And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
Ver. 7. And go quickly] Angels are called seraphims for their burning zeal; and are said to be winged creatures for their speediness in serving God and his people. Gabriel wearied himself, as it were, with swift flight, to certify Daniel of his good acceptance in heaven, Daniel 9:21. And this angel bids these women go quickly and carry the good news of the resurrection. Neither God nor angels can abide oscitancy and dulness in any. Tardis mentibus virtus non facile committitur, could the heathen say. (Cicero.)
Tell his disciples] And Peter with the first, Mark 16:7, because he is most dejected (and it is God that comforteth those that are cast down, 2 Corinthians 7:6; the Lion of the tribe of Judah spareth the prostrate prey). a The rest are in their dumps, as well they may, for deserting Christ; but Peter especially, for denying him. Now, therefore, that he is in a wilderness of ploddings and perplexities, Christ speaks to his heart, Hosea 2:14. He loves to comfort those that are forsaken of their hopes.
Lo, I have told you] q.d. Begone now about your business; you have your full errand, and this is all I have at present to say to you. These good women, at first afraid of the angel, are now hardly persuaded to depart from him. They could have been content to have heard him further. How unspeakably delicious unto us shall be that innumerable company of angels, Hebrews 12:22, that world of angels, as the Hebrew doctors call it, that panegyris or congregation house of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven as free denizens! O praeclarum ilium diem cum ad illud animorum concilium coetumque proficiscar, said the heathen orator. (Cic. de Senect.)
a Satis est prostrasse leoni.