Lyrics
Intro:
Destroy this temple and in three days,
I will raise it up.
Destroy this temple and in three days,
I will raise it up.
Destroy this temple and in three days,
I will raise it up.
Verse:
Early Sunday morning,
as the new day was dawning,
came Mary Magdalene
and the other Mary to the tomb.
Behold, there was a great earthquake.
Behold, there was a great earthquake.
For an angel descended from heaven,
an angel descended from heaven,
an angel descended from heaven,
an angel descended from heaven,
And rolled, rolled,
and rolled back the stone.
Bridge:
His countenance was like lightning,
and His raiment was as white as snow.
His countenance was like lightning,
and His raiment was as white as snow.
His countenance was like lightning,
and His raiment was as white as snow.
And for fear of Him, the keepers did shake,
and became as dead men.
Vamp:
(And the angel answered)
(and said unto the women and said...)
Fear not, fear not, fear not,
for I know that ye seek Jesus,
who was crucified.
He is not here, He is not here, He is not here;
(why are you looking for the living amongst the dead),
He is not here,
for He is risen, as He said.
Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Ending:
Remember how He said
while He was yet in Galilee,
Sopranos: I'll rise...
Altos/Tenors: I'll rise...
Sopranos: I'll rise...
Altos/Tenors: I'll rise...
Sopranos: A...
All: gain.
Sopranos: I'll rise...
Altos/Tenors: I'll rise...
Sopranos: I'll rise...
Altos/Tenors: I'll rise...
Sopranos: A...
All: gain.
Sopranos: I'll rise...
Altos/Tenors: I'll rise...
Sopranos: I'll rise...
Altos/Tenors: I'll rise...
Sopranos: A...
All: gain.
Sopranos: I'll rise...
Altos/Tenors: I'll rise...
Sopranos: I'll rise...
Altos/Tenors: I'll rise...
Sopranos: A...
All: gain.
Altos: Hallelujah...
Sopranos/Tenors: Hallelujah...
Altos: Hallelujah...
Sopranos/Tenors: Hallelujah...
Altos: Hallelujah...
Sopranos/Tenors: Hallelujah...
All:
Amen, Amen, Amen,
Amen, Amen, Amen.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Matthew 28” follows the resurrection narrative from the discovery of the tomb to the angel’s declaration that Jesus has risen. The earthquake, the rolled-away stone, and the fearful guards give the song dramatic movement, while the repeated “He is not here” keeps its focus on the empty tomb and Christ’s victory over death. The account draws closely from the Gospel scenes rather than treating resurrection as an abstract theme.
The opening refrain about raising the temple connects the scene with Jesus’ earlier words about his body. From there, the choir retells the Easter account in a form that feels both scriptural and celebratory. The final layers of “I’ll rise,” “Hallelujah,” and “Amen” turn the narrative into corporate praise. That conclusion extends the resurrection theme toward Christian hope while keeping Christ’s rising at the center of the song.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 28:1-7 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary find the tomb open, and the angel announces that Jesus has risen.
- John 2:19-21 Jesus speaks of raising the temple of his body in three days.
- Luke 24:5-7 The women are asked why they seek the living among the dead and are reminded of Jesus’ words.