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into the holy city, and appeared | (beholding afar off) which fol unto many. lowed Jesus from Galilee, minis tering unto him:

54 Now, when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

55 And many women were there

wonders attending the death of Jesus, to convince the Jews that he was the Messiah. Perhaps some who had been his open friends were raised up now, as an attestation that he in whom they believed was the Christ. What became of them after they had entered into the city, whether they again died, or ascended to heaven, is not revealed, and conjecture is vain."-Barnes. The holy city. That is, Jerusalem; often so called by the Jews, on account of the temple and its religious rites.

54. The centurion. A Roman military officer, who commanded the party of soldiers having charge of the execution. Ver. 36. Feared greatly. Both the officer and his soldiers were amazed at the wonderful events which occurred. The supernatural darkness and the unexpected earthquake filled them with consternation. Truly this was the Son of God. By many, this has been understood as a confession that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps it was by implication, but probably not directly. The original literally means, a son of a god. The centurion was a heathen, who believed in lords many and gods many; and his language merely expresses the belief that the sufferer was of divine origin; that he derived his existence from some one of the gods. Yet, by implication, it may be taken as an acknowledgment that Jesus was the Messiah, thus:-Jesus had claimed that character and office, ver. 11; he was condemned as an impostor; the centurion was convinced of his innocence by the wonders which he witnessed, and exclaimed, in effect, this man is not an impostor, but is truly what he claims to be. The other evangelists do not record precisely the same language; but perhaps each records what some one said, for many would seem to have expressed the same general conviction.

55. Miny women were there, behold

56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arima

ing afar off. Their distance from the cross was not great; for Jesus addressed his mother, while enduring crucifixion. John xix. 26. Probably they stood behind the soldiers, who were keeping guard. T¶ Ministering unto him. They had followed him from Galilee; and they did not forsake him in his hour of extremity. They remained faithful, even when his disciples forsook him and fled. They stood around his cross, not to mock or deride him, but to sympa thize in his sufferings, and, if possible, to minister relief. Here was most strikingly manifested the devotion of the female heart, and its readiness to comfort the afflicted. And however woman may be regarded by vain, haughty man, in his hours of prosperity and glory,-by the sick and the suffering, the afflicted and the dying, she will be acknowledged a ministering angel."

That is,

56. Mary Magdalene. Mary of Magdala, as most suppose. See Matt. xv. 39. She had been healed of a dreadful disease by our Lord, and she loved much. Mark xvi. 9. See also Luke vi. 36-38, and note on Matt. xxvi. 7. Mary, the mother of James and Joses. She was the wife of Alpheus or Cleophas, John xix. 25, and called sister of our Lord's mother. ¶ The mother of Zebedee's children. That is, of James the Greater, and John. Her name is supposed to have been Salome. Mark xv. 40. Lord's mother was also present. John xix. 25. Her name may be omitted by Matthew and Mark, because her absence, if living, could not be suspected; and mentioned by John, because he had occasion to relate a very interesting event concerning her, John xix. 26, 27.

Our

57-61. Parallel with Mark xv. 4247; Luke xxiii. 50-56; John xix.

38-42.

57. The even was come. That is, the

thea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

first evening, which commenced at three o'clock in the afternoon and continued until sunset, when the next day, namely, the Jewish Sabbath commenced. As their law would not permit the bodies to remain on the cross upon the Sabbath, the Jews desired that the legs of the three crucified persons might be broken, and their lives destroyed, so that they might be taken down and buried before sunset. When the executioner approached Jesus, he perceived he was already dead. Nevertheless, to make assurance doubly sure, he thrust a spear into the side of the dead body; thus confirming the evidence that actual death took place. See John xix. 31-37. A rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph. There were several villages in Judea, called Arimathea. It is uncertain which is here intended; but it is supposed by many to be the same as Rama. Matt. ii. 18. This Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, "but secretly, for fear of the Jews," John xix. 33; he was also a member of the sanhedrim, but "consented not to the counsel and deed of them," and is described as a "counsellor," "a good man, and a just," "who also himself waited for the kingdom of God." Luke xxiii. 50, 51.

58. Begged the body of Jesus. It was not lawful to remove the body of one who had been publicly executed, without the consent of the magistrate. He therefore desired permission from Pilate. He thought he might bestow that honor upon the dead body of our Lord, upon which the Jews had fully wreaked their vengeance, which he had not dared to bestow upon the living teacher of righteousness and Son of God; namely, give it an honorable resting-place.

59. Wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. With the assistance of Nicodemus, Joseph prepared the body for burial, after the manner of the Jews when they

60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre and departed.

61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

62 Now, the next day that fol

did not embalm, by wrapping it in the cloth with a large quantity of myrrh and aloes. John xix. 39, 40. This practice had long prevailed in regard to honorable burials. See 2 Chron. xvi. 13, 14.

60. In his own new tomb. "Wherein was never man yet laid." John xix. 41. The body of Jesus, therefore, could not be mistaken for any other, nor any other for his. At its resurrection, there could be no dispute which of two or more bodies had been raised. ¶ Hewn out in the rock. Tombs were not unfrequently thus constructed in Judea, especially by the rich. This, too, is an important circumstance, and renders still more absurd the story propagated by the Jews, that the disciples came by night and removed the body. Matt. xxviii. 13. For, as is very manifest, while the entrance to the tomb remained closed, access could not be obtained, even by undermining; for the bottom, as well as the sides, was composed of solid rock. ¶ Rolled a great stone, &c. He secured the entrance of the tomb, perhaps by a stone hewn and fitted as a door, to guard against any intrusion.

61. Sitting over against the sepulchre. These devoted females did not depart, until they saw the body deposited in the tomb. Probably, however, they did not witness its preparation for burial; for they came, on the morning of the resurrection, to anoint the body with spices, apparently unconscious that this rite had been performed. Mark xvi. 1. Very possibly, the hody was wrapped in the cloth and spices, in the tomb itself; for it was necessarily a hurried burial. The body was yet on the cross at three o'clock; and it was necessary that the obsequies should be completed before sunset.

62. The next day that followed the day of preparation. The day on which our Lord was crucified answers to our Friday, and was the day preceding the

1

lowed the day of the preparation, | third day, lest his disciples come the chief priests and Pharisees came by night and steal him away, together unto Pilate,

63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the

Jewish Sabbath. It was called the day of preparation, because on that day all things were prepared or made ready for the proper observance of the paschal Sabbath. The next day, according to the Jewish reckoning, commenced at sunset. At this time, on the evening of the crucifixion, as we compute time, but the beginning of the Sabbath, as the Jews computed, a guard was placed at the tomb. The enemies of Jesus surely would not have waited until the next morning; for they had as much reason to suspect the disciples on the first night, as on the second.

and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

66 So they went and made the

ilar disposition. They feared the disciples would steal the body and proclaim a resurrection; and thus the peopie be more strongly than before persuaded that Jesus was the Messiah. They desired, having succeeded in destroying his life, to crush his doctrine effectually, at once; and therefore petitioned that the body might be guarded.

65. Ye have a watch. Some understand this to mean, take a watch. But the following suggestion seems more probable: "The Jews had a guard or watch of Roman soldiers, who kept watch in the tower of Antonia, on the 63. We remember. They had prob-north-west of the temple. Pilate either ably heard of what Jesus had said; though this is the first intimation given by Matthew, that any one supposed him to speak of a literal resurrection. It is evident the disciples did not so understand him; for they were slow to believe, when the event had occurred. Mark xvi. 14. Deceiver. They were not convinced by the signs which attended his death; but continued to speak of him as an impostor.

referred to these, or to the watch that attended the crucifixion; the whole band had been appointed for that. As the torments of crucifixion sometimes lasted many days, the band had been probably granted to them during that time, and they were, therefore, still at the direction of the chief priests."Barnes. Hence it was, that the watch made their first report to the priests that the body was gone. It should not be overlooked, however, that the crucifixion took place on the day preceding the Sabbath, during which day it was not lawful that the bodies should remain on the cross. Hence the service of the soldiers could not have been expected for more than one day. It is sufficient, however, that their service had been granted for the execution, and they were still placed at the disposal of the priests.

64. Until the third day. This expression denotes that by three days, or after three days, the Jews did not understand three whole days and three whole nights; but that a part of three days with two whole nights, carrying the time forward to the third day, fully corresponded with the import of the phrase. A like use of the same language occurs in 2 Chron. x. 5, 12. And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days.-So Jeroboam 66. Made the sepulchre sure. and all the people came to Rehoboam exertions of the Jews to prevent a false on the third day, as the king bade, say- report of a resurrection, materially coning, Come again to me on the third firms the truth of an actual resurrection. day." Hence, though our Lord arose It is not to be supposed that they omiton the morning of the third day, he did ted to examine the tomb, and be certain truly, as the phrase was understood by the body was there, before they sealed the Jews, rise after three days. Last the stone. They were not so stupid. error. Rather, deception. They were They proceeded with care; and before so accustomed to deceive, that they nat- they placed the watch, they were cerurally suspected the disciples of a sim-tain there was something there to be

The

sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, | dalene, and the other Mary to ser and setting a watch. the sepulchre.

IN

CHAPTER XXVIII.

N the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magwatched. Sealing the stone. Probably wax was placed upon the joints where the stone joined the solid rock, and the impression of a seal made upon it; so that the stone could not be removed, without breaking the wax and defacing the impression. Setting a watch. Composed of as many soldiers as they judged necessary.

Had his enemies endeavored to furnish the strongest possible evidence of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, they could not have been more successful. They had the sole charge of putting him to death, and cannot be suspected of having done their work negligently. They took the utmost precaution to prevent the removal of the body, securing the entrance to the tomb, and placing Roman soldiers, proverbial for vigilance and courage, to watch it. And yet, Jesus came forth, by the power of God, living and imnortal, and showed himself to more than five hundred people. 1 Cor. xv. 6. Thus did God take the wise in their own craftiness, and cause them to furnish evidence to their own condemnation.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

1-10. Parallel with Mark xvi. 111; Luke xxiv. 1-11; John xx. 1.

2 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. xx. 1. The light was yet dim, and ohjects were seen indistinctly. ¶ Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. That is, Mary, the mother of James the less and of Joses or Joseph. Matt. xxvii. 56-61. To see the sepulchre. They had refrained, it would seem, from visiting the sepulchre on the previous day, because it was the Jewish Sabbath; but very early on the succeeding day, they came, anxious to ascertain whether the body remained undisturbed. They did not anticipate a resurrection, as is manifest from the other purpose for which they visited the sepulchre; namely, to anoint the body with spices. Luke xxiv. 1. Indeed, at this time, none of the disciples believed that the body of Jesus would be raised. Mark xvi. 14. It may seem singular that they should expect to enter the tomb and anoint the body, while a band of Roman soldiers were keeping guard. Perhaps they supposed the guard was withdrawn, as it was now the third day; or, more probably, they thought the soldiers would not refuse permission to a few females to enter the tomb, while they remained around it, to guard against any removal of the body. The sealing of the sepulchre was a circumstance of which they might have been ignorant.

2. There was a great earthquake. "There had been a great earthquake." At what moment the earthquake occurred, we are not informed; but it was evidently previous to the time when the women came to the sepulchre. Probably the earthquake, the rolling away of the stone, and the resurrection of Jesus, were simultaneous. Sal upon it. It appears that the angel sat upon the stone, when seen by the soldiers, at the first. But from the account of Luke, (and Matthew says nothing inconsistent with it,) it would seem that the women saw no angel until they entered the sepulchre; when there, they saw two angels, standing. Luke xxiv. 2-4.

1. In the end of the sabbath. That is, after the Sabbath ended; for the Sabbath ended at sunset, and the event-Campbell. here first recorded occurred about the break of day on the next morning, "when the Sabbath was past." Mark xvi. 1. Began to dawn toward the first day of the week. The Jewish Sabbath was the seventh day of the week, answering to our Saturday. The resurrection of Jesus was on the succeeding day, or first day of the week, which, for that reason, has since been observed as a Sabbath, by almost all Christians. The hour designated was about the time when light began to appear in the east. "Very early in the morning," Mark xvi. 2; Luke xxiv. 1. "Early, when it was yet dark," John

3. Countenance. This word gen

3 His countenance was like risen, as he said. Come, see the ightning, and his raiment white place where the Lord lay.

as snow.

7 And go quickly, and tell his

4 And for fear of him the keep-disciples, that he is risen from the ers did shake, and became as dead dead, and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

men.

5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6 He is not here: for he is

erally has reference to the face; but here it seems to indicate the general appearance of the angel. Compare Luke xxiv. 4. Like lightning. Exceedingly bright and lustrous. Raiment. Garments. White as snow. The Jews as well as other nations, regarded white as an emblem of innocence and purity.

4. Keepers did shake. They were exceedingly alarmed, and trembled with affright. Roman soldiers were not easily terrified; but such supernatural appearances overcame them. Became as dead men. They fainted, or swooned; not an unusual consequence of extreme

terror.

5. And the angel answered, &c. Having thus briefly recounted the preceding events, the evangelist returns to the time when the women visited the sepulchre. They found the entrance open, and it was natural that they should examine the interior, as they came for this express purpose. Entering in, they beheld not the body of Jesus, but an angel, in appearance like a man, sitting there, Mark xvi. 5; or two, as Luke says. Matthew and Mark name but one, perhaps because only one addressed the women; but they do not deny that there was more than one. Unto the women. There were present, besides the two Marys, "Salome," the mother of Jaines and John, Mark xvi. 1, and "Joanna " "and other women," Luke xxiv. 10. Fear not. A supernatural appearance will cause the stoutest heart to quake: but it is a remarkable fact, and one which strikingly exhibits the kindness and good will of God to men, that almost invariably, when he has thus made communications to them, the first salutation of the celestial mescenger has been, Fear not. Luke i. -30; ii. 10; Rev. i. 17. 6. He is risen, as he said.

8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre, with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

often, almost uniformly, predicted his resurrection, when speaking of his death: but the disciples understood not what he meant. The angel now announces to these feinale disciples,

and directs them to inform their brethren, that the resurrection was as literal as the death; that not only did the spirit continue to exist, but the body also was reanimated. His prediction was literally fulfilled. ¶ Come, see the place where the Lord lay. He pointed out to them in what part of the sepulchre the body had been deposited. It was usual, in Jewish sepulchres, to construct around the sides, several niches, recesses, or receptacles, each of proper size to contain one body. The angel indicated the one, which had been sanctified by the body of our Lord.

7. Tell his disciples. "And Peter." Mark xvi. 7. Our Lord would relieve the distress of his disciples immed. ately; and he caused Peter to receive a special message, that he might fee assured of forgiveness for his desertion and denial, and not hesitate to go with his brethren to meet his risen Master. Hence the angel sent the women forthwith to the disciples. Goeth before you into Galilee. He had previously promised to meet them in Galilee Matt. xxvi. 32. But he knew they despaired of ever seeing him again, at least on the earth; he therefore reminded them of the promise and re newed it.

8. They departed quickly, &c. They cheerfully obeyed the direction, and hastened to communicate the joyful intelligence to the sorrowing and disconsolate disciples. With fear and great joy. The appearance of the celestial messenger filled them with awe 13-but his information imparted joy. With mingled sensations of fear and rejoicing, they left the sepulchre. T.And

Jesus had

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