Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

MATTHEW 28:16KJV
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Matthew 28:16 (KJV)

What does Matthew 28:16 mean?

Matthew 28:16 describes how the eleven remaining disciples traveled to Galilee, going to a specific mountain where Jesus had told them to meet Him. This sets the stage for an important meeting between Jesus and His closest followers after His resurrection.

In this verse, the focus is on the disciples’ obedience to Jesus’ instructions. The “eleven” refers to the group after Judas Iscariot’s departure. The mention of Galilee and the mountain highlights a deliberate, prearranged gathering, showing that Jesus had a purposeful plan for this encounter. This moment leads directly into Jesus’ final words to His disciples in the following verses.

The Greek behind Matthew 28:16

  • “ἕνδεκα” (hendeka, “eleven”): This word makes it clear that Judas Iscariot is no longer among the disciples, underlining the group’s changed makeup after the events of the crucifixion.
  • “διετάξατο” (dietaxato, “appointed” or “commanded”): The Greek word carries the sense of a specific instruction or arrangement, emphasizing that Jesus had intentionally set this meeting ahead of time, not by chance.
  • “ὄρος” (oros, “mountain”): In Matthew’s Gospel, mountains are often places of significant teaching or revelation, so this setting hints that something important is about to happen.

Why Matthew 28:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the disciples were following Jesus’ directions, not acting on their own initiative, which highlights their trust in Him after the resurrection.
  • The setting in Galilee fulfills earlier promises Jesus made (see Matthew 26:32), connecting the resurrection appearances to Jesus’ words before His death.
  • By noting the group as “eleven,” Matthew quietly reminds readers of the loss of Judas and the reality of the group’s recent experiences, setting a sober but hopeful tone for what follows.

Where else these words appear

“eleven” Greek G1733 · used in 6 verses

  • Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
  • Luke 24:9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
  • Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

“appointed” Greek G5021 · used in 8 verses

  • Luke 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
  • Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

“where” Greek G3757 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
  • John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
  • Acts 28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

“Galilee” Greek G1056 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 3:7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
  • Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.