Bible Commentaries

They came unto the sepulchre. The incidents here related are very different from those recorded by Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8, as attending the visit to the sepulchre which the latter evangelists describe. Hence it has been supposed that this was a different party, which came to the sepulchre after Mary Magdalene had gone away.

Joanna. She is mentioned, Luke 8:3, as the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward.

Cleopas. His wife, the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is mentioned John 19:25.

Should have redeemed. The disciples, it seems, had, to this time, no other idea of redemption, than that of deliverance from their political subjugation to the Roman power.

Ought not Christ, &c.; that is, was it not so predicted concerning him?

He expounded unto them, &c. He explained to them that the kingdom of the Messiah was to be a spiritual one, and that, according to the predictions referring to him, he was to suffer death by the hands of his enemies.--Concerning himself; that is, concerning Christ. He did not make himself personally known to them until afterwards. (Luke 24:31,32.)

Saying; that is, the eleven were saying.--Simon; Peter.

Behold my hands and my feet, with the marks of the wounds upon them.

These are the words; this is the fulfilment of the words. Jesus had often predicted these events, but the disciples either had not understood, or did not believe him.

The Scriptures; in relation to this subject, the character and coming of the Messiah.

And he led them out; not at this time, but on another occasion, a considerable time afterwards; for Jesus had interviews with his disciples in Galilee, and continued to meet them, from time to time, for the space of forty days after his resurrection. (Acts 1:3.)