With reference to the report which the Roman soldiers were bribed
(Matthew 28:12-14) to circulate concerning Christ’s resurrection, “his
disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept,” Matthew
Henry in his “Commentary,” under John 20:1-10, fittingly remarks, “The
grave-clothes in which Christ had been buried were found in very good
order, which serves for an evidence that his body was not ‘stolen away
while men slept.’ Robbers of tombs have been known to take away ‘the
clothes’ and leave the body; but none ever took away ‘the body’ and left
the clothes, especially when they were ‘fine linen’ and new (Mark 15:46).
Any one would rather choose to carry a dead body in its clothes than
naked. Or if they that were supposed to have stolen it would have left the
grave-clothes behind, yet it cannot be supposed they would find leisure to
‘fold up the linen.’”
- RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD will be simultaneous both of the just
and the unjust (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28, 29; Romans 2:6-16; 2
Thessalonians 1:6-10). The qualities of the resurrection body will be
different from those of the body laid in the grave (1 Corinthians 15:53, 54;
Phil. 3:21); but its identity will nevertheless be preserved. It will still be
the same body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) which rises again.
As to the nature of the resurrection body, (1) it will be spiritual (1
Corinthians 15:44), i.e., a body adapted to the use of the soul in its
glorified state, and to all the conditions of the heavenly state; (2) glorious,
incorruptible, and powerful (54); (3) like unto the glorified body of Christ
(Phil. 3:21); and (4) immortal (Revelation 21:4).
Christ’s resurrection secures and illustrates that of his people. “(1.)
Because his resurrection seals and consummates his redemptive power;
and the redemption of our persons involves the redemption of our bodies
(Romans 8:23). (2.) Because of our federal and vital union with Christ (1
Corinthians 15:21, 22; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). (3.) Because of his Spirit
which dwells in us making our bodies his members (1 Corinthians 6:15;
Romans 8:11). (4.) Because Christ by covenant is Lord both of the living
and the dead (Romans 14:9). This same federal and vital union of the
Christian with Christ likewise causes the resurrection of the believer to be
similar to as well as consequent upon that of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:49;
Phil. 3:21; 1 John 3:2).” Hodge’s Outlines of Theology.