Matthew 28:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When the disciples see Jesus they worship Him, though some still wrestle with doubt.
What Does Matthew 28:17 Mean?
At last they see Him, and their first response is worship. Yet Matthew records, with striking honesty, that some doubted, or wavered, even in that moment. The Gospel does not hide the mixture in their hearts.
There is great comfort in this candor. Worship and lingering uncertainty stood side by side among the very first to meet the risen Christ, and He did not turn any of them away. Faith is not always free of questions; it can grow even where doubt still flickers. The Lord meets His followers as they are, and in the very next verses He entrusts His mission to this imperfect, wondering group. He works through honest hearts that come to Him, even when they have not resolved every fear.
Matthew 28:17 in the Original Language
distazo (διστάζω), 'doubted' -- to waver or hesitate, to be of two minds, not settled unbelief but uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 28:17
What does Matthew 28:17 mean?
When the disciples see Jesus they worship Him, though some still wrestle with doubt.