Mark 16

We are now come to the History of our Saviours Resurrection, his several appearances to, and converse with his Disciples, from the time of his rising from the Dead, unto the time of his Ascension up into Heaven, which was forty days. Of all the Evangelists, St. John is most full in his Relation of this part of the History of our Saviour, which we shall consider in order, for his two last Chapters are wholly spent in this part of the History; in the mean time, as we did in our Notes on Matth. 28. take notice only of what Matthew has upon that Argument: So we shall in the opening of this Chapter of Mark, take notice only of what Mark has, not concurrent, with, and completory of what Matthew had before said. (For what he has of that Nature we shall refer the Reader to our Notes on Matthew) and here we will also take in what Luke has, that tends to the fuller relation of any thing which Mark has, not medling with what John has, but reserving that till we come to open the fuller account of this whole History, in the twentieth, and one and twentieth Chapters of his Gospel.

AND when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. About the time when they came, see the Notes on Matth. 28.1. which is also further expressed in the next verses.

And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. Matthew says, (as it began to dawn toward the first day of the Week. Iohn says, they came early while it was yet dark Luke also says very early. But it is manifest from the History, that they came a second time, of which Mar speak, passing over their first coming.

And they said among them es, Who shall roll us away the stone from the of the sepulchre.

(And when they looked, they that the stone was rolled away) for it was very reat. These were their thoughts as they were c ing, concerning the guard which they had set by Pilates permi on at the importunity of the Jewish Priests and Rulers, it is probable (the day before being the Jewish Sabbath in the observation of which the Iews were very strict) they had not heard, so were not sollicitous as to them, but they knew of the Stone rolled to the mouth of the Sepulchre, but they were in vain solicitous, when they came they found the Stone rolled away. Christ was risen before.

And entring into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

And he says unto them, Be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified, he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him.

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled, and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Both Luke and Iohn mention two Angels in the habit of young Men, Matthew speaks of one sitting upon the Stone. They might see him sitting upon the Stone, and yet find him within also, the motions of Angels are quick, and indiscernable to our sense, or the Stone might be rolled inward. That they were affrighted is no wonder, considering how apt we are to be affrighted by any apparitions. Concerning what the Angel said to these women, read the Notes on Matth. 28.7.8. They presently fly from the Sepulchre amazed, saying nothing to any, till they came into the City, where they tell it to the Disciples.

Now when Iesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene out of whom he had cast seven devils.

And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. Concerning this appearance of Christ to Mary Magdalene, see the Notes on Matth. 28.9. and more fully on Iohn 20.2, 3, 4. who gives a more full account then any other of this appearance.

After that, he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Of this appearance St. Luke gives us a very large account Luke 24 from v. 13. to v 36. See the Notes on that Chapter.

Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief, and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. This most probably is the appearance mentioned Luke 24 36. Iohn 20.19. See the Notes there.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues.

So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Matthew says nothing of our Saviours Ascension, Mark speaketh of it very shortly. Luke says. And he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up to Heaven. And they worshipped him and returned to Ierusalem with great Ioy. And again gives us this part of this History most fully, Acts 1. from v. 1. to v. 12. we shall in our Notes on Luke 24. speak more fully to this. We are told Acts 1.3. that Christ was forty Days upon the Earth after his Resurrection, and v. 9. That a Cloud did receive him. He is said to sit on the Right Hand of God, to distinguish him from Angels, whose places are but places of Ministration.

They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. See the Notes on Matth. 28.19. where what we have here is largely explained.

And they went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Here is now the History of a great deal of following time, shortly Epitomized in one Verse. The first motion of the Eleven was to Ierusalem, Luke 24.52. and this was according to the express command of Christ, v. 49. There they were continually in the Temple Praising and Blessing God. v. 53. Acts 1.12, 13. At Ierusalem they went into an upper Room. There they continued with one accord in Prayer and Supplications, v. 14. and chose Mathias for the twelfth Apostle, Acts 2. The Holy Ghost came upon them, still they continued Preaching to the Jews, till Acts 13.46. The Iews by their Vnbelief and Persecution judging themselves unworthy of Eternal Life, they turned to the Gentiles of God confirming their Word, that is, his Word spoken by them with Signs following. The whole History of the Acts of the Apostles is an abundant Proof.