What is the meaning of Matthew 28:17? When they saw Him Matthew 28:17 opens with the risen Jesus visibly standing before His disciples: “When they saw Him…”. • The verb “saw” stresses physical sight; the disciples are not dealing with a vision but a bodily resurrected Lord (see Luke 24:39–40; John 20:20). • This appearance fulfills Jesus’ own words that He would meet them in Galilee after rising (Matthew 26:32; 28:10). • Repeated post-resurrection encounters—Mary Magdalene (John 20:14–18), the two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35), and now this mountain meeting—build an unbroken testimony that “He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs” (Acts 1:3). they worshiped Him The disciples’ immediate response is adoration: “they worshiped Him.” • Worship belongs to God alone (Exodus 20:3–5; Revelation 22:8–9). By accepting it, Jesus unmistakably affirms His deity (John 1:1; 10:30). • Earlier, the disciples had worshiped Him after He stilled the storm (Matthew 14:33), but the resurrection seals their conviction that He is “Lord and God” (John 20:28). • Their worship likely included falling at His feet (Matthew 28:9) and verbal praise, echoing the heavenly refrain, “Worthy is the Lamb” (Revelation 5:12). but some doubted The text candidly adds, “but some doubted.” • Doubt here is hesitation rather than unbelief—a momentary struggle to process the overwhelming reality before them (compare Luke 24:41, “they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement”). • Jesus does not rebuke but reassures; immediately after this verse He commissions them (Matthew 28:18–20), demonstrating that imperfect faith can still be used powerfully (Mark 9:24; Jude 22–23). • The honesty of Scripture in recording doubt underscores its reliability; eyewitnesses admit their own weakness, inviting readers to trust the narrative (1 Corinthians 15:5–7). summary Matthew 28:17 shows real disciples encountering the real, risen Jesus. Seeing Him leads to worship, confirming His divine identity, yet the passage also acknowledges lingering human hesitation. Jesus meets both worship and doubt with grace, turning wavering followers into bold witnesses who carry His gospel to the ends of the earth. |
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