CHAPTER XXVIII.

first day of the week, came

b

66

CHAPTER XXVIII. 1. In the end of the sabbath-literally (os), in the evening of the sabbath. And as in Jewish reckoning, the day ended at six o'clock, P. M., this phrase refers to the opening of the subsequent day. The next clause more exactly specifies the time. Quite as soon as the sabbath time had passed, and the earliest dawn of the following day was breaking, these anxious and affectionate followers of Christ hastened to the sepulchre. John says, early." Luke, " very early." Mark, "very early, at the rising of the sun.' Matthew, "as it began to dawn." The time was early dawn, or at day-break. This early movement shows their devotion to the Master; for as the other Evangelists tell us, they came "bringing the spices which they had prepared' (Luke). They had "bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him" (Mark). The women reached the sepulchre, after the incidents recorded in the next verses (2-4). The first day of the weekan unusual phrase (pav oaßßarwv)—

Mark.

16. 1

Luke. John.

Be

28. 1 16. 2-4 24. 1-3 20. 1, 2 literally, "one of the Sabbaths." The same phrase and no other is used by each of the Evangelists, in their mention of this first Christian sabbath. Mark uses it twice; Luke once, as Matthew and John twice, and only in the records of the resurrection. sides, it is used in Acts 20. 7, and in 1 Cor. 16. 2, both to designate the Christian sabbath. Bengel remarks, that "with the resurrection of our Lord, is associated the first remarkable mention of the Dominical day." The Cranmer version of the New Testament (A. D. 1539) reads, "Upon an evening of the sabbothes which dawneth the fyrst daye of the sabbothes." Wicklif (A. D. 1380) reads, "In the euentide of the saboth, that bigynneth to schyne in the first dai of the wike." The evening of the old dispensation is the dawning of the new. -¶ Mary Magdalene, &c. Besides, there are mentioned in all, the other Mary, wife of Alpheus, and mother of James and Joses-Salome, the mother of Zebedee's children-viz. James and John-and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward.--¶ To see (Jɛwpnoai)

as snow:

3 His countenance was like 1 Or, had been. c Ps.104.4. Eze. 1.4-14. Da. 10.6. Re. 1.14-16.

-to visit. Bengel remarks here, "that they came for such offices as belonged to those who were not near relatives-viz., of embalming—and hence it is not wonderful that our Lord's mother was not in the company."

2. Great earthquake. This had taken place before their arrival. Such an event had accompanied the death of Christ, and the graves of His people were opened. Much more shall it occur at His own rising, when His own sepulchre is burst.--¶ The angel of the Lord. He came with authority "from heaven." Matthew describes him as sitting. Luke speaks of two that were seen standing. Twelve legions of angels could have been there at Christ's command. These were His angels ("of the Lord"). Theophylact remarks, that "the stone was removed, not to let Jesus out, but to let the disciples in."

3. His countenance—literally, his form or appearance. This was heavenly apparel. Christ at His transfiguration had His face shining as the sun, and His raiment white and glistening. This dazzling whiteness was the symbol of joy and purity and glory. Bengel remarks, that we do not read of celestial messengers appearing before this, in such dress; but afterward they so appeared. Acts 1. 10, and 10. 30.

4. For fear of him-i. e., of the angel. ¶ Did shake --or quake. The verb here has the same force as the noun, vs. 2-" earthquake." The military guards were struck with tremor and terror, and fell down as dead. Mark records the query of the women on the way, about who should roll away the stone for them, and of

4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

Mark

5. And the angel answered. says that this address of the angel was as they had entered the sepulchre-the heavenly messenger "sitting on the right side"-viz., on the stone, as Matthew records. There was an inner vault where the bodies were laid, and the stone was at the mouth of this, while there was also an outer enclosure, into which the women entered, as stated by Markand saw the angel sitting, as told by Matthew. This reconciles the seeming discrepancy. Mark further describes him as "a young man (that is in form), clothed in a long white garment, and they were affrighted." This last statement by Mark, of the women's fear, accounts for the conciliatory address of the angel, here given. The angel knew whom they sought, because he was sent on this Divine commission. In vs. 8, Matthew intimates by the Greek term rendered "departed" (or having gone out from), that they had been inside. The fact that Luke records the appearing of two angels who stood by them, is not inconsistent with the other statements; because Matthew and Mark speak only of the one who addressed the women. This is natural, and occurs elsewhere;

as in

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the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee ; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

e Ps.105.3, 4. f c.27.63.

regard to the blind men at Jericho, and the demoniacs at Gadara. And as to the standing posture, the word rendered stood" in Luke, means more literally, "appeared suddenly." Besides, they might easily have both sat and stood, during the interviewmight have been both outside and inside at different moments-and they might have been seen both singly and together in the sudden and shifting apparition. When infidels would make war against the Scripture on such slight grounds, they show alike their zealous hostility, and their lack of better weapons.

6. He is not here. This was the consoling message to the affrighted disciples that Christ, though not there, was where His promise had appointed-not dead and buried any longer, but alive and faithful. They needed an angel message to remind them of Christ's word. They were looking for Him other than in the way of His appointment-and they should not find Him there. They were guided by natural expectations, and not by the calculations of faith grounded on the express word of promise. See the place. This was a niche in the inner chamber of the tomb. The angel thus convinces them of Christ's having actually risen, and of his own Divine commission to assure them of the fact. He calls the Saviour "the Lord."-A glorious appellation, says Bengel. The object of the angel was to remind them of Christ's promise to rise on the third day, which was fulfilled, and of His appointment to meet them in Galilee, which was ready to be fulfilled. So our finding one promise made good, increases our faith in all the promises.

8 And they departed quickly

g Lu.24.34. 1Co.15.4. h ver. 16,17.

The body of Christ was laid in the tomb before sunset on Friday-and he rose early on the morning of Sunday. He therefore rose on the third day, having lain in the tomb during one whole day and a part of two othersin all, not far from thirty-six hours.

7. Go quickly. Bengel remarks that the apostles especially ought to have believed before they had the sight. Therefore, they shall be informed of these scenes by the women, and their faith shall be tried.¶ Tell His disciples. Mark adds, emphatically, "and tell Peter." What a tender care had Christ for the faith of this unfaithful apostle, who had so lately denied Him. This accords well with His praying for him, that his faith fail not-an angel message now to rally his faith. -T He is risen. This was the animating word—" risen from the dead." He goeth before you. How faithful was Christ, though they were so unbelieving. Why had they not hurried to Galilee instead of to the tomb? Alas, notwithstanding the very word of promise, they had gone to the sepulchre with spices to embalm His corpse! Yet Christ is faithful! He went where He had appointed, and waited for them there. How He goes before us-anticipates our promptest movements. This was only a hint of what His anticipating, foregoing grace should always do-going before us even where we have promisesand being beforehand with us. "Before that Philip called thee, &c., Jno. 1. 48.

162. THE WOMEN RETURN TO THE CITY. JESUS MEETS THEM.-FIRST day of the week.

9 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. 10 Then said Jesus unto them,

i Jno.20.19.

8. And they departed quickly-literally, went out of, or from the sepulchre. This is a hint in the language, that they had been inside, as the other Evangelists mention.- Fear and great joy. Fear, at the astounding sights of the angels and the vacant sepulchre-and great joy, at the Divine messages, and at their new views of the promises. So "we tremble and rejoice" in our discoveries of Christ's gracious words and ways.--¶ Quickly. At the thought of seeing Christ as had been promised (vs. 7), and with zeal to convey the glad news to the

rest.

9. And as they went. This was plainly our Lord's first appearing, for though Mark speaks of His having appeared first to Mary Magdalene (16. 9), yet the term is used relatively. It was the first of those several appearings, which Mark records. Mary Magdalene was not with the other women at this appearing, as we infer from her language to Peter and John (John 20. 2). She had not yet seen the Lord. (See the narratives harmonized at the end.)-T All Hailor rather, Hail. A term of salutation. The literal meaning of the Greek word is, rejoice-i. e., joy to thee!

Held Him by the feet. This phrase, with the next term which signifies the act of prostration on the ground in reverence (see note 2. 2), describes their earnest and overjoyed devotion. They cast themselves before Him, and took Him by the feet. So promptly did they find that He was verily the same Lord that was crucified. And if He was indeed their RISEN LORD they must needs pay Him Divine

11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

j He.2.11.

homage. It is intimated that their holding Him by the feet was an expression of their dread of separating from Him again, even for an instant. This explains the opening of vs. 10.

10. Be not afraid-that is, to part from me on this errand, especially, when it is to meet me with the rest, in a place beyond. This meeting now by the way was more than Christ had promised. He will sometimes do more than He has said for His people, to confirm them in all that He has said. We may go out from our closet interviews on our errands of Christian duty-for he has appointed to meet us beyond. In the way of our cheerful obedience He will often meet us, crying, Hail! Peace!- -T My brethren. How tender the message. It was not enough to have promised-He must every way remind and assure them that He would keep His promise. Surely this was Christ," Thy speech bewrayeth thee!" He is "the first-born among many brethren" (Rom. 8. 29. comp. Heb. 3. 11).– -T Galilee. went up to Jerusalem to be crucified. He would now go to Galilee, where most of His mighty works were done. There was His nativity, and the place where He had been brought up. It was Galilee of the Gentiles where the light had sprung up upon the region and shadow of death. ch. 4. 13-16.

He

OBSERVE, (1.) "The sign of the prophet Jonas" is given (ch. 16. 4). Let us enter the vacant sepulchre, and, like John, SEE AND BELIEVE (John 20. 8). (2.) Christ proves to us His resurrection, by meeting us, and confirming to us His promises.