1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1 In the end G1161 G3796 of the sabbath, G4521 as it began to dawn G2020 toward G1519 the first G3391 day of the week, G4521 came G2064 Mary G3137 Magdalene G3094 and G2532 the other G243 Mary G3137 to see G2334 the sepulchre. G5028
2 And, G2532 behold, G2400 there was G1096 a great G3173 earthquake: G4578 for G1063 the angel G32 of the Lord G2962 descended G2597 from G1537 heaven, G3772 and came G4334 and rolled back G617 the stone G3037 from G575 the door, G2374 and G2532 sat G2521 upon G1883 it. G846
3 G1161 His G846 countenance G2397 was G2258 like G5613 lightning, G796 and G2532 his G846 raiment G1742 white G3022 as G5616 snow: G5510
4 And G1161 for G575 fear G5401 of him G846 the keepers G5083 did shake, G4579 and G2532 became G1096 as G5616 dead G3498 men.
5 And G1161 the angel G32 answered G611 and said G2036 unto the women, G1135 Fear G5399 not G3361 ye: G5210 for G1063 I know G1492 that G3754 ye seek G2212 Jesus, G2424 which G3588 was crucified. G4717
6 He is G2076 not G3756 here: G5602 for G1063 he is risen, G1453 as G2531 he said. G2036 Come, G1205 see G1492 the place G5117 where G3699 the Lord G2962 lay. G2749
7 And G2532 go G4198 quickly, G5035 and tell G2036 his G846 disciples G3101 that G3754 he is risen G1453 from G575 the dead; G3498 and, G2532 behold, G2400 he goeth before G4254 you G5209 into G1519 Galilee; G1056 there G1563 shall ye see G3700 him: G846 lo, G2400 I have told G2036 you. G5213
8 And G2532 they departed G1831 quickly G5035 from G575 the sepulchre G3419 with G3326 fear G5401 and G2532 great G3173 joy; G5479 and did run G5143 to bring G518 his G846 disciples G3101 word. G518
9 And G1161 as G5613 they went G4198 to tell G518 his G846 disciples, G3101 G2532 behold, G2400 Jesus G2424 met G528 them, G846 saying, G3004 All hail. G5463 And G1161 they came G4334 and held G2902 him G846 by the feet, G4228 and G2532 worshipped G4352 him. G846
10 Then G5119 said G3004 Jesus G2424 unto them, G846 Be G5399 not G3361 afraid: G5399 go G565 tell G518 my G3450 brethren G80 that G2443 they go G5217 into G1519 Galilee, G1056 and there G2546 shall they see G3700 me. G3165
11 Now G1161 when they G846 were going, G4198 behold, G2400 some G5100 of the watch G2892 came G2064 into G1519 the city, G4172 and shewed G518 unto the chief priests G749 all the things G537 that were done. G1096
12 And G2532 when they were assembled G4863 with G3326 the elders, G4245 and G5037 had taken G2983 counsel, G4824 they gave G1325 large G2425 money G694 unto the soldiers, G4757
13 Saying, G3004 Say ye, G2036 G3754 His G846 disciples G3101 came G2064 by night, G3571 and stole G2813 him G846 away while we G2257 slept. G2837
14 And G2532 if G1437 this G5124 come G191 to G1909 the governor's G2232 ears, G191 we G2249 will persuade G3982 him, G846 and G2532 secure G275 G4160 you. G5209
15 So G1161 they took G2983 the money, G694 and did G4160 as G5613 they were taught: G1321 and G2532 this G3778 saying G3056 is commonly reported G1310 among G3844 the Jews G2453 until G3360 this day. G4594
16 Then G1161 the eleven G1733 disciples G3101 went away G4198 into G1519 Galilee, G1056 into G1519 a mountain G3735 where G3757 Jesus G2424 had appointed G5021 them. G846
17 And G2532 when they saw G1492 him, G846 they worshipped G4352 him: G846 but G1161 some doubted. G1365
18 And G2532 Jesus G2424 came G4334 and spake G2980 unto them, G846 saying, G3004 All G3956 power G1849 is given G1325 unto me G3427 in G1722 heaven G3772 and G2532 in G1909 earth. G1093
19 Go ye G4198 therefore, G3767 and teach G3100 all G3956 nations, G1484 baptizing G907 them G846 in G1519 the name G3686 of the Father, G3962 and G2532 of the Son, G5207 and G2532 of the Holy G40 Ghost: G4151
20 Teaching G1321 them G846 to observe G5083 all things G3956 whatsoever G3745 I have commanded G1781 you: G5213 and, G2532 lo, G2400 I G1473 am G1510 with G3326 you G5216 alway, G3956 G2250 even unto G2193 the end G4930 of the world. G165 Amen. G281
1 Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first `day' of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And 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.
3 His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who hath been crucified.
6 He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
9 And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11 Now 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.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money unto the soldiers,
13 saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, `and continueth' until this day.
16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped `him'; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
1 And on the eve of the sabbaths, at the dawn, toward the first of the sabbaths, came Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre,
2 and lo, there came a great earthquake, for a messenger of the Lord, having come down out of heaven, having come, did roll away the stone from the door, and was sitting upon it,
3 and his countenance was as lightning, and his clothing white as snow,
4 and from the fear of him did the keepers shake, and they became as dead men.
5 And the messenger answering said to the women, `Fear not ye, for I have known that Jesus, who hath been crucified, ye seek;
6 he is not here, for he rose, as he said; come, see the place where the Lord was lying;
7 and having gone quickly, say ye to his disciples, that he rose from the dead; and lo, he doth go before you to Galilee, there ye shall see him; lo, I have told you.'
8 And having gone forth quickly from the tomb, with fear and great joy, they ran to tell to his disciples;
9 and as they were going to tell to his disciples, then lo, Jesus met them, saying, `Hail!' and they having come near, laid hold of his feet, and did bow to him.
10 Then saith Jesus to them, `Fear ye not, go away, tell to my brethren that they may go away to Galilee, and there they shall see me.'
11 And while they are going on, lo, certain of the watch having come to the city, told to the chief priests all the things that happened,
12 and having been gathered together with the elders, counsel also having taken, they gave much money to the soldiers,
13 saying, `Say ye, that his disciples having come by night, stole him -- we being asleep;
14 and if this be heard by the governor, we will persuade him, and you keep free from anxiety.'
15 And they, having received the money, did as they were taught, and this account was spread abroad among Jews till this day.
16 And the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mount where Jesus appointed them,
17 and having seen him, they bowed to him, but some did waver.
18 And having come near, Jesus spake to them, saying, `Given to me was all authority in heaven and on earth;
19 having gone, then, disciple all the nations, (baptizing them -- to the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all, whatever I did command you,) and lo, I am with you all the days -- till the full end of the age.'
1 Now late on sabbath, as it was the dusk of the next day after sabbath, came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary to look at the sepulchre.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of [the] Lord, descending out of heaven, came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.
3 And his look was as lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answering said to the women, Fear not *ye*, for I know that ye seek Jesus the crucified one.
6 He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly and say to his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goes before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him. Behold, I have told you.
8 And going out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to bring his disciples word, behold also, Jesus met them, saying, Hail! And they coming up took him by the feet, and did him homage.
10 Then Jesus says to them, Fear not; go, bring word to my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
11 And as they went, behold, some of the watch went into the city, and brought word to the chief priests of all that had taken place.
12 And having assembled with the elders, and having taken counsel, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
13 saying, Say that his disciples coming by night stole him [while] we [were] sleeping.
14 And if this should come to the hearing of the governor, *we* will persuade him, and save *you* from all anxiety.
15 And they took the money and did as they had been taught. And this report is current among the Jews until this day.
16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee to the mountain which Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they did homage to him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus coming up spoke to them, saying, All power has been given me in heaven and upon earth.
19 Go [therefore] and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them to the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;
20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have enjoined you. And behold, *I* am with you all the days, until the completion of the age.
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
2 Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
4 For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
5 The angel answered the women, "Don't be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.
6 He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.
7 Go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have told you."
8 They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
9 As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go tell my brothers{The word for "brothers" here may be also correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me."
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all the things that had happened.
12 When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers,
13 saying, "Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 If this comes to the governor's ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry."
15 So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until this day.
16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.
17 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted.
18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
19 Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
1 Now late on the Sabbath, when the dawn of the first day of the week was near, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the place where his body was.
2 And there was a great earth-shock; for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, rolling back the stone, took his seat on it.
3 His form was shining like the light, and his clothing was white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the watchmen were shaking, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel said to the women, Have no fear: for I see that you are searching for Jesus, who was put to death on the cross.
6 He is not here, for he has come to life again, even as he said. Come, see the Lord's resting-place.
7 And go quickly and give his disciples the news that he has come back from the dead, and is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him, as I have said to you.
8 And they went away quickly, with fear and great joy, to give his disciples the news.
9 And on the way, Jesus came to them, saying, Be glad. And they came and put their hands on his feet, and gave him worship.
10 Then said Jesus to them, Have no fear: go and give word to my brothers to go into Galilee, and there they will see me.
11 Now, while they were going, some of the watchmen came into the town and gave news to the chief priests of all the things which had taken place.
12 And when they had come together with those in authority, and had made their decision, they gave much money to the watchmen, saying,
13 Say, His disciples came by night and took him away secretly while we were sleeping.
14 And if this comes to the ruler's ears, we will see that he does not make you responsible.
15 So they took the money, and did as they had been ordered: and this account has been current among the Jews till the present time.
16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had given them orders to go.
17 And when they saw him they gave him worship: but some were in doubt.
18 And Jesus came to them and said, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, giving them baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
20 Teaching them to keep all the rules which I have given you: and see, I am ever with you, even to the end of the world.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Matthew 28
Commentary on Matthew 28 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 28
Mt 28:1-15. Glorious Angelic Announcement on the First Day of the Week, that Christ Is Risen—His Appearance to the Women—The Guards Bribed to Give a False Account of the Resurrection. ( = Mr 16:1-8; Lu 24:1-8; Joh 20:1).
The Resurrection Announced to the Women (Mt 28:1-8).
1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn—after the Sabbath, as it grew toward daylight.
toward the first day of the week—Luke (Lu 24:1) has it, "very early in the morning"—properly, "at the first appearance of daybreak"; and corresponding with this, John (Joh 20:1) says, "when it was yet dark." See on Mr 16:2. Not an hour, it would seem, was lost by those dear lovers of the Lord Jesus.
came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary—"the mother of James and Joses" (see on Mt 27:56; Mt 27:61).
to see the sepulchre—with a view to the anointing of the body, for which they had made all their preparations. (See on Mr 16:1, 2).
And, behold, there was—that is, there had been, before the arrival of the women.
a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, &c.—And this was the state of things when the women drew near. Some judicious critics think all this was transacted while the women were approaching; but the view we have given, which is the prevalent one, seems the more natural. All this august preparation—recorded by Matthew alone—bespoke the grandeur of the exit which was to follow. The angel sat upon the huge stone, to overawe, with the lightning-luster that darted from him, the Roman guard, and do honor to his rising Lord.
3. His countenance—appearance.
was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow—the one expressing the glory, the other the purity of the celestial abode from which he came.
4. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men—Is the sepulchre "sure" now, O ye chief priests? He that sitteth in the heavens doth laugh at you.
5. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye—The "ye" here is emphatic, to contrast their case with that of the guards. "Let those puny creatures, sent to keep the Living One among the dead, for fear of Me shake and become as dead men (Mt 28:4); but ye that have come hither on another errand, fear not ye."
for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified—Jesus the Crucified.
6. He is not here; for he is risen, as he said—See on Lu 24:5-7.
Come—as in Mt 11:28.
see the place where the Lord lay—Charming invitation! "Come, see the spot where the Lord of glory lay: now it is an empty grave: He lies not here, but He lay there. Come, feast your eyes on it!" But see on Joh 20:12.
7. And go quickly, and tell his disciples—For a precious addition to this, see on Mr 16:7.
that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee—to which those women belonged (Mt 27:55).
there shall ye see him—This must refer to those more public manifestations of Himself to large numbers of disciples at once, which He vouchsafed only in Galilee; for individually He was seen of some of those very women almost immediately after this (Mt 28:9, 10).
Lo, I have told you—Behold, ye have this word from the world of light!
8. And they departed quickly—Mark (Mr 16:8) says "they fled."
from the sepulchre with fear and great joy—How natural this combination of feelings! See on a similar statement of Mr 16:11.
and did run to bring his disciples word—"Neither said they anything to any man [by the way]; for they were afraid" (Mr 16:8).
Appearance to the Women (Mt 28:9, 10).
This appearance is recorded only by Matthew.
9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail!—the usual salute, but from the lips of Jesus bearing a higher signification.
And they came and held him by the feet—How truly womanly!
10. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid—What dear associations would these familiar words—now uttered in a higher style, but by the same Lips—bring rushing back to their recollection!
go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me—The brethren here meant must have been His brethren after the flesh (compare Mt 13:55); for His brethren in the higher sense (see on Joh 20:17) had several meetings with Him at Jerusalem before He went to Galilee, which they would have missed if they had been the persons ordered to Galilee to meet Him.
The Guards Bribed (Mt 28:11-15).
The whole of this important portion is peculiar to Matthew.
11. Now when they were going—while the women were on their way to deliver to His brethren the message of their risen Lord.
some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done—Simple, unsophisticated soldiers! How could ye imagine that such a tale as ye had to tell would not at once commend itself to your scared employers? Had they doubted this for a moment, would they have ventured to go near them, knowing it was death to a Roman soldier to be proved asleep when on guard? and of course that was the only other explanation of the case.
12. And when they were assembled with the elders—But Joseph at least was absent: Gamaliel probably also; and perhaps others.
and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers—It would need a good deal; but the whole case of the Jewish authorities was now at stake. With what contempt must these soldiers have regarded the Jewish ecclesiastics!
13. Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept—which, as we have observed, was a capital offense for soldiers on guard.
14. And if this come to the governor's ears—rather, "If this come before the governor"; that is, not in the way of mere report, but for judicial investigation.
we will persuade him, and secure you—The "we" and the "you" are emphatic here—"we shall [take care to] persuade him and keep you from trouble," or "save you harmless." The grammatical form of this clause implies that the thing supposed was expected to happen. The meaning then is, "If this come before the governor—as it likely will—we shall see to it that," &c. The "persuasion" of Pilate meant, doubtless, quieting him by a bribe, which we know otherwise he was by no means above taking (like Felix afterwards, Ac 24:26).
15. So they took the money, and did as they were taught—thus consenting to brand themselves with infamy.
and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day—to the date of the publication of this Gospel. The wonder is that so clumsy and incredible a story lasted so long. But those who are resolved not to come to the light will catch at straws. Justin Martyr, who flourished about A.D. 170, says, in his Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, that the Jews dispersed the story by means of special messengers sent to every country.
Mt 28:16-20. Jesus Meets with the Disciples on a Mountain in Galilee and Gives Forth the Great Commission.
16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee—but certainly not before the second week after the resurrection, and probably somewhat later.
into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them—It should have been rendered "the mountain," meaning some certain mountain which He had named to them—probably the night before He suffered, when He said, "After I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee" (Mt 26:32; Mr 14:28). What it was can only be conjectured; but of the two between which opinions are divided—the Mount of the Beatitudes or Mount Tabor—the former is much the more probable, from its nearness to the Sea of Tiberias, where last before this the Narrative tells us that He met and dined with seven of them. (Joh 21:1, &c.). That the interview here recorded was the same as that referred to in one place only—1Co 15:6—when "He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remained unto that day, though some were fallen asleep," is now the opinion of the ablest students of the evangelical history. Nothing can account for such a number as five hundred assembling at one spot but the expectation of some promised manifestation of their risen Lord: and the promise before His resurrection, twice repeated after it, best explains this immense gathering.
17. And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted—certainly none of "the Eleven," after what took place at previous interviews in Jerusalem. But if the five hundred were now present, we may well believe this of some of them.
19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations—rather, "make disciples of all nations"; for "teaching," in the more usual sense of that word, comes in afterwards, and is expressed by a different term.
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost—It should be, "into the name"; as in 1Co 10:2, "And were all baptized unto (or rather 'into') Moses"; and Ga 3:27, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ."
20. Teaching them—This is teaching in the more usual sense of the term; or instructing the converted and baptized disciples.
to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I—The "I" here is emphatic. It is enough that I
am with you alway—"all the days"; that is, till making converts, baptizing, and building them up by Christian instruction, shall be no more.
even unto the end of the world. Amen—This glorious Commission embraces two primary departments, the Missionary and the Pastoral, with two sublime and comprehensive Encouragements to undertake and go through with them.
First, The Missionary department (Mt 28:18): "Go, make disciples of all nations." In the corresponding passage of Mark (Mr 16:15) it is, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." The only difference is, that in this passage the sphere, in its world-wide compass and its universality of objects, is more fully and definitely expressed; while in the former the great aim and certain result is delightfully expressed in the command to "make disciples of all nations." "Go, conquer the world for Me; carry the glad tidings into all lands and to every ear, and deem not this work at an end till all nations shall have embraced the Gospel and enrolled themselves My disciples." Now, Was all this meant to be done by the Eleven men nearest to Him of the multitude then crowding around the risen Redeemer? Impossible. Was it to be done even in their lifetime? Surely not. In that little band Jesus virtually addressed Himself to all who, in every age, should take up from them the same work. Before the eyes of the Church's risen Head were spread out, in those Eleven men, all His servants of every age; and one and all of them received His commission at that moment. Well, what next? Set the seal of visible discipleship upon the converts, by "baptizing them into the name," that is, into the whole fulness of the grace "of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," as belonging to them who believe. (See on 2Co 13:14). This done, the Missionary department of your work, which in its own nature is temporary, must merge in another, which is permanent. This is
Second, The Pastoral department (Mt 28:20): "Teach them"—teach these baptized members of the Church visible—"to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you," My apostles, during the three years ye have been with Me.
What must have been the feelings which such a Commission awakened? "We who have scarce conquered our own misgivings—we, fishermen of Galilee, with no letters, no means, no influence over the humblest creature, conquer the world for Thee, Lord? Nay, Lord, do not mock us." "I mock you not, nor send you a warfare on your own charges. For"—Here we are brought to
Third, The Encouragements to undertake and go through with this work. These are two; one in the van, the other in the rear of the Commission itself.
First Encouragement: "All power in heaven"—the whole power of Heaven's love and wisdom and strength, "and all power in earth"—power over all persons, all passions, all principles, all movements—to bend them to this one high object, the evangelization of the world: All this "is given unto Me." as the risen Lord of all, to be by Me placed at your command—"Go ye therefore." But there remains a
Second Encouragement: "And lo! I am with you all the days"—not only to perpetuity, but without one day's interruption, "even to the end of the world," The "Amen" is of doubtful genuineness in this place. If, however, it belongs to the text, it is the Evangelist's own closing word.