CHAPTER 28

(A.D. 33)

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

¹In the end of the Sabbath (the regular weekly Sabbath, which was every Saturday), as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week (this was just before daylight on Sunday morning; Jesus rose from the dead some time after sunset on Saturday evening; the Jews began the new day at sunset, instead of midnight, as we do presently), came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher (they wanted to put spices on the body of Christ).

²And, behold, there was a great earthquake (presents the second earthquake, with the first taking place, when Christ died [27:51]): for the Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven (was probably observed by the Roman soldiers, who alone witnessed it and gave the account), and came and rolled back the stone from the door (Christ had already risen from the dead and had left the Tomb when the stone was rolled away; His glorified Body was not restricted by obstacles), and sat upon it (this was done as a show of triumph; in other words, death was vanquished!).

³His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow (there is no evidence that any of the women or Disciples saw this glorious coming of the Angel; however, the next Verse tells us that the Roman guards did see it, and were terrified!):

⁴And for fear of Him (the Angel) the keepers (guards) did shake, and became as dead men (inasmuch as this happened at night, the situation was even more frightful).

⁵And the Angel answered and said unto the women (this was just before dawn, and after the soldiers had run away), Do not fear: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified (the Angel now uses this word, Crucified, in a most glorious manner; it is now the Power of God and the Wisdom of God [I Cor. 1:23-24]).

⁶He is not here (is the beginning of the most glorious statement that could ever fall upon the ears of mere mortals): for he is risen (a dead and risen Saviour is the life and substance of the Gospel [I Cor. 15:1-4]), as He said (the Angel brought to the attention of the women, the fact that Christ had stated several times that He would be crucified and would rise from the dead). Come, see the place where the Lord lay (they were looking for a corpse, but instead, would find a risen Lord; they were looking for a Tomb containing a corpse, but instead, would find it empty).

⁷And go quickly, and tell His Disciples that He is risen from the dead (the Disciples should have been the ones telling others, but because of unbelief, the women will tell them; this is the greatest Message that humanity has ever received); and, behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him (He would reveal Himself to whom and to where He so desired): lo, I have told you (guarantees the certitude of this action).

THE TESTIMONY OF THE WOMEN

⁸And they departed quickly from the sepulcher (they had actually gone into the burial chamber, and had seen with their own eyes that Jesus was not there [Lk. 24:3]) with fear and great joy (this was a healthy fear, which every Believer ought to have; and as is understandable, there was great joy); and did run to bring His Disciples word (they did run because they had a Message to tell, and what a Message it was! this would be the greatest word the Disciples would ever hear).

⁹And as they went to tell His Disciples, behold, Jesus met them (this was not the first appearance of Jesus, that being to Mary Magdalene [Mk. 16:9]), saying, All hail (actually meant, all joy!). And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him (they would find that they were touching a human body of flesh and bone, and that it was not an apparition or ghostly figure; they knew He had been raised from the dead; still, they were not at all certain as to what was meant by that; His appearance to them, with them touching Him, removed all doubts as to what the Resurrection meant).

¹⁰Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid (it definitely is understandable that they were afraid): go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me (means more than merely an appearance; actually, He would also appear to them in Jerusalem, even proclaiming great Truths [Jn. 20:19-23]; John in the last Chapter of his Book gives the appearance in Galilee in detail).

THE REPORT OF THE SOLDIERS

¹¹Now when they were going (referring to the women after seeing Jesus, going to the Disciples), behold, some of the watch (soldiers) came into the city, and showed unto the Chief Priests all the things that were done (speaks of the four soldiers who had actually seen the coming of the Angel him rolling the stone away from the mouth of the Tomb).

¹²And when they (Chief Priests) were assembled with the Elders (the Sanhedrin), and had taken counsel (how they could counteract what had happened), they gave large money unto the soldiers (all now knew, and beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus was Who He had said He was; they knew they had Crucified the Son of God; they knew these Roman soldiers were not making up this story; for them to desert their post was a capital offence; in other words, they could be executed for such an act, but still, they did not repent! such is the hardened heart),

¹³Saying, you say, His Disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept (what an absurd story, but yet, many Jews believe it unto this hour).

¹⁴And if this come to the Governors ears, we will persuade him, and secure you (meaning that the Sanhedrin would take full responsibility for this action; no harm ever came to the soldiers; evidently Pilate believed that Jesus had risen from the dead; it is said in one of the Chronicles, of that time, that Pilate sent an account of this matter to Tiberius, who, in consequence, we are told, endeavored to make the Roman Senate pass a decree enrolling Jesus in the list of Roman gods; Tertullian attests this fact).

¹⁵So they took the money, and did as they were taught (means that the matter was rehearsed over, and over again by the Sanhedrin until all had the same story): and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day (it is said that the Jews at that time sent emissaries in all directions to spread this false report).

THE TESTIMONY OF THE DISCIPLES

¹⁶Then the eleven Disciples went away into Galilee (the sequence seems to indicate that it took place at least a week after the Resurrection [Jn. 20:26; 21:1]; the number 11 is specifically mentioned, in that the Holy Spirit desires that the betrayal not be forgotten), into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them (gives no evidence as to exactly where this mountain was; the word, appointed, specifies that this was a designated meeting, which would have insured a definite place).

¹⁷And when they saw Him (seems to indicate that there were more present than the eleven), they worshipped Him (and rightly so!): but some doubted (not the eleven! who they were, we do not know; why they doubted, we do not know; however, it seems the doubts soon faded).

THE GREAT COMMISSION

¹⁸And Jesus came and spoke unto them (the same meeting on the mountain, and constitutes the Great Commission), saying, All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth (this is not given to Him as Son of God; for, as God nothing can be added to Him or taken from Him; it is rather a power, which He has merited by His Incarnation and His death at Calvary on the Cross [Phil. 2:8-10]; this authority extends not only over men, so that He governs and protects the Church, disposes human events, controls hearts and opinions; but the forces of Heaven also are at His Command; the Holy Spirit is bestowed by Him, and the Angels are in His employ as ministering to the members of His Body. When He said, all power, He meant, all power!).

¹⁹Go ye therefore (applies to any and all who follow Christ, and in all ages), and teach all nations (should have been translated, and preach to all nations, for the word teach here refers to a proclamation of truth), baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (presents the only formula for Water Baptism given in the Word of God):

²⁰Teaching them (means to give instruction) to observe all things (the whole Gospel for the whole man) whatsoever I have commanded you (not a suggestion): and, lo, I am with you always (It is I, Myself, God, and Man, Who am not will be hence, forever present among you, and with you as Companion, Friend, Guide, Saviour, God), even unto the end of the world (should have been translated age). Amen (it is the guarantee of My Promise).