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Easter Season · Easter Vigil · Year A

Matthew 28:1-10

He Is Not Here, He Has Been Raised

April 5, 2026

The Three Marys at the Tomb, Hubert van Eyck and/or Jan van Eyck
The Three Marys at the Tomb, Hubert van Eyck and/or Jan van Eyck, c. 1425–35Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam (Wikimedia Commons)
An early Netherlandish panel with the sleeping soldiers in gleaming armour, the angel seated on the slab, and Jerusalem painted in meticulous distance behind.It is the reading, and Van Eyck gave the guards' armour more polish than anything else in the picture.Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam (Wikimedia Commons)A Rotterdam museum closed for a long rebuilding, with its collection visible in a mirrored public storage depot next door.Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam (Wikimedia Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 28:1-10Mt 28:1-10
EpistleRom. 6:3-11Rom 6:3-11
PsalterPs. 114Ps 114 orPs. 136:1-9, 23-26Ps 136:1-9, 23-26

Overview & Insights

"Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said." (Matthew 28:5-6)

At dawn on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to the tomb and feel an earthquake as an angel descends, rolls back the stone, and sits on it. The angel sends the women to tell the disciples, and on the way the risen Jesus himself meets them.

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Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 28:1-10Commentary on Mt 28:1-10 Working Preacher

Working Preacher notes that Matthew alone gives the earthquake at the women's arrival and treats the resurrection announcement as a moment for narrative brevity rather than explanation.

Matthew 28:1-10 CommentaryMt 28:1-10 Commentary CEP

CEP's commentary works through the angel's message and the women's mix of fear and great joy on the way to tell the disciples.

Matthew 28 CommentaryMt 28 Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's verse by verse notes cover the earthquake, the angel, and the risen Jesus meeting the women on the road.

Matthew 28 CommentaryMt 28 Commentary Precept Austin

Precept Austin's commentary works through the guard's report alongside the women's own encounter with the risen Jesus.

Matthew 28:6 CommentariesMt 28:6 Commentaries BibleHub

BibleHub stacks classic commentaries on verse 6's announcement that he is not here, for he has been raised.

Matthew 28 - Barnes' Notes and Gill's ExpositionMt 28 - Barnes' Notes and Gill's Exposition StudyLight (Barnes/Gill)

StudyLight stacks Barnes and Gill's older exegetical notes on the whole resurrection account.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 28:6 Interlinear GreekMt 28:6 Interlinear Greek BibleHub interlinear

The Greek interlinear shows the passive verb behind he has been raised.

Gospel of Matthew Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 2)Gospel of Mt Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 2) BibleProject

BibleProject's overview of Matthew 14-28 places the resurrection as the climax of the Gospel's second half.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 28 - Catena Aurea / Church FathersMt 28 - Catena Aurea / Church Fathers Catena

Catena gathers patristic comment on the empty tomb and the angel's message to the women.

Sermons & Reflections

The Easter Vigil (Year A) Catholic Productions / Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre walks through how the Vigil's seven readings gather all of salvation history into the night the empty tomb is announced.

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