Why did Jesus first appear to women in Matthew 28:9? Matthew 28:9—Text “And suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.” Historical Setting of Female Testimony in First-Century Judaism In Jewish courts a woman’s testimony was normally inadmissible (Josephus, Antiquities 4.8.15; Mishnah, Rosh HaShanah 1:8). Greco-Roman writers likewise discounted female reports. By choosing women as His first eyewitnesses, Jesus acted counter-culturally, underscoring that the gospel upends human conventions rather than catering to them. Women at the Cross and Tomb: Fidelity and Proximity The female disciples remained at Golgotha when most male followers fled (Matthew 27:55–56; John 19:25). Their steadfast presence at burial (Matthew 27:61) positioned them to arrive first “at dawn on the first day of the week” (28:1). Fidelity brought proximity; proximity brought privilege. Divine Reversal of Genesis 3 Eve first heard—and transmitted—deception; the daughters of Eve are the first heralds of resurrection truth. This redemptive reversal satisfies Romans 5:18–19, showing the Second Adam undoing the damage of the first through a restored role for women in proclamation. Fulfillment of Psalm 68:11 “The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good news are a great host.” The Hebrew term for “good news” (basar) anticipates euangelion. Matthew records the literal fulfillment: women commissioned to announce the greatest “good news” ever declared. Validation of the Resurrection through an Unlikely Witness If the account were fabricated, inventors would not place primary evidence in disqualified hands. By retaining an “embarrassing detail,” the Gospel writers present history, not propaganda—an argument pressed as early as the second century (Origen, Contra Celsum 2.59). Harmonization with the Other Gospels Mark 16:9 notes Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdalene; John 20:14–18 narrates a personal encounter with her; Luke emphasizes angelic announcement to women (24:1–11). Matthew telescopes the events, recording the initial group appearance (Magdalene and “the other Mary,” 28:1). No contradiction exists—distinct vantage points, same sequence: women first. Theological Messaging: Grace and Universal Call God “chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Elevating marginalized voices signals that salvation is offered indiscriminately (Galatians 3:28). The episode models how redeemed people—regardless of status—become worshipers (“grasped His feet”) and witnesses (“go and tell,” 28:10). Practical Discipleship Lesson The women respond with immediate worship and obedience. Genuine encounter produces adoration before activity, correcting activism without devotion. Their example instructs the Church: ministry flows from intimacy with the risen Lord. Redemptive Mission Implications The pattern continued: Priscilla instructs Apollos (Acts 18:26), Phoebe delivers Romans (Romans 16:1–2). Christ’s appearance inaugurates a missional trajectory wherein women serve as indispensable gospel bearers. Contemporary global missions echo this; e.g., over 60 % of pioneer church planters in certain closed regions are female—an outworking of the Matthew 28:9 precedent. Conclusion Jesus’ first post-resurrection appearance to women simultaneously (1) rewards faithful devotion, (2) fulfills prophecy, (3) authenticates the historical record, (4) illustrates divine grace overturning societal norms, (5) strengthens apologetic confidence, and (6) models worship-saturated witness for every generation. |
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