Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Matthew doesn't just tell us where they went, but why: Jesus had appointed this specific mountain. This wasn't a casual gathering; it was a deliberate meeting, underscoring the weight and authority of the mission He was about to entrust to them.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus' resurrection, the eleven disciples were directed by both angels and Jesus himself to meet him in Galilee. This particular gathering, held on a mountain Jesus had specified, marks a significant moment where the disciples were commissioned to spread his teachings to all nations. It's the climax of Matthew's Gospel, leading into Jesus' final instructions and promise of his enduring presence.
Jesus didn't just say 'see me later.' He gave His followers a destination.
Jesus, even in His resurrected state, was incredibly intentional. He directed the disciples to a specific place: a mountain in Galilee. This wasn't a casual suggestion; it was an appointment. The original Greek word used here, often translated as 'appointed' or 'ordered,' implies a deliberate setting or arrangement.
This highlights God's desire for organized community and purposeful gatherings. He doesn't want us scattered and aimless, but united in specific times and places to encounter Him and one another.
Why Galilee? This region held deep significance for Jesus and His followers.
The choice of Galilee as the meeting place is significant. This was the region where Jesus began His public ministry, where many of His disciples were from, and where He had previously promised to meet them after His resurrection (Matthew 26:32). It was a familiar territory, but one now imbued with the fresh reality of the resurrection.
Returning to Galilee marked a return to where it all began, but now with a transformed understanding and a new mission. It signifies that God often uses familiar places and experiences to launch us into new phases of His purpose.
Even after seeing Jesus resurrected, some still doubted. What does this tell us?
The text notes that 'when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.' This is a crucial detail. It shows that even direct encounters with the resurrected Christ didn't immediately erase all doubt for everyone. Some disciples wrestled with uncertainty, perhaps due to the sheer magnitude of what they were witnessing.
Ask a follow-up
This doesn't diminish the reality of the resurrection or the disciples' faith. Instead, it offers profound encouragement: God meets us even in our doubts. He doesn't require perfect certainty before revealing Himself. He calls us to Him, and in His presence, our doubts can be addressed and transformed.
Understand the original words
mathētēs · Greek Noun
Followers of a teacher or master; in the New Testament, it refers specifically to those who follow Jesus, believe in His teachings, and commit to living according to His way of life.
This specific mountain meeting in Galilee wasn't just another appearance; it was a formally appointed gathering, distinct from Jesus' other post-resurrection encounters. It served as the pivotal moment for the Great Commission, marking the transition from Jesus' earthly ministry to the disciples' global mission.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem and then resurrected, appearing to his followers over the next 40 days.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Angel and Jesus' Instructions to Disciples
An angel at the tomb and Jesus himself instruct the remaining eleven disciples to go to Galilee and await further directions.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Appears to Over 500
According to Paul's letter to the Corinthians, Jesus appears to a large gathering of over 500 followers in Galilee, likely at this appointed mountain meeting.
c. 30 AD
The Great Commission
Jesus gives the disciples their final instructions, commissioning them to spread his teachings to all nations and promising his perpetual presence.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Ascension
Following the commission, Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving his disciples to carry on his work.
This passage directly references Jesus' prior appointment to meet the disciples in Galilee after his resurrection, providing the context for Matthew 28:16.
1 Corinthians 15:6This passage speaks of Jesus appearing to over five hundred brothers at once, which many scholars believe happened at this appointed meeting in Galilee, thus illuminating the significance of the gathering.
John 21:1-14This passage describes a significant appearance of Jesus to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee, likely on a mountain, shortly after the events in Matthew 28:16, further emphasizing Galilee as a key location for post-resurrection encounters.
Mark 16:7This verse recounts the angel's message to the women to tell the disciples to go to Galilee where they will see Jesus, directly linking to the disciples' obedience in Matthew 28:16.
barnesMatthew 28:16: "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them."
Then the eleven disciples - Judas was dead, leaving but eleven of the original number of the apostles. Into a mountain where Jesus lead appointed them - This "appointment" is recorded in Matthew 26:32. On what particular mountain this was is not known. It is probable that Jesus, when he made the appointment, specified the place, which has been omitted by the evangelists. Matthew ha…
calvinMatthew 28:16-20: "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them."
- But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17. And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18. And Jesus approached, and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and on the earth. 19. Go out, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of th…
Matthew doesn't just tell us where they went, but why: Jesus had appointed this specific mountain. This wasn't a casual gathering; it was a deliberate meeting, underscoring the weight and authority of the mission He was about to entrust to them.
After Jesus' resurrection, the eleven disciples were directed by both angels and Jesus himself to meet him in Galilee. This particular gathering, held on a mountain Jesus had specified, marks a significant moment where the disciples were commissioned to spread his teachings to all nations. It's the climax of Matthew's Gospel, leading into Jesus' final instructions and promise of his enduring presence.
After Jesus' resurrection, the eleven disciples were directed by both angels and Jesus himself to meet him in Galilee. This particular gathering, held on a mountain Jesus had specified, marks a significant moment where the disciples were commissioned to spread his teachings to all nations. It's the climax of Matthew's Gospel, leading into Jesus' final instructions and promise of his enduring presence.
"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them." — Matthew doesn't just tell us where they went, but why: Jesus had appointed this specific mountain. This wasn't a casual gathering; it was a deliberate meeting, underscoring the weight and autho…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026