We now come to the closing scene of our redemption. For the lively assurance of our reconciliation with God arises from Christ having come from hell as the conqueror of death, in order to show that he had the power of a new life at his disposal. Justly, therefore, does Paul say that there will be no... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 28:2._And, lo, a great earthquake. _By many signs the Lord showed the presence of his glory, that he might more fully prepare the hearts of the holy women to reverence the mystery. (304) For since it was not a matter of little consequence to know that the Son of God had obtained a victory ov... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Through fear the guards trembled. _The Lord struck _the guards _with _terror, _as if he had engraved their consciences with a hot iron, so as to constrain them reluctantly to feel his divine power. The _terror _had, at least, the effect of hindering them from treating with careless mockery the re... [ Continue Reading ]
7._And go quickly, and tell his disciples. _Here God, by the angel, confers extraordinary honor on the women, by enjoining them to proclaim to the apostles themselves the chief point of our salvation. In Mark’s account of it, they are expressly enjoined to carry this message to _Peter; _not because... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 28:8._And they departed quickly. _The three Evangelists pass by what John relates about Mary Magdalene, (John 20:2,) that she returned into the city before she had seen the angels, and complained with tears that the body of Christ had been taken away. Here they mention only the second return... [ Continue Reading ]
9._And held his feet. _This appears not to agree with the words of John, (John 20:17,) where he declares that Mary was forbidden to touch Christ. But it is easy to reconcile them. The Lord, perceiving that Mary was too eager to embrace and kiss his fleet, orders her to retire; because it was proper... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Then Jesus saith to them. _We conclude, that it was an improper _fear, _from which Christ again delivers them; for though it arose out of admiration, still it was opposed to the tranquillity of faith. That they may raise themselves to Christ, the Conqueror of death, they are commanded to be chee... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 28:11._And while they were departing. _It is not only credible, but the fact is manifest, that the soldiers, to whom had been entrusted the charge of the sepulcher, were corrupted by a bribe, so that they were prepared to tell a lie at the bidding of the priests. They knew well that there wa... [ Continue Reading ]
15._And this statement is currently reported. _It was the finishing stroke of the vengeance of God to blind the _Jews, _that the resurrection of Christ was buried by the perjury of the soldiers, and that so gross a falsehood was believed. And hence it is evident that those who did not believe that C... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 28:16._And the eleven disciples went into Galilee. _Matthew, passing by those occurrences which we have taken out of the other three Evangelists, mentions only in what place _the eleven disciples _were appointed to the apostolic office. For—as we have already had frequent opportunities of pe... [ Continue Reading ]
17._But some doubted. _It is wonderful that, after they had twice seen Christ, still _some doubted. _If any one choose to view this as referring to the first appearance, there will be no absurdity in that opinion; for the Evangelists are sometimes in the habit of blending a variety of transactions.... [ Continue Reading ]
18._And Jesus approached and spoke to them. _His _approach _unquestionably removed all hesitation. Before relating that the office of teaching was committed to the disciples, Matthew says that Christ began by speaking of his _power; _and not without reason. For no ordinary authority would here have... [ Continue Reading ]
19._Go out, therefore, and teach all nations. _Though Mark, after having related that Christ _appeared to the eleven disciples, _immediately subjoins the command to _preach the gospel, _he does not speak of these as an unbroken series of events, for we learn from the enumeration of them which is giv... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 28:20._Teaching them to observe all things. _By these words, as I have formerly suggested, Christ shows that, in sending the apostles, he does not entirely resign his office, as if he ceased to be the Teacher of his Church; for he sends away the apostles with this reservation, that they shal... [ Continue Reading ]