Ver. 1. The first day of the week] Greek, of the sabbaths, εις μιαν σαββατων. One day of seven is due to God of necessity. This the Scripture calls by an excellency the sabbath day, without a difference; as if it were the eldest brother to all the days of the week, which is called here and elsewhere sabbaths, in the plural,?????? Ps 24:1, title, “A psalm of David.” To this the Greek addeth, “of the first day of the week,” which now is the Christian sabbath, called “the Lord’s day,” Revelation 1:10, in honour of Christ, and in a thankful remembrance of his resurrection. [See Trapp on “Joh 20:1”] To see the sepulchre] To see what the Pharisees had done with the Lord’s body the day before (for they knew they had been tampering, and feared the worst, as love is suspicious) and to bring the spices, which by an easy error they had prepared, Luke 24:1. They knew not, belike, that Joseph and Nicodemus had been at that cost and pains before them; neither did any of them consider that what they did herein was superfluous, for that it was “impossible for God’s holy one to see corruption,” Acts 2:27. But he is pleased to pass by our well meant weaknesses, where the heart is upright.
Ver. 2. And behold, &c.] The Holy Ghost here calls for as great attention as if we had been present and seen it. Remember (saith St Paul) “that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead, according to my gospel,” 2 Timothy 2:8. All the four evangelists have therefore punctually recorded it, that we may remember and ruminate it, as amain remarkable. There was a great earthquake] Pythagoras said the reason of earthquakes was, the meeting of the dead: an odd conceit, But the true reason of this earthquake was our Saviour’s rising from the dead, in despite of infernal spirits, who therefore quaked as much as the earth did, as Hilary hath it. The earth shook both at Christ’s passion and at his resurrection; Then, to show that it could not bear his suffering; now, to show that it could not hinder his rising. Rolled back the stone] As an officer sent to let Christ out of prison, without the keeper’s consent. And sat upon it] In contempt of all their weapons, which fell out of their hands for woe, at the sight of the angel. And as a mighty man when he sits down shakes the bench under him, so do these the earth. Nullam aliam causam dicebat terrae motus quam conventum mortuorum. Aelian. Resurgente virtutum coelestium domino infernorum trepi. datio commovetur.
Ver. 3. His countenance was like lightning] So that though he appeared in a human shape, yet it might easily appear that he was more than a man; his visage showed his power, his habit of innocence, to the terror of the keepers, and comfort of the women.
Ver. 4. The keepers did shake] And well they might, as coming to see they had borne arms against God, and were therefore obnoxious to his wrath. It is a fearful thing to fall into the punishing hands of the living God here: how then will wicked men bear the horror of the last day, when they shall have an angry God over them, hell gaping beneath them, an accusing conscience within them, the world all on alight fire about them, the elements melting like scalding lead upon them, the good angels testifying against them, Job 20:27, the evil angels waiting to worry them, and hurry them to hell? Oh the unspeakable achings and quakings of heart, the terrible apprehensions, the convulsions of spirit, that shall seize and surprise them at that dreadful day!
Ver. 5. Fear not ye] As the wicked are forbidden to rejoice for joy as other people, Hosea 9:1 so the godly to fear, so long as they have Christ by the hand; no, though the earth be removed, and the mountains cast into the midst of the sea, Psalms 46:2. David would not fear the shadow of death, the darkest side of death, death in its most hideous and horrid representations, because God was with him, Psalms 23:4; when Manasseh, that faced the heavens in his prosperity, in trouble basely hides his head among the bushes, and is there hence set, and bound with fetters, 2 Chronicles 33:11. These desperate soldiers run away as dastards, when the women stand it out, and as true daughters of faithful Sarah they are not afraid with any amazement, 1 Peter 3:6. I know that ye seek Jesus] God and his angels know our goodness, why then should we hunt after men’s applause? Caesar hoc ipso veram laudem meruit, quod falsam conternsit, saith Lipsius: It should suffice us to know that our faith, how little soever seen or set by the world, shall be found to praise, and honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:7. The eclipsed moon shall by degrees wade out of the shadow.
Ver. 6. He is not here] q.d. You are much mistaken, and deserve to be chided for your not crediting, or at least your not remembering, that he foretold you of his resurrection. All which notwithstanding, come see the place, &c., q.d. believe your own eyes at least. Hilaris est haec et plena gaudio invitatio, saith an interpreter. What marvel then though they departed with fear for their faithlessness, and joy for the good news the angels had told, and showed them? For he is risen] Consentaneum est Phoenicem ante postremum annum Neronis, significasse resurrectionem Christi et omnium credentium ex morte recepta divinitus vita. The Phoenix is a fit emblem of the resurrection. (Dio in Nerone.)