Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 24
Matthew Henry Commentary
Luke 24
Matthew Henry Commentary
Luke 24
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel: and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the [mother] of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles. And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them. But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass." — Luke 24:1-12 (ASV)
See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ, after he was dead and buried. Observe their surprise when they found the stone rolled away, and the grave empty. Christians often perplex themselves about that which should comfort and encourage them. They look for their Master in his grave-clothes, rather than for angels in their shining garments.
The angels assure them that he is risen from the dead; he is risen by his own power. These angels from heaven bring no new gospel, but remind the women of Christ's words and teach them how to apply them. We may wonder why these disciples, who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true Messiah, who had been so often told that he must die and rise again and then enter into his glory, and who had seen him raise the dead more than once, should yet be so slow to believe that he had raised himself.
But all our mistakes in religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has spoken. Peter now ran to the tomb, who so recently had run from his Master. He was amazed. There are many things puzzling and perplexing to us, which would be plain and profitable if we rightly understood the words of Christ.
"And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem. And they communed with each other of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad. And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." — Luke 24:13-27 (ASV)
This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus happened on the same day that he rose from the dead. It is fitting for the disciples of Christ to talk together about his death and resurrection; in this way they can improve each other's knowledge, refresh each other's memory, and stir up each other's devout affections. And when just two are well employed together in work of that kind, he will come to them and make a third.
Those who seek Christ will find him: he will reveal himself to those who search for him, and give knowledge to those who use the resources for knowledge that they have. It is not explained how this was, but so it was: they did not know him, as he arranged it so that they might converse more freely with him. Christ's disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they cannot receive the comfort offered to them.
Though Christ has entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of his disciples and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those who do not know of the death and sufferings of Jesus are truly strangers in Jerusalem. Those who have the knowledge of Christ crucified should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus rebuked them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of the Old Testament.
If we knew more of the Divine counsels, as far as they are revealed in the Scriptures, we would not be subject to the perplexities in which we often entangle ourselves. He showed them that the sufferings of Christ were truly the appointed way to his glory; but they could not reconcile themselves to the cross of Christ. Beginning with Moses, the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded to them the things concerning himself.
There are many passages throughout all the Scriptures concerning Christ, and it is highly advantageous to bring these passages together. We cannot go far in any part of Scripture without encountering something that has reference to Christ: some prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or other. A golden thread of gospel grace runs through the whole fabric of the Old Testament. Christ is the best expositor of Scripture; and even after his resurrection, he led people to understand the mystery concerning himself, not by proposing new ideas, but by showing how the Scripture was fulfilled and by directing them to the earnest study of it.
"And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further. And they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to abide with them. And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking [it] he gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they rehearsed the things [that happened] in the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread." — Luke 24:28-35 (ASV)
If we want Christ to dwell with us, we must be earnest with Him. Those who have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with Him cannot help but desire more of His company. He took bread, and blessed it, and broke, and gave it to them. He did this with His usual authority and affection, with the same manner, perhaps with the same words.
Here He teaches us to crave a blessing on every meal. See how Christ, by His Spirit and grace, makes Himself known to the souls of His people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets them at His table, in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, and is known to them in breaking of bread.
But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind; yet we have only short glimpses of Christ in this world, but when we enter heaven, we will see Him forever. They had found the preaching powerful, even when they did not know the preacher. Those Scriptures that speak of Christ will warm the hearts of His true disciples.
That which affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us is likely to do the most good. It is the duty of those to whom He has shown Himself to let others know what He has done for their souls. It is very useful for the disciples of Christ to compare their experiences and tell them to each other.
"And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. And he took it, and ate before them. And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high." — Luke 24:36-49 (ASV)
Jesus appeared in a miraculous manner, assuring the disciples of His peace—though they had so lately forsaken Him—and promising spiritual peace with every blessing.
Many troublesome thoughts that disquiet our minds arise from mistakes concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts that arise in our hearts at any time are known to the Lord Jesus and are displeasing to Him.
He spoke with them about their unreasonable unbelief. Nothing had occurred except what was foretold by the prophets and was necessary for the salvation of sinners.
And now all people should be taught the nature and necessity of repentance for the forgiveness of their sins. These blessings are to be sought by faith in the name of Jesus.
Christ, by His Spirit, works on human minds. Even good people need to have their understandings opened. But for us to have right thoughts about Christ, all that is needed is to be made to understand the Scriptures.
"And he led them out until [they were] over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, blessing God." — Luke 24:50-53 (ASV)
Christ ascended from Bethany, near the Mount of Olives. There was the garden in which His sufferings began; there He was in His agony. Those who would go to heaven must ascend there from the house of sufferings and sorrows. The disciples did not see Him rise out of the grave; His resurrection could be proved by their seeing Him alive afterwards. But they saw Him ascend into heaven; they could not otherwise have a proof of His ascension.
He lifted up His hands and blessed them. He did not go away in displeasure, but in love; He left a blessing behind Him. As He arose, so He ascended, by His own power. They worshipped Him. This fresh display of Christ's glory drew from them fresh acknowledgments.
They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The glory of Christ is the joy of all true believers, even while they are here in this world. While waiting for God's promises, we must go forth to meet them with our praises. And nothing better prepares the mind for receiving the Holy Spirit. Fears are silenced, sorrows sweetened and eased, and hopes kept up.
And this is the ground of a Christian's boldness at the throne of grace; indeed, the Father's throne is the throne of grace to us, because it is also the throne of our Mediator, Jesus Christ. Let us rely on His promises and plead them. Let us attend His ordinances, praise and bless God for His mercies, set our affections on things above, and expect the Redeemer's return to complete our happiness. Amen.
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.
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