CHAPTER XV. _Jesus is brought before Pilate, examined, and accused, but_ _makes no answer_, 1-5. _The multitude clamour for the release of Barabbas, and the_ _crucifixion of Christ_, 6-14. _Pilate consents, and he is led away, mocked, insulted, and_ _nailed to the cross_, 15-26. _Two thieves... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 15:8. _THE MULTITUDE CRYING ALOUD_] αναβοησας. The word itself strongly marks the _vociferations_, or, to come nearer the original word, the _bellowing_ of the multitude. It signifies, properly, a loud and long cry, such as Christ emitted on the cross. See the whole history of these proce... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _AND PLATTED A CROWN OF THORNS_] In the note on Matthew 27:29, I have ventured to express a doubt whether our Lord was crowned with _thorns_, in our sense of the word; this crown being designed as an instrument of torture. I am still of the same opinion, having considered the subject more... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _A CYRENIAN_] One of _Cyrene_, a celebrated city in the _Pentapolis_ of _Libya_. _THE FATHER OF ALEXANDER AND RUFUS_] It appears that these two persons were well known among the first disciples of our Lord. It is not unlikely that this is the same _Alexander_ who is mentioned, Acts 19:33,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 25. _THE THIRD HOUR_] It has been before observed, that the Jews divided their night into _four watches_, of _three hours_ each. They also divided the _day_ into four general parts. The first began at sunrise. The second three hours after. The third at mid-day. The fourth three hours after, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 27. _TWO THIEVES_] A copy of the Itala tells their names: _One on the right hand _- named _Zoathon; and one on the left_ _hand _- named _Chammatha_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 28. _THE SCRIPTURE WAS FULFILLED_] All this verse is wanting in many MSS., some versions, and several of the fathers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 32. _AND BELIEVE_] _In him_ is added by DFGHPBHV, and upwards of _sixty_ others; as also the _Armenian, Slavonic_, and four _Itala_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 34. _MY GOD, MY GOD_, c.] Matthew 27:46, Matthew 27:46.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 37. _GAVE UP THE GHOST._] This was about three o'clock, or what was termed by the Jews the _ninth_ hour; about the time that the paschal lamb was usually sacrificed. The darkness mentioned here must have endured about _two hours and a half_. Concerning this _eclipse_, Matthew 27:45, Matthew 27... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 15:40. _JOSES_] Some MSS. and versions read _Joset_, others _Joseph_. Matthew 27:56.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 15:42. _THE DAY BEFORE THE SABBATH_] What we would call _Friday evening_. As the law of Moses had ordered that no criminal should continue hanging on a tree or gibbet till the setting of the sun, Joseph, fearing that the body of our Lord might be taken down, and thrown into the _common gr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 15:43. _WENT IN BOLDLY UNTO PILATE_] He who was a coward before now acts a more open, fearless part, than any of the disciples of our Lord! This the Holy Spirit has thought worthy of especial notice. It needed no small measure of courage to _declare_ now for Jesus, who had been a few hour... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Mark 15:47. _BEHELD WHERE HE WAS LAID._] The courage and affection of these holy women cannot be too much admired. The _strength of the Lord is perfected in weakness_; for here a _timid_ man, and a few _weak_ women, acknowledge Jesus in death, when the _strong_ and the _mighty_ utterly forsook... [ Continue Reading ]