Matthew 28:9

9 . as they went to tell his disciples ] These words are omitted in the best MSS. All hail ] Literally, Rejoice; the Greek salutation, both on meeting and on parting. 9, 10 . The Appearance of Jesus to Mary. Magdalene and the other Mary Recorded by St Matthew only Jesus had already appeared to Mary Magdalene alone . We must suppose that she was now joined by the other Mary, and perhaps by Salome, Joanna, and others; and while these were going to announce the great news to the rest of the disciples [Peter and John already knew] the Lord Jesus met them. The following is a list of the different appearances of Jesus during the forty days:—(1) To Mary Magdalene alone ( John 20:14 foll.; Mark 16:9 ). (2) To Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and perhaps other women ( Matthew 28:9-10 ). (3) To Peter ( Luke 24:34 ; 1 Corinthians 15:5 ). (4) To Cleophas and another on the way to Emmaus ( Luke 24:13-35 ). (5) To the apostles, in the absence of Thomas, at Jerusalem ( Mark 16:14 ; Luke 24:36 ; John 20:19 ). (6) To the eleven apostles at Jerusalem ( John 20:26 ). (7) To seven disciples at the Sea of Tiberias ( John 21:1-24 ). (8) To the eleven on the highland of Galilee ( Matthew 28:16 ). (9) To five hundred brethren at once—possibly the same appearance as 8 ( 1 Corinthians 15:6 ). (10) To James, the Lord’s brother ( 1 Corinthians 15:7 ). (11) To the eleven in the neighbourhood of the Holy City ( Mark 16:19-20 ; Luke 24:50 ; Acts 1:3-12 ; 1 Corinthians 15:7 ).

Matthew 28:9-10 . And as they went — Or, as they were going, on their way, Jesus met them — These zealous, good women not only heard the first tidings of their Lord, but had the first sight of him after his resurrection. The angel directed those that would see him to go to Galilee; and gave none any hopes of seeing him till they came thither. But Jesus is often better to his people than his word; but never worse; he often anticipates, but never frustrates their believing expectations: saying, All hail! — The old English form of salutation is here used, wishing all health, as the expression signifies. The Greek word here used, χαιρετε , is literally, Rejoice; and answers to the form used by the Hebrews, Peace be unto you. They came and held him by the feet — As soon as they saw that it was Jesus, beginning to recover from their fear, they drew near to him, and in the most respectful manner, and with the greatest reverence, prostrated themselves before him, and embraced his feet, thus manifesting as well the affection they had to him as the greatness of the joy with which they were transported. This favour of embracing his knees Jesus granted to these women, because the angel’s words having strongly impressed their minds with the notion of his resurrection, they might have taken his appearing for an illusion of their own imagination, had he not permitted them to handle him, and convince themselves by the united report of their senses.

Then said Jesus, Be not afraid — Fear not being imposed upon by these repeated notices of my resurrection; nor fear any hurt, either by the appearance of a messenger from heaven, or of one coming from the dead; for the news brought you, though strange, is both true and replete with comfort. Go tell my brethren — For I still own them as such, though they so lately disowned and forsook me. John ( John 20:17 ) records our Lord’s using similar language to Mary Magdalene alone, when he sent her to them with the same message. Doubtless these affectionate friends of Christ were exact in reporting this circumstance, that their injured Lord called them his brethren still: and both Matthew and John, to whom the glad tidings were immediately brought, felt it strike so powerfully on their hearts, that they could not but record it. He, no doubt, saw it needful to give it them now to encourage them, knowing how much ashamed and distressed they were for having deserted him in his sufferings. And the appellation was now peculiarly consolatory, not only in that it assured them that they were freely forgiven for their past cowardice, but also in that it opened before them a prospect of such glory and felicity as, it appears, they had before no conception of.

Matthew 28:9 . καὶ ἰδοὺ , and behold, another surprise ( Matthew 28:2 ). They are on the way to tell the disciples that they are to be favoured with a meeting in Galilee, and lo! they are themselves privileged to meet the risen One.— ὑπήντησεν , cf. chap. Matthew 8:34 , Matthew 25:1 ; Matthew 25:6 .— ἐκράτησαν , etc., they took hold of His feet and cast themselves before Him; the gesture befitting the circumstances, an unlooked-for meeting with one who has been crucified and whose aspect is greatly changed. Impossible to resume the old familiar relations as if nothing had happened.

(9) All hail. —Literally, rejoice. The word was probably our Lord’s wonted greeting to the company of devout women, and though used in homage, real or derisive, as in Matthew 27:29 , John 19:3 , had not necessarily the solemnity which modern usage has attached to “hail.” It was, we may believe, by that familiar word and tone that the other women at first recognised their Lord, as Mary Magdalene had done by His utterance of her own name. Held him by the feet.—Better, clasped His feet. Mary Magdalene had, we must remember, already heard the words “Touch Me not” (John 20:17), but, if we suppose her to have rejoined the other women, passionate and rejoicing love carried her, as it carried the others, beyond the limits of reverential obedience. Worshipped him.—The word does not necessarily imply a new form of homage. The prostration which it indicates had been practised before (Matthew 8:2; Matthew 9:18); though (it is right to add) by many persons not connected with the apostolic company, who came with definite petitions. It was the natural attitude of a suppliant servant before his master (Matthew 18:26). It was, perhaps, not till later that the disciples were led to feel that the attitude was one that was due to God and to the Man Christ Jesus, and to no other of the sons of men (Acts 10:26) or angels (Revelation 22:9). (See Note on Matthew 28:17.)

Matthew 28:9 .[1228] Καὶ ἰδοὺ , and behold ) An elegant expression, denoting something sudden and unforeseen.— ὁ Ἰησοῦς , κ . τ . λ ., Jesus , etc.) The obedient receive a further revelation.— χαίρετε , all hail ) A formula of frequent occurrence, which is employed by our Lord in a high and peculiar sense.— προσεκύνησαν Αὐτῷ , they worshipped Him ) Before His passion, Jesus had been worshipped by strangers, rather than by His disciples. [1228] The words immediately preceding, ὡς — μαθηταῖς αὐτού , are no doubt expressed in the Germ. Vers. , but the margin of both the Greek Editions prefers their omission.—E. B. A supports the Rec. Text, in reading at the beginning of Matthew 28:4 . ὡς δὲ ἐπορεύοντο ἀπαγγεῖλαι τοῖς μὰθηταῖς αὐτοῦ . But BD Vulg. abc Memph. Syr. reject the words, which seem to me to have originated from a transcriber’s accidental error in repeating the closing words of Matthew 28:8 —a class of errors of frequent occurrence.—ED.

Matthew 28:9 . On seeing the strange and superhuman appearance presented by the risen Lord, the women are so filled with consternation ( μὴ φοβεῖσθε , Matthew 28:10 ) that they take hold of His feet in a suppliant attitude ( ἐκράτ . αὐτοῦ τ . πόδας ), and testify their submission and reverence by the act of προσκύνησις . Bengel says correctly: “Jesum ante passionem alii potius alieniores adorarunt quam discipuli .”