Matthew 28:16 & 17
"16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted."
Matthew is wrapping up his Gospel in the next few verses. Coming from the empty tomb the two Marys discovered to the bribery plot between the high priest and the Roman soldiers to now, the Disciples reunion with our Lord and Savior!
The Disciples have faithfully followed Jesus's instructions; "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they WORSHIPPED Him: but some DOUBTED." Okay, this makes sense, "they WORSHIPPED Him:" PRAISE! HONOR! GLORY! Are all His! How could they not? They are eyewitnesses to the RESURRECTION!
THEN... "but some DOUBTED." ???
This end of the verse has troubled me for a few years. How could they DOUBT??? It's a little shocking and even disturbing. Matthew is writing about the Disciples here. How can this be?
There are a few interpretations of this verse. The best explanation I found is; the Greek work that is translated as "doubt" is "distazo." The typical Greek word for "doubt" is "diakrino." This Greek expression in our verse may be more accurately described as unsure, or slow in acting or speaking.
SO! It's not DOUBT. The Disciples totally BELIEVE! This fraction of the Disciples are utterly astonished; astounded! They were not sure how to react. How does one behave in the presence of GOD??? Their friend and teacher, who has done AMAZING things, was brutally killed and buried, and is NOW present in front of them! I can understand their confusion.
God does things differently.
Christ is RISEN!
He is RISEN INDEED!
Hallelujah!!
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