Why did some disciples doubt when they saw Jesus in Matthew 28:17? Canonical Context and Immediate Setting Matthew 28:16-17 reads: “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.” These lines close Matthew’s Gospel and precede the Great Commission (vv. 18-20). They come after multiple resurrection appearances already attested in Matthew (28:1-10) and in the parallel Gospels (Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21). The Evangelist presents worship and doubt side by side—an honest report that reinforces the credibility of the narrative rather than diminishing it (cf. Proverbs 14:5). Who Were the “Some” That Doubted? 1. Eleven plus others: The invitation “to the mountain” was earlier conveyed by the women (28:10). First-century Jewish literary practice often uses “disciples” more broadly (Luke 6:13; John 6:60-66). 2. Correlation with 1 Corinthians 15:6: Paul notes that the risen Jesus appeared to “more than five hundred brothers at once.” Many conservative scholars (e.g., R. T. France, NICNT Matthew, p. 1114) identify the Galilean mountain encounter with this large-scale appearance, explaining why “some” could hesitate although the Eleven had already seen Him in Jerusalem (Luke 24:33-43; John 20:19-29). Chronological Harmony of the Resurrection Appearances 1. Jerusalem: Empty tomb, women, Peter, two on Emmaus road, the Eleven (Luke 24). 2. Subsequent week: Appearance to Thomas-inclusive Eleven (John 20:26-29). 3. Galilee: Fishing episode (John 21), mountain appearance (Matthew 28:16-20; 1 Corinthians 15:6). 4. Final Jerusalem ascension (Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:3-12). Because the mountain episode occurs after several prior sightings, the “doubt” cannot stem from total ignorance but from immediate perceptual hesitation among a broader group. Psychological and Behavioral Dynamics 1. Novelty of a glorified body: Jesus now possesses resurrection attributes—sudden appearances (Luke 24:36), altered recognition (John 20:14-16). Cognitive science shows that unexpected events trigger a brief “orienting response” (Sokolov, “Perception and the Conditioned Reflex,” 1963), matching the disciples’ momentary hesitation. 2. Social proof cascade: Matthew’s note that worship occurred concurrently implies that assurance overcame hesitation through communal reinforcement—as modern group-psychology studies indicate (Levine & Moreland, “Group Socialization,” 1994). 3. Cultural conditioning: First-century Jews expected a general resurrection at the end of the age (Daniel 12:2) but not one man rising ahead of time (John 11:24). The cognitive dissonance explains a transient doubt. Theological Significance of Doubt Amid Worship 1. Scripture portrays honest doubt: Abraham (Genesis 17:17), Gideon (Judges 6:17-22), Thomas (John 20:24-29). 2. Divine condescension: Jesus addresses hesitation, giving “all authority” (v. 18) and promising His perpetual presence (v. 20). 3. Discipleship model: Faith is not the absence of questions but the submission of questions to the risen Christ (Mark 9:24). Archaeological and Manuscript Corroboration 1. First-century ossuaries: No skeletal remains of Jesus have ever been produced, despite ossuary practices (Rahmani Catalogue #702-707). 2. Nazareth Inscription (1st c. imperial edict against tomb-tampering) likely responds to early Christian claims of an empty tomb. 3. Early papyri (𝔓52, 𝔓64/67) demonstrate that resurrection narratives circulated within decades of the events, undercutting legendary-development theories. Practical Lessons for Today 1. Room for honest questions: Present-day seekers may hesitate like the Galilean doubters; Scripture invites them to weigh evidence (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 17:11). 2. Worship precedes full understanding: The disciples worshiped even while processing doubt, illustrating that volitional commitment need not wait for exhaustive comprehension. 3. Christ’s commission extends to imperfect people: The Great Commission is entrusted to worshipers who moments earlier hesitated, assuring believers that divine mission relies on His authority, not flawless human certainty. Conclusion The “doubt” of Matthew 28:17 reflects brief hesitation among a larger group of followers meeting the risen Christ in Galilee. The lexical, textual, psychological, and theological data converge to show that this moment reinforces—rather than undermines—the credibility of the resurrection accounts, the consistency of Scripture, and the gracious manner in which Jesus transforms wavering observers into world-changing witnesses. |
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