Matthew 28:17

Matthew 28:17 describes a pivotal moment after Jesus' resurrection, as His disciples gather on a mountain in Galilee, as He had commanded them. This verse captures the complex human reactions to witnessing the risen Christ: profound worship alongside lingering doubt.

Context

This verse takes place during one of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to His disciples. Following His resurrection, Jesus had instructed the women at the tomb to tell His disciples to go to Galilee, where He would meet them (Matthew 28:10). Matthew 28:16 specifies that the eleven disciples went to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. It is in this setting that they encounter their resurrected Lord, leading to the mixed reactions described in this verse, which immediately precedes the momentous Great Commission.

Key Themes

• The Reality of the Resurrection: The core message is that Jesus is truly alive. His physical presence elicits worship from His followers, confirming His victory over death and the grave.
• Worship and Acknowledgment: The primary response from the disciples was worship. The Greek word for "worshipped" is proskyneo, which means to prostrate oneself, to do homage, or to adore. This signifies their recognition of Jesus' divine authority and resurrected glory. It is the natural and appropriate response to encountering the living God.
• The Human Element of Faith and Doubt: The phrase "but some doubted" is remarkably honest and adds significant credibility to the biblical account. It reveals that even eyewitnesses, who had walked with Jesus for years and now saw Him resurrected, still grappled with uncertainty. This doubt was not necessarily outright disbelief, but perhaps hesitation, bewilderment, or a struggle to fully comprehend the miraculous reality before them. This illustrates that faith is often a journey, not a static state, and that questions or doubts can coexist with genuine belief and worship. The Bible does not shy away from portraying the imperfections of even its greatest heroes.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "doubted" is edistasan (from distazo), which means "to waver," "to hesitate," or "to be of two minds." It's the same word used in Matthew 14:31 when Peter began to sink while walking on water and Jesus asked, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" This suggests a lack of firm conviction or a struggle with belief rather than outright denial.

Practical Application

This verse offers comfort and encouragement to believers today. It assures us that having questions or moments of doubt is a normal part of the human experience and even of the faith journey. The disciples, who had the extraordinary privilege of seeing the resurrected Christ, still harbored doubts. Yet, their doubt did not invalidate their worship or prevent them from being commissioned for the greatest mission in history (Matthew 28:18-20). The call is not to an absence of doubt, but to persistent worship and obedient faith, trusting in Jesus' authority even when full understanding eludes us. It reminds us that God meets us where we are, doubts and all, and invites us to worship and serve Him.