1
Ὀψὲ δὲ σαββάτων, τῇ ἐπιφωσκούσῃ εἰς μίαν σαββάτων, ἦλθεν Μαριὰμ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ ἡ ἄλλη Μαρία θεωρῆσαι τὸν τάφον.
Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb.
A new scene opens with a temporal frame (after the Sabbath, at first light) and the arrival of the two women — the witnesses who span burial, empty tomb, and resurrection appearance.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Ὀψὲafter / late onimproper preposition + genitive (time)ὀψέ: 'late'; with the genitive σαββάτων it means 'after the Sabbath' (or 'late on the Sabbath') — the temporal hinge into the first day.
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
σαββάτωνthe Sabbath / weekGenitivegenitive with ὀψέ (time)σάββατον: 'Sabbath'; the plural form is idiomatic and can denote the single Sabbath day or the 'week.'
τῇtheDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐπιφωσκούσῃdawningPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Fem · ἐπιφώσκωsubstantival ptc. / dat. of time ('as it was dawning')→ present (concurrent)ἐπιφώσκω: 'grow light, dawn'; with εἰς μίαν σαββάτων = 'toward / as the first day was dawning.'
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (temporal goal)
μίανthe first (day)Accusativeobject of εἰς (cardinal for ordinal)εἷς/μία: 'one'; Semitic idiom — 'day one of the week,' i.e. the first day (Sunday).
σαββάτωνof the weekGenitivepartitive/temporal genitiveσάββατον: here 'week' (reckoned from Sabbath to Sabbath).
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come, go'; singular verb with a compound subject (agreeing with the nearer/first member).
ΜαριὰμMaryNominativesubjectΜαριάμ: the Semitic form of Mary; Mary of Magdala, chief witness of the resurrection narrative.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ΜαγδαληνὴMagdaleneNominativeapposition (designating epithet)Μαγδαληνή: 'of Magdala,' a town on the Sea of Galilee; identifies this Mary.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἄλληotherNominativeattributive adjectiveἄλλος: 'other'; the second Mary of 27:56, 61 (mother of James and Joseph).
ΜαρίαMaryNominativesubject (coordinate)Μαρία: the Greek form of Mary; the 'other Mary' who also kept watch at the cross and burial.
θεωρῆσαιto look atAor Act Inf · θεωρέωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristθεωρέω: 'view, gaze at, observe'; the women come to see (not yet to anoint, in Matthew) the tomb.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τάφονtombAccusativeobject of θεωρῆσαιτάφος: 'grave, tomb'; the sealed and guarded sepulchre of 27:60–66.
2
καὶ ἰδοὺ σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας· ἄγγελος γὰρ κυρίου καταβὰς ἐξ οὐρανοῦ καὶ προσελθὼν ἀπεκύλισεν τὸν λίθον καὶ ἐκάθητο ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ.
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and was sitting upon it.
An apocalyptic theophany: earthquake and a descending angel — the γάρ explains the quake — who rolls back the stone and sits upon it, displaying the tomb's openness.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative)
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'behold!'; a frozen aorist imperative of εἶδον, heightening the dramatic onset.
σεισμὸςearthquakeNominativesubjectσεισμός: 'shaking, earthquake'; Matthew's resurrection, like the crucifixion (27:51), is marked by a quake — apocalyptic accompaniment.
ἐγένετοthere was / occurredAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ ingressive/constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to be, happen'; the quake 'occurred.'
μέγαςgreatNominativeattributive adjective (postpositive)μέγας: 'great, large'; intensifies the seismic event.
ἄγγελοςangelNominativesubject (γάρ clause)ἄγγελος: 'messenger, angel'; the agent of the heavenly intervention.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
κυρίουof the LordGenitivegenitive of source/relationshipκύριος: 'Lord'; ἄγγελος κυρίου is the LXX formula for the LORD's heavenly emissary (cf. 1:20; 2:13).
καταβὰςhaving descendedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καταβαίνωcircumstantial ptc. (attendant/temporal)→ antecedent aoristκαταβαίνω: 'come down'; the angel's descent from heaven.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)οὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the place from which the messenger comes.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσελθὼνhaving approachedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προσέρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (attendant)→ antecedent aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'come/draw near'; a Matthean favorite for approaching a significant figure or place.
ἀπεκύλισενrolled awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκυλίωmain verb (γάρ clause)→ constative aoristἀποκυλίω: 'roll away' (ἀπό + κυλίω); the disc-shaped stone is removed — not to let Jesus out, but to reveal he is gone.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λίθονstoneAccusativedirect objectλίθος: 'stone'; the great sealing stone of 27:60.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκάθητοwas sittingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb→ imperfect (durative state)κάθημαι: 'sit'; the imperfect pictures the angel seated in calm triumph upon the stone.
ἐπάνωuponimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἐπάνω: 'on top of, above.'
αὐτοῦitGenitiveobject of ἐπάνω
3
ἦν δὲ ἡ εἰδέα αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀστραπὴ καὶ τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ λευκὸν ὡς χιών.
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
An imperfect-tense description of the angel: lightning-like face and snow-white garment — theophanic glory language (cf. Dan 7:9; 10:6).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ imperfect (descriptive)
δὲandconnective conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
εἰδέαappearanceNominativesubjectεἰδέα (ἰδέα): 'form, outward appearance'; the visible aspect of the angel.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ὡςlikecomparative particle
ἀστραπὴlightningNominativepredicate (comparison)ἀστραπή: 'lightning, flashing'; brilliance evoking divine glory.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
ἔνδυμαclothingNominativesubject (with implied ἦν)ἔνδυμα: 'garment, clothing'; the angel's raiment.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
λευκὸνwhiteNominativepredicate adjectiveλευκός: 'white, bright'; resurrection/glory color (cf. 17:2).
ὡςascomparative particle
χιώνsnowNominativepredicate (comparison)χιών: 'snow'; the standard of dazzling whiteness (cf. Dan 7:9 LXX).
4
ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ φόβου αὐτοῦ ἐσείσθησαν οἱ τηροῦντες καὶ ἐγενήθησαν ὡς νεκροί.
And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
The guards, set to prevent any tampering (27:65–66), are themselves overcome — 'shaken' (a verbal echo of the σεισμός) and rendered corpse-like, an ironic role-reversal.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἀπὸfrom / because ofpreposition + genitive (cause)ἀπό: here causal — 'out of, for' (fear).
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
φόβουfearGenitiveobject of ἀπό (cause)φόβος: 'fear, terror'; dread caused by the angelic apparition.
αὐτοῦof himGenitiveobjective genitive (fear of him)
ἐσείσθησανtrembled / were shakenAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · σείωmain verb→ constative aoristσείω: 'shake'; cognate with σεισμός (v.2) — the very guards quake.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τηροῦντεςguards / those keeping watchPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · τηρέωsubstantival ptc. (subject)→ present (ongoing function)τηρέω: 'keep, guard, watch'; the soldiers detailed to secure the tomb.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐγενήθησανbecameAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; the passive-deponent form here = 'they became.'
ὡςlikecomparative particle
νεκροίdead menNominativepredicate (comparison)νεκρός: 'dead'; the guards become 'as dead' at the tomb where the dead one now lives — a pointed irony.
5
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἄγγελος εἶπεν ταῖς γυναιξίν· μὴ φοβεῖσθε ὑμεῖς, οἶδα γὰρ ὅτι Ἰησοῦν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον ζητεῖτε·
But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
The angel turns from the terrified guards to the women with the Easter word of comfort — 'do not fear' — distinguishing them (emphatic ὑμεῖς) from the guards and naming their quest: the crucified Jesus.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἀποκριθεὶςansweringAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial ptc. (pleonastic, Semitic)→ antecedent aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, respond'; the Septuagintal 'answered and said' idiom — here a response to the situation.
δὲbutdevelopmental/contrastive conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἄγγελοςangelNominativesubjectἄγγελος: the messenger now speaks the resurrection announcement.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (verb of speaking)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say.'
ταῖςto theDativearticle
γυναιξίνwomenDativeindirect object (addressees)γυνή: 'woman'; the women are the first to hear and proclaim the resurrection.
μὴnotnegative with imperative
φοβεῖσθεbe afraidPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φοβέομαιprohibition (main verb)→ present imperative (cease/refrain)φοβέομαι: 'fear, be afraid'; the recurrent angelic and dominical reassurance (cf. v.10).
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (contrast w/ guards)the expressed ὑμεῖς sets the women apart from the dread-stricken soldiers — 'you, for your part.'
οἶδαI knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (γάρ clause)→ perfect with present senseοἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present meaning).
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὅτιthatcomplementizer (content of οἶδα)
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeobject of ζητεῖτε (fronted)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus'; the object the women seek, named before the participle.
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐσταυρωμένονwho was crucifiedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · σταυρόωattributive participle→ intensive perfect (abiding identity)σταυρόω: 'crucify'; the perfect marks 'the crucified one' as a settled title — the risen Lord remains the crucified Jesus.
ζητεῖτεyou seekPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ζητέωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ present (ongoing)ζητέω: 'seek, look for'; the women's purpose at the tomb.
6
οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε, ἠγέρθη γὰρ καθὼς εἶπεν· δεῦτε ἴδετε τὸν τόπον ὅπου ἔκειτο ὁ κύριος.
He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
The kerygmatic heart: 'he is not here, for he has been raised' — the passive ἠγέρθη ('was raised' by God) confirmed by Jesus' own predictions, and an invitation to inspect the empty place.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
οὐκnotnegative
ἔστινhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
ὧδεhereadverb of placeὧδε: 'here'; the absence at the tomb is the empirical sign of the resurrection.
ἠγέρθηhe has risen / was raisedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (γάρ clause)→ constative aorist (resultative)ἐγείρω: 'raise up'; the divine passive — God raised him — is the cardinal Easter verb (cf. 16:21; 17:23; 20:19).
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; the resurrection fulfills Jesus' own passion-resurrection predictions.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aorist
δεῦτεcomeAdv impv · δεῦτεhortative adverb-imperative→ imperativalδεῦτε: 'come!'; a plural hortatory particle functioning as an imperative of invitation.
ἴδετεseeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωimperative (invitation)→ aorist imperative (specific act)ὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; the women are invited to verify the empty resting-place.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τόπονplaceAccusativeobject of ἴδετετόπος: 'place'; the spot where the body had lain.
ὅπουwhererelative adverb (place)
ἔκειτοhe layImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κεῖμαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ imperfect (past state)κεῖμαι: 'lie, be laid'; the imperfect marks the now-ended condition of the corpse lying there.
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject (rel. clause)κύριος: 'Lord'; the resurrection title — some witnesses omit ὁ κύριος, reading simply 'where he lay.'
7
καὶ ταχὺ πορευθεῖσαι εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν, καὶ ἰδοὺ προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε· ἰδοὺ εἶπον ὑμῖν.
And go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him. Behold, I have told you.
The angel turns the witnesses into messengers: go, tell, report the resurrection, and announce the Galilean rendezvous — the appointment that v.16 fulfills. The doubled ἰδού frames the certainty.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ταχὺquicklyadverb (manner/speed)ταχύς (adv. ταχύ): 'quickly'; urgency of the resurrection errand.
πορευθεῖσαιhaving goneAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Fem · πορεύομαιattendant-circumstance ptc. (w/ imperative)→ antecedent/coincident aoristπορεύομαι: 'go, proceed'; carries imperatival force alongside εἴπατε — 'go and tell' (cf. v.19, πορευθέντες).
εἴπατεtellAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωimperative (main verb)→ aorist imperativeλέγω: 'say, tell'; the command to report.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
μαθηταῖςdisciplesDativeindirect objectμαθητής: 'disciple, learner'; the addressees of the report.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὅτιthatcomplementizer (content of report)
ἠγέρθηhe has risenAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aorist (resultative)ἐγείρω: the divine passive of resurrection, now made the content of proclamation.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
νεκρῶνdeadGenitiveobject of ἀπό (substantival adj.)νεκρός: 'dead (one)'; 'from the dead' — bodily resurrection from among the deceased.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particleἰδού: marks the central announcement — the Galilean appointment.
προάγειhe goes beforePres Act Indic 3 Sg · προάγωmain verb (futuristic present)→ present (vividly certain)προάγω: 'go before, lead the way'; echoes 26:32 — the risen shepherd precedes the regathered flock to Galilee.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΓαλιλαίανGalileeAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)Γαλιλαία: Galilee — the region of Jesus' ministry and now the place of the climactic appearance and commission.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
ὄψεσθεyou will seeFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ predictive futureὁράω: 'see'; the promised sight of the risen Lord (fulfilled v.17).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle
εἶπονI have toldAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist (performative)λέγω: 'say, tell'; 'I have told you' — the message is delivered with authority and finality.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
8
καὶ ἀπελθοῦσαι ταχὺ ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου μετὰ φόβου καὶ χαρᾶς μεγάλης ἔδραμον ἀπαγγεῖλαι τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ.
And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
The women obey at once, their emotion a paradoxical mix — fear (the numinous) and great joy (the gospel) — and they run to carry the news.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπελθοῦσαιhaving departedAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Fem · ἀπέρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (temporal/attendant)→ antecedent aoristἀπέρχομαι: 'go away, depart'; some witnesses read ἐξελθοῦσαι ('having gone out').
ταχὺquicklyadverb (speed)ταχύ: 'quickly'; the urgency the angel commanded (v.7) is enacted.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
μνημείουtombGenitiveobject of ἀπόμνημεῖον: 'tomb, memorial-grave'; synonym of τάφος (v.1).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
φόβουfearGenitiveobject of μετάφόβος: 'fear, awe'; reverent dread before the numinous event.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
χαρᾶςjoyGenitiveobject of μετά (coordinate)χαρά: 'joy, gladness'; the gospel response paired with awe.
μεγάληςgreatGenitiveattributive adjectiveμέγας: 'great'; modifies χαρά — overwhelming joy.
ἔδραμονthey ranAor Act Indic 3 Pl · τρέχωmain verb→ constative aoristτρέχω: 'run'; the haste of the first heralds.
ἀπαγγεῖλαιto tell / reportAor Act Inf · ἀπαγγέλλωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'report, announce'; the verb of delivering a message.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
μαθηταῖςdisciplesDativeindirect objectμαθητής: 'disciple'; recipients of the report.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
9
καὶ ἰδοὺ Ἰησοῦς ὑπήντησεν αὐταῖς λέγων· χαίρετε. αἱ δὲ προσελθοῦσαι ἐκράτησαν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ.
And behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!" And they came and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
The risen Jesus himself meets the women on the way; his ordinary greeting (χαίρετε) draws their extraordinary response — grasping his feet (tangible, bodily reality) and worship.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particleἰδού: marks the sudden appearance of the risen Lord.
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the risen Christ, now appearing in person.
ὑπήντησενmetAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπαντάωmain verb (+ dative object)→ constative aoristὑπαντάω: 'meet, come to meet'; takes the dative αὐταῖς.
αὐταῖςthemDativedative object of ὑπήντησεν
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (manner, introducing speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; the participle introduces direct discourse.
χαίρετεgreetings / rejoicePres Act Impv 2 Pl · χαίρωimperative (greeting formula)→ present imperative (idiomatic)χαίρω: 'rejoice'; the everyday Greek greeting 'hail/greetings,' yet apt after the χαρά of v.8.
αἱtheyNominativearticle as pronoun (subject)the article αἱ … δέ marks the change of subject — 'and they.'
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
προσελθοῦσαιhaving approachedAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Fem · προσέρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (attendant)→ antecedent aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'come to, approach'; they draw near to the risen Lord.
ἐκράτησανtook hold ofAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κρατέωmain verb (+ genitive)→ constative aoristκρατέω: 'seize, hold fast' (+ gen. of the part grasped); evidence of a real, touchable body.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive (whole, w/ τοὺς πόδας)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
πόδαςfeetAccusativeobject grasped (accusative of the part)πούς: 'foot'; clasping the feet is an act of homage and proof of corporeality.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσεκύνησανworshipedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσκυνέωmain verb (+ dative)→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'do obeisance, worship'; in Matthew increasingly the fitting response to Jesus (cf. v.17; 14:33).
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of προσεκύνησαν
10
τότε λέγει αὐταῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· μὴ φοβεῖσθε· ὑπάγετε ἀπαγγείλατε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου ἵνα ἀπέλθωσιν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, κἀκεῖ με ὄψονται.
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
Jesus repeats and ratifies the angel's word: 'do not fear,' the Galilean errand, and the promised sight — now calling the disciples 'my brothers,' restoring the deserters of 26:56.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
τότεthentemporal adverb (Matthean connective)τότε: 'then'; a favorite Matthean narrative connective.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historical present)→ historical present (vivid)λέγω: 'say'; the historical present heightens immediacy.
αὐταῖςto themDativeindirect object
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the risen Lord.
μὴnotnegative with imperative
φοβεῖσθεbe afraidPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φοβέομαιprohibition→ present imperative (cease fearing)φοβέομαι: 'fear'; Jesus echoes the angel's reassurance (v.5).
ὑπάγετεgoPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ὑπάγωimperative→ present imperativeὑπάγω: 'go, depart'; the commissioning send-off.
ἀπαγγείλατεtell / reportAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωimperative→ aorist imperativeἀπαγγέλλω: 'report, announce'; the message to be carried.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativeindirect objectἀδελφός: 'brother'; Jesus names the failed disciples 'my brothers' — restoration and family intimacy after their flight.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἵναthatconjunction (content/purpose of the telling)
ἀπέλθωσινthey should goAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ aorist subjunctiveἀπέρχομαι: 'go away, depart'; the substance of the report — instruction to travel to Galilee.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΓαλιλαίανGalileeAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)Γαλιλαία: the appointed place of the climactic meeting.
κἀκεῖand therecrasis (καὶ + ἐκεῖ) adverbκἀκεῖ: 'and there'; crasis of καὶ ἐκεῖ.
μεmeAccusativedirect object
ὄψονταιthey will seeFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ predictive futureὁράω: 'see'; the promised Galilean sight of the risen Lord (cf. v.7).
11
Πορευομένων δὲ αὐτῶν ἰδού τινες τῆς κουστωδίας ἐλθόντες εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἀπήγγειλαν τοῖς ἀρχιερεῦσιν ἅπαντα τὰ γενόμενα.
While they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.
A genitive-absolute hinge ('while they were going') pivots to the parallel report — not the women to the disciples, but the guards to the chief priests, opening the counter-story.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
Πορευομένωνwhile goingPres Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Fem · πορεύομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ present (concurrent)πορεύομαι: 'go'; the absolute construction sets the women's journey as backdrop to the guards' report.
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
αὐτῶνtheyGenitivesubject of genitive absolute
ἰδούbeholdpresentative particle
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, some'; a portion of the guard.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
κουστωδίαςguardGenitivepartitive genitiveκουστωδία: a Latin loan (custodia), 'guard, watch'; the detachment of 27:65–66.
ἐλθόντεςhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (attendant)→ antecedent aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; their movement into the city.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πόλινcityAccusativeobject of εἰςπόλις: 'city'; Jerusalem.
ἀπήγγειλανreportedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'report'; ironic parallel to the women's commission (vv.8, 10).
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἀρχιερεῦσινchief priestsDativeindirect objectἀρχιερεύς: 'chief priest'; the authorities who sought the guard (27:62–66).
ἅπανταallAccusativeattributive adjectiveἅπας: 'all, the whole'; strengthened form of πᾶς.
τὰthe (things)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γενόμεναthat had happenedAor Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · γίνομαιsubstantival ptc. (direct object)→ antecedent aoristγίνομαι: 'happen'; 'all the things that occurred' — the quake, the angel, the empty tomb.
12
καὶ συναχθέντες μετὰ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων συμβούλιόν τε λαβόντες ἀργύρια ἱκανὰ ἔδωκαν τοῖς στρατιώταις
And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers,
The chief priests and elders convene (as at the trial, 26:3–4) and resolve on a bribe — a large sum of silver — to manage the embarrassing report.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συναχθέντεςhaving assembledAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συνάγωcircumstantial ptc. (temporal)→ antecedent aoristσυνάγω: 'gather together'; the verb of their council meetings (cf. 26:3; 27:62).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersGenitiveobject of μετάπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the lay leaders allied with the priests.
συμβούλιόνcounsel / planAccusativeobject of λαβόντες (idiom)συμβούλιον: 'consultation, plan'; συμβούλιον λαμβάνω = 'take counsel, form a plot' (cf. 27:1, 7).
τεandconnective particle (close coordination)τε: 'and'; binds the assembling and the counsel-taking.
λαβόντεςhaving takenAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λαμβάνωcircumstantial ptc. (attendant)→ antecedent aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; with συμβούλιον, the idiom for plotting.
ἀργύριαpieces of silverAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκανἀργύριον: 'silver, money'; the same word as Judas' thirty pieces (26:15) — bribery again works against Jesus.
ἱκανὰample / a large amountAccusativeattributive adjectiveἱκανός: 'sufficient, considerable'; a generous bribe.
ἔδωκανthey gaveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle
στρατιώταιςsoldiersDativeindirect objectστρατιώτης: 'soldier'; the members of the κουστωδία.
13
λέγοντες· εἴπατε ὅτι οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς ἐλθόντες ἔκλεψαν αὐτὸν ἡμῶν κοιμωμένων.
telling them, "Say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him while we were sleeping.'"
The script for the cover-story: a theft by night while the guards slept — internally self-defeating (sleeping witnesses cannot testify to a theft), exposing the fabrication.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (manner, introduces speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; introduces the priests' instructions.
εἴπατεsayAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωimperative (the dictated message)→ aorist imperativeλέγω: 'say, tell'; the command to spread the lie.
ὅτιthatcomplementizer (recitative)ὅτι: here recitative, introducing the quoted falsehood.
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple'; cast as the alleged grave-robbers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
νυκτὸςby nightGenitivegenitive of time (within which)νύξ: 'night'; the genitive marks the time during which the alleged theft occurred.
ἐλθόντεςhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (attendant)→ antecedent aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; part of the fabricated narrative.
ἔκλεψανstoleAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κλέπτωmain verb (within the quote)→ constative aoristκλέπτω: 'steal'; the charge the chief priests had anticipated and feared (27:64).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
ἡμῶνweGenitivesubject of genitive absolute
κοιμωμένωνwhile sleepingPres Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · κοιμάομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ present (concurrent)κοιμάομαι: 'sleep'; the self-incriminating detail — sleeping sentries could not have seen any theft.
14
καὶ ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος, ἡμεῖς πείσομεν αὐτὸν καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν.
And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will persuade him and keep you out of trouble.
A conditional sweetener: should Pilate hear of the dereliction (a capital offense for soldiers), the priests promise to 'persuade' him and shield the guards from consequence.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐὰνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; introduces a contingent future condition.
ἀκουσθῇit is heardAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctiveἀκούω: 'hear'; the matter reaching the governor's hearing.
τοῦτοthisNominativesubject (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this'; the report of the missing body / the guards' failure.
ἐπὶbefore / bypreposition + genitive (before, in the presence of)ἐπί: here 'before, in the hearing of' the governor.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἡγεμόνοςgovernorGenitiveobject of ἐπίἡγεμών: 'governor, prefect'; Pilate, before whom soldierly negligence would be a grave charge.
ἡμεῖςweNominativeemphatic subject pronounthe expressed ἡμεῖς underlines the priests' guarantee — 'we ourselves will manage it.'
πείσομενwe will persuadeFut Act Indic 1 Pl · πείθωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureπείθω: 'persuade, win over'; perhaps with a hint of bribery/placation of Pilate.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of ποιήσομεν
ἀμερίμνουςfree from worryAccusativepredicate accusative (object complement)ἀμέριμνος: 'without anxiety, untroubled'; the priests promise to keep them out of trouble.
ποιήσομενwe will makeFut Act Indic 1 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureποιέω: 'make, do'; 'make you free from care' — guarantee of impunity.
15
οἱ δὲ λαβόντες τὰ ἀργύρια ἐποίησαν ὡς ἐδιδάχθησαν. καὶ διεφημίσθη ὁ λόγος οὗτος παρὰ Ἰουδαίοις μέχρι τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας.
So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
The bribe succeeds; the falsehood becomes the standing Jewish explanation 'to this very day' — an etiological note witnessing both to the ongoing polemic and to the empty tomb the lie was invented to explain.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οἱtheyNominativearticle as pronoun (subject)οἱ … δέ: 'and they' — the soldiers.
δὲsodevelopmental conjunction
λαβόντεςhaving takenAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λαμβάνωcircumstantial ptc. (attendant)→ antecedent aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; they accept the silver.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἀργύριαmoney / silverAccusativeobject of λαβόντεςἀργύριον: 'silver, money'; the bribe of v.12.
ἐποίησανdidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, act.'
ὡςascomparative conjunction
ἐδιδάχθησανthey were instructedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · διδάσκωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristδιδάσκω: 'teach, instruct'; ironically the soldiers are 'taught' a lie, set against the true teaching of v.20.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διεφημίσθηwas spread abroadAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · διαφημίζωmain verb→ constative aorist (with continuing result)διαφημίζω: 'spread abroad, publicize'; the rumor's wide circulation.
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςstory / reportNominativesubjectλόγος: 'word, report'; here the false 'account' that circulated.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive)οὗτος: 'this'; the theft-story just dictated.
παρὰamongpreposition + dative (among)
ἸουδαίοιςJewsDativeobject of παράἸουδαῖος: 'Jew, Judean'; the milieu in which the polemic persisted to Matthew's day.
μέχριuntilimproper preposition + genitive (time)μέχρι: 'until, as far as'; marks the extent in time.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
σήμερονpresent / today'sadverb used attributively (with ἡμέρας)σήμερον: 'today'; 'the present day.'
ἡμέραςdayGenitiveobject of μέχριἡμέρα: 'day'; μέχρι τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας = 'to this very day' — an etiological aside.
16
Οἱ δὲ ἕνδεκα μαθηταὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν εἰς τὸ ὄρος οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς,
But the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them,
The narrative returns to the disciples — now 'the eleven' (Judas is gone) — who keep the Galilean appointment on the designated mountain, Matthew's recurrent site of revelation (cf. 5:1; 17:1).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ΟἱtheNominativearticle
δὲbutdevelopmental conjunction (contrast)
ἕνδεκαelevenNominativeattributive numeral (indeclinable form)ἕνδεκα: 'eleven'; the diminished Twelve — Judas' betrayal and death leave a gap.
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple'; the core commissioned community.
ἐπορεύθησανwentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go, proceed'; obedient travel to the rendezvous.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΓαλιλαίανGalileeAccusativeobject of εἰςΓαλιλαία: the region of the climactic appearance.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄροςmountainAccusativeobject of εἰς (specification)ὄρος: 'mountain'; a Matthean revelation-site (Sermon on the Mount, Transfiguration).
οὗwhere / to whichrelative adverb (place)οὗ: 'where'; the appointed spot.
ἐτάξατοhad appointed / directedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τάσσωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristτάσσω: 'appoint, arrange, designate'; Jesus had assigned this meeting-place.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeindirect object / dat. of reference
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (rel. clause)Ἰησοῦς: the risen Lord who had set the appointment.
17
καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν.
And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
The disciples' twofold response: worship and hesitation. The terse οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν ('but some doubted') is candid — Easter faith is real yet not unmixed.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδόντεςhaving seenAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ὁράωcircumstantial ptc. (temporal)→ antecedent aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; the promised sight (vv.7, 10) is realized.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ptc.
προσεκύνησανworshipedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσκυνέωmain verb→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'worship, do obeisance'; the same reverence the women rendered (v.9).
οἱsome / theyNominativearticle as pronoun (partitive subject)οἱ δέ: here 'but some,' or possibly the whole group ('but they hesitated'); the partitive sense is taken.
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
ἐδίστασανdoubted / hesitatedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διστάζωmain verb→ constative aoristδιστάζω: 'be of two minds, waver' (cf. 14:31, of Peter); a hesitant wonder rather than flat unbelief.
18
καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς λέγων· ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
The commission's foundation: the risen Son of Man approaches and announces his universal, God-given authority (Dan 7:14) — the ground (cf. οὖν, v.19) of the world mission.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσελθὼνhaving approachedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προσέρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (attendant)→ antecedent aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'come near, approach'; remarkably, the exalted Lord approaches them.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the risen Lord.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (introduces speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; introduces the great pronouncement.
ἐδόθηhas been givenAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (divine passive)→ constative aorist (with present result)δίδωμι: 'give'; the divine passive — the Father has bestowed; echoes the dominion 'given' to the Son of Man (Dan 7:14).
μοιto meDativeindirect object (recipient)
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the universality of the grant — total, unrestricted.
ἐξουσίαauthorityNominativesubjectἐξουσία: 'authority, right, power'; sovereign dominion now exercised by the risen Christ.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
οὐρανῷheavenDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; the upper realm of his rule.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (sphere)γῆ: 'earth, land'; heaven-and-earth together = the totality of creation under his authority.
19
πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος,
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
On the basis of that authority (οὖν) comes the single core imperative — μαθητεύσατε, 'make disciples' — with its scope (all nations) and first defining means: baptism into the one triune name.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
πορευθέντεςhaving goneAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πορεύομαιattendant-circumstance ptc. (w/ imperative)→ coincident aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; the participle shares the imperative's force — 'go and make disciples' — sending the mission outward.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; the commission rests on the authority just claimed (v.18).
μαθητεύσατεmake disciples ofAor Act Impv 2 Pl · μαθητεύωmain imperative (the central command)→ aorist imperativeμαθητεύω: 'make a disciple of'; the lone main verb — the mission's heart, with baptizing and teaching as its modes.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the universal scope — no longer 'lost sheep of Israel' only (10:6) but every nation.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηnationsAccusativedirect object of μαθητεύσατεἔθνος: 'nation, people'; πάντα τὰ ἔθνη = all peoples, the Gentile world included.
βαπτίζοντεςbaptizingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · βαπτίζωptc. of means (modal)→ present (ongoing means)βαπτίζω: 'baptize, immerse'; the first means by which disciples are made.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect objectthe masculine αὐτούς looks past the neuter ἔθνη to the persons within the nations.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (incorporation)εἰς: 'into'; εἰς τὸ ὄνομα signifies entrance into ownership/allegiance — being claimed by the named God.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativeobject of εἰςὄνομα: 'name'; the singular ('the name') over three persons — one God in three — is the seedbed of trinitarian confession.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πατρὸςFatherGenitivegenitive (possessor of the name)πατήρ: 'Father'; the first person of the triadic name.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitivegenitive (coordinate)υἱός: 'Son'; the second person.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἁγίουHolyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; qualifies the Spirit.
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive (coordinate, third person)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the third person of the one divine name — the fullest NT baptismal triad.
20
διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθ' ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος.
teaching them to keep all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
The second means of disciple-making — teaching obedience to all Jesus commanded — then the closing pledge that binds the whole Gospel: the abiding presence of the Emmanuel (1:23) 'all the days, to the consummation of the age.'
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
διδάσκοντεςteachingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · διδάσκωptc. of means (modal, coordinate w/ βαπτίζοντες)→ present (ongoing means)διδάσκω: 'teach'; the second mode of disciple-making — instruction toward obedience.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeobject of διδάσκοντες
τηρεῖνto keep / observePres Act Inf · τηρέωcomplementary infinitive (content of teaching)→ present infinitive (habitual)τηρέω: 'keep, observe, guard'; discipleship is obedience, not mere information.
πάνταallAccusativeobject of τηρεῖνπᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive scope of obedience — the third 'all' of the commission (authority, nations, commands).
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐνετειλάμην)ὅσος: 'as much as, whatever'; the full body of Jesus' teaching, esp. the five Matthean discourses.
ἐνετειλάμηνI commandedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἐντέλλομαι: 'command, charge'; Jesus, like a new Moses, gives commandments to be kept.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particleἰδού: marks the climactic promise.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronounthe expressed ἐγώ stresses the person — 'I myself' am with you.
μεθ'withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά: 'with'; the Emmanuel ('God with us,' 1:23) promise now in the Lord's own voice.
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of μετά
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ present (continuous/abiding)εἰμί: 'am'; the present of enduring presence — possibly echoing the divine 'I am.'
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; 'all the days' — continuous, unbroken presence.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeἡμέρα: 'day'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας = 'always, every day.'
ἕωςuntilimproper preposition + genitive (time)ἕως: 'until, as far as'; the temporal terminus of the promise (which is also the consummation of all things).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
συντελείαςconsummation / endGenitiveobject of ἕωςσυντέλεια: 'completion, consummation'; the eschatological close of the age (cf. 13:39–40; 24:3).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
αἰῶνοςageGenitivegenitive (epexegetical/possession)αἰών: 'age, world-period'; the present age, at whose end the promised presence opens onto consummation.