Bible Commentaries

1. 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.

Ch. Matthew 28:1-8. The Resurrection

Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18The 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 Magdalene only. St Luke and St John mention the visit of Peter to the sepulchre, St John adding “that other disciple.” This Evangelist also records the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene in the garden.

The order of events was probably this: First, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, having come early to the tomb, were addressed by the Angel and saw the empty sepulchre; they hasten to inform Peter and the other disciples; Peter and John visit the tomb and depart; Mary Magdalene, left alone, beholds her Lord, whom at first she does not recognise; soon afterwards the Lord appears a second time to Mary Magdalene, now in the company of other women.

2. 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).

5. Fear not ye] The pronoun “ye” is emphatic in the original. A contrast with the alarm of the soldiers is implied.

6. 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, whose recollection of the divine words and looks and love-inspiring sweetness of character would be quickened by the painful watching and the passionate sorrow for their seeming loss.

7. 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.

9. 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.

9, 10. 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 news to the rest of the disciples [Peter and John already knew] the Lord Jesus met them.

The following is a list of the different appearances of Jesus during the forty days:—(1) To Mary Magdalene alone (John 20:14 foll.; Mark 16:9). (2) To Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and perhaps other women (Matthew 28:9-10). (3) To Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5). (4) To Cleophas and another on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). (5) To the apostles, in the absence of Thomas, at Jerusalem (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36; John 20:19). (6) To the eleven apostles at Jerusalem (John 20:26). (7) To seven disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-24). (8) To the eleven on the highland of Galilee (Matthew 28:16). (9) To five hundred brethren at once—possibly the same appearance as 8 (1 Corinthians 15:6). (10) To James, the Lord’s brother (1 Corinthians 15:7). (11) To the eleven in the neighbourhood of the Holy City (Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50; Acts 1:3-12; 1 Corinthians 15:7).

10. 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, “He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Now that Christ had clearly manifested the power of the Godhead, there was special need of reminding His disciples that He was still man, and that they were brethren.

11–15. The Roman Guards are bribed. This important testimony is given by St Matthew only

12. large money] Literally, many pieces of silver, a largesse.