What do I know with Isaac Carroll
What do I know with Isaac Carroll
The Gospel's Final Chapter: Exploring Matthew 28 and the Resurrection
The resurrection stands as Christianity's cornerstone, and Matthew's final chapter delivers this world-changing event with dramatic flair. From the earthquake that shook the ground to the angel whose appearance was "like lightning," the supernatural elements underscore the cosmic significance of what happened that morning outside Jerusalem.
Our study takes a fascinating detour through the seeming contradictions between the four Gospel accounts. Why does Matthew mention one angel sitting on the stone, while Luke describes two angels? Why does Mark place the angel inside the tomb, yet John doesn't mention angels at all? Rather than undermining the resurrection story, these variations actually strengthen its credibility by demonstrating the honest recollections of different witnesses who prioritized truth over crafting perfectly aligned narratives. The heart of their message remains unshakably consistent: the tomb is empty because Jesus has risen.
The contrasting responses to this news reveal much about human nature. While the women run with "fear and great joy" to share what they've seen, the religious authorities orchestrate a cover-up, bribing guards to spread lies about disciples stealing the body. This rejection of truth directly connects to Jesus' earlier words about those who belong to "their father, the devil" who "was a murderer from the beginning" and in whom "there is no truth." The resurrection forced everyone then—just as it does today—to choose their response to Jesus.
The Great Commission forms Matthew's powerful conclusion, with Jesus declaring "all authority" has been given to Him before commanding His followers to make disciples worldwide. We explore the meaning of true discipleship—following Jesus, being taught by Him, being transformed, and then teaching others. This wasn't just a command for the original eleven disciples but extends to every believer throughout history. As you reflect on this study, consider what it means for you to participate in this ongoing mission, empowered by Christ's promise: "I am with you always, to the end of the age."
May God bless you and lead you always.
Welcome to the podcast. I'm Isaac Carroll, and this is what Do I Know? All right, in today's Bible study we are going to be back in Matthew and we'll be in the final chapter of Matthew, matthew 28. We'll be starting from verse 1.
Speaker 1:Now, after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and he came and he rolled away the stone. He sat upon it and his appearance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men. And the angel said to the women Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, just as he has said. Come see the place where he was lying and go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead. And behold, he is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him. Behold, I have told you. And they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy. They ran to report to the disciples. Behold, jesus met them and said Rejoice. And they came up and took all of his feet and they worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them Do not be afraid, Go, bring word to my brothers to leave for Galilee and there they will see me. All right, let's stop here at verse 10.
Speaker 1:I've always been intrigued by the differences between the four Gospels and why they chose to tell their version. And even though their versions didn't match, they were more worried about telling the story that they remember, telling the story that they heard, than trying to match stories Like. Take, for instance, the angel that sat on the stone in Matthew. In Luke, he says there's two angels up here. In Mark, the angel is inside the tomb. John doesn't even mention an angel. They all have their little differences, but they always keep the main theme, the main theme that Jesus rose, and it's important that we do the same. All right, let's continue in verse 11.
Speaker 1:Now, while they were on their way, some of the men from the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priest all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers and said you are to say, his disciples came at night and stole him while you were asleep. If this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and keep you out of trouble. And they took the money and did as they had been instructed. And this story was widely spread among the Jews and is to this day. All right, let's stop here at verse 15.
Speaker 1:You know Jesus prophesied about these men In John, the eighth chapter, starting the 44th verse. It says you belong to your father, the devil. You want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth because there was no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language because he's a liar and the father of lies. They had just crucified Jesus because they were jealous of him, afraid they were going to lose control of the people and lose their place of influence. They remembered that Jesus said that after three days he was going to rise. They took soldiers and they sealed the tomb and they guarded it to keep anyone from stealing Jesus away. And then suddenly, jesus shows himself to be God. He rises from the dead. An angel comes from heaven. These men are struck with fear. They go and tell all that they had seen and instead of repenting and looking for Jesus and say that we were wrong, no, what do they do? They lie, they bribe, they do everything they can to shut up the truth, because they are like their father, the devil. There's no truth in them. They testify about themselves by how they act. It's sad, I know. All right, let's continue at verse 16.
Speaker 1:But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them, and when they had saw him, they worshipped him. But some were doubtful. Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you, always to the end of an age All right. We've come to the end of chapter 28. Jesus meets them in Galilee and gives them the Great Commission, telling them to go make disciples of all nations. Now, this is a very important thing to understand, to distinguish. Jesus tells them to go make disciples.
Speaker 1:What is a disciple? When Jesus called his disciples, he asked them to follow. He told them to follow him. He taught them. So a disciple follows Jesus. They're taught by Jesus. He sends them out to preach and tell people the good news, so they follow. They're taught by Jesus. He sends them out to preach and tell people the good news, so they follow. They're taught, they're changed and they're told to make other disciples, to teach people about Jesus. That's what a disciple is, what a disciple was called to do. Every Christian who is to believe in Jesus is called to be a disciple and called to these things that disciples were called to do. As the Bible has said, let us not grow weary from doing good, but be fruitful. I'm going to end this one here. I love you guys. We'll start in the book of Mark in our next Bible study. Until then, I love you guys. God bless you. Goodbye.