And many other signs, &c.— He appeared on several other occasions to his disciples after his resurrection; and by many infallible proofs, which are not written in this book, convinced them that he was alive after his pardon. The appearances mentioned by the evangelists are nine in number; St. Paul speaks of one to James, and one to himself, which they have omitted; and this passage leads us to think that Jesus shewed himself much oftener than there is any account of upon record; performing many mighty works before his disciples, in order to confirm them in the belief of his resurrection and personal identity. But though there were several other appearances and miracles, of which no account is given here, yet what is recorded is sufficient for the evangelist's purpose; which was, to evince that Jesus was the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
Inferences containing a general view of our Lord's resurrection.—The transactions of the day on which our Lord arose from the dead, ended in the manner set forth in this chapter to John 20:26 and, in the parallel passages of the preceding sacred writers; a day much to be remembered by men throughout all generations; because it brought fully into act the conceptions which had lodged in the breast of infinite Wisdom from eternity, even those thoughts of love and mercy, on which the salvation of the world depended. Christians, therefore, have the highest reason to solemnize this day with gladness each returning week, by ceasing from labour, and giving themselves up to meditations, and other exercises of devotion. The redemption of the world, which they commemorate thereon, as then receiving its crowning evidence, affords matter for eternal thought, being such a subject as no other, how great soever, can equal; and whose lustre, neither length of time, nor frequent reviewing, can ever diminish: for, as by beholding the sun, we do not find it less glorious or luminous than before, so this benefit which we celebrate, after so many ages, is as fresh and beautiful as ever, and will continue to be so, flourishing in the memories of all the faithful saints of God through the endless revolutions of eternity.
But, that the reader may form a more distinct notion of the history which the evangelists have given of Christ's resurrection, it will not be improper here to join the several circumstances of that important affair together, briefly, and in their order.—The Jewish sabbath being at hand when Jesus expired, his friends had not time to embalm him in the best manner, or even to carry him to the place where they intended he should remain; but they laid him in a new sepulchre hard by, with an intention to remove him after the sabbath was over. The women therefore who were present, observing that the funeral rites were performed in a hurry, made an agreement to come and embalm him more at leisure. Accordingly, as soon as they returned to the city, they bought spices, and prepared them; but the sabbath coming on, they rested from working according to the commandment. When the sabbath was ended, (that is, on our Saturday evening about sun-setting,) the two Marys, by appointment of the rest, set out to see if the stone was still at the door of the sepulchre, because thus they would be certain that the body was within: or, if the sepulchre was open, and the body taken away, they were to inquire of the gardener where it was laid, that the spices might be carried directly to the place. While the women were going on this errand, a great storm and earthquake happened, occasioned by the descent of an angel, who came to wait on Jesus at his resurrection. This storm and earthquake terrifying the women, they turned back and joined their companions, who were going to buy some more spices to complete the preparation. In the mean time, the angel rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, then sat down upon it, and, assuming a very terrible form, affrighted the guards. Soon after this, Jesus arose, and the guards fled in a panic, probably to the first house they could find, where they waited till the morning.
As the morning approached, the storm abated. At length, every thing being got ready, all the women went out together, and arrived at the sepulchre before the rising of the sun. The door was open; they entered, and searched for the body, but it was gone. They were exceedingly perplexed. After consultation, they agreed that, while they searched the garden, Mary Magdalene should go and inform the apostles of what had happened. Coming out of the sepulchre, therefore, she departed, and the rest began to search: but having traversed the garden a while to no purpose, they resolved to examine the sepulchre a second time; and were entering for that end, when, lo! an angel appeared in the farthermost right corner, where the feet of Jesus had lain. He spake to them, desiring them to come and see the place where the Lord lay. Upon this they descended, and saw another angel in the hithermost corner of the sepulchre. The angels desired them to carry the news of their Lord's resurrection to the disciples, and particularly to Peter. They departed, therefore, and made all the haste they could into the city. In the mean time, Mary Magdalene having told the apostles that the sepulchre was open, and the body taken away, they sent Peter and John to see what was the matter. The two apostles, together with Mary Magdalene, set out for the sepulchre about the time that the women, who had seen the vision, were running into the city; but, taking a different road in the fields, or a different street in the city, they did not meet them. When the company of women came, they related their account to the apostles, and then inquired for Peter, having a message to him; but being told that he was gone away with John to the sepulchre, they set out a second time along with some of the brethren who were dispatched to examine the truth of this information; expecting to find Peter either at the sepulchre or on the road. But as they were going out, he and John, having left Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre, came into the city, it seems, by a different street, for the women missed them; nor did these apostles meet the disciples who were going out to examine the truth of the women's report. The disciples, making all the haste they could, soon left the women with whom they had set out, and arrived at the garden about the time that Mary Magdalene was coming away: for, after Peter and John were gone, she stood beside the sepulchre weeping, and happening to look in, she saw first the angels, then Jesus himself, and was departing to tell the news, just as the disciples arrived at the garden. But she did not meet them, happening to be in a different walk from that by which they were coming up. The disciples went straightway to the sepulchre, and saw the angels, and then departed; and being now but a little way behind Mary Magdalene, who was tired with the fatigue she had undergone, they travelled by a nearer road through the fields, or by a different street of the city, with such expedition, that they had related their account in the hearing of the two disciples who went to Emmaus, before she arrived.
While these things were doing, Jesus met the company of women in their way to the sepulchre, and ordered them to go and inform his disciples that they had seen him. Upon this they left off pursuing Peter, and returned to the apostles' lodging, where they found Mary Magdalene relating her new account, which they continued by reporting whatever had happened to themselves. Or, we may suppose that Mary Magdalene fell in with them immediately after Jesus had left them, and that they all came to the apostles in a body.
Peter, hearing the women affirm that they had seen, not only a vision of angels, but Jesus himself, went to the sepulchre a second time, but did not enter. He only looked in, and saw the clothes lying as before. In his way home, however, he seems to have had the happiness of meeting with Jesus. The coming of the watch into the city, and their appearing before the council, is fixed by St. Matthew to the women's interview with our Lord. They had fled from the garden when Jesus arose; and, being in a panic, had taken shelter in the first house they could find. But, in the morning, they began to take courage, and, at the time mentioned, went and told what they had seen to the chief priests, who were called together by the high-priest, in order to receive their report. Soon after this, the disciples who travelled to Emmaus were overtaken by Jesus on the road. After he was gone, they returned to Jerusalem, and told their brethren what had happened. While they were speaking, behold, Jesus came in; and, to convince all present of the truth of his resurrection, shewed them his hands and his feet, and called for meat, which he ate in their presence.
This is the method whereby some eminent commentators harmonize this important part of scripture, and which we have in general followed. However, as others have differed a little in their method from the above, we also subjoin their account; and the ingenious reader, after an accurate comparison of the evangelists, must judge for himself.
The women who accompanied our Lord from Galilee, made an appointment to come and embalm him after the sabbath was ended. Very early, therefore, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, in pursuance of their purpose, went out to meet the apostles at the sepulchre. About the time that they were setting out, the earthquake happened; the angel descended, and rolled away the stone; and Jesus arose. The two Marys either met with, or called upon Salome in their way; so the three went on, till they came within sight of the sepulchre, and observed the door open. This circumstance leading them to conclude that the body was removed, Mary Magdalene ran immediately back to tell Peter and John what had happened. In the mean time, the other Mary and Salome, going forward, entered the sepulchre, and had the vision of one angel mentioned by Matthew and Mark; who informed them that Jesus was risen, and bade them carry the news to the disciples.
After they were departed, Peter and John, with Mary Magdalene, came to the sepulchre: an account of this journey we have in ch. John 20:1-10. The two apostles, having examined every thing, went away; but Mary Magdalene stayed behind them at the sepulchre, and saw first the vision of angels, then Jesus himself. Her joy gave her speed. She ran the second time into the city, that she might impart the news to the rest.
After Jesus had shewed himself to Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre, he went and met her companions; viz. Mary the mother of James, and Salome, as they were going into the town to give an account of the vision they had seen. The apostles and Mary Magdalene had not been long away from the sepulchre, when Joanna and some Galilean women, her companions, arrived with the spices to embalm the body. This company of women had the vision of two angels described by St. Luke, and then departed. But, by some incident or other, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, who had been at the sepulchre, and seen the one angel before Joanna came, and who, as they returned, had seen Jesus himself, lingered so long on the road, that Joanna and the women with her, who came to the sepulchre after them, got to the apostles' lodging before them, and had related their account in such good time, that the two disciples of whom St. Luke speaks, Luke 24:13 were set out for Emmaus, and Peter was gone to the sepulchre a second time before they came up. See the Inferences on the next chapter.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, In my Annotations on the four evangelists I have pointed out the harmony which is to be found in their several accounts. The fact itself is proved by a great cloud of witnesses.
1. The first day of the week Mary Magdalene very early, while it was yet dark, set out for the sepulchre, where she arrived about sun-rising, and to her surprise found the stone removed from the door. Hereupon looking in, and missing the body of Jesus, she, with the other women, ran to Peter and John, and, with great concern, informed them of the removal of the body of Jesus they knew not whither. Note; (1.) They who truly love Christ, will delight to meet him early. (2.) It is a bitter grief to a soul which has any sincerity remaining, to feel the absence of Jesus, and not to know where he may be found. (3.) We often make those things causes of our mourning, which should afford us real cause for joy. (4.) The communication of our sorrows is often the nearest way to recover our lost comforts.
2. Peter and John immediately went forth, desirous to inform themselves how matters stood; and running together, John outran Peter, and came first to the sepulchre; where stooping down, and looking in, he saw the linen clothes lying, yet went not in. Peter, more courageous, no sooner reached the place, than he went in to gain the fullest satisfaction possible, and observed the grave-clothes, not carelessly thrown down, but each part separately folded up, and laid by itself; a certain proof, that whoever removed the body, did it deliberately, and not in haste. Hereupon John also now ventured in after Peter, and he saw, and believed, that the body was removed or gone; for hitherto none of the disciples had entertained any perfectly right notions of the Messiah, nor, after all the scripture prophesies, and their Master's predictions, seem at all to have expected his resurrection from the dead.
3. Hereupon the disciples return to their companions, to communicate to them the state of the matter as it happened to them, and to wait the event.
2nd, Christ's first appearance was to Mary Magdalene. Much had been forgiven her, and she had loved much. Her past conduct was all forgotten, and her unfeigned present attachment to Jesus made her now justly dear to him, and she is favoured with this distinguished token of his regard.
1. She stood without at the sepulchre weeping, being returned the second time to seek farther after her dear Lord: and they who wait constantly upon him shall certainly find him; and what they sow in tears, they shall reap in joy.
2. As she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and saw two angels in human forms. They were clothed in white, the emblem of their spotless purity, and sat one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain, to pay him honour, and to be the messengers of his resurrection.
3. They kindly addressed her, Woman, why weepest thou? She, whose heart overflowed with sorrow, as her eyes with tears, replied, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him: and this she thought a sufficient reason for her grief; but our vexations, like hers, are often imaginary, and of our own making: had we but faith, the clouds would immediately disappear.
4. Christ manifests himself to her; for they who can rest in nothing short of Christ and his love, shall not be disappointed. As she turned herself, she saw Jesus standing, and, because either her eyes were holden, or they were so filled with tears, she knew not that it was Jesus: so much nearer is he to mourners than they oftentimes are aware. He kindly addresses her in the words of his angelic ministers, Woman, why weepest thou? and she not attending to him closely, and supposing him probably the gardener, begged to be informed if he had borne the body away, or could give her any intelligence concerning it, that she might give him an honourable interment elsewhere, if it might not lie there. Jesus unto her, Mary: his altered tone of voice, and calling her by her name, assured her instantly who spoke; and, turning to him, she casts herself at his feet with reverence and rapturous joy, crying Rabboni, my Master! how welcome, unutterably welcome to her longing heart!
5. He sends her with the kindest message to his disciples. Touch me not; stay not to express your affectionate regard; the moment is precious; for I am not yet ascended to my Father; you will therefore have other opportunities of seeing and conversing with me. But go to my brethren, without delay; in such affectionate terms does he address those who had so lately shamefully fled and left him; and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your
Father, and to my God and your God. Christ owns them in the endeared relation of brethren; assures them he was now entering into his glory, as the Head of his church; returning to him who is his Father by eternal generation, and theirs by adoption and grace; to his God, whom, as the man Christ Jesus, the head of his church, he obeyed and worshipped; and their God, to bless them with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ. Blessed and happy are they, who can say, The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is my Father and my God.
6. Mary hastens to carry the glad news to the disconsolate disciples, and, with a transport of joy, declares that she has seen him, and reports the kind message which he had delivered to her. They who have seen Christ by faith, and tasted of his consolations, cannot but delight to tell of him, and to spread the knowledge of his grace.
3rdly, The reports of Mary and the women produced little conviction in the minds of the disciples; so slow of heart were they to believe: Jesus therefore appears to them himself, to put the matter out of doubt.
1. The apostles were all assembled, Thomas excepted, on the evening of the day on which Christ rose from the dead, which was the first day of the week. For fear of the Jews they had shut and barred the doors, when, on a sudden, probably while they were considering over the strange reports which they had heard, and examining into their credibility, or praying for farther light, and direction, Jesus appears in the midst of them, and, with the kindest salutation, addresses them, Peace be unto you. He upbraids them not with any thing that had passed; it was forgiven and forgotten; and now he is come to put them in possession of that peace which, before his death, he had so solemnly bequeathed to them. Note; (1.) Where the disciples of Jesus assemble in his name, there will he be in the midst of them. (2.) The peace which our Redeemer bestows, lifts us superior to all our fears.
2. To give them undoubted assurance of the identity of his person, and the certainty of his resurrection, he shewed them his hands and his side, which still bore the glorious scars gotten in that conflict he which had endured for their sakes, when all their foes were vanquished; and, fully satisfied that it was indeed their adored Master himself, joy and gladness were diffused through every heart, and sat on every countenance. Note; These love-prints in the Saviour's flesh, should still be gazed upon by us with faith, delight, and wonder.
3. He solemnly invests them anew with their commission from him. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: he would remove every remaining fear, and recover them from their astonishment, that they might hear and receive the commission which he delivered to them. As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you; giving you full authority to go and preach the gospel, engaging to qualify you for the work, and to give you to see the most abundant success of your labours. And, when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost; by this emblem signifying to them, that the Spirit which proceeded from him, as the breath from the body, should rest upon them as a quickening Spirit, and should enable them, with the abundance of his gifts and graces, to discharge that high office to which they were ordained. And, as one branch of their divinely-delegated authority, he saith, Whose soever sins ye remit, according to the gospel which they preached, and as possessed of that discernment of spirits whereby they were enabled to distinguish the truly faithful, they are remitted unto them; the absolution which they pronounce on earth, he engages to ratify in heaven; and whose soever sins ye retain, because of their impenitence and unbelief, they are retained: and, if they die in their sins, the wrath of God, according to their denunciations, must for ever abide upon them. Note; (1.) Though men may give an outward mission, it is the office of the Holy Ghost to call and qualify every true minister of Christ; and, without his inspiration, they who run unsent, will be accounted as thieves and robbers. (2.) Though ministers have no power of their own to pardon sins, or bind them upon the soul, yet, where they speak according to Christ's word, he will confirm their sentence.
4. Thomas, called Didymus, one of the twelve apostles who were first ordained, though now reduced to eleven by the apostacy of Judas, happened not to be present when Jesus shewed himself to the rest. By what he was detained, is not said; perhaps the fear which made them lock the doors, kept him away: and, if so, for his cowardice and neglect he is justly punished with the loss of that blessed sight which his brethren enjoyed. But whether he was before in fault or not, his incredulity was justly blameable, when his brethren, in a transport of joy, assured him that they had seen the Lord. Resolute in unbelief, he declares that nothing shall convince him but the evidence of his own senses: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe; a very criminal incredulity; yet was it so over-ruled by divine Providence, as to add additional evidence to the certainty of Jesus's resurrection. So far were his own apostles from easily satisfying themselves about the fact, that nothing but the most infallible evidence could have convinced them: and indeed when they looked forward to what they must expect to meet with on account of their testimony, they needed the fullest conviction of the truth in their own souls, to bear them out in their sufferings.
4thly, Our Lord, by his resurrection, consecrated the first day of the week; then his disciples assembled, and he appeared to them. A week after this he repeated his visit, to put a farther honour on the day, which was henceforward to be observed as the Christian sabbath.
1. Christ appears to them, where they were met together, and Thomas with them, having shut the doors for fear of the Jews. Seven days Thomas was left to his unbelieving doubts, and in a miserable state of suspence; while the other disciples rejoiced in their risen Redeemer. But now being punished for his former neglect and absence, he, being joined again in communion with his fellow-apostles is favoured with the sight of Jesus, who graciously condescends to give him all that satisfaction which he perversely required. He stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you, according to this former gracious salutation: then, particularly addressing himself to Thomas, to rebuke his infidelity, and satisfy his doubts, he bids him, since nothing else would convince him, put his finger upon the scars in his hands, and examine with his hand the wound in his side, and feel and see the certainty of that resurrection which he would not credit; and be not faithless, or incredulous, but believing. (See the Annotations.) Note; Unbelief is the injurious bar which robs us of our comfort, and God of his glory; most justly therefore does it deserve the severest rebuke from Christ, and call for deep humiliation, and must be removed before the soul can enjoy the favour of God.
2. Thomas, quite overcome with the evidence, and confounded and ashamed at his own incredulity, cries out, My Lord and my God, in the fullest assurance of faith, and with the deepest reverence and adoration of his glorious Master. He acknowledges his Divinity, and worships him as the object of highest honour, as very God. Note; (1.) True faith regards Jesus not only as God and Lord, but as my God and my Lord, in whose favour and love we ourselves have an interest. (2.) We are then disciples indeed, when Jesus is exalted in our hearts, and in our lips and life we confess him our Lord and Master.
3. For a reproof to Thomas, and an encouragement to those who shall come after, he replies, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; refusing every proof but the evidence of his own senses; and, though convinced at last, yet was he culpable in rejecting the testimony which his brethren had borne, in which way the rest of the world must be converted to the faith. And therefore Christ adds, Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed, as the Old Testament saints had done, and as must be the case with those who afterwards believe the gospel on the testimony of the inspired witnesses; their faith is more noble, spiritual, and honourable to God.
4. The evangelist observes, that many other signs were given of the resurrection of Jesus, during the forty days he was seen of them, than those recorded in the sacred writings; but the evidence contained in the book of God, is fully satisfactory to those who humbly desire information, and who search the scriptures to be made wise unto salvation through them: they will be convinced from the sacred records, that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of God, possessed of the same divine nature and perfections with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and declared to be so by his resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4.); and they who believe on him may be assured of life through his name; the life of grace with all its comforts here, and, if faithful unto death, the life of glory with all its unutterable blessedness hereafter; both being purchased by the death and resurrection of Jesus, who hath opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers, and will bestow it in all its eternal fulness on every persevering saint.