Annotations Upon the New Testament, Luke · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIIII.
Vers. 4. BEhold two men stood by them in shining garments] Matthew and Marke say that one Angel descended.Dicuntur astitisse mulìeribus ex improviso sc. & insperato, eodem modo o verbum illud usurpatur, Luc. 20 ver. 1 Act. 4. v. 1. It is usuall with the Evangelists to put one for many, and many for one. It may be that Matthew makes mention but of one Angell, because but one did speak unto the women; but Luke testifieth of two, and ascribes the speech to both of them, because he that spake not did give consent to all that was spoken.
The two described by Luke have shining garments, but that one Angel which Marke remembred was cloathed with a white robe. The two Angels in Luke appear in a mans shape, but the Angel in Marke appeares in the forme of a young man. Therefore we must determine that these women came to the sepulchre of Christ two severall times after the resurrection, and at both times saw and heard the Angels, the Messengers of the Lords resurrection.Gerh. Harm. Luke describes their first comming to the Sepulchre, and the appearing of the Angels made in it; Matthew and Marke their running out to the Sepulchre and the apparition of the Angel seen in it.
Their garments are said to be shining, either because they sent forth a splendour and brightnesse, or because they were white like lightning; the proper signification of the Greek word confirmes the first interpretation; For foreign is to shine as lightning, and also the nature of Angels, Psal. 104.4. The Syriack hath a word which is used of lightning shining out, Matth. 24.27. Luke 17.24. Acts 15.13.
Vers. 5. All they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth] The brightnesse of the Angells garments did smite their eyes, an unwonted species and appearance struck their mindes,Gerh. therefore they bow their faces being turned away from the Angells toward the earth, which also is an argument of their humility and modesty. Rev. 5.14. and 7.11. and 11.16.
Why seek ye the living among the dead] A friendly chiding, as if he should say, since there is life in Christ whom you seek in the grave, why do you yet seek him among the dead, that is, in the grave, which is the house of the dead.
Vers. 6. But is risen] Viz. as a Conquerer and triumpher. When he was yet in Galilee.] The Angels warne the women of the Sermons of Christ had in Galilee, which are described Matth. 17.22. Marke 9.31. Luke 9.44. because both the women were Galileans,Gerh. and when Christ first of all manifested himself in Galilee to be Christ, he also added this expressely, that he was to suffer, and by his suffering to enter into his glory.
Vers. 10. It was Mary Magdalene, and Ioanna, and Mary the Mother of Iames, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the Apostles] Therefore God chose these women, to which the resurrection of Christ should be first manifested, First, that he might observe his ancient Custome, by which he is wont to choose things contemned, ignoble, and base in this world, 1 Cor. 1.27, 28, 29. These women were not only contemned for the infirmity of their sex, but also for their Country, being of Galilee, Iohn 1.46. but God exalted them by manifesting to them the resurrection of his Son, which is a principall article of our faith, and afterwards he sends them to the Apostles that they might be Apostolorum Apostolae, as the Ancients speak. 2. The women more weak by nature, were struck with most vehement griefe of mind for the ignominy and torments of Christ, which they standing under Christs Crosse saw in the day before the passeover, therefore to them first of all the most joyfull resurrection of Christ is told, as also Christ afterward appeared severally to Peter, because as he offended more hainously than the rest of the Disciples, so he was more grievously troubled, whence it appeares, that the resurrection of Christ will bring consolation to the troubled Consciences and contrite hearts. 3. God would by this meanes prevent the calumnies of the Jews, the Priests lied,Gerhard. and said that the Disciples stole away the body of Christ from the grave, that therefore the impudencie and absurdity of this lie might be reproved, it came to passe by the wonderfull providence of God, that the women should come to the grave before the Apostles. Now it is no wayes probable that women and those few should steale his body out of a sepulchre kept with armed men, and shut up with a great stone. 4. The death of all rose by Eve a woman, therefore Christ would that his resurrection by which righteousnesse and life is restored to us, should be told by women. 5. These women went with a great deale of courage early in the morning to Christs Sepulchre, the Apostles in the meane while being shut up for fear, therefore Christ would have this pious study of theirs rewarded with the most joyfull tidings of the resurrection.
Vers. 11. Seemed to them as idle tales] They doe not believe their words, they hear them as a pleasant fable, they think that these foolish women dreame, the sense is, that they said, that a false vision was offered to the women, as those that doate imagine many things to themselves.
Vers. 12. Stouping downe] Iohn useth the same Greek word, both of himself and of Mary Magdalene in this historie.Vim vocabuli rectè expresserunt Syrus & Arabs, ille introspiciendi, hic explorandi verbo. Grotius.
Vers. 13. And behold two of them went to a village called Emmaus, &c.] Although Marke doth only briefly touch this history, and Matthew and Iohn mention it not, yet because it was very profitable to be knowne and worthy to be remembred, Luke doth not in vaine prosecute it so exactly; so, many visions which Iohn mentions, the other three Evangelists speak not of. Calvin.
Vers. 16. But their eyes were held that they should not know him] The Evangelist expressely witnesseth this, lest any should think that the figure of Christs body was changed, Therefore although Christ remained like himself, he was not acknowledged,Calvin. because the eyes of the seers were taken, by which the suspicion of a Ghost or false imagination is taken away.
Vers. 19. A Prophet mighty in deed and word] He excelled as well in the gift of teaching, as in holinesse of life and excellent gifts.
foreign siue mente, sensu, intellectu, expertes intellectus.Vers. 25. Oh fooles] So also Paul stiles the Galatians 3.1. therefore 5. Matth. 22. such words are not forbidden, but anger, casting out such a word imprudently is forbidden, saith Grotius. Sometimes it is for the profit of the hearers that they should be sharply dealt with. Crudelem medicum intemperans aeger facit.
Vers. 28. And he made as though he would have gone farther] Equivocaters abuse this place;Finxit] Vt habet vulgata editio, foreign, Erasmus prae se ferebat (quod honestius & convenientius indicat Iansenius) longius ire. Hoc gestu externo voluisset dominus augere & propalare desiderium quo tenebantur discipuli ut eum retinerent & ejus praesentia diutius fruerentur, ad communicationem ampliorem: quem finem si non habuisset, tunc reipsa desparuisset, aut ulterius processisset. Rivetus. Haec simulatio fuit non verbis veritatì contradicentibus, sed in gestibus veritari consentientibus. Composuit sese Dominus tanquam longius, nisi in contrarium vehementes instarent discipuli & quasi vi ipsum retinerent. Ames. de consc. l. 5. Vide Cornel. à Lap. he did not pretend one thing and intend another, but as he made an offer to depart, so without question he would have gone further if the importunity of the Disciples had not staid him. See ver. 29.
Vers. 36. Peace be unto you] This was the ordinary way and manner of salutation, as if he should say thus much unto them, that they should find him every way as curteous and loving towards them now being risen, as he was before he dyed.
Vers. 44. In the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and in the Psalmes concerning me] By the name of which he comprehends all the Scriptures, as it appeares from this verse compared with the 27. where Christ is said to interpret concerning himself,In the Psalms] That is, in the Booke of the Psalmes, as 20.42. & Acts 1.20. Vetus est ab Hebraeis usurpata librorum veteris Testamenti distinctio, in Legem, Prophetas & Hagiographa, Thorah, Nebijm, Cerubim, ad hanc respexisse Christus videtur quando scripturam, in Mosem, Prophetas & Psalmos hic distinguit. Psalmos ut praecipuum inter Hagiographia librum, pro illis exprimens. Quistorpius. the things written in all the Scriptures, and that which he first called all the Scriptures, that here he sheweth is to be understood of Moses, the Psalmes, and Prophets. Rainold de lib. Apoc. Praelect. 160.
Vers. 47. Beginning at Ierusalem] Peter sheweth that Christs preaching began in Galilee, Acts 10.37. Therefore not at Ierusalem. 1. This place here is meant of the preaching of Christs Apostles, and not of his own, as that in the Acts is 2. This is meant of their preaching of him after his death and resurrection, that in the Acts of his own, and in his life time. 3. This was a ministeriall publishing of Christ, that in the Acts speaketh only of a voice, fame and good report in the mouths of the common people. Dr. Tailor.
Vers. 49. The promise of my Father] Our Saviour cals the gifts of the Holy Ghost the promise of the Father, either because it was promised of the Father by the Prophets, Esay 44.3. Ezek. 36.24, 25, 26. Ioel 2.18. Or else because it was the Spirit of the Father promised by Christ, but to be obtained of the Father, Iohn 14.26. and 15.26. and 16.7.
Vers. 53. Continually in the Temple] Not that they spent daies and nights there, but because they frequented all the meetings, and at set and solemne houres were present to give thanks unto God. This cheerefulnesse is opposed to the feare which first held them shut up and lurking at home.Calvin.