Devine Scripture

Matthew 28:9

What does Matthew 28:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 28:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 28:9 means

As the women hastened to tell the disciples, Jesus Himself unexpectedly met them. He greeted them with words of peace or affirmation, likely "Greetings!" or "Rejoice!" Overwhelmed and recognizing their Lord, they fell down, holding onto His feet in an act of deep reverence and worship. This physical interaction confirmed His bodily resurrection, proving He was not a spirit, and their worship acknowledged His divine person and victory over death. This encounter provided crucial personal confirmation for the first messengers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And on the way, Jesus came to them, saying, Be glad. And they came and put their hands on his feet, and gave him worship.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and as they were going to tell to his disciples, then lo, Jesus met them, saying, `Hail!' and they having come near, laid hold of his feet, and did bow to him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And behold, Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet and adored him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And as they went to bring his disciples word, behold also, Jesus met them, saying, Hail! And they coming up took him by the feet, and did him homage.

Context

This verse describes the first personal encounter between the risen Jesus and His followers, building directly on the women's departure from the tomb with the angel's message. This appearance of Jesus immediately follows their mixed emotions of fear and joy, providing undeniable, tangible proof of His resurrection. This personal confirmation strengthens their witness and leads directly to Jesus reiterating the angelic commission to His disciples.

v.8And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.

v.9This passage

v.10Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 14:33

    And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:11

    Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

  • John 12:3

    Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

  • John 20:28

    Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

  • Luke 7:38

    and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

  • Revelation 3:9

    Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

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