This chapter gives. sad and sorrowful relation of the chief priests' conspiracy against the life of our blessed Saviour, in which we have three particulars observable: 1. The person making this conspiracy, THE CHIEF PRIESTS, SCRIBES, AND ELDERS, that is, the whole Jewish Sanhedrin, or general counci... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The person betraying our blessed Saviour, JUDAS. Judas. professor, Judas. preacher, Judas an apostle, and one of the twelve, who Christ had chosen out of the world to be his dearest friend, one of his family and household: shall we wonder to find friends unfriendly or unfaithful to... [ Continue Reading ]
The time for the celebration of the passover being now at hand, Christ sends two of his disciples, Peter and John, to Jerusalem, to prepare what was needful in order thereto. And here we have we have observable, 1. An eminent proof and evidence of Christ's divinity, in foretelling his disciples all... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. What ardency of desire, and vehemency of affection our holy Lord expresses, to celebrate the passover with his disciples, and to administer the sacramental supper to them before he left them: WITH DESIRE HAVE. DESIRED TO EAT WITH YOU BEFORE. SUFFER. Thence learn, that it is very ne... [ Continue Reading ]
If these words be not placed out of order by St. Luke here, it may seem very strange, that the apostles immediately after receiving the sacrament, should entertain their minds with thoughts of precedency and superiority; and much stranger yet, that they should discourse openly of such. subject as th... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, what an honorable acknowledgment Christ makes of the constancy of his disciples' love and affection towards him: YE ARE THEY THAT HAVE CONTINUED WITH ME IN MY TEMPTATIONS; that is, in my afflictions, trials, and sufferings. It is an easy matter to abide with Christ in days of peace, in... [ Continue Reading ]
Here. shall give, 1. The general sense of the words. 2. The particular matters contained in them. 3. The special observation from them. The sense of the words is this; as for you my disciples in general, and for thee Peter in particular,. must tell thee, that Satan has accused you all before God... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Peter's resolution to accompany Christ both to prison and to death, was holy and good; but his too confident opinion of his own strength and ability so to do, without. divine aid and assistance, was his failing and infirmity. Self-confidence is. sin, too, incident to the holiest and best of men.... [ Continue Reading ]
As if our Lord had said, "Hitherto. have been with you, and you have had my special protection and careful provision, though you went without purse, script, or sword: but the time is now at hand when. must leave you; when your friends will be few, and your enemies many; therefore make such provision... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed Saviour being now come to the Mount of Olives, and having entered with his disciples into the garden near it, whether he used to retire and pray; in this place he falls into. bitter and bloody agony, in which he prayed with wonderful fervor and importunity; his sufferings were now coming... [ Continue Reading ]
It was the lot and portion of our blessed Saviour here, we find, to be betrayed into the hands of his mortal enemies, by the treachery of. false and dissembling friend. And in this sad relation before us we have observable, the traitor, the treason, the manner how, and the time when, this treasonab... [ Continue Reading ]
This paragraph of the chapter gives us an account of the fall and rising of Peter: of his sin in denying his Master, and of his recovery by repentance; both must be considered distinctly. First, touching his sin and fall; there are four particulars observable relating thereunto; namely, the sin its... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, the vile affronts, the horrid abuses, the injuries and indignities which were put upon the holy and innocent Jesus in the day of his sufferings; the rude officers and servants spit in his face, blindfolded his eyes, smote him with their hands, and in contempt and scorn bid him prophecy... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Christ was judged and tried before. court that had no authority to judge or try him, verse 66. THEY LET HIM INTO THEIR council. THIS WAS THEIR GREAT SANHEDRIN, OR ECCLESIASTICAL COURT, WHICH, ACCORDING TO ITS FIRST CONSTITUTION, WAS TO CONSIST OF SEVENTY GRAVE, HONORABLE, AND LEARNE... [ Continue Reading ]