John Calvin Commentary Matthew 28:10

"Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me." — Matthew 28:10 (ASV)

Then Jesus says to them. We conclude that it was an improper fear from which Christ again delivers them. For though it arose from admiration, it was still opposed to the tranquility of faith. So that they may raise themselves to Christ, the Conqueror of death, they are commanded to be cheerful.³⁰⁸ But by these words we are taught that we never correctly understand our Lord’s resurrection until, through the firm assurance we have formed in our hearts, we venture to rejoice that we have been made partakers of the same life. Our faith ought, at least, to advance to the point where fear does not predominate.

Go, tell my brethren. When Christ ordered them to tell this to the disciples, by this message he again gathered and raised up the Church, which was scattered and fallen. For as it is chiefly by the faith of the resurrection that we are now made alive, so at that time it was proper that the disciples should have that life restored to them from which they had fallen.

Here, too, it is proper to remark the astonishing kindness of Christ, in graciously choosing to bestow the name of brethren on deserters who had basely forsaken him. Nor can it be doubted that he intentionally employed so kind a name for the purpose of soothing the grief by which he knew they were severely tormented.

But as the Apostles were not the only persons whom he acknowledged as brethren, let us understand that this message was conveyed by Christ’s command, so that it might afterwards come to us. And therefore, we ought not to listen with indifference to the narrative of the resurrection when Christ, with his own mouth, kindly invites us to receive its fruit on the ground of our being related to him as brethren.

As for the interpretation which some have given to the word brethren, as denoting the cousins and other relatives of Christ,³⁰⁹ their mistake is abundantly refuted by the context. For John expressly says that Mary came and told the disciples, (John 20:18), and Luke immediately adds that the women told these things to the apostles. Mark also agrees with them; for he says that Mary came and told it to the apostles, while they were mourning and weeping.

³⁰⁸ “De se resjouir, et ouster toute tristesse;” — “to be glad, and to lay aside all sadness.”;” — “to be glad, and to lay aside all sadness.”

³⁰⁹ “Les cousins et autres parens de Christ.”.”