But after I have risenThis phrase refers to Jesus' prediction of His resurrection, a central tenet of Christian faith. The resurrection is prophesied in the Old Testament, such as in
Psalm 16:10 and
Isaiah 53:10-11, and is fulfilled in the New Testament accounts. Jesus' resurrection is a pivotal event that confirms His divinity and the truth of His teachings. It also signifies victory over sin and death, offering hope of eternal life to believers. The phrase underscores Jesus' foreknowledge and control over the events of His death and resurrection.
I will go ahead of you
Here, Jesus assures His disciples that He will precede them, indicating leadership and guidance. This reflects the role of a shepherd leading his flock, a common biblical metaphor for God's relationship with His people (Psalm 23,John 10:11-14). It also implies a restoration of relationship and mission after the scattering of the disciples, which Jesus predicts inMatthew 26:31. This promise of going ahead is a reassurance of His continued presence and leadership even after His resurrection.
into Galilee.
Galilee is significant as the region where Jesus began His ministry and performed many miracles. It is a place of familiarity and comfort for the disciples, many of whom were from Galilee. This return to Galilee symbolizes a new beginning and the continuation of Jesus' mission. It is also a fulfillment of Jesus' earlier instructions and prophecies (Matthew 28:7, 10, 16). Galilee, being a region with a mix of Jewish and Gentile populations, foreshadows the spread of the Gospel to all nations.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about His resurrection and future plans.
2.
DisciplesThe followers of Jesus who are being addressed in this passage. They are about to face a time of trial and confusion.
3.
GalileeA region in northern Israel where Jesus spent much of His ministry. It is significant as the place where Jesus promises to meet His disciples after His resurrection.
4.
ResurrectionThe event Jesus is predicting, which is central to Christian faith, signifying His victory over death.
5.
PassoverThe context of this passage is during the time of Passover, a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.
Teaching Points
The Certainty of Jesus' ResurrectionJesus speaks with confidence about His resurrection, which is foundational to Christian faith. Believers can trust in the certainty of His promises.
The Importance of GalileeGalilee represents a place of restoration and new beginnings. It is where Jesus first called His disciples and where He will reaffirm their mission.
Preparation for TrialsJesus prepares His disciples for the coming trials by assuring them of His resurrection and future presence. Believers should find comfort in Jesus' foreknowledge and provision.
The Role of ObedienceThe disciples are instructed to go to Galilee, demonstrating the importance of obedience to Jesus' commands. Believers are called to follow His guidance even when the path is unclear.
Hope in Times of UncertaintyJesus' promise to meet His disciples after His resurrection offers hope and assurance. In times of uncertainty, believers can rely on Jesus' presence and promises.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 26:32?
2.How does Matthew 26:32 demonstrate Jesus' foreknowledge and divine authority?
3.What does "after I have risen" reveal about Jesus' resurrection promise?
4.How can Jesus' promise to "go ahead of you" strengthen our faith today?
5.Connect Matthew 26:32 with Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's resurrection.
6.How should Jesus' assurance in Matthew 26:32 influence our daily trust in Him?
7.What does Matthew 26:32 reveal about Jesus' foreknowledge of events?
8.How does Matthew 26:32 affirm the resurrection of Jesus?
9.Why is Galilee significant in Matthew 26:32?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 26?
11.What is the chronological order of events in the Bible?
12.What does the Bible say about women as missionaries?
13.What did Jesus instruct his disciples? 'Tell my brethren to go to Galilee' (Matthew 28:10) and 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father' (John 20:17).
14.What are the key teachings and events in Matthew?What Does Matthew 26:32 Mean
But after“ ‘But after …’ ” sets a clear timeline. Jesus has just predicted the disciples’ falling away (Matthew 26:31) yet immediately turns their eyes beyond failure.
• His foreknowledge is absolute—He knows events before they occur (John 13:19).
• Mercy shines through judgment: though scattering is certain, restoration is already scheduled (Luke 22:31-32).
• The contrast “but” assures them that sin and sorrow will not have the final word (Psalm 30:5).
I have risenHere Jesus plainly promises bodily resurrection.
• Earlier He foretold this repeatedly (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19).
• Resurrection is not metaphorical but physical, confirmed by later appearances (Luke 24:39-43;John 20:27).
• It authenticates every claim He made—He is “declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection” (Romans 1:4).
• For the disciples, this pledge would become the anchor of gospel preaching (Acts 2:32; 4:33).
I will go ahead of youThe Shepherd leads, never drives.
• EchoesIsaiah 52:12—“the LORD will go before you.”
• After rising, Jesus precedes them, guiding the frightened flock back into fellowship (John 21:1-14).
• His leadership continues today: “He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow Him” (John 10:4).
Into GalileeGalilee is the place of first calling and now of renewed commissioning.
• Fulfilled inMatthew 28:16-20 where He meets them on a mountain and gives the Great Commission.
• Returning there underscores grace: He meets them not in the grandeur of Jerusalem but back home, where ordinary life and ministry will unfold.
• Galilee becomes the launchpad for worldwide mission, fulfillingIsaiah 9:1-2 that light would dawn in “Galilee of the nations.”
summaryMatthew 26:32 is a threefold promise: Jesus will literally rise, personally lead, and graciously restore. He turns impending failure into future mission, assuring His followers—then and now—that resurrection power precedes them, guides them, and equips them for the work He assigns.
(32)
After I am risen.--Our Lord referred to these His words afterwards (
Matthew 28:16), but they appear to have fallen at the time unheeded on the ears of the disciples, and to have been rapidly forgotten. No expectation of a resurrection is traceable in their after conduct.
Verse 32. -
After I am risen again. He comforts his followers now, as always, with the announcement that after his Passion and death he would rise again and meet them. So in the prophet's words succeeding the quotation there is a similar encouragement, "I will turn mine hand upon the little ones;"
i.e. I will cover and protect the humble and meek, even after they fled and were scattered.
I will go before you (
προάξω ὑμᾶς)
into Galilee (
Matthew 28:7). The verb is of pastoral signification, as in the East the shepherd does not drive his sheep, but leads them (
John 10:4). The apostles, or many of them, after the Resurrection, returned to their old homes in Galilee, but Christ preceded them, and they found him there before them (
Mark 16:7;
John 21;
Acts 1:3;
1 Corinthians 15:6). He again gathered around him his little flock lately scattered. True, he had then already appeared to them at Jerusalem more than once; but this was, as it were, fortuitously and unexpectedly. The meeting in Galilee was by appointment, and of most solemn import, Christ then reuniting the apostolic body, and renewing the apostolic commission (
Matthew 28:18-20).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.afterΜετὰ(Meta)Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.I have risen,ἐγερθῆναί(egerthēnai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 1453:(a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.Iμε(me)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.will go ahead ofπροάξω(proaxō)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4254:From pro and ago; to lead forward; intransitively, to precede (participle, previous).youὑμᾶς(hymas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.intoεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.Galilee.”Γαλιλαίαν(Galilaian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1056:Of Hebrew origin; Galiloea, a region of Palestine.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 26:32 But after I am raised up (Matt. Mat Mt)