Luke 23:1
And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. Ver. 1. See Matthew 27:2; John 18:28 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. Ver. 1. See Matthew 27:2; John 18:28 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this _fellow_ perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. Ver. 2. _Perverting the people_] Gr. διαστρεφοντα, turning them upside down, wreathing them from their right minds. So Luke 23:5; "H... [ Continue Reading ]
And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest _it_. Ver. 3. See Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; John 18:33 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Pilate to the chief priests and _to_ the people, I find no fault in this man. Ver. 4. See John 18:38 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. Ver. 5. _He stirreth up the people_] In the present tense, _q.d._ He doth nothing else; he maketh it his whole trade and constant practice, _Mendacium putidum._ dec... [ Continue Reading ]
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. Ver. 6. _He asked_] As desirous to rid his hands of him.... [ Continue Reading ]
And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. Ver. 7. _He sent him_] So seeking to ingratiate with Herod.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long _season_, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Ver. 8. _He was exceeding glad_] As if he had gotten some magician or enchanter, that would show him some... [ Continue Reading ]
Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. Ver. 9. _But he answered him nothing_] Princes use to correct the indecencies of ambassadors by denying them audience, as if silence were the way royal to revenge a wrong. Christ spoke not a word to Herod (saith one), because H... [ Continue Reading ]
And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. Ver. 10. _Vehemently accused him_] Gr. ευτονως, with great intention of spirit, and contention of speech. _Clamant, ut Stentora vincant._... [ Continue Reading ]
And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked _him_, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. Ver. 11. _Set him at nought_] Gr. εξουθενησας, made nobody of him. _ Arrayed him in a gorgeous robe_] Or a white robe, as the old interpreter hath it, λαμπραν. Pilat... [ Continue Reading ]
And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves. Ver. 12. _Pilate and Herod were made friends_] Two dogs that are fighting can easily agree to pursue the hare that passeth by them. Martial brings in the hare thus complaining: " _In me... [ Continue Reading ]
And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Ver. 13. See Matthew 27:23; John 18:38 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined _him_ before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: Ver. 14. See Matthew 27:23; John 18:38 .... [ Continue Reading ]
No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. Ver. 15. _No, nor yet Herod_] Nor any man alive, though he had the devil to help him. The poets bring in Momus finding fault with the creaking of Venus' slipper. But Christ was αμνος αμωμος, as St Peter cal... [ Continue Reading ]
I will therefore chastise him, and release _him_. Ver. 16. _I will therefore chastise him_] And so he did, purposely to move pity, John 19:1, but all in vain: yea, though he afterwards presented him a pitiful spectacle, with "Behold the man.... [ Continue Reading ]
(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) Ver. 17. _For of necessity_] _Tyrannus ille trium literarum Mos, _ would needs have it so. SeeJohn 18:29; Matthew 27:15 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this _man_, and release unto us Barabbas: Ver. 18. _Release unto us_] What marvel though murderers desire a murderer? _Similis similem sibi quaerit._... [ Continue Reading ]
(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Ver. 19. See John 18:40. _See Trapp on "_ Joh 18:40 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. Ver. 20. _Pilate therefore willing, &c._] I read of one that did verily think that Pilate was an honest man, because he was so unwilling to crucify Christ. But this arose only from the restraint of natural conscience against so foul a... [ Continue Reading ]
But they cried, saying, Crucify _him_, crucify him. Ver. 21. _Crucify him, crucify him_] As if they should say, Do it twice over, rather than fail. The modern Jews, as mad as their forefathers, say that rather than we Gentiles should have benefit by their expected Messiah, they would crucify him a... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let _him_ go. Ver. 22. _The third time_] It is well observed here, that Peter for fear denied Christ three times, and yet repented; Pilate three times justifi... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. Ver. 23. _And they were instant with loud voices_] It is said of Nestorius the heretic, that he was _homo superbus, et indoctus, sed audax, et magnae loquentiae;... [ Continue Reading ]
And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. Ver. 24. See Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. Ver. 25. _Him that for sedition_] The Jews, before they were banished out of this kingdom, threw bags of poison into the wells and fountains that the people... [ Continue Reading ]
And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear _it_ after Jesus. Ver. 26. See Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. Ver. 27. _Which also bewailed_] This was all they could do, and it was much they dared do it in so evil a time. In the reign of Tiberius, one Vitia was punished with death for that she had lamented... [ Continue Reading ]
But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. Ver. 28. _Weep not for me_] We are not so much to lament Christ's dolorous sufferings (as Papists use to do in their stage playing descriptions of his passion) as to lay to hea... [ Continue Reading ]
For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed _are_ the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Ver. 29. _Blessed are the barren_] Better be so than bring forth children to the murderer. Hence Hosea prays for barrenness as a blessing on hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. Ver. 30. See Revelation 6:16. _See Trapp on "_ Rev 6:16 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? Ver. 31. _What shall be done in the dry?_] Lo, little sucklings also are here called dry trees, dry wood, such as God's wrath will soon kindle upon.... [ Continue Reading ]
And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. Ver. 32. See Matthew 27:38 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Ver. 33. _Which is called Calvary_] As sad a sight to our Saviour, as the bodies of his slain wife and children were to Mauricius the emper... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Ver. 34. _Father, forgive them_] See the sweet mercy of Christ, mindful and careful of his enemies when the pains of hell had taken hold of him, and they, like so many breathing devils... [ Continue Reading ]
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided _him_, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. Ver. 35. _Derided him_] Gr. εξεμυκτηριζον, blew their noses at him.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, Ver. 36. _Offered him vinegar_] Instead of wine, which kings drink much of.... [ Continue Reading ]
And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. Ver. 37. See Matthew 27:42 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Ver. 38. _Greek, Latin, and Hebrew_] This venerable eulogy and epitaph, set upon our Saviour's cross, proclaimed him King of all religion, having reference to the Hebrews; of all... [ Continue Reading ]
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. Ver. 39. _Which were hanged, railed, &c._] _Sic plectimur a Deo, nec flectimur tamen_ (saith Salvian), _corripimur, sed non corrigimur._ There are many, _quos multo facilius fregeris, quam fl... [ Continue Reading ]
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? Ver. 40. _But the other answering_] Silent he was for a while, and therefore seemed to consent; till hearing Christ's prayers and the enemies' outrages, he brake out into this brave confes... [ Continue Reading ]
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. Ver. 41. See Matthew 27:38. This good thief, like the olive tree, bore fruit late, but great store of that which was excellent.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Ver. 42. _Lord, remember me_] By this penitent prayer he made his cross a Jacob's ladder, whereby the angels descended to fetch up his soul. So did Leonard Caesar, burnt at Rappa in Bavaria, whose last words were these, "L... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Ver. 43. _Verily I say unto thee_] See the infinite love of Christ to penitent sinners, in that when he hung upon the tree, and was paying dear for man's sin, he rejected not this malefactor's petition. Shall... [ Continue Reading ]
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Ver. 44. See Matthew 27:25; Mark 15:33 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. Ver. 45. See Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Ver. 46. See Matthew 27:50 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. Ver. 47. _Certainly this was a righteous man_] Bennet the martyr, in King Henry VIII's days, being brought to execution, the most part of the people (he exhorted them with such gravity and sobrie... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. Ver. 48. See Matthew 27:54 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. Ver. 49. See Matthew 27:55 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, _there was_ a man named Joseph, a counsellor; _and he was_ a good man, and a just: Ver. 50. See Matthew 27:57; Mark 15:43; John 19:38 .... [ Continue Reading ]
(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) _he was_ of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. Ver. 51. _The same had not consented_] This proved him to be a good man and a just, as Psalms 1:1. Sir John Cheek was drawn in for fear of death... [ Continue Reading ]
This _man_ went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Ver. 52. See Matthew 27:58,60 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. Ver. 53. See Matthew 27:58,60 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. Ver. 54. See Matthew 27:61 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. Ver. 55. See Matthew 27:61 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. Ver. 56. _And rested the seventh day_] From all servile work, yea, that (otherwise most honourable) work of embalming Christ's dead body.... [ Continue Reading ]