The resurrection of] CHAP. XXIV. CHAP. XXIV. NOW upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared; and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found Bot the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful [Jesus announced. men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. (A) 13 ¶ And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. EXPOSITION. such circumstances with the thought that we are thereby conformed to the image of our dying Lord." (Horne on Ps. xxii. 1.) What follows in the close of this chapter relative to our Lord's burial, differs little from the account of Matthew; only Joseph of Arimathea, who is there stiled a disciple of Jesus, is here said to be one who "himself waited for the kingdom of God." This also was the character of holy Simeon; and it appears that all who were waiting for the coming of God's kingdom, readily embraced his Son. CHAP. XXIV. (A) Ver. 1-12. The resurrection of Jesus declared by two angels to the women who at tended the sepulchre, and reported by them to others.-God is pleased generally to make Use of men to communicate his will to men, that they may not be alarmed and terrified. So Elihu said to Job: "My terror shall not make thee afraid: I also am formed out of the clay." (Job xxxiii, 6, 7.) But there are cases in which human agents are improper and inefficient. "No man bath ascended into heaven," and therefore no man can bring down messages from thence. But angels, who wait constantly on the divine presence, are always ready, and seem to delight when they are commissioned on errands of mercy or benevolence to mankind. In the case before us, with what tenderness and gentleness doth the angel address the women who came to perform the last office of tenderness to their departed Lord: "Why seek ye the living among the dead? I know that ye seek Jesus that was crucified; but he is not here: he is risen:" and to confirm his words, he brings to their NOTES. CHAP. XXIV. Ver. 1. Very early in the morning-See Note, Matt. xxviii. 1. Ver. 4. Two men stood by them.-Matthew and Mark speak only of one- a young man," and him sitting." It is not uncommon for one Evangelist to name one only of two named by others, as in the case of Bartimeus, &c.; and the angel singled out by the two first Evangelists was probably the one who spoke. As to the word rendered stood, Abp. Newcome says, it "does not necessarily import a posture, but may be rendered, appeared to them."" So it is used Luke ii. 9. Ver. 5. The living, &c.— Margin, "him that liveth." Ver. 12. And departed, wondering, &c.--Dr. Camp. observes, that by a slight change in the pointing (a thing very allowable when it clears the sense), some render the phrase, " And he went home, wondering at what had happened." So Hammond, &c.; but he (Camp.) prefers the common punctuation, as best supported by the ancient versions. He reads, therefore, "He (Peter) went away, musing with astonishment," &c. [with two disciples demned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were 16 But their eyes were holden that done. they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word, before God and all the people: 20 And how the Chief Priests and our rulers delivered him to be con 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, 0 fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all EXPOSITION-Chap. XXIV. Continued. recollection the conversation of their divine Master," Remember how he spake unto you, when he was yet in Galilee." On these words we may remark-1. That much of religion consists in recollection-in recollecting what Christ has said and done for us; and one of his last affectionate admonitions was, as he surrounded his supper table, "Do this in remembrance of me!" Israel of old were commanded to remember "all the way which the Lord their God had led them;" and much of the bliss of the celestial paradise will probably consist in the like employment. So Dr. Watts: "There on a green and flowery mount, And with transporting joys recount 2. That our duty, next to the recollection of God's goodness, is to report it to others. The women remembered these words of their now risen Lord," and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest;" and they shortly after went forth into all the then known world to preach a risen Saviour. 3. Women had the honour to be the first believers in the resurrection of their Lord: for some time, even the eleven apostles were incredulous, and the reports of the women were to them as "idle tales." Blameable as this might be, it, however, clears them from the charge of a weak credulity, and gives strength to their subsequent testimony. Even Peter, who went to examine the sepulchre, and found it empty, does not yet appear satisfied: the most that is said of him is, that he departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass." NOTES-Chap. XXIV. Con. Ver. 17. And are sad.--Doddr. " appear with a sorrowful countenance," which is evidently the sense, though the conciseness of the original might be preserved, by rendering, "And look sad," or gloomy. Ver. 18. Art thou only a stranger? &c.-Camp. "Ait thou the only stranger in Jerusalem who is usacquainted," &c.; implying that these events occupied the whole conversation of the day, and of the people. Ver. 19. In deed and word-i, e, in preaching and working miracles. Ver. 20. And have crucified him.-So also this crime is charged upon the Jews repeatedly by St. Peter (Acts ii. 22, 23; iv. 8, 10), because they were the guilty, procuring cause. Ver. 21. Redeemed Israel -That is, from the Roman yoke, and set up a temporal kingdom. Ver. 25. O fools!-Doddr. “ thoughtless creatures." See Note on Chap. xi. 40. Ver. 27. In all the Scriptures-Namely of the Old Testament, for none of the New Testament was yet written. the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went : and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. [to Emmaus. EXPOSITION. (B) Ver. 13-35. Jesus appears to two disciples in their way to Emmaus.-This Emmaus was a village little more than seven miles from Jerusalem. One of these disciples is named Cleopas, who is asserted by some of the ancient fathers to have married the sister of the Virgin Mary, and to have been father to James the less, to Jude, and Joses, the cousins of our Lord. The other disciple is not named, which has led many to suppose it might be Luke himself, which seems the more probable from the particularity of the account. While these disciples were conversing by the way of the death of Jesus, and the circumstances which accompanied it, Jesus himself, in the garb of a traveller, joined in the conversation here related, and which now calls for our observation. Dr. D. Hunter, an elegant and pious writer before quoted, remarks the peculiar delicacy and tenderness of Jesus in the gradual discovery of himself to his disciples, after his resurrection. Adverting to the narrative now before us, he remarkз,-" It is beautiful to observe the steps by which the disciples were led on to the discovery. .... The sadness of their countenance, the conversation in which they were engaged on the subject of their distress, and the opportunity presented of mixing familiarly with them, were circumstances inviting the attention of Jesus, and which we behold him improving, to the great purpose of the interview. Persons in distress are easily set a talking on the subject of their distress: there is a fulness and overflowing of the heart in such situations. The disciples, encouraged by the inquiries of Jesus, easily enter on the subject of his sufferings, and discover themselves to be under the power of prejudices, which, previously to a discovery, it was highly proper for him to correct. In the mean time, he was concealed by these very prejudices of the disciples, and by the casualty of the interview. sides," their eyes were holden (perhaps miraculously) that they should not know him." With this advantage on his side, he enters on the subject of his sufferingswith freedom censures them for their slowness and unbelief-and, with his wonted kindness, begins to instruct them. It was not yet time to open their eyes, or to risk a discovery, by reminding them of his own predictions: But, beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them, in all the Scriptures, the things concerning Be NOTES. Ver. 20. They constrained him.-See Note on Luke xiv. 23, where the same word is used. Ver. 31. He vanished out of their sight.-Doddr. "Withdrew himself (suddenly) from before them." Camp." He disappeared." Ver. 33. The eleven.-So the apostles were usually called after the loss of Judas, though ten only could have been present; for we know that Thomas was not there. See John xx. 24; 1 Cor. xv. 5. Ver. 34. And hath appeared to Simon.-This ap pearance is not related by either of the Evangelists, but is referred to by St. Paul, 1 Cor. xv. 5. Ver. 35. Known of them in breaking of bread.-As neither of these disciples were present at our Lord's last supper, this seems to imply that there was a peculiar and characteristic solemnity in his manner of asking a blessing on their food. Ver. 36. Peace be unto you-The usual form of salutation in the East. See Matt. x. 13. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in [to the apostles, the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. EXPOSITION-Chap. XXIV. Continued. himself." This he did with such ardour and energy, that, after he had left them, they said one to another, "Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and opened to us the Scriptures?" The fulness and freedom of his discourse, the impressions which it made upon the disciples, their importunate invitation, his indulgent acceptance of it, and, after his wonted manner, sitting down to eat with them, are circumstances which had the most happy tendency to enlarge their views, and to prepare them for seeing with open eyes, Jesus, their master, risen from the grave. The historian doth not leave us to conjecture the use which they made of the discovery: "They rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven; and they told them what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of bread." (Observations on the Hist. of Jesus Christ, vol. ii. pp. 346–348.) But we cannot pass over the interesting conversation here referred to, without offer ing a remark or two on the subject of it. We observe, 1. That in Moses, and the prophets, and in all the Scriptures, and especially the types and prophecies, there is much which concerns the character and work of Christ; and if this be true, as respects the Old Testament, much more must it be admitted in reference to the New, where he is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end." 2. That in the history of Christ, in both Testaments, the great points kept in view are his atonement and resurrection, his sufferings and glory: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and (afterwards) to enter into glory?" Alas! that Christians should ever tire in conversing on such a subject! When Moses and Elijah met with Jesus upon Mount Tabor, "they spake of the decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem;" and in all the interviews which Jesus had with his disciples after his resurrection, this appears to have been the reigning topic of conversation, which he closed by showing them his wounds: "Behold my hands and my feet!" NOTES-Chap. XXIV. Con. Ver. 37. Terrified and affrighted. - Doddr. "Amazed and terrified." Ver. 38. Why do thoughts?-Doddr. "suspicions." Ver. 46. Thus it behoved,-Doddr. "was neces sary." Comp. ver. 26. And ascends] CHAP. XXIV. [to heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and 53 And were continually in the returned to Jerusalem with great temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (C) joy: EXPOSITION. (C) Ver. 36-53. Jesus, after farther proofs of his resurrection, returns to heaven. -In the preceding section we find that the two disciples to whom Jesus discovered himself at Emmaus, hastened back immediately to Jerusalem, where they found the apostles collected together, and other disciples with them. These had already received the happy intelligence of the resurrection from other quarters, and exultingly exclaimed when they saw Cleopas and his fellow disciple-"The Lord is risen, indeed! and hath appeared to Simon!" While they were thus rejoicing and conversing, our Lord himself suddenly appeared in the midst of them, and blessed them in his accustomed manner, saying, 'Peace be unto you!" Instead of being calmed, however, they were terrified; and, instead of hailing him as their risen Saviour, they thought it was his ghost for that ghosts or spirits did occasionally appear on earth, was in those days never questioned. It is, however, strange to hear them talk thus inconsistently; but it is possible that all were not of one mind; that some could not make up their opinion, and that his appearance might be attended with a splendour by which others were dazzled and confounded. Certain it is, that the Apostles were, in general, men hard to be persuaded, even by ocular demonstration; a circumstance which, however it may tell against their faith, certainly pleads strongly in behalf of the evidence they afterwards bore in favour of Christianity. As to the proofs of identity which Jesus gave them by exhibiting his wounds and eating before them, it is certain nothing could be better calculated to satisfy men of their class-plain, honest fishermen. But our Lord's arguments were not addressed only to their senses, but also to their understandings. He reminded them of what he had told them before his death, relative to the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies in relation both to his sufferings and subsequent glory that these important truths were to be disseminated through the world by their instrumentality, as the means of converting others; but they were, in the mean time, to wait at Jerusalem until they received such extraordinary powers as might be necessary to qualify them for the undertaking; for it must be supposed that, whatever powers they had previously been intrusted with, had ceased with their former missions. This account closes with a very brief narrative of our Lord's ascension into heaven from Mount Olivet, the foot of which seems to have formed one of the boundaries of Bethany. But we shall defer our remarks on this extraordinary event till we enter on the Book of Acts, in the first chapter of which, this same inspired writer (Luke) gives an account of it more distinct and circumstantial. In the mean time we close our exposition of this interesting Gospel by two or three brief remarks on the temper and conduct of the apostles and disciples, while waiting at Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, as above mentioned." 1. They worshipped their divine Master immediately as he was departed from them. Prostration, the outward action here intended, was so common a token of respect toward the higher classes, that anti-trinitarian writers contend, that such worship can afford no conclusive argument in favour of his divinity. But now Jesus was "parted from them, and carried up into heaven." While he was going, they were gazing. (Acts i. 10.) When he was gone, they fell down and worshipped; and such has been the practice of Christians generally, to the present day. 2. While they thus honoured their departed Saviour, they were continually (that is, at every opportunity of public worship) praising and blessing God. Thus demonstrating that their love to Jesus, as their Saviour, was not inconsistent with the worship of the temple. For the hour was now come, when the true worshippers should worship the Father spirit and in truth." |