“Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”
My Notes
What Does Matthew 28:10 Mean?
The resurrected Jesus speaks to the women at the tomb with two commands: "Be not afraid" and "go tell my brethren." The first addresses their terror; the second gives them a mission. Fear is acknowledged and then redirected into purpose. You don't have to stop being afraid before you can start being useful.
The word "brethren" (adelphoi) is remarkable — Jesus calls the disciples who abandoned him his brothers. Not "my former followers." Not "the ones who ran." Brothers. The resurrection doesn't just defeat death; it restores relationship. The disciples who scattered (as prophesied in 26:31) are now summoned back — not with rebuke but with a family word.
The destination — Galilee — is where it all began. Jesus sends his restored brothers back to where they first met him, where the calling happened, where the ministry started. The resurrection doesn't launch a new program; it restores the original one. Go back to the beginning. I'll meet you there.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does Jesus calling the scattered disciples 'brethren' change your understanding of post-failure restoration?
- 2.What does going back to 'Galilee' (the place where it started) mean for your own spiritual renewal?
- 3.How does 'be not afraid' paired with 'go tell' model the relationship between comfort and mission?
- 4.Where do you need to hear the risen Jesus call you 'brother' or 'sister' after a season of running?
Devotional
"Be not afraid. Go tell my brethren." The first words of the risen Jesus to human beings are about fear and family. Don't be afraid. And the people who ran away? They're still my brothers. Tell them I'll meet them in Galilee.
The word "brethren" should break you. These are the men who fled, denied, hid. Peter swore he didn't know Jesus. The rest scattered like sheep. And the first thing Jesus says after conquering death is: go tell my brothers. Not my failures. Not my deserters. My brothers.
The resurrection restores everything — including the relationships that the cross seemed to destroy. The betrayal isn't the last word. The denial isn't the defining moment. The scattering isn't permanent. Jesus rises and immediately re-gathers what fell apart. The shepherd who was struck seeks the sheep who scattered.
Galilee is the destination because Galilee is where it started. The Sea of Galilee, the fishing boats, the first "follow me." Jesus doesn't send them somewhere new. He sends them back to the beginning. As if to say: we're starting over. Same place. Same call. But now, with resurrection power behind everything.
If you've run, denied, scattered — the risen Jesus is calling you back. Not with accusation. With a family word: brother. Sister. Go to Galilee. I'll meet you there.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Then said Jesus unto them, be not afraid,.... Of me, or what you have seen; or lest there should be any deception in the…
Be not afraid - The ancients, when in the presence of a heavenly being - an angel, or one who was supposed to be…
go tell my brethren that they go i. e. tell my brethren (of my Resurrection), in order that they may go.
my brethren The…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture