(9-11) To all the rest.—So Matthew 28:8 as to “the disciples,” as a wider term than “Apostles.” We may naturally think of many at least of the Seventy as being among the “rest.”

Luke 24:9-12. They returned from the sepulchre — To Jerusalem; and told all these things to the eleven — Apostles, in the course, probably, of that morning, for it is not likely that they found them all collected together in one body; and to all the rest — Namely, at different times. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, &c. — Their Master’s crucifixion had given such a severe blow to their faith, that they had laid aside all the thoughts which they had entertained of his being the Messiah. And, therefore, they had not the least expectation of his resurrection, notwithstanding he had often predicted it to them: nay, they looked upon the story which the women told them about it as a mere chimera, the delusion of a disordered imagination. Then arose Peter, &c. — Or rather, But Peter, arising; ran to the sepulchre — That is, Peter was an exception: the tidings brought by Mary Magdalene, and the other women, did not seem as idle tales to him, nor to John, who now arose and went with him, and got to the sepulchre before him. See on John 20:1-10.

24:1-12 See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ, after he was dead and buried. Observe their surprise when they found the stone rolled away, and the grave empty. Christians often perplex themselves about that with which they should comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather to find their Master in his grave-clothes, than angels in their shining garments. The angels assure them that he is risen from the dead; is risen by his own power. These angels from heaven bring not any new gospel, but remind the women of Christ's words, and teach them how to apply them. We may wonder that these disciples, who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true Messiah, who had been so often told that he must die, and rise again, and then enter into his glory, who had seen him more than once raise the dead, yet should be so backward to believe his raising himself. But all our mistakes in religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has spoken. Peter now ran to the sepulchre, who so lately ran from his Master. He was amazed. There are many things puzzling and perplexing to us, which would be plain and profitable, if we rightly understood the words of Christ.See the notes at Matthew 28:1-11. 7. Saying, &c.—How remarkable it is to hear angels quoting a whole sentence of Christ's to the disciples, mentioning where it was uttered, and wondering it was not fresh in their memory, as doubtless it was in theirs! (1Ti 3:16, "seen of angels," and 1Pe 1:12).Ver. 9-12. See Poole on "Matthew 28:8", and following verses to Matthew 28:10, but more fully, See Poole on "John 20:2", and following verses to John 20:9, who repeateth this piece of history more largely than the rest. It is plain that scarce any of the disciples gave credit to the first relation of the women; but yet, it being near the city, Peter and John thought it worth the while to go and see. For though Peter alone be mentioned here, yet John is mentioned, John 20:3-5, under the notion of that other disciple; and he is said to have outrun Peter, and to have come first to the sepulchre. But concerning that part of the history relating to the resurrection, we shall reserve ourselves till we come to John 20:1-31. We now pass on to a piece of history relating to the evidencing of Christ’s resurrection, which is neither touched by Matthew nor by Luke. Mark toucheth it shortly, Mark 16:12,13, After that he appeared in another form to two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue; neither believed they them. We shall now hear Luke giving us a more full and perfect account.

And returned from the sepulchre,.... Quickly, immediately, as soon as ever the angel had done speaking to them; they fled from the sepulchre in great haste, as persons frightened and amazed, with fear and reverence, on account of the vision they saw, and with joy at what was told them; see Matthew 28:8

and told all these things; as that the stone was rolled away from the sepulchre: and that they found not the body of Jesus in it; that they had seen a vision of angels, who had told them, that Christ was risen, and had put them in mind of some words of his spoken to the disciples in their hearing in Galilee:

unto the eleven, and to all the rest; of the disciples: not only to the eleven apostles, but the seventy disciples, and as many others as were assembled together, perhaps the hundred and twenty, Acts 1:15. The Persic version very wrongly reads, "to all the twelve"; for Judas was not now one of them, nor alive; and Matthias was not yet chosen.

{2} And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

(2) The cowardly and dastardly mind of the disciples is reproved by the brave courage of women (made so by God's great mercies) to show that the kingdom of God consists in an extraordinary power.