Luke 23:1
See the notes at Matthew 27:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS FELLOW - The word “fellow” is not in the original. It conveys a notion of “contempt,” which no doubt they “felt,” but which is not expressed in the “Greek,” and which it is not proper should be expressed in the translation. It might be translated, “We found this man.” PERVERTING THE NATION - T... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
I FIND NO FAULT - I see no evidence that he is guilty of what you charge him with. This was after Pilate had taken Jesus into the judgment-hall by himself and examined him “privately,” and had been satisfied in regard to the nature of his kingdom. See John 18:33. He was “then” satisfied that though... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MORE FIERCE - The more urgent and pressing. They saw that there was a prospect of losing their cause, and they attempted to press on Pilate the point that would be most likely now to affect him. Pilate had, in fact, acquitted him of the charge of being an enemy to Caesar, and they, therefore, ur... [ Continue Reading ]
WHETHER HE WERE A GALILEAN - He asked this because, if he was, he properly belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, who reigned over Galilee.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEROD’S JURISDICTION - Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great. This was the same Herod that put John the Baptist to death. Jesus had passed the most of his life in the part of the country where he ruled, and it was, therefore, considered that he belonged to his jurisdiction - that is, that it belon... [ Continue Reading ]
VEHEMENTLY ACCUSED HIM - Violently or unjustly accused him, endeavoring to make it appear that he had been guilty of sedition in Herod’s province.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEROD WITH HIS MEN OF WAR - With his soldiers, or his body-guard. It is probable that in traveling he had “a guard” to attend him constantly. SET HIM AT NOUGHT - Treated him with contempt and ridicule. A GORGEOUS ROBE - A white or shining robe, for this is the meaning of the original. The Roman pr... [ Continue Reading ]
MADE FRIENDS TOGETHER ... - What had been the cause of their quarrel is unknown. It is commonly supposed that it was Pilate’s slaying the Galileans in Jerusalem, as related in Luke 13:1. The occasion of their reconciliation seems to have been the civility and respect which Pilate showed to Herod in... [ Continue Reading ]
NOTHING WORTHY OF DEATH IS DONE UNTO HIM - Deserving of death. The charges are not proved against him. They had had every opportunity of proving them, first before Pilate and then before Herod, unjustly subjecting him to trial before “two” men in succession, and thus giving them a double opportunity... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL THEREFORE CHASTISE HIM - The word “chastise” here means to “scourge or to whip.” This was usually done before capital punishment, to increase the sufferings of the man condemned. It is not easy to see the reason why, if Pilate supposed Jesus to be “innocent,” he should propose publicly to sco... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:32. AFTER JESUS - Probably to bear one end of the cross. Jesus was feeble and unable to bear it alone, and they compelled Simon to help him.... [ Continue Reading ]
DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM - Women of Jerusalem. This was a common mode of speaking among the Hebrews. WEEP FOR YOURSELVES ... - This refers to the calamities that were about to come upon them in the desolation of their city by the Romans.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE MOUNTAINS, FALL ON US ... - This is an image of great calamities and judgments. So great will be the calamities that they will seek for shelter from the storm, and will call on the hills to protect them. The same figure is used respecting the wicked in the day of judgment in Revelation 6:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF THEY DO THESE THINGS IN A GREEN TREE ... - This seems to be a proverbial expression. A “green” tree is not easily set on fire; a dry one is easily kindled and burns rapidly; and the meaning of the passage is - “If they, the Romans, do these things to me, who am innocent and blameless; if they... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:35, Matthew 27:38.... [ Continue Reading ]
FATHER, FORGIVE THEM - This is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:12; “He made intercession for the transgressors.” The prayer was offered for those who were guilty of putting him to death. It is not quite certain whether he referred to the “Jews” or “to the Roman soldiers.” Perhaps he refer... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:41. Luke 23:38 IN LETTERS OF GREEK ... - See the notes at Matthew 27:37. Luke 23:39 ONE OF THE MALEFACTORS - Matthew Matthew 27:44 says “the thieves - cast the same in his teeth.” See the apparent contradiction in these statements reconciled in the notes at that place... [ Continue Reading ]
DOST NOT THOU FEAR GOD ... - You are condemned to die as well as he. It is improper for you to rail on him as the rulers and Romans do. God is just, and you are hastening to his bar, and you should, therefore, fear him, and fear that he will punish you for railing on this innocent man. SAME CONDEMN... [ Continue Reading ]
DUE REWARD OF OUR DEEDS - The proper punishment for our crimes. They had been highwaymen, and it was just that they should die.... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER ME - This is a phrase praying for favor, or asking him to grant him an “interest” in his kingdom, or to acknowledge him as one of his followers. It implied that he believed that Jesus was what he claimed to be - the Messiah; that, though he was dying with them, yet he would set up his kingd... [ Continue Reading ]
TODAY ... - It is not probable that the dying thief expected that his prayer would be so soon answered. It is rather to be supposed that he looked to some “future” period when the Messiah would rise or would return; but Jesus told him that his prayer would be answered that very day, implying, eviden... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:45.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:52. Luke 23:48 THE THINGS WHICH WERE DONE - The earthquake, the darkness, and the sufferings of Jesus. SMOTE THEIR BREASTS - In token of alarm, fear, and anguish. They saw the judgments of God; they saw the guilt of the rulers; and they feared the farther displeasure o... [ Continue Reading ]
See the Matthew 27:57 notes; Mark 15:42 notes.... [ Continue Reading ]