King James Version

What Does Matthew 28:6 Mean?

Matthew 28:6 in the King James Version says “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Matthew 28:6 · KJV

Context

4

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6

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

7

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Read Matthew 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. These words constitute the greatest announcement in human history. 'He is not here' (οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε/ouk estin hōde)—the tomb designed to hold the dead cannot contain the Author of Life. Death's prison is broken; the grave is defeated.

'For he is risen' (ἠγέρθη γάρ/ēgerthē gar)—aorist passive indicates completed action: He has been raised. The passive voice suggests divine agency: God the Father raised Him (Romans 6:4, Galatians 1:1), though Jesus also claimed power to lay down and take up His life (John 10:18). The resurrection is the Father's vindication of the Son's perfect obedience and atoning death.

'As he said' (καθὼς εἶπεν/kathōs eipen) recalls Jesus's repeated predictions of His resurrection (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19, 26:32). Every word of Christ proves true; His promises never fail. If He prophesied His resurrection and it occurred, we can trust every other promise He made—forgiveness for believers, judgment for unbelievers, His return in glory, eternal life for His people.

'Come, see the place where the Lord lay' (δεῦτε ἴδετε τὸν τόπον ὅπου ἔκειτο/deute idete ton topon hopou ekeito)—the angel invites investigation. Christianity invites scrutiny; it does not ask for blind faith but presents evidence. The empty tomb, the grave clothes, the stone rolled away—all can be verified. The resurrection is not myth or symbol but historical fact occurring in space and time, in a specific identifiable tomb.

Note: the angel says 'the Lord' (ὁ Κύριος/ho Kyrios)—even in death's realm, Jesus is Lord. The tomb did not diminish His sovereignty. He lay there voluntarily, under no compulsion but His own decree and the Father's plan. And now He is risen as Lord over death, sin, Satan, and hell.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Empty tomb traditions are multiply attested in early Christian sources (all four Gospels, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5) and even acknowledged by Jesus's opponents, who had to invent alternative explanations (Matthew 28:13). No ancient source claims Jesus's body remained in the tomb—the dispute was over why it was empty.

If disciples had fabricated the resurrection, they would have described Jesus emerging from the tomb. Instead, all accounts show the tomb already empty when discovered, with Jesus appearing later. This restraint and lack of legendary embellishment marks authentic testimony, not fabrication.

The invitation to 'see the place' assumes verifiability. Early Christians could point to the specific tomb (whether correctly identified with today's Church of the Holy Sepulchre is debated, but early Christians identified a location). The resurrection proclamation emerged in Jerusalem where it could be investigated and refuted if false—yet it flourished despite official opposition.

Jewish expectation was resurrection at the end of the age (Daniel 12:2, Martha's confession in John 11:24), not mid-history resurrection of one person. Jesus's resurrection thus confounded categories—God did something unprecedented, beginning the eschatological resurrection in Christ as 'firstfruits' (1 Corinthians 15:20) while consummation awaited the future.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the phrase 'as he said' strengthen our confidence in Christ's other promises that await fulfillment, including His return and our resurrection?
  2. What is the significance of the angel inviting empirical investigation ('come, see') rather than demanding blind faith—how does this inform Christian apologetics?
  3. How does Christ's lordship 'even in death' (the place where 'the Lord lay') encourage believers facing suffering, persecution, or death?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
οὐκ1 of 15

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν2 of 15

“He is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ὧδε3 of 15

“here”

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

ἠγέρθη4 of 15

“he is risen”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

γὰρ5 of 15

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

καθὼς6 of 15

“as”

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

εἶπεν·7 of 15

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δεῦτε8 of 15

“Come”

G1205

come hither!

ἴδετε9 of 15

“see”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τὸν10 of 15
G3588

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

τόπον11 of 15

“the place”

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

ὅπου12 of 15

“where”

G3699

what(-ever) where, i.e., at whichever spot

ἔκειτο13 of 15

“lay”

G2749

to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively)

ὁ14 of 15
G3588

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

Κύριος15 of 15

“the Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

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 28:6 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 28:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 16:6Matthew 12:40Luke 24:6-8Matthew 16:21Luke 24:23Matthew 17:23

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