Matthew 28:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

On their journey, they encountered the Incarnate Word of God Himself. When He greeted them with the words, ‘Rejoice!’ He did not prevent them from reaching out to Him, as it was their first encounter; instead, He assured them with the words, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to proceed to Galilee, where they will see Me.’ This account regarding the Myrrh-bearing women is provided by the Evangelist Matthew. The women shared with the disciples and those accompanying them the angel’s message and the Lord’s words, testifying that they had seen Him, along with the fact that they had worshipped Him. However, the Lord’s disciples, overwhelmed by the profound and indescribable sorrow following His crucifixion, were unable to heed their message.

Because woman was destined to experience sorrow, the Lord, through His resurrection, bestowed joy and blessings upon her. Out of deep veneration and honor for Him, they approached and held His feet, refraining from touching any other part of His body due to their humility. Some suggest that they grasped His feet deliberately to ascertain whether He had truly risen, doubting whether it was a dream or an apparition, as they perceived it might be a spirit. In this encounter, both Marys touched His feet; however, as recorded by John, Mary Magdalene attempted to touch Him but was not permitted to do so. This restriction arose because she wished to remain with Him eternally, as she had before.

In light of Israel’s rejection, you wise women are encouraged to boldly proclaim the good news of Him who has vanquished death, eradicated corruption, and through faith offers justification to sinners, cleansing those ensnared in their transgressions, and bringing new life to those who approach Him. He reveals a new existence—the gospel life—to all who inhabit the earth, has nullified the old covenant, radiates the light of truth, and has guided those who honor Him toward worship in spirit and in truth. Therefore, go forth, for Israel has abandoned hope.

Jesus encountered them and said, 'Rejoice.' Those who were eager and hurried now have the privilege of meeting the resurrected Lord and being the first to hear the call to 'Rejoice,' thus lifting the curse placed upon women by Eve. They approached, grasped His feet, and worshipped Him. These individuals drew near, embraced His feet, and offered their adoration. However, she who searched for the living among the dead, unaware that the Son of God had risen, received the significant response, 'Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father' (John 20:17).

When you went to inform His disciples, suddenly, Jesus interrupted me. Those who arrived first encountered the Lord before anyone else and were rewarded for their efforts. He declared, "Rejoice," bringing happiness to those formerly burdened by sorrow from their past disobedience. His words were meant for them to identify Him by His voice, the first utterance being one of joy. They then approached Him, falling at His feet in worship. The women, moved by their love and reverence for Jesus Christ, grasped His feet, and He did not prevent them, allowing them to touch Him so they could be assured that He was not a spirit.

The revelation that the women are the first to encounter the Lord, that He greets them warmly, that they honor Him, and that He instructs them to share the joyful message with the apostles completely transforms the established order from the dawn of creation. The generation that introduced death into the world is now the first to receive the glory, the vision, the fruit, and the proclamation of the resurrection. The guards, who witnessed the miraculous events, rejected the magnificence of the resurrection by colluding to spread falsehoods, claiming that Christ's body had been taken (see Matt. 28:12-13). They exchanged the truth of the resurrection for temporal honors and pleasures, as these honors were represented in wealth.

In the same way that Mary Magdalene, alongside the Theotokos, comprehended the profound significance of the Resurrected Christ upon hearing the announcement from the Angel, so too did she, along with other women, encounter the Son of God. She was the first to both recognize and see the Risen One. Approaching Him, she grasped His feet and became an Apostle to the Apostles. As revealed in the Gospel of John, it is noted that Mary Magdalene was not present with the Mother of God when She encountered the Lord as they returned from the tomb. John recounts, "She came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, 'They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him'" (John 20:2).

As they traveled, the Lord encountered them and said, "Rejoice!" He approached them not with intimidation stemming from His might, but with the warmth of His love. He did not overwhelm them with His authority; instead, He embraced them affectionately. He binds them through the covenant of the Bridegroom, not by the dominion of a ruler, honoring them with the devotion of a brother. His greeting, "Rejoice!" is significant. Previously, He instructed His disciples not to greet anyone along the way (See Luke 10:4). Why does this Traveler greet them so early on their journey? He does not wait for recognition or understanding, nor does He require questions to be asked. Instead, He joyfully welcomes them. The reason for this is that the might of His love pervades and surpasses all things.

Yet this trepidation quickly gives way to the radiant joy of encountering the risen Savior. As they went to share the news with His disciples, Jesus met them, greeting them with the words, "Hail!" His voice served to deepen their recognition of Him, for it was a proclamation of joy. With overwhelming ecstasy, shedding all earthly preoccupations, the holy women fell at the feet of their beloved Master. Approaching Him, they honored His feet, and He did not prohibit their act of reverence, reassuring them that He was not a specter, and they worshiped Him. Their hearts were filled with great joy as they came to Him; their touch affirmed His resurrection and prompted their adoration.

As Mary Magdalene made her way back to the city, the other women who had visited the tomb were also on their journey. Upon hearing the joyous message from the angel, they hastened to inform the apostles and, unexpectedly, encountered Jesus as He met them. As they approached, He greeted them, saying, "Rejoice!" They came close, grasping His feet, fully assured that He was not a spirit, and they worshiped Him. Then Jesus reassured them, telling them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me." They conveyed everything they had witnessed and heard, sharing it not only with the eleven apostles but also with all others who held affection for Jesus. However, their accounts seemed to be mere tales to the apostles, leading them to doubt.

Mary Magdalene's declaration (John 20:18) was soon verified by another appearance of the resurrected Lord to the other women disciples. When Christ, risen from the dead, encountered these women, He instructed them, "Rejoice!" They were filled with both fear and joy and fell at His feet in worship. He reassured them, saying, "Do not be afraid; go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, where they will see Me."

The risen Christ had previously shown Himself to Mary Magdalene while she was still by the tomb (Jn. 20:14-17, cf. Mk. 16:9), and this marked His second manifestation. The command to "Rejoice" dispels fear and amplifies the joy associated with the resurrection. When it is said they "grasped His feet,” they laid themselves before Him, a posture indicative of earnest supplication (4 Sam. 4:37). Their act of worship was significant; as noted in Matthew 8:2, they expressed profound reverence and demonstrated their love for Him. Chrysostom remarks that their tactile encounter provided firm assurance of His resurrection, leading them to worship Him.