24:1 Now upon the 1 first [day] of the week, very a early in
the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the
spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with
them.
(1) Poor humble women, who were certainly not expecting it, are
chosen to be the first witnesses of the resurrection, so
that there might not be any suspicion of either deceit or
violence.
(a) Very early, as Mark says: or as John says, while it
was yet dark, that is, when it was yet hardly the
dawning of day.
24:92 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these
things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
(2) The cowardly and dastardly mind of the disciples is
reproved by the brave courage of women (made so by God's
great mercies) to show that the kingdom of God consists in
an extraordinary power.
24:123 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and b
stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by
themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that
which was come to pass.
(3) Christ uses the incredulity of his disciples for the fuller
setting forth of the truth of his resurrection, lest they
should seem to have believed that too lightly which they
preached afterward to all the world.
(b) As it were holding down his head, and bowing his neck,
looked diligently in.
24:134 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a
village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem [about]
threescore furlongs.
(4) The resurrection is proved by two other witnesses who saw
it, and all the circumstances surrounding it declare that
it was no forged event thought up on purpose in their own
minds.
24:16c But their eyes were holden that they should not know
him.
(c) Were held back and stayed, God no doubt appointing
this to be so: and therefore his body was not
invisible, but rather their eyes were dimmed.
24:18 And d the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering
said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and
hast not known the things which are come to pass there in
these days?
(d) Some of the old fathers think that the other disciple
was the same evangelist who wrote this book, but
Epiphanius, writing against the Saturnilians, says it
was Nathanael; but none of these are certainties.
24:205 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him
to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
(5) It appears by conferring the prophecies of the prophets
that all those things are true and certain which the
evangelist have put down in writing about Christ.
24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he e
vanished out of their sight.
(e) Suddenly taken away, and we may not therefore imagine
that he was there in an invisible body, but indeed
believe that he suddenly changed the place where he
was.
24:35 And they told what things [were done] in the way, and how
he was known of them in f breaking of bread.
(f) When he broke bread, which that people used to do, and
as the Jews still do today at the beginning of their
meals and say a prayer.
24:366 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the
midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.
(6) The Lord himself shows by certain and necessary signs that
he was risen again, and risen in the same body which he had
taken upon himself.
24:38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do g
thoughts arise in your hearts?
(g) Various and doubtful thoughts which fall often into
men's heads, when any strange thing occurs, thoughts
of which there is no great likelihood.
24:447 And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I
spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things
must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses,
and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.
(7) The preaching of the gospel, which was promised to the
prophets, and performed in his time, is committed unto the
apostles, the sum of which is repentance and remission of
sins.
24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in his name among all nations, h beginning at
Jerusalem.
(h) The apostles, who are the preachers of the gospel,
beginning at Jerusalem.
24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but
tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, i until ye be endued
with power from on high.
(i) Until the Holy Spirit comes down from heaven upon you.
24:508 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he
lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
(8) Christ ascends into heaven, and departing bodily from his
disciples, fills their hearts with the Holy Spirit.
