And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ver. 1. _And it came to pass when, &c._] This is our evangelist's transition from the ministry of Christ's doctrine to the mystery of his passion. He had hitherto taught salvation, and now is declared how he... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye know that after two days is _the feast of_ the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Ver. 2. _Is the feast of the passover_] At which feast, Christ our passover was sacrificed for us,1 Corinthians 5:7, and we were purchased by his blood, as Israel was typically out of the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, Ver. 3. _Then assembled together, &c._] Here was met a whole council of caitiffs (wretches) to crucify Christ. General councils may err then in nece... [ Continue Reading ]
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill _him_. Ver. 4. _Take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him_] Craft and cruelty go commonly coupled in the Church's adversaries. Neither of them "wants their mate," as the Scripture speaks of those birds of prey and desolation, Isaiah 34:16. T... [ Continue Reading ]
But they said, Not on the feast _day_, lest there be an uproar among the people. Ver. 5. _Not on the feast day, lest, &c._] But God would have it on that feast day, and no other, Acts 4:27. And here these wicked ones fulfil the divine decree: but no thanks to them: more than to Haman for Mordecai's... [ Continue Reading ]
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, Ver. 6. _Now when Jesus was in Bethany_] This history of a thing acted before Christ came to Jerusalem, comes in here somewhat out of place: to show the ground and occasion of Judas' treason, which was discontent at the loss of such a... [ Continue Reading ]
There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat _at meat_. Ver. 7. _An alabaster box of very precious, &c._] Pliny telleth us that they were wont to keep the most costly ointments in boxes of alabaster. And Herodotus reckoneth μυρο... [ Continue Reading ]
But when his disciples saw _it_, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose _is_ this waste? Ver. 8. _They had indignation_] Not all, but one of them was displeased, viz. Judas (as John explains Matthew), who yet was of such esteem and authority among the disciples, that what he did they are all... [ Continue Reading ]
For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. Ver. 9. _For this ointment might have been sold_] True, and better it had been sold, had it been a superfluous and idle expence; such as is today ordinary in fine clothes, sumptuous feasts, over stately buildings, &c. Back, bel... [ Continue Reading ]
When Jesus understood _it_, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. Ver. 10. _Why trouble ye the woman?_] Christ will patronize his welldoers, and stick to them, though all forsake them, 2 Timothy 4:16,17. He many times pleads for them in the conscienc... [ Continue Reading ]
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. Ver. 11. _The poor ye have always with you_] To try and to exercise your liberality, yea, your justice, Matthew 6:1, as the Syriac calleth it, Proverbs 3:27. Withhold not thy goods from these owners thereof. _ But me ye have not alwa... [ Continue Reading ]
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did _it_ for my burial. Ver. 12. _She did it for my burial_] This Mary perhaps understood not. So things that we think come to pass by haphazard are preordained, and sweetly ordered by Almighty God in his secret counsel, and by his fatherly... [ Continue Reading ]
Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, _there_ shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. Ver. 13. _Be told for a memorial of her_] Though now she be sharply censured by the traitor for a waster of goods. "Do well and hea... [ Continue Reading ]
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, Ver. 14. _Then one of the twelve, &c._] _sc._ When he heard of the chief priests and elders meeting about such a matter, Satan sets him on, being now malcontent, to make one among them. That spirit of darkness loves to dwel... [ Continue Reading ]
And said _unto them_, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. Ver. 15. _What will ye give me_] Take beed and beware of covetousness, saith our Saviour, Luke 12:15; for it is "the root of all evil," saith Paul,1 Timothy 6:10 :... [ Continue Reading ]
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Ver. 16. _And from that time he sought_] So it was no sudden, but a prepensed wickedness, done in cold blood, and upon mature deliberation. God's people when they sin, they are surprised, and taken before they are aware, Galatians 6:1. There i... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the first _day_ of the _feast of_ unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? Ver. 17. _Now the first day_] That is, on the fourteenth day of the first month, according to the law. The priests, for political respec... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. Ver. 18. _Go into the city to such a man_] Meaning some man of his special acquaintance, for so the Greek (ο δεινα) imports, though he named... [ Continue Reading ]
And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Ver. 19. _Did as Jesus had appointed them_] With a kind of blind obedience; such as we must yield to God, notwithstanding all unlikelihoods or scruples whatsoever, cast in by carnal reason. This the Scripture calls... [ Continue Reading ]
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. Ver. 20. _He sat down with the twelve_] With Judas among the rest; though Hilary hold otherwise, for what reason I know not. Christ sat at the sacrament, when yet the gesture imported in the law was standing; and this sitting at the Passover... [ Continue Reading ]
And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Ver. 21. _And as they did eat, he said_] With a great deal of detestation of so horrid a fact; to see the frontless traitor bear himself so bold among them, having now hatched so prodigious a villany. _ One of yo... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? Ver. 22. _And they were exceeding sorrowful_] Not joyful (as some would have been) to find out other men's faults, and to exagitate them. Not only those that make, but that love lies, yea, or unseasonable... [ Continue Reading ]
And he answered and said, He that dippeth _his_ hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. Ver. 23. _He that dippeth his hand, &c._] My fellow commoner, my familiar friend, Psalms 41:9. This greatly aggravateth the indignity of the matter. He was _ex societate Iesu_ from the company of Jes... [ Continue Reading ]
The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Ver. 24. _The Son of man goeth_] That is, dieth, suffereth. Death was to him but an εξοδος, exodus as it is called, Luke 9:31; that is, an o... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. Ver. 25. _Master, is it I?_] Desperate impudency! debauched hypocrisy! Had he the face to ask such a question? He could not but know that Christ knew all; yet hoped he, perhaps, that of his wonted... [ Continue Reading ]
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed _it_, and brake _it_, and gave _it_ to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Ver. 26. _Jesus took bread_] From bread and wine used by the Jews at the eating of the paschal lamb, without all command of Moses, but resting upon the... [ Continue Reading ]
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave _it_ to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; Ver. 27. _And he took the cup_] Anciently of glass, afterwards of wood, and lastly of silver or gold. Whence that saying of a father, Once there were wooden cups, golden priests; now there are golden cups, but... [ Continue Reading ]
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Ver. 28. _For this is my blood_] This cup is my blood, viz. in a sacramental sense; as before the bread is said to be Christ's body. If the words of Christ when he said, "this is my body," did change the su... [ Continue Reading ]
But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Ver. 29. _I will not drink henceforth._] So he takes his farewell of his disciples: alluding, likely, to that custom among them of drinking no mote till the... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Ver. 30. _And when they had sung an hymn_] The Jews at the Passover sang the great hallelujah, that is, the 113th Psalm with the five following Psalms. This they began to sing after that dismissory cup mentioned before. At all... [ Continue Reading ]
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. Ver. 31. _All ye shall be offended because of me_] Why? what had that righteous one done? Nothing but that his cross lay... [ Continue Reading ]
But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Ver. 32. _But after I am risen again, &c._] Infirmities bewailed, break no square. _Peccata nobis non nocent, si non placent_ (Aug.): our sins hurt us not, if they please us not. The Church stands as right with Christ when penitent, as... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all _men_ shall be offended because of thee, _yet_ will I never be offended. Ver. 33. _Though all men shouht be offended_] Peter spake as he meant, but his heart deceived him, as did likewise David's,Psalms 39:1,3, and Orpah's, Ruth 1:10, and those Israelite... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Ver. 34. _Before the cock crow, &c._] Christ mentioneth the cock, _quia tam strenuum pugnatorem decebat tale praeconium, _ saith one. The presumption of proud flesh never but miscarries; w... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Ver. 35. _Though I should die with thee_] _Quot verba tot absurda, _ as one saith of Peter's proposition of three tabernacles, &c. Sure it is he knew as little what he said here as th... [ Continue Reading ]
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. Ver. 36. _Unto a place called Gethsemane_] By Mount Olivet stood this garden; and there he began his passion, as well to expiate that first sin committed in a garden, a... [ Continue Reading ]
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Ver. 37. _And he took with him Peter, &c._] He took the same that had seen his glory in the mount, to see his agony in the garden, that they might the better stick to him. Let no man envy others their... [ Continue Reading ]
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Ver. 38. _My soul is exceeding sorrowful_] He had a true human soul then, neither was his deity to him for a soul, as some heretics fancied; for then our bodies only had been redeemed by him,... [ Continue Reading ]
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou _wilt_. Ver. 39. _And he went a little farther_] _Amat secessum ardens oratio._ St Luke saith he was violently withdrawn from th... [ Continue Reading ]
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Ver. 40. _And he cometh unto the disciples_] They were his care in the midst of his agony. So was Peter, upon whom he found time to look back when he stood to answer for his l... [ Continue Reading ]
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed _is_ willing, but the flesh _is_ weak. Ver. 41. _Watch and pray_] Yea, watch, while ye are praying, against corruption within, temptations without. Satan will be interrupting as the Pythoness did Paul praying, Acts 16:16; as the f... [ Continue Reading ]
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. Ver. 42. _The second time, and prayed_] Prayer is that arrow of deliverance that would be multiplied, 2 Kings 13:17. God holds off on purpose that he may... [ Continue Reading ]
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. Ver. 43. _He came and found them asleep again_] After so sweet an admonition, so sovereign a reproof; who knows how often an infirmity may recur, even after repentance? See it in Samson, in Jonah, in those apostles, for their conte... [ Continue Reading ]
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Ver. 44. _And he left them, and went away again_] A most memorable and imitable pattern of patience toward those that condole not, or that keep not touch with us, we must neither startle nor storm, but pass it... [ Continue Reading ]
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take _your_ rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Ver. 45. _Sleep on now, and take your rest_] _q.d._ Do so, if you can, at least. _a_ But now the hour is come, wherein you... [ Continue Reading ]
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. Ver. 46. _Rise, let us be going_] To meet that death which till he had prayed he greatly feared. So it was with Esther, Ezra 4:16, and with David, Psalms 116:3,4. See the power of faithful prayer to disarm death, and to alter the cou... [ Continue Reading ]
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Ver. 47. _Lo, Judas, one of the twelve_] Lo, for the reason next mentioned before. The truth hath no such pestilent persecutors as apos... [ Continue Reading ]
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. Ver. 48. _Whomsoever I shall kiss_] Ah, lewd losel! betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? _a_ Givest thou thy Lord such rank poison in such a golden cup? Consignest thou thy treachery wi... [ Continue Reading ]
And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. Ver. 49. _Hail, Master, and kissed him_] But love is not always in a kiss, saith Philo the Jew; nor in crying Rabbi, Rabbi, as the traitor here did,Mark 14:45, out of a seeming pity of his Master's misery. There are those who t... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. Ver. 50. _Friend_] Since thou wilt needs be so esteemed, though most unfriendly. _ Wherefore art thou come?_] As a friend, or as a foe? If as a friend, what mean these swords If as a fo... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out _his_ hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Ver. 51. _One of them which were with Jesus_] This was Peter, who asked leave to strike, but stayed not till he had it, out of a preposterou... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Ver. 52. _Put up again thy sword_] _See Trapp on "_ Joh 18:11 _"_ For all they that take the sword] Without a just calling, as those sworn swordsmen of the devil, the Jesu... [ Continue Reading ]
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Ver. 53. _Thinkest thou that I cannot pray_] _q.d._ Need I be beholden to thee for help? Luther very boldly told his patron and protector, the elector of Saxony, that he, by his pra... [ Continue Reading ]
But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? Ver. 54. _But how then shall the Scriptures, &c._] Why dost thou not then pray (might they object) for an army of angels, to rescue thee out of these wicked hands, that now hold thee prisoner, and will let out thy life blood? How... [ Continue Reading ]
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. Ver. 55. _Are ye come out as against a thief?_] Secretly, and by night, with all this clatter of people a... [ Continue Reading ]
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. Ver. 56. _That the Scriptures, &c._] Which yet were no more the cause of the Jews' cruelty than Joseph was of the famine, than the astrologer is of the eclipse, or Tenterton... [ Continue Reading ]
And they that had laid hold on Jesus led _him_ away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Ver. 57. _Where the scribes and the elders were_] A full council then may err. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 2:4 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Mat 26:3 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Ver. 58. _But Peter followed_] First, he fled with the rest, and then, remembering his promise, followed afar off; but better he had kept him away, for he sat with the servants, so... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; Ver. 59. _Sought false witness_] Here Christ is convented and examined in the spiritual court with a great deal of injustice and subordination. They first sought false witness, as if the... [ Continue Reading ]
But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, _yet_ found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, Ver. 60. _Yea, though many false witnesses came_] So adultery was objected to Athanasius, heresy and treason to Cranmer. Also I lay to thy charge, said Bonnet to Philpot, martyr, that... [ Continue Reading ]
And said, This _fellow_ said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. Ver. 61. _I am able to destroy the temple_] _Novum crimen Caie Caesar._ For, what if Christ had said so? Could not he as easily have reared a temple as raised the dead, restored the blind, &c.? But... [ Continue Reading ]
And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what _is it which_ these witness against thee? Ver. 62. _Answerest thou nothing?_] No, nothing, unless it had been to better purpose; for σιγαν χρη, η κρεισσονα σιγης λεγειν, saith the wise heathen. Either hold thy peace or say s... [ Continue Reading ]
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Ver. 63. _I adjure thee by the living God_] So had the devil done once before, _horrendo impudentiae exemplo, Mark 3:7_. _Sed os C... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Ver. 64. _Thou hast said_] That is, as St Mark expresseth the Hebraism in plainer terms, "I am," _q.d._ Thou hast said it,... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. Ver. 65. _Then the high priest rent his clothes_] Which the high priest ought not by the law to have done, howsoever, Leviticus 10:6; Leviticus 2... [ Continue Reading ]
What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Ver. 66. _He is guilty of death_] Servile souls! they dare do no otherwise than concur with Caiaphas. So in Popish councils and conclaves the bishops and others (those _aiones et negones aulici_) have no more to do, but simply _inclinato... [ Continue Reading ]
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote _him_ with the palms of their hands, Ver. 67. _Then did they spit in his face_] Condemned prisoners are sacred things; and by the law of nations, should not be misused and trampled on, but rather pitied and prepared for death. But t... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? Ver. 68. _Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ_] This is daily done to Christ by the children of darkness, which sin securely, and say, Who seeth us? they put it to the trial, as Ananias and Sapphira did, whether they shall be detec... [ Continue Reading ]
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. Ver. 69. _And a damsel came unto him_] A silly wench daunteth and dispiriteth this stout champion. _Sic et Elias ille fulminator ad mulierculae (Iesabelis) minas trepidat, factus seipso im... [ Continue Reading ]
But he denied before _them_ all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. Ver. 70. _I know not what thou sayest_] He makes as if he understood not either her words or her meaning. And this false dissembling was a true denying. St Mark saith, that now the cock crew, Mark 14:68. A fair warning to so foul... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he was gone out into the porch, another _maid_ saw him, and said unto them that were there, This _fellow_ was also with Jesus of Nazareth. Ver. 71. _And when he was gone out, &c._] The orifice of his wound was not yet closed, and therefore bled afresh so soon again. Thus Lot committed ince... [ Continue Reading ]
And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. Ver. 72. _And again he denied with an oath_] This was fearful; and the worse, because his Master, whom he forswore, was now (even as Peter's faith was) upon his trial, and might say, with wounded Caesar, What, thou, my son Brutus! Is this thy... [ Continue Reading ]
And after a while came unto _him_ they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art _one_ of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Ver. 73. _For thy speech bewrayeth thee_] Jacob must name himself Esau, with the voice of Jacob. The Ephraimite must lisp out his Shibboleth in despite of his... [ Continue Reading ]
Then began he to curse and to swear, _saying_, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. Ver. 74. _Then began he to curse and swear_] This he had learned belike of the ruffianly soldiers, with whom, usually, execrations are but expletives, and horrible oaths interjections of speech. But th... [ Continue Reading ]
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Ver. 75. _And Peter remembered the word of Jesus_] Here began his repentance. If we remember not what is preached unto us, all is lost, saith the apostle... [ Continue Reading ]