The Gospel According to Saint Matthew
Matthew 28
Chapter XXVIII · Vol. IV, pp. 109–110
1 Christ's resurrection is declared by an angel to the women. 9 Christ himself appeareth to them. 11 The chief priests give the soldiers money to say that he was stolen out of his sepulchre. 16 Christ appeareth to his disciples, 18 and sendeth them to teach and baptize all nations.
1 In the aend of the sabbath,1 as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre.2
a Mar.16.1,2. Lu.24.1. Jn.20.1. ch.27.56.
1 The end of the sabbath. Rather, 'Sabbath being ended.'—C.
2 Considerable difficulty is experienced in harmonizing the four accounts of the resurrection given by the evangelists. This arises from a variety of causes:—1. The evangelists wrote independently. None of them appears to have been acquainted with the writings of the others. 2. Each writer records those facts which most struck himself. 3. We have no full account of all the events, so as to be able to supply the connecting links. The time of the resurrection is here indicated:—it was at the end of the Sabbath; i.e. after the close of the Jewish Sabbath—not immediately, but, as the succeeding clause more minutely specifies, at Dawn of the day following.—P.
2 And, behold, there was3 a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 Hisb countenance4 was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
b Ps.104.4. Eze.1.4-14. Re.1.14-16. Da.10.5,6. ch.17.2. Mar.16.5. Lu.24.4. Jn.20.12. Lu.1.11,12; 9.2,9. Re.18.1.
4 His countenance the women saw; and the fear of the keepers, the angels could report.—C.
5 And the angel danswered and said unto the women, eFear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
d He.1.14.
e Ps.105.3,4. Mar.16.6. Lu.24.5. Is.41.10,14. Re.1.17,18. Mar.5.36.
6 He is not here; gfor he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
g Jn.2.19. ch.12.40; 16.21; 17.23; 20.19; 27.63.
7 And hgo 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.
8 Andi they departed quickly from the sepulchre, with fear and great joy, and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 Andj as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail! And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, kBe not afraid: gol tell my brethren, that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
k Is.41.10,14; 35.3,4. Re.1.17,18. Mar.5.36.
l Jn.10.16. Ho.11.8. Ps.103.8-13. He.2.11,12. ch.12.49,50. Jn.20.17. See on ver.7.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city,6 and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
6 Being terrified by the earthquake.
12 And nwhen they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
14 Andp if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
p Jn.3.19,20. Ac.12.19.
15 So qthey took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
A.M. cir. 4037. A.D. cir. 33.
q ch.26.15. 1 Ti.6.10. Pr.1.10-16; 28.21.
16 Thenr the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.7
r ch.26.32; ver.7,10. Mar.16.14. 1 Co.15.5.
7 'The eleven' went to Galilee and were present at this interview; but this does not necessarily imply that they alone were present. There is reason to believe that this is the time referred to by Paul when he speaks of Christ's being seen of 500 brethren at once, 1 Co.15.6.—P.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, tAll power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Cited in WSC 26, 88 · WLC 42 · WCF 8.3, 30.1 · HC 25, 31, 47, 50
t Da.7.13,14. Ps.2.6; 89.19,27; 110.1-3. Is.52.13; 53.12; 9.6,7. Da.7.14. ch.11.27; 16.28. Lu.1.32. Jn.3.35; 13.3; 17.2. Ac.2.36; 5.31; 10.36,38,42. Ro.14.9. 1 Co.15.24. Ep.1.10,20,21. Phi.2.9-11. Col.1.16-18. He.1.2,3; 2.8,9. 1 Pe.3.22. Re.1.13,16,18,20; 11.15; 17.14; 19.16.
19 Gou ye therefore, and teach all 9nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;Cited in WSC 6, 26, 88, 92, 93, 94 · WLC 9, 11, 35, 42, 53, 62, 108, 154, 162, 164, 165, 166, 176 · WCF 2.3, 7.6, 21.5, 25.3, 25.5, 27.1, 27.4, 28.1, 28.2, 28.4, 30.1 · HC 22, 25, 31, 47, 53, 65, 68, 69, 71 · SC Bapt. 1
u Mar.16.15,16. Lu.24.47. Is.52.10. Ro.10.18. Ac.2.38; 8.12. 1 Co.1.13,15; 10.2. 1 Pe.3.21. Col.1.23,28. Ac.20.27; 2.42. 1 Co.11.2,23. De.5.32; 12.32.
A.M. cir. 4037. A.D. cir. 33.
9 Or, make disciples or Christians of all nations.
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, vI am with you1 alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.2Cited in WSC 26, 50, 88 · WLC 35, 42, 53, 62, 108, 154, 176 · WCF 7.6, 25.3, 25.5, 27.4, 28.1, 28.2, 30.1 · HC 31, 47, 65, 68
v Jos.1.5,9. Is.41.10,14; 46.4. ch.18.20. Re.1.18.
1 I am with you. Not I will be, but 'I am' with you; because, as God, all times, past, present, and to come, are alike to him.—C.
2 The concluding verses of this Gospel are among the most precious in the Bible. Christ's declaration that universal sovereignty is given to him, in his mediatorial capacity, King and Head of his church, is the basis of what follows. 'Go ye therefore;' I am your King, and you are bound to obey; I am omnipotent, and you must succeed. Go and 'make disciples of all nations'—never cease until all mankind become mine. Go and teach them 'what I have commanded you'—my word is to be your sole text-book. Act thus, 'And, lo, I am with you alway.'—P.
Notes
Ver. 8. With fear and great joy. The emotions of the human mind are often of a very mixed character, of which this verse presents a very striking example. C.
Ver. 9. 'All hail!' 'Hail,' in Saxon, was used to signify health, prosperity, and every kind of blessing and good. 'All hail!' means, therefore, All health, &c., be to you! C.
Ver. 13. The statement of the watch contains the proof of its own falsehood. Had they said, 'Some persons unknown have stolen him,' they might have been believed. But when they charge the stealing against the disciples, and yet acknowledge they themselves were asleep when the theft was committed, they are asserting what they could not know, and are therefore entitled to no credence. That this falsehood was diligently disseminated is evident from Justin Martyr. Traces of it may also be found in the Rabbinical writers. C.
Ver. 18. All power is given unto me—of which he had shown specimens upon earth in repelling Satan, casting out demons, healing diseases, raising the dead, producing food, stilling the tempest, smiting the barren fig-tree; and convincing and converting sinners. This power was given to him as Mediator, God and man in one person, in which character he held it not inherently but derivatively from the Father. C.
Reflections.—Jesus, who was delivered for our offences, rises again for our justification! In the most solemn and seasonable manner Jehovah liberates our Savior when man is redeemed. And great earthquakes, mighty angels, risen saints, suspicious disciples, terrified soldiers, and an empty grave, are made joint witnesses of this leading article of our Christian faith. Yea, even the self-destructive lie, contrived by the Jewish rulers to refute it, indirectly confirms it. But O how great was his kindness in acknowledging those for brethren who had lately forsaken him, and solemnly to visit those who had so shamefully deserted and so sinfully suspected him. Great are the joys which spring from his being; as God-man, made governor of all things in heaven and earth for the good of his church. What extending of her limits! What discipling of the Gentiles! What solemn admission of them into the family and instruction of them in the things of God. We have need then to hold fellowship with him in every ordinance, and obey him in every command; and, even under the best ministry, to try everything by his laws, and to depend on him in every circumstance for his promised presence.
Concluding Remarks on the Book of Matthew.
Matthew was early called to be a disciple and apostle. From that time forward he was a constant attendant upon our Lord; and so, amply qualified to relate 'the things that he both saw and heard.' The Gospel by Matthew is distinguished by the length at which he has related several of our Lord's discourses. Take as examples, the sermon on the mount, his charge to the apostles, his parabolic illustrations of the nature of his kingdom, and his prophecy concerning Jerusalem and the judgment to come. He is also remarkable for the particularity with which he has related so many of our Lord's most wonderful replies to the cavils of his adversaries—replies in which may be found what many of the deepest reasoners of this world have sought in vain—the principle by which evidence rises above probability, and attains to certainty. This our Lord shows to be found in uniformity—in judging of one thing upon exactly the same principles that we judge by in another. By this he silenced the scribes, Pharisees, and Herodians—compelling them, by their judgment in their own case, either to yield to his arguments or shrink away in silence. Of this important principle of reasoning examples may be found, ch. 12. 1-5; 15. 1-9; 16. 1-3; 21. 23-27; 22. 15-22, 41-46.—As the original purpose of the Gospel is to instruct the ignorant, and convince unbelievers, it is presented to us with all the historic evidence that entitles it to the acceptance of reasonable men. It is affirmed by competent witnesses—related with great simplicity;—and that the historians believed their own statements, their sufferings in defence of their testimony sufficiently demonstrate. Upon these grounds it was necessary the Gospel should first stand, so that no unbeliever would be able to screen his infidelity under any pretended want of ordinary historic evidence. Still it is to be remembered, that, while this species of evidence for revelation, like the evidence for the being of a God from the light of nature and creation, is sufficient to leave men without excuse, the believer ascends to a higher ground—the prophecies fulfilled, and the miracles wrought in attestation of our Lord's commission, and the commission emanating from him to his disciples, with the promise of the Holy Spirit to 'bring all things to their remembrance whatsoever he had said to them,' and certainly to 'guide them into all truth.'