Luke 24:2-8 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

They found the stone rolled away Their inquiry among themselves, while they were going along, had been, Who shall roll us away the stone? That difficulty, however, they found removed, but alas! when they entered in, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. About this, as we may well suppose, they were much perplexed. God, however, was graciously pleased soon to remove their perplexity. For, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments Or, suddenly appeared to them, as the word επεστησαν may be properly rendered. It does not imply that the angels, at their first appearing, were close by the women, as may be proved from the Greek translation of Genesis 18:2, where, though it be said, that Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, lo, three men (ειστηκεισαν επανω αυτω) stood by him, it is added, that when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, which shows that they were at some distance from him. It is probable that both these angels were in a sitting posture when they first showed themselves to the women, because Mark affirms it expressly of the one whom he mentions, (Luke 24:5,) and because they showed themselves in this posture afterward to Mary Magdalene, John 20:12. Or, the evangelists may be reconciled by supposing that the angel of whom Mark speaks, arose when the women went down into the sepulchre. See on Mark 16:3-6. And as they were afraid Mark says, εξεθαμβηθησαν, affrighted, or terrified, at this extraordinary and surprising sight; and bowed down their faces to the earth Fixed their eyes upon it, in token of the profoundest respect; they Namely, the angels; said unto them This evangelist, having no intention to tell which of the angels spake, attributes to them both words, which, in the nature of the thing, could be spoken only by one of them, probably the one mentioned by Matthew and Mark, it being the custom, as has been just observed, of the sacred historians to mention one person or thing only, even in cases where more were concerned. Why seek ye the living among the dead? Why are you come hither with materials for embalming one who is possessed of an immortal life? He is not here, but is risen He has quitted the grave to return no more to it. Remember how he spake when he was yet in Galilee Thus they refer the women to his own words, which if they and his other disciples had duly believed and observed, they would more easily have credited the fact when it took place. That the tidings, therefore, might not be such a surprise to them as they seemed to be, the angels repeat to them what Christ had often said in their hearing. And they remembered his words When they were thus reminded of them. And now, doubtless, they were ashamed of the preparations they had made to embalm him on the third day, who had so often said, he would on the third day rise again.