Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. Ver. 1. _Now the feast of unleavened bread, &c._] It is good to bring Bibles to church. Socrates relates of one Sabbatius, a Novatian bishop, that, reading this text, added such things of his own as carried away many simple... [ Continue Reading ]
And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Ver. 2. _How they might kill him_] Not put him to death as judges, but kill him as cutthroats, ανελωσι. So Acts 2:23 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. Ver. 3. _Then entered Satan_] He stood but at the door till now, that the business was concluded on.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. Ver. 4. _And communed with the chief priests_] _Suopte ingenio, ut reprobi angeli, _ saith an interpreter.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. Ver. 5. _And covenanted_] Judas sold his salvation, and they bought their damnation, saith one. He made a match with mischief, and soon had enough of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. Ver. 6. _And he promised_] εξωμολογησε, by mutual stipulation (saith Beza), wherein the one asketh, Dost thou promise to do such a thing the other answereth, I do promise. Like as of old it was, _Credis... [ Continue Reading ]
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. Ver. 7. _The day of unleavened bread, when, &c._] It must be our care to cast out all filthiness of flesh and spirit (that old leaven) before we communicate,1 Corinthians 5:7. First throw the baggage into the brook Kidron (the... [ Continue Reading ]
And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. Ver. 8. See Matthew 26:17,18, &c.;Mark 14:12 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? Ver. 9. See Matthew 26:17,18, &c.;Mark 14:12 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. Ver. 10. See Matthew 26:17,18, &c.;Mark 14:12 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made read... [ Continue Reading ]
For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Ver. 16. _Until it be fulfilled_] Until the old passover he abolished, and the new brought in place by my death and resurrection.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide _it_ among yourselves: Ver. 17. _And he took the cup_] The cup of the common supper,John 13:2,3 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. Ver. 18. See Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake _it_, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Ver. 19. See Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup _is_ the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me _is_ with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23 An... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. Ver. 24. _There was also a strife_] This was so much the worse in them, because immediately after the sacrament, and before the passion, which our Saviour had told them should fall out within two days after. Nei... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. Ver. 25. _The kings of the Gentiles, &c._] In striving for precedence, the disciples showed themselves but Gentiles, who stand upon their birth and privil... [ Continue Reading ]
But ye _shall_ not _be_ so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. Ver. 26. See Matthew 20:25; Mark 10:42 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For whether _is_ greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? _is_ not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ver. 27. _I am among you as he that serveth_] _i.e._ Not as a master, but rather as your fellow disciple. The prophets had their scholars to wait upon them... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. Ver. 28. _Ye are they which have continued, &c._] Agrippa having suffered imprisonment for wishing Gaius emperor, the first thing Gaius did after he came to the empire, was to prefer Agrippa to a kingdom. He gave him also a chain of gold a... [ Continue Reading ]
And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; Ver. 29. _And I appoint_] Gr. διατιθεμαι, I bequeath as by my last will and testament. SeeHebrews 9:17 .... [ Continue Reading ]
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Ver. 30. _That ye may eat and drink, &c._] As Mephibosheth and Chimham at David's table which was a high favour.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired _to have_ you, that he may sift _you_ as wheat: Ver. 31. _Simon, Simon_] _q.d._ _Mi charissimo Simon._ Piscat. _ Satan hath desired, &c._] As a challenger desireth to have one of the other side to combat with, as Goliath did. He cannot ha... [ Continue Reading ]
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Ver. 32. _But I have prayed_] So the plaster is ready made before the wound be given; for else the patient might perish, as those do that are stung with scorpions, if not presently anointed wi... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. Ver. 33. _Lord, I am ready_] Thus Peter overweened his own abilities; being _melius semper animatus quam armatus, _ better affected than appointed.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Ver. 34. See Matthew 26:34; Mark 14:30; John 13:38 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Ver. 35. See Matthew 10:9; Luke 10:4 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take _it_, and likewise _his_ scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. Ver. 36. _But now he that hath, &c._] Here the Captain of our salvation cries, Arm, arm; and under the name and notion of corporal we... [ Continue Reading ]
For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. Ver. 37. _For the things concerning me_] _i.e._ Concerning my state of humiliation.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they said, Lord, behold, here _are_ two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. Ver. 38. _It is enough_] _q.d._ You speak absurdly: I mean not such kind of swords; let me hear no more of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. Ver. 39. _] _ See Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32; John 14:4 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Ver. 40. See Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Ver. 41. _And he was withdrawn_] For privacy' sake to pray, though loth to leave their company, through extreme perplexity, which made him return so often to them, calling upon them to watch with him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Ver. 42. _lf thou be willing_] He was so astonished with the greatness of his present pressures, that he seems for a time to suffer some kind of forgetfulness of his office.... [ Continue Reading ]
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. Ver. 43. _And there appeared_] To show that he had made himself lower than the angels, Hebrews 2:7, he received comfort from an angel that was his servant. So in his agony he was glad of his apostles' company, and the help of thei... [ Continue Reading ]
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Ver. 44. _And being in an agony_] Μη δια τουτο ατιμος, οτι δια σε ταπεινονος, saith a Greek father. Alphonsus is honoured in histories for this, that he abased himself so fa... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, Ver. 45. _He found them sleeping_] Who should have waked, and wiped off his sweat (as the angel did Theodorus the martyr's), but they rather added to it by their security. (Socrates, Theodoret.)... [ Continue Reading ]
And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Ver. 46. See Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; John 18:3 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. Ver. 47. See Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; John 18:3 .... [ Continue Reading ]
But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? Ver. 48. _Judas, betrayest thou, &c._] _Sic Iudaei, sub praetextu pietatis maxime delinquebant; et Deo osculum sine amore praebebant._ (Bucholcer.) Julian the Apostate was no friend to Basil, though he wrote to him, φιλος φι... [ Continue Reading ]
When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? Ver. 49. _Lord, shall we smite?_] But before he could answer, Peter smote, which might easily have cost him his life. _Quod dubites, ne feceris, _ is a safe rule.... [ Continue Reading ]
And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. Ver. 50. See Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; John 18:10 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Ver. 51. _And he touched his ear, &c._] After he had laid them flat on the ground. So he tried them both ways; but nothing would do.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? Ver. 52. _Captain of the temple_] _See Trapp on "_ Act 4:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Ver. 53. _And the power of darkness_] The "dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty," Psalms 74:20. Creatures kept in the dark are fierce and fur... [ Continue Reading ]
Then took they him, and led _him_, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. Ver. 54. See Matthew 26:57 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. Ver. 55. See Matthew 26:69; John 18:25 .... [ Continue Reading ]
But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. Ver. 56. _Vide ibidem eum notis._... [ Continue Reading ]
And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. Ver. 57. _Vide ibidem eum notis._... [ Continue Reading ]
And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. Ver. 58. _Vide ibidem eum notis._... [ Continue Reading ]
And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this _fellow_ also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. Ver. 59. _Vide ibidem eum notis._... [ Continue Reading ]
And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. Ver. 60. _Vide ibidem eum notis._... [ Continue Reading ]
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Ver. 61. _And looked upon Peter_] A stroke from guilt broke Judas' heart into despair: but a look from Christ broke Peter's heart into te... [ Continue Reading ]
And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Ver. 62. See Matthew 26:75. _Titubatio Petri, omnium petra._... [ Continue Reading ]
And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote _him_. Ver. 63. See Matthew 26:27; Mark 14:65; John 18:22; Isaiah 50:6. They scoffed him, not so much with their tongues as hands; plucking his beard, and pulling away hair and skin too, as the word δερειν importeth.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? 65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. Ver. 65. _And many other things_] Shooting their sharpest arrows at him, even bearded arrows, which being once... [ Continue Reading ]
And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Ver. 66. See Matthew 27:1 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: Ver. 67. Here the president of the council examineth him, as Luke 22:70; the assessors.... [ Continue Reading ]
And if I also ask _you_, ye will not answer me, nor let _me_ go. Ver. 68. Christ's answer is partly reprehensory, partly concessory and comminatory; for it is a confession of the truth mixed with menaces of condign punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Ver. 69. Christ's answer is partly reprehensory, partly concessory and comminatory; for it is a confession of the truth mixed with menaces of condign punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. Ver. 70. _Ye say that I am_] Or, as Mark hath it more plainly, "I am,"Mark 14:62. Christ here useth a common kind of speech, to consent to what another saith.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth. Ver. 71. See Matthew 26:65 .... [ Continue Reading ]