Death Will Be Swallowed Up Forever
Author: Stephen Weller
1,164 words, 6 minutes read time
He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:6 ESV)
This verse is found in the first paragraph of Matthew 28, which is titled in the ESV Study Bible as “The Resurrection.” The time of the event was “after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week” (verse 1). “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb” (verse 1) and as they arrived “there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it” (verse 2). To the two women, the appearance of the angel “was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow” (verse 3). There was a guard posted to ensure that no one would come and take the body away and then say that Jesus had risen. When the angel came and rolled the stone away, his brilliance and accompanying earthquake caused great fear to overcome the guards and they “trembled and became like dead men” (verse 4). The angel, having subdued the guards with fear, speaks to the woman and says, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified” (verse 5).
This establishes the context for our verse, which records why he is not in the tomb. Before we look at this verse, let us look further at the narrative that is before us.
The angel continues to speak to the women and gives them instruction to “go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you” (verse 7). The women obey the angel’s instruction and “departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples” (verse 8).
Verse 6, our verse of focus, is very straight forward and needs little further comment. The angel, who rolled away the stone that was blocking the entrance to the tomb, is speaking to the women and explains to them that Jesus had risen from the tomb before the stone was rolled away. The women saw the angel role away the stone and did not see Jesus come out, so he should have still been inside. The angel instructs them to look inside and see that he is not there and explains to them that he had risen.
The fact that Jesus was not in the tomb at the time the stone was rolled away clearly indicates his resurrection. On numerous occasions, Jesus said that “he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (for example Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19; Mark 8:31, 10:34; Luke 9:22, 18:33, 24:6-7).
55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55 – 57 ESV). Father, thank you for this victory that we have over death through our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
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Summary Theme
The Resurrection of Jesus: Victory Over Death and the Fulfillment of God’s Promise
Summary Paragraph
Matthew 28:6 declares the central truth of the Christian faith: “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” Spoken by the angel at the empty tomb, this statement confirms that Jesus’ resurrection is both a historical reality and the fulfillment of His own prophetic words. The empty tomb demonstrates God’s power over death, validates Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, and assures believers that His promises are trustworthy. This verse marks the turning point from sorrow to victory, from death to life, and from fear to hope, establishing the foundation for the gospel message that salvation has been accomplished through Christ.
Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:
- What is the significance of the phrase “He is not here”?
Answer:
The phrase “He is not here” emphasizes the physical reality of the resurrection. Jesus was truly dead and placed in the tomb, but He is no longer there. This affirms that the resurrection is not symbolic or spiritual only; it is bodily and historical. The empty tomb serves as tangible evidence that death could not hold Him. For believers, this assures that Christ’s victory over death is real and that eternal life is not merely an idea but a promised reality grounded in an actual event. - Why is the statement “for he has risen” central to the Christian faith?
Answer:
The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity because it confirms that Jesus’ sacrifice for sin was accepted by God. Without the resurrection, the cross would represent only death, not victory. By rising from the dead, Jesus demonstrates His authority over sin and death, proving He is who He claimed to be. This gives believers confidence that their sins are forgiven and that they too will be raised to life. The resurrection transforms the gospel from a message of tragedy into one of triumph and redemption. - What does the phrase “as he said” reveal about Jesus?
Answer:
The phrase “as he said” highlights Jesus’ divine foreknowledge and the reliability of His word. Throughout His ministry, Jesus predicted His death and resurrection. The fulfillment of this promise shows that He is sovereign and that His words are completely trustworthy. This strengthens the believer’s faith, as it demonstrates that all of God’s promises, past, present, and future, can be relied upon. It also calls believers to remember and trust what Jesus has spoken, even when circumstances seem to contradict it. - How does this verse transform the emotions of those who first heard it?
Answer:
For the women at the tomb, the message turned grief and confusion into amazement and joy. They came expecting to mourn a dead Savior but instead encountered the reality of a risen Lord. This transformation illustrates how the resurrection changes despair into hope. In the same way, believers today can move from fear and uncertainty to confidence and peace, knowing that Christ has conquered death and is alive. - What hope does Matthew 28:6 provide for believers today?
Answer:
This verse assures believers that death is not the end. Because Jesus lives, those who trust in Him will also live. It provides hope in the face of suffering, loss, and mortality, reminding believers that God’s power extends beyond the grave. The resurrection guarantees eternal life and a future with Christ, giving purpose and assurance in the present. It also encourages believers to live with bold faith, knowing that their Savior reigns and His promises will be fulfilled.
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