When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: Ver. 1. _When the morning was come_] They had broken their sleep the night before, and yet were up and at it early the next morning, so soon as the day peeped (ως εγενετο ημερα)... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had bound him, they led _him_ away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Ver. 2. _And when they had bound him_] Bound he had been before this (to loose the cords of our iniquities): but likely they had loosed him again, to try if by fair means they could make him belie hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Ver. 3. _Then Judas, which had betrayed him_] Might not Judas have sang care away, now that he had both the bag and the price of bl... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What _is that_ to us? see thou _to that_. Ver. 4. _I have sinned, &c._] Here was contrition, confession, restitution (most men go not so far, that yet profess large hopes of heaven); there was wanting that transmentati... [ Continue Reading ]
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. Ver. 5. _And he cast down the pieces of silver_] That wage of wickedness burnt in his purse, in his conscience; neither could it secure him in the day of wrath. See Zephaniah 1:18; Ezekiel 7:19; Oba 1:4... [ Continue Reading ]
And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. Ver. 6. _It is not lawful, &c._] They would not suffer the price of blood to lie in a chest; but the blood itself they could well enough suffer to lie in the... [ Continue Reading ]
And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Ver. 7. _To bury strangers in_] Romans and others, with whom they would have nothing common, no, not so much as a burial place, Isaiah 65:4,5. God complains of a people that "remain among the graves, and lodge in... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Ver. 8. _Was called the field of blood_] Not the burial place for strangers, as they would have had it called (thinking thereby to have gotten themselves an eternal commendation, for their love and liberality to strangers), but "th... [ Continue Reading ]
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; Ver. 9. _Then was fulfilled_] Those blind Pharisees not only observed not the sayings of the prophets w... [ Continue Reading ]
And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. Ver. 10. _And gave them for the potter's field_] To the potter (saith Zechariah), in the house of the Lord. What the prophet sets down in short, and more obscurely, the evangelist expounds, and applies to Christ the antitype. So true i... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. Ver. 11. _And Jesus stood before the governor_] The best therefore and most innocent may be brought before magistrates, and accused of high treason, which ev... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Ver. 12. _He answered nothing_] Here the nimble lawyer would have presently argued, as the pope's legate did at the meeting of the princes at Smalcaldia in Germany. He brought letters from the pope to the elector of Saxon... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? Ver. 13. _Hearest thou not, &c._] Yes, well enough; but there is a time when a man should be as a "deaf man that heareth not, and as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth," Psalms 38:13. _Ego aurium Dominus, ut t... [ Continue Reading ]
And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Ver. 14. _The governor marvelled_] That Christ should so betray his own cause, by an obstinate silence. But why marvelled he not as much at the impudence of the priests, pressing such palpable untruths against him? H... [ Continue Reading ]
Now at _that_ feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. Ver. 15. _The governor was wont_] In remembrance, say some, of their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage. A custom it was, and therefore obtained; but an evil custom, and therefore should better have... [ Continue Reading ]
And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Ver. 16. _A notable prisoner, called Barabbas_] That is, by interpretation, his father's son, his white son, his darling, his tidling, _a_ whom he had cockered and not crossed from his youth. Such children are often undone, as Absalom, Amnon, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? Ver. 17. _Whom will ye that I release?_] Pilate hoped they would never be so grossly wicked as to prefer such a stigmatical varlet. _a_ But why did he... [ Continue Reading ]
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. Ver. 18. _For he knew that for envy_] His sin was the greater for his knowledge,James 4:17. _Omne peccatum contra conscientiam aedificat ad gehennam, _ saith Gerson. When men imprison their light (that prophet from God), Romans 1:18, and after convi... [ Continue Reading ]
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Ver. 19. _His wife sent unto him_] There are those who think that this woman's dream was of the devil; thereby t... [ Continue Reading ]
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. Ver. 20. _The chief priests and elders persuaded_] And prevailed. See then how needful it is that we pray for good governors; Jeroboam made Israel to sin; Peter compelled the Gentiles to Judai... [ Continue Reading ]
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Ver. 21. _They said, Barabbas_] This mad choice is every day made, while men prefer the lusts of their flesh before the lives of their souls. In the present instance we may see, as i... [ Continue Reading ]
Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? _They_ all say unto him, Let him be crucified. Ver. 22. _Let him be crucified_] He whom erewhile they had little less than deifed. See how soon evil company and counsel had altered them, like as walnut tree roots embitt... [ Continue Reading ]
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. Ver. 23. _Why? What evil hath he done?_] Why? but if he have done no evil, wherefore doth not Pilate pronounce him innocent, _contra gentes, _ facing the people, and not guilty him by proc... [ Continue Reading ]
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but _that_ rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed _his_ hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye _to it_. Ver. 24. _He took water_] Too weak an element to wash off guilt; which is not purge... [ Continue Reading ]
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood _be_ on us, and on our children. Ver. 25. _His blood be on us, and on, &c._] God said Amen to this woeful curse, which cleaves close to them and their posterity, as a girdle to their loins, soaking as oil into their bones to this very day, Psalms 10... [ Continue Reading ]
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered _him_ to be crucified. Ver. 26. _And when he had scourged Jesus_] So to satisfy their cruelty, and move them, if it might be, to pity. But though they relented not at the sight, it's fit we should. Would it not grieve... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band _of soldiers_. Ver. 27. _Then the soldiers of the governor_] "Barbarous and brutish men, skilful to destroy," Ezekiel 21:31; "Let the young men arise and play before us," said Abner,2 Samuel 2:14... [ Continue Reading ]
And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. Ver. 28. _And they stripped him_] That we might be clothed with the rich and royal raiment of his righteousness, that fleece of the Lamb of God, who taketh away, &c. _ And put on him a scarlet robe_] O'erworn and threadbare, no doubt; so to set... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put _it_ upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! Ver. 29. _And when they had platted a crown, &c._] Christ, by wearing this crown of thorns, the firstfruits of... [ Continue Reading ]
And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. Ver. 30. _And they spit upon him_] So doth profaneness still cast dirt and drivel into Christ's face. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 26:67 _"_ Robert Smith, martyr, in his examination before Bonner, made one of his doctors to say, that his... [ Continue Reading ]
And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify _him_. Ver. 31. _Put his own raiment on him_] God's hand was in this, that all men seeing him to suffer in his own habit, might acknowledge that it was very he, and not a... [ Continue Reading ]
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. Ver. 32. _They found a man of Cyrene_] A stranger, coming out of the field towards Jerusalem, meets with an unexpected cross, and follows Christ, which occasioned him to inquire into the cause, an... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, Ver. 33. _A place of a skull_] Here our thrice noble Conqueror would erect his trophies, to encourage us to suffer for him, if God call us thereto, in the most vile and loathsome places, as also to assure us t... [ Continue Reading ]
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted _thereof_, he would not drink. Ver. 34. _They gave him vinegar, &c._] Cold comfort to a dying man; but they did it in derision, _q.d._ Thou art a King, and must have generous wines. Here's for thee therefore. _See Trapp on "_... [ Continue Reading ]
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Ver. 35. _Parted his garments_] Let us likewise suffer with joy the spoiling of our goods, &c., Hebr... [ Continue Reading ]
And sitting down they watched him there; Ver. 36. _They watched him there_] Lest haply he should get away thence by a miracle. But his time of getting out of their hands was not yet come. Here hung for a while that golden censer, Christ's body; which through the holes that were made in it, as throu... [ Continue Reading ]
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Ver. 37. _This is Jesus, the King of the Jews_] Pilate (by a special providence of God), intending nothing less, gives Christ a testimonial, and would not alter it, though solicited thereto. He did it to be revenge... [ Continue Reading ]
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. Ver. 38. _Then were there two thieves_] So he "was reckoned among the transgressors,"Isaiah 53:12; a sinner, not by imputation only, for "he bare the sin of many" (_ib._), but by reputation also, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, Ver. 39. _Reviled him, wagging their heads_] God took notice of Cain's frowns,Genesis 4:6, Miriam's mutterings, Numbers 12:2, these men's noddings, Rabshakeh's lofty looks, Isaiah 37:23, Laban's lourings (scowling), Genesis 31:2, and sets th... [ Continue Reading ]
And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest _it_ in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Ver. 40. _And saying, Thou that, &c._] Dogs will be barking at the moon (as these dead dogs do here at the Sun of righteousness), _At peragit cursus surda... [ Continue Reading ]
Likewise also the chief priests mocking _him_, with the scribes and elders, said, Ver. 41. _Likewise also the chief priests_] Sick of an επιχαιρεκακια, the devil's disease, they petulantly insult over our dying Saviour with their satanical sarcasms; which he answereth with silence, and by a brave c... [ Continue Reading ]
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. Ver. 42. _We will believe him_] They would not; but rather have said, he had done it by the devil's help; or have searched the devil's skull to find out some other tr... [ Continue Reading ]
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. Ver. 43. _He trusted in God_] These were cruel mockings, as those were called, Hebrews 11:36. Nothing troubled David more than to be hit in the teeth with his God, to have his religion laid in his dis... [ Continue Reading ]
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Ver. 44. _The thieves also_] Both of them railed at first, till one of them was converted by a miracle (for it was one of those seven miracles wherewith Christ would honour the ignominy of his cross). Then till either they... [ Continue Reading ]
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. Ver. 45. _Darkness over all the land_] The sun hid his head in a mantle of black, as ashamed to behold those base indignities done to the Son of righteousness by the sons of men _a_ This darkness some think was univer... [ Continue Reading ]
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Ver. 46. _Jesus cried with a loud voice_] Therefore he laid down his life at his own pleasure; for by his loud outcry it appears that he could have... [ Continue Reading ]
Some of them that stood there, when they heard _that_, said, This _man_ calleth for Elias. Ver. 47. _This man calleth for Elias_] A malicious mistake, a devilish sarcasm. While darkness was upon them they were over awed and hushed; their mouths were haltered (as horses must be, saith the psalmist,... [ Continue Reading ]
And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled _it_ with vinegar, and put _it_ on a reed, and gave him to drink. Ver. 48. _And filled it with vinegar_] Sorrow is dry, we say. This man of sorrows, more to fulfil the Scriptures than for his own satisfaction, though extreme dry no doub... [ Continue Reading ]
The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Ver. 49. _Let us see whether Elias, &c._] This mocking is the murder of the tongue, which therefore our Saviour suffered, _ut nos illusori Satanae insultaremus, _ saith one. It is reported of Aretine, that by a long custom of li... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. Ver. 50. _Yielded up the ghost_] Or, let go his spirit, viz. to God that gave it, to whom also he recommended it,Luke 23:46, teaching us what to do in like case. Our care herein may make even a centurion, a graceless person, to... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Ver. 51. _The veil of the temple was rent_] To show that there was an end to the Levitical liturgy, and that now there was free and open access for all saints to the throne... [ Continue Reading ]
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, Ver. 52. _And the graves were opened_] To show that death was now swallowed up in victory by life essential; like as the fire swallows up the fuel, and as Moses' serpent swallowed up the enchanted serpents. _ And many bod... [ Continue Reading ]
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Ver. 53. _And appeared unto many_] Not to converse again, as heretofore, with men, but to accompany Christ, that raised them, into heaven; and to be as so many visible demonstrations of Christ's... [ Continue Reading ]
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Ver. 54. _Truly this was the Son of God_] _i.e._ A divine man, a demigod, as these heathens reputed those in whom the... [ Continue Reading ]
And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: Ver. 55. _And many women were there_] More hardy than the disciples, who all, save John, were fled and hidden. Oh stand (saith Dr Sutton), and behold a little, with those devout women, the body of... [ Continue Reading ]
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Ver. 56. _Among which was Mary Magdalen_] Love is strong as death; good blood will never belie itself. Mary also the mother of Jesus was there, sitting with the sword through her heart, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: Ver. 57. _A rich man of Arimathea_] Not many such; ‘tis well there are any. Joseph was a counsellor, a senator, one of the Sanhedrim or Seventy Seniors. Christ finds friends in the most... [ Continue Reading ]
He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. Ver. 58. _He went to Pilate_] It was time for him now or never to show himself, and to wax bold, Mark 15:43. The Spaniards, they say, abhor dangers, never adventuring upon hard enterprises, but aiming t... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, Ver. 59. _He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth_] "Which he had bought new for the purpose," saith St Mark,Mark 15:46, to his no small cost; for linen in those days was precious, so that a handkerchief among even the Roman rio... [ Continue Reading ]
And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. Ver. 60. _And laid it in his own new tomb_] His own, which was now well warmed, sweetened, and sanctified by our Saviour's body, against himself should be laid... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. Ver. 61. _And there was Mary Magdalene_] Carefully watching where they laid the Lord's body, that they might not leave off their kindness to him living or dead, as she said of Boaz,Ruth 2:20. Heavy they were as he... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Ver. 62. _Now the next day that followed_] That is, on that high day, that double sabbath, they that had so often quarrelled with Christ for curing on the sabbath request a servile... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Ver. 63. _Sir, we remember, &c._] They that had forgotten so many sweet and savoury sayings of our blessed Saviour, and written them all in the sand, could remember (but for no good purpose... [ Continue Reading ]
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Ver. 64. _Command therefore_] How fain would the devil by his agents have... [ Continue Reading ]
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make _it_ as sure as ye can. Ver. 65. _Pilate said unto them_] He was willing to please both sides; and therefore condescends both to Joseph of Arimathea for his burial, and to the priests for securing the sepulchre. Κοινοφιλης, _erat utpote qui... [ Continue Reading ]
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. Ver. 66. _So they went and made the sepulchre sure_] And now they seemed to dance upon Christ's grave, as thinking themselves cock sure of him. So did those bloody tyrants of the primitive times (who proudly engraved... [ Continue Reading ]