1Když uplynula sobota, Marie Magdalská, Marie matka Jakubova a Salome nakoupily vonné látky, aby přišly a pomazaly ho. 2A časně ráno prvního dne týdne, když vyšlo slunce, přicházely k hrobce. 3A říkaly si: „Kdo nám odvalí kámen od vchodu do hrobky?“ 4A vzhlédly a vidí, že kámen je odvalen; byl totiž velmi veliký. 5Když vstoupily do hrobky, spatřily mládence sedícího po pravé straně, oděného bílým rouchem, a vyděsily se. 6On pak jim řekl: „Neděste se. Hledáte Ježíše Nazaretského, toho ukřižovaného. Byl vzkříšen z mrtvých, není tu. Hle, místo, kam ho položili. 7Ale jděte a povězte jeho učedníkům i Petrovi: Jde před vámi do Galileje; tam ho spatříte, tak jak vám řekl.“ 8Vyšly a utekly od hrobky; zmocnilo se jich totiž třesení a byly zcela bez sebe. A nikomu nic neřekly, neboť se bály. 9Ráno prvního dne týdne, když Ježíš vstal, ukázal se nejprve Marii Magdalské, od níž kdysi vyhnal sedm démonů. 10Ona šla a oznámila to těm, kteří byli s ním a kteří teď plakali a truchlili. 11A oni, když uslyšeli, že opět žije a že ho spatřila, neuvěřili. 12Potom se v jiném způsobu ukázal dvěma z nich cestou, když šli na pole. 13A oni odešli a oznámili to ostatním, ale ani těmto neuvěřili. 14Nakonec se ukázal Jedenácti, když byli u stolu; pokáral jejich nevěru a tvrdost srdce, protože neuvěřili těm, kteří ho spatřili vzkříšeného z mrtvých. 15A řekl jim: „Jděte do celého světa a vyhlašte evangelium všemu stvoření. 16Kdo uvěří a bude pokřtěn, bude zachráněn. Kdo neuvěří, bude odsouzen. 17Tato znamení budou doprovázet ty, kteří uvěří: V mém jménu budou vyhánět démony, budou mluvit novými jazyky, 18budou brát hady do rukou a vypijí-li něco smrtelného, nijak jim to neublíží. Na nemocné budou vzkládat ruce a budou se mít dobře.“ 19Potom, když jim to pověděl, byl Pán Ježíš vzat vzhůru do nebe a posadil se po pravici Boží. 20Oni vyšli a vyhlásili všude evangelium, Pán pracoval s nimi a potvrzoval to slovo znameními, která je doprovázela. Amen.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 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 it 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 hindrance, so that it was
sun-rising by the time they got to the sepulchre. The 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, Mark 16:1. 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 (
Mark 16:3,
Mark 16:4);
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 these 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 enquire 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 had 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 a fair and legal discharge, by which it appealed 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 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 a long 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.
3. He silences their fears by assuring them that here was cause enough for triumph, but none for trembling (
Mark 16:6);
He saith to them, Be not affrighted. Note, As angels rejoice in the conversation of sinners, so they do also in the consolation of sinners. Be not affrighted, for, (1.) Ye are faithful lovers of Jesus Christ, and therefore, instead of being
confounded, out to be
comforted. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. Note, The enquiries of believing souls after Christ, have a particular regard to him as
crucified (
1Cor 2:2), that they may know him, and the fellowship of his sufferings. His being
lifted up from the earth, is that which
draws all men unto him. Christ's cross is the ensign to which the Gentiles seek. Observe, He speaks of Jesus as one that
was crucified; The thing is
past, that scene is over, ye must not dwell so much upon the sad circumstances of his crucifixion as to be unapt to believe the joyful news of his resurrection. He was
crucified in weakness, yet that doth not hinder but that he may be raised in power, and therefore ye that seek him, be not
afraid of missing of him. He
was crucified, but he
is glorified; and the shame of his sufferings is so far from lessening the glory of his exaltation, that that glory perfectly wipes away all the reproach of his sufferings. And therefore after his entrance upon his glory, he never drew any veil over his sufferings, nor was shy of having his cross spoken of. The angel here that proclaims his resurrection, calls him Jesus that
was crucified. He himself owns (
Revel 1:18),
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and he appears in the midst of the praises of the heavenly host as a
Lamb that had been slain, Revel 5:6. (2.) It will therefore 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, but hereafter you will see him, and you may here see
the place where they laid him. 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 recompence 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 enquire 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, and every one is contriving how to shift for himself. O, go quickly to them, said 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 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 this concern for them. [3.] Seasonable comforts shall be sent to those 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. IV. The account which the women did bring of this to the disciples (
Mark 16:8); They
went out quickly, and
ran from the sepulchre, to make all the haste they could to the disciples,
trembling and
amazed. See how much we are enemies to ourselves and our own comfort, in not considering and mixing faith with that Christ hath said to us. Christ had often told them, that
the third day he would rise again; had they given that its due notice and credit, they would have come to the sepulchre, expecting to have found him risen, and would have received the news of it with a joyful assurance, and not with all this terror and amazement. But, being ordered to tell the disciples, because they were to tell it to all the world, they would not tell it to any one else, they showed not any thing of it to any man that they
met by the way, for
they were afraid, afraid it was too good news to be true. Note, Our disquieting fears often hinder us from doing that service to Christ and to the souls of men, which if faith and the
joy of faith were strong, we might do.
9 We have here a very short account of two of Christ's appearances, and the little credit which the report of them gained with the disciples.
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, Mark 16:10. 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 has promised;
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 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, Mark 16:12. This refers, no doubt, to that which is largely related (
Luke 24:13, etc.), of which 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 restrain on
their eyes was taken off, immediately they
knew him, Lu. 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, Mark 16:13. 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, 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.
14 Here is, I. The
conviction which Christ gave his apostles of the truth of his resurrection (
Mark 16:14); 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 their heart, its senselessness and stupidity. Though they had not till now seen him themselves, they are justly blamed
because they believed 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 be 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 had 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 to 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 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 (
Mark 16:16); 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
enslaved 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 a 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 (
Roma 10:9), seems to be much the same with this here. Or thus, We must
as sent to gospel-truths, and
con sent to gospel-terms. (2.)
If they believe not, if they receive 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 confirmation of the doctrine they were to preach (
Mark 16:17);
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
1Cor 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, Irenaeus, Tertullian Minutius Felix, and others, cited by Grotius 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 confirming 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,
Acts 28:6. 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
James 5:14, where, as an instituted sign of this miraculous 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 executing their commission, when they had such credentials as these to produce!
19 Here is, 1. Christ
welcomed into the
upper world (
Mark 16:19):
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 in 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 entrusted 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,
1Tim 3:16. (1.) We have here the apostles working diligently for 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, Roma 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 the people, which were divine seals to the Christian doctrine, and partly by the influence it had upon the
minds of the people, through the operation of the Spirit of God, see
Hebre 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.