Matthew 26:32

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Matthew 26:32 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' final discourse with His disciples, offering a profound promise of hope and future reunion amidst impending trials.

Context of Matthew 26:32

This verse is spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, immediately after He predicts that all His disciples will abandon Him that very night (Matthew 26:31). He quotes a prophecy from Zechariah 13:7 concerning the striking of the shepherd and the scattering of the sheep. Despite this somber prediction of their failure and His imminent suffering, Jesus offers a powerful reassurance: His death will not be the end. He promises resurrection and a future meeting in Galilee, a familiar and significant region from their ministry together.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Promise of Resurrection: The core message is Jesus' clear declaration of His triumph over death. This promise underscores the central truth of Christian faith: Christ's resurrection is not merely a future event but a guaranteed reality that underpins all hope.
  • Reassurance and Restoration: Even as Jesus foretells their desertion and Peter's denial, He extends grace and a path to restoration. The promise of meeting them in Galilee signifies that their failures will not be final; there will be a new beginning and a renewed relationship after His resurrection. This offers immense comfort to those who feel they have failed Christ.
  • Divine Leadership and Shepherd Care: The phrase "I will go before you" (Greek: proago, meaning "to lead forth" or "to go before") highlights Jesus' continued role as their Shepherd. He will not abandon them but will lead the way, guiding them even after His crucifixion. This speaks to His unwavering commitment to His flock.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: While Matthew 26:31 directly quotes Zechariah 13:7 regarding the scattering, verse 32 sets the stage for the fulfillment of the resurrection and subsequent post-resurrection appearances, which are crucial to God's redemptive plan.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word for "go before" is proago (προάγω). It implies leadership, guidance, and setting the pace. Jesus isn't just saying He'll arrive in Galilee first; He's asserting His continued role as the leader and guide for His disciples, even after the traumatic events of His passion.

Related Scriptures

This promise finds its glorious fulfillment in the resurrection accounts and subsequent appearances:

  • Matthew 28:7 and Matthew 28:10: After the resurrection, the angel at the tomb and Jesus Himself instruct the women to tell the disciples to go to Galilee, where they will see Him.
  • Matthew 28:16: This verse records the actual meeting of the eleven disciples with Jesus on a mountain in Galilee, fulfilling this very promise.
  • Mark 14:28 and Mark 16:7: Mark's Gospel provides parallel accounts of this promise and its fulfillment.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:32 offers profound encouragement for believers today:

  • Hope in Adversity: Just as the disciples faced a terrifying ordeal, we too face trials and failures. This verse reminds us that even after our darkest moments, Christ offers hope, resurrection, and the promise of His continued presence.
  • Christ's Faithfulness: Despite our weaknesses, doubts, or even desertion, Jesus remains faithful. His promise to meet them in Galilee demonstrates His unwavering love and commitment to His followers.
  • New Beginnings: Galilee, the region where much of Jesus' ministry began, symbolizes a fresh start. For the disciples, it was a place of renewed commission and understanding after the resurrection. For us, it signifies that even after spiritual setbacks or failures, God offers new opportunities for service and growth under Christ's leadership.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ΒΆ 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.
← Back