AFTER THE SABBATH. The Jewish Sabbath ended at 6 P.M. on the day we call Saturday. AS SUNDAY MORNING WAS DAWNING. While it is still dark, just as the sun is about to rise (John 20:1). This is now the third day since Jesus was buried (compare note on Matthew 12:40). MARY MAGDALENE AND THE OTHER MARY.... [ Continue Reading ]
SUDDENLY THERE WAS A STRONG EARTHQUAKE. Just as the three women come up to the tomb. ANGEL. ROLLED THE STONE AWAY. The earthquake happened at the same time the angel rolled the stone away. [There were at least two angels there, who appeared to the women (Luke 24:4).] Alford (Greek Testament) says: ... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS APPEARANCE. Brightness, brilliance! [Compare Exodus 34:29; Matthew 17:2; Revelation 1:14.] Jesus' clothes became white as light at the Transfiguration; and the Redeemed wear white robes in Revelation. White symbolizes purity.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GUARDS WERE SO AFRAID. These are hard-boiled Roman soldiers.... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING FOR JESUS. The angel recognizes them as friends of the now Risen Lord. He speaks to quiet their fear.... [ Continue Reading ]
JUST AS HE SAID. He has been raised from death! The women are told this fact! They have come to see a grave which is now empty! [Jesus had said this in Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:23_; etc._] COME HERE AND SEE THE PLACE. This was the Lord of men and angels who had lain in this tomb, but was now raised... [ Continue Reading ]
GO AND TELL HIS DISCIPLES. The birth of Jesus was first announced to woman (Luke 1:26-38); women were the last to leave the cross; women were the first to see the empty grave. This is "poetic justice" (compare 1 Timothy 2:13-15; Galatians 3:28). HE IS GOING TO GALILEE. Not that his only appearance w... [ Continue Reading ]
AFRAID AND YET FILLED WITH JOY. Afraid, because of all that has just happened! Filled with joy because their Lord has risen from death! This is the Good News! [Scholars have tried to reconstruct the events of this day. Both Mark (_16:9_) and John (_20:11_) say that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magda... [ Continue Reading ]
SUDDENLY JESUS MET THEM. This is his second appearance. (1) He was first seen by Mary Magdalene Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18. (2) This is the second time he was seen by the women returning from the grave. (3) By Simon Peter alone (Luke 24:34). (4) By two disciples going to Emmaus (Luke 24:13). (5) By th... [ Continue Reading ]
DO NOT BE AFRAID. Jesus met them while they were running to tell the others that he had raised from death! We are blessed by his presence as we run _to_ tell others! GO AND TELL MY BROTHERS. Not disciples, but _brothers._ He speaks of his followers as _brothers_ [and sisters].... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME OF THE SOLDIERS. The time at which these men went back to the city is carefully identified. It was while the women continued on to tell the disciples about the Resurrection. These soldiers report directly to the priests (who wanted the grave guarded - Matthew 27:65-66).... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MADE THEIR PLAN. They were in this too deep to stop now. They make up a story to try to cover up what has happened.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND STOLE HIS body. This story does not "stand up". (1) The soldiers would not dare to sleep while on duty. It was death to do so! (2) If they had been asleep, how could they know what had happened? (3) The disciples did not expect Jesus to raise from death and would barely believe it when faced wit... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HEAR OF THIS. Since he had "washed his hands" of the whole thing, and would shortly be returning to Caesarea, he probably would not hear of it at all.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REPORT SPREAD AROUND BY THE JEWS. The Jewish leaders wanted to escape from guilt. Justin Martyr, writing in the second century at least a hundred years after Matthew wrote this Gospel, says this report was still being spread in the Jewish community.... [ Continue Reading ]
WENT TO THE HILL IN GALILEE. The eleven stayed on in Jerusalem for over a week (John 20:26) after the Resurrection. This short account in Matthew gives the official meeting. John describes a meeting by the lake; and Paul speaks of a large group meeting Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:6). TO THE HILL. Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WORSHIPPED HIM. As did the women in Matthew 28:9. EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THEM DOUBTED. Not Thomas or the other apostles (John 20:26-29). Probably those who had not been at Jerusalem, as they are at a distance or perhaps saw him from a distance, doubt it is the Risen Lord, until he comes closer. Li... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS DREW NEAR AND SAID TO THEM. He speaks to the whole group (of more than five hundred 1 Corinthians 15:6). He had given the twelve a limited mission a few years before (Matthew 10:1-15) and later sent seventy-two more. (Luke 10:1). But these had been sent only to the Jews, and to announce a King... [ Continue Reading ]
GO, THEN, TO ALL PEOPLES. This officially revokes the "limited mission" to the Jews. From this time on, they are to go to _all peoples_ (which includes the Jews). AND MAKE THEM MY DISCIPLES. Their mission is to "MAKE DISCIPLES" for Christ (_which includes "salvation")._ They are to declare the facts... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TEACH THEM. The first part of this mission is to _"make disciples,"_ and _"initiate"_ them into Christ by _"baptizing them."_ The second part is to _teach_ and _instruct_ these disciples. TO OBEY. Christianity is a _way of life._ We honor God by living "new lives." EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YO... [ Continue Reading ]