Several things are here observable; as, 1. The persons conspiring against our blessed Redeemer's life, namely, the CHIEF PRIESTS, AND SCRIBES, AND ELDERS, that is, the whole SANHEDRIN, or general council of the Jewish church: these lay their malicious heads together, to contrieve the destruction of... [ Continue Reading ]
This woman, St. John says, was Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who, to show her love to Christ, and put honour upon him, took. precious box of ointment, and poured it upon our Saviour's head, according to the custom of the eastern country, who used so to do at their feasts and banquets; to which David... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, when Judas, and some other disciples whom he had influenced, saw this action, they murmured; particularly Judas blamed this holy woman for needless prodigality, and did tacitly reflect upon Christ himself, for suffering that wasteful expence. O! how doth. covetous heart think everthing too... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How readily our Lord vindicates this good woman: she says nothing for herself, nor need she having such an advocate. 1. Christ rebukes Judas, WHY TROUBLE YE THE WOMAN? plainly intimating, that it is so small trouble to. gracious spirit, to find their good works misinterpreted and misr... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour having defended this holy woman from the calumny of Judas in the foregoing verses, in this he declares, that she should be rewarded with an honourable memorial in all ages of the church: WHERESOEVER THIS GOSPEL IS PREACHED, THIS SHALL BE SPOKEN OF HER.. what care doth Christ take to have... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The person betraying our blessed Redeemer, JUDAS: Judas,. professor; Judas,. preacher; Judas, an apostle, AND ONE OF THE TWELVE whom Christ had chosen out of the world to be his dearest friends, and his own family and household. Shall we wonder to find friends unfriendly and unfaith... [ Continue Reading ]
The time for the celebration of the passover being now at hand, Christ sends two of his disciples to Jerusalem, to prepare things necessary in order thereunto: accordingly they enter the city, and find the master of an house, whose heart Christ, by his divine power, had so inclined, that he willingl... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The impudent forehead of this bold traitor, Judas, who presumed, as soon as he had sold his Master, to sit down at the table with him, and partake with the other disciples of the solemn ordinance of the passover; had the presence of Judas polluted the ordinance to any besides himself,... [ Continue Reading ]
What an astonishing word was this! "One of you my disciples shall betray me." Can any church on earth expect purity in all its members, when Christ's own family of twelve had. traitor and. devil in it? Yet though it was very sad to hear that one should betray him, it was matter of joy that it was bu... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The disciples' sorrow, and next, the effect of that sorrow. Their sorrow was (as well it might) exceeding great. Well might innocent disciples be overwhelmed with sorrow, to hear that their Master should die; that he should die by treason; that the traitor should be one of themselve... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our Saviour acquaints his disciples who it was that had designed his death, even he that dipped with him in the dish, or he to whom he gave the sop. Observe, The traitor, whom Christ less loved, he has the sop given to him; the other disciples, whom Christ loved better, had no such particular... [ Continue Reading ]
Immediately after the celebration of the passover, follows the institution of the Lord's supper. In which observe, 1. The Author of this new sacrament, JESUS TOOK BREAD. Note thence, That to institute. sacrament is Christ's sole prerogative; it is the church's duty to celebrate the sacraments, but... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our Saviour acquaints his disciples, that by reason of his approaching sufferings, they should all of them be so exceedingly offended, that they would certainly forsake and leave him; which accordingly came to pass. Learn thence, That Christ's dearest friends forsook him, and left him alone in... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The wonderful lenity of Christ towards his timorous and fearful disciples; notwithstanding their cowardly flight from him, he tells them he would not forsake them, but love them still; and as an evidence of it, would meet them in Galilee: I WILL GO BEFORE YOU INTO GALILEE; there shall... [ Continue Reading ]
See here what strong purposes and settled resolutions both Peter and all the apostles had, to keep close to Christ; but how did their self-confidence fail them! Learn thence, That self-confidence is. sin, too, too incident to the holiest and best of men. THOUGH ALL MEN FORSAKE THEE, YET WILL NOT I.... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed Saviour being now come with his disciples into the garden, he falls there into. bitter and bloody agony, in which he prayed with wonderful fervency and importunity to his heavenly Father. His sufferings were now coming on. great pace, and he meets them upon his knees, and would be found... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour having poured out his soul in prayer to God in the garden, he is now ready, and waits for the coming of his enemies; being first in the field: accordingly, WHILE HE YET SPAKE, CAME JUDAS, ONE OF THE TWELVE, and under his conduct. band of soldiers to apprehend him. It was the lot and port... [ Continue Reading ]
The rude multitude laying hands upon Christ, the disciples, who had remitted their watch, do resume their courage, and are willing to rescue their Master if they can; particularly Peter draws his sword, and cuts off the ear of Malchus, one of the forwardest to lay hold on Jesus. Observe here St. Pe... [ Continue Reading ]
We had an account of our Lord's apprehension in the former verses; here, the sad effect of it upon his disciples: THEY ALL FORSOOK HIM, AND FLED. Had this been done by the giddy multitude who followed him for the loaves, it had been no cause of wonder; but for those who had already forsaken all to f... [ Continue Reading ]
Judas having made good his promise to the high priest, and delivered Jesus. prisoner into their hands, these wolves of the evening no sooner seize the Lamb of God, but they thirst and long to suck his innocent blood. Yet lest it should look like. downright murder, they will allow him. mock-trial, by... [ Continue Reading ]
We observed even now that our Lord was silent, and did make no reply to the false witnesses that evidenced against him at his trial; because being so manifestly contradictory, they did fall to the ground of themselves. But now when the question was solemnly put by the high priest, ART THOU THE CHRIS... [ Continue Reading ]
This last paragraph of the chapter gives us an account of the fall and rising of Peter, of his sin in denying Christ, and of his recovery by. speedy and severe repentance. Both must be considered distinctly. First, As touching his sin and fall, there are four particulars observable, namely, the sin... [ Continue Reading ]