In Matthew 28:8-9, The women run with fear and great joy; Jesus meets them; they worship at His feet Matthew records the moment so that readers see both the event and its claim on faith. Listen to the text: “They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet,…”
Here the cost of salvation comes into view. Matthew will not let us crown Jesus without the cross. Injustice and mockery surround Him, yet Scripture’s purposes stand: the King saves by giving His life.
Empty tomb, resurrection appearances, and the Great Commission send the church to the nations with the King’s presence. This passage belongs in that movement: Matthew 28:8-9 is not an isolated moral tale but a step in Matthew’s portrait of Jesus. Matthew presents Jesus as Israel’s Messiah and the world’s Lord—fulfilling Scripture, teaching the Kingdom, and forming a disciple people for the nations.
A pastoral word for today: Stay near the cross. Let this scene humble pride and kindle gratitude. The King who suffered for you still calls you to faithful love when following costs something.
Notice also the human responses Matthew includes—worship, fear, argument, faith, or hesitation. These reactions are mirrors. We may find ourselves in the questioning disciple, the desperate parent, the religious opponent, or the grateful outsider. Matthew writes narrative theology: our place in the story matters.
Reading Matthew 28:8-9 with the whole of Matthew in view keeps us from shrinking Jesus to a single role we prefer. He is teacher and healer, yes—and also crucified and risen Lord who sends His church. Let this text join that larger confession, so that faith rests on the real Christ Matthew proclaims.
Return often to Matthew 28:8-9. Matthew wrote so that ordinary believers could meet Jesus the Messiah with clarity and respond in faith. Let the Holy Spirit apply this word—comforting the afflicted, correcting the proud, and strengthening those who follow the crucified and risen Lord.