In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first _day_ of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Ver. 1. _The first day of the week_] Greek, of the sabbaths, εις μιαν σαββατων. One day of seven is due to God of necessity. This the Scripture calls by an... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. Ver. 2. _And behold, &c._] The Holy Ghost here calls for as great attention as if we had been present and seen it. Remember (saith St Paul)... [ Continue Reading ]
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: Ver. 3. _His countenance was like lightning_] So that though he appeared in a human shape, yet it might easily appear that he was more than a man; his visage showed his power, his habit of innocence, to the terror of the keepers, an... [ Continue Reading ]
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead _men_. Ver. 4. _The keepers did shake_] And well they might, as coming to see they had borne arms against God, and were therefore obnoxious to his wrath. It is a fearful thing to fall into the punishing hands of the living God here: how... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Ver. 5. _Fear not ye_] As the wicked are forbidden to rejoice for joy as other people, Hosea 9:1; so the godly to fear, so long as they have Christ by the hand; no, though the earth be r... [ Continue Reading ]
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Ver. 6. _He is not here_] _q.d._ You are much mistaken, and deserve to be chided for your not crediting, or at least your not remembering, that he foretold you of his resurrection. All which notwithstanding, come s... [ Continue Reading ]
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. Ver. 7. _And go quickly_] Angels are called seraphims for their burning zeal; and are said to be winged creatures for their speediness i... [ Continue Reading ]
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. Ver. 8. _And they departed quickly_] According as they were bidden. A ready heart makes riddance of God's work, and does it up quickly, as afraid to be taken with its task undone. Baruch r... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 9. _Jesus met them_] _En obedientiae praemium, timoris remedium, _ saith Pareus. God still meets his people in the use of his ordinances, showing them g... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Ver. 10. _Go tell my brethren_] Brethren still, though foully fallen, Jeremiah 3:1. Infirmities discard us not, if bewailed, disclaimed, set against.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 11. _Some of the watch came into the city_] God would have the point of the resurrection well proven, for our better settlement, in so weighty a matter. The... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Ver. 12. _They gave large money_] _q.d._ We know that you soldiers are good fellows, and both love and lack money. Now if you will but say thus and thus, you shall have a round sum paid you... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him _away_ while we slept. Ver. 13. _Stole him away while we slept_] If it were Song of Solomon 1:1,17. Ye keep a good watch the while; and wanted some Epaminondas to slay you for sleeping. 2. If all asleep, who told you his disciples stole him... [ Continue Reading ]
And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. Ver. 14. _We will persuade him and secure you_] Hypocrites have enough, if they can collogue with men, and escape the lash of the law. "God is not in all their thoughts," Psalms 10:4, or they think they can persuade him... [ Continue Reading ]
So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Ver. 15. _So they took the money_] So sequacious are such men to sin, where anything is to be gotten by it. Balaam will venture hard for the wages of wickedness. Set but a wedge... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. Ver. 16. _Went away into Galilee_] They had seen him twice or thrice before at Jerusalem; yet took a long journey here into Galilee to see him again. "Whom having not seen ye love," 1 Peter 1:8. Austin... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. Ver. 17. _They worshipped him, but some doubted_] Even while they worshipped, they doubted; yet was not their worship rejected. The Lord knoweth his still, 2 Timothy 2:19. But they know not him still, as here in this text; howbeit they a... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Ver. 18. _All power is given to me_] Christ premiseth his power, and promiseth his presence, the better to persuade them to set upon his work, his great work of subduing the world to the obedience of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 19. _Go ye therefore_] In this my strength, as Gideon did against the Midianites, Judges 7:13; and though but a barley cake, coarse and contemptible, yet shall ye overthrow... [ Continue Reading ]
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, _even_ unto the end of the world. Amen. Ver. 20. _To observe all things_] Our obedience must be entire; as for subject, the whole man; so for object, the whole law, that perfect law of liberty. The go... [ Continue Reading ]