What is the meaning of Matthew 28:11? While the women were on their way “While the women were on their way” (Matthew 28:11) links directly to verses 8–10, where Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” hurried from the empty tomb “with fear and great joy” to tell the disciples. • The women have just received angelic confirmation that “He is risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:6). • Their obedience to the angel’s command (Matthew 28:7) and personal encounter with the risen Christ (Matthew 28:9–10) underscore God’s pattern of revealing truth first to humble, faithful witnesses (compare Luke 1:46-55; John 20:17-18). • The phrase establishes a simultaneous timeline: as authentic witnesses hurry to spread the good news, hostile forces move to suppress it. some of the guards went into the city The guards had been posted by order of the chief priests and Pharisees to prevent any claim of resurrection (Matthew 27:62-66). • Verse 4 records that at the angel’s appearance “the guards trembled and became like dead men,” showing they fully experienced the supernatural event. • Instead of fleeing home or reporting to Pilate, “some of the guards went into the city,” suggesting an urgent, deliberate choice to consult the very leaders who had commissioned them. • Their trek to Jerusalem parallels earlier scenes where those confronted with undeniable miracles still run to the religious authorities (John 9:13 after the man born blind was healed). • Even pagan soldiers now bear witness—an echo of the centurion at the cross who declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). reported to the chief priests all that had happened The guards give a full account, confirming every resurrection detail. • Their testimony provides unintended corroboration from hostile witnesses, fulfilling Proverbs 14:25, “A truthful witness saves lives.” • Ironically, the same leaders who bribed Judas (Matthew 26:14-15) quickly bribe the guards (Matthew 28:12-15) to spread a false narrative, illustrating Romans 1:18: “men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” • This hard-hearted response echoes earlier plots: after Lazarus was raised, “the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin” to stop Jesus (John 11:47-53). • Their cover-up becomes evidence; the invented story that disciples stole the body concedes the tomb was empty (Acts 4:1-3; 5:28). summary Matthew 28:11 shows two streams racing from the empty tomb: joyful women proclaiming life, and shaken guards reporting to leaders determined to smother that truth. The verse highlights God’s sovereign use of both friends and foes to attest the resurrection, exposes the futility of human schemes against divine facts, and invites every reader to side with the honest witnesses who saw and believed. |
    |