Matthew 28:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} as {G5613} they went {G4198} to tell {G518} his {G846} disciples {G3101},{G2532} behold {G2400}, Jesus {G2424} met {G528} them {G846}, saying {G3004}, All hail {G5463}. And {G1161} they came {G4334} and held {G2902} him {G846} by the feet {G4228}, and {G2532} worshipped {G4352} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Suddenly Yeshua met them and said, "Shalom!" They came up and took hold of his feet as they fell down in front of him.

Berean Standard Bible

Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.

American Standard Version

And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 28:9 records the first post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to His faithful followers, specifically Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary," as they were hurrying to inform the disciples of the empty tomb and the angel's message. This pivotal encounter validates the reality of Jesus' physical resurrection, elicits immediate worship from the women, and serves as a profound confirmation of His triumph over death, setting the stage for the broader proclamation of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic events at Jesus' tomb on the first Easter morning. In [Matthew 28:1-4](/matthew/28-1-4 "Matthew 28:1-4 - The Angel at the Tomb"), Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary" arrive at the tomb to find a great earthquake, an angel descending from heaven, and the Roman guards paralyzed with fear. The angel then declares Jesus' resurrection, stating, "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay" ([Matthew 28:6](/matthew/28-6 "Matthew 28:6 - The Angel's Proclamation")). The angel further instructs them to go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen and will meet them in Galilee ([Matthew 28:7](/matthew/28-7 "Matthew 28:7 - The Angel's Commission")). As the women depart from the tomb "with fear and great joy" ([Matthew 28:8](/matthew/28-8 "Matthew 28:8 - The Women's Response")), eager to obey the angelic command, Jesus Himself intercepts them, providing the direct, personal confirmation recorded in this verse. This encounter bridges the angelic announcement with the disciples' future commissioning.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, specifically the path leading away from the tomb, likely early on Sunday morning. In Jewish culture, women were often not considered reliable legal witnesses, yet Matthew, like the other Gospel writers, highlights their crucial role as the first eyewitnesses to the resurrection and the first to be commissioned to share the news. The act of "holding him by the feet" was a profound gesture of reverence, submission, and recognition in the ancient Near East, signifying a deep acknowledgment of authority and a desire to cling to the one being honored. It also served as undeniable proof of Jesus' physical, tangible presence, countering any notion of a mere spiritual apparition. The greeting "All hail" (Greek: _chairete_) was a common salutation, but in this context, it carries a deeper theological weight, inviting the women to share in the profound joy of the resurrection, echoing the prophetic promises of a Messiah who would bring glad tidings.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 28:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully affirms **the physical reality of Jesus' resurrection**. The tangibility of His body, allowing the women to hold His feet, is a foundational truth, emphasizing that His victory over death was complete, not merely spiritual. This aligns with the emphasis on Jesus' bodily resurrection found throughout the New Testament, as seen in [Luke 24:39](/luke/24-39 "Luke 24:39 - Jesus' Physicality After Resurrection"). Secondly, the women's immediate response of worship highlights the theme of **Jesus' divine authority and worthiness of adoration**. Their prostration and worship signify their recognition of Him as the resurrected Lord, a theme that culminates in the Great Commission where Jesus declares "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - Jesus' Post-Resurrection Authority")). Lastly, the verse underscores the theme of **joy and commissioning**. Jesus' greeting of "All hail" (rejoice!) transforms their fear into profound gladness, and their encounter prepares them to be the first human messengers of the resurrection, foreshadowing the global mission to "go ye therefore, and teach all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **behold (Greek, _idoú_):** This interjection serves as an emphatic particle, drawing immediate attention to what follows. It signals a sudden, unexpected, and significant event, often indicating a divine revelation or a moment of profound importance. Here, it underscores the astonishing reality of Jesus' sudden appearance to the women.
* **All hail (Greek, _chaírō_):** While the KJV translates it as "All hail," the underlying Greek verb is _chaírō_, meaning "to be cheerful, calmly happy or well-off." In its imperative plural form (_chairete_), it functions as a greeting, but more profoundly, it means "rejoice!" or "be glad!" In the context of the resurrection, it is a declaration of victory and an invitation to share in the overwhelming joy of Christ's triumph over sin and death, transforming the women's fear into profound gladness.
* **worshipped (Greek, _proskynéō_):** This word literally means "to fawn or crouch to," often like a dog licking its master's hand, implying prostration. It signifies an act of profound homage, reverence, and adoration, typically directed towards a deity or a figure of supreme authority. The women's immediate act of _proskynéō_ confirms their recognition of Jesus' divine identity and authority as the resurrected Lord.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as they went to tell his disciples":** This phrase establishes the immediate context, highlighting the women's obedience to the angel's command to share the news of the resurrection with the disciples. Their journey is one of urgency and purpose, driven by both fear and great joy, as described in [Matthew 28:8](/matthew/28-8 "Matthew 28:8 - The Women's Haste").
* **"behold, Jesus met them, saying, 'All hail.'":** This is the dramatic climax of the verse. The sudden appearance of Jesus ("behold") is an unexpected divine intervention, confirming the angel's message personally. His greeting, "All hail" (rejoice!), is more than a mere salutation; it is a proclamation of victory and an invitation to share in the profound joy of His resurrection, dispelling any lingering doubts or fears.
* **"And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.":** This describes the women's immediate and profound response. "Held him by the feet" signifies both a desperate clinging to the tangible reality of His resurrected body and a gesture of deep reverence and submission. Their subsequent act of "worshipped him" unequivocally demonstrates their recognition of Jesus' divine nature and authority, acknowledging Him as their resurrected Lord worthy of ultimate adoration.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 28:9 employs several powerful literary devices. The use of **Direct Encounter** or **Epiphany** is central, as Jesus suddenly "met them," confirming His presence in a personal and immediate way. This unexpected appearance heightens the drama and significance of the moment. The verse also utilizes **Symbolism** through the women's action of "held him by the feet." This physical act is symbolic of their desire to cling to the reality of His resurrection, to ground their experience in His tangible presence, and to express profound reverence and submission. Furthermore, their act of **Worship** immediately following the encounter underscores Jesus' divine authority and the appropriate human response to His resurrected glory. Finally, Jesus' greeting, "All hail," functions as a **Proclamation** of joy and victory, transforming the women's initial "fear" ([Matthew 28:8](/matthew/28-8 "Matthew 28:8 - The Women's Fear")) into profound gladness, setting the emotional tone for the dawn of the new covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 28:9 is a cornerstone for understanding the Christian faith, as it provides direct, eyewitness testimony to the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. This tangibility is crucial, distinguishing the Christian message from mere spiritual experiences or abstract ideas. The women's ability to hold Jesus' feet affirms that His victory over death was not a spiritual escape, but a bodily triumph, ensuring the hope of future bodily resurrection for believers. Their immediate response of worship underscores Jesus' divine nature and His absolute worthiness of adoration, establishing Him as the resurrected Lord to whom all authority belongs. This encounter transforms their fear into joy and commissions them as the first human witnesses, setting a precedent for all believers to share the good news of Christ's victory.

* [Luke 24:39](/luke/24-39 "Luke 24:39 - Jesus Invites Touch")
* [John 20:27](/john/20-27 "John 20:27 - Thomas's Doubt and Belief")
* [1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - The Futility Without Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This profound encounter in Matthew 28:9 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Just as Jesus met the women in their journey of obedience, He continues to meet us in our daily lives, often in unexpected moments, confirming His presence and truth. Their response—clinging to His feet and worshipping Him—provides a powerful model for our own faith. It calls us to a humble, tangible, and deeply reverent relationship with the resurrected Christ. We are invited not just to believe *about* Him, but to encounter Him personally, to hold fast to the reality of His victory over death, and to offer Him our complete adoration. This verse reminds us that our faith is grounded in a living, accessible Savior who transforms fear into joy and commissions us to share His life-changing news. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a vibrant, worshipping relationship, allowing His resurrection power to infuse every aspect of our lives and empower us to be His witnesses in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the physical reality of Jesus' resurrection, as demonstrated by the women holding His feet, strengthen your faith and hope?**
* **What does the women's immediate act of worship teach you about the appropriate response to encountering the living Christ?**
* **In what ways does Jesus' greeting, "All hail" (rejoice!), transform your perspective on challenges or fears in your own life?**
* **How are you being called to "go and tell" others about the resurrected Christ in your sphere of influence today?**

### FAQ
**Why did the women hold Jesus by the feet?**
Answer: The act of holding Jesus by the feet was a profound gesture with multiple layers of meaning. Culturally, it signified deep reverence, submission, and adoration towards a figure of great authority. The women were prostrating themselves in homage. Theologically, it also served as undeniable proof of Jesus' physical, tangible resurrection. By allowing them to touch Him, Jesus confirmed that He was not a ghost or a spirit, but truly resurrected in body, a crucial detail for validating the resurrection event and countering any future claims of a mere spiritual appearance. This act of touch provided concrete evidence to the first human witnesses.

**What is the significance of Jesus saying "All hail"?**
Answer: The King James Version's "All hail" translates the Greek word _chairete_ (χαίρετε), which is the plural imperative of _chairō_ (χαίρω), meaning "to rejoice" or "be glad." While it functioned as a common greeting, in this context, it carries profound theological weight. It is not merely a polite salutation but a declaration of victory and an invitation to share in the overwhelming joy of His resurrection. Jesus, having conquered sin and death, invites the women to participate in the triumph, transforming their fear and awe into profound gladness. It sets the tone for the new reality of the resurrection, a reality of joy and hope for all who believe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 28:9 stands as a glorious testament to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the promised Messiah, here reveals Himself as the Resurrected Lord, conquering death and the grave, as foretold in prophecies like [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - David's Prophecy of Resurrection"). His physical appearance and the women's ability to hold His feet confirm the reality of His bodily resurrection, the very cornerstone of the Gospel message proclaimed by Paul in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Defined"). This encounter is a direct fulfillment of Jesus' own predictions that He would rise again on the third day, a theme reiterated throughout the Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection")). Furthermore, the women's immediate worship of Jesus foreshadows the universal adoration that will be given to Him as the exalted Christ, the Lamb who was slain and is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing, as envisioned in [Revelation 5:12-14](/revelation/5-12-14 "Revelation 5:12-14 - Heavenly Worship of the Lamb"). His greeting of "All hail" (rejoice!) encapsulates the new covenant joy found in His triumph, a joy that the world cannot take away ([John 16:22](/john/16-22 "John 16:22 - Your Sorrow Will Turn to Joy")). Ultimately, this verse reveals Christ as the living Head of the Church, commissioning His first witnesses to proclaim His victory, setting the stage for the Great Commission and the spread of His kingdom to the ends of the earth ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")).

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 28:17

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

John 20:14

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

John 20:17

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.

Matthew 14:33

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

John 20:28

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Luke 24:52

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

John 12:3

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.