What is the meaning of Matthew 28:6? He is not here • Dawn breaks, the women reach the tomb and hear the angel’s announcement: “He is not here” (Matthew 28:6). • The angel points to the empty space where Jesus’ body had been laid, confirming that the physical corpse is gone. • This echoes Mark 16:6 and Luke 24:5–6, both recording the same angelic assurance. • Empty does not mean missing or stolen; it means victory. Acts 2:29 reminds us that David’s tomb still holds his remains, but Jesus’ does not. • The fact is historical, tangible, and verifiable—Christian faith rests on real events (1 Corinthians 15:14). He has risen • The angel immediately supplies the reason: “He has risen.” • Jesus’ resurrection is bodily, not symbolic. Luke 24:39 shows the risen Lord inviting His disciples to touch His flesh and bones. • It fulfills the gospel core: “Christ died for our sins…He was buried, and He was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). • Romans 4:25 states He “was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification”—the empty tomb signals that the Father accepted the Son’s sacrifice. • Resurrection power breaks the dominion of death (Acts 2:24) and guarantees our own future resurrection (John 11:25–26). just as He said! • Jesus had spelled this out repeatedly: – “From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must…be raised on the third day” (Matthew 16:21). – “The Son of Man will be delivered…they will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life” (Matthew 17:22–23; cf. 20:18–19). • John 2:19–21 records His promise that He would raise “this temple” in three days, referring to His body. • Psalm 16:10 foretold that God would not “let Your Holy One see decay,” a prophecy Peter ties to Jesus in Acts 2:27–32. • The angel’s phrase underscores the reliability of every word Jesus speaks; what He predicts, He performs. Come, see the place where He lay • Rather than asking for blind faith, the angel invites investigation: “Come, see.” • Peter and John will later run to the tomb, observe the linen cloths, and believe (John 20:6–8). • Luke 24:12 records Peter’s wonder as he stoops to look inside, while 1 John 1:1–2 celebrates eyewitness experience turned into proclamation. • Christianity stands open to scrutiny; the evidence still speaks—an empty tomb and hundreds of resurrection witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5–8). • The angel’s invitation extends to every generation: examine the facts and find assurance that Christ is alive. summary Matthew 28:6 declares four linked truths: the tomb is empty; Jesus has bodily risen; He did exactly what He promised; and the evidence invites honest examination. Because He lives, Scripture is vindicated, salvation is accomplished, and hope is secure for all who trust Him. |
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