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Explanation for:
Matthew
28
:
9
And behold Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet, and adored him.
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Jesus encountered them and said, 'Rejoice.' Those who were eager and hurried now have the privilege of meeting the resurrected Lord and being the first to hear the call to 'Rejoice,' thus lifting the curse placed upon women by Eve. They approached, grasped His feet, and worshipped Him. These individuals drew near, embraced His feet, and offered their adoration. However, she who searched for the living among the dead, unaware that the Son of God had risen, received the significant response, 'Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father' (John 20:17)."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"On their journey, they encountered the Incarnate Word of God Himself. When He greeted them with the words, ‘Rejoice!’ He did not prevent them from reaching out to Him, as it was their first encounter; instead, He assured them with the words, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to proceed to Galilee, where they will see Me.’ This account regarding the Myrrh-bearing women is provided by the Evangelist Matthew. The women shared with the disciples and those accompanying them the angel’s message and the Lord’s words, testifying that they had seen Him, along with the fact that they had worshipped Him. However, the Lord’s disciples, overwhelmed by the profound and indescribable sorrow following His crucifixion, were unable to heed their message. Regarding Mary Magdalene, it seems they disregarded her words entirely. As for the Most Holy Mother, due to their respect and reverence for her, they conjectured among themselves that extreme grief had clouded her judgment and disturbed her perception. The pure and illuminated spirit of the Virgin, confidently assured of what she had witnessed and touched, withdrew into silence, avoiding any argument with the disciples; she no longer visited the tomb, steadfast in her belief of what she had experienced there. Initially, Mary Magdalene deferred to the apostles but soon gathered her thoughts. Not relying solely on her feelings, but thinking she might have experienced a vision, she took with her Joanna and another Mary, along with other women bearing incense (Lk. 24:10), and returned to the tomb later that evening.\\n\\nFollowing the Resurrection, it is women who first behold Him; just as a woman initiated sin into the world, so she becomes the first to declare the gift of life. This is why women are graced to hear the divine call, ‘Rejoice,’ so that their initial sorrow might be erased by the joy of the Resurrection of the Passover, thereby affirming for the unbelieving the truth of His resurrection from the dead, along with His glorified body."},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The revelation that the women are the first to encounter the Lord, that He greets them warmly, that they honor Him, and that He instructs them to share the joyful message with the apostles completely transforms the established order from the dawn of creation. The generation that introduced death into the world is now the first to receive the glory, the vision, the fruit, and the proclamation of the resurrection. The guards, who witnessed the miraculous events, rejected the magnificence of the resurrection by colluding to spread falsehoods, claiming that Christ's body had been taken (see Matt. 28:12-13). They exchanged the truth of the resurrection for temporal honors and pleasures, as these honors were represented in wealth."},{"author-name":"Peter Chrysologus","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896c8505740d15218d3ed_Peter%20Chrysologus.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":5,"exegesis-text":"As they traveled, the Lord encountered them and said, \\"Rejoice!\\" He approached them not with intimidation stemming from His might, but with the warmth of His love. He did not overwhelm them with His authority; instead, He embraced them affectionately. He binds them through the covenant of the Bridegroom, not by the dominion of a ruler, honoring them with the devotion of a brother. His greeting, \\"Rejoice!\\" is significant. Previously, He instructed His disciples not to greet anyone along the way (See Luke 10:4). Why does this Traveler greet them so early on their journey? He does not wait for recognition or understanding, nor does He require questions to be asked. Instead, He joyfully welcomes them. The reason for this is that the might of His love pervades and surpasses all things. In this manner, Christ greets His Church, making its very essence His essence and uniting its body with His own, as stated by the apostle, \\"And He is the head of the body, the Church\\" (See Colossians 1:18). This greeting clearly illustrates that in these women, the essence of the entire Church is revealed. They stand in contrast to those disciples whom Christ chastised for their uncertainty regarding the resurrection. He dispels their fears by revealing His side and the marks left by the nails (See Luke 24:39; John 20:27). Furthermore, by consuming food (See Luke 24:42-43), He revives their faith."},{"author-name":"Cyrill of Alexandria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a8ea5c988a4fc073480_Cyrill%20of%20Alexandria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"In light of Israel’s rejection, you wise women are encouraged to boldly proclaim the good news of Him who has vanquished death, eradicated corruption, and through faith offers justification to sinners, cleansing those ensnared in their transgressions, and bringing new life to those who approach Him. He reveals a new existence—the gospel life—to all who inhabit the earth, has nullified the old covenant, radiates the light of truth, and has guided those who honor Him toward worship in spirit and in truth. Therefore, go forth, for Israel has abandoned hope. They lack discernment, hardened in heart and enshrouded in darkness, surrendering themselves to the shadows of sin; thus, they are unresponsive to Christ, who cautions, “Walk, while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you” (John 12:35). It is indeed remarkable to consider the Savior’s choice of these wise women, for one might wonder, “Were there not holy disciples better suited to proclaim the resurrection as messengers of divine truths? Why did they not witness Jesus, the conqueror of death, first, but instead, He appeared to the women, bestowing upon them the esteemed role of apostleship, instructing them to share with the disciples that Christ has risen from the dead, thereby becoming the first to witness His glory?” Our response is that the only begotten Word of the Father became incarnate to heal the afflicted and redeem humanity from original sin; thus, it was appropriate for the women to first announce the good news of the resurrection. The first woman, having heeded the serpent’s words, led Adam into sin and incurred the penalty of death. How fitting, then, that the apostleship should reverse such dire consequences! As it is written, where sin increased, grace abounded all the more (Romans 5:20). The message of salvation was entrusted to the woman who once caused death. Consequently, it was right to remind them, “Rejoice in Him who proclaimed the curse from the outset: He said to her, ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow in childbearing’” (Genesis 3:16). Therefore, the initial transgression is countered by the second, and healing is bestowed."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Because woman was destined to experience sorrow, the Lord, through His resurrection, bestowed joy and blessings upon her. Out of deep veneration and honor for Him, they approached and held His feet, refraining from touching any other part of His body due to their humility. Some suggest that they grasped His feet deliberately to ascertain whether He had truly risen, doubting whether it was a dream or an apparition, as they perceived it might be a spirit. In this encounter, both Marys touched His feet; however, as recorded by John, Mary Magdalene attempted to touch Him but was not permitted to do so. This restriction arose because she wished to remain with Him eternally, as she had before. John emphasizes that she is not allowed to touch Jesus, recognizing the act as unnecessary; for after she had touched His feet, as Matthew recounts, what further purpose would touching Him serve? Thus, she is denied the opportunity, as it would be superfluous."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"When you went to inform His disciples, suddenly, Jesus interrupted me. Those who arrived first encountered the Lord before anyone else and were rewarded for their efforts. He declared, \\"Rejoice,\\" bringing happiness to those formerly burdened by sorrow from their past disobedience. His words were meant for them to identify Him by His voice, the first utterance being one of joy. They then approached Him, falling at His feet in worship. The women, moved by their love and reverence for Jesus Christ, grasped His feet, and He did not prevent them, allowing them to touch Him so they could be assured that He was not a spirit."},{"author-name":"Gregorios Palamas","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bfc03f555204c307b7e_Gregorios%20Palamas.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":14,"exegesis-text":"In the same way that Mary Magdalene, alongside the Theotokos, comprehended the profound significance of the Resurrected Christ upon hearing the announcement from the Angel, so too did she, along with other women, encounter the Son of God. She was the first to both recognize and see the Risen One. Approaching Him, she grasped His feet and became an Apostle to the Apostles. As revealed in the Gospel of John, it is noted that Mary Magdalene was not present with the Mother of God when She encountered the Lord as they returned from the tomb. John recounts, \\"She came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, 'They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him'\\" (John 20:2). How could she claim that they had taken Him away if she had seen Him with her own eyes and heard His voice? Even after Peter and John arrived at the tomb, observed the burial cloths, and departed, Mary remained outside the tomb, weeping. Clearly, she did not witness the Lord and was not convinced by any hearsay of His Resurrection. Although the angels asked her, \\"Woman, why weepest thou?\\" she continued to lament as if mourning a dead man. However, when she turned and saw Jesus, she still did not grasp the reality of the moment. When He inquired, \\"Why do you weep?\\" she repeated her distress until He called her by name, affirming His living presence. Then, longing to touch Him, she heard Him say, \\"Touch Me not,\\" indicating that upon His appearance to the Mother and the women with Her, He permitted only her to grasp His feet. Matthew records that the other women were also sent to share this news, likely to maintain the honor of the Mother as the initial witness to His Resurrection. After the Holy Virgin Mary came first to the tomb and received the joyful news, many others arrived. They witnessed the stone rolled away, conversed with the angels, and upon returning, were filled with fear and uncertainty. As Mark recounts, \\"They fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid\\" (Mk. 16:8). Others, however, followed the Mother of God, rejoicing in the Lord's words and vision. Mary Magdalene then went to Peter and John and, after their departure, returned to the tomb alone. It was in her solitude that she was graced with the vision of the Lord and was subsequently sent to the Apostles, declaring to all, as stated by John, \\"as she saw the Lord, and these things spoke to her\\" (John 20:18)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Yet this trepidation quickly gives way to the radiant joy of encountering the risen Savior. As they went to share the news with His disciples, Jesus met them, greeting them with the words, \\"Hail!\\" His voice served to deepen their recognition of Him, for it was a proclamation of joy. With overwhelming ecstasy, shedding all earthly preoccupations, the holy women fell at the feet of their beloved Master. Approaching Him, they honored His feet, and He did not prohibit their act of reverence, reassuring them that He was not a specter, and they worshiped Him. Their hearts were filled with great joy as they came to Him; their touch affirmed His resurrection and prompted their adoration. They no longer regarded Him merely as the Son of Mary, but as the only begotten Son of God, who is full of grace and truth. The compassionate Lord comforted them, alleviating their fears and paving the way to genuine faith."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The risen Christ had previously shown Himself to Mary Magdalene while she was still by the tomb (Jn. 20:14-17, cf. Mk. 16:9), and this marked His second manifestation. The command to \\"Rejoice\\" dispels fear and amplifies the joy associated with the resurrection. When it is said they \\"grasped His feet,” they laid themselves before Him, a posture indicative of earnest supplication (4 Sam. 4:37). Their act of worship was significant; as noted in Matthew 8:2, they expressed profound reverence and demonstrated their love for Him. Chrysostom remarks that their tactile encounter provided firm assurance of His resurrection, leading them to worship Him."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As Mary Magdalene made her way back to the city, the other women who had visited the tomb were also on their journey. Upon hearing the joyous message from the angel, they hastened to inform the apostles and, unexpectedly, encountered Jesus as He met them. As they approached, He greeted them, saying, \\"Rejoice!\\" They came close, grasping His feet, fully assured that He was not a spirit, and they worshiped Him. Then Jesus reassured them, telling them, \\"Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.\\" They conveyed everything they had witnessed and heard, sharing it not only with the eleven apostles but also with all others who held affection for Jesus. However, their accounts seemed to be mere tales to the apostles, leading them to doubt.\\n\\nThus, the first morning following the Resurrection of Jesus Christ came to a close. On that significant morning, He first revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene and subsequently to all the other women who visited the tomb. They recounted the encounters and all they had witnessed, yet the apostles regarded their messages as empty and did not believe them. In reflecting on the day’s events, one may ponder why the Lord permitted the Myrrh-bearing women to touch Him, enabling them to grasp His feet, while Mary Magdalene was instructed not to touch Him. The reason for this distinction remains known only to Christ, leaving us to wonder and speculate. It appears that Mary Magdalene possessed an unwavering faith in the Lord, one that did not seek physical confirmation to believe; she trusted the word of the Lord who appeared to her. In contrast, the apostles and other disciples required indisputable proof of Christ’s resurrection. Perhaps this is why the Lord chose to appear to Mary Magdalene first. He had also declared during the meal at Simon the Leper’s home that her story would be told wherever the gospel is proclaimed. \\"Do not touch Me! Have faith that it is I who stand before you, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. Trust in My words, not in your touch.\\""},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Mary Magdalene's declaration (John 20:18) was soon verified by another appearance of the resurrected Lord to the other women disciples. When Christ, risen from the dead, encountered these women, He instructed them, \\"Rejoice!\\" They were filled with both fear and joy and fell at His feet in worship. He reassured them, saying, \\"Do not be afraid; go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, where they will see Me.\\""}]}
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