RSV ~ Matthew 28 Notes

Mt 28:1 | ISB Notes

first day of the week: Sunday, the day following the Jewish Sabbath. To commemorate Christ’s Resurrection, the early Christians called it the “Lord’s day” (Rev 1:10) and designated it a day for sacred assembly, eucharistic worship, and prayer (Acts 20:7; CCC 2174).

Mt 28:6 | ISB Notes

he has risen, as he said: Jesus predicted his Resurrection six times in Matthew (12:40; 16:21; 17:9, 23; 20:19; 26:32). Historically, the miraculous fact of Jesus’ Resurrection is central to the Christian faith and provides the ultimate proof of his divinity (Jn 10:17-18). The event is not a mere resuscitation of Jesus’ body but a glorification of his humanity, body and soul. Christ’s Resurrection anticipates the general resurrection of all people before the Last Judgment (cf. Jn 5:28, 29; 1 Cor 15:20-24; Rev 1:5; CCC 638).

Mt 28:15 | ISB Notes

this story: A desperate fabrication by the Jerusalem leaders. Their bribe of the Roman soldiers illustrates how willful blindness hardens the heart to resist uncomfortable truths, even in the face of evidence (cf. Rom 1:18-21).

Mt 28:18 | ISB Notes

All authority: The Father vindicates Jesus at his Resurrection and gives him full dominion over creation (cf. Dan 7:13, 14; Eph 1:19-22). Jesus confers his authority on the apostles to preach the gospel and “make disciples” (27:19) as witnesses of his Resurrection (cf. Lk 10:16; Acts 2:32). See note on Mt 24:30.

Mt 28:19 | ISB Notes

Go therefore: Christ’s commission to evangelize kilkJ and catechize the world fulfills God’s covenant oath to Abraham that “all the nations” would be blessed (Gen 22:18; Gal 3:8). His outline for the Church’s mission is threefold: (1) Evangelizing all nations involves more than winning individuals; it entails the conversion of entire cultures. Every area of life must be brought under the Lordship of Christ and in line with the gospel. (2) The administration of the sacraments is essential to the Church’s mission and our response. [B]aptizing new converts is the first step in a long process of sanctification and participation in the life of the Church. (3) The transmission of all that Christ taught necessitates the assistance of the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church to proclaim the gospel infallibly (cf. Jn 14:26). See note on Jn 16:13.

• The Sacrament of Baptism incorporates Christians into the divine family of the Trinity as children of God (cf. Gal 3:26, 27). The single name of the Father, Son, and Spirit reveals the unity of God’s inner life and the oneness of his nature. This expression has become the normative baptismal formula for the Church (CCC 849, 1122, 1257). See note on Mt 3:11.

Mt 28:20 | ISB Notes

I am with you always: Jesus’ parting words further elucidate Isaiah’s prophetic name for the Messiah, “Emmanuel … God with us” (1:23). The risen Christ’s ongoing presence in the Church is both ecclesial (18:20) and eucharistic (26:26-28); he thus directs and empowers the world-wide mission of the Church throughout history (CCC 860, 2743).