Mar 16:14, Luk 24:36, 1Cor 15:5 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 14. and . As they sat at meat . The word meat here means food, or meals. As they were reclining at their meals. And upbraided them , etc. Rebuked them, or reproached them. This was done because, after all the evidence they had had of his resurrection, still they did not believe. This is a most important circumstance in the history of our Lord's resurrection. Never were men more difficult to be convinced of anything, than they were of that fact. And this shows, conclusively, that they had not conspired to impose on the world; that they had given up all for lost when he died; that they did not expect his resurrection; and all this is the strongest proof that he truly rose. They were not convinced, until it was impossible for them longer to deny it. Had they expected it, they would have caught easily at the slightest evidence, and even turned every circumstance in favour of such an event. It may be added, that it was impossible that eleven men of good natural understanding should have been deceived in so plain a case. They had been with Jesus three years; they perfectly knew his features, voice, manner. And it was impossible that they should have been deceived by any one who might have pretended to have been the Lord Jesus. (y) "Afterward" (1) "sat" or "together" (z) "unbelief"

Mark 16:14

As they sat at meat. The word meat here means food, or meals. As they were reclining at their meals.

And upbraided them, etc. Rebuked them, or reproached them. This was done because, after all the evidence they had had of his resurrection, still they did not believe. This is a most important circumstance in the history of our Lord's resurrection. Never were men more difficult to be convinced of anything, than they were of that fact. And this shows, conclusively, that they had not conspired to impose on the world; that they had given up all for lost when he died; that they did not expect his resurrection; and all this is the strongest proof that he truly rose. They were not convinced, until it was impossible for them longer to deny it. Had they expected it, they would have caught easily at the slightest evidence, and even turned every circumstance in favour of such an event. It may be added, that it was impossible that eleven men of good natural understanding should have been deceived in so plain a case. They had been with Jesus three years; they perfectly knew his features, voice, manner. And it was impossible that they should have been deceived by any one who might have pretended to have been the Lord Jesus.

(y) "Afterward" Lk 24:36, 1Cor 15:5 (1) "sat" or "together" (z) "unbelief" Lk 24:25

Luke 24:36

Verses 36,37. Jesus stood in the midst of them. This was when the apostles were assembled, and when they had closed the doors for fear of the Jews, Jn 20:19. It was this fact, as well as his sudden and unexpected appearance, that alarmed them. The doors were shut, and the suddenness of his appearance led them to suppose they had seen a spirit.

Peace be unto you. This was a form of salutation among the Hebrews denoting a wish of peace and prosperity. See Gen 43:23. It was peculiarly appropriate for Jesus, as he had said before his death that he left his peace with them as their inheritance (Jn 14:27), and as they were now alarmed and fearful at their state, and trembling for fear of the Jews, Jn 20:19

(a) "And as they thus spake" Mk 16:14, Jn 20:19

1 Corinthians 15:5

Verse 5. And that he was seen of Cephas. Peter. Jn 1:42. The resurrection of Christ was a fact to be proved, like all other facts, by competent and credible witnesses. Paul, therefore, appeals to the witnesses who had attested, or who yet lived to attest, the truth of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and shows that it was not possible that so many witnesses should have been deceived. As this was not the first time in which the evidence had been stated to them, and as his purpose was merely to remind them of what they had heard and believed, he does not adduce all the witnesses to the event, but refers only to the more important ones. He does not, therefore, mention the woman to whom the Saviour first appeared, nor does he refer to all the times when the Lord Jesus manifested himself to his disciples. But he does not refer to them in general merely, but mentions names, and refers to persons who were then alive, who could attest the truth of the resurrection. It may be observed, also, that Paul observes probably the exact order in which the Lord Jesus appeared to the disciples, though he does not mention all the instances. For an account of the persons to whom the Lord Jesus appeared after his resurrection, and the order in which it was done, see the Harmony at the end of Notes on Matthew.

Then of the twelve. The apostles, still called "the twelve," though Judas was not one of them. It was common to call the apostles "the twelve." Jesus appeared to the apostles at one time in the absence of Thomas, (Jn 20:19,24;) and also to them when Thomas was present, Jn 20:24-29. Probably Paul here refers to the latter occasion, when all the surviving apostles were present.

(h) "Cephas" Lk 24:34