nation, because of their wickedness, the Sun of righteousness was withdrawing his light from them. 114. How is it proved that this darkness was miraculous? A. It could not have been produced by an eclipse of the sun, for that never can take place when the moon is at full, which it was at the time of the passover; besides an eclipse of the sun never lasts for more than from twelve to fifteen minutes, whereas this darkness continued for three hours. 115. What did the veil of the temple being rent in twain signify? A. That all distinctions between Jews and Gentiles were at an end, and that henceforward all may themselves have access to God's mercy, without the priest entering the holy place once a year to make atonement for the people. It was no longer necessary, because the one great atonement and satisfaction for sin, made by Jesus, would do away all distinctions, and all necessity of future sacrifice. Hebrews x. 19. 116. Which of our Lord's prophecies was fulfilled by his being put to death by the Romans? A. That which declared he should be delivered up to the Gentiles to be put to death. Matt. xx. 19. 117. As Jesus was the Son of God, why did he utter any exclamation while upon the cross? A. Some say that he suffered so much pain, and was so much affected by the revilings of his savage murderers, that, overpowered by his human nature, he uttered this complaint; but others, with a greater degree of apparent probability, assert, that he was affected in the same manner as in the garden, when he was oppressed with such mental agony, from his being conscious of his being the victim of God's wrath for sin. Chap. xxvi. Quest. 73. 118. What testimonies of our Lord's innocence are related by St. Matthew? A. First, Pilate's declaration. Second, His wife's message. Third, Judas hanging himself. Fourth, The centurion's assertion. In the other Gospels we find three others: First, The witnesses not agreeing. Second, The testimony of Herod. Thirdly, That of the thief on the cross. CHAPTER XXVIII. 1. Ar what time did the friends of our Lord come to the sepulchre? A. In the end of the week, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week. 2. What was the first day of the week? A. Sunday ; the Sabbath was changed in consequence of our Lord having risen from the dead on that day. 3. Which of our Lord's friends came there? A. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who was the mother of James and Joses, (vide xxvii. 61) to see the sepulchre. 4. What had happened at the sepulchre? A. 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.—v. 2. 5. What was the appearance of the angel? A. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. v. 3. 6. What effect had this appearance on the guard who watched at the sepulchre? A. For fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.—v. 4. 7. For what purpose did the women come? A. To finish the embalming of the body of Jesus, for which purpose they had brought spices with them. Mark xvi. 1. 8. What did the angel say to the women? A. Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified: he is not here, for he is risen, as he said: Come and see the place where the Lord lay.—v. 5. 9. How often in this Gospel had our Lord prophesied that he would rise from the dead? A. Matt. xvi. 21. xvii. 23. xx. 19. xxvi. 32. 10. What did the angel command the women to do? A. Go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead.-v. 7. 11. Where did the angel tell them they should see our Lord? A. Behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him; Lo, I have told you. 12. Had it been ever before declared, that after his resurrection he would go before his disciples into Galilee? A. Yes; by our Lord himself. (xxvi. 32.) 13. What did the women do? A. They departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and did run to bring the disciples word.-v. 8. 14. Did any person meet them as they went? A. Yes; Jesus himself met them by the way, saying, All hail. -v. 9. 15. What is the meaning of All hail? A. It was a form of salutation, signifying the same as "Health be to you, Rejoice." 99 66 16. What did the women do? A. They came, and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 17. What did Jesus then say to them? A. Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.-v. 10. 18. What may we infer from his calling them his brethren? A. It shows the great love he still bore them, and that he had forgiven them, for having forsaken and fled from him, when he was about to be put to death. 19. What became of the guard which had been stationed at the sepulchre? A. While the women were going to obey the directions of Jesus, Behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all things that were done.-v. 11. 20. What did the chief priests do? A. When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money to the soldiers.—v. 12. 21. For what purpose did they give them the money? A. That they might conceal what had happened at the sepulchre, concerning the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and to bribe them to say, that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while they slept.—v. 13. 22. Did they promise to save them from the punishment which they incurred, by confessing that they had been asleep on their posts? A. Yes; they said, If this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you-v. 14. 23. What did the soldiers do? A. They took the money and did as they were taught. 24. Was this circumstance talked of afterwards? A. Yes; the Apostle says, it was commonly reported among the Jews unto this day; that is, to the time of writing this Gospel. v. 15. 1 The Gospel of St. Matthew is supposed to have been written about eight years after our Lord's resurrection. It was translated from the Hebrew into Greek. 25. What objections may be made to the account given by the soldiers of the body being stolen while they slept? A. First, That it would be improbable they would endanger their lives, by confessing that they were asleep on their posts. Second, If they were asleep, how could they know that the disciples had stolen him away? Thirdly, It is improbable that all of them should be asleep at the same time. Fourthly, It is very unlikely that some of them would not have been awakened by the noise made by taking him away. Fifthly, It is not probable that the disciples, who had been so lately terrified, and who left our Lord through fear, should now put their lives in danger, as would be the case had they been detected in the act of removing the body of our Lord. 26. What became of the eleven disciples? A. They went away into Galilee, unto a mountain, according to the directions given them by Mary, and in consequence of our Lord's promise to go before and meet them there. 27. When they saw him, what did they do? A. They worshipped him; they adored him as the Son of God.v. 16. 28. Did all believe? A. No; some doubted1. 29. What did Jesus say to them? A. All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth; Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. v. 18. 30. What were they to teach them? A. The Gospel. They were to make them disciples; they were to teach them to trust in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. 31. What is the meaning of All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth? A. That he would no longer continue the poor, meek, persecuted Jesus, but become the great Ruler of heaven and earth, and, together with the other persons of the ever blessed Trinity, would reign one God for ever and ever. 1 This appearance of our Lord after his resurrection is supposed to be the same with that mentioned by St. Paul (1 Cor. xv. 6). Some of the five hundred persons present doubted. 258 GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW PARAPHRASED. [CH. XXVIII. 32. What were the Apostles to do besides their teaching all nations? A. They were to baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and thus to dedicate them to the service of the three blessed Persons of the Holy Trinity. 33. What promise does the Lord give his disciples, respecting his future presence with them? A. He says, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. 34. What is meant by this? A. That his Holy Spirit would ever direct the faithful who compose his Church. 35. What is the Church of Christ? A. It consists of those righteous persons, who put their trust in the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, for acceptance with God; and who, guided and strengthened by the Blessed Comforter, whom the Lord Jesus promised to send, (John xvi. 7, &c.) endeavour to make those Holy Scriptures, which have been given them, their sole rule and guide in matters of faith, and doctrine, and practice. In every age Christ has had his faithful witnesses upon earth, who compose his Church. 36. What is meant by the Comforter? A. The Holy Spirit, who was wonderfully revealed on the day of the Pentecost, (Acts ii. 4) and who still continues to guide men to the knowledge of the truth, and the practice of holiness, who sanctifies their hearts, and causes them to fix their hopes of salvation on the merits of our blessed Redeemer. 37. Why is he called the Comforter? A. From that inward peace which he sheds upon the souls of the righteous, causing them to forget all the troubles and misfortunes of life in the contemplation of the immensity of glory and happiness prepared for the righteous in Christ Jesus. 38. What is the force of the word "Amen," with which the Gospel concludes? A. The Apostle, struck by the comfort derived from the promise made by our blessed Lord, that he will guide his faithful followers unto the end of the world with his Spirit, utters a fervent and sincere prayer, that he may always continue to do so, as is expressed in the word, "Amen, So be it." Let every Christian join sincerely in the prayer. END OF THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW. |