Chapter 24:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Mark John
Luke 24
Concise Complete
The resurrection of Christ. (1-12) He appears to two
disciples on the way to Emmaus. (13-27) And makes himself known to them. (28-35)
Christ appears to the other disciples. (36-49) His ascension. (50-53)
Verses 1-12 See the
affection and respect the women showed to Christ, after he was dead and buried.
Observe their surprise when they found the stone rolled away, and the grave
empty. Christians often perplex themselves about that with which they should
comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather to find their Master in his
grave-clothes, than angels in their shining garments. The angels assure them
that he is risen from the dead; is risen by his own power. These angels from
heaven bring not any new gospel, but remind the women of Christ's words, and
teach them how to apply them. We may wonder that these disciples, who believed
Jesus to be the Son of God and the true Messiah, who had been so often told that
he must die, and rise again, and then enter into his glory, who had seen him
more than once raise the dead, yet should be so backward to believe his raising
himself. But all our mistakes in religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness
of the words Christ has spoken. Peter now ran to the sepulchre, who so lately
ran from his Master. He was amazed. There are many things puzzling and
perplexing to us, which would be plain and profitable, if we rightly understood
the words of Christ.
Verses 13-27 This
appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus, happened the same day
that he rose from the dead. It well becomes the disciples of Christ to talk
together of his death and resurrection; thus they may improve one another's
knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up each other's devout
affections. And where but two together are well employed in work of that kind,
he will come to them, and make a third. Those who seek Christ, shall find him:
he will manifest himself to those that inquire after him; and give knowledge to
those who use the helps for knowledge which they have. No matter how it was, but
so it was, they did not know him; he so ordering it, that they might the more
freely discourse with him. Christ's disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even
when they have reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they
cannot take the comfort offered to them. Though Christ is entered into his state
of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of his disciples, and is afflicted in
their afflictions. Those are strangers in Jerusalem, that know not of the death
and sufferings of Jesus. Those who have the knowledge of Christ crucified,
should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus reproved them for the
weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Did we know more
of the Divine counsels as far as they are made known in the Scriptures, we
should not be subject to the perplexities we often entangle ourselves in. He
shows them that the sufferings of Christ were really the appointed way to his
glory; but the cross of Christ was that to which they could not reconcile
themselves. Beginning at Moses, the first inspired writer of the Old Testament,
Jesus expounded to them the things concerning himself. There are many passages
throughout all the Scriptures concerning Christ, which it is of great advantage
to put together. We cannot go far in any part, but we meet with something that
has reference to Christ, some prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or
other. A golden thread of gospel grace runs through the whole web of the Old
Testament. Christ is the best expositor of Scripture; and even after his
resurrection, he led people to know the mystery concerning himself, not by
advancing new notions, but by showing how the Scripture was fulfilled, and
turning them to the earnest study of it.
Verses 28-35 If we
would have Christ dwell with us, we must be earnest with him. Those that have
experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with him, cannot but desire
more of his company. He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
This he did with his usual authority and affection, with the same manner,
perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave a blessing on every
meal. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself known to the souls of
his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets them at his table, in the
ordinance of the Lord's supper; is known to them in breaking of bread. But the
work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind; yet it is but short
views we have of Christ in this world, but when we enter heaven, we shall see
him for ever. They had found the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the
preacher. Those Scriptures which speak of Christ, will warm the hearts of his
true disciples. That is likely to do most good, which affects us with the love
of Jesus in dying for us. It is the duty of those to whom he has shown himself,
to let others know what he has done for their souls. It is of great use for the
disciples of Christ to compare their experiences, and tell them to each other.
Verses 36-49 Jesus
appeared in a miraculous manner, assuring the disciples of his peace, though
they had so lately forsaken him, and promising spiritual peace with every
blessing. Many troublesome thoughts which disquiet our minds, rise from mistakes
concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts which rise in our hearts at any
time, are known to the Lord Jesus, and are displeasing to him. He spake with
them on their unreasonable unbelief. Nothing had passed but what was foretold by
the prophets, and necessary for the salvation of sinners. And now all men should
be taught the nature and necessity of repentance, in order to the forgiveness of
their sins. And these blessings were to be sought for, by faith in the name of
Jesus. Christ by his Spirit works on the minds of men. Even good men need to
have their understandings opened. But that we may have right thoughts of Christ,
there needs no more than to be made to understand the Scriptures.
Verses 50-53
Christ ascended from Bethany, near the Mount of Olives. There was the garden in
which his sufferings began; there he was in his agony. Those that would go to
heaven, must ascend thither from the house of sufferings and sorrows. The
disciples did not see him rise out of the grave; his resurrection could be
proved by their seeing him alive afterwards: but they saw him ascend into
heaven; they could not otherwise have a proof of his ascension. He lifted up his
hands, and blessed them. He did not go away in displeasure, but in love, he left
a blessing behind him. As he arose, so he ascended, by his own power. They
worshipped him. This fresh display of Christ's glory drew from them fresh
acknowledgments. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The glory of Christ
is the joy of all true believers, even while they are here in this world. While
waiting for God's promises, we must go forth to meet them with our praises. And
nothing better prepares the mind for receiving the Holy Ghost. Fears are
silenced, sorrows sweetened and allayed, and hopes kept up. And this is the
ground of a Christian's boldness at the throne of grace; yea, the Father's
throne is the throne of grace to us, because it is also the throne of our
Mediator, Jesus Christ. Let us rely on his promises, and plead them. Let us
attend his ordinances, praise and bless God for his mercies, set our affections
on things above, and expect the Redeemer's return to complete our happiness.
Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Chapter 24:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Mark John
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
