover festival. This was a time of intense religious and political tension, with the Jewish leadership seeking to arrest Jesus and the Roman authorities maintaining a watchful presence. Galilee, in contrast to Jerusalem, was the primary region of Jesus' public ministry, a place where He had called His first disciples and performed many miracles. It was a region often viewed with some disdain by the Judean religious elite ([John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can anything good come out of Nazareth?")), yet it was the spiritual home for many of the disciples. Jesus' instruction to meet them there after His resurrection is significant; it signifies a return to familiar ground, a place of renewed commission away from the hostile environment of Jerusalem, and perhaps a fresh start for a scattered and disillusioned group.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 26:32 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **certainty of Jesus' resurrection**, presenting it not as a mere possibility but as a guaranteed future event that will fundamentally alter their current trajectory of despair. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **divine restoration and grace**; despite the disciples' impending desertion, Jesus' promise of reunion in Galilee demonstrates His unwavering commitment to them, offering a path to reconciliation and renewed purpose after their failure. This foreshadows the post-resurrection re-commissioning of Peter and the other disciples. Thirdly, it reinforces Jesus' role as the **Good Shepherd** ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd")); even after being "struck" and His "sheep" scattered, He promises to "go before" them, indicating His continued leadership and guidance. Finally, it subtly points to the **fulfillment of prophecy**, not just the prophecy of scattering in [Zechariah 13:7](/zechariah/13-7 "Zechariah 13:7 - The Shepherd Struck"), but also the broader divine plan for His resurrection and the subsequent establishment of His kingdom through His re-gathered followers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _dé'_):** This particle serves as an adversative or continuative conjunction. In this context, it introduces a strong contrast or transition. Following the dire prediction of the disciples' scattering and Jesus' own suffering, "but" pivots the discourse from impending darkness to a future hope. It signals a divine intervention that will reverse the apparent defeat, emphasizing the certainty of what follows despite the preceding bleak pronouncement.
* **risen again (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb means "to waken," "to rouse," or "to raise up," often from sleep, lying down, or death. Here, it unequivocally refers to Jesus' resurrection from the dead. The passive voice ("I am risen again") implies divine agency—God the Father will raise Him. This word is central to the Christian message, signifying Christ's triumph over sin and death, and it is the foundational promise upon which all Christian hope rests.
* **go before (Greek, _proágō'_):** Literally meaning "to lead forward" or "to precede." This is more than merely arriving first. It implies leadership, guidance, and setting the pace. Jesus will not just meet them in Galilee; He will lead them there, re-establishing His role as their Shepherd and guide. This word carries significant pastoral weight, assuring the disciples that even after their failure and His death, He will continue to be their leader, directing their path and purpose.
* **Galilee (Greek, _Galilaía'_):** A region in northern Palestine, often called "the heathen circle" due to its mixed population. It was the primary setting for Jesus' public ministry and the home of most of His disciples. By specifying Galilee as the meeting place, Jesus indicates a return to the familiar, a place of new beginnings away from the hostile Jerusalem, and a symbolic re-gathering of His flock in the very region where He first called them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But after I am risen again,"**: This clause introduces a profound shift from the immediate sorrow and impending crisis to a future filled with hope. The resurrection is presented not as a possibility but as a definite, divinely ordained event. It is the crucial turning point that transforms the narrative of suffering and scattering into one of triumph and restoration. This promise underscores Jesus' foreknowledge and divine authority over life and death.
* **"I will go before you into Galilee."**: This is a direct, personal promise of reunion and continued leadership. "I will go before you" (proágō) emphasizes Jesus' role as the Shepherd leading His flock, even after their desertion. Galilee, the familiar ground of their initial calling and ministry, symbolizes a fresh start, a place where the scattered disciples can be re-gathered, re-commissioned, and begin to understand the new reality of the resurrected Christ and their ongoing mission. It is a promise of grace, forgiveness, and renewed purpose for those who are about to fail Him.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:32 employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus explicitly predicts His resurrection and a future meeting, setting the stage for the post-resurrection appearances in [Matthew 28](/matthew/28 "Matthew 28 - The Resurrection and Great Commission"). There is also a strong element of **Irony**; just as the disciples are about to abandon Jesus, He promises to "go before" them, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness despite their impending unfaithfulness. The mention of "Galilee" serves as powerful **Symbolism**. It represents a return to their origins, a place of new beginnings, and a contrast to the hostile Jerusalem, signifying a fresh start and renewed commission for the disciples after their period of failure and despair. This promise also functions as a **Dramatic Contrast**, immediately following the somber prediction of scattering, it injects a ray of hope and divine assurance into a moment of profound tension and impending tragedy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:32 is a profound testament to Jesus' divine foresight, His triumph over death, and His unwavering commitment to His disciples. It highlights the central truth of the Christian faith: the resurrection is not merely an event but the foundation of all hope and the guarantee of God's redemptive plan. Despite the disciples' impending failure and the seeming defeat of the cross, Jesus' promise assures them—and us—that His victory is certain, and His grace extends beyond human weakness. It speaks to the restorative nature of God, who does not abandon His people in their brokenness but actively works to re-gather, restore, and re-commission them for His purposes.

* [Matthew 28:7](/matthew/28-7 "Matthew 28:7 - Angel's instruction to go to Galilee")
* [Matthew 28:10](/matthew/28-10 "Matthew 28:10 - Jesus' instruction to go to Galilee")
* [Matthew 28:16](/matthew/28-16 "Matthew 28:16 - The disciples meet Jesus in Galilee")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers immense comfort and profound challenge for believers today. In moments of personal failure, doubt, or spiritual scattering, we are reminded that Christ's faithfulness far surpasses our own. Just as He promised to re-gather His disciples despite their desertion, He promises to meet us in our brokenness, offering restoration and new beginnings. The "Galilee" in our lives might be a place of renewed commitment after a period of spiritual wandering, a fresh call to ministry after a setback, or simply the quiet assurance of His presence when we feel most alone. This promise encourages us to look beyond our present trials and failures to the certain hope of Christ's triumph and His continued leadership in our lives. It calls us to trust in His sovereign plan, knowing that even our darkest moments are not the end, but often the prelude to a glorious resurrection and renewed purpose under His guidance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' promise to "go before you into Galilee" offer comfort and hope in your own moments of fear or failure?**
* **What "Galilee" might Jesus be calling you to, a place of renewed purpose or fresh beginning after a difficult season?**
* **How does the certainty of Christ's resurrection, as promised in this verse, impact your daily walk and long-term hope?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus choose Galilee as the meeting place instead of Jerusalem?**

Answer: Jesus chose Galilee for several significant reasons. Firstly, it was the primary region of His public ministry and the home of most of His disciples, making it familiar and less hostile than Jerusalem, which was the center of religious and political opposition. Meeting in Galilee allowed for a more intimate and less conspicuous reunion, away from the immediate dangers and scrutiny of the Jewish authorities. Secondly, Galilee symbolized a fresh start and a return to the roots of their calling. Much of Jesus' initial ministry and the disciples' training took place there. This return to Galilee after the resurrection signified a new beginning for the scattered and disheartened disciples, a place for re-gathering and re-commissioning before the global mission outlined in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"). It underscored the idea that even after profound failure and loss, God offers restoration and renewed purpose in familiar, grace-filled surroundings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:32 is a powerful Christ-centered declaration, revealing Jesus as the ultimate fulfiller of God's redemptive plan. His promise to rise again and "go before" His disciples into Galilee is a direct foreshadowing of His victory over death, an event central to the Gospel message and the foundation of Christian faith ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - Christ Died and Rose Again")). This promise not only anticipates His literal resurrection appearances, as recorded in [Matthew 28:16-20](/matthew/28-16-20 "Matthew 28:16-20 - The Great Commission in Galilee"), but also prefigures His ongoing role as the Head of the Church, the Good Shepherd who continually leads His flock ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd")). The "going before" into Galilee symbolizes Christ's pioneering work, paving the way for His followers into a new era of ministry empowered by His resurrection. It points to Him as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), guaranteeing that just as He rose, so too will His followers experience new life and ultimate triumph. Thus, Matthew 26:32 is not merely a logistical instruction but a profound theological statement affirming Christ's sovereignty over death and His unwavering commitment to gather and lead His redeemed people into their eternal purpose, culminating in His ascension and ongoing intercession for them ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Always Lives to Intercede")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 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.

Matthew 28:16

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

Luke 18:33

And they shall scourge [him], and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

Luke 18:34

And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Matthew 20:19

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.

Mark 9:9

And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

Mark 9:10

And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.