THE BROOK CEDRON - This was a small stream that flowed to the east of Jerusalem, through the valley of Jehoshaphat, and divided the city from the Mount of Olives. It was also called Kidron and Kedron. In summer it is almost dry. The word used here by the evangelist - χειμάῤῥου cheimarrou - denote... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS OFTTIMES RESORTED THITHER - For what purpose he went there is not declared, but it is probable that it was for retirement and prayer. He had no home in the city, and he sought this place, away from the bustle and confusion of the capital, for private communion with God. Every Christian should... [ Continue Reading ]
A BAND - See the notes at Matthew 26:47; Matthew 27:27. John passes over the agony of Jesus in the garden, probably because it was so fully described by the other evangelists. LANTERNS ... - This was the time of the full moon, but it might have been cloudy, and their taking lights with them shows t... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WENT BACKWARD ... - The cause of their retiring in this manner is not mentioned. Various things might have produced it. The frank, open, and fearless manner in which Jesus addressed them may have convinced them of his innocence, and deterred them from prosecuting their wicked attempt. His discl... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THESE GO THEIR WAY - These apostles. This shows his care and love even in the hour of danger. He expected to die. They were to carry the news of his death to the ends of the earth. Hence he, the faithful Captain of salvation, went foremost into trials; he, the Good Shepherd, secured the safety o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAYING - John 17:12. As he had kept them for more than three years, so he still sought their welfare, even when his death was near.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 26:51. THE SERVANT’S NAME WAS MALCHUS - His name is mentioned by neither of the other evangelists, nor is it said by the other evangelists who was the disciple that gave the blow. It is probable that both Peter and the servant were alive when the other gospels were written.... [ Continue Reading ]
See Matthew 26:50.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO ANNAS FIRST - Probably his house was nearest to them, and he had great authority and influence in the Jewish nation. He had been himself a long time high priest; he had had five sons who had successively enjoyed the office of high priest, and that office was now filled by his son-in-law. It was o... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH GAVE COUNSEL ... - John 11:49. This is referred to here, probably, to show how little prospect there was that Jesus would have justice done him in the hands of a man who had already pronounced on the case.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 26:57. ANOTHER DISCIPLE - Not improbably John. Some critics, however, have supposed that this disciple was one who dwelt at Jerusalem, and who, not being a Galilean, could enter the palace without suspicion. John, however, mentions the circumstance of his being known to the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HIGH PRIEST THEN ASKED JESUS OF HIS DISCIPLES - To ascertain their number and power. The charge on which they wished to arraign him was that of sedition, or of rebellion against Caesar. To make that plausible, it was necessary to show that he had made so many disciples as to form a strong and da... [ Continue Reading ]
OPENLY TO THE WORLD - If his doctrine had tended to excite sedition and tumult, if he had aimed to overthrow the government, he would have trained his friends in secret; he would have retired from public view, and would have laid his plans in private. This is the case with all who attempt to subvert... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY ASKEST THOU ME? ASK THEM ... - Jesus here insisted on his rights, and reproves the high priest for his unjust and illegal manner of extorting a confession from him. If he had done wrong, or taught erroneous and seditious doctrines, it was easy to prove it, and the course which he had a right to... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE OF THE OFFICERS - One of the inferior officers, or those who attended on the court. WITH THE PALM, OF HIS HAND - This may mean: “Gave him a blow either with the open hand or with a rod” - the Greek does not determine which. In whatever way it was done, it was a violation of all law and justice.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPOKEN EVIL - In my answer to the high priest. If there was any disrespect to the office, and lack of regard for the law which appointed him, then testify to the fact, and let punishment be inflicted according to the law; compare Exodus 22:28. BUT IF WELL ... - While an accused person is on trial he... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare John 18:13 with Matthew 26:57.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 26:72.... [ Continue Reading ]
See Matthew 27:1. HALL OF JUDGMENT - The praetorium - the same word that in Matthew 27:27, is translated “common hall.” See the notes on that place. It was the place where the Roman proctor, or governor, heard and decided cases brought before him. Jesus had been condemned by the Sanhedrin, and pron... [ Continue Reading ]
IF HE WERE NOT A MALEFACTOR - A violator of the law. If we had not determined that he was such, and was worthy of death, Matthew 26:66. From this it appears that they did not deliver him up to be tried, but hoped that Pilate would at once, give sentence that he should be executed according to their... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGE HIM ... - The Jews had not directly informed him that they had judged him and pronounced him worthy of death. Pilate therefore tells them to inquire into the ease; to ascertain the proof of his guilt, and to decide on what the law of Moses pronounced. It has been doubted whether this gave them... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE SAYING OF JESUS ... - To wit, that he would be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles and be crucified, Matthew 20:19. Neither of these things would have happened if he had been put to death in the way that the Jews first contemplated, Matthew 26:4. Though it should be admitted that they... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU THE KING OF THE JEWS? - This was after they had accused him of perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, Luke 23:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THYSELF - From any conviction of your own mind, or any apprehension of danger. During all the time in which you have been praetor, have you seen anything in me that has led you to apprehend sedition or danger to the Roman power? This evidently was intended to remind Pilate that nothing was proved... [ Continue Reading ]
AM I A JEW? - Am I likely to be influenced by Jewish prejudices and partialities? Am not I, being a Roman, likely to judge impartially, and to decide on the accusations without being blessed by the malignant charges of the accusers? THINE OWN NATION ... - In this Pilate denies that it was from anyt... [ Continue Reading ]
MY KINGDOM ... - The charge on which Jesus was arraigned was that of laying claim to the office of a king. He here substantially admits that he did claim to be a king, but not in the sense in which the Jews understood it. They charged him with attempting to set up an earthly kingdom, and of exciting... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU A KING THEN? - Dost thou admit the charge in any sense, or dost thou lay claim to a kingdom of any kind? THOU SAYEST ... - This is a form of expression denoting affirmation. It is equivalent to yes. THAT I AM A KING - This does not mean simply that Pilate affirmed that he was a king; it d... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS TRUTH? - This question was probably asked in contempt, and hence Jesus did not answer it. Had the question been sincere, and had Pilate really sought it as Nicodemus had done John 3, Jesus would not have hesitated to explain to him the nature of his kingdom. They were now alone in the judgme... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 27:15.... [ Continue Reading ]