doubters welcome

Matthew 28:17

"And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted."

We conclude our study, Gathering in the Name of Jesus, with Matthew’s final four verses. These capture Jesus’ last moments with His disciples. The number “eleven” is significant, highlighting Judas Iscariot’s absence after betrayal and death. These eleven remain the core group chosen to receive His parting instructions.

Their journey to Galilee fulfills His earlier command. It was the heart of His ministry and a familiar place for them. Though the mountain is unnamed, mountains in Matthew often signal divine revelation (e.g., Sermon on the Mount, Transfiguration), underscoring the authority of the commission to come.

Today’s verse reveals the complexity of human response to the miraculous. The disciples rightly worshiped Jesus—prostrating in homage and acknowledging His divine authority—yet some doubted. The Greek word used here, "distazō" means to waver or hesitate, not outright disbelief in the resurrection, but uncertainty or hesitation, perhaps from the overwhelming reality of seeing the risen, glorified Lord. Jesus had conquered death and descended to hell and back—it’s a lot to process!

Remarkably, worship and doubt coexisted here, showing that faith isn’t the absence of questions. Even His closest followers wrestled with understanding, yet Jesus immediately entrusted them with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20). This affirms that doubt does not disqualify you from encountering and serving the risen Lord—then or now.

Amen.

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