Matthew 28:9
And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The women's action of "holding his feet" wasn't just a casual touch; it was a desperate, physical clinging, a gesture of profound reverence and relief that their Lord was truly alive and not a spirit, confirming the unbelievable reality of His resurrection. This raw physical connection highlights the startling intimacy and tangible joy of their encounter, a stark contrast to their earlier fear.
As the women leave the empty tomb, reeling with a mix of fear and elation, Jesus himself suddenly appears to them on the road. This unexpected encounter solidifies their witness to his resurrection, prompting them to fall at his feet in worship and reverence before he sends them to deliver the news to his disciples.
Imagine the scene: the tomb is empty, angels have spoken, and then... He appears! What complex emotions must have flooded these women?
Matthew paints a vivid picture of the women's reaction. They departed the tomb with "fear and great joy." This isn't a simple, straightforward happiness. It's a mix of awe, perhaps still some disbelief, and overwhelming gladness. This emotional complexity is common when we encounter God in powerful ways.
Jesus doesn't wait for them to find Him; He meets them on the road. And His first words? 'Greetings!' How did they respond to this divine hello?
Jesus initiates the encounter, meeting the women while they are still on their mission to tell the disciples. His greeting, 'Greetings!' (or 'Peace be with you'), is both a familiar Jewish salutation and a profound blessing of peace and well-being from the resurrected Lord.
Their response is incredibly telling:
Understand the original words
chairete · Greek Verb
The Greek word used here (chairete) literally means 'rejoice,' serving as a common greeting but carrying profound theological weight when spoken by the resurrected Christ, signaling the arrival of the age of salvation.
prosekynēsan · Greek Verb
The act of showing profound reverence, adoration, and submission to God or Christ as an expression of recognition of His divinity and lordship.
This encounter highlights Jesus' compassion, meeting his frightened and joyful followers on their way to deliver the news, affirming their experience and beginning to calm their fears.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified and buried in a tomb, a deeply public and scandalous event for his followers.
Early Sunday Morning, c. AD 30
Discovery of the Empty Tomb
Women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, go to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body and find it empty.
Early Sunday Morning, c. AD 30
Angelic Announcement
Angels at the tomb announce Jesus' resurrection to the women, instructing them to tell the disciples.
Early Sunday Morning, c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene alone, commissioning her to share the news with the other disciples.
Early Sunday Morning, c. AD 30— this verse
This passage highlights Jesus' instruction to Mary Magdalene not to cling to Him, as He had not yet ascended, which provides a fuller picture of the interaction with the women encountered here.
Luke 24:36-40This passage describes Jesus appearing to His disciples, showing them His hands and feet, and eating with them to prove His bodily resurrection, reinforcing the theme of His physical presence after rising.
Genesis 22:16-18This Old Testament account of God swearing by Himself when promising blessings to Abraham parallels Jesus' confirmation of His resurrection and His promises to His followers, emphasizing divine assurance.
Philippians 3:10-11This passage speaks of Paul's desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, echoing the transformative encounter the women had with the resurrected Jesus.
calvinMatthew 28:8-10: "And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word."
- And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to inform his disciples. 9. And while they went to inform his disciples, then, lo, Jesus met them, saying, Hail. [305] And they approached, and held his feet, and worshipped him. 10. Then Jesus saith to them, Fear not; go, tell my brethren to go into Galilee; and there shall they see me.
8.…
gillMatthew 28:9: "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him."
And as they went to tell his disciples,.... This clause is wanting in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions, and in Beza's most ancient copy; but it stands in the Ethiopic version, and in Munster's Hebrew Gospel, behold, Jesus met them: that they might be confirmed in what the angel had told them, and their fear might be r…
The women's action of "holding his feet" wasn't just a casual touch; it was a desperate, physical clinging, a gesture of profound reverence and relief that their Lord was truly alive and not a spirit, confirming the unbelievable reality of His resurrection. This raw physical connection highlights the startling intimacy and tangible joy of their encounter, a stark contrast to their earlier fear.
As the women leave the empty tomb, reeling with a mix of fear and elation, Jesus himself suddenly appears to them on the road. This unexpected encounter solidifies their witness to his resurrection, prompting them to fall at his feet in worship and reverence before he sends them to deliver the news to his disciples.
As the women leave the empty tomb, reeling with a mix of fear and elation, Jesus himself suddenly appears to them on the road. This unexpected encounter solidifies their witness to his resurrection, prompting them to fall at his feet in worship and reverence before he sends them to deliver the news to his disciples.
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Jesus appears to these women, who were among the first witnesses to His empty tomb. What does this specific encounter signify for them and for us?
This meeting is more than just a personal encounter; it's the inauguration of a new era. Jesus, the Conqueror of death, chooses to reveal Himself first to these women.
Jesus Meets the Women
As the women travel to tell the disciples, Jesus himself meets them, offering greetings and allowing them to touch him.
Sunday, c. AD 30
Disciples' Disbelief
The male disciples initially dismiss the women's account of the resurrection as 'idle tales' or fantasies, highlighting their shock and doubt.
Sunday Afternoon, c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Disciples on the Road to Emmaus
Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, opening the Scriptures and revealing himself in the breaking of bread.
"And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him." — The women's action of "holding his feet" wasn't just a casual touch; it was a desperate, physical clinging, a gesture of profound reverence and relief that their Lord was truly alive and not a spirit…
