Matthew 28:7

Verse 7. Tell his disciples. Mark adds particularly, tell "Peter." This was a kind message to Peter, who had so recently denied his Lord. It would serve to cheer him in his despondency, and to assure him that his sin had been forgiven; and it shows the tender love and remembrance of Jesus--even for his unfaithful friends.

(i) Lk 24:34, 1Cor 15:4 (k) Mt 28:16,17

Matthew 28:10

Verse 10. Be not afraid. The ancients, when in the presence of a heavenly being--an angel, or one who was supposed to be possessed of Divine power--were commonly struck with great fear, as well as a great sense of their unworthiness. See Lk 5:8, Jud 6:22, 23, 13:21,22. The women were in like manner alarmed when they saw Jesus, believing him now peculiarly to be a Divine Being; seeing him returning from the regions of the dead; and doubtless impressed with a new consciousness that they were unworthy of being in his presence. Jesus comforted them. He was the same Jesus with whom they had been before his death; and they had no reason now to fear him.

Go tell my brethren. There is something exceedingly tender in the appellation here used, "my brethren." Though he was risen from the dead--though about to be exalted to heaven--yet he did not disdain to call his disciples his brethren. This was calculated still farther to silence the fears of the women, and inspire them with confidence.

Into Galilee. Galilee was the northern part of the land. There the Saviour commenced his ministry; and there, away from the noise and confusion of the city, he purposed again to meet them, in retirement and quietness, to satisfy them of his resurrection, and to commission them to go forth and preach the everlasting gospel.

(m) "brethren" Heb 2:11

Matthew 28:16

Verse 16. Then the eleven disciples. Judas was dead, leaving but eleven of the original number of the apostles.

Into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. This appointment is recorded in Mt 26:32. On what particular mountain this was is not known. It is probable that Jesus, when he made the appointment, specified the place, which has been omitted by the evangelists. Matthew has omitted many appearances which Jesus made to his disciples, which have been recorded by Luke, John, and Paul. See the harmony of the resurrection at the end of the chapter.

(o) "Then the eleven" Mt 26:32
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