And as they went ... Jesus met them - This was when they left the sepulchre the "second" time. Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene when alone, John 20:14. "Afterward" he appeared to the other women, as related by Matthew. See the accounts of the resurrection harmonized at the end of this chapter.

All hail - This is a term of salutation. The word all has been supplied by the translators. It is not in the original. The meaning of the word "hail," here, is rejoice;" a term of salutation connected with the idea of joy at his resurrection, and at meeting them again.

Held him by the feet - Or threw themselves prostrate before him. This was the usual posture of supplication. See 2 Kings 4:37. It does not mean that they took hold of his feet, but only that they cast themselves down before him.

And worshipped him - See the notes at Matthew 8:2. In this place the word "worship" seems to denote the homage due to the Messiah risen from the dead; regarded by them now in a proper light, and entitled to the honor which was due to God, agreeably to John 5:23.

And as they went to tell his disciples - This clause is wanting in the Codex Vatican, and Codex Bezae, and in twenty others, and in most of the versions. The omission is approved by Mill, Bengel, and Schmid. Griesbach leaves it in the text with a note of doubtfulness. It appears to be superfluous. To connect this with the next clause, the particle και, and, is obliged to be suppressed in all the translations. I think the verse should begin with, And behold he goeth, etc., and the former clause be suppressed. Probabiliter delenda, says Professor White, in his Crisews Griesbachianae, speaking of the preceding words.

Jesus met them - Christ bestows his graces and consolations by degrees, first by his angels, and then by himself. He does not reveal himself to incredulous and disobedient souls; he appears not even to these women till he has tried their faith and obedience by his ministering angels.

All hail - Anglo-Saxon, Health be to you! Χαιρετε, Be ye safe, rejoice.

And they held him by the feet, and worshipped him - This kind of reverence is in daily use among the Hindoos: when a disciple meets his religious guide in the public streets, he prostrates himself before him, and, taking the dust from his teacher's feet, rubs it on his forehead, breast, etc. See Ward's Customs.

And as they went to tell his disciples,.... This clause is wanting in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions, and in Beza's most ancient copy; but it stands in the Ethiopic version, and in Munster's Hebrew Gospel,

behold, Jesus met them: that they might be confirmed in what the angel had told them, and their fear might be removed, and their joy increased; and also be capable of reporting to the disciples not only what they had heard from the angel, but what they had seen themselves; they being now eyewitnesses, as well as earwitnesses of his resurrection: so souls in the way of their duty, as these women were, oftentimes meet with Jesus, and he with them, as they may expect, and indeed not otherwise:

saying, all hail; all health of soul and body, all happiness and prosperity, both temporal, spiritual, and eternal, attend you. The Syriac and Persic versions, and Munster's Hebrew Gospel render it, "peace be to you"; which, it is highly probable, was the phrase used by Christ, since it was the common form of salutation among the Jews, and what Christ made use of at other times; see John 20:19,

and they came; near unto him, being encouraged by the above salutation, and knowing who he was by his voice, habit, and gesture:

and held him by the feet; they threw themselves prostrate at his feet, in token of reverence and humility; and they laid hold on his feet, that they might know, and be assured that he was really risen, and that it was not a spirit, or a mere phantom and appearance; and they held him in affection to him, and as desirous of his continuance with them:

and worshipped him: with divine adoration, expressing their love to him; their faith and hope in him, owning him to be their Lord and God; he being, by his resurrection from the dead, declared to be the Son of God, with power; and so the proper object of religious worship.

All hail (χαίρετε)

The ordinary Greek form of situation.

{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.

[2] Jesus

The order of our Lord's appearances would seem to be: On the day of his resurrection:

(1) To Mary Magdalene Jn 10:14-18.

(2) To the women returning from the tomb with angelic message Mt 28:8-10.

(3) To Peter, probably in the afternoon Lk 24:34 1Cor 15:5.

(4) To the Emmaus disciples toward evening Lk 24:13-31.

(5) To the apostles, except Thomas Lk 24:36-43 Jn 20:19-24. Eight days afterward:

(1) to the apostles, Thomas being present Jn 20:24-29. In Galilee: (1a) To the seven by the Lake of Tiberias Jn 21:1-23.

(2) On a mountain, to the apostles and five hundred brethren 1Cor 15:6. At Jerusalem and Bethany again:

(1) To James 1Cor 15:7.

(2) To the eleven Mt 28:16-20 Mk 16:14-20 Lk 24:33-53 Acts 1:3-12.

To Paul:

(1) Near Damascus Acts 9:3-6 1Cor 15:8

(2) In the temple Acts 22:17-21 23:11.

To Stephen outside Jerusalem Acts 7:55.

To John on Patmos Rev 1:10-19.

9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail!-the usual salute, but from the lips of Jesus bearing a higher signification.

And they came and held him by the feet-How truly womanly!

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.