Chapter 24

Sunday before sunriseMatt. 28:2-4

2And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.3His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow:4and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.

Golgotha. Early Sunday morning

1Many ancient authorities readwhere he lay.

2Some ancient authorities omitof the Lord Jesus.

3Gr.him that liveth.

4Some ancient authorities omitHe is not here, but is risen.

aSo he had already risen at early dawn on the first day of the week. He was buried (§ 167) shortly before sunset on Friday, and at sunset the sabbath began. So he lay in the tomb a small part of Friday, all of Saturday, and 10 or 11 hours of Sunday. This corresponds exactly with the seven times repeated statement that he would or did rise "on the third day," whichcould not possiblymean after 72 hours. The phrase two or three times given, "after three days," naturally denoted for Jews, as for Greeks and Romans, a whole central day and any part of a first and third, thus agreeing with "on the third day." Even the "three days and three nights" ofMatt. 12:40need not, according to known Jewish usage, mean more than we have described. So these expressionscanbe reconciled with "on the third day," and with the facts as recorded, while "on the third day"cannotmean after 72 hours. SeeNote 13at end of the Harmony for full discussion of the question. There is no real appeal from the testimony of Luke, who gives the whole period. Luke states that Jesus was buried just before the sabbath "drew on" (our Friday evening); that the women rested during the sabbath (our Saturday), and that Jesus was already risen early Sunday morning when the women came to the tomb.

1Some ancient authorities omitfrom the tomb.

2Some ancient authorities omit verse 12.

3Or,departed, wondering with himself.

Five appearances are given as occurring on the day of his resurrection, and five subsequently during the forty days. The five appearances on this day were (1) to Mary Magdalene (John and Mark); (2) to other women (Matthew); (3) to the two going to Emmaus; (4) to Simon Peter (Luke 24:34); (5) to ten apostles and others.

Jerusalem. The first day of the week (Sunday)

1The two oldest Greek manuscripts, and some other authorities, omit from ver. 9 to the end. Some other authorities have a different ending to the Gospel.

2Gr.demons.

3Or,Teacher.

4Or,Take hold not on me.

Jerusalem. Sunday the first day of the weekMatt. 28:9-10

9And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.10Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Matt 28:11-15

11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pass.12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,13saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.14And if this1come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care.15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews,and continuethuntil this day.

1Or,come to a hearing before the governor.

Sunday afternoon

Luke 24:13-32

13And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem.14And they communed with each other of all these things which had happened.15And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.17And he said unto them,1What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad.18And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him,2Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:20and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.21But we hoped that it was he which should redeem Israel. Yea and beside all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass.22Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb;23and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.24And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.25And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe3in all that the prophets have spoken!26Behoved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?27And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further.29And they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to abide with them.30And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the4bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.32And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?

1Gr.What words are these that ye exchange one with another?

2Or,Dost thou sojourn alone in Jerusalem, and knowest thou not the things.

3Or,after.

4Or,loaf.

Jerusalem. Sunday evening

1Some ancient authorities omitand saith unto them, Peacebeunto you.

2Some ancient authorities omit ver. 40.

3Many ancient authorities addand a honeycomb.

4Or,Holy Spirit.

5That is,Twin.

aOf our Lord's final commissions to the apostles and others (Luke 24:33), this is the first. See a second in§ 181, and a third in§ 183.

Jerusalem

1Or,hast thou believed?

John 21

1After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he manifestedhimselfon this wise.2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called1Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and thesonsof Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.3Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing.4But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: howbeit the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.5Jesus therefore said unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No.6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.7That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea.8But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the netfullof fishes.9So when they got out upon the land, they see2a fire of coals there, and3fish laid thereon, and4bread.10Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken.11Simon Peter therefore went5up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, the net was not rent.12Jesus saith unto them, Comeandbreak your fast. And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.13Jesus cometh, and taketh the6bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise.14This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after he was risen from the dead.

15So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon,sonof7John,8lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I9love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.16He saith to him again a second time, Simon,sonof7John,8lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I9love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep.17He saith unto him the third time, Simon,sonof7John,9lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time,9Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou10knowest that I9love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.19Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.20Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee?21Peter therefore seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord,11and what shall this man do?22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, whatis thatto thee? follow thou me.23This saying therefore went forth among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, that he should not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, whatis thatto thee?

24This is the disciple which beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true.

25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.

1That is,Twin.

2Gr.a fire of charcoal.

3Or,a fish.

4Or,a loaf.

5Or,aboard.

6Or,loaf.

7Gr.Joanes. Seech. 1:42.

8, 9Lovein these places represents two different Greek words.

10Or,perceivest.

11Gr.and this man, what?

aThe precise date of this seventh appearance is not known except that it was after that on the Resurrection Day and before the Ascension.

1Gr.all the days.

2Or,the consummation of the age.

3Gr.demons.

4Some ancient authorities omitnew.

aThe meeting attended by so large a number as stated by Paul was most probably that which Jesus had appointed (Matt. 28:16), and it could be held on an appointed mountain without attracting the attention of unbelievers.—The Commission in Mark may perhaps be reckoned the same as Matthew's here. A third Commission is given by Luke in§ 183. This is what is called by many the Great Commission.

1 Cor. 15:7

7Then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles.

Jerusalem

1Some ancient authorities readunto.

2Or,nations. Beginning from Jerusalem, ye are witnesses.

3Gr.presented.

4Or,eating with them.

5Or,in.

6Or,appointed by.

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