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his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was

and the other Mary, as the most convenient place from which they might be taken to the sepulchre. Her friends, the two Maries, who had staid at the sepulchre by themselves on Friday evening, did probably lodge together, perhaps in an interior part of the city, at least more remote from the Dung-gate; and on that account went forth before it was clear day-light, that they might be in good time at Zebedee's house; from which, when all things were ready, they and Salome proceeded to the sepulchre, so as to be there at the rising of the Sun.

The lodgings of Johanna, whose husband was steward to Herod, we may fix in or near the palace; the direct way from which to the sepulchre was through the Gate of the Valley. It is seen at once, that this palace and Zebedee's house were in different quarters of the city. They, therefore, who started from either had little inducement to make such a round as would be necessary to call at the other, when it was supposed they would all meet at the sepulchre. The Map shows also that the distance from Herod's palace to the sepulchre was at least twice as much as from Zebedee's house. If, therefore, the three women that went from the latter to the sepulchre, and reached it about six, were half an hour in going, they who set out from the palace, at the same rate of walking twice the distance, would be there half an hour later. But we can hardly believe them to have been thus expeditious as to have arrived but half an hour after the first party, Early in the morning as Johanna, and one or two of her friends, were prepared to set out, they had to wait for others, who might live at some distance, or not be quite so punctual; and when they were collected, women of Galilee and women of Jerusalem, if any of them were slow walkers, the rest could get on no faster, if they were to keep together in a body. We may, therefore, well allow near an hour between the arrivals of the two companies; which is amply sufficient for all that is supposed to have happened in the interim..

The errand of the women, who had seen an angelic vision, was to the Apostles; of whom St. John would dwell in his own house, that had been his father Zebedee's. Nor was St. Peter's far from him. John xx. 2. To these the women

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alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then said he unto them," "O fools, and slow "of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not Christ to have suffered "these things, and to enter into his glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him,' saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake,

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and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up

a Dull of understanding, and slow to believe and comprehend what the prophets have foretold of the Messiah. Earnestly intreated him.

Became invisible, and suddenly withdrew.

would first repair, as Mary Magdalene had before. And wherever the rest of the Apostles were to be found, unless the path towards their lodgings lay through the Gate of the Valley, which we have no reason to suppose; the company that first retired from the sepulchre could not meet the other advancing towards it.

the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven' gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

149. Jesus appears to the disciples, in the absence of Thomas.

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Jerusalem.

AND as they thus spake, Jesus Place. himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto you." But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?a be“hold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit "hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, "Have ye here any meat?" And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of

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a In fact, there were but ten of the Apostles present. Judas was dead, and Thomas was absent. Perhaps the eleven was just at that time the title of the Apostolical college, or St. Matthias, who was soon after to be adopted into it was there, and by anticipation is numbered as one of it. 1 Cor. xv. 5.

The Eleven, as they are called, said this.
The two disciples then told the Eleven.
And why do doubts arise in your minds?

I appeal to your senses for the reality of the resurrection of my body,

an honey comb. And he took it, and did eat before them. Then said Jesus to them again,

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Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto "them: and whose soever sins ye retain, they 66 are retained."

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150. Jesus appears again to the disciples, Thomas

Time.

Between the

being present.

BUT Thomas, one of the twelve, A.D. 33. called Didymus, was not with them first and when Jesus came. The other diseighth day ciples therefore said unto him, We after the re- have seen the Lord. But he said surrection. unto them, 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 Time. into his side, I will not believe." The eighth And after eight days again' his disday after the ciples were within, and Thomas with resurrection. them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and

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A. D. 33.

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a Or rather I shall not believe.

The Sunday after the resurrection, or first day of the following week, which was then probably dedicated by the college of the Apostles to the worship and service of God under the Christian dispensation.

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"thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, "but believing." And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have be"lieved.' "b And he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

151. The eleven disciples go into Galilee. Jesus manifests himself there at various times to his Disciples.

Time.

Galilee.

THEN the eleven disci- Place. A.D. 33 ples went away into Galilee, Between the into a mountain where Jesus had арeighth and fortieth day pointed them. And when they saw after the him, they worshipped him: but some resurrection.doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto "me in heaven and in earth."

After these things Jesus shewed Place. himself again to his disciples at the The Sea of sea of Tiberias; and on this wise

Tiberias.

I am abundantly convinced. Thomas addressed Jesus by the title of God.

b Blessed are they who are convinced on competent evidence only.

Some of the company who had not till then seen Jesus, who appeared at some distance, doubted of his bodily presence. For their satisfaction he came near and conversed with them.

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