mh_parser/vol_split/42 - Luke/Chapter 24.xml

<div2 id="Luke.xxv" n="xxv" next="John" prev="Luke.xxiv" progress="67.22%" title="Chapter XXIV">
<h2 id="Luke.xxv-p0.1">L U K E.</h2>
<h3 id="Luke.xxv-p0.2">CHAP. XXIV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Luke.xxv-p1">Our Lord Jesus went gloriously down to death, in
spite of the malice of his enemies, who did all they could to make
his death ignominious; but he rose again more gloriously, of which
we have an account in this chapter; and the proofs and evidences of
Christ's resurrection are more fully related by this evangelist
than they were by Matthew and Mark. Here is, I. Assurance given by
two angels, to the woman who visited the sepulchre, that the Lord
Jesus was risen from the dead, according to his own word, to which
the angels refer them (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.1-Luke.24.7" parsed="|Luke|24|1|24|7" passage="Lu 24:1-7">ver.
1-7</scripRef>), and the report of this to the apostles, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.8-Luke.24.11" parsed="|Luke|24|8|24|11" passage="Lu 24:8-11">ver. 8-11</scripRef>. II. The visit which
Peter made to the sepulchre, and his discoveries there, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.12" parsed="|Luke|24|12|0|0" passage="Lu 24:12">ver. 12</scripRef>. III. Christ's conference
with the two disciples that were going to Emmaus, and his making
himself known to them, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.13-Luke.24.35" parsed="|Luke|24|13|24|35" passage="Lu 24:13-35">ver.
13-35</scripRef>. IV. His appearing to the eleven disciples
themselves, the same day at evening, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.39-Luke.24.46" parsed="|Luke|24|39|24|46" passage="Lu 24:39-46">ver. 36-49</scripRef>. V. The farewell he gave them,
his ascension into heaven, and the joy and praise of his disciples
whom he left behind, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.50-Luke.24.53" parsed="|Luke|24|50|24|53" passage="Lu 24:50-53">ver.
50-53</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Luke.xxv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24" parsed="|Luke|24|0|0|0" passage="Lu 24" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Luke.xxv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.1-Luke.24.12" parsed="|Luke|24|1|24|12" passage="Lu 24:1-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.24.1-Luke.24.12">
<h4 id="Luke.xxv-p1.9">The Resurrection.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.xxv-p2">1 Now upon the first <i>day</i> of the week,
very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing
the spices which they had prepared, and certain <i>others</i> with
them.   2 And they found the stone rolled away from the
sepulchre.   3 And they entered in, and found not the body of
the Lord Jesus.   4 And it came to pass, as they were much
perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining
garments:   5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down
<i>their</i> faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye
the living among the dead?   6 He is not here, but is risen:
remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,   7
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful
men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.   8 And
they remembered his words,   9 And returned from the
sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all
the rest.   10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary
<i>the mother</i> of James, and other <i>women that were</i> with
them, which told these things unto the apostles.   11 And
their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them
not.   12 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p3">The manner of the re-uniting of Christ's
soul and body in his resurrection is a mystery, one of the
<i>secret things</i> that <i>belong not to us;</i> but the
<i>infallible proofs</i> of his resurrection, that he did indeed
rise from the dead, and was thereby proved to be the Son of God,
are <i>things revealed, which belong to us and to our children.</i>
Some of them we have here in these verses, which relate the same
story for substance that we had in Matthew and Mark.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p4">I. We have here the affection and respect
which the good women that had followed Christ showed to him, after
he was dead and buried, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.1" parsed="|Luke|24|1|0|0" passage="Lu 24:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. As soon as ever they could, after the sabbath was
over, they <i>came to the sepulchre,</i> to embalm his body, not to
take it out of the linen in which Joseph had wrapped it, but to
anoint the head and face, and perhaps the wounded hands and feet,
and to scatter sweet spices upon and about the body; as it is usual
with us to strew flowers about the dead bodies and graves of our
friends, only to show our good-will towards the taking off the
deformity of death if we could, and to make them somewhat the less
loathsome to those that are about them. The zeal of these good
women for Christ did continue. The spices which they had prepared
the evening before the sabbath, at a great expense, they did not,
upon second thoughts, when they had slept upon it, dispose of
otherwise, suggesting, <i>To what purpose is this waste?</i> but
they brought them to the sepulchre on the morning after the
sabbath, early, very early. It is a rule of charity, <i>Every man,
according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.9.7" parsed="|2Cor|9|7|0|0" passage="2Co 9:7">2 Cor. ix. 7</scripRef>. What is
prepared for Christ, let it be used for him. Notice is taken of the
names of these women, <i>Mary Magdalene,</i> and <i>Joanna,</i> and
<i>Mary</i> the mother of James; grave matronly women, it should
seem, they were. Notice is also taken of certain others with them,
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.1" parsed="|Luke|24|1|0|0" passage="Lu 24:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>, and again,
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.10" parsed="|Luke|24|10|0|0" passage="Lu 24:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. These, who
had not joined in preparing the spices, would yet go along with
them to the sepulchre; as if the number of Christ's friends
increased when he was dead, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:John.12.24 Bible:John.12.32" parsed="|John|12|24|0|0;|John|12|32|0|0" passage="Joh 12:24,32">John
xii. 24, 32</scripRef>. The daughters of Jerusalem, when they saw
how inquisitive the souse was after her Beloved, were desirous to
seek him with her (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.1" parsed="|Song|6|1|0|0" passage="So 6:1">Cant. vi.
1</scripRef>), so were these <i>other women.</i> The zeal of some
provokes others.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p5">II. The surprise they were in, when they
found the stone rolled away and the grave empty (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.2-Luke.24.3" parsed="|Luke|24|2|24|3" passage="Lu 24:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2, 3</scripRef>); they were <i>much
perplexed</i> at that (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.4" parsed="|Luke|24|4|0|0" passage="Lu 24:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>) which they had much reason to rejoice in, that <i>the
stone was rolled away from the sepulchre</i> (by which it appeared
that he had a legal discharge, and leave to come out), and that
they <i>found not the body of the Lord Jesus,</i> by which it
appeared that he had made us of his discharge and was come out.
Note, Good Christians often perplex themselves about that with
which they should comfort and encourage themselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p6">III. The plain account which they had of
Christ's resurrection from two angels, who appeared to them <i>in
shining garments,</i> not only white, but bright, and casting a
lustre about them. They first saw <i>one</i> angel without the
sepulchre, who presently <i>went in,</i> and sat with another angel
in the sepulchre, <i>one at the head and the other at the feet,
where the body of Jesus had lain;</i> so the evangelists may be
reconciled. The women, when they saw the angels, <i>were afraid</i>
lest they had some ill news for them; but, instead of enquiring of
them, they <i>bowed down their faces to the earth,</i> to look for
their dear Master in the grave. They would rather find him in his
<i>grave-clothes</i> than angels themselves in their <i>shining
garments.</i> A dying Jesus has more beauty in the eyes of a
believer than angels themselves. These women, like the spouse, when
found by the watchman (and angels are called <i>watchers</i>),
enter not into any other conversation with them than this, <i>Saw
ye him whom my soul loveth?</i> Now here, 1. They upbraid the women
with the absurdity of the search they were making: <i>Why seek ye
the living among the dead?</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.5" parsed="|Luke|24|5|0|0" passage="Lu 24:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Witness is hereby given to Christ
that he is <i>living,</i> of him <i>it is witnessed that he
liveth</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.7.8" parsed="|Heb|7|8|0|0" passage="Heb 7:8">Heb. vii. 8</scripRef>),
and it is the comfort of all the saints, <i>I know that my Redeemer
liveth;</i> for because he lives we shall live also. But a reproof
is given to those that look for him <i>among the dead,</i>—that
look for him among the dead heroes that the Gentiles worshipped, as
if he were but like one of them,—that look for him in an image, or
a crucifix, the work of men's hands, or among unwritten tradition
and the inventions of men; and indeed all they that expect
happiness and satisfaction in the creature, or perfection in this
imperfect state, may be said to <i>seek the living among the
dead.</i> 2. They assure them that he is risen from the dead
(<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.6" parsed="|Luke|24|6|0|0" passage="Lu 24:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>): "<i>He is not
here, but is risen,</i> is risen by his own power; he has quitted
his grace, to return no more to it." These angels were competent
witnesses, for they had been sent express from heaven with orders
for his discharge. And we are sure that their record is true; they
durst not tell a lie. 3. They refer them to his own words:
<i>Remember what he spoke to you, when he was yet in Galilee.</i>
If they had duly believed and observed the prediction of it, they
would easily have believed the thing itself when it came to pass;
and therefore, that the tidings might not be such a surprise to
them and they seemed to be, the angels repeat to them what Christ
had often said in their hearing, <i>The Son of man must be
delivered into the hands of sinful men,</i> and though it was done
by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, yet they that
did it were not the less <i>sinful</i> for doing it. He told them
that he <i>must be crucified.</i> Surely they could not forget that
which they had with so much concern seen fulfilled; and would not
this bring to their mind that which always followed, <i>The third
day he shall rise again?</i> Observe, These angels from heaven
bring not any <i>new gospel,</i> but put them in mind, as the
angels of the churches do, of the sayings of Christ, and teach them
how to improve and apply them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p7">IV. Their satisfaction in this account,
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.8" parsed="|Luke|24|8|0|0" passage="Lu 24:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. The women
seemed to acquiesce; they <i>remembered his words,</i> when they
were thus put in mind of them, and thence concluded that if he was
risen it was not more than they had reason to expect; and now they
were ashamed of the preparations they had made to embalm on the
third day <i>him</i> who had often said that he would on the third
day rise again. Note, A seasonable remembrance of the words of
Christ will help us to a right understanding of his providence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p8">V. The report they brought of this to the
apostles: <i>They returned from the sepulchre, and told all these
things to the eleven, and to all the rest</i> of Christ's
disciples, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.9" parsed="|Luke|24|9|0|0" passage="Lu 24:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. It
does not appear that they were together in a body; they were
<i>scattered every one to his own,</i> perhaps scarcely two or
three of them together in the same lodgings, but one went to some
of them and another to others of them, so that in a little time,
that morning, they all had notice of it. But we are told (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.11" parsed="|Luke|24|11|0|0" passage="Lu 24:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>) how the report was
received: <i>Their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they
believed them not.</i> They thought it was only the fancy of the
women, and imputed it to the power of imagination; for they also
had forgotten Christ's words, and wanted to be put in mind of them,
not only what he had said to them in Galilee some time ago, but
what he had said very lately, in the night wherein he was betrayed:
<i>Again a little while, and ye shall see me. I will see you
again.</i> One cannot but be amazed at the stupidity of these
disciples,—who had themselves so often professed that they
believed Christ to be the Son of God and the true Messiah, had been
so often told that he must die and rise again, and then enter into
his glory, had seen him more than once raise the dead,—that they
should be so backward to believe in his raising himself. Surely it
would seem the less strange to them, when hereafter this complaint
would justly be taken up <i>by them,</i> to remember that there was
a time when it might justly have been taken up against them, <i>Who
hath believed our report?</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p9">VI. The enquiry which Peter made hereupon,
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.12" parsed="|Luke|24|12|0|0" passage="Lu 24:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. It was Mary
Magdalene that brought the report to him, as appears, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:John.20.1-John.20.2" parsed="|John|20|1|20|2" passage="Joh 20:1,2">John xx. 1, 2</scripRef>, where this story of
his running to the sepulchre is more particularly related. 1. Peter
hastened to the sepulchre upon the report, perhaps ashamed of
himself, to think that Mary Magdalene should have been there before
him; and yet, perhaps, he had not been so ready to go thither now
if the women had not told him, among other things, that <i>the
watch was fled.</i> Many that are <i>swift-footed</i> enough when
there is no danger are but <i>cow-hearted</i> when there is. Peter
now <i>ran to the sepulchre,</i> who but the other day <i>ran from
his Master.</i> 2. He looked into the sepulchre, and took notice
how orderly the linen clothes in which Christ was wrapped were
taken off, and folded up, and laid by themselves, but the body
gone. He was very particular in making his observations, as if he
would rather credit his own eyes than the testimony of the angels.
3. He went away, as he thought, not much the wiser, <i>wondering in
himself at that which was come to pass.</i> Had he remembered the
words of Christ, even this was enough to satisfy him that he was
risen from the dead; but, having forgotten them, he is only amazed
with the thing, and knows not what to make of it. There is many a
thing puzzling and perplexing to us which would be both plain and
profitable if we did but rightly understand the words of Christ,
and had them ready to us.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.xxv-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.13-Luke.24.35" parsed="|Luke|24|13|24|35" passage="Lu 24:13-35" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.24.13-Luke.24.35">
<h4 id="Luke.xxv-p9.4">The Disciples Going to
Emmaus.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.xxv-p10">13 And, behold, two of them went that same day
to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem <i>about</i>
threescore furlongs.   14 And they talked together of all
these things which had happened.   15 And it came to pass,
that, while they communed <i>together</i> and reasoned, Jesus
himself drew near, and went with them.   16 But their eyes
were holden that they should not know him.   17 And he said
unto them, What manner of communications <i>are</i> these that ye
have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?   18 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?   19 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:   20 And how the chief priests and our
rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified
him.   21 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.   22 Yea, and certain women also of
our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
  23 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.   24 And certain of them which were with us went to the
sepulchre, and found <i>it</i> even so as the women had said: but
him they saw not.   25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and
slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter
into his glory?   27 And beginning at Moses and all the
prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things
concerning himself.   28 And they drew nigh unto the village,
whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone
further.   29 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.   30 And it came to pass, as he sat at
meat with them, he took bread, and blessed <i>it,</i> and brake,
and gave to them.   31 And their eyes were opened, and they
knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.   32 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?   33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned
to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that
were with them,   34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and
hath appeared to Simon.   35 And they told what things <i>were
done</i> in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of
bread.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p11">This appearance of Christ to the <i>two
disciples</i> going to Emmaus was mentioned, and but just
mentioned, before (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.12" parsed="|Mark|16|12|0|0" passage="Mk 16:12">Mark xvi.
12</scripRef>); here it is largely related. It happened the same
day that Christ rose, the first day of the new world that rose with
him. One of these two disciples was <i>Cleopas</i> or
<i>Alpheus,</i> said by the ancients to be the brother of Joseph,
Christ's supposed father; who the other was is not certain. Some
think it was Peter; it should seem indeed that Christ did appear
particularly to Peter that day, which the eleven spoke of among
themselves (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.34" parsed="|Luke|24|34|0|0" passage="Lu 24:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>),
and Paul mentions, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.5" parsed="|1Cor|15|5|0|0" passage="1Co 15:5">1 Cor. xv.
5</scripRef>. But it could not be Peter that was one of the
<i>two,</i> for he was one of the <i>eleven</i> to whom the
<i>two</i> returned; and, besides, we know Peter so well as to
think that if he had been one of the two he would have been the
<i>chief speaker,</i> and not Cleopas. It was one of those that
were associated with the eleven, mentioned <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.9" parsed="|Luke|24|9|0|0" passage="Lu 24:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Now in this passage of story we
may observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p12">I. The <i>walk</i> and <i>talk</i> of these
two disciples: <i>They went to a village called Emmaus,</i> which
is reckoned to be about two hours' walk from Jerusalem; it is here
said to be about sixty furlongs, seven measured miles, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.13" parsed="|Luke|24|13|0|0" passage="Lu 24:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. Whether they went
thither upon business, or to see some friend, does not appear. I
suspect that they were going homewards to Galilee, with an
intention not to enquire more after this Jesus; that they were
meditating a retreat, and stole away from their company without
asking leave or taking leave; for the accounts brought them that
morning of their Master's resurrection seemed to them <i>as idle
tales;</i> and, if so, no wonder that they began to think of making
the best of their way home. But as they travelled they <i>talked
together of all those things which had happened,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.14" parsed="|Luke|24|14|0|0" passage="Lu 24:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. They had not courage to
<i>confer</i> of these things, and <i>consult</i> what was to be
done in the present juncture at Jerusalem, for fear of the Jews;
but, when they were got out of the hearing of the Jews, they could
talk it over with more freedom. They <i>talked over these
things,</i> reasoning with themselves concerning the probabilities
of Christ's resurrection; for, according as these appeared, they
would either go forward or return back to Jerusalem. Note, It well
becomes the disciples of Christ, when they are together, to talk of
his death and resurrection; thus they may improve one another's
knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up one another's
devout affections.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p13">II. The good company they met with upon the
road, when Jesus himself came, and joined himself to them
(<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.15" parsed="|Luke|24|15|0|0" passage="Lu 24:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): <i>They
communed together, and reasoned,</i> and perhaps were warm at the
argument, one hoping that their Master was risen, and would set up
his kingdom, the other despairing. <i>Jesus himself drew near,</i>
as a stranger who, seeing them travel the same way that he
<i>went,</i> told them that he should be <i>glad of their
company.</i> We may observe it, for our encouragement to keep up
Christian conference and edifying discourse among us, that where
but two together are well employed in work of that kind Christ will
come to them, and make a third. When they that fear the Lord
<i>speak one to another</i> the Lord <i>hearkens and hears,</i> and
is with them of a truth; so that two thus twisted in faith and love
become a <i>threefold cord, not easily broken,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.4.12" parsed="|Eccl|4|12|0|0" passage="Ec 4:12">Eccl. iv. 12</scripRef>. They in their communings
and reasonings together were searching for Christ, comparing notes
concerning him, that they might come to more knowledge of him; and
now Christ comes to them. Note, They who seek Christ shall find
him: he will manifest himself to those that enquire after him, and
give knowledge to those who use the helps for knowledge which they
have. When the spouse enquired of the watchman concerning her
beloved, <i>it was but a little that she passed from them, but she
found him.</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.4" parsed="|Song|3|4|0|0" passage="So 3:4">Cant. iii. 4</scripRef>.
But, though they had Christ with them, they were not at first aware
of it (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.16" parsed="|Luke|24|16|0|0" passage="Lu 24:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>):
<i>Their eyes were held, that they should not know him.</i> It
should seem, there were both an alteration of the <i>object</i>
(for it is said in Mark that now <i>he appeared in another
form</i>) and a restraint upon the organ (for here it is said that
<i>their eyes were held</i> by a divine power); or, as some think,
there was a confusion in the <i>medium;</i> the air was so disposed
that they could not discern who it was. No matter <i>how</i> it
was, but <i>so</i> it was they did not <i>know him,</i> Christ so
ordering it that they might the more freely discourse with him and
he with them, and that it might appear that his word, and the
influence of it, did not depend upon his bodily presence, which the
disciples had too much doted upon, and must be weaned from; but he
could teach them, and warm their hearts, by others, who should have
his spiritual presence with them, and should have his grace going
along with them unseen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p14">III. The conference that was between Christ
and them, when he knew them, and they knew not him. Now Christ and
his disciples, as is usual when friends meet incognito, or in a
disguise, are here crossing questions.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p15">1. Christ's first question to them is
concerning <i>their</i> present <i>sadness,</i> which plainly
appeared in their countenances: <i>What manner of communications
are those that you have one with another as you walk, and are
sad?</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.17" parsed="|Luke|24|17|0|0" passage="Lu 24:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. It
is a very kind and friendly enquiry. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p16">(1.) They were <i>sad;</i> it appeared to a
stranger that they were so. [1.] They had lost their dear Master,
and were, in their own apprehensions, quite disappointed in their
expectations from him. They had given up the cause, and knew not
what course to take to retrieve it. Note, Christ's disciples have
reason to be sad when he withdraws from them, to <i>fast</i> when
the <i>Bridegroom</i> is taken from them. [2.] Though he was risen
from the dead, yet either they did not know it or did not believe
it, and so they were still in sorrow. Note, Christ's disciples are
often sad and sorrowful even when they have reason to rejoice, but
through the weakness of their faith they cannot take the comfort
that is offered to them. [3.] Being sad, they had <i>communications
one with another</i> concerning Christ. Note, <i>First,</i> It
becomes Christians to talk of Christ. Were our hearts as full of
him, and of what he has done and suffered for us, as they should
be, <i>out of the abundance of the heart the mouth would speak,</i>
not only of God and his providence, but of Christ and his grace and
love. <i>Secondly,</i> Good company and good converse are an
excellent antidote against prevailing melancholy. When Christ's
disciples were sad they did not each one get by himself, but
continued as he sent them out, two and two, for two are better than
one, especially in times of sorrow. Giving <i>vent</i> to the grief
may perhaps give <i>ease</i> to the grieved; and by talking it over
we may talk ourselves or our friends may talk us into a better
frame. Joint mourners should be mutual comforters; comforts
sometimes come best from such.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p17">(2.) Christ came up to them, and enquired
into the matter of their talk, and the cause of their grief:
<i>What manner of communications are these?</i> Though Christ had
now entered into his state of exaltation, yet he continued tender
of his disciples, and concerned for their comfort. He speaks as one
troubled to see their melancholy: <i>Wherefore look ye so sadly
to-day?</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.7" parsed="|Gen|40|7|0|0" passage="Ge 40:7">Gen. xl. 7</scripRef>.
Note, Our Lord Jesus takes notice of the sorrow and sadness of his
disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions. Christ has hereby
taught us, [1.] To be <i>conversable.</i> Christ here fell into
discourse with two grave serious persons, though he was a stranger
to them and they knew him not, and they readily embraced him. It
does not become Christians to be morose and shy, but to take
pleasure in good society. [2.] We are hereby taught to be
<i>compassionate.</i> When we see our friends in sorrow and
sadness, we should, like Christ here, take cognizance of their
grief, and give them the best counsel and comfort we can: <i>Weep
with them that weep.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p18">2. In answer to this, they put a question
to him concerning <i>his strangeness. Art thou only a stranger in
Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that are come to pass
there in these days?</i> Observe, (1.) Cleopas gave him a civil
answer. He does not rudely ask him. "As for what we are talking of,
what is that to you?" and bid him go about his business. Note, We
ought to be civil to those who are civil to us, and to conduct
ourselves obligingly to all, both in word and deed. It was a
dangerous time now with Christ's disciples; yet he was not jealous
of this stranger, that he had any design upon them, to inform
against them, or bring them into trouble. Charity is not forward to
<i>think evil,</i> no, not of strangers. (2.) He is full of Christ
himself and of his death and sufferings, and wonders that every
body else is not so too: "What! art thou such a stranger in
Jerusalem as not to know what has been done to our Master there?"
Note, Those are strangers indeed in Jerusalem that know not of the
death and sufferings of Christ. What! are they <i>daughters of
Jerusalem,</i> and yet so little acquainted with Christ as to ask,
<i>What is thy beloved more than another beloved?</i> (3.) He is
very willing to inform this stranger concerning Christ, and to draw
on further discourse with him upon this subject. He would not have
any one that had the face of a man to be ignorant of Christ. Note,
Those who have themselves the knowledge of Christ crucified should
do what they can to spread that knowledge, and lead others into an
acquaintance with him. And it is observable that these disciples,
who were so forward to instruct the stranger, were instructed by
him; for to him that has, and uses what he has, shall be given.
(4.) It appears, by what Cleopas says, that the death of Christ
made a great noise in Jerusalem, so that it could not be imagined
that any man should be such a stranger in the city as not to know
of it; it was all the talk of the town, and discoursed of in all
companies. Thus the matter of fact came to be universally
<i>known,</i> which, after the pouring out of the Spirit, was to be
<i>explained.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p19">3. Christ, by way of reply, asked
concerning <i>their knowledge</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.19" parsed="|Luke|24|19|0|0" passage="Lu 24:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>): <i>He said unto them, What
things?</i> thus making himself yet more a stranger. Observe, (1.)
Jesus Christ made light of his own sufferings, in comparison with
the joy set before him, which was the recompence of it. Now that he
was entering upon his glory, see with what unconcernedness he looks
back upon his sufferings: <i>What things?</i> He had reason to know
what things; for to him they were bitter things, and heavy things,
and yet he asks, <i>What things?</i> The sorrow was forgotten, for
joy that the man-child of our salvation was born. He took pleasure
in infirmities for our sakes, to teach us to do so for his sake.
(2.) Those whom Christ will teach he will first examine how far
they have learned; they must tell him <i>what things</i> they know,
and then he will tell them what was the meaning of these things.
and lead them into the mystery of them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p20">4. They, hereupon, gave him a particular
account concerning Christ, and the present posture of his affairs.
Observe the story they tell, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.19" parsed="|Luke|24|19|0|0" passage="Lu 24:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p21">(1.) Here is a summary of Christ's
<i>life</i> and <i>character.</i> The <i>things</i> they are full
of are concerning <i>Jesus of Nazareth</i> (so he was commonly
called), who <i>was a prophet,</i> a teacher come from God. He
preached a true and excellent doctrine, which had manifestly its
rise from heaven, and its tendency towards heaven. He confirmed it
by many glorious miracles, miracles of mercy, so that he was
<i>mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;</i> that
is, he was both a great favourite of heaven and a great blessing to
this earth. He was, and appeared to be, greatly beloved of God, and
much the darling of his people. He had great acceptance with God,
and a great reputation in the country. Many are <i>great before all
the people,</i> and are caressed by them, who are not so <i>before
God,</i> as the scribes and Pharisees; but Christ was mighty both
in his <i>doctrine</i> and in his <i>doings, before God and all the
people.</i> Those were strangers in Jerusalem that did not know
this.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p22">(2.) Here is a modest narrative of his
sufferings and death, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.20" parsed="|Luke|24|20|0|0" passage="Lu 24:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>. "Though he was so dear both to God and man, yet the
<i>chief priests and our rulers,</i> in contempt of both,
<i>delivered him</i> to the Roman power, <i>to be condemned to
death,</i> and <i>they have crucified him.</i>" It is strange that
they did not aggravate the matter more, and lay a greater load upon
those that had been guilty of crucifying Christ; but perhaps
because they spoke to one that was a stranger they thought it
prudent to avoid all reflections upon the chief priests and their
rulers, how just soever.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p23">(3.) Here is an intimation of their
disappointment in him, as the reason of their sadness: "<i>We
trusted that it had been he who should have redeemed Israel,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.21" parsed="|Luke|24|21|0|0" passage="Lu 24:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. We are of
those who not only looked upon him to be a prophet, like Moses,
but, like him, a redeemer too." He was depended upon, and great
things expected from him, by them that <i>looked for
redemption,</i> and in it for the consolation of Israel. Now, if
<i>hope deferred makes the heart sick,</i> hope disappointed,
especially such a hope, kills the heart. But see how they made that
the ground of their despair which if they had understood it aright
was the surest ground of their hope, and that was the dying of the
Lord Jesus: <i>We trusted</i> (say they) <i>that it had been he
that should have redeemed Israel.</i> And is it not he that doth
redeem Israel? Nay, is he not by his death paying the price of
their redemption? Was it not necessary, in order to his saving
Israel from their sins, that he should suffer? Sop that now, since
that most difficult part of his undertaking was got over, they had
more reason than ever to <i>trust</i> that <i>this was he that
should deliver Israel;</i> yet now they are ready to give up the
cause.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p24">(4.) Here is an account of their present
amazement with reference to his resurrection. [1.] "<i>This is the
third day</i> since he was crucified and died, and that was the day
when it was expected, if ever, that he should rise again, and rise
in glory and outward pomp, and show himself as publicly in honour
as he had been shown three days before in disgrace; but we see no
sign of it; nothing appears, as we expected, to the conviction and
confusion of his prosecutors, and the consolation of his disciples,
but all is silent." [2.] They own that there was a report among
them that he was risen, but they seem to speak of it very slightly,
and as what they gave no credit at all to (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.22-Luke.24.23" parsed="|Luke|24|22|24|23" passage="Lu 24:22,23"><i>v.</i> 22, 23</scripRef>): "<i>Certain women also
of our company made us astonished</i> (and that was all), who were
<i>early at the sepulchre,</i> and found the body gone, and they
said that they had <i>seen a vision of angels, who said that he was
alive;</i> but we are ready to think it was only their fancy, and
no real thing, for angels would have been sent to the apostles, not
to the women, and women are easily imposed upon." [3.] They
acknowledge that some of the apostles had visited the sepulchre,
and found it empty, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.24" parsed="|Luke|24|24|0|0" passage="Lu 24:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>. "But <i>him they saw not,</i> and therefore we have
reason to fear that he <i>is not risen,</i> for, if he be, surely
he would have <i>shown himself</i> to them; so that, upon the whole
matter, we have no great reason to think that he is risen, and
therefore have no expectations from him now; our hopes were all
nailed to his cross, and buried in his grave."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p25">(5.) Our Lord Jesus, though not known by
face to them, makes himself known to them by his word.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p26">[1.] He reproves them for their
incogitancy, and the weakness of their faith in the scriptures of
the Old Testament: <i>O fools, and slow of heart to believe,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.25" parsed="|Luke|24|25|0|0" passage="Lu 24:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. When Christ
forbade us to say to our brother, <i>Thou fool,</i> it was intended
to restrain us from giving unreasonable reproaches, not from giving
just reproofs. Christ called them <i>fools,</i> not as it signifies
<i>wicked men,</i> in which sense he forbade it to us, but as it
signifies <i>weak men.</i> He might call them <i>fools,</i> for he
<i>knows our foolishness,</i> the foolishness that is bound in our
hearts. Those are fools that act against their own interest; so
they did who would not admit the evidence given them that their
Master was risen, but put away the comfort of it. That which is
condemned in them as their <i>foolishness</i> is, <i>First,</i>
Their <i>slowness to believe.</i> Believers are branded as fools by
atheists, and infidels, and free-thinkers, and their most holy
faith is censured as a fond credulity; but Christ tells us that
those are <i>fools</i> who are <i>slow of heart to believe,</i> and
are kept from it by prejudices never impartially examined.
<i>Secondly,</i> Their slowness to believe <i>the writings of the
prophets.</i> He does not so much blame them for their slowness to
believe the testimony of the women and of the angels, but for that
which was the cause thereof, their <i>slowness to believe</i> the
prophets; for, if they had given the prophets of the Old Testament
their due weight and consideration, they would have been as sure of
Christ's <i>rising from the dead</i> that morning (being the third
day after his death) as they were of the <i>rising of the sun;</i>
for the <i>series</i> and <i>succession</i> of events as settled by
<i>prophecy</i> are no less certain and inviolable than as settled
by <i>providence.</i> Were we but more <i>conversant</i> with the
scripture, and the divine counsels as far as they are made known in
the scripture, we should not be subject to such perplexities as we
often <i>entangle</i> ourselves in.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p27">[2.] He shows them that the sufferings of
Christ, which were such a stumbling-block to them, and made them
unapt to believe his glory, were really the appointed way to his
glory, and he could not go to it any other way (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.26" parsed="|Luke|24|26|0|0" passage="Lu 24:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>): "<i>Ought not the Christ</i>
(the Messiah) to <i>have suffered these things, and to enter into
his glory?</i> Was it not decreed, and was not that decree
<i>declared,</i> that the promised Messiah must first suffer and
then reign, that he must go by his cross to his crown?" Had they
never read the fifty-third of Isaiah and the ninth of Daniel, where
the prophets speak so very plainly of the <i>sufferings of
Christ</i> and the <i>glory that should follow?</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.11" parsed="|1Pet|1|11|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:11">1 Pet. i. 11</scripRef>. The cross of Christ was
that to which they could not reconcile themselves; now here he
shows them two things which take off the offence of the
cross:—<i>First,</i> That the Messiah <i>ought to suffer</i> these
things; and therefore his sufferings were not only no objection
against his being the Messiah, but really a proof of it, as the
afflictions of the saints are an evidence of their sonship; and
they were so far from ruining their expectations that really they
were the foundation of their hopes. He could not have been a
<i>Saviour,</i> if he had not been a <i>sufferer.</i> Christ's
undertaking our salvation was voluntary; but, having undertaken it,
it was necessary that he should suffer and die. <i>Secondly,</i>
That, when he had suffered these things, he should <i>enter into
his glory,</i> which he did at his resurrection; that was his first
step upward. Observe, It is called <i>his</i> glory, because he was
<i>duly entitled</i> to it, and it was the glory he had before the
world was; he <i>ought</i> to enter into it, for in that, as well
as in his sufferings, the scripture must be fulfilled. He
<i>ought</i> to suffer first, and then to enter into his glory; and
thus the <i>reproach</i> of the cross is for ever <i>rolled
away,</i> and we are directed to expect the crown of <i>thorns</i>
and then that of <i>glory.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p28">[3.] He expounded to them the scriptures of
the Old Testament, which spoke of the Messiah, and showed them how
they were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, and now can tell them
more concerning him than they could before tell him (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.27" parsed="|Luke|24|27|0|0" passage="Lu 24:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>): <i>Beginning at
Moses,</i> the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, he went
in order through <i>all the prophets,</i> and <i>expounded to them
the things concerning himself,</i> showing that the sufferings he
had now gone through were so far from defeating the prophecies of
the scripture concerning him that they were the accomplishment of
them. He began at Moses, who recorded the first promise, in which
it was plainly foretold that the Messiah should have his <i>heel
bruised,</i> but that by it the serpent's head should be incurably
broken. Note, <i>First,</i> There are things dispersed throughout
<i>all the scriptures</i> concerning Christ, which it is of great
advantage to have <i>collected</i> and <i>put together.</i> You
cannot go far in any part of scripture but you meet with something
that has reference to Christ, some prophecy, some promise, some
prayer, some type or other; for he is the true <i>treasure his in
the field</i> of the Old Testament. A golden thread of gospel grace
runs through the whole web of the Old Testament. There is an
<i>eye</i> of that <i>white</i> to be discerned in every place.
<i>Secondly,</i> The things concerning Christ need to be
<i>expounded.</i> The eunuch, though a scholar, would not pretend
to understand them, <i>except some man should guide him</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.31" parsed="|Acts|8|31|0|0" passage="Ac 8:31">Acts viii. 31</scripRef>); for they
were delivered darkly, according to that dispensation: but now that
the veil is taken away the New Testament expounds the Old.
<i>Thirdly,</i> Jesus Christ is himself the best expositor of
scripture, particularly the scriptures concerning himself; and even
after his resurrection it was in this way that he led people into
the knowledge of the mystery concerning himself; not by advancing
new notions independent upon the scripture, but by showing how the
scripture was fulfilled, and turning them over to the study of it.
Even the Apocalypse itself is but a second part of the
Old-Testament prophecies, and has continually an eye to them. <i>If
men believe not Moses and the prophets,</i> they are incurable.
<i>Fourthly,</i> In <i>studying</i> the scriptures, it is good to
be <i>methodical,</i> and to take them in order; for the
Old-Testament light shone <i>gradually</i> to the <i>perfect
day,</i> and it is good to observe how <i>at sundry times,</i> and
in <i>divers manners</i> (subsequent predictions improving and
giving light to the preceding ones), God spoke to the fathers
<i>concerning</i> his Son, by whom he has now <i>spoken</i> to us.
Some begin their bible at the wrong end, who study the Revelation
first; but Christ has here taught us to <i>begin at Moses.</i> Thus
far the conference between them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p29">IV. Here is the discovery which Christ at
length made of himself to them. One would have given a great deal
for a copy of the sermon Christ preached to them by the way, of
that exposition of the bible which he gave them; but it is not
thought fit that we should have it, we have the substance of it in
other scriptures. The disciples are so charmed with it, that they
think they are come too soon to their journey's end; but so it is:
<i>They drew nigh to the village whither they went</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.28" parsed="|Luke|24|28|0|0" passage="Lu 24:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>), where, it should seem,
they determined to <i>take up</i> for that night. And now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p30">1. They courted his stay with them: <i>He
made as though he would have gone further;</i> he did not
<i>say</i> that he would, but he seemed to them to be going
further, and did not readily turn into their friend's house, which
it would not be decent for a stranger to do unless he were invited.
He would have gone further if they had not courted his stay; so
that here was nothing like dissimulation in the case. If a stranger
be <i>shy,</i> every one knows the meaning of it; he will not
thrust himself <i>rudely</i> upon your house or company; but, if
you make it appear that you are freely desirous of him for your
guest or companion, he knows not but he may accept your invitation,
and this was all that Christ did when he <i>made as though he would
have gone further.</i> Note, Those that would have Christ dwell
with them must invite him, and be importunate with him; though he
is often <i>found of those that seek him not,</i> yet those only
that <i>seek</i> can be sure to <i>find;</i> and, if he seem to
<i>draw off</i> from us, it is but to draw out our importunity; as
here, <i>they constrained him;</i> both of them laid hold on him,
with a kind and friendly violence, saying, <i>Abide with us.</i>
Note, Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of
communion with Christ cannot but covet more of his company, and beg
of him, not only to <i>walk with them</i> all day, but to <i>abide
with them</i> at night. When <i>the day is far spent,</i> and it is
<i>towards evening,</i> we begin to think of retiring for our
repose, and then it is proper to have our eye to Christ, and to beg
of him to <i>abide with us,</i> to manifest himself to us and to
fill our minds with good thoughts of him and good affections to
him. Christ yielded to their importunity: He <i>went in, to tarry
with them.</i> Thus ready is Christ to give further instructions
and comforts to those who improve what they have received. He has
promised that <i>if any man open the door,</i> to bid him welcome,
he will <i>come in to him,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.3.20" parsed="|Rev|3|20|0|0" passage="Re 3:20">Rev.
iii. 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p31">2. He manifested himself to them, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.30-Luke.24.31" parsed="|Luke|24|30|24|31" passage="Lu 24:30,31"><i>v.</i> 30, 31</scripRef>. We may suppose
that he continued his discourse with them, which he began upon the
road; for thou must talk of the things of God <i>when thou sittest
in the house as well as when thou walkest by the way.</i> While
supper was getting ready (which perhaps was soon done, the
provision was so small and mean), it is probable that he
entertained them with such communications as were <i>good</i> and
<i>to the use of edifying;</i> and so likewise as they <i>sat at
meat</i> his <i>lips fed</i> them. But still they little thought
that it was Jesus himself that was all this while talking with
them, till at length he was pleased to throw off his disguise, and
then to withdraw. (1.) They began to suspect it was he, when, as
they <i>sat down to meat,</i> he undertook the office of the Master
of the feast, which he performed so like himself, and like what he
used to do among his disciples, that by it they discerned him:
<i>He took bread, and blessed it,</i> and <i>brake, and gave to
them.</i> This he did with his usual air both of authority and
affection, with the same gestures and mien, with the same
expressions perhaps in craving a blessing and in giving the bread
to them. This was not a <i>miraculous</i> meal like that of the
five loaves, nor a <i>sacramental</i> meal like that of the
eucharist, but a <i>common</i> meal; yet Christ here did the same
as he did in those, to teach us to keep up our communion with God
through Christ in common providences as well as in special
ordinances, and to crave a blessing and give thanks at every meal,
and to see our daily bread provided for us and broken to us by the
hand of Jesus Christ, the Master, not only of the great family, but
of all our families. Wherever we <i>sit down to eat,</i> let us set
Christ at the upper end of the table, take our meat as <i>blessed
to us</i> by him, and <i>eat and drink</i> to his glory, and
receive contentedly and thankfully what he is pleased to
<i>carve</i> out to us, be the fare ever so coarse and mean. We may
well receive it cheerfully, if we can by faith see it coming to us
<i>from</i> Christ's hand, and with his blessing. (2.) Presently
<i>their eyes were opened,</i> and then they saw who it was, and
<i>knew him</i> well enough. Whatever it was which had hitherto
concealed him from them, it was now taken out of the way; the mists
were scattered, the veil was taken off, and then they made no
question but it was their Master. He might, for wise and holy ends,
put on the shape of another, but no other could put on his; and
therefore it must be he. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace
makes himself known to the souls of his people. [1.] He opens the
scriptures to them, for they are they which testify of him to those
who <i>search them,</i> and search for him in them. [2.] He meets
them at his table, in the ordinance of the Lord's supper, and
commonly there makes further discoveries of himself to them, is
<i>known to them in the breaking of bread.</i> But, [3.] The work
is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind, and causing
the scales to fall off from them, as from Paul's in his conversion.
If he that gives the revelation do not give the understanding, we
are in the dark still.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p32">3. He immediately disappeared: <i>He
vanished out of their sight.</i> <b><i>Aphantos egeneto</i></b>—He
<i>withdrew himself</i> from them, slipped away of a sudden, and
went <i>out of sight.</i> Or, he <i>became not visible by them,</i>
was made inconspicuous by them. It should seem that though Christ's
body, after his resurrection, was the very <i>same body</i> in
which he suffered and died, as appeared by the marks in it, yet it
was so far changed as to become either <i>visible</i> or <i>not
visible</i> as he thought fit to make it, which was a step towards
its being made a <i>glorious body.</i> As soon as he had given his
disciples one glimpse of him he was gone presently. Such short and
transient views have we of Christ in this world; we see him, but in
a little while lose the sight of him again. When we come to heaven
the vision of him will have no interruptions.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p33">V. Here is the reflection which these
disciples made upon this conference, and the report which they made
of it to their brethren at Jerusalem.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p34">1. The reflection they each of them made
upon the influence which Christ's discourse had upon them
(<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.32" parsed="|Luke|24|32|0|0" passage="Lu 24:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>): <i>They
said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us?</i> "I am
sure mine did," saith one; "And so did mine," saith the other, "I
never was so affected with any discourse in all my life." Thus do
they not so much compare <i>notes</i> as compare <i>hearts,</i> in
the review of the sermon Christ had preached to them. They found
the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. It
made things very plain and clear to them; and, which was more,
brought a <i>divine heat</i> with a <i>divine light</i> into their
souls, such as put their hearts into a glow, and kindled a holy
fire of pious and devout affections in them. Now this they take
notice of, for the confirming of their belief, that it was indeed,
as at last they saw, <i>Jesus himself</i> that had been talking
with them all along. "What fools were we, that we were not sooner
aware who it was! For none but he, no word but his, could <i>make
our hearts burn within us</i> as they did; it must be he that has
the key of the heart; it could be no other." See here, (1.) What
<i>preaching</i> is likely to <i>do good</i>—such as Christ's was,
<i>plain preaching,</i> and that which is familiar and level to our
capacity—<i>he talked with us by the way;</i> and
<i>scriptural</i> preaching—<i>he opened to us the scriptures,</i>
the scriptures relating to himself. Ministers should show people
their religion in their bibles, and that they preach no other
doctrine to them than what is there; they must show that they make
that the fountain of their knowledge and the foundation of their
faith. Note, The expounding of those scriptures which speak of
Christ has a direct tendency to warm the hearts of his disciples,
both to quicken and to comfort them. (2.) What <i>hearing</i> is
likely to <i>do good</i>—that which makes the <i>heart burn;</i>
when we are much affected with the things of God, especially with
the love of Christ in dying for us, and have our hearts thereby
drawn out in love to him, and drawn up in holy desires and
devotions, then our hearts <i>burn within us;</i> when our hearts
are raised and elevated, and are as the sparks which <i>fly
upwards</i> towards God, and when they are kindled and carried out
with a holy zeal and indignation against sin, both in others and in
ourselves, and we are in some measure refined and purified from it
by the <i>spirit of judgment</i> and the <i>spirit of burning,</i>
then we may say, "Through grace our hearts are thus inflamed."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p35">2. The report they brought of this to their
brethren at Jerusalem (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.33" parsed="|Luke|24|33|0|0" passage="Lu 24:33"><i>v.</i>
33</scripRef>): <i>They rose up the same hour,</i> so transported
with joy at the discovery Christ had made of himself to them that
they could not stay to make an end of their supper, but returned
with all speed to Jerusalem, though it was towards evening. If they
had had any thoughts of quitting their relation to Christ, this
soon banished all such thoughts out of their mind, and there needed
no more to send them back to his flock. It should seem that they
intended at least to take up their quarters to-night at Emmaus; but
now that they had seen Christ they could not rest till they had
brought the good news to the disciples, both for the confirmation
of their trembling faith and for the comfort of their sorrowful
spirits, with the <i>same comforts wherewith they were comforted of
God.</i> Note, It is the duty of those to whom Christ has
manifested himself to let others know what he has done for their
souls. When thou art converted, instructed, comforted, strengthen
thy brethren. These disciples were <i>full</i> of this matter
themselves, and must go to their brethren, to give vent to their
joys, as well as to give them satisfaction that their Master was
risen. Observe, (1.) How they found them, just when they came in
among them, discoursing on the same subject, and relating another
proof of the resurrection of Christ. They found the eleven, and
those that were their usual companions, <i>gathered together</i>
late in the night, to pray together, it may be, and to consider
what was to be done in this juncture; and they found them
<i>saying</i> among themselves (<b><i>legontas</i></b> it is the
saying of the <i>eleven,</i> not of the <i>two,</i> as is plain by
the original), and when these two came in, they repeated to them
with joy and triumph, <i>The Lord is risen indeed, and hath
appeared to Simon,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p35.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.34" parsed="|Luke|24|34|0|0" passage="Lu 24:34"><i>v.</i>
34</scripRef>. That Peter had a sight of him before the rest of the
disciples had appears <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p35.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.5" parsed="|1Cor|15|5|0|0" passage="1Co 15:5">1 Cor. xv.
5</scripRef>, where it is said, <i>He was seen of Cephas, then of
the twelve.</i> The angel having ordered the women to tell Peter of
it particularly (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p35.4" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.7" parsed="|Mark|16|7|0|0" passage="Mk 16:7">Mark xvi.
7</scripRef>), for his comfort, it is highly probable that our Lord
Jesus did himself presently the same day appear to Peter, though we
have no particular narrative of it, to <i>confirm the word of his
messengers.</i> This he had related to his brethren; but, observe,
Peter does not here proclaim it, and boast of it, himself (he
thought this did not become a penitent), but the other disciples
speak of it with exultation, <i>The Lord is risen indeed,</i>
<b><i>ontos</i></b>—<i>really;</i> it is now past dispute, no room
is left to doubt it, for he has appeared not only to the women, but
to Simon. (2.) How they seconded their evidence with an account of
what they had seen (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p35.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.35" parsed="|Luke|24|35|0|0" passage="Lu 24:35"><i>v.</i>
35</scripRef>): <i>They told what things were done in the way.</i>
The words that were spoken by Christ to them in the way, having a
wonderful effect and influence upon them, are here called the
<i>things</i> that were <i>done in the way;</i> for the words that
Christ speaks are not an empty sound, but <i>they are spirit and
they are life,</i> and wondrous things are <i>done</i> by them,
done <i>by the way,</i> by the by as it were, where it is not
expected. They told also how he was at length <i>known to them in
the breaking of bread;</i> then, when he was carving out blessings
to them, God opened their eyes to discern who it was. Note, It
would be of great use for the discovery and confirmation of truth
if the disciples of Christ would compare their observations and
experiences, and communicate to each other what they know and have
felt in themselves.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.xxv-p35.6" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.36-Luke.24.49" parsed="|Luke|24|36|24|49" passage="Lu 24:36-49" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.24.36-Luke.24.49">
<h4 id="Luke.xxv-p35.7">Christ's Interview with the
Apostles.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.xxv-p36">36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood
in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace <i>be</i> unto
you.   37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed
that they had seen a spirit.   38 And he said unto them, Why
are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?  
39 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.
  40 And when he had thus spoken, he showed them <i>his</i>
hands and <i>his</i> feet.   41 And while they yet believed
not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any
meat?   42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of
an honeycomb.   43 And he took <i>it,</i> and did eat before
them.   44 And he said unto them, These <i>are</i> 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
<i>in</i> the prophets, and <i>in</i> the psalms, concerning me.
  45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might
understand the scriptures,   46 And said unto them, Thus it is
written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the
dead the third day:   47 And that repentance and remission of
sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem.   48 And ye are witnesses of these things.  
49 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p37">Five times Christ was seen the same day
that he rose: by Mary Magdalene alone in the garden (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p37.1" osisRef="Bible:John.20.14" parsed="|John|20|14|0|0" passage="Joh 20:14">John xx. 14</scripRef>), by the women as they
were going to tell the disciples (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p37.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.9" parsed="|Matt|28|9|0|0" passage="Mt 28:9">Matt.
xxviii. 9</scripRef>), by Peter alone, by the two disciples going
to Emmaus, and now at night by the eleven, of which we have an
account in these verses, as also <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p37.3" osisRef="Bible:John.20.19" parsed="|John|20|19|0|0" passage="Joh 20:19">John
xx. 19</scripRef>. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p38">1. The great <i>surprise</i> which his
appearing gave them. He came in among them very <i>seasonably,</i>
as they were comparing notes concerning the proofs of his
resurrection: <i>As they thus spoke,</i> and were ready perhaps to
<i>put it to the question</i> whether the proofs produced amounted
to evidence sufficient of their Master's resurrection or no, and
how they should proceed, <i>Jesus himself stood in the midst of
them,</i> and <i>put it out of question.</i> Note, Those who make
the best use they can of their evidences for their comfort may
expect further assurances, and that the <i>Spirit of Christ</i>
will <i>witness with their spirits</i> (as Christ here witnessed
with the disciples, and confirmed their testimony) that they are
the <i>children of God,</i> and risen with Christ. Observe, 1. The
<i>comfort</i> Christ spoke to them: <i>Peace be unto you.</i> This
intimates in general that it was a kind visit which Christ now paid
them, a visit of love and friendship. Though they had very unkindly
deserted him in his sufferings, yet he takes the first opportunity
of seeing them together; for he deals not with us as we deserve.
They did not <i>credit</i> those who had seen him; therefore he
<i>comes himself,</i> that they might not continue in their
disconsolate incredulity. He had promised that after his
resurrection he <i>would see them in Galilee;</i> but so desirous
was he to see them, and satisfy them, that he anticipated the
appointment and <i>sees them at Jerusalem.</i> Note, Christ is
often <i>better</i> than his word, but never <i>worse.</i> Now his
first word to them was, <i>Peace be to you;</i> not in a way of
compliment, but of consolation. This was a common form of
salutation among the Jews, and Christ would thus express his usual
familiarity with them, though he had now entered into his state of
exaltation. Many, when they are advanced, forget their old friends
and take state upon them; but we see Christ as free with them as
ever. Thus Christ would at the first word intimate to them that he
did not come to quarrel with Peter for <i>denying</i> him and the
rest for <i>running away</i> from him; no, he <i>came
peaceably,</i> to signify to them that he had forgiven them, and
was reconciled to them. 2. The <i>fright</i> which they put
themselves into upon it (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p38.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.37" parsed="|Luke|24|37|0|0" passage="Lu 24:37"><i>v.</i>
37</scripRef>): They were <i>terrified,</i> supposing that <i>they
had seen a spirit,</i> because he came in among them without any
noise, and was in the midst of them ere they were aware. The word
used (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p38.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.14.26" parsed="|Matt|14|26|0|0" passage="Mt 14:26">Matt. xiv. 26</scripRef>), when
they said <i>It is a spirit,</i> is <b><i>phantasma</i></b>, it is
a <i>spectre,</i> an <i>apparition;</i> but the word here used is
<b><i>pneuma</i></b>, the word that properly signifies <i>a
spirit;</i> they supposed it to be a spirit not clothed with a real
body. Though we have an alliance and correspondence with the world
of spirits, and are hastening to it, yet while we are here in this
world of sense and matter it is a terror to us to have a spirit so
far change its own nature as to become visible to us, and
conversable with us, for it is something, and bodes something, very
extraordinary.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p39">II. The great <i>satisfaction</i> which his
discourse gave them, wherein we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p40">1. The reproof he gave them for their
causeless fears: <i>Why are you troubled, and why do</i> frightful
<i>thoughts arise in your hearts?</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.38" parsed="|Luke|24|38|0|0" passage="Lu 24:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. Observe here, (1.) That when at
any time we are <i>troubled, thoughts</i> are apt to <i>rise in our
hearts</i> that do us hurt. Sometimes the <i>trouble</i> is the
effect of the <i>thoughts</i> that <i>arise in our hearts;</i> our
griefs and fears take rise from those things that are the creatures
of our own fancy. Sometimes the thoughts arising in the heart are
the effect of the trouble, without are fightings and then within
are fears. Those that are melancholy and troubled in mind have
<i>thoughts arising in their hearts</i> which reflect dishonour
upon God, and create disquiet to themselves. <i>I am cut off from
thy sight. The Lord has forsaken and forgotten me.</i> (2.) That
many of the troublesome thoughts with which our minds are
disquieted arise from our mistakes concerning Christ. They here
thought that they had <i>seen a spirit,</i> when they saw Christ,
and that put them into this fright. We forget that Christ is our
<i>elder brother,</i> and look upon him to be at as great a
distance from us as the world of spirits is from this world, and
therewith terrify ourselves. When Christ is by his Spirit
convincing and humbling us, when he is by his providence trying and
converting us, we <i>mistake him,</i> as if he designed our hurt,
and this troubles us. (3.) That all the troublesome thoughts which
rise in our hearts at any time are known to the Lord Jesus, even at
the first rise of them, and they are displeasing to him. He chid
his disciples for such <i>thoughts,</i> to teach us to chide
ourselves for them. <i>Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Why art
thou troubled?</i> Why do <i>thoughts arise</i> that are neither
<i>true</i> nor <i>good,</i> that have neither <i>foundation</i>
nor <i>fruit,</i> but hinder our joy in God, unfit us for our duty,
give advantage to Satan, and deprive us of the comforts laid up for
us?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p41">2. The proof he gave them of his
resurrection, both for the <i>silencing</i> of their <i>fears</i>
by convincing them that he was <i>not a spirit,</i> and for the
<i>strengthening</i> of their <i>faith</i> in that doctrine which
they were to preach to the world by giving them full satisfaction
concerning his resurrection. Two proofs he gives them:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p42">(1.) He shows them his body, particularly
<i>his hands and his feet.</i> They saw that he had the shape, and
features, and exact resemblance, of their Master; but is it not his
ghost? "No," saith Christ, "<i>behold my hands and my feet;</i> you
see I have <i>hands</i> and <i>feet,</i> and therefore have a
<i>true</i> body; you see I can <i>move</i> these hands and feet,
and therefore have a <i>living</i> body; and you see the marks of
the nails in my hands and feet, and therefore it is <i>my own</i>
body, the <i>same</i> that you saw crucified, and not a
<i>borrowed</i> one." He lays down this principle—that a <i>spirit
has not flesh and bones;</i> it is not compounded of gross matter,
shaped into various members, and consisting of divers heterogeneous
parts, as our bodies are. He does not tell us what a <i>spirit</i>
is (it is time enough to know that when we go to the world of
spirits), but what it is not: <i>It has not flesh and bones.</i>
Now hence he infers, "<i>It is I myself,</i> whom you have been so
intimately acquainted with, and have had such familiar conversation
with; it is <i>I myself,</i> whom you have reason to rejoice in,
and not to be afraid of." Those who <i>know Christ</i> aright, and
know him as <i>theirs,</i> will have no reason to be terrified at
his appearances, at his approaches. [1.] He appeals to their
<i>sight, shows</i> them <i>his hands</i> and <i>his feet,</i>
which were pierced with the nails. Christ retained the marks of
them in his glorified body, that they might be proofs that it was
he himself; and he was willing that they should be <i>seen.</i> He
afterwards showed them to Thomas, for he is not ashamed of his
sufferings for us; little reason then have we to be ashamed of
them, or of ours for him. As he showed his wounds here to his
disciples, for the enforcing of his instructions to them, so he
showed them to his Father, for the enforcing of his intercessions
with him. He appears in heaven <i>as a Lamb that had been slain</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p42.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.6" parsed="|Rev|5|6|0|0" passage="Re 5:6">Rev. v. 6</scripRef>); his <i>blood
speaks,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p42.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.24" parsed="|Heb|12|24|0|0" passage="Heb 12:24">Heb. xii. 24</scripRef>.
He makes intercession in the virtue of his satisfaction; he says to
the Father, as here to the disciples, <i>Behold my hands and my
feet,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p42.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.13.6-Zech.13.7" parsed="|Zech|13|6|13|7" passage="Zec 13:6,7">Zech. xiii. 6,
7</scripRef>. [2.] He appeals to their <i>touch: Handle me, and
see.</i> He would not let Mary Magdalene touch him at that time,
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p42.4" osisRef="Bible:John.20.17" parsed="|John|20|17|0|0" passage="Joh 20:17">John xx. 17</scripRef>. But the
disciples here are entrusted to do it, that they who were to preach
his resurrection, and to suffer for doing so, might be themselves
abundantly satisfied concerning it. He bade them <i>handle him,</i>
that they might be convinced that he was not a <i>spirit.</i> If
there were really no spirits, or apparitions of spirits (as by this
and other instances it is plain that the disciples did believe
there were), this had been a proper time for Christ to have
undeceived them, by telling them there were no such things; but he
seems to take it for granted that there have been and may be
apparitions of spirits, else what need was there of so much pains
to prove that he was not one? There were many heretics in the
primitive times, atheists I rather think they were, who said that
Christ had never any substantial body, but that it was a mere
phantasm, which was neither really born nor truly suffered. Such
wild notions as these, we are told, the Valentinians and Manichees
had, and the followers of Simon Magus; they were called
<b><i>Doketai</i></b> and <b><i>Phantysiastai</i></b>. Blessed be
God, these heresies have long since been <i>buried;</i> and we know
and are sure that Jesus Christ was no <i>spirit</i> or
<i>apparition,</i> but had a true and real body, even after his
resurrection.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p43">(2.) He <i>eats</i> with them, to show that
he had a real and true body, and that he was willing to converse
freely and familiarly with his disciples, as one friend with
another. Peter lays a great stress upon this (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.10.41" parsed="|Acts|10|41|0|0" passage="Ac 10:41">Acts x. 41</scripRef>): We <i>did eat and drink with him
after he rose from the dead.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p44">[1.] When they <i>saw his hands and his
feet,</i> yet they knew not what to say, <i>They believed not for
joy, and wondered,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p44.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.41" parsed="|Luke|24|41|0|0" passage="Lu 24:41"><i>v.</i>
41</scripRef>. It was their infirmity that they <i>believed
not,</i> that <i>yet</i> they believed not, <b><i>eti apistounton
auton</i></b>—<i>they as yet being unbelievers.</i> This very much
corroborates the truth of Christ's resurrection that the disciples
were so slow to believe it. Instead of stealing away his body, and
saying, <i>He is risen,</i> when he is not, as the chief priests
suggested they would do, they are ready to say again and again,
<i>He is not risen,</i> when he is. Their being incredulous of it
at first, and insisting upon the utmost proofs of it, show that
when afterwards they did believe it, and venture their all upon it,
it was not but upon the fullest demonstration of the thing that
could be. But, though it was their infirmity, yet it was an
excusable one; for it was not from any contempt of the evidence
offered them that they believed not: but, <i>First,</i> They
<i>believed not for joy,</i> as Jacob, when he was told that Joseph
was alive; they thought it too good news to be true. When the faith
and hope are therefore <i>weak</i> because the love and desires are
<i>strong,</i> that weak faith shall be helped, and not rejected.
<i>Secondly,</i> They <i>wondered;</i> they thought it not only
<i>too good,</i> but <i>too great,</i> to be true, forgetting both
the scriptures and the power of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p45">[2.] For their further conviction and
encouragement, he <i>called for some meat.</i> He sat down to meat
with the two disciples at Emmaus, but it is not said that he did
eat with <i>them;</i> now, lest that should be made an objection,
he here did actually <i>eat</i> with <i>them</i> and <i>the
rest,</i> to show that his body was really and truly <i>returned to
life,</i> though he did not eat and drink, and converse constantly,
with them, as he had done (and as Lazarus did after <i>his</i>
resurrection, who not only returned to life, but to his former
state of life, and to die again), because it was not agreeable to
the economy of the state he was risen to. They gave him a <i>piece
of a broiled fish, and of a honey-comb,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p45.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.42" parsed="|Luke|24|42|0|0" passage="Lu 24:42"><i>v.</i> 42</scripRef>. The honey-comb, perhaps, was
used as sauce to the broiled fish, for Canaan was a land <i>flowing
with honey.</i> This was mean fare; yet, if it be the fare of the
disciples, their Master will fare as they do, because in the
kingdom of our Father they shall fare as he does, shall eat and
drink with him in his kingdom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p46">3. The <i>insight</i> he gave them into the
word of God, which they had <i>heard</i> and read, by which faith
in the resurrection of Christ is wrought in them, and all the
difficulties are cleared. (1.) He refers them to the <i>word</i>
which they had <i>heard</i> from him when he was with them, and
puts them in mind of that as the angel had done (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p46.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.44" parsed="|Luke|24|44|0|0" passage="Lu 24:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>): <i>These are the words which I
said unto you</i> in private, many a time, <i>while I was yet with
you.</i> We should better <i>understand</i> what Christ
<i>does,</i> if we did but better <i>remember</i> what he hath
<i>said,</i> and had but the art of comparing them together. (2.)
He refers them to the <i>word</i> they had read in the Old
Testament, to which the word they had heard from him directed them:
<i>All things must be fulfilled which were written.</i> Christ had
given them this general hint for the regulating of their
expectations—that whatever they found written concerning the
Messiah, in the Old Testament, must be fulfilled in him, what was
written concerning his sufferings as well as what was written
concerning his kingdom; these God had <i>joined together</i> in the
prediction, and it could not be thought that they should be <i>put
asunder</i> in the event. <i>All things</i> must be fulfilled, even
the <i>hardest,</i> even the <i>heaviest,</i> even the
<i>vinegar;</i> he could not die till he had that, because he could
not till then say, <i>It is finished.</i> The several parts of the
Old Testament are here mentioned, as containing each of them things
concerning Christ: <i>The law of Moses,</i> that is, the
Pentateuch, or the <i>five</i> books written by Moses,—the
<i>prophets,</i> containing not only the books that are purely
prophetical, but those historical books that were written by
prophetical men,—the <i>Psalms,</i> containing the other writings,
which they called the <i>Hagiographa.</i> See in what various ways
of writing God did of old reveal his will; but all proceeded from
one and the self-same Spirit, who by them gave notice of the coming
and kingdom of the Messiah; for <i>to him bore all the prophets
witness.</i> (3.) By an immediate present work upon their minds, of
which they themselves could not but be sensible, he gave them to
apprehend the true intent and meaning of the Old-Testament
prophecies of Christ, and to see them all fulfilled in him: <i>Then
opened he their understanding, that they might understand the
scriptures,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p46.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.45" parsed="|Luke|24|45|0|0" passage="Lu 24:45"><i>v.</i>
45</scripRef>. In his discourse with the two disciples he took the
veil from off the text, by <i>opening</i> the scriptures; here he
took the veil from off the heart, <i>by opening the mind.</i>
Observe here, [1.] That Jesus Christ by his Spirit operates on the
minds of men, on the minds of all that are his. He has access to
our spirits, and can immediately influence them. It is observable
how he did now after his resurrection give a <i>specimen</i> of
those two great operations of <i>his Spirit</i> upon the <i>spirits
of</i> men, his enlightening the intellectual faculties with a
divine light, when he opened the understandings of his disciples,
and his invigorating the active powers with a divine heat, when he
made their hearts burn within them. [2.] Even good men need to have
their <i>understandings opened;</i> for though they are not
<i>darkness,</i> as they were by nature, yet in many things they
are <i>in the dark.</i> David prays, <i>Open mine eyes. Give me
understanding.</i> And Paul, who knows so much of Christ, sees his
need to learn more. [3.] Christ's way of working faith in the soul,
and gaining the throne there, is by <i>opening the
understanding</i> to discern the evidence of those things that are
to be believed. Thus he comes into the soul by <i>the door,</i>
while Satan, as a thief and a robber, climbs up some other way.
[4.] The design of opening the understanding is <i>that we may
understand the scriptures;</i> not that we may be <i>wise above
what is written,</i> but that we may be <i>wiser in what is
written,</i> and may be made <i>wise to salvation</i> by it. The
Spirit in the word and the Spirit in the heart say the same thing.
Christ's scholars never learn <i>above their bibles</i> in this
world; but they need to be learning still more and more <i>out of
their bibles,</i> and to grow more <i>ready</i> and <i>mighty</i>
in the scriptures. That we may have right thoughts of Christ, and
have our mistakes concerning him rectified, there needs no more
than to be made to understand the scriptures.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p47">4. The instructions he gave them as
<i>apostles,</i> who were to be employed in setting up his kingdom
in the world. They expected, while their Master was with them, that
they should be preferred to posts of honour, of which they thought
themselves quite disappointed when he was dead. "No," saith, he,
"you are now to enter upon them; <i>you are</i> to be <i>witnesses
of these things</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p47.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.48" parsed="|Luke|24|48|0|0" passage="Lu 24:48"><i>v.</i>
48</scripRef>), to carry the notice of them to all the world; not
only to <i>report</i> them as matter of news, but to <i>assert</i>
them as evidence given upon the trial of the great cause that has
been so long depending between God and Satan, the issue of which
must be the casting down and casting out of the <i>prince of this
world.</i> You are fully assured of these things yourselves, you
are eye and ear-witnesses of them; go, and assure the world of
them; and the same Spirit that has enlightened you shall go along
with you for the enlightening of others." Now here they are
told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p48">(1.) <i>What they must preach.</i> They
must preach the gospel, must preach the <i>New Testament</i> as the
full accomplishment of the <i>Old,</i> as the continuation and
conclusion of divine revelation. They must take their bibles along
with them (especially when they preached to the Jews; nay, and
Peter, in his first sermon to the Gentiles, directed them to
consult the prophets, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p48.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.10.43" parsed="|Acts|10|43|0|0" passage="Ac 10:43">Acts x.
43</scripRef>), and must show people how it was written of old
concerning the Messiah, and the glories and graces of his kingdom,
and then must tell them how, upon their certain knowledge, all this
was fulfilled in the Lord Jesus.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p49">[1.] The great <i>gospel truth</i>
concerning the <i>death</i> and <i>resurrection</i> of Jesus Christ
must be <i>published</i> to the children of men (<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p49.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.46" parsed="|Luke|24|46|0|0" passage="Lu 24:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>): <i>Thus it was written</i> in
the sealed book of the divine counsels from eternity, the volume of
that book of the covenant of redemption; and thus it was written in
the open book of the Old Testament, among the things revealed; and
therefore <i>thus it behoved Christ to suffer,</i> for the divine
counsels must be performed, and care taken that no word of God fall
to the ground. "Go, and tell the world," <i>First,</i> "That Christ
<i>suffered,</i> as it was written of him. Go, preach <i>Christ
crucified;</i> be not ashamed of his cross, not ashamed of a
suffering Jesus. Tell them what he suffered, and why he suffered,
and how all the scriptures of the Old Testament were fulfilled in
his sufferings. Tell them that it <i>behoved him to suffer,</i>
that it was necessary to the taking away of the sin of the world,
and the deliverance of mankind from death and ruin: nay, it
<i>became him</i> to be perfected <i>through sufferings,</i>"
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p49.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.2.10" parsed="|Heb|2|10|0|0" passage="Heb 2:10">Heb. ii. 10</scripRef>.
<i>Secondly,</i> "That he rose from the dead on <i>the third
day,</i> by which not only all the offence of the cross was rolled
away, but he was declared to be the Son of God with power, and in
this also the <i>scriptures</i> were <i>fulfilled</i> (see
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p49.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.3-1Cor.15.4" parsed="|1Cor|15|3|15|4" passage="1Co 15:3,4">1 Cor. xv. 3, 4</scripRef>); go,
tell the world how often you saw him after he rose from the dead,
and how intimately you conversed with him. <i>Your eyes see</i>"
(as Joseph said to his brethren, when his discovering himself to
them was as life from the dead) "<i>that it is my mouth that
speaketh unto you,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p49.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.45.12" parsed="|Gen|45|12|0|0" passage="Ge 45:12">Gen. xlv.
12</scripRef>. Go, and tell them, then, that he that <i>was dead is
alive,</i> and <i>lives for evermore,</i> and <i>has the keys of
death and the grave,</i>"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p50">[2.] The great <i>gospel duty</i> of
<i>repentance</i> must be <i>pressed</i> upon the children of men.
<i>Repentance for sin</i> must be preached in <i>Christ's name,</i>
and by his authority, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p50.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.47" parsed="|Luke|24|47|0|0" passage="Lu 24:47"><i>v.</i>
47</scripRef>. <i>All men every where</i> must be called and
<i>commanded to repent,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p50.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.17.30" parsed="|Acts|17|30|0|0" passage="Ac 17:30">Acts xvii.
30</scripRef>. "Go, and tell all people that the God that made
them, and the Lord that bought them, expects and requires that,
immediately upon this notice given, they turn from the worship of
the gods that they have made to the worship of the God that made
them; and not only so, but from serving the interests of the world
and the flesh; they must turn to the service of God in Christ, must
mortify all sinful habits, and forsake all sinful practices. Their
hearts and lives must be changed, and they must be universally
renewed and reformed."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p51">[3.] The great <i>gospel privilege</i> of
the <i>remission of sins</i> must be <i>proposed</i> to all, and
assured to all that <i>repent,</i> and <i>believe the gospel.</i>
"Go, tell a guilty world, that stands convicted and condemned at
God's bar, that an act of indemnity has passed the royal assent,
which all that repent and believe shall have the benefit of, and
not only be <i>pardoned,</i> but <i>preferred</i> by. Tell them
that <i>there is hope</i> concerning them."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p52">(2.) <i>To whom they must preach.</i>
Whither must they carry these proposals, and how far does their
commission extend? They are here told, [1.] That they must preach
this <i>among all nations.</i> They must disperse themselves, like
the sons of Noah after the flood, some one way and some another,
and carry this light along with them wherever they go. The prophets
had preached <i>repentance</i> and <i>remission</i> to the
<i>Jews,</i> but the apostles must preach them to <i>all the
world.</i> None are <i>exempted</i> from the obligations the gospel
lays upon men to <i>repent,</i> nor are any <i>excluded</i> from
those inestimable benefits which are included in the remission of
sins, but those that by their unbelief and impenitency put a bar in
their own door. [2.] That they must <i>begin at Jerusalem</i> There
they must preach their first <i>gospel sermon;</i> there the
<i>gospel church</i> must be first formed; there the gospel day
must dawn, and thence that light shall go forth which must take
hold on the ends of the earth. And why must they begin there?
<i>First,</i> Because <i>thus it was written,</i> and therefore it
<i>behoved them</i> to take this method. <i>The word of the</i>
Lord must <i>go forth from Jerusalem,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p52.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.2.3" parsed="|Isa|2|3|0|0" passage="Isa 2:3">Isa. ii. 3</scripRef>. And see <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p52.2" osisRef="Bible:Joel.2.32 Bible:Joel.3.16 Bible:Obad.1.21 Bible:Zech.14.8" parsed="|Joel|2|32|0|0;|Joel|3|16|0|0;|Obad|1|21|0|0;|Zech|14|8|0|0" passage="Joe 2:32,3:16,Ob 1:21,Zec 14:8">Joel ii. 32; iii. 16; Obad. 21;
Zech. xiv. 8</scripRef>. <i>Secondly,</i> Because there the matters
of fact on which the gospel was founded were transacted; and
therefore there they were first attested, where, if there had been
any just cause for it, they might be best contested and disproved.
So strong, so bright, is the first shining forth of the glory of
the risen Redeemer that it dares face those daring enemies of his
that had put him to an ignominious death, and sets them at
defiance. "<i>Begin at Jerusalem,</i> that the chief priests may
try their strength to crush the gospel, and may rage to see
themselves disappointed." <i>Thirdly,</i> Because he would give us
a further example of forgiving enemies. Jerusalem had put the
greatest affronts imaginable upon him (both the rulers and the
multitude), for which that city might justly have been excepted by
name out of the act of indemnity; but no, so far from that, the
first offer of gospel grace is made to Jerusalem, and thousands
there are in a little time brought to partake of that grace.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p53">(3.) What <i>assistance they should have in
preaching.</i> It is a vast undertaking that they are here called
to, a very large and difficult province, especially considering the
opposition this service would meet with, and the sufferings it
would be attended with. If therefore they ask, <i>Who is sufficient
for these things?</i> here is an answer ready: <i>Behold, I send
the promise of my Father upon you,</i> and <i>you shall be endued
with power from on high,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p53.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.49" parsed="|Luke|24|49|0|0" passage="Lu 24:49"><i>v.</i>
49</scripRef>. He here assures them that in a little time the
Spirit should be poured out upon them in greater measures than
ever, and they should thereby be furnished with all those gifts and
graces which were necessary to their discharge of this great trust;
and therefore they must <i>tarry at Jerusalem,</i> and not enter
upon it till this be done. Note, [1.] Those who <i>receive the Holy
Ghost</i> are thereby <i>endued with a power from on high,</i> a
supernatural power, a power above any of their own; it is <i>from
on high,</i> and therefore draws the soul upward, and makes it to
<i>aim high.</i> [2.] Christ's apostles could never have planted
his gospel, and set up his kingdom in the world, as they did, if
they had not been endued with such a power; and their admirable
achievements prove that there was an excellency of power going
along with them. [3.] <i>This power from on high</i> was the
<i>promise of the Father,</i> the great promise of the New
Testament, as the promise of the coming of Christ was of the Old
Testament. And, if it be the <i>promise of the Father,</i> we may
be sure that the promise is <i>inviolable</i> and the thing
promised <i>invaluable.</i> [4.] Christ would not leave his
disciples till the time was just at hand for the performing of this
promise. It was but ten days after the <i>ascension</i> of Christ
that there came the <i>descent</i> of the Spirit. [5.] Christ's
ambassadors must stay till they have their powers, and not venture
upon their embassy till they have received full instructions and
credentials. Though, one would think, never was such haste as now
for the preaching of the gospel, yet the preachers must tarry till
they be endued with power from on high, and <i>tarry at
Jerusalem,</i> though a place of danger, because there this promise
of the Father was to find them, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p53.2" osisRef="Bible:Joel.2.28" parsed="|Joel|2|28|0|0" passage="Joe 2:28">Joel
ii. 28</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.xxv-p53.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.50-Luke.24.53" parsed="|Luke|24|50|24|53" passage="Lu 24:50-53" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.24.50-Luke.24.53">
<h4 id="Luke.xxv-p53.4">Christ's Ascension.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.xxv-p54">50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and
he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.   51 And it came to
pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried
up into heaven.   52 And they worshipped him, and returned to
Jerusalem with great joy:   53 And were continually in the
temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p55">This evangelist omits the solemn meeting
between Christ and his disciples <i>in Galilee;</i> but what he
said to them there, and at other interviews, he subjoins to what he
said to them at the first visit he made them on the evening of the
day he rose; and has now nothing more to account for but his
ascension into heaven, of which we have a very brief narrative in
these verses, in which we are told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p56">I. How solemnly Christ took leave of his
disciples. Christ's design being to reconcile heaven and earth, and
to continue a days-man between them, it was necessary that he
should lay his hands on them both, and, in order thereunto, that he
should <i>pass</i> and <i>repass.</i> He had business to do in both
worlds, and accordingly came from heaven to earth in his
incarnation, to despatch his business here, and, having finished
this, he returned to heaven, to reside there, and negotiate our
affairs with the Father. Observe, 1. Whence he ascended: from
<i>Bethany,</i> near Jerusalem, adjoining to the <i>mount of
Olives.</i> There he had done eminent services for his Father's
glory, and there he entered upon his glory. There was the
<i>garden</i> in which his sufferings began, there he was in his
agony; and Bethany signifies <i>the house of sorrow.</i> Those that
would go to heaven must ascend thither from the house of sufferings
and sorrow, must go by agonies to their joys. The mount of Olives
was pitched upon long since to be the place of Christ's ascension:
<i>His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p56.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.14.4" parsed="|Zech|14|4|0|0" passage="Zec 14:4">Zech. xiv. 4</scripRef>. And here it
was that awhile ago he began his triumphant entry into Jerusalem,
<scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p56.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.19.22" parsed="|Luke|19|22|0|0" passage="Lu 19:22"><i>ch.</i> xix. 29</scripRef>. 2. Who
were the witnesses of his ascension: <i>He led out his
disciples</i> to see him. Probably, it was very early in the
morning that he ascended, before people were stirring; for he never
showed himself openly to all the people after his resurrection, but
only to <i>chosen witnesses.</i> The disciples did not see him rise
out of the grace, because his resurrection was capable of being
proved by their seeing him alive afterwards; but they saw him
<i>ascend</i> into heaven, because they could not otherwise have an
<i>ocular</i> demonstration of his ascension. They were <i>led
out</i> on purpose to see him ascend, had their eye upon him when
he ascended, and were not looking another way. 3. What was the
farewell he gave them: <i>He lifted up his hands, and blessed
them.</i> He did not go away in displeasure, but in love; he left a
blessing behind him; <i>he lifted up his hands,</i> as the high
priest did when he blessed the people; see <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p56.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.22" parsed="|Lev|9|22|0|0" passage="Le 9:22">Lev. ix. 22</scripRef>. He blessed as one having
authority, commanded the blessing which he had purchased; he
<i>blessed them</i> as Jacob blessed his sons. The apostles were
now as the representatives of the twelve tribes, so that in
blessing them he blessed all his spiritual Israel, and put his
Father's name upon them. He blessed them as Jacob blessed his sons,
and Moses the tribes, at parting, to show that, having loved his
own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 4. How he
left them: <i>While he was blessing them, he was parted from
them;</i> not as if he were taken away before he had said all he
had to say, but to intimate that his being parted from them did not
put an end to his blessing them, for the intercession which he went
to heaven to make for all his is a continuation of the blessing. He
<i>began</i> to bless them on earth, but he went to heaven to <i>go
on</i> with it. Christ was now sending his apostles to preach his
gospel to the world, and he gives them his blessing, not for
<i>themselves</i> only, but to be conferred in his name upon
<i>all</i> that should believe on him through their word; for in
him <i>all the families of the earth were to be blessed.</i> 5. How
his ascension is described. (1.) He was <i>parted from them,</i>
was taken from their head, as Elijah from Elisha's. Note, The
dearest friends must part. Those that love us, and pray for us, and
instruct us, must be <i>parted form us.</i> The bodily presence of
Christ himself was not to be expected always in this world; those
that knew him after the flesh must now henceforth know him so no
more. (2.) He was <i>carried up into heaven;</i> not by force, but
by his own act and deed. As he arose, so he ascended, by his own
power, yet attended by angels. There needed no chariot of fire, nor
horses of fire; he knew the way, and, being the <i>Lord from
heaven,</i> could go back himself. He ascended in a cloud, as the
angel in the smoke of Manoah's sacrifice, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p56.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.20" parsed="|Judg|13|20|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:20">Judg. xiii. 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p57">II. How cheerfully his disciples continued
their attendance on him, and on God through him, even now that he
was parted from them. 1. They paid their homage to him at his going
away, to signify that though he was going into a far country, yet
they would continue his loyal subjects, that they were willing to
have him reign over them: <i>They worshipped him.</i> <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p57.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.52" parsed="|Luke|24|52|0|0" passage="Lu 24:52"><i>v.</i> 52</scripRef>. Note, Christ expects
<i>adoration</i> from those that receive blessings from him. He
<i>blessed them,</i> in token of gratitude for which they
<i>worshipped him.</i> This fresh display of Christ's glory drew
from them fresh acknowledgments and adorations of it. They knew
that though he was <i>parted form them,</i> yet he could, and did,
take notice of their adorations of him; the cloud that received him
out of their sight did not put them or their services out of his
sight. 2. They <i>returned to Jerusalem with great joy.</i> There
they were ordered to continue till the Spirit should be poured out
upon them, and thither they went accordingly, though it was into
the mouth of danger. Thither they went, and there they staid
<i>with great joy.</i> This was a wonderful change, and an effect
of the opening of their understandings. When Christ told them that
he must leave them sorrow filled their hearts; yet now that they
see him go they are <i>filled with joy,</i> being convinced at
length that it was expedient for them and for the church that he
should go away, to send the Comforter. Note, The glory of Christ is
the joy, the exceeding joy, of all true believers, even while they
are here in this world; much more will it be so when they go to the
new Jerusalem, and find him there in his glory. 3. They abounded in
acts of devotion while they were in expectation of the promise of
the Father, <scripRef id="Luke.xxv-p57.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.53" parsed="|Luke|24|53|0|0" passage="Lu 24:53"><i>v.</i> 53</scripRef>.
(1.) They attended the temple-service at the hours of prayer. God
had not as yet quite forsaken it, and therefore they did not.
<i>They were continually in the temple,</i> as their Master was
when he was at Jerusalem. <i>The Lord loves the gates of Zion,</i>
and so should we. Some think that they had their place of meeting,
as disciples, in some of the chambers of the temple which belonged
to some Levite that was <i>well affected</i> to them; but others
think it is not likely that this either could be <i>concealed
from,</i> or would be <i>connived at</i> by, the chief priests and
<i>rulers of the temple.</i> (2.) Temple-sacrifices, they knew,
were superseded by Christ's sacrifice, but the temple-songs they
joined in. Note, While we are waiting for God's promises we must go
forth to meet them with our praises. Praising and blessing God is
work that is never out of season: and nothing better prepares the
mind for the receiving of the Holy Ghost than holy joy and praise.
Fears are silenced, sorrows sweetened and allayed, and hopes kept
up.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.xxv-p58">The <i>amen</i> that concludes seems to be
added by the church and every believer to the reading of the
gospel, signifying an assent to the truths of the gospel, and a
hearty concurrence with all the disciples of Christ in praising and
blessing God. <i>Amen.</i> Let him be continually praised and
blessed.</p>
</div></div2>