King James Version

What Does Matthew 28:7 Mean?

Matthew 28:7 in the King James Version says “And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; th...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Matthew 28:7 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

Read Matthew 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The angel commissions the women as apostles to the apostles—'go quickly' (πορευθεῖσαι ταχύ/poreuthei sai tachy) conveys urgency. The greatest news demands immediate proclamation. Truth about the resurrection must not be delayed or hidden but declared swiftly.

'Tell his disciples' (ἀπαγγείλατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ/apangeilate tois mathētais autou)—the verb means to announce, report, declare. The women become heralds of resurrection, though their testimony would initially meet skepticism (Luke 24:11). Yet God chose them for this honor, demonstrating that in His kingdom, the last are first and the humble are exalted.

'He is risen from the dead' (ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν/ēgerthē apo tōn nekrōn)—the message to proclaim. This becomes the core apostolic preaching (kerygma) throughout Acts. Christianity stands or falls on resurrection's historicity. Paul states it plainly: if Christ is not raised, faith is futile and we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).

'He goeth before you into Galilee' (προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν/proagei hymas eis tēn Galilaian) fulfills Jesus's own prediction (Matthew 26:32). The Good Shepherd goes before His sheep (John 10:4). Galilee, where Jesus's ministry began, will witness post-resurrection appearances—Jesus restores what sin and denial had broken, renewing the disciples for their mission.

'There shall ye see him' (ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε/ekei auton opsesthe)—a promise, not merely a possibility. They will see the risen Lord because He promises to manifest Himself to His own. And so it occurred—Jesus appeared to the eleven in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20), commissioning them to world evangelism.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Galilee held significance as the region of Jesus's primary ministry (Matthew 4:12-23). Most disciples were Galileans. By directing them there rather than keeping them in Jerusalem, Jesus demonstrated that His resurrection was for the nations, not just Judaism's center. From Galilee, a region despised by Jerusalem's elite ('Can anything good come from Nazareth?'), the gospel would spread to the world.

The choice of Galilee also provided safety. Jerusalem was hostile territory where Jesus had just been executed. The disciples feared the Jewish authorities (John 20:19). Galilee offered refuge and familiar territory where they could process the resurrection's implications before returning to Jerusalem for Pentecost.

Ancient skeptics like Celsus (2nd century) attacked Christianity partly by noting that Jesus appeared primarily to followers, not enemies. Yet this objection misunderstands resurrection's purpose—not to convince hostile opponents but to commission faithful disciples and establish His church. The appearances provided sufficient testimony for those with eyes to see and validated the disciples' apostolic authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the urgency ('go quickly') teach us about the priority and importance of proclaiming Christ's resurrection in our own lives?
  2. How does Jesus 'going before' the disciples into Galilee illustrate His ongoing role as our Good Shepherd who leads, guides, and prepares the way?
  3. Why did Jesus choose to appear primarily to disciples rather than to hostile authorities, and what does this reveal about the nature of saving faith versus mere intellectual acknowledgment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
καὶ1 of 25

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ταχὺ2 of 25

“quickly”

G5035

shortly, i.e., without delay, soon, or (by surprise) suddenly, or (by implication, of ease) readily

πορευθεῖσαι3 of 25

“go”

G4198

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

εἶπον4 of 25

“I have told”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τοῖς5 of 25
G3588

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

μαθηταῖς6 of 25

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτὸν7 of 25

“him”

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

ὅτι8 of 25

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἠγέρθη9 of 25

“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

ἀπὸ10 of 25

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῶν11 of 25
G3588

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

νεκρῶν12 of 25

“the dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

καὶ13 of 25

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰδού,14 of 25

“behold”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

προάγει15 of 25

“he goeth before”

G4254

to lead forward (magisterially); intransitively, to precede (in place or time (participle, previous))

ὑμᾶς16 of 25

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

εἰς17 of 25

“into”

G1519

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

τὴν18 of 25
G3588

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

Γαλιλαίαν19 of 25

“Galilee”

G1056

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

ἐκεῖ20 of 25

“there”

G1563

there; by extension, thither

αὐτὸν21 of 25

“him”

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

ὄψεσθε·22 of 25

“shall ye see”

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

ἰδού,23 of 25

“behold”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

εἶπον24 of 25

“I have told”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὑμῖν25 of 25

“you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

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 28:7 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 28:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 26:32Luke 24:22-24Matthew 28:10John 16:4Mark 16:7-8John 21:1-14

Places in This Verse

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

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