Matthew 28:17

KJV

And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they saw {G1492} him {G846}, they worshipped {G4352} him {G846}: but {G1161} some doubted {G1365}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they saw him, they prostrated themselves before him; but some hesitated.

Berean Standard Bible

When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.

American Standard Version

And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 28:17 records a profound and remarkably human moment during one of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances in Galilee, where His disciples, having been commanded to meet Him on a mountain, encountered their resurrected Lord. The verse starkly contrasts the immediate and appropriate response of worship from the majority with the lingering uncertainty and hesitation experienced by some, offering a candid glimpse into the complex nature of faith even among eyewitnesses to the miraculous.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal juncture in Matthew's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' resurrection and His instruction to the women at the tomb to tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee ([Matthew 28:10](/matthew/28-10 "Matthew 28:10 - Jesus' Command to the Women")). [Matthew 28:16](/matthew/28-16 "Matthew 28:16 - Disciples Go to Galilee") explicitly states that the eleven disciples went to the appointed mountain, setting the scene for this encounter. The mixed reactions of worship and doubt in [Matthew 28:17](/matthew/28-17 "Matthew 28:17 - Worship and Doubt") serve as a realistic prelude to the momentous Great Commission that Jesus delivers in the subsequent verses, beginning with His declaration of all authority in [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus") and culminating in the command to make disciples of all nations in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"). This positioning underscores that even with lingering human frailties, the disciples were still chosen and empowered for their divine mission.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples were scattered and fearful, their hopes shattered. The resurrection appearances, such as this one in Galilee, were crucial for re-establishing their faith, confirming Jesus' identity, and preparing them for their future mission. Galilee, Jesus' home region, held significant symbolic meaning as a place where He had conducted much of His ministry, particularly among the common people. The choice of a mountain for this meeting might evoke memories of other significant mountain events in Jesus' ministry, such as the Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 5](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount")) or the Transfiguration ([Matthew 17:1-8](/matthew/17-1-8 "Matthew 17:1-8 - The Transfiguration")), places of divine revelation and instruction. Culturally, "worship" (proskynéō) involved prostration, a physical act of homage and reverence appropriate for acknowledging a king or deity, signifying profound submission and adoration. The concept of doubt, while often viewed negatively, also speaks to the human struggle to reconcile extraordinary events with conventional understanding, especially in a world where supernatural claims were often met with skepticism.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 28:17](/matthew/28-17 "Matthew 28:17 - Worship and Doubt") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader New Testament narrative. Foremost is the **Reality and Power of the Resurrection**, serving as irrefutable proof of Jesus' victory over death and His divine nature. The disciples' ability to "see" Him and their subsequent worship confirms the physical, tangible nature of His resurrected body. Another key theme is **Worship and Divine Authority**, as the act of worship acknowledges Jesus' rightful place as Lord and God, a response that is consistently presented as appropriate throughout the New Testament for those encountering the risen Christ. Finally, the verse powerfully introduces the theme of **The Human Nature of Faith and Doubt**. Matthew's honest portrayal of some disciples doubting, even in the face of such a profound miracle, highlights that faith is not always absolute certainty but can coexist with questions and struggles. This realism lends credibility to the biblical account and offers comfort to believers who experience their own moments of uncertainty, demonstrating that God uses imperfect people, even those with lingering doubts, for His purposes, as seen in the subsequent commissioning in [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb signifies not merely a casual glance but a perception that leads to knowledge. In the perfect tense, as used here, it implies a seeing that results in knowing or being aware. The disciples truly perceived Jesus' physical presence, leading to a recognition of His identity and the reality of His resurrection, which then prompted their worship.
* **worshipped (Greek, _proskynéō'_):** Derived from "pros" (towards) and a word related to "kyōn" (dog), literally meaning "to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand," this verb describes the act of prostrating oneself in homage, reverence, or adoration. It denotes a profound act of submission and worship, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority and majesty. This was the appropriate response to encountering the resurrected Lord.
* **doubted (Greek, _distázō'_):** This word, from "dis" (twice), literally means "to duplicate" or "to be of two minds." It conveys a sense of wavering, hesitation, or uncertainty, rather than outright disbelief or denial. It suggests a struggle to fully comprehend or accept the miraculous reality before them, a state of mental indecision or lack of firm conviction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they saw him":** This clause establishes the physical encounter between the resurrected Jesus and His disciples. The act of "seeing" here is not just visual perception but implies a recognition of His identity, despite the radical transformation of His resurrected body. This seeing is the catalyst for the subsequent reactions.
* **"they worshipped him":** This part describes the immediate and primary response of the majority of the disciples. Their act of worship (proskynéō) signifies their acknowledgment of Jesus' divine authority, His victory over death, and His rightful place as Lord. It is a profound expression of faith, reverence, and adoration, demonstrating their belief in His resurrection and His identity as God.
* **"but some doubted":** This poignant and remarkably honest clause reveals the complex human response to the miraculous. The Greek word for "doubted" (distázō) suggests hesitation or wavering, not necessarily outright disbelief. It indicates that even among those who had walked with Jesus and now saw Him risen, the sheer magnitude of the event could still evoke uncertainty or a struggle to fully grasp the reality before them. This admission adds significant credibility to the biblical narrative, portraying the disciples not as perfect automatons of faith, but as real people grappling with an unprecedented event.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Contrast** by juxtaposing the immediate and profound worship of some disciples with the lingering doubt of others. This creates a tension that highlights the multifaceted nature of faith and human response to the divine. Furthermore, there is significant **Realism** in the portrayal of the disciples. Matthew does not shy away from presenting their imperfections, including their struggle with doubt, which enhances the credibility of the narrative. This honest depiction makes the disciples relatable and underscores that faith is often a journey, not a static state of unwavering certainty. The verse also contains an element of **Irony**, as those who had the most direct, tangible evidence of the resurrection still harbored doubts, while future believers would be called to faith without such physical sight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 28:17 profoundly illustrates that faith, even when encountering the divine, is a dynamic and sometimes challenging human experience. The coexistence of worship and doubt among the disciples underscores that God often works through imperfect vessels, and that genuine belief can exist alongside moments of uncertainty. This passage offers immense comfort, demonstrating that God's acceptance and commissioning are not contingent upon an absolute absence of doubt, but on a heart that ultimately chooses to worship and obey. It points to the ongoing tension between human limitations and divine revelation, a tension that is resolved not by the eradication of all questions, but by persistent trust in Christ's authority and presence.

* [Mark 16:14](/mark/16-14 "Mark 16:14 - Jesus Rebukes Unbelief")
* [Luke 24:38](/luke/24-38 "Luke 24:38 - Jesus Questions Their Doubts")
* [John 20:24-29](/john/20-24-29 "John 20:24-29 - Thomas's Doubt and Belief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 28:17 serves as a powerful reminder that the journey of faith is often marked by both profound certainty and lingering questions. The disciples, who had the extraordinary privilege of seeing the resurrected Christ with their own eyes, still wrestled with doubt. This should bring immense comfort and liberation to believers today who, in their own spiritual walks, encounter moments of uncertainty, skepticism, or intellectual struggle. The passage teaches us that doubt does not necessarily equate to a lack of faith, nor does it disqualify one from God's purposes. Rather, it highlights the authenticity of the biblical account and God's patience and grace towards His imperfect followers. Our call is not to achieve a state of absolute, unshakeable certainty, but to persist in worship, obedience, and trust, even when full comprehension eludes us. Just as Jesus did not dismiss those who doubted, but proceeded to give them the Great Commission, so too does He meet us in our honest struggles, inviting us to deeper faith and service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the presence of doubt among the disciples in Matthew 28:17 challenge or affirm your understanding of faith?**
* **In what ways do you experience the tension between worship and doubt in your own spiritual journey?**
* **What comfort or encouragement can you draw from the fact that Jesus commissioned His disciples despite some of them doubting?**
* **How might acknowledging and processing doubt, rather than suppressing it, lead to a stronger and more authentic faith?**

### FAQ

**Why did some of the disciples doubt even after seeing the resurrected Jesus?**

Answer: The doubt experienced by some disciples was likely not outright disbelief in Jesus' resurrection, but rather a profound struggle to fully comprehend or reconcile the extraordinary reality before them. The Greek word `distázō` (doubted) suggests wavering or hesitation, being "of two minds." This could stem from the sheer magnitude of the event—a resurrection was unprecedented and defied all natural understanding. They had just experienced immense trauma and disillusionment from Jesus' crucifixion, and even seeing Him alive might have felt too good to be true, or perhaps they struggled with recognizing His transformed body. Their doubt humanizes the account, showing that even eyewitnesses to the greatest miracle in history grappled with the limits of their understanding, much like Thomas in [John 20:24-29](/john/20-24-29 "John 20:24-29 - Thomas's Doubt and Belief") needed tangible proof.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 28:17, with its stark portrayal of worship alongside doubt, finds its Christ-centered fulfillment not only in the physical reality of Jesus' resurrection but also in His ongoing presence and the nature of faith in Him. The disciples' act of worship foreshadows the universal adoration due to the resurrected and ascended Christ, who is now seated at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ's Exaltation")). While they saw Him physically, the New Testament emphasizes that true blessedness comes to those who believe without seeing ([John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed Are Those Who Believe Without Seeing")). Jesus' response to their mixed reactions—not condemnation, but the immediate bestowal of the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"))—reveals His gracious acceptance of imperfect faith. He is the one who understands our weaknesses and doubts, having Himself experienced human frailty ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Ultimately, this verse points to Christ as the object of our worship, the conqueror of death, and the compassionate Lord who empowers His followers for mission, even as they navigate the complexities of faith in a world that often struggles to comprehend the divine. His ultimate triumph over death is the foundation upon which all worship is built, and it is His enduring Spirit that enables believers to overcome doubt and live in confident hope ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit of Him Who Raised Jesus")).

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

Psalms 2:12

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.

Psalms 45:11

So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he [is] thy Lord; and worship thou him.

Matthew 28:9

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

John 5:23

That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Matthew 16:28

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

1 Corinthians 15:6

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.