4. So they ran both together, and the other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulchre. 5. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying, yet went he not in. He was struck with what he saw, but he wished to have another witness of the state of things in the sepulchre, before he entered, lest he might be suspected of having caused some changes himself; he went not in therefore before his companion arrived. 6. Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie; 7. And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. The linen clothes and the napkin were what had been employed by Nicodemus to wrap the spices round the body of Jesus. The situation in which they were found is mentioned to show that the body had been removed more deliberately than could be expected from thieves, who would have been in haste to execute their purpose. These circumstances satisfied John that he was raised from the dead; an event, however, which he did not expect before, because he had not understood the scriptures which foretold it. 8. Then went in also that other disciple which came first to the sepulchre; and he saw and believed. That is, in Christ's resurrection; his faith in that event commenced from this time and not before. 9. For as yet they, that is, the disciples, knew not the scripture that he must rise again from the dead. Till this time none of them understood the prophecies which predicted his resurrection. 10. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. Not each to his own house, as the words seem to imply, but to some common place of resort; for we find them all assembled together in the evening, verse the nineteenth. To have remained at the tomb, might have exposed them to suspicion and danger. From a regard to their own safety, therefore, they retired; but Mary had no such fears, and hoped, by remaining there, to obtain some intelligence respecting her master. 11. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre, weeping, and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre, 12. And seeth two angels in white raiment sitting, the one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain; 13. And they say unto her, Woman, Why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my master, and I know not where they have laid him. The design of this appearance of angels in the tomb of Jesus, seems to have been to point out the miraculous agency of the Divine Being in raising him from Vol. 2.] 4 G the dead. The white colour of their garments probably arose from the light which was emitted from them; for it is said of Christ, when he was transfigured on the mount, that his raiment was white and glistering from a like cause. By the reply which Mary made to their question, it would appear as if she at first considered them as no more than ordinary persons, although she afterwards saw reason to think otherwise. The question, Why weepest thou? may be regarded as a mild reproof, as if they had said, Thou hast no occasion for thy sorrow; he for whom thou weepest is alive, and stands behind thee. 14. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Je sus. 15. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, rather, "the keeper of the garden," saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Not expecting Jesus to be restored to life, and not seeing him in his usual dress, she did not at first know him, but supposed that he was the proprietor of the garden, and had given directions for the removal of the body. But on Jesus' calling her by her name, her recollection instantly returns. 16. Jesus saith unto her, Mary! She turned herself and saith unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master. The discovery was now complete, and Mary, in a transport of joy, was going to throw herself at the feet of her master, to express her affection and respect; but he checks her zeal, by desiring that she will not detain him at present, since he was not going to leave the world immediately, and she would have other opportunities of expressing her regard; but to go forthwith, to inform his disciples of the joyful event and of his approaching departure. 17. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not, rather," let me alone," for I am not yet ascended, "I do not yet ascend,” 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. Go and tell my disciples that I am going hence, only to enjoy the same honours and privileges which are destined for them; for they are my brethren, and we have one common God and Father. From this passage it is plain that Jesus regarded himself as one of the human race, and as possessing the same nature with other men; for he calls his disciples his brethren, and supposes that the privileges bestowed upon him by God were intended for them. Nothing could be more natural and encouraging than such language, considered as addressed from one human being to others; but the force of it is entirely destroyed, if we suppose him who uses it to be an angel or superangelic being in human shape; for beings of such different natures have no reason to expect the same honours or enjoyments. 18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. REFLECTIONS. 1. The attachment of Mary to her master holds a conspicuous place in this narrative, as well as the honour which it received. She is eager to seize the very first opportunity of showing respect to her deceased friend, by embalming or anointing his body, and when disappointed of this purpose, she weeps with sorrow, as if the most serious calamity had befallen her, and is inconsolable. So highly did she venerate the man who had just been crucified as a malefactor; so warm was her gratitude to the friend who had restored reason to her mind, when distracted with the most violent phrenzy, or, according to the language of the evangelists, had cast out of her seven dæmons. Justly were such zeal and gratitude rewarded by the selection of Mary to be the first to whom Jesus should appear after his resurrection. To afford speedy relief to a mind overwhelmed with sorrow, was an act of mercy worthy of God; to honour virtuous friendship with some mark of peculiar attention, was becoming that Being, the great object of whose government is to promote virtue among his subjects. Mary wept for what really afforded ground for joy; and in this respect is but too just a picture of many other mourners. "Why weepest thou?" may be addressed to them as well as to her: thy sorrow is misplaced or will soon be converted into joy. Indulge not a passion which may prove to be ill founded, and which will soon be converted into one of an opposite nature. 2. We may observe what substantial ground there is for believing the resurrection of Christ. It was not |