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| 1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. |
The first day – Sunday morning. This day is reckoned as the third day and night which Christ spent in the tomb. R4212:5*
After the "high day," on the morning of the third day. NS795:3
Cometh Mary Magdalene – With her were Mary, the mother of James and Salome, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward. R4176:3
Arising earlier than her companions, Mary went alone. R3564:4, 3375:6
Mary had an appointment with others of the Lord's friends to go to the tomb with spices to embalm his body, a proceeding which had been impossible because of the late hour of his crucifixion and the intervening Sabbath day. R3564:4, 4176:3, 2477:5
The women lived in various parts of the city, and did not all arrive at the same hour. Mary Magdalene arrived first. R2797:5, 2477:5
Woman had the honor of being the first to be made acquainted with our Lord's resurrection--perhaps because the feminine mind is more activated by intuitive faith, rather than analytical faith; or, perhaps, as a special recognition of woman's tender sympathy. R2317:3, 2802:3, 940:6
How great was the reward of these devoted women--last at the cross, and first at the sepulcher, anxious to bestow upon the lifeless remains of their beloved Lord the last tokens of their esteem and love. R1816:6
While never commissioned to take the chief and public place in the preaching of the Gospel, yet they have a good place in this service of the truth. R2318:1
Not the Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha, neither Mary the "sinner," who washed our Lord's feet with her tears in the Pharisee's house. R3564:4
It is a mistake to suppose that she was an unchaste woman. R2797:4
Called Mary Magdalene, probably because her home town was Magdala, a town on the sea of Galilee. R2797:5, 3564:4
Not only had she come from Galilee to Judea, but she was near the cross at the time of his death. R2797:5
Who at one time was possessed by evil spirits, but who, being freed from their domination became a faithful and loyal follower of Jesus. R3564:4, 3375:6
Early – Taking advantage of the very earliest opportunity for embalming before decomposition could set in. R3564:4
When it was yet dark – In the dawn of the day. The same is true of the Church's resurrection in the great day-dawn, or transition between the Gospel age and the Millennium. R92:1*
Unto the sepulchre – To complete the work of embalming our Lord. NS795:3
Our common word cemetery signifies a sleeping place and the thought conveyed is in full accord with the Scripture teachings on the subject. Because of our faith in the resurrection, we speak of death as a sleep. R4174:6
The stone taken away – In their eagerness they forgot the great obstacle of the stone. But the sweet incense of their devotion arose to heaven and God sent his angel to remove the obstacle. R1816:6
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| 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. |
Then she runneth – It seems that Mary Magdalene separated from the other women and ran to tell Peter and John, while the others went to tell the rest of the disciples. B112
To the other disciple – Mary hastened to the home of John, with whom Peter was lodging. R4176:3
Taken away the Lord – The method adopted by our Lord was, first, to make very distinct to their natural sense the fact of his resurrection by the removal of his body from the tomb. R4176:2, 1817:4
We incline to the opinion that the flesh which was man's ransom-price, will never see corruption, but that it will be preserved by divine power as an everlasting testimony throughout eternity. R2478:6
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| 3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. |
Peter therefore – The majority of the disciples evidently regarded their story merely as superstitious excitement, but Peter and John said, We will go and see for ourselves. B112
Came to the sepulchre – Apparently after the other women had been there and gone their way. R3375:6, 2797:5, 2477:6
After she left them, Jesus appeared to the other women on the way. (Matt. 28:9,10) B112
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| 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. |
Did outrun Peter – Being younger. R4176:3, 2477:6
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| 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. |
Linen clothes lying – As though they had been laid aside by one awakening from sleep. R4176:2
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| 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, |
Went into the sepulchre – Being still more courageous than John. R4176:3, 2477:6
The linen clothes lie – The power manifested by our Lord to create and dissolve clothing, was just as superhuman as the creating and dissolving of his assumed human body. R5222:6, B127
The seamless robe and his other clothes were divided among the Roman soldiers, and the grave clothes left folded away in the sepulcher. Therefore the clothing in which he appeared on different occasions must have been specially created. R5222:5
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| 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. |
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| 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. |
And believed – Their belief was not that the Lord had risen, but that Mary's story was true, that his body had been removed. R4176:4
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| 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. |
For as yet – Now they began to think of the words which our Lord had spoken respecting his resurrection on the third day and John "believed"--yet no doubt with much confusion of thought at first. R2477:6
Must rise again – While the death of Christ was the greatest event in history, his resurrection from death holds second place. The death of Christ without his resurrection would have left our race just as helpless and hopeless as before. R3563:1
The resurrection of our Lord is the assurance of the resurrection of mankind. R1816:2
Neither we nor the Scriptures speak of the resurrection of Christ Jesus as a man. All the evidence shows conclusively that our Lord was resurrected a spirit being. R2477:2
Justice might properly object to the re-creation of Jesus as a man, but would have no ground whatever for objecting to the creation of a new creature. R2477:4
To understand correctly our Redeemer's resurrection: (1) permits us to see how he arose without taking back our ransom price; (2) that he is not now hampered by the lower or fleshly organism; (3) that he does not bear in glory the scars of the thorns, spear and nails; and (4) that the Church will not to all eternity bear the marks of imperfection. R2479:1
If he still bears the ignominious scars of Calvary, then shall we also bear the scars that mar us; and every mutilated martyr will be disfigured to all eternity. R1817:5
Our Lord's resurrected being was a direct gift from the Father, and not something which our Redeemer held over from a previous existence: it was a re-creation on a higher plane of existence. R2477:3
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| 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
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| 11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, |
Mary stood without – Having returned for a second visit. R2797:5, 4176:4, 3375:6
Looked into the sepulchre – As though to reassure herself that it was empty. R2797:6
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| 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. |
And seeth two angels – The angels had doubtless been there when she was there before, but she had not seen them, because of their not choosing to "appear." R2797:6, 2477:6
Doubtless holy angels had in charge not only our Lord's body, but also the interest of his bereaved followers. R2797:6
In white – In contrast, our Lord did not appear in shining garments, but in ordinary apparel, assumed for the purpose, in order that he might have the better opportunity for giving instructions his followers needed. R2797:6
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| 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. |
Why weepest thou? – Calculated to assuage her grief, for they manifested no grief, and by their question implied that she had no ground for it. R2798:1, 4176:4
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| 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. |
Turned herself back – A noise, or perhaps a shadow, calling her attention backward. R4176:4
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| 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?
She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. |
The gardener – Whom she presumed to be a servant of Joseph of Arimathea, the owner of the garden. R2798:1
Nothing about this person indicated who he was. He probably had on gardener's clothing--his own clothing, we know, had been appropriated by the soldiers. R3564:5, 5579:1, 3376:3
Lest they should get the idea he was still a man, our Lord appeared in various forms: a gardener, a stranger traveling to Emmaus, a stranger on the shore of Galilee calling to the fishermen. R4176:2, 3904:1, 2478:1, 1817:1; B125
According well with all we know of angels: they come in sudden and unaccountable ways, vanish out of sight as mysteriously as they come, and assume any features or appearance they choose. R1817:1
I will take him away – Her thought seeming to have been that Joseph was unwilling to have his tomb cumbered longer, and had therefore ordered that our Lord's body be removed, and that probably the gardener had attended to the matter. R2478:1
She considered herself a trespasser to some extent. R2798:1
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| 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary.
She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. |
Jesus saith – All who know the Master truly know his voice, know his message, know his spirit. As he expressed it, My sheep hear my voice and they follow me, they recognize not the voice of strangers. ( John 10:5) R4176:5
With us as with Mary, sorrow sometimes fills our hearts and we see not the streams of joy which the Lord has for us; not until we hear his voice, his words, do we appreciate the truth. R4176:5
Mary – Calling her by name, probably in the old familiar voice. R3564:5, 3376:3
On no single occasion was Jesus known by his features as on previous occasions, but always by his words, his voice, or his conduct. R1817:2
Rabboni – With a woman's intuition, she stopped not to inquire why there were no marks of the nails in his hands and in his feet. R2478:2
Women seem to be able to exercise faith more readily than men; hence our Lord appeared first to Mary, and through her prepared the hearts of the others. R2802:3
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| 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
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Touch me not – Greek, haptomai, embrace. Do not tarry for further demonstration of your affection. B113
More properly translated, Cling not to me. R2798:1, 2478:2
Professor Young's Lexicon shows that the word here rendered "touch" has the significance of "hold on." R2317:6
Her first impulse was to embrace him, and to tarry in his presence. B113
"Now that I have found you again I cannot let you go." R2478:2
As though fearful that you will never see me more; my time to ascend has not yet come. R2317:6, 2036:6
Her thought evidently was, This is a vision, this will pass away and I will see my Lord no more; I will hold him tightly; where he is I must be. R4176:5
Her love, her devotion, her persistence, gained for Mary the great honor of being the first to whom the Lord revealed himself after his resurrection. R2478:2, 1816:6
Mary's touch could do him no harm, for others touched him subsequently. But our Lord would lead her mind away from a mere clinging in the flesh to a higher relationship and intimacy of spirit. R2798:1, 2478:2
We are not to merely hug the truth to our own hearts, but are to remember that it is also for others, and to take pleasure in dispensing it to them. R3375:6
Recognizing her Master, she clasped him by the feet as though afraid he would leave her. R4714:1, 2798:1, 2317:6
Can we suppose that Mary would have clasped him by the feet and not have noticed the great wounds made by the nails? R2478:4
I am not yet ascended – I will be here a while yet before I ascend. Your great opportunity for clinging to me will be after I have presented to the Father, and he has accepted, the great atonement for sins. R2798:1, 2478:2; B113
He would have her remember that he had already said, "It is expedient for you that I go away." ( John 16:7) Why, then, should she detain him? R4176:5
He had not been to Paradise, for Paradise is not yet even in existence. He had not been to heaven, for he had been dead. R5133:1, 4176:6, 506:6; F670; HG645:4, 596:6; NS575:6, 689:4
To my Father – Our Lord disclaims being the Father, and declares that the Father is in heaven, and was not on earth, except representatively. R3788:3
Go to my brethren – The intimation is that she should rather have been thinking of such a service instead of holding him by the feet. R4176:5
She was neglecting a great privilege and a great duty, to be the first to announce to the disciples positively that the Lord was alive again. R2478:2
We, too, have heard of the death and resurrection of Jesus and additionally have learned of God's grace through him. It is our privilege to carry the message to all of the brethren wherever they may be. R4176:5, 3375:6, 2798:4
This is the second instance in which our Lord ever addressed his disciples as "brethren," with all the word implies of fellowship and of all being children of the one Father. (Matt. 12:48) R2798:4
According to Matthew's account (28:1,19) "the other Mary" must have been near by, and have come forward by this time, and received a commission with Mary Magdalene to tell the disciples. R2478:3
Say unto them – Having knowledge of his resurrection, she should become the newsbearer to the disciples. R3564:5
I ascend – Jesus could not make any use of the ransom-price while still on earth. He could not even bring his disciples into fellowship with the Father.
And your Father – Emphasizing their relationship as "brethren." R2798:4, 2317:6
Jesus is not the everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6) to the Church. The Scriptures reveal him as our elder Brother, and again as our Bridegroom. R3912:5, 1359:6
Not only was Jesus begotten of God, but every member of the anointed body is thus begotten. R905:2, 369:6, 297:1; E143
We are not begotten of the Spirit by our Lord Jesus, but by the Heavenly Father. NS102:6
Jehovah is the only Father, or giver of the divine nature. R297:1
To my God – Our Lord Jesus was a god (mighty one) before he came into the world. But he is not The God, he never was and never will be. R5748:3
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| 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. |
Told the disciples – Undoubtedly much happier in the delivery of the message than if she had been permitted to remain clinging to the Lord, enjoying her knowledge somewhat selfishly. R2798:4
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| 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
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The same day – The third manifestation on the day of his resurrection (counting that of Matt. 28:9 and John 20:14 as the same, and that of Luke 24:15 and 34 as the same). R2802:3
Five of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances were on the first day, the resurrection day, the remaining six being scattered through the remaining thirty-nine days of our Lord's presence. R3905:4
The first day of the week – Still the first day of the week, the day of the resurrection. R4182:2
The doors were shut – Very explicit--not that the apostles did not see them open, but that they did not open at all. R5237:5
The Lord warned the disciples that they would suffer persecution for his sake. No wonder that, when they met in the upper room, the doors were shut, and we may safely conclude, barred, bolted and locked. R2802:3, 3376:4, B127
The material body and clothing could not have gone through the walls while the doors were shut; a spirit being, however, is not limited by doors or locks or walls. R4182:2, 5623:1, 5579:1, 817:2
The security which was felt from having the doors fastened, caused the disciples to feel the more terror when they beheld a stranger with them. R2802:3, 5579:1
The disciples could see that our Lord had a different power altogether from what he had had before he died. He appeared time and again, a few minutes at a time, to demonstrate that he was a spirit being, and had power to come and go like the wind. R5237:6, 5222:5
Demonstrating the double lesson: first, that he was risen; secondly, that he was changed and was no longer the man Christ Jesus. R4176:2, 5352:3, 5222:5, 4714:2, 2796:3
Convincing them he was no longer the fleshly Jesus. They knew about angels; Mary herself had seen two in the sepulcher. They knew that angels could appear and disappear. R3565:1
The apostles and the five hundred brethren, converts to our Lord's teachings at the time, were natural men and needed such proofs as would appeal to the natural man. R4175:6
During the forty days after his resurrection he appeared, probably, not more than three hours in all. R5222:5
Less than twelve hours, or one eightieth of the entire time. B125
He was present, but unseen, during most of the forty days, appearing, in all, perhaps not more than seven times. R262:3, 122:5
The world will not see the graves of the Church open. A spiritual body, coming out of the grave, will not make any more of a hole in the ground than Christ's spiritual body made in the door. R263:5
Traditionally the same "upper room" where the Passover was eaten. NS795:6
The disciples were assembled – We may be sure that the disciples were discussing the great and momentous event and the news they had indirectly received of our Lord's resurrection. R4182:2
Discussing their own safety and also the reports of Mary and the other women at the sepulcher. R3565:1
Came Jesus – Immediately transferred from Emmaus. R4182:1, 2802:3
Spirit beings are able to transport themselves from place to place independent of physical laws. HG29:3
Simon and Cleopas must have immediately returned to Jerusalem from Emmaus to tell the disciples their experiences. R2478:3; B115
Perhaps in clothing resembling that which the soldiers had divided among themselves. R3565:4
After his resurrection he had the power to appear as a man, but he was not a man, and was no longer controlled by human conditions, but could come and go like the wind, even when the doors were shut. A231
We do not think that the apostles saw the body of our Lord in the resurrection. But what they saw was proof that he was no longer a human being, but a spirit being. R5625:6
The body in which our Lord appeared was materialized. This was not a deception. It was intended, on the contrary, to keep the disciples from being deceived. R5237:6
To make a body suitable for the occasion was no more of a miracle than were any of the other things connected with the resurrection. R5625:6
To produce a body with the same convolutions of the brain, the same individuality, the same soul, is a miracle so great we cannot conceive of it. Yet it is the very thing which God purposes to do for the whole human family. R5612:4
While Jesus could have brought the body, he did not do so. If he had done this they would have been deceived, supposing that he had arisen in his body of flesh in which he had been crucified. R5237:6
Had this appearance been the first manifestation, we can readily suppose that it would not have produced the faith and joy it did produce. R2802:5
Peace be unto you – His familiar salutation. R4182:2
"My peace I give unto you" ( John 14:27) were the Lord's words on the night of his betrayal, and "Peace be unto you" were his words when he first met the disciples together after his resurrection. R2802:6
It is only those who realize in Jesus their Redeemer and Lord, and who have given themselves to him to be his disciples, who can really receive of his peace--"the peace of God which passeth all understanding." (Phil. 4:7) R2802:6
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| 20 And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. |
His hands – Wishing to emphasize the identity of his risen self with the crucified one. R2478:5
Nothing in this implies of necessity that the flesh which they saw was the identical flesh which had hung on the cross. R2478:5
Some Christians regard the assumed body as his spirit body. Many others have the idea that it was the same body that was crucified. This would prove, first, that the resurrection body is not glorious; second, that we know what a spirit body is; and, third, that our ransom price was taken back. B128
To claim that his "glorious" body is ingloriously marred with the wounds of spear and spike, and that the flesh he gave as our ransom he took back, would render null and void the finished work of Calvary. R1817:4
The evidence, added to what they had already heard, was convincing to all who were present. R2802:3
The appearing in the flesh would remove their fear and enable them to hear the better what he had to say to them. R3565:4
Then were the disciples glad – The perplexities were not all gone; but they were getting the lesson that their Master was triumphant over death. R4182:2
So are all glad who realize this great fact of our Lord's resurrection from the dead and who have any conception whatever of its weighty importance as connected with the divine plan of our salvation. R3565:1
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| 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
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As my Father – Affirming the title, "Son of God," officially applied to the man Christ Jesus before his birth. (Luke 1:31-35) NS256:6
Hath sent me – This subservience and dependence upon the Father not only was true of our Lord while he was in the flesh and before he was made flesh, but is distinctly asserted of him since his resurrection. R3861:5
The Father's commission to The Christ was all addressed to the Head, we having no standing with the Father except through him, and no other commission than his for our service. R2803:2
So send I you – I commission you. R2803:1
Our Lord Jesus in all matters acts as the representative of the Father, Jehovah, in the work of salvation. E35
He was the Father's representative; we are the special representatives of our Lord and Head, though, of course, through him and in him representatives also of the Father. R3565:4
As God has but one Church, so he has but one ordination for all who are his ministers. Jesus is the Chief Minister. His ordination took place at his baptism. All coming into him share in his ordination. R5971:5
I have done the work the Father gave me to do; I now appoint to you a great work, which you are to do in my name, even as I worked in my Father's name. R4182:3
Implying that we as his disciples are to be engaged in the same work that he is engaged in. R2803:2
To "fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ" (Col. 1:24), and then to share with him in his glory in the blessing of all the families of the earth. R2803:2
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| 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit:
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He breathed on them – Evidently symbolical, an illustration of his words, "Receive ye the holy Spirit." R2803:3
A pantomime teaching. R4182:3; Q45:2
He would have them understand that the holy Spirit would not be a person, but the Father's spirit and his own spirit--the breath or spirit of God. R3565:5
Receive ye the Holy Spirit – Thus representing that he would put his spirit, his disposition upon them which would enable them to carry out their consecration, even as he was so enabled by receiving the Spirit at his own baptism. R4182:3
He would have the disciples anticipate the blessing that was to come to them. R3565:5
He did this as a sample of his spirit power, influence, or mind in them, by which they would cast out devils, heal the sick, etc., in his name. Q45:2, 639:1
He had received the Spirit without measure. He used it in his healings. So he gave his disciples of this power and sent them forth as his representatives in his name. Q332:2
I fancy that while John recorded it here, the fact is that it was done some time before, at the beginning of his ministry, when he sent forth the disciples in his name. Q332:2
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| 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
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Ye remit – The twelve apostles in particular, and less particularly all the Lord's true members while in the world, will be under the guidance of the holy Spirit to such an extent that they would know the terms and conditions on which it would be possible to forgive sins. R3565:6, 2803:4, 2658:1
The apostles did define sin and the terms of forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, in a manner entirely satisfactory, in a manner in which our Lord himself never explained these things. R2803:3
Whoever can know about his own sins, should know also how to direct and assist others in knowing of the cancellation of their sins. R3565:6
This privilege was not granted to all believers, but merely to the apostles. It is not true that this authority descended from them to others, the clergy. R4182:4, 2803:4
They are remitted – We may assure anyone who gives evidence of contrition, restitution to the extent of ability, faith in Christ and obedient desire to walk according to his ways, that his sins are forgiven. R3565:6
Not that we have the power to forgive sins, but we, being intimate with the Master and knowing his mind on the subject, can speak for him as his mouthpiece to declare the terms of reconciliation. R3565:6, 2803:3
Not that the Father or the Son gave over to the apostles the power of remitting sins. Indeed, sins could not be remitted by power, but only by the satisfaction of justice. R2803:3
While it is not granted to any but the apostles to fix the limitations upon which sins are forgiven, it is the province of all the Lord's mouthpieces to make known these limitations to the Church. R4182:5
While this "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18) belongs in its fullest sense to the next age, when the Atonement sacrifices are completed, yet even now, we may say to those who believe and repent, "Thy sins are forgiven thee." T100
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| 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. |
Was not with them – It is quite probable that Thomas was not permitted to be present at the first interview for the very purpose that there might be that demonstration, that it might be easier for some of us to believe. R5625:2
This would imply that he had disbelieved the stories told by the sisters respecting the message of the angels and the Lord's manifestations to Mary. R2803:5
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| 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the pattern of the nails, and put my finger into the pattern of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. |
Put my finger – He would not even trust to the sight of his eyes, which might be deceived. R2803:5
I will not believe – Thomas seems to have been of a rather skeptical turn of mind. R5236:3, 2803:5
Some of us would find it difficult to believe from any lips that a person whom he had three days before seen dead and laid in the tomb had manifested by his presence to others that he was again alive. R5624:6
From one standpoint, the person who is inclined to be somewhat critical is to be approved. We would naturally incline to disapprove those who are too easily credulous, too easily persuaded. R5237:1
Had none of the apostles never seemed to doubt the Lord's resurrection, they might have failed to bring out convincing proof of the fact. R5237:1
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| 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
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After eight days – Again on the first day of the week, under similar circumstances. R5625:1, 3376:5
Sunday, "the eighth day," the Jewish method of counting including both days. R2803:6
Probably again in the evening, the beginning of the eighth day from the time of our Lord's resurrection. R4182:5
Our Lord instituted the observance of the first day of the week, not by command, but by example. R1942:3, 4176:3
Thereafter the first day of the week was made an occasion for special meetings of the Lord's followers in remembrance of his revelations of himself on the first and on the eighth days. R4182:6
It was made sacred by our Lord's resurrection; it became, therefore, to his followers the day of hope. R4176:3
No wonder the early Church, appreciating the value of our Lord's resurrection, and the fact that they were no longer under Jewish law, gradually changed the day of divine worship from the seventh day to the first day of the week. R4176:2; B115; Q608
These first-day-of-the-week gatherings were love-feasts, and never intended to take the place nor in any sense to represent our Lord's Memorial Supper. R2771:4, 1942:6, 1787:1, 840:1, 803:1
Thomas with them – Although still skeptical, he had become sufficiently interested to want to be present. R2803:6
While he appeared to many other disciples, he was specially careful to very clearly establish the fact of his resurrection to the apostles, carefully looking up each one of them. R1522:4
Peace be unto you – How beautiful and how blessed it would be if the Lord's people whenever they come together, to meet each other and to meet Jesus in spirit, would greet each other with this salutation from the heart. R2803:6
Uttered in the right spirit it would imply that their hearts were in a peaceable condition, seeking each other's peace and welfare and to avoid strife. R2804:1
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| 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
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Saith he to Thomas – Immediately addressing Thomas, thus indicating his thorough knowledge of his doubts and fears. R2804:1
Our Lord, while dismissing the self-satisfied, fault-finding quibbles of the Pharisees with dark or evasive answers, took time and care in making truth clear and plain to the humble, earnest seekers. B27
Reach hither thy finger – He thus showed that he knew what Thomas had said without being told. B116
The fact that the Lord gave to him the desired evidence was an indication that he did not disapprove of his demand for more convincing demonstration than the others. R5625:1, 5579:4
Behold my hands – Not of the body crucified and buried in Joseph's tomb, but a materialized body, with the same facial expressions, the same hands, the same feet, that the human body of Jesus had. R5625:6, 3376:4
His appearance with the wounds to convince Thomas shows he was ready to give any demonstration that was necessary, because unless the disciples really believed they could not do the work before them. R5579:4, 5237:1, 4183:1, 1522:4, 941:2
Thrust it into my side – Using Thomas' own language. R4183:1, 2804:1
We are not informed whether or not Thomas did put his finger into the nail prints and his hand into the Lord's side; it matters not, for at all events his mind was convinced. R4183:1
We presume Thomas did as he said, although the account does not mention it. R2804:1
Be not faithless – We do not think that Jesus reproved Thomas for his doubts. Some minds require more proof than do others. Undoubtedly the whole Church has been blessed by Thomas' action at this time. R5625:5, 5237:1, 4182:5, 2803:6
Gently reproving him. B125; R2318:5
But believing – Jesus helped those who were in the right attitude of heart to receive him; he assisted their faith and encouraged their confidence. R4117:5
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| 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. |
My God – Not only Lord and Master, but he recognized him as his God, as a mighty one, superior to all mankind, worthy to be called by the name God, which signifies "mighty one." R4183:1
Thus we also properly recognize the Lord Jesus as our God, a mighty one, in harmony with and one with the Father. R4183:4
Not that Thomas supposed our Lord Jesus to be the heavenly Father. R4183:4, 2804:1
Men should honor the Son as they honor the Father. R4183:4
The word God is applied not only to the Father and to the Son, but also to the holy angels and on one occasion to men, to the seventy elders of Israel, whom Moses appointed in the wilderness. R4183:4, 2804:2
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| 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
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Because thou hast seen – Thomas lived in the Jewish age, not among spiritual children of God, but in the fleshly house (until Pentecost). He was used to seeing things after the flesh, and had not his eye of faith yet opened. Yet Jesus expected more of him. R123:2
All the doubting Thomases in due time have the more tangible evidences in store for them. But more blessed are they who can now walk by faith. R1675:1
Blessed are they – While not reproving Thomas, he did tell him of a more excellent way: that, while it is good to believe upon the basis of physical sight and physical touch, there is a still higher attainment of faith. R2804:2
Others who could believe without demanding the physical test, were the more blessed. R2318:5, 1450:5
Speaking of those of us who live subsequently, and not of the disciples. We have testimonies and evidences that Thomas did not have. R5625:1
He was seen of some 500 at one time. (1 Cor. 15:6) Afterward the brethren were obliged to believe without seeing, merely on the testimony of others. We are in this same category ourselves. R5237:2
That have not seen – The stronger evidence was that which was not addressed to natural sight. B125
All the Christian Church throughout the Gospel age have believed without seeing the outward demonstration. Whether on this account the Lord would be specially pleased with us, we know not. But we think not. R5237:2, 2804:4
Yet have believed – Following this appearance was a long interval apparently in which there was no appearance whatsoever, and the disciples, discouraged, resolved to go back to their homes in Galilee. R3905:4
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| 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: |
Many other signs – Greek, seemion, has the significance of proof or evidence. D598
In view of the importance of the resurrection of Jesus, we cannot wonder that the Scriptures lay great stress upon that fact, and deduce various proofs and demonstrations intended to establish our faith in it. R3564:1
It took several of these manifestations to attest the fact that he was a changed being. R5238:1
Manifesting himself occasionally, yet invisible to them the remainder of the period. He would have them learn gradually not to expect him again in the flesh. R3565:4
He must lead their minds step by step, and their thoughts link by link, from the cross and the tomb to an appreciation of his present exaltation as a spirit being. R2797:4
Our Lord purposed that these eleven should be thoroughly convinced. Unless they had absolute faith in him as the ascended Redeemer, they would not have been prepared to receive the holy Spirit at Pentecost. R5625:2
The necessity for these proofs lay in the fact that in the divine plan this Gospel age was marked out to be a faith age. But faith needs reasonable foundations upon which to build its superstructure. R2796:1
These forty days seem to be the most important part of our Lord's ministry; for on them depended all the success of the Gospel message which was to be launched by these very men to whom he appeared. R5625:3
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| 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. |
These are written – The Gospel narrative of the words and acts of our Lord, and also the words and acts of the apostles. R3521:6, 2220:5, 1046:6*
Instead of using legions of angels to communicate with man, or instead of using a system of instant punishments and rewards, or instead of blazoning the message in letters of fire in the sky in all languages. R3521:3
"It has pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." (1 Cor. 1:2) R3521:3, 3580:2, 2220:5
That ye might believe – The entire object and purpose of all of God's messages during this Gospel age, and hence the object and purpose of all the preaching done in his name and by his authority. R3521:2
The world thinks it strange that believers should be saved on account of their belief rather than from the standpoint of works. R3580:2
That Jesus – The first prerequisite is a faith in the personality of God and in his willingness to be approached; second, a faith in Jesus, by whom alone we can approach the Father. R3580:4, 2220:2
Is the Christ – More than a mere belief that Jesus lived and Jesus died, a man of Nazareth. The word Christ signifies Messiah and Messiah signifies God's appointed King. R3580:4
A further part of this hope of which Jesus, the Messiah, is the center, is that those who are now called, the obedient through faith, shall be joint-heirs with the Master in the great Kingdom. R3580:5
To believe anything less seems to be lacking the faith here enjoined; to believe all of this seems to be essential to discipleship. R3521:6
The Son of God – Not the son of Joseph. R3521:6
That believing ye might have life – No hope is here held out of life without believing, and no hope held out on a vague faith will be satisfactory. R3521:6
Faith marks every step of progress for those who are the called according to the divine purpose during this Gospel age. R3580:3
Believing is not only the precedent to the life to come, to be attained at the resurrection, but it is also a precedent to a proper life in the present time. R3580:6
Not that merely believing will bring the life, for "devils also believe and tremble" (James 2:19), but that believing brings them into that relationship with God where it is possible for them to become followers of Jesus. R4188:4
If of these early Christians it was required that their faith should bring a corresponding life, much more should this be true of us who have still greater knowledge of the divine plan. R3581:5
They are the oracles of God and the principles of his holy law by which every man must be judged as worthy or unworthy of eternal life. R2057:5
Life eternal through the merit of him who loved the world and bought it with his own precious blood. R3522:5
Few come under the conditions of this text. R3522:2
Through his name – Through the power, through the authority of this Messiah--by virtue of the work which he has accomplished for them and the door of opportunity which he has opened to them. R3580:6
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