Matthew 28:6

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

He is {G2076} not {G3756} here {G5602}: for {G1063} he is risen {G1453}, as {G2531} he said {G2036}. Come {G1205}, see {G1492} the place {G5117} where {G3699} the Lord {G2962} lay {G2749}.

He is not here, because he has been raised -- just as he said! Come and look at the place where he lay.

He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.

He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Commentary

Matthew 28:6 captures the pivotal moment of Christian history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This verse records the angel's powerful announcement to the women who came to anoint Jesus' body, transforming their sorrow into awe and joy. It is a declaration of victory, a fulfillment of prophecy, and an invitation to witness the miraculous.

Context

The scene unfolds early on Sunday morning, after the Sabbath, as Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary" (Matthew 28:1) arrive at the tomb where Jesus had been laid. They intended to prepare His body with spices, a customary burial practice. However, they are met with a dramatic event: a great earthquake, the descent of an angel of the Lord from heaven, who rolls back the stone from the tomb's entrance and sits upon it. The guards, terrified, become like dead men. It is to these faithful women that the angel delivers the astounding news, directly contradicting their expectations and the world's understanding of death. Jesus had explicitly foretold His resurrection, as recorded in passages like Matthew 16:21, yet its reality still stunned His followers.

Key Themes

  • The Reality of the Resurrection: The core message is unequivocal: "He is not here: for he is risen." This is the central truth of the Christian faith, demonstrating Jesus' triumph over sin and death. The empty tomb is the undeniable proof that Jesus' claims about Himself were true.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The phrase "as he said" underscores that Jesus' resurrection was not an unexpected event, but the direct fulfillment of His own words and Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. This validates His divine authority and mission.
  • Invitation to Witness: "Come, see the place where the Lord lay" is an invitation to verify the truth. The angel doesn't just declare; he encourages investigation, affirming that the empty tomb is not a mystery but a verifiable fact meant to build faith and convince witnesses.
  • Victory Over Death: The resurrection signifies Jesus' ultimate victory over death's power, a victory that extends to all who believe in Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "risen" is ēgerthē (ἐγέρθη), which is an aorist passive indicative form of the verb egeirō. The passive voice ("he has been raised") subtly emphasizes that it was God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead, highlighting a divine act of power. The word "lay" (Greek: ekeito, ἔκειτο) is in the imperfect tense, indicating a past, continuous state – "he was lying there" – confirming that Jesus' body had indeed been in the tomb, making His absence all the more miraculous.

Practical Application

Matthew 28:6 offers profound comfort and assurance to believers today. The resurrection of Jesus is not merely a historical event but the foundation of Christian hope. Because He lives, believers have the promise of eternal life and the power to overcome sin and death in their own lives. This truth empowers believers to live with hope and to share the good news, as the angel instructed the women to do (Matthew 28:7), leading directly to the Great Commission. The empty tomb reminds us that God's promises are true and that even in the face of despair, there is always hope and new life in Christ.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 16:6

    And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

  • Matthew 12:40

    For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

  • Luke 24:6

    He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

  • Luke 24:8

    And they remembered his words,

  • Matthew 16:21

    ¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

  • Luke 24:23

    And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

  • Matthew 27:63

    Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
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