Page images
PDF
EPUB

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.

CHAPTER XV.

voice, saying, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast

thou forsaken me?

35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.

36 And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and "gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

37 And "Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

38 And the vail of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom.

39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Ps. 22. 1. t Ps. 42. 9. 71. 11. Lam. 1. 12.

was under in his sufferings, were like that fire from heaven which had been sent sometimes, in extraordinary cases, to consume the sacrifices, (as Lev. 9. 24. 2 Chr. 7. 1. 1 Kings 18. 38;) and it was always a token of God's acceptance. The fire that should have fallen upon the sinner, if God had not been pacified, fell upon the Sacrifice, as a token that he was so; therefore it now fell upon Christ, and extorted from him this loud and bitter cry. When Paul was to be offered as a sacrifice for the service of saints, he could joy and rejoice, (Phil. 2. 17;) but it is another thing to be offered as a sacrifice for the sin of sinners. Now, at the sixth hour, and so to the ninth, the sun was darkened by an extraordinary eclipse; and if it be true, as some astronomers compute, that in the evening of this day on which Christ died there was an eclipse of the moon, that was natural and expected, in which seven digits of the moon were continued from five o'clock till seven, it is redarkened, and markable, and yet further significant of the darkness of the When the sun shall be darkened, the moon time that then was.

III. Christ's prayer was bantered by them that stood by, (v. 35, 36;) because he cried Eli, Eli, or (as Mark has it, according to the Syriac dialect) Eloi, Eloi, they said, He calls for Elias, though they knew very well what he said, and what it signified, My God, my God. Thus did they represent him as praying to saints, either because he had abandoned God, or God had abandoned him; and hereby they would make him more and more odious to the people. One of them filled a sponge with vinegar, and reached it up to him upon a reed; "Let him cool his mouth with that, it is drink good enough for him," v. 36. This was intended for a further affront and abuse to him; and whoever it was that checked him who did it, did but add to the reproach; "Let him alone; he has called for Elias: let us see whether Elias will come to take him down; and if not we may conclude that he also hath abandoned him."

IV. Christ did again cry with a loud voice, and so gave up the ghost, v. 37. He was now commending his soul into his Father's hands; and though God is not moved with any bodily exercise, yet this loud voice signified the great strength and ardency of affection wherewith he did it; to teach us in every thing wherein we have to do with God, to put forth our utmost vigour, and to perform all the duties of religion, particularly that of self-resignation, with our whole heart and our whole soul; and then, though speech fails, that we cannot cry with a loud voice, as Christ did, yet if God be the Strength of the heart, that will not fail. Christ was really and truly dead, for he gave up the ghost; his human soul departed to the world of spirits, and left his body a breathless clod of clay.

V. Just at that instant that Christ died upon mount Calvary, the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom, v. 38. This spake a great deal, 1. Of terror to the unbelieving Jews; for it was a presage of the utter destruction of their church and nation, which followed not long after; it was like the cutting asunder of the staff of beauty, for this vail was exceeding splendid and glorious, (Ex. 26. 31,) and that was done at the same time when they gave for his price thirty pieces of silver, Zech. 11. 10, 12, to break the covenant which he had made with that people. Now it was time to cry, Ichabod, The glory is departed from Israel. Some think that that story which Josephus relates, of the temple door opening of its own accord, with that voice, Let us depart hence, some years before the destruction of Jerusalem, is the same with this; but that is not probable; however, this had the same signification, according to that, (Hos. 5. 14,) I will tear, and go away. 2. It speaks a deal of comfort to all believing Christians, for it signified the consecrating and laying open to us of a new and living way into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.

VI. The centurion who commanded that detachment which had the oversight of the execution, was convinced, and confessed that this Jesus was the Son of God, v. 39. One thing that satisfied him, was, that he so cried out and gave up the ghost: that one who was ready to give up the ghost should be able to cry out so, was very surprising. Of all the sad spectacles of this kind he never observed the like; and that one who had strength to cry so loud, should yet immediately give up the ghost, this also made him wonder; and he said, to the honour of Christ, and the shame of those that abused him, Truly this

40 There were also women looking on afar "off;
mother of James the less, and of Joses, and Sa-
among whom was Mary Magdalene and Mary the
lome;

41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed
him, and ministered unto him;) and many other
42 And now when the even was come, because
women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the
sabbath,

43 Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsel-
and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body
lor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came,
of Jesus.

44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead:
whether he had been any while dead.
and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him

[graphic]

y Luke 2. 25, 38.
I answer, 1. He had reason to say that he suffered unjustly, and
man was the Son of God. But what reason had he to say so?
had a great deal of wrong done him. Note, He suffered for
saying that he was the Son of God; and it was true he did say
so, so that if he suffered unjustly, as it was plain by all the
was true, and he was indeed the Son of God. 2. He had rea-
circumstances of his sufferings that he did, then what he said,
Heaven did him honour at his death, and frowned upon his
son to say that he was a Favourite of heaven, and one for whom
the Almighty Power was particularly engaged, seeing how
words as denote his eternal generation as God, and his special
persecutors. "Surely," thinks he, "this must be some Divine
Person, highly beloved of God." This he expresses by such
Our Lord Jesus, even in the depth of his sufferings and humili-
designation to the office of Mediator, though he meant not so.
ation, was the Son of God, and was declared to be so with
power.

VII. There were some of his friends, the good women espe-
cially, that attended him; (v. 40, 41,) There were women look-
so very outrageous; Currenti cede furori-Give way to the
ing on afar off: the men durst not be seen at all, the mob was
raging torrent, they thought was good counsel now. The wo-
men durst not come near, but stood at a distance, overwhelmed
with grief. Some of these women are here named. Mary
Magdalene was one; she had been his patient, and owed all
her comfort to his power and goodness, which rescued her out
of the possession of seven devils, in gratitude for which she
thought she could never do enough for him. Mary also was
there, the mother of James the little, Jacobus parvus, so the word
is; probably, he was so called, because he was, like Zaccheus,
little of stature. This Mary was the wife of Cleophas or
the feast, as the males were; but it is probable that they came,
Alpheus, sister to the virgin Mary. These women had followed
Christ from Galilee, though they were not required to attend
in expectation that his temporal kingdom would now shortly be
set up, and big with hopes of preferment for themselves, and
their relations under him. It is plain that the mother of Zebe-
dee's children was so, (Matt. 20. 21;) and now to see him
upon a cross, whom they thought to have seen upon a throne,
could not but be a great disappointment to them. Note, Those
that follow Christ, in expectation of great things in this world
by him, and by the profession of his religion, may probably live
to see themselves sadly disappointed.

V. 42-47. We are here attending the funeral of our Lord Jesus, a solemn, mournful funeral. O that we may by grace be planted in the likeness of it! Observe,

I. How the body of Christ was begged. It was, as the dead bodies of malefactors are, at the disposal of the government. Those that hurried him to the cross, designed he should make 1. When the body of Christ was begged, in order to its being his grave with the wicked: but God designed he should make it with the rich, (Is. 53. 9,) and so he did. We are here told, even was come, and it was the preparation, that is, the day before buried, and why such haste was made with the funeral; The the sabbath, v. 42. The Jews were more strict in the observation of the sabbath than of any other feast; and therefore though this day was itself a feast-day, yet they observed it more religiously as the eve of the sabbath; when they prepared their houses and tables for the splendid and joyful solemnizing of the sabbath day. Note, The day before the sabbath should be a day of preparation for the sabbath, not of our houses and tables, but of our hearts, which, as much as possible, should be freed from the cares and business of the world, and fixed, and put in day, that it is requisite we should get ready for it a day before; frame for the service and enjoyment of God. Such work is to be done, and such advantages are to be gained on the sabbath nay, the whole week should be divided between the improvement of the foregoing sabbath and the preparation for the following sabbath.

2. Who it was that begged the body, and took care, for the decent interment of it; it was Joseph of Arimathea, who is here called an honourable counsellor, (v. 43,) a person of character and distinction, and in an office of public trust; some (299 †) think in the state, and that he was one of Pilate's privy council; his post rather seems to have been in the church, he was one of the great sanhedrim of the Jews, or one of the high priest's

[blocks in formation]

CHAPTER XVI.

In this chapter, we have a short account of the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus; and the joys and triumphs which it furnishes all believers with, will be very acceptable to those who sympathized and suffered with Christ in the foregoing chapters. Here is, I. Christ's resurrection notified by an angel to the women that came to the sepulchre to anoint him, v. 1-8. II. His appearance to Mary Magdalene, and the account she gave of it to the disciples, .9-11. III. His appearance to the two disciples going to Emmaus, and the

eleven, with the commission he gave them to set up his kingdom in the world, report they made of it to their brethren, v. 12, 13. IV. His appearance to the

and full instructions and credentials in order thereunto, v. 14-18. V. His owning of them in it, v. 19, 20.

ascension into heaven, the apostles' close application to their work, and God's

z c. 16. 3, 4.

council. He was voxhμwv Bovλcúrns—a counsellor that conducted himself in his place as did become him. Those are truly honourable, and those only, in places of power and trust, who make conscience of their duty, and whose deportment is agreeable to their preferment. But here is a more shining character put upon him; he was one that waited for the kingdom of God, the kingdom of grace on earth, and of glory in heaven, the kingdom of the Messiah. Note, Those who wait for the kingdom of God, and hope for an interest in the privileges of it, must show it by their forwardness to own Christ's cause and interest, even then when it seems to be crushed and run down. Observe, Even among the honourable counsellors there were some, there was one at least, that waited for the kingdom of God, whose faith will condemn the unbelief of all the rest. This man God raised up for this necessary service, when none of Christ's disciples could or durst undertake it, having neither purse, nor interest, nor courage for it. Joseph went in boldly to Pilate; though he knew how much it would affront the chief priests, who had loaded him with so much reproach, to see any honour done him, yet he put on courage; perhaps at first he was a little afraid, but roдuncas-taking heart on it, he determined to show this respect to the remains of the Lord Jesus, let the worst come to the worst.

3. What a surprise it was to Pilate, to hear that he was dead, (Pilate, perhaps, expecting that he would have saved himself, and come down from the cross,) especially that he was already dead, that one who seemed to have more than ordinary vigour, should so soon yield to death. Every circumstance of Christ's dying was marvellous; for from first to last his name was called Wonderful. Pilate doubted (so some understand it) whether he were yet dead or no, fearing lest he should be imposed upon, and the body should be taken down alive, and recovered, whereas the sentence was, as with us, to hang till the body be dead. He therefore called the centurion, his own officer, and asked him whether he had been any while dead, (v. 44,) whether it was so long since they perceived any sign of life in him, any breath or motion, that they might conclude he was dead past recall. The centurion could assure him of this, for he had particularly observed how he gave up the ghost, v. 39. There was a special providence in it, that Pilate should be so strict in examining this, that there might be no pretence to say, that he was buried alive, and so to take away the truth of his resurrection; and so fully was this determined, that that objection was never started. Thus the truth of Christ gains confirmation, sometimes, even from its enemies.

II. How the body of Christ was buried. Pilate gave Joseph leave to take down the body, and do what he pleased with it. It was a wonder the chief priests were not too quick for him, and had not first begged the body of Pilate, to expose it and drag it about the streets, but that remainder of their wrath did God restrain, and gave that invaluable prize to Joseph, who knew how to value it; and the hearts of the priests were so influenced, that they did not oppose it. Sit divus, modo non sit vivus-We care not for his being adored, provided he be not revived.

1. Joseph bought fine linen to wrap the body in, though in such a case old linen that had been worn might have been thought sufficient. In paying respects to Christ it becomes us to be generous, and to serve him with the best that can be got, not with that which can be got at the best hand.

2. He took down the body, mangled and lacerated as it was, and wrapped it in the linen as a treasure of great worth. Our Lord Jesus hath commanded himself to be delivered to us sacramentally in the ordinance of the Lord's supper, which we should receive in such a manner as may best express our love to him, who loved us and died for us.

3. He laid it in a sepulchre of his own, in a private place. We sometimes find it spoken of in the story of the kings of Judah, as a slur upon the memory of the wicked kings, that they were not buried in the sepulchres of the kings; our Lord Jesus, though he did no evil, but much good, and to him was given the throne of his father David, yet was buried in the graves of the common people, for it was not in this world, but in the other, that his rest was glorious. This sepulchre belonged to Joseph; Abraham, when he had no other possession in the

Alene, and Mary the mother of James and Sa

ND "when the sabbath was past, Mary Magda

lome, had bought sweet spices," that they might come and anoint him.

2 And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

4 (And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away,) for it was very great.

5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a long white garment; and they were affrighted. young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified : he is

a Matt. 28. 1, &c. Luke 24. 1, &c. John 20. 1, &c. b Luke 23. 56. land of Canaan, yet had a burying-place, but Christ had not so much as that. This sepulchre was hewn out of a rock, for Christ died to make the grave a refuge and shelter to the saints, and being hewn out of a rock, it is a strong refuge. O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave! Christ himself is a hidingplace to his people, that is, as the shadow of a great rock. 4. He rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre, for so the manner of the Jews was to bury. When Daniel was put into the lions' den, a stone was laid to the mouth of it to keep him in, as here to the door of Christ's sepulchre, but neither of them could keep off the angels' visits to the prisoners.

5. Some of the good women attended the funeral, and beheld where he was laid, that they might come after the sabbath to anoint the dead body, because they had not time to do it now. When Moses, the mediator and lawgiver of the Jewish church, was buried, care was taken that no man should know of his sepulchre, (Deut. 34. 6,) because the respects of the people towards his person were to die with him; but when our great Mediator and Lawgiver was buried, special notice was taken of his sepulchre, because he was to rise again: and the care taken of his body, speaks the care which he himself will take concerning his body the church, even then when it seems to be a dead body, and as a valley full of dry bones, it shall be preserved in order to a resurrection; as shall also the dead bodies of the saints, with whose dust there is a covenant in force which shall not be forgotten. Our meditations on Christ's burial should lead us to think of our own, and should help to make the grave familiar to us, and so to make that bed easy, which we must shortly make in the darkness. Frequent thoughts of it would not only take off the dread and terror of it, but quicken us, since the graves are always ready for us, to get ready for the graves, Job 17. 1.

NOTES TO CHAPTER XVI.

V.1-8. Never was there such a sabbath since the sabbath was first instituted as this was, which the first words of this chapter tell us was now past; during all this sabbath our Lord Jesus lay in the grave. It was to him a sabbath of rest, but a silent sabbath; it was to his disciples a melancholy sabbath, spent in tears and fears. Never were the sabbath services in the temple such an abomination to God, though they had been often so, as they were now, when the chief priests, who presided in them, had their hands full of blood, the blood of Christ. Well, this sabbath is over, and the first day of the week is the first day of a new world. We have here,

I. The affectionate visit which the good women that had attended Christ, now made to his sepulchre-not a superstitious one, but a pious one. They set out from their lodgings very early in the morning, at break of day, or sooner; but either they had a long walk, or they met with some hinderance, so that it was sunrising by the time they got to the sepulchre. They had bought sweet spices too, and came not only to bedew the dead body with their tears, (for nothing could more renew their grief than this,) but to perfume it with their spices, v. 1. Nicodemus had bought a very large quantity of dry spices, myrrh and aloes, which served to dry the wounds, and dry up the blood, John 19. 39. But these good women did not think that enough; they bought spices, perhaps of another kind, some perfumed oils, to anoint him. Note, The respect which others have showed to Christ's name, should not hinder us from showing our respect to it.

II. The care they were in about the rolling away of the stone, and the superseding of that care, (v. 3, 4,) They said among themselves, as they were coming along, and now drew near the sepulchre, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? For it was very great, more than they with their united strength could move. They should have thought of this before they came out, and then discretion would have bid them not go, unless they had those to go with them who could do it. And there was another difficulty much greater than this, to be got over, which they knew nothing of, to wit, a guard of soldiers set to keep the sepulchre; who, had they come before they were frightened away, would have frightened them away. But their gracious love to Christ carried them to the sepulchre; and see how by the time they came thither, both

risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed:

c Ps. 71. 20.

those difficulties were removed, both the stone which they knew of, and the guard which they knew not of. They saw that the stone was rolled away, which was the first thing that amazed them. Note, They who are carried by a holy zeal, to seek Christ diligently, will find the difficulties that lie in their way strangely to vanish, and themselves helped over them beyond their expectation.

III. The assurance that was given them by an angel, that the Lord Jesus was risen from the dead, and had taken leave of his sepulchre, and had left him there to tell those so who came thither to inquire after him.

1. They entered into the sepulchre, at least, a little way in, and saw that the body of Jesus was not there where they left it the other night. He, who by his death undertook to pay our debt, in his resurrection took out our acquittance, for it was his discharge out of prison, and it was a fair and legal discharge, by which it appeared that his satisfaction was accepted for all the purposes for which it was intended, and the matter in dispute was determined by an incontestable evidence that he was the Son of God.

2. They saw a young man sitting on the right side of the sepulchre. The angel appeared in the likeness of a man, of a young man; for angels, though created in the beginning, grow not old, but are always in the same perfection of beauty and strength; and so shall glorified saints be, when they are as the angels. This angel was sitting on the right hand as they went into the sepulchre, clothed with along white garment, a garment down to the feet, such as great men were arrayed with. The sight of him might justly have encouraged them, but they were affrighted. Thus many times that which should be matter of comfort to us, through our own mistakes and misapprehensions proves a terror to us.

saints.

neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, dout of whom he had cast seven devils.

10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

d Luke 8. 2.

it notified to them. [2.] Christ is not extreme to mark what they do amiss, whose hearts are upright with him. The disciples had very unkindly deserted him, and yet he testified his concern for them. [3.] Seasonable comforts shall be sent to them that are lamenting after the Lord Jesus, and he will find a time to manifest himself to them.

(2.) They must be sure to tell Peter. This is particularly taken notice of by this evangelist, who is supposed to have written by Peter's direction. If it were told the disciples, it would be told Peter, for, as a token of his repentance for disowning his Master, he still associated with his disciples; yet he is particularly named, Tell Peter, for, [1.] It will be good news to him, more welcome to him than to any of them; for he is in sorrow for sin, and no tidings can be more welcome to true penitents than to hear of the resurrection of Christ, because he rose again for their justification. [2.] He will be afraid, lest the joy of this good news do not belong to him. Had the angel said only, Go, tell his disciples, poor Peter would have been ready to sigh, and say, “But I doubt I cannot look upon myself as one of them, for I disowned him, and deserve to be disowned by him;" to obviate that, "Go to Peter by name, and tell him, he shall be as welcome as any of the rest to see him in Galilee." Note, A sight of Christ will be very welcome to a true penitent, and a true penitent shall be very welcome to a sight of Christ, for there is joy in heaven concerning him. (3.) They must appoint them all, and Peter, by name, to give him the meeting in Galilee, as he said unto you, Matt. 26. 32. In their journey down into Galilee they would have time to recollect themselves, and call to mind what he had often said to them there, that he should suffer and die, and the third day be raised again; whereas while they were at Jerusalem, among strangers and enemies, they could not recover themselves from the fright they had been in, nor compose themselves to the due entertainment of better tidings. Note, [1.] All the meetings between Christ and his disciples are of his own appointing. [2.] Christ never forgets his appointment, but will be sure to meet his people with the promised blessing in every place where he records his name. [3.] In all meetings between Christ and his disciples, he is the most forward. He goes-before you.

3. He silences their fears by assuring them that here was cause enough for triumph, but none for trembling; (v. 6,) He saith to them, Be not affrighted. Note, As angels rejoice in the conversion of sinners, so they do also in the consolation of Be not affrighted, for, (1.) "Ye are faithful lovers of Jesus Christ, and therefore, instead of being confounded, ought to be comforted. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified." Note, The inquiries of believing souls after Christ, have a particular regard to him as crucified, (1 Cor. 2. 2,) that IV. The account which the women did bring of this to the they may know him, and the fellowship of his sufferings. His disciples; (v. 8,) They went out quickly, and ran from the sebeing lifted up from the earth, is that which draws all men unto pulchre, to make all the haste they could to the disciples, tremhim. Christ's cross is the ensign to which the Gentiles seek.bling and amazed. See how much we are enemies to ourselves Observe, He speaks of Jesus as one that was crucified; "The and our own comfort, in not considering and mixing faith with thing is past, that scene is over, ye must not dwell so much what Christ hath said to us; Christ had often told them, that upon the sad circumstances of his crucifixion as to be unapt to the third day he would rise again, had they given that its due believe the joyful news of his resurrection. He was crucified notice and credit, they would have come to the sepulchre, exin weakness, yet that doth not hinder but that he may be raised pecting to have found him risen, and would have received the in power, and therefore ye that seek him, be not afraid of news of it with a joyful assurance, and not with all this terror missing of him." He was crucified, but he is glorified; and the and amazement. But, being ordered to tell the disciples, beshame of his sufferings is so far from lessening the glory of his cause they were to tell it to all the world, they would not tell it exaltation, that that glory perfectly wipes away all the reproach to any one else, they showed not any thing of it to any man of his sufferings. And therefore after his entrance upon his that they met by the way, for they were afraid, afraid it was too glory, he never drew any vail over his sufferings, nor was shy good news to be true. Note, Our disquieting fears often hinder of having his cross spoken of. The angel here that proclaims us from doing that service to Christ and to the souls of men, his resurrection, calls him Jesus that was crucified. He him- which, if faith and the joy of faith were strong, we might do. self owns, (Rev. 1. 18,) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and V. 9-13. We have here a very short account of two of he appears in the midst of the praises of the heavenly host as a Christ's appearances, and the little credit which the report of Lamb that had been slain, Rev. 5. 6. (2.) "It will therefore them gained with the disciples. be good news to you, to hear that, instead of anointing him dead, you may rejoice in him living. He is risen, he is not here, not dead, but alive again; we cannot as yet show you him, hereafter you will see him, but you may here see the place where they laid him, and you see he is gone hence, not stolen either by his enemies or by his friends, but risen.'

4. He orders them to give speedy notice of this to his disciples. Thus they were made the apostles of the apostles, which was a recompense of their affection and fidelity to him, in attending him on the cross, to the grave, and in the grave. They first came, and were first served; no other of the disciples durst come near his sepulchre, or inquire after him; so little danger was there of their coming by night to steal him away, that none came near him but a few women, who were not able so much as to roll away the stone.

(1.) They must tell the disciples, that he is risen. It is a dismal time with them, their dear Master is dead, and all their hopes and joys are buried in his grave; they look upon their cause as sunk, and themselves ready to fall an easy prey into the hands of their enemies, so that there remains no more spirit in them, they are perfectly at their wits' end, every one is contriving how to shift for himself. "O, go quickly to them," saith the angel," tell them that their Master is risen; this will put some life and spirit into them, and keep them from sinking into despair." Note, [1.] Christ is not ashamed to own his poor disciples, no, not now that he is in his exalted state; his preferment doth not make him shy of them, for he took early care to have

I. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, to her first in the garden, which we have a particular narrative of, John 20. 14. It was she out of whom he had cast seven devils; much was forgiven her, and much was given her, and done for her, and she loved much; and this honour Christ did her, that she was the first that saw him after his resurrection. The closer we cleave to Christ, the sooner we may expect to see him. and the more to see of him.

Now, 1. She brings notice of what she had seen to the disciples; not only to the eleven, but to the rest that followed him, as they mourned and wept, v. 10. Now was the time of which Christ had told them, that they should mourn and lament, John 16. 20. And it was an evidence of their great love to Christ, and the deep sense they had of their loss of him. But when their weeping had endured a night or two, comfort returned, as Christ had promised them; I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. Better news cannot be brought to disciples in tears, than to tell them of Christ's resurrection. And we should study to be comforters to disciples that are mourners, by communicating to them our experiences, and what we have seen of Christ.

2. They could not give credit to the report she brought them. They heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her. The story was plausible enough, and yet they believed not. They would not say that she made the story herself, or designed to deceive them; but they fear that she is imposed upon and that it was but a fancy that she saw him. Had they believed

11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

13 And they went and told it unto the residue; neither believed they them.

15 And he said unto them, Go eye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe: In 'my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up "serpents; and if they

14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbe-drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they lief and hardness of heart, because they believed shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall renot them which had seen him after he was risen.

d Luke 24. 13.
or, together.
e Luke 24. 36. 1 Cor. 15. 5.
f Luke 24. 25.
A Roin. 10. 18. Col. 1. 23. i John 3. 18, 28. Acts
g Matt. 28. 19. John 20. 21.
16. 31-33. Rom. 10. 9. 1 Pet. 3. 21.

the frequent predictions of it from his own mouth, they would
not have been now so incredulous of the report of it.

II. He appeared to two of the disciples, as they went into the country, v. 12. This refers, no doubt, to that which is largely related, (Luke 24. 13,) of what passed between Christ and the two disciples going to Emmaus. He is here said to have appeared to them in another form, in another dress than what he usually wore, in the form of a traveller, as, in the garden, in such a dress, that Mary Magdalene took him for the gardener; but that he had really his own countenance, appears by this, that their eyes were holden, that they should not know him; and when that restraint on their eyes was taken off, immediately they knew him, Luke 24. 16, 31. Now,

1. These two witnesses gave in their testimony to this proof of Christ's resurrection; They went, and told it to the residue, v. 13. Being satisfied themselves, they were desirous to give their brethren the satisfaction they had, that they might be comforted as they were.

2. This did not gain credit with all: Neither believed they them. They suspected that their eyes also deceived them. Now there was a wise providence in it, that the proofs of Christ's resurrection were given in thus gradually, and admitted thus cautiously, that so the assurance with which the apostles preached this doctrine afterward, when they ventured their all upon it, might be the more satisfying. We have the more reason to believe those who did themselves believe so slowly had they swallowed it presently, they might have been thought credulous, and their testimony the less to be regarded; but their disbelieving at first, shows that they did not believe it afterward but upon a full conviction.

V. 14-18. Here is,

I. The conviction which Christ gave his apostles of the truth of his resurrection; (v. 14,) He appeared to them himself when they were all together, as they sat at meat, which gave him an opportunity to eat and drink with them, for their full satisfaction; see Acts 10. 41. And still, when he appeared to them, he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, for even at the general meeting in Galilee, some doubted, as we find, Matt. 28. 17. Note, The evidences of the truth of the Gospel are so full, that those who receive it not, may justly be upbraided with their unbelief; and it is owing not to any weakness or deficiency in the proofs, but to the hardness of the heart, its senselessness and stupidity. Though they had not till now seen him themselves, they are justly blamed because they behieved not them who had seen him after he was risen; and perhaps it was owing in part to the pride of their hearts, that they did not; for they thought, "If indeed he were risen, to whom should he delight to do the honour of showing himself but to us?" And if he pass them by, and show himself to others first, they cannot believe it is he. Thus many disbelieve the doctrine of Christ, because they think it below them to give credit to such as he has chosen to be the witnesses and publishers of it. Observe, it will not suffice for an excuse of our infidelity in the great day, to say, "We did not see him after he was risen,' for we ought to have believed the testimony of those who did see him.

II. The commission which he gave them to set up his kingdom among men by the preaching of his Gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation to God through a Mediator. Now observe, 1. To whom they were to preach the Gospel. Hitherto they had been sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and were forbidden to go into the way of the Gentiles, or into any city of the Samaritans; but now their commission is enlarged, and they are authorized to go into all the world, into all parts of the world, the habitable world, and to preach the Gospel of Christ to every creature, to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews; to every human creature that is capable of receiving it. "Inform them concerning Christ, the history of his life, and death, and resurrection; instruct them in the meaning and intention of these, and of the advantages which the children of men have, or may have, hereby; and invite them, without exception, to come and share in them. This is Gospel, let this, be preached in all places, to all persons." These eleven men could not themselves preach it to all the world, much less to every creature in it; but they and the other disciples, seventy in number, with those who should afterward be added to them, must disperse themselves several ways, and, wherever they went, carry the Gospel along with them. They must send others to those places whither they could not go themselves, and, in short, make it the business of their lives to send those glad tidings up and down the world with all possible fidelity and care, not as an |

cover.

[blocks in formation]

amusement or entertainment, but as a solemn message from
God to men, and an appointed means of making men happy.
"Tell as many as you can, and bid them tell others, it is a
message of universal concern, and therefore ought to have a
universal welcome, because it gives a universal welcome."
2. What is the summary of the Gospel they are to preach;
(v. 16,) "Set before the world life and death, good and evil.
Tell the children of men that they are all in a state of misery
and danger, condemned by their Prince, and conquered and en-
slaved by their enemies." This is supposed in their being
saved, which they would not need to be if they were not lost.
"Now go and tell them," (1.) " That if they believe the Gospel,
and give up themselves to be Christ's disciples; if they renounce
the devil, the world, and the flesh, and be devoted to Christ as
their Prophet, Priest, and King, and to God in Christ as their
God in covenant, and evidence by their constant adherence to
this covenant their sincerity herein, they shall be saved from the
guilt and power of sin, it shall not rule them, it shall not ruin
them. He that is a true Christian, shall be saved through
Christ." Baptism was appointed to be the inaugurating rite,
by which those that embraced Christ owned him; but it is
here put rather for the thing signified than for the sign, for
Simon Magus believed, and was baptized, yet was not saved,
Acts 8. 13. Believing with the heart, and confessing with the
mouth the Lord Jesus, (Rom. 10. 9,) seem to be much the same
with this here. Or thus, We must assent to Gospel truths, and
consent to Gospel terms. (2.) "If they believe not, if they re-
ceive not the record God gives concerning his Son, they cannot
expect any other way of salvation, but must inevitably perish;
they shall be damned, by the sentence of a despised Gospel, added
to that of a broken law." And even this is Gospel, it is good
news, that nothing else but unbelief shall damn men, which is a
sin against the remedy. Dr. Whitby here observes, that they
who hence infer, "That the infant seed of believers are not
capable of baptism, because they cannot believe, must hence
also infer that they cannot be saved; faith being here more
expressly required to salvation than to baptism. And that in
the latter clause baptism is omitted, because it is not simply
the want of baptism, but the contemptuous neglect of it, which
makes men guilty of damnation, otherwise infants might be
damned for the mistakes or profaneness of their parents.
3. What power they should be endowed with, for the con-
firmation of the doctrine they were to preach; (v. 17,) These
signs shall follow them that believe. Not that all who believe,
shall be able to produce these signs, but some, even as many as
were employed in propagating the faith, and bringing others to
it; for signs are intended for them that believe not; see 1 Cor.
14. 22. It added much to the glory and evidence of the Gospel,
that the preachers not only wrought miracles themselves, but
conferred upon others a power to work miracles, which power
followed some of them that believed, wherever they went to
preach. They shall do wonders in Christ's name; the same
name into which they were baptized, in the virtue of power
derived from him, and fetched in by prayer. Some particular
signs are mentioned; (1.) They shall cast out devils; this power
was more common among Christians than any other, and lasted
longer, as appears by the testimonies of Justin Martyr, Origen,
Irenæus, Tertullian, Minutius Felix, and others, cited by Gro-
tius on this place. (2.) They shall speak with new tongues,
which they had never learned, or been acquainted with; and
this was both a miracle, (a miracle upon the mind,) for the con-
firming of the truth of the Gospel, and a means of spreading the
Gospel among those nations that had not heard it. It saved the
preachers a vast labour in learning the languages; and, no
doubt, they who by miracle were made masters of languages,
were complete masters of them and of all their native elegancies,
which were proper both to instruct and affect, which would very
much recommend them and their preaching. (3.) They shall
take up serpents. This was fulfilled in Paul, who was not hurt
by the viper that fastened on his hand, which was acknowledged
a great miracle by the barbarous people, Acts 28. 5, 6. They
shall be kept unhurt by that generation of vipers among whom
they live, and by the malice of the old serpent. (4.) If they be
compelled by their persecutors to drink any deadly poisonous
thing, it shall not hurt them: of which very thing some instances
are found in ecclesiastical history. (5.) They shall not only
be preserved from hurt themselves, but they shall be enabled to
do good to others; They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover, as multitudes had done by their Master's healing touch.
Many of the elders of the church had this power, as appears by
Jam. 5. 14, where, as an instituted sign of this miraculous

19 So then, Pafter the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

p Acts 1. 2, 3. Luke 24. 51. g Ps. 110. 1. I Pet. 3. 22. Rev. 3. 21. healing, they are said to anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord. With what assurance of success might they go about the executing of their commission, when they had such credentials as these to produce!

V. 19, 20. Here is, 1. Christ welcomed into the upper world; (v. 19,) After the Lord had spoken what he had to say to his disciples, he went up into heaven, in a cloud; which we have a particular account of, (Acts 1. 9,) and he had not only an admission, but an abundant entrance, into his kingdom there; he was received up, received in state, with loud acclamations of the heavenly hosts; and he sat on the right hand of God; sitting is a posture of rest, for now he had finished his work, and a posture of rule, for now he took possession of his kingdom; he sat at the right hand of God, which denotes the sovereign dignity he is advanced to, and the universal agency he is intrusted with. Whatever God does concerning us, gives to us, or accepts from us, it is by his Son. Now he is glorified with the glory he had before the world. 2. Christ welcomed in this lower world; his being believed on in the world, and received up into glory, are put together, 1 Tim. 3. 16. (1.) We have here the apostles working diligently for

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

r Acts 5. 12. 14. 3. Heb. 2. 4.

him; they went forth, and preached every where, far and near. Though the doctrine they preached was spiritual and heavenly, and directly contrary to the spirit and genius of the world, though it met with abundance of opposition, and was utterly destitute of all secular supports and advantages, yet the preachers of it were neither afraid nor ashamed; they were so industrious in spreading the Gospel, that within a few years the sound of it went forth into the ends of the earth, Rom. 10. 18. (2.) We have here God working effectually with them, to make their labours successful, by confirming the word with signs following, partly by the miracles that were wrought upon the bodies of people, which were divine seals to the Christian doctrine, and partly by the influence it had upon the minds of people, through the operation of the Spirit of God, see Heb. 2. 4. These were properly signs following the word-the reformation of the world, the destruction of idolatry, the conversion of sinners, the comfort of saints; and these signs still follow it, and that they may do so more and more, for the honour of Christ and the good of mankind, the evangelist prays, and teaches us to say Amen. Father in heaven, thus let thy name be hallowed, and let thy kingdom come.

« PreviousContinue »