28:9 {2} And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
(2) Christ himself appears after his resurrection, and sending the women to his disciples, shows that he has not forgotten them.
28:9 Jesus met them, saying, All hail. This was the second appearance of the Risen Savior. The appearances were: (1) To Mary Magdalene alone, near Jerusalem--Sunday, April 9 (Mr 16:9 Joh 20:11-18). (2) To the women returning from the sepulcher (Mt 28:9-10). (3) To Simon Peter alone (Lu 24:34). (4) To the two disciples going to Emmaus (Lu 24:13).
(5) To the apostles at Jerusalem, excepting Thomas, who was absent. These are all the same day (Joh 20:19). (6) To the apostles at Jerusalem a second time, when Thomas was present--Sunday, one week later (Joh 20:26,29). (7) At the Sea of Tiberias, when seven disciples were fishing (Joh 21:1). (8) To the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee (Mt 28:16). (9) To about five hundred brethren at once, in Galilee, near the time of the last. It is possible these two are identical (1Co 15:6). (10) To James only (1Co 15:7). (11) To all the apostles on Mt. Olivet at his ascension-- Thursday, May 18 (Lu 24:51). (12) We may add to these that he was seen by Saul of Tarsus and by John on Patmos (Ac 9:3 Re 1:13).
28:9 Hail - The word in its primary sense means, Rejoice: in its secondary and more usual meaning, Happiness attend you.
28:9,10 God's gracious visits usually meet us in the way of duty; and to those who use what they have for others' benefit, more shall be given. This interview with Christ was unexpected; but Christ was nigh them, and still is nigh us in the word. The salutation speaks the good-will of Christ to man, even since he entered upon his state of exaltation. It is the will of Christ that his people should be a cheerful, joyful people, and his resurrection furnishes abundant matter for joy. Be not afraid. Christ rose from the dead, to silence his people's fears, and there is enough in that to silence them. The disciples had just before shamefully deserted him in his sufferings; but, to show that he could forgive, and to teach us to do so, he calls them brethren. Notwithstanding his majesty and purity, and our meanness and unworthiness, he still condescends to call believers his brethren.
