Matthew 28:17

Matthew 28:17, in plain English

When the disciples saw Jesus, they worshiped Him—but some still had doubts.

Why it's here

Isn't it comforting that even people who saw the risen Jesus with their own eyes still wrestled with doubt? Faith and uncertainty can coexist, and Jesus doesn't reject you for having questions.

Who's speaking

Matthew honestly describes the disciples' reaction—a beautiful mix of worship and lingering doubt.

Where it sits in the story

This is one of the most real moments in the Bible. They worshiped and doubted at the same time. And Jesus didn't scold them for it—He gave them a mission anyway.

The scholarly reading

Upon seeing Jesus, the disciples worshiped (prosekynēsan), yet some doubted (edistasan)—an honest admission that faith and uncertainty coexisted even among eyewitnesses.

Language and setting

The verb distazō ('to doubt, hesitate') appears only here and in Matthew 14:31 (Peter on the water), suggesting wavering rather than outright disbelief. Matthew's candid inclusion of doubt enhances the narrative's credibility.

Voice

Matthew narrates the disciples' mixed response of worship and doubt upon encountering the risen Christ.

Significance

Matthew's willingness to record doubt among the disciples is a mark of historical honesty. These were real people processing an event beyond all human experience, and their honest struggle makes their eventual bold testimony all the more compelling.

15So the guards took the money and did as they were instructed. And this account has been circulated among the Jews to this very day.

16Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.

17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.

18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Read all of Matthew 28 — An earthquake. An angel. An empty tomb. And then the most important words ever spoken: He is not here. He has risen.