Matthew 28:1-8. The Resurrection Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18 The discrepancies are slight, and may be accounted for by the agitation of the witnesses of this momentous scene. To the women named in this Gospel St Mark adds Salome; St Luke, Joanna and other women; St John names Mary Magd... [ Continue Reading ]
_as it began to dawn_ At the rising of the sun, or properly, "when the sun had risen" (Mark). Both St Mark and St Luke mention that they brought spices and ointments.... [ Continue Reading ]
_there was a great earthquake_ Peculiar to St Matthew. _the angel of the Lord_ "Two men stood by them in shining garments" (Luke). "Two angels in white sitting" (John).... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear not ye_ The pronoun "ye" is emphatic in the original. A contrast with the alarm of the soldiers is implied.... [ Continue Reading ]
_he is risen_ As in ch. Matthew 27:64, HE ROSE. So also in next verse. _see the place where the Lord lay_ In order that they might be convinced of the fact. It is hardly possible for us even to conceive the overwhelming joy that the conviction of this truth must have brought to these holy women, w... [ Continue Reading ]
_tell his disciples_ "And Peter" (Mark). Peter, more than the rest, would be longing for the Lord's return to win forgiveness. _he goeth before you into Galilee_ Lit., " LEADETH YOU as a shepherd." See ch. Matthew 26:32.... [ Continue Reading ]
_as they went to tell his disciples_ These words are omitted in the best MSS. _All hail_ Literally, Rejoice; the Greek salutation, both on meeting and on parting.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Appearance of Jesus to Mary. Magdalene and the other Mary Recorded by St Matthew only Jesus had already appeared to Mary Magdalene _alone_. We must suppose that she was now joined by the other Mary, and perhaps by Salome, Joanna, and others; and while these were going to announce the great new... [ Continue Reading ]
_go tell my brethren that they go_ i. e. tell my brethren (of my Resurrection), in order that they may go. _my brethren_ The disciples; "He named them brethren, as being Himself a man and their kinsman according to man's nature" (Euthymius quoted by Ellicott, _Life of our Lord_); comp. Hebrews 2:11... [ Continue Reading ]
The Roman Guards are bribed. This important testimony is given by St Matthew only 12. _large money_ Literally, MANY PIECES OF SILVER, a _largesse_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_while we slept_ The penalty for which would be death.... [ Continue Reading ]
_persuade_ By bribes. Euripides says "they say that gifts _persuade_even gods." (_Medea_, 964.) The soldiers might readily believe that Pilate was open to the same inducement which persuaded them. _secure you_ "Make you free from anxiety." The only other place where the word occurs in N. T. is 1 Co... [ Continue Reading ]
_this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day_ Hence St Matthew found it especially needful to narrate the true facts.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus appears to the Eleven in Galilee Peculiar to St Matthew 16. _a mountain_ Rather, THE _mountain_. Perhaps the highland behind Tell Hum or Capernaum (see map), the scene of their earliest intercourse with Christ, and the very spot where the New Law was first proclaimed. There the brethren, pos... [ Continue Reading ]
_worshipped him_ See note ch. Matthew 20:20. It is characteristic of St Matthew's Gospel that this word, which indicates the homage and prostration before a king, should occur twelve times, whereas it is found twice only in each of the other Synoptics. _some_ Probably not some of the Apostles, but... [ Continue Reading ]
The Last Charge to the Apostles 18. _came_ Rather, CAME UP TO THEM, near to them. _power_ Rather, AUTHORITY. _is given_ Properly, WAS GIVEN, cp. ch. Matthew 11:27, and Philippians 2:8-10. These words, in which the infallible King Himself announces His eternal possession of the Kingdom, St Matthew... [ Continue Reading ]
_therefore_ i. e. because Christ hath all power in heaven and earth. The word however is omitted in the leading MSS. _teach_ Properly, MAKE DISCIPLES OF. The same mistranslation occurs Acts 14:21, "having taught," see ch. Matthew 13:52; Matthew 27:57, where the same word is used. _Teaching, Matthew... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am with you alway_ The Lord Jesus had already taught His disciples during the forty days how He could be present with them and yet be unseen by them. They could then the more easily believe this promise. _the end of the world_ See note ch. Matthew 13:39. _Amen_ Omitted in the leading MSS. The l... [ Continue Reading ]