Matthew 28:6 (ESV) … “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”
He has risen, as he said. Jesus had often predicted that he would rise, but the disciples did not understand it, and consequently did not expect it, Mat. 16:21; 20:19.
The place where the Lord lay. The place where a body was deposited in a sepulchre was commonly a niche cut in the wall of the sepulchre. The sepulchre was usually large; that of David was more than 100 feet in length, cut out of solid rock underground, and separated into various apartments. All round the sides of those apartments were niches for the dead; or they were ranged around the sides, in’ places cut in the solid rock just large enough to contain the body. In such a place, probably, our Lord lay.[1]
The angel who announced the good news of the Resurrection to the women gave them four messages:
1. “Do not be afraid.” The reality of the Resurrection brings joy, not fear. When you are afraid, remember the empty tomb.
2. “He is not here.” Jesus is not dead and is not to be looked for among the dead. He is alive, with his people.
3. “Come and see.” The women could check the evidence themselves. The tomb was empty then, and it is empty today. The Resurrection is a historical fact.
4. “Go quickly and tell.” They were to spread the joy of the Resurrection. We too are to spread the great news about Jesus’ resurrection.[2]
[1] Barnes, A. (1884–1885). Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark. (R. Frew, Ed.) (p. 319). London: Blackie & Son. [2] Barton, B. B. (1996). Matthew (p. 572). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.