It means a good deal more than appears on the surface.

“All hail” (Matt. 28:9).

It was a stirring greeting which the Lord of Life spake to His first disciples on the morning of the resurrection. It is a bright and radiant word which in His name we would speak to His beloved children at the commencement of another day. It means a good deal more than appears on the surface. It is really a prayer for our health, but which none but those who believe in the healing of the body can fully understand. A thoughtful friend suggested once that the word “hail” really means health, and it is just the old Saxon form of the word. We all know that a hale person is a healthy person. Our Lord’s message, therefore, was substantially that greeting which from time immemorial we give to one another when we meet. “How is your health?” “How are you?” or, better still, “I wish you health.” Christ’s wish is tantamount to a promise and command. It is very similar to the Apostle John’s benediction to his dear friend Gaius, and we would re-echo it to our beloved friends according to the fulness of the Master’s will.

Simpson, A. B. (1897). Days of Heaven upon Earth: A Year Book of Scripture Texts and Living Truths (p. 135). Christian Alliance Pub. Co. (Public Domain)

“And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.” (Matthew 28:9, KJV)

“And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.” (Matthew 28:9, NLT)

“And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.” (Matthew 28:9, ESV)

“And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9, NKJV)

“And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9, NASB 2020)

“καὶ ἰδοὺ Ἰησοῦς ὑπήντησεν αὐταῖς λέγων· χαίρετε. αἱ δὲ προσελθοῦσαι ἐκράτησαν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ.” (Matthew 28:9, NA28)