King James Version

What Does Matthew 28:16 Mean?

Matthew 28:16 in the King James Version says “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.”

Matthew 28:16 · KJV

Context

14

And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15

So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

16

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17

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

18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Read Matthew 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. Narrative shifts from the guards' deception to the disciples' obedience. 'The eleven disciples' (οἱ δὲ ἕνδεκα μαθηταί/hoi de hendeka mathētai)—no longer twelve since Judas's betrayal and suicide (Matthew 27:3-5). This detail underscores the tragedy of apostasy: one who walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, heard His teaching, ultimately fell away. Yet Christ's purposes prevail despite human failure; the eleven became foundation of His church.

'Went away into Galilee' (ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν/eporeuthēsan eis tēn Galilaian)—they obeyed the angel's and Jesus's instructions (Matthew 28:7, 10). This obedience despite confusion and fear marked their transition from scattered, frightened fugitives to apostles. True discipleship involves obeying Christ's word even when understanding is incomplete.

'Into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them' (εἰς τὸ ὄρος οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς/eis to oros hou etaxato autois ho Iēsous)—Jesus had predetermined this meeting place and time. The verb ἐτάξατο (etaxato) means to arrange, appoint, order. Christ sovereignly orchestrates events; He is never caught off guard or improvising. His resurrection appearances were planned, purposeful encounters designed to commission and equip His church.

Mountains hold significance in Matthew's Gospel: the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8), and now the Great Commission. Mountains represent places of divine revelation and encounter. This unnamed mountain in Galilee becomes the site of Christ's final instructions to His apostles before ascension.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Galilee, about 80-100 miles north of Jerusalem, was the region where Jesus conducted most of His ministry. Most disciples were Galileans (Acts 1:11, 2:7). Returning to familiar territory where Jesus had taught, performed miracles, and called them to discipleship was fitting for this climactic encounter.

The specific mountain is unidentified. Some suggest it was the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, creating bookends for His public ministry—beginning with kingdom ethics (Matthew 5-7) and ending with kingdom mission (Matthew 28:18-20). Others propose Mount Tabor (traditional site of Transfiguration) or mountains near Capernaum. The location's anonymity may be intentional; what matters is not the site but the commission given there.

This appearance to 'the eleven' likely corresponds to Paul's reference in 1 Corinthians 15:6: Jesus 'was seen of above five hundred brethren at once.' The mountain gathering may have included the eleven plus many other disciples who had followed Jesus during His Galilean ministry. The convergence of Gospel and Epistle testimony strengthens historical reliability.

The forty days between resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3) involved multiple appearances in different locations (Jerusalem, Emmaus road, Galilee), teaching about the kingdom. This Galilean appearance was likely near the end of that period, shortly before the ascension from the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem (Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:9-12).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the specification of 'eleven disciples' (not twelve) teach us about the sobering reality of apostasy and the need for persevering faith?
  2. How does Jesus's appointment of the meeting place demonstrate His sovereign control over His church and mission, and how should this shape our confidence in ministry?
  3. Why is it significant that the Great Commission was given on a mountain, recalling other mountain revelations in Jesus's ministry?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
Οἱ1 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 16

“Then”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἕνδεκα3 of 16

“the eleven”

G1733

one and ten, i.e., eleven

μαθηταὶ4 of 16

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

ἐπορεύθησαν5 of 16

“went away”

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

εἰς6 of 16

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν7 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Γαλιλαίαν8 of 16

“Galilee”

G1056

galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine

εἰς9 of 16

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ10 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄρος11 of 16

“a mountain”

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

οὗ12 of 16

“where”

G3757

at which place, i.e., where

ἐτάξατο13 of 16

“had appointed”

G5021

to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e., assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot)

αὐτοῖς14 of 16

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ15 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς16 of 16

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 28:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 28:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 26:32Matthew 28:10Matthew 28:7Mark 16:14Acts 1:13-261 Corinthians 15:15

Places in This Verse

Galilee 1Region · Modern: Galilee · 32.76°N, 35.53°E78 verses across 10 books
View all places in Matthew 28 →

Test Your Knowledge

Matthew 28 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterMatthew Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Matthew 28 with CommentaryAll Matthew ChaptersComplete Matthew QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes