10 tioned him in many words, but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11 And Herod having with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked

him, and arrayed him in a splendid robe, sent him back to Pilate. 12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

13

And Pilate having called together the chief priests, and the 14 rulers, and the people, said to them, Ye have brought this man to me, as perverting the people; and behold, I having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man, touching the things 15 whereof ye accuse him. Nor yet Herod; for I sent you to him;

and lo, he hath done nothing worthy of death. I will therefore 16 chastise and release him. For he was under a necessity of 17 releasing one to them at the feast. And they cried all at once, 18 saying, Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas: (Who 19 for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder, had been cast 20 into prison.) Pilate desiring to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21 But they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. He said to 22 them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise and release 23 him. But they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he

should be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief 24 priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence, that what they desired 25 should be done. And he released to them him, that for insurrec

tion and murder had been cast into prison, whom they desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

26 And as they led him away, they laid hold on one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country; and on him they laid the 27 cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. And there followed him

a great company of people and of women, who also bewailed and 28 lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said, Daughters of

Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your 29 children. For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, Happy are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the 30 breasts that never gave suck. Then shall they say to the 31 mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they

do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

11. Herod set him at nought-Probably judging him to be a fool, because he answered nothing. In a splendid robe-In royal apparel; intimating that he feared nothing from this king.

15. He hath done nothing worthy of death-According to the judgment of Herod also.

16. I will therefore chastise him—Here Pilate began to give ground, which only encouraged them to press on.

22. He said to them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done?-As Peter, a disciple of Christ, dishonoured him by denying him thrice, so Pilate, a heathen, honoured Christ, by thrice owning him to be innocent.

31. If they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?— Our Lord makes use of a proverbial expression, frequent among the Jews, who compare a good man to a green tree, and a bad man to a dead one: as if he had said, If an innocent person suffer thus, what will become of the wicked? Of those who are as ready for destruction as dry wood for the fire?

* Matt. xxvii, 15; Mark xv, 6; John xviii, 39. + Matt. xxvii, 31; Mark xv, 21;

John xix, 16.

+ Hos. x, 8.

32 And there were also led two other men, malefactors, to be put to Ideath with him.

33

And when they were come to the place, called the place of a skull, there they crucified him, and the two malefactors, one on 34 the right hand, and one on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted 35 his garments and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And

the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; 36 let him save himself, if he be the Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him 37 vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 38 * And an inscription also was written over him in Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew letters, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39

And one of the malefactors, who were hanging, reviled him, say40 ing, If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying, Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou 41 art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we

receive the due reward of our deeds: but this person hath done 42 nothing amiss. And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me, when 43 thou comest in thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

34. Then said Jesus-Our Lord passed most of the time on the cross in silence: yet seven sentences which he spoke thereon are recorded by the four evangelists, though no one evangelist has recorded them all. Hence it appears that the four Gospels are, as it were, four parts, which, joined together, make one symphony. Sometimes one of these only, sometimes two or three, sometimes all sound together. Father-So he speaks both in the beginning and at the end of his sufferings on the cross: Forgive them-How striking is this passage! While they are actually nailing him to the cross, he seems to feel the injury they did to their own souls more than the wounds they gave him; and as it were to forget his own anguish out of a concern for their own salvation.

And how eminently was his prayer heard! It procured forgiveness for all that were penitent, and a suspension of vengeance even for the impenitent.

35. If thou be the Christ; v. 37. If thou be the king-The priests deride the name of Messiah: the soldiers the name of king.

39. And one of the malefactors reviled him-St. Matthew says, the robbers: St. Mark, they that were crucified with him, reviled him. Either therefore St. Matthew and Mark put the plural for the singular (as the best authors sometimes do) or both reviled him at the first, till one of them felt "the overwhelming power of saving grace."

40. The other rebuked him-What a surprising degree was here of repentance, faith, and other graces! And what abundance of good works, in his public confession of his sin, reproof of his fellow criminal, his honourable testimony to Christ, and profession of faith in him, while he was in so disgraceful circumstances as were stumbling even to his disciples! This shows the power of Di. vine grace. But it encourages none to put off their repentance to the last hour; since, as far as appears, this was the first time this criminal had an opportunity of knowing any thing of Christ, and his conversion was designed to put a peculiar glory on our Saviour in his lowest state, while his enemies derided him, and his own disciples either denied or forsook him.

42. Remember me when thou comest-From heaven, in thy kingdom-He acknowledges him a king, and such a king, as after he is dead, can profit the dead. The #postles themselves had not then so clear conceptions of the kingdom of Christ. 43. In paradise-The place where the souls of the righteous remain from death till the resurrection. As if he had said, I will not only remember thee then, but this very day

* Matt. xxvii, 37; Mark xv, 26; John xix, 19.

44 * And it was about the sixth hour; and there was darkness over 45 all the earth till the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and 46 the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying

with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my 47 spirit. And having said thus, he expired. And the centurion seeing what was done, glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a 48 righteous man. And all the people who had come together to

that sight, beholding the things which were done, returned, smiting 49 their breasts. And all his acquaintance, and the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. 50 † And behold a man named Joseph, a counsellor, a good man and 51 a just: (He had not consented to the counsel and deed of them,)

of Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who also himself waited for the 52 kingdom of God: This man going to Pilate, asked the body of 53 Jesus. And taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before 54 was laid. And that day was the preparation; the Sabbath drew on. And the women who had come with him from Galilee, following 56 after, beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And returning, they prepared spices and ointments, and rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.

55

XXIV. And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre; And 3 entering, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And while 4 they were perplexed concerning it, behold, two men stood by them 5 in shining garments. And as they were afraid and bowed their

face to the earth, they said to them, Why seek ye the living among 6 the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how he 7 spake to you being yet in Galilee, Saying, the Son of man must

be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and 8 rise again the third day. And they remembered his words, And 9 returning from the sepulchre, told all these things to the eleven,

44. There was darkness over all the earth-The noon-tide darkness, covering the sun, obscured all the upper hemisphere. And the lower was equally dark. ened, the moon being in opposition to the sun, and so receiving no light from it. 46. Father, into thy hands-The Father receives the Spirit of Jesus: Jesus himself the spirits of the faithful.

47. Certainly this was a righteous man-Which implies an approbation of all he had done and taught.

48. All the people-Who had not been actors therein, returned smiting their breasts-In testimony of sorrow.

XXIV. 1. Certain others with them-Who had not come from Galilee.

4. Behold two-Angels in the form of men. Mary had seen them a little be. fore. They had disappeared on these women's coming to the sepulchre, but now appeared again. St. Matthew and Mark mention only one of them, appearing like a young man.

6. Remember how he spake to you, saying, The Son of man must be delivered-· This is only a repetition of the words which our Lord had spoken to them before his passion. But it is observable, he never styles himself the Son of man after his resurrection.

* Matt. xxvii, 45; Mark xv, 38. + Matt. xxvii, 57; Mark xv, 43; John xix, 38. + Matt. xxviii, 1; Mark xvi, 1; John xx, 1.

10 and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told 11 these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them 12 as idle tales, and they believed them not. But Peter rising up, ran to the sepulchre; and stooping down, he seeth the linen clothes laid by themselves: and he went home, wondering at what was come to pass.

13

*And behold two of them were going that day to a village called 14 Emmaus, which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. And they 15 talked together of all these things which had happened. And as

they talked and argued together, Jesus himself drew near, and 16 went with them. But their eyes were holden so that they did not 17 know him. And he said to them, What discourses are these that

ye have one with another as ye walk, and are sad? And one of 18 them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said to him, Dost thou alone even sojourn at Jerusalem, and hast not known the things 19 which are come to pass there in these days? And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, Those concerning Jesus of Nazareth, (who was a prophet mighty in deed and word 20 before God and all the people ;) How our chief priests and rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he who should have redeemed

Israel. And beside all this, to-day is the third day since these 22 things were done. Yea, and certain women of our company have 23 astonished us, who were early at the sepulchre, And not finding

his body, they came, saying, That they had seen also a vision of 24 angels, who say, He is alive. And some of the men who were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had 25 said; but him they saw not. Then he said to them, O foolish,

and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into 27 his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he ex

plained to them the things in all the Scriptures, concerning him28 self. And they drew nigh the village whither they were going, 29 and he made as though he would go farther. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is going toward evening, and 30 the day declines. And he went in to abide with them. And as

he sat at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed it, and 31 brake and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they

21. To-day is the third day-The day he should have risen again, if at all. 25. O foolish-Not understanding the designs and works of God: And slow of heart-Unready to believe what the prophets have so largely spoken.

26. Ought not Christ-If he would redeem man, and fulfil the prophecies concerning him, to have suffered these things?-These very sufferings which occasion your doubts, are the proofs of his being the Messiah. And to enter into his glory-Which could be done no other way.

28. He made as though he would go farther-Walking forward, as if he was going on; and he would have done it, had they not pressed him to stay. 29. They constrained him—By their importunate entreaties.

30. He took the bread, and blessed, and brake-Just in the same manner as when he instituted his last supper.

31. Their eyes were opened That is, the supernatural cloud was removed: And he vanished-Went away insensibly.

*Mark xvi, 12.

32 knew him, and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he was 33 talking to us in the way, and opening the Scriptures to us? And

rising up the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem, and found 34 the eleven met together, and them that were with them, Saying, 35 The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told the things done in the way, and how he was known by them in he breaking of bread.

36

*And as they spake thus, Jesus himself stood in the midst of 37 them, and said to them, Peace be unto you. But being terrified 38 and affrighted, they thought they saw a spirit. And he said to

them, Why are ye troubled? And why do reasonings arise in 39 your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.

Handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you 40 see me have. And having spoken this, he showed them his hands 41 and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and won42 dered, he said to them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave 43 him a piece of a broiled fish and of a honeycomb. And he took it, and ate before them.

44 And he said to them, These are the words which I spake to you, being yet with you, that all things written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms concerning me, must be 45 fulfilled. Then opened he their understanding, to understand the 46 Scriptures, And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it be

hoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in

32. Did not our heart burn within us-Did not we feel an unusual warmth of love! Was not our heart burning, &c.

33. The same hour-Late as it was.

34. The Lord hath appeared to Simon-Before he was seen of the twelve apos tles, 1 Cor. xv, 5.

He had, in his wonderful condescension and grace, taken an opportunity on the former part of that day (though where, or in what manner, is not recorded) to show himself to Peter, that he might early relieve his distresses and fears, on account of having so shamefully denied his Master.

35. In the breaking of bread-The Lord's Supper

36. Jesus stood in the midst of them-It was just as easy to his Divine power to open a door undiscernibly, as it was to come in at a door opened by some

other hand.

40. He showed them his hands and his feet―That they might either see or feel the prints of the nails.

41. While they believed not for joy-They did in some sense believe: other. wise they would not have rejoiced. But their excess of joy prevented a clear, rational belief.

43. He took it and ate before them-Not that he had any need of food; but to give them still farther evidence.

44. And he said-On the day of his ascension. In the law, and the prophets, and the psalms-The prophecies as well as types, relating to the Messiah, are contained either in the books of Moses (usually called the law) in the Psalms, or in the writings of the prophets; little being said directly concerning him in the historical books.

45. Then opened he their understanding, to understand the Scriptures—He had explained them before to the two as they went to Emmaus. But still they understood them not, till he took off the veil from their hearts, by the illumination of his Spirit.

* Mark xvi, 14, 19; John xx, 19.