Matthew 28: 1-14

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Chapter 1. Matthew 28:1-10 The Text, Its Context, and Redaction

Delimitation of the Text: Matthew 28:1-10 as a Distinct Unit

Matthew 28:1-10 is found in the conclusion part of the Gospel of Matthew, that is, the passion and resurrection narrative. If we consider the whole of the Gospel of Matthew as context, Chapters 1-4 (the genealogy, the infancy narratives, the preaching of John the Baptist, the baptism, the temptation, and the beginning of the ministry of Jesus) are a section that comprises the introduction. This is followed by the ministry of Jesus that forms the central part of the Gospel. This section is roughly divided into two parts: Chapters 5-18 (the preaching of Jesus in Galilee) and Chapters 19-25 (the preaching of …show more content…

It consists of numerous narratives that can be subdivided according to the setting of time or place of these events. This concluding part presents Chapter 26 (rejection of the Messiah), Chapter 27 (universal rejection of the Messiah with the involvement of some Romans) and Chapter 28 (the empty tomb and the resurrection). Our text in Matthew 28:1-10 is part of the concluding section of the Gospel of Matthew that commences in Chapter 26. It introduces Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους (Matt 26:1) and ends with the appearance of Jesus to the disciples in Galilee (Matt 28:16-20). Dramatis personae. In determining our pericope as a distinct unit, we look at how the text actually starts: an introduction to a new situation by way of the characters in the scene going to see the tomb for a visit. This account conveys the events of the visit of the two women (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary) to the tomb. These characters do not appear in the preceding pericope which confirms that our text presents a new situation. It is only in 28:11 that we find the introduction of new characters with some of the guards who went to see the chief priests and told them of the events that happened at the

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