CXCV. Mark XVI. & 4.18 As the women depart with the news, Jesus meets them; SECT. assure you, that there shall ye all see him, as he into Galilee, there shalt said to you that he would meet you there: (com- ye see him, (as he said Mat. pare Mat. xxvi. 32. and Mark xiv. 28. p. 343.) told you. (Marx XVI. XXXVI! Lo, I, who am one of the angels that stand in 7.] 7 the presence of God, have told you this, and my associate is here ready to attest it; and therefore, MARK XVI. 8. And scrutiny, they went out quicklys, and fled from and Aed from the se they went out quickly, the sepulchre as fast as possible; for they trem- pulchre ; for they trembled, and were amazed at this angelic vision: bled, and were amazand, whoever they met by the way, they said ed; neither said they nothing to any one of them, for they were very for they were afraid much afrighted ; [but] with hearts full of fear (and with fear and great at what they had seen, and with a mixture also joy did run to bring his disciples word.) MAI. of great joy at this happy news which they had XXVIII. 8.] received in so awful a mannerb, they ran with all the speed they could to bring his disciples word. And as they were going on their way to MAT. XXVIII. 9. XXVII 9 tell his disciples', behold, Jesus himself met And as they went to tell his disciples, be hold, Mat. them, exact [117216-c71 m çocerylle operis, &c.] the con. here supposed, that there was but one struction shews, as the learned Bos ob. vision of angels (besides that to Mary serves (Erercit. p. 23), that these words Magdalene), and one message sent by them, are the message which the angel puts into this will I think establish the order in the mouth of these women, to be delic which we have ranged this story. For if vered by them to the apostles. But what (as Dr. Clarke and many other critics is added [there shall ye see him] may, con- strangely suppose) Mary's interview with sistent with this criticism, be understood the apostles (John xx.2.) had happened as in the paraphrase, which makes the between the angelic vision and this apsense niore complete, by adding a very pearance of Christ to the women, such a material, and, to them who so tenderly connection as this would have been very loved Jesus, a very delightful circum- unnatural. Matthew would on that hystance; namely, that they should see him pothesis rather have said, And when they themselves, and not merely receive the most had told his disciples (and they believed them credible assurances of his resurrection froin not], Jesus met them, &c.—But Mr. West others. who apprehends that there were several 6 They went out quickly.] This is the distinct appearances of angels, and two import of the word $22.986elt, distinct appearances of Christ to the wowhich is the same in both the evangelists, men (the first to Mary Magdalene, and but is improperly rendered here in Mat the second to the other Mary and Salome, thew, they departed. (See West's Observ. when the other tromen were not present), concludes, that these several facts were h Wilh fear and joy ] It was so datu- reported to the apostles at different times, ral for such a mixture of passions to arise and by different women; and that Joanna on this grand occasion, that I think very and the other women, who had only seene litile stress is to be laid on Mark's men the angels after the treo Maries and Salome tioning their fear alone, and Matthew's were gone from the sepulchre, made their mentioning their joy with it, to prove they report to the apostles before the arrival of relate different stories. I have since the the two Maries and Salome; and by thus pleasure to find, that this is represented in representing the story in a different order the same light by Mr. West, who has clear. he obviates the difficulty arising from the ly shewn that both these sacred writers account which the treo disciples that were speak of the same fact. (See West's Ob- going to Emmaus give of the report they seru. p. 37–10. had heard from the women. Luke xxiv. i And as they were going on their way 22–21. (See West's Obsert. p. 77, 86, to tell his disciples.] Admitting what is $ seg.) de Jesus p. 36.) CXCV. not And bids them not be afraid, but go and tell his brethren. 449 hold, Jesus met them, themk, saying, in the usual form of congratula- SECT. they came, and held tory salutations, Hail, my friends! I give you him by the feet, and joy of the day. And upon this, beginning to re Mat. worshipped him. cover from their fear, as they saw it was Jesus, XXVII 9 they drew near in the most respectful manner, homage to him on this joyful occasion. 110 Then said Jesus Then Jesus, as he saw that they were still in 10 unto them, Be a great deal of confusion, did not long permit respect to Mary); and said to them, Be not any my resurrection. LUKE XXIV. 9. Now after Jesus had spoken these words, he Luke And (they] returned immediately disappeared; and the women ran XXIV. told all these things on to carry the news: and when they were re-9 unto the eleven, and to turned from the scpulchre to Jerusalem, they told all the rest. all these things to the cleven apostles, and to all much k Jesus himself met them.) I cannot | My brethren.] The reader will observe think, with Dr. Lightfoot ( Hor. Heb. in our Lord speaks the same language here loc.) that this relates to bis interview which he had used John xx. 17. (See with Mary Magdalene described before; notet on that text, p. 443.) No doubt for though an enallage or exchange of these affectionate friends of Christ were exnumbers be sometimes used (see note b on act in reporting this circumstance, that Luke xxiii. 39, p. 409), yet it is not to their injured Lord called them his brethren be admitted without necessity. Now it is still. And both Matthew and John, to certain Mary was alone when Christ ap whom the glad tidings were immediately peared to her; and that appearance was at brought, felt it strike so powerfully on The sepulchre, this between that and the their hearts, that thcy could not but recity, and probably after they dispatched cord it. some considerable part of the way in their m And to all the rest.] This I think re. flight. The words [as they went to tell his fers not only to one report, but to the repetidisciples] are indeed wanting in many an. tion of the testimony to any of their pinus cient versions and manuscripts, as Dr. Mill friends who believeil in Jesus : and if that has shewn in his Note on this place; but be admitted, it will be an additional proof Dr. Whitby, with considerable reason, con that what is said in ver. 12 should be transtends that they are genuine (sce his Exa- posed in such a manner as is necessary for men. Millii, p. 91); and the sense of them reconciling it with the scheme we have seems implied in the close of the preceding proposed in the preceding section. Compare notel on Luke xxiv. 12, p. 449. verse. Loke 450 They go and tell all these things to the disciples. SECT. much at heart to deliver this important message in the most punctual and effectual manner. And they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, 10 It was Mary Mag. xxiv. and Mary [the mother) of James and Joses, and dalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of 10 Salome, and the other women that had gone James, and other wothem to the sepulchre, as above, with an in- men that were with tent to embalm Christ's body (p. 435), who them, which told these things unto the apostles. were the persons that were thus honoured with this message from the angels, and from Christ himself; and who accordingly came and told these things to the apostles, who had none of them as yet seen any thing more themselves than that the sepulchre was empty, and the linen Mark clothes laid' in order. And Mary Magdalene MARK XVI. 10. XVI. 10 in particular went with the other women, and And (Mary Magda, told the disciples that had been so constantly reith lenc) went and told [the disciples) that had (Compare John xx. 17, p. 442.) 11 And they, when they had heard that had possessed the minds of the disciples, and so he was alive, and bad entirely were their spirits dejected, and their been seen of her, be. hopes blasted by the death of their Lord, that lieved not: (and their Words seemed to them though they could not think this was related as idle tales.] (LUKE with a design to impose upon them, yet they XXIV. 11.) were ready to impute it to the power of imagination, and even when they heard that he was actually alive, and had been seen by her, and by the other women who also testified the same, they did not in general believe it; but their words seemed to most of them as an idle tale, and they determined to suspend their belief of so important a fact till they were satisfied of it by the testimony of their own senses; which, through the great condescension of their Lord, sereral of them were before the end of that day, as we shall quickly relate. IMPROVEMENT, Mat. We are now again called, as by the angel's voice, to come and xxviii. 6 see the place where the Lord lay, and to take an allectionate sur vey Схсу. The guards return, and make their report to the priests. 451 vey of that sepulchre, which our rising Saviour had left, and where sect. he had laid aside the dress of death, as a token that he should return to it no more. How wonderful that he should ever have Mar. . lain there ! that the Lord of life should have dwelt among the dead, xxviii.6. and from the glory of the throne of God should have sank down to the abasement of the grave ! - But he has burst its prison doors, and has abolished death, and him who had the power of it ; abolished it for bimself and us. How are all its terrors now disarmed ! O death, where is thy sting! O grave where is thy victory! (1 Cor. xv. 55.) Withi what pleasure did the angels deliver this gracious message 7, 8 of their Lord as well as ours ! and with what transport did the pious women receive il! Behold the tender care of Christ over his people! Angels have it immediately in charge to send the glad tidings to his disciples ; and Jesus repeats and confirms them. Go tell my brethren, I am risen from the dead. Lord ! Is this 10 thy language concerning those who but a few hours before had forsaken thee! and one of them, with such dreadful imprecations, denied thee! Yet even that disciple is not excluded ; nay, to him is it peculiarly addressed : go tell my brethren, and in particular Mark tell Peter, that he, poor mourner, may especially be comforted. xvi. 7. Compassionate Redeemer ! thou hast brought up from the tomb with thee that tenderness and goodness which laid thee there ! Such is the freedom and glory of thy grace, that thou some-9 times dost first manifest thyself to those who were once in the most miserable bondage to Salan. Whenever this is the case, may the peculiar obligation be remembered ! May every remainder of unbelief be subdued in our souls ! and may we joyfully 10 communicate to all around us the tidings of a risen Saviour, and the merciful discoveries of his presence to us! SECT. CXCVI. The guards, returning to Jerusalem, make their report to the chief priests; and are bribed to say that the disciples stole the body of Christ while they slept. Christ appears to Peter, and then to two other disciples. Mat. XXVII. 11-15. Mark XVI. 12, 13, MAT. XXVIII. 11. Mat. XXVIII. 11. they were going, behoid, NOW while these extraordinary things were sect. transacting, and the (women) were going to came into the city, tell the disciples, what they had heard and seen and she ved unto the behold, some of the guards, who had Aed from the XXVIII. things tbat were done, sepulchre in great consternation, began a little 11 to recollect themselves, as to the excuse they body being gone, as it would soon be known that cxcvi. some of the watch Mat, cxcvi. 452 They hire them to say, his disciples stole the body as they slept ; SECT: that it was : they came therefore into the city, and told the chief priests, from whom they had Mat. received their immediate charge, all that had XXVIII. happened ; and urged how impossible it was foc 11 them to make any opposition in the presence of the angel, who shook the very earth with the rate of his enemies a. the elders, and had and therefore they immediately convened the taken counsel, they sanhedrim ; and having met together with the gave large money un. elders of the people, they deliberated upon it, to the soldiers. and consulted among themselves what they should do in so perplexing an emergency ; and particularly whether they should dismiss the guards with a charge to conceal the story they had told them, or should accuse them to the governor, and attempt to punish them for neglecting their duty: but, considering the manner in which the governor bad appeared affected towards Jesus, and the many prodigies which had attended his death, by which Pilate's conscience must have been in some degree awakened; and also knowing they had no positive proof of any negligence or treachery in the soldiers, they resolved to commence no prosecution against them, and to pass it over without any complaint ; but, apprehending that the most effectual method they could take would be to endeavour to pervert their evidence, they gave a large (sum of] 13 money to the soldiers b. Saying, Since this 13 Saying, Say ye, bis strange a These ignorant and stupid heathens tales of their own priests, which bore some became in effect the first preachers, &c.] little resemblance to it ; as those of Alces. Such news, coming from such persons,must tis, Hippolytus, Hercules, and many others undoubtedly throw the priesis into inex- did. See Valer. Mar. lib. i. cap. viii. 12. pressible confusion ; but it is remarkable, and Plin. Nut. Hist. lib. vii. cap. 52. that neither the soldiers vor the priests were b They gave a large sum of money to the converted by what the one saw or the soldiers.] Mr. Dillor very well observes other heard. Perhaps the soldiers might (in his unanswerablc Demonstration of think that Jesus was, like some of their Christ's Resurrection, p. 296.) that had they fabulnus heroes, the son of some deity, who not been afraid to put them to death, as brought him to life again ; but, instead of they were Romans, it is very probable that imagining themselves concerned in the Caiaphas's maxim, (John xi. 50.) That it purposes of his resurrection, they might was better one man should die than all the people perhaps abuse their knowledge of it, to perish, would have cost some of them their Confirm their belief of some superstitious lives; at least the commanding officer, had |