Wesley's Notes on the Bible Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 24:1 Certain others with them - Who had not come from Galilee. Mt 28:1; Mr 16:1; Joh 20:1.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 24:4 Behold two - Angels in the form of men. Mary had seen them a little before. They had disappeared on these women's coming to the sepulchre, but now appeared again. St. Matthew and Mark mention only one of them, appearing like a young man.
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 24:6 Remember how he spake to you, saying, The Son of man must be delivered - This is only a repetition of the words which our Lord had spoken to them before his passion But it is observable, he never styles himself the Son of man after his resurrection.
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
And they remembered his words,
And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 24:13 Mr 16:12.
And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
And 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?
And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 24:21 To - day is the third day - The day he should have risen again, if at all.
Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 24:25 O foolish - Not understanding the designs and works of God: And slow of heart - Unready to believe what the prophets have so largely spoken.
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 24:26 Ought not Christ - If he would redeem man, and fulfil the prophecies concerning him, to have suffered these things? - These very sufferings which occasion your doubts, are the proofs of his being the Messiah. And to enter into his glory - Which could be done no other way.
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 24:28 He made as though he would go farther - Walking forward, as if he was going on; and he would have done it, had they not pressed him to stay.
But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 24:29 They constrained him - By their importunate entreaties.
And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 24:30 He took the bread, and blessed, and brake - Just in the same manner as when ho instituted his last supper.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 24:31 Their eyes were opened - That is, the supernatural cloud was removed: And he vanished - Went away insensibly.
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 24:32 Did not our heart burn within us - Did not we feel an unusual warmth of love! Was not our heart burning, and c.
And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 24:33 The same hour - Late as it was.
Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 24:34 The Lord hath appeared to Simon - Before he was seen of the twelve apostles, 1Cor 15:5. He had, in his wonderful condescension and grace, taken an opportunity on the former part of that day (though where, or in what manner, is not recorded) to show himself to Peter, that he might early relieve his distresses and fears, on account of having so shamefully denied his Master.
And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 24:35 In the breaking of bread - The Lord's Supper.
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 24:36 Jesus stood in the midst of them - It was just as easy to his Divine power to open a door undiscernibly, as it was to come in at a door opened by some other hand. Mr 16:14,19; Joh 20:19.
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 24:40 He showed them his hands and his feet - That they might either see or feel the prints of the nails.
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 24:41 While they believed not for joy - They did in some sense believe: otherwise they would not have rejoiced. But their excess of joy prevented a clear, rational belief.
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
And he took it, and did eat before them. 24:43 He took it and ate before them - Not that he had any need of food; but to give them still farther evidence.
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. 24:44 And he said - On the day of his ascension. In the law, and the prophets, and the psalms - The prophecies as well as types, relating to the Messiah, are contained either in the books of Moses (usually called the law) in the Psalms, or in the writings of the prophets; little being said directly concerning him in the historical books.
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, to understand the Scriptures - He had explained them before to the two as they went to Emmaus. But still they Understood them not, till he took off the veil from their hearts, by the illumination of his Spirit.
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 24:47 Beginning at Jerusalem - This was appointed most graciously and wisely: graciously, as it encouraged the, greatest sinners to repent, when they saw that even the murderers of Christ were not excepted from mercy: and wisely, as hereby Christianity was more abundantly attested; the facts being published first on the very spot where they happened.
And ye are witnesses of these things.
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 24:49 Behold I send the promise - Emphatically so called; the Holy Ghost.
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 24:50 He led them out as far as Bethany - Not the town, but the district: to the mount of Olives, Acts 1:12, which stood within the boundaries of Bethany.
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 24:51 And while he was blessing them, he was parted from them - It was much more proper that our Lord should ascend into heaven, than that he should rise from the dead, in the sight of the apostles. For his resurrection was proved when they saw him alive after his passion: but they could not see him in heaven while they continued on earth.
And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
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