Annotations Upon the New Testament, Matthew · Chapter 28
CHAP. XXVIII.
Verse 1. IN the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first day of the day of the weeke, &c. See Weemes his Christian Synagogue, p. 70. Sine teste egressus est è sepulchro ut locus vacuus primum indicium foret: deinde mulieribus per Angelos nuntiari voluit se vivere: paulo post illis apparuit, ac tandem Apostolis, idque saepius. Calvin.] Christ rose earely, to shew unto us, 1. The power of his Godhead. 2. The impotency of his enemies who could no more stay him than they could the Sun from rising. 3. The benefit which Beleevers obtaine by his rising againe. Luk. 1.78, 79.
Mary Magdalene] John names her as the Captaine of the Company, and she was at the principall charge saith Grotius. Shee seemes to be more noble than the rest, because her name is wont to be set before others, 27. Chap. 56. and 61. verses, here, and Mark. 15.40. and 16.1. Luk. 8.2, 3. and 24.30.
Vers. 2. And behold there was a great earthquake, &c.] The Lord by many signs shews the presence of his glory, that he might the better frame the mind of the holy women to reverence.
Rolled back the stone] That Christ might come forth; therefore the body of Christ went not through the grave stone, as Papists say. Perkins.
In Matthew and Marke there is mention made of one Angell only, when Iohn 20.13. and Luke speake of two, but this shew of repugnance is easily taken away, because we know how frequent Synecdoches every where occurre in Scripture. Therefore two Angells were first seene to Mary, then to her other Companions; but because the other who spake especially turned their minds to him, it was sufficient to Matthew and Marke to relate his Embassage. See Grotius.
Vers. 3. His rayment white as snow] See Act. 1.10. The greatest whitenesse is compared to Snow, as with the Greekes and Latines, so also with the Hebrews. Numb. 12.10. Lam. 4.7. Whitenesse is a sign of purity and holinesse. Dan. 7.9. Rev. 3.4, 5, 18. and 4.4. and 6.11. and 7.9, 13.
Vers. 6. He is not here, for he is risen] In Matthew it is, Dominus non est hic, surrexit, The Lord is not here, he is risen: In Marke it is, Dominus surrexit, non est hic, The Lord is risen, he is not here. Matthew proves the Cause by the Effect, Mark the Effect by the Cause.
Vers. 19. Go therefore and teach all nations] (make them disciples) baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost] As if he had said,Promiscuè utūtur interpretes scripturae, imò etiam ipsa scriptura, his vocabulis, in nomine, vel in nomen, vel supra nomen. In Graeco textu verba institutionis habent, foreign, hoc est, in nomen, Interpretes tamen, paucis exceptis, reddunt nihilominus in nomine; Quemadmodum Actorum etiam 10. v. 48. habetur, Petrum jussisse baptizare Cornelium cum alijs, in nomine Domini; est autem baptizare in nomen, vel in nomine, vel super nomine Patris, & Filij, & Spiritus Sancti, primò baptizare veri & unius Dei authoritate, jussu & mandato, hujusque personam in baptizando sustinere. Vt si officiarius aliquis, vel legatus dicit, se in Domini sui nomine haec aut illa proponere, vel facere, hoc est, ex mandato. Praeterea significat baptizatum consecrare & obligare ad agnitionem, fidem, invocationem & cultum hujus veri Dei qui est Pater Filius & Spiritus sanctus. Zepperus. Vide Grot. first teach before you do administer the Sacrament unto them.
These words were spoken to the Apostles only, and not to the Catholicke Church; now their teaching was infallible. 2. The Pastours of the Church in all ages have Commission to teach likewise, but that proves not all their teaching to be alway infallible. He shews that as long as there are nations, Baptisme should be administred.
Vers. 20. I am with you always, even unto the end of the world] This was a personall promise made only to the Apostles, and so cannot be extended to all the Church according to their immediate sence. 2. To whomsoever it belongeth, the meaning is, that howsoever his bodily presence ceased, yet his providence should never faile to preserve and comfort them in all their troubles, and help them in all their actions, and by degrees so enlighten them also, that they should not perish in their ignorance, but be led forward to more perfection. Jansen. 3. If it priviledge the whole Church from errour, because it is made to it, then consequently the particular Churches, Pastors, and Beleevers therein, because it is made to them likewise, but experience sheweth these latter may erre. 4. the Papists say, the Pope may erre, which could not be if these words of Christ meant the Church of Rome.
The Disciples lived not till the end of the world, therefore I am with you, and your Successors, the lawfull Ministers of the Gospell, for ever. Chrysostome bids us take notice that Christ mentioneth the end of the world, that he may therein hearten his Disciples in bearing of the Cross, since it must have an end, and preserve them from being besotted with any worldly hopes, seeing they are transitory, and must have an end.