_And straightway in the morning_ Succeeding the dismal night in which the Jewish rulers had been so busily engaged in the horrid transactions related in the preceding chapter; _the chief priests_ As soon as it was day; _held a consultation with the elders and scribes_ What method they should take to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pilate asked him, Art thou the king of the Jews?_ These verses are explained in the notes on Matthew 27:11. _But Jesus yet answered nothing_ This is not an accurate translation of the original, (which is, ουκετι ουδεν απεκριθη,) implying, as Dr. Campbell justly observes, “that he had answered nothi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner_ The passover being celebrated by the Jews in memory of their deliverance from Egypt, it was agreeable to the nature of the feast to make this release at that time, and therefore customary. See Whitby, and note on Matthew 27:15. _There was one na... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the chief priests_ Being very solicitous to carry the plan they had formed for his destruction into execution; _moved the people_ To desire the release of Barabbas, though he was a scandalous and outrageous criminal. _Pilate said again_ Being willing, Luke says, to release Jesus; _What will ye... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the soldiers led him away_ The soldiers, knowing that it was a Roman custom to scourge prisoners just before they were put to death, interpreted Pilate's order on this head as a declaration that he was immediately to be crucified; therefore they led him to _the hall, called the Pretorium_ As be... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had mocked him_, &c. These verses are explained in the note on Matthew 27:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They bring him, unto the place Golgotha_ See these verses elucidated in the notes on Matthew 27:33. _When they had crucified him, they parted his garments_ Mark seems to intimate, that they first nailed him to the cross, then parted his garments, and afterward reared up the cross. The English word... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the sixth hour was come_ For an explanation of this paragraph, see notes on Matthew 27:45. _My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?_ In these words, Jesus claims God as his God; and yet laments his Father's withdrawing the tokens of his love, while he bare our sins.... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the centurion saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost_ Cried out with such strength of voice, and such firm confidence in God, even at the moment when he expired, _he said, Truly this man was the Son of God_ See this translation defended and explained, in the note on Matthew 27:54. _Wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now_, &c. Και ηδη οψιας γενομενης, _And the evening being now come._ The word οψιας, answering to _evening_, is used with some latitude in Scripture. The Jews spoke of two evenings, (see notes on Matthew 14:15; Matthew 14:23.) It is probably the former of these that is meant here and Matthew 27... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he gave the body to Joseph_ Pilate gave Joseph leave to take down the body, and do with it what he pleased, the priests either not knowing that he was disposed to make such a grant, or being so influenced that they did not oppose his making it. _And he bought fine linen_ Thus showing in what gr... [ Continue Reading ]