Matthew 28 · The Lantern

The Resurrection

And late of the Sabbaths, when dawning toward the first day of the week, Mary the Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

"And at evening", it says, "you shall know that I am the Lord, but in the morning you shall see the majesty of the Lord". And concerning this I would wish the Jews to answer me, how "at evening" the Lord is recognized, but "in the morning" his majesty is seen. Where was the Lord recognized "at evening" and his majesty seen "in the morning"?

It is to be known that Matthew designs to hint to us a mystical meaning, of how great worthiness this most holy night drew from the noble conquest of death, and the Resurrection of Our Lord. With this purpose he says, On the evening of the Sabbath.

After he has completed the mysteries of the Lord's passion, the Evangelist treats of the triumph of the Lord's resurrection; and it is divided. For first it is shown how the disciples came to know Christ's resurrection through hearing; second, how through sight, so that through hearing and sight a certain testimony might be given.

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, having descended out of heaven and having come, rolled away the stone, and he was sitting upon it.

The earthquake is the might of the resurrection, when the sting of death being blunted, and its darkness illuminated, there is stirred up a quaking of the powers beneath, as the Lord of the heavenly powers rises again.

"His appearance," says the Evangelist, "was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow." The brightness of his countenance is distinguished from the brilliance of his clothing. His face is compared with lightning from heaven and his garment to snow falling upon the earth.

And behold there was a great earthquake. Here the angel revealing is treated. And first the arrival of the angel is touched upon; second, his work; third, his appearance; fourth, the effect. The second is at and coming, he rolled back the stone; the third is at and he sat upon it; the fourth is at and for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror.

And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

The Angel in white raiment signifies the glory of His triumph.

(Hom. in Ev. xxi. 4.) Or otherwise; Lightning inspires terror; snow is an emblem of equity; and as the Almighty God is terrible to sinners and mild to the righteous, so this Angel is rightly a witness of His resurrection, and is exhibited with a countenance as lightning, and with raiment as snow, that by His presence He might terrify the wicked, and comfort the good; and so it…

And his countenance was as lightning. Here he is described by his countenance; and in this it is clear that he appeared in an assumed body. But why as lightning? Because just as lightning has brightness, so also the angels have knowledge; Dan. 10:6: and his eyes as a burning lamp. But Christ is he who enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world, John 1:9.

And from the fear of him those keeping guard trembled, and they were as dead men.

(Vers. 4, 5.) However, because of his fear, the guards were terrified and became like dead men. But the angel, responding, said to the women: Do not be afraid. For I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified: He is not here, for he has risen as he said. The guards, terrified by fear, lie stupefied like dead men, and yet the angel comforts not them, but the women.

These who had not the faith of love were shaken with a panic fear; and they who would not believe the truth of the resurrection become themselves as dead men.

And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror. Here the effect of the apparition is set forth, because fear arose in their hearts; and rightly so, because they guarded him out of a bad conscience, and wickedness is always fearful, Wis. 17:10. And they became as dead men, they who wanted to hold Christ in death as far as it was in their power; Isa.

And the angel, answering, said to the women: “Do not fear, you yourselves; for I know that you seek Jesus, the One crucified.

And for what intent and cause doth he say, "Fear not ye?" First he delivers them from the dread, and then tells them of the resurrection. And the ye is of one showing them great honor, and indicating, that extreme punishment awaits them that had dared to do, what the others had dared, except they repented.

But let us hear what he says to the women as they arrive: "Do not be afraid." As if he were saying openly: Let those fear who do not love the coming of the heavenly citizens; let those be terrified who, weighed down by carnal desires, despair of being able to reach their fellowship. But why should you be afraid, who see your fellow citizens?

And the angel answering, said to the women, etc. Here follows the announcement of the resurrection. And first he strengthens the women; second, he commends their devotion; third, he declares the joy; fourth, he enjoins upon them the office of announcing. He says therefore and the angel answering, etc. But to what does he respond? To the intention of the women.

He is not here, for He is risen, even as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

"He is risen." Whence is it evident? "As He said." So that if ye refuse to believe me, he would say, remember His words, and neither will ye disbelieve me. Then also another proof, "Come and see the place where He lay." For this he had lifted up the stone, in order that from this too they might receive the proof.

But now let us hear what the angel adds: "You seek Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus in the Latin tongue means "salutary," that is, it is interpreted as "Savior." But indeed many at that time could be called Jesus, yet not substantially, but only nominatively.

Then he announces the resurrection: he is risen, namely by his own power; Ps. 3:6: I have slept and have taken my rest, and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me. And he proves this by the recollection of the word of God: as he said; for above, 20:19, he had said: and the third day he shall rise again. For the word of the Lord cannot fail.

And having gone quickly, say to His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there you will behold Him. Behold, I have told you.”

When the Savior said that he was going to suffer and that he would rise again on the third day, he added, “And after I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee, there you will see me”; and likewise the angel said to the women (Matt. 26:32 and 28:7). — Yet he is found by the women and by his disciples in Jerusalem.

The angel goes on to say, "Go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen; and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; you will see him there." The angel here sends not merely the women but the church in the two women. He sends the one so that by sending her he may spread the news far and wide. Here the angel is sending the bride to the bridegroom.

Then he enjoins upon them the office of announcing: and going quickly, tell his disciples that he is risen. And he enjoins three things. First, that they should announce the resurrection; second, the place; third, that they should promise them a vision.

And having gone out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples.

"And they departed from the sepulchre with fear and joy." Why could this be? They had seen a thing amazing, and beyond expectation, a tomb empty, where they had before seen Him laid. Wherefore also He had led them to the sight, that they might become witnesses of both things, both of His tomb, and of His resurrection.

It may also be asked how it is that Mark says: "And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they anything to any man; for they were afraid;" whereas Matthew's statement is in these terms: "And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and did run to bring His disciples word." The explanation, ho…

Above, the resurrection was announced to the women; here they are certified of it through Christ. And the Evangelist does three things. First the women are described; second, the meeting with Christ; third, the office of announcing is enjoined. The second is at and behold Jesus met them; the third is at fear not, etc. In the first there are three notable things to consider.

And behold, Jesus met with them, saying, “Greetings!” And having come to Him, they took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.

The events during which the small band of women first saw the Lord, were greeted by him, fell to their knees and were commanded to announce the good news to the apostles reverse the order present at the beginning of the world. The gender through which death entered the world would also be the first to receive the glory, vision, fruit and news of the resurrection.

While they were going, the Lord "met them" and said, "Hail!" When he meets them, he does not frighten them with his power but comes before them with the ardor of his love. He does not startle them with his authority but greets them warmly. He binds them by the covenant of the bridegroom, not by the right of the ruler. He honors them with the love of a brother.

And behold Jesus met them. Here the meeting with Christ is set forth. And first the meeting is set forth; second, the greeting; third, the women's reverence. He says therefore and behold Jesus met them. And rightly does he say that he met them, because he met them unexpectedly, giving grace; Wis.

Then Jesus says to them, “Do not fear; go, tell My brothers so that they may go into Galilee, and there will they behold Me.”

The same order as of old now followed in the reversal of our woe, that whereas death began from the female sex, the same should now first see the glory of the Resurrection, and be made the messenger thereof. Whence the Lord adds, Go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, there shall they see me.

(Serm. 80.) Christ also repeats what the Angel had said, that what an Angel had made sure, Christ might make yet more sure. It follows, Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not. (ubi sup.) He calls them brethren whom He has made akin to His own body; brethren whom the generous Heir has made His co-heirs; brethren, whom He has adopted to be sons of His own Father.

Next the office of announcing is enjoined. And where he does this, first he dispels fear; second, he enjoins the office, at go, tell my brethren. He says therefore then Jesus said to them: fear not. And this was fittingly done, because those who are appointed to the office of preaching should not fear; hence the Lord, sending his disciples, said: fear not.

The Report of the Guards

And when they were going, behold, some of the guard, having gone into the city, reported to the chief priests all the things having been done.

And having been gathered together with the elders and having taken counsel, they gave many silver pieces to the soldiers,

saying, “Say that, ‘His disciples, having come by night, stole Him while we were asleep.’

How did they steal Him? O most foolish of all men! For because of the clearness and conspicuousness of the truth, they are not even able to make up a falsehood. For indeed what they said was highly incredible, and the falsehood had not even speciousness. For how, I ask, did the disciples steal Him, men poor and unlearned, and not venturing so much as to show themselves? What?

But if the guards slept, how saw they the theft? And if they saw it not, how could they witness thereto? So that what they desire to show, they cannot show.

Likewise in that they urged a lie. And first they urge it; second, they promise impunity. They urge a lie: say, his disciples came by night and stole him away. Jer. 9:5: they have taught their tongue to speak lies. In Ps. 26:12: iniquity hath lied to itself. And truly, as Jerome says, a lie, because the disciples were so stupefied that they would not have dared to approach.

And if this shall be heard by the governor, we ourselves will persuade him and will keep you out of trouble.”

Nevertheless, these shameless and audacious men, although there were so many things to stop their mouths, "Say ye," these are their words, "and we will persuade, and will secure you." Seest thou all depraved? Pilate, for he was persuaded? the soldiers? the Jewish people? But marvel not, if money prevailed over soldiers.

(non occ.) That the fear of the Governor might not restrain them from this lie, they promise them impunity.

Then they promise impunity; for they could say: we will be punished if the governor hears of it. Hence he says and if the governor shall hear of this, we will persuade him and secure you. And how could they do this? It must be said that the governor did not much care. Likewise, they knew that he would not punish them except at their request; therefore they knew that, etc.

And having taken the money, they did as they were instructed. And this report is spread abroad among the Jews until the present day.

The Great Commission

And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus assigned them.

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, and some worshipped, and some when they saw Him doubted." This seems to me to be the last appearance in Galilee, when He sent them forth to baptize. And if "some doubted," herein again admire their truthfulness, how they conceal not even their shortcomings up to the last day. Nevertheless, even these are assured by their sight.

'Beda, in Hom.' non occ.) When Saint Matthew has vindicated the Lord's Resurrection as declared by the Angel, he relates the vision of the Lord which the disciples had, Then the eleven disciples went into Galilee into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, etc. Above it has been heard how knowledge of the resurrection came to the disciples from the revelation of the women; here, how it came from his being seen. And it is divided: because first the apparition of Christ is set forth; second, the instruction of him who appears. The second is at and Jesus coming, spoke to them.

And having seen Him, they worshiped; but some doubted.

This is more fully told by Luke; how when the Lord after the Resurrection appeared to the disciples, in their terror they thought they saw a spirit.

Therefore the eleven foremost disciples, together with all the others who followed Christ, worshipped Him; "but some doubted." In all likelihood this should be understood in the following sense: the eleven disciples went to Galilee and the eleven worshipped Him. "But some" of the seventy, perhaps, had doubts concerning Christ; but later they also were assured.

And it was necessary that he appear to them, because witnesses had to be given for so great a work. But he himself gave witnesses not only by hearing, but also by sight; 1 John 1:2: what we have seen and heard (...) this we testify.

And Jesus, having come to them, spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on the earth.

In which lowering of His condition He received from the Father a dispensation in those very respects which you blame as human; from the very beginning learning, even then, (that state of a) man which He was destined in the end to become. It is He who descends, He who interrogates, He who demands, He who swears.

(Serm. 80.) The Son of God conveyed to the Son of the Virgin, the God to the Man, the Deity to the Flesh, that which He had ever together with the Father.

And Jesus coming, spoke to them. Here the instruction given by Christ is set forth. And three things are to be considered. First he announces his power; second, he enjoins the office; third, he promises future assistance. The second is at going therefore, teach all nations; the third is at behold I am with you all days. He says therefore and Jesus coming, spoke to them.

Having gone therefore, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

And concerning baptism, thus baptize ye: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm.

Palladius said, 'The soul which is being trained according to the will of Christ should either be earnest in learning what it does not know, or should publicly teach what it does know. If it wants to do neither, though it could, it is mad. The first step on the road away from God is contempt for teaching, that is, not to want to give food to the soul that truly wants it.'

Going therefore, teach all nations. Here he enjoins the office; and he enjoins a threefold office. First, of teaching; second, of baptizing; third, the office of instructing as regards morals. He says therefore going therefore, teach all nations.

teaching them to observe all things as much as I commanded you. And behold, I myself am with you all the days until the completion of the age.”

And with regard to our having Him really always with us, He saith, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." From all which it is evident, that for no other object was this said, but that the rebuke of the disciples might not wither the faith of the woman, just then budding.

('Beda in Hom.' non occ.) It is made a question how He says here, I am with you, John 16:5. when we read elsewhere that He said, I go unto him that sent me. What is said of His human nature is distinct from what is said of His divine nature. He is going to His Father in His human nature, He abides with His disciples in that form in which He is equal with the Father.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. But does it suffice for salvation to believe and to be baptized? No; rather, instruction in morals is also required; therefore he says teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Ps. 118:4: thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently.

Matthew28

The Resurrection

The Report of the Guards

The Great Commission