Definition: So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 28:15. It’s a really important part of how Jesus tells his followers to follow after he rises from the dead. Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, Jesus told his disciples to immediately start following him. Let’s unpack that a little further: “So they took the money…” – This refers to the money they received when they found him crucified. It was a significant amount of money, and they were supposed to be careful with it. “…and did as they were taught: ” – This means Jesus gave them a specific set of instructions. They weren’t just to look at him; they had to do something. “And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews…” – This is key. The verse says that this instruction was widely shared amongst Jewish people, meaning it was a common practice in their culture and tradition. So, what does it mean practically? Jesus’s command to “take the money” and “do as they were taught” meant that after he was dead, he told his followers to immediately start following him. It was a very important message – he wanted them to follow him and continue his work. The "commonly reported among the Jews" part is a bit complex. It suggests this wasn’t a brand new command from Jesus himself. It was a tradition that had already been established within Jewish communities for a long time. In short, it's telling us to follow Jesus after he's risen and died – to continue his work and spread the good news! --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Provide context about what this verse was like in ancient times? Discuss its significance for believers today?