SECT. CXLIX.-Christ carried before the High Priest.— Matt. xxvi. 57-68; Mark xiv. 53-65; Luke xxii. 54. 63-71; John xviii. 19-23.

In the mean while they had consulted together as to the evidence on which they could find an accusation against Jesus before the Governor. But in vain they sought for some testimony which might affect His life; for no such testimony could be given without being false' and "their witness agreed not together;" nor was there sufficient charge for the purpose of capital conviction. At last one came, who had heard Him say, in reference to His resurrection, That though they might destroy the Temple (of His body), He was able to build it in three days". Now, to speak disrespectfully of, or to prophesy against the Temple, was considered by the Jews to be blasphemy, and, of course, a capital offence. When reproached for His silence, under this accusation, He disdained to make any reply to such unfounded and contemptible accusations. It is said, that "the High Priest arose," and "stood up in the midst," which shows some anger; for judges seldom rise from their seats, unless when in some perturbation'. Though Christ now held His peace, yet, when solemnly "adjured by the living God," to reply to a direct question, addressed to Him, Whether He were

the Christ, "the Son of the Blessed," He answered, "I am." It was the custom of the Jews thus to adjure a person, giving execrations upon him, if he did not answer and speak truly. This was considered as imposing the obligation of an oath on the person adjured'. Jesus saith unto the High Priest, Thou hast said that which is true: I am the Messiah, "the Christ, the Son of God;" (for all these were synonymous terms among the Jews' ;) nevertheless, ye shall shortly see a convincing evidence of it in that wonderful and unparalleled destruction I shall send upon the Jewish nation *. the Jewish nation'. Ye shall see Me "at the right hand of power," that is, of God, (who is sometimes called power by the Jews,)" and coming in the clouds of heaven." This is taken from the same passage, of the prophet Daniel, on which Jesus asserted the title of the Son of Man; by which expression He avowed Himself to be Messias, and thus He gave a direct answer to the High Priest's question. This bold and open avowal of His pretensions incensed them and astonished them: they account such words and such a confession to be blasphemy; and Caiaphas "rent his clothes," as the sure impression of such a construction, by which he forced the rest of the council to agree that it was so; for this action

2 Dr. Hammond.

4 Dr. S. Clarke.

3

Bishop Porteus.

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W. Lowth.

was required by their Doctors in every one that hears any blasphemy. It is singular, perhaps, that those who sat with him, did not likewise rend their clothes, as they ought to have done; but, though they did not, they readily acquiesced in the judgment: "They answered, and said, He is guilty of death." And now they began to spit upon Him, and to buffet Him, and to treat Him with every indignity"."

SECT. CL.-Christ before Pilate.-Matt. xxvii. 11-26; Mark xv. 1-15; Luke xxiii. 1-25; John xviii. 28–32. THE Chief Priests had, in their summary way, without the shadow of justice, and without any consistent evidence, decided the fate of Jesus, by pronouncing Him to be guilty of death. It is supposed that the power of life and death was taken from the Jews, when Judæa was reduced to a Roman province; and a Roman governor was placed over the inhabitants of Judæa, under the title of Procurator'.

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cordingly, their next care was to get this capital sentence confirmed and carried into execution; for, although they could try and condemn a criminal, they could not execute him without a warrant from the Governor: they, therefore, "led Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate," the Procurator of Judæa at that time. But, first, they "held a consultation with the whole Council," in order that they might agree Bishop Pearce.

Dr. Lightfoot.

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upon some accusation against Jesus, as should prevail with a Roman; for they knew their condemnation of Him for blasphemy would have no weight in such a quarter. They, therefore, find it expedient to change their ground, and charge Him with treason and sedition, as setting Himself up as a King, and persuading the people not to pay tribute to Cæsar. Nothing could be more false than such a charge, we know; but they were aware that to profess Himself King of the Jews, would make Him as odious to the Romans, as it had originally done to Herod; and they concealed their falsehood, as to the tribute, by calling Him a Galilæan, implying that He held the opinions of one of that province, who had pronounced it unlawful to pay tribute to Cæsar.

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And the whole multitude," that is, the Priests, elders, Scribes, and captains of the Temple, with their servants and dependents, (for the common people were, for the most part, favourers of Jesus ",)" arose, and led Him unto Pilate." Little did that Governor imagine who it was that was then arraigned before him. Little did he suspect that he must himself stand one day before the tribunal of that very Person whom he was then going to judge as a criminal'. They would not go into the hall of

8

Bishop Porteus.

10 Bishop Pearce.

"Dr. Whitby.

1

Bishop Porteus.

judgment, lest, by mixing with heathens, they might be defiled, and rendered unfit to eat of the paschal sacrifices 2. This is not to be understood of the paschal lamb, which had been already eaten, "but that they might eat the Passover" bullock, which was not part of the first institution, but was at this time eaten by them during the progress of the feast, during the whole of which time it was required that their diet should be strictly holy 3. They stood, therefore, before the palace. "Pilate therefore went out unto them, and said, bring ye against this Man?" to accuse Him, saying, We perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying, That He Himself is Christ, a King."

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3

What accusation

And they began found this Fellow

Pilate, conceiving Him to be a common malefactor, desires them to take back their prisoner, "and judge Him according to their law;" but the Jews remind him that they have not the power to punish Him as a criminal asserting a claim against Roman power deserved to be treated. Pilate, therefore, returns to the judgment-hall, and says unto Jesus, "Art Thou the King of the Jews?" He replies, Dost thou make this inquiry for your own satisfaction, and a desire to know the truth? or did others lay it to My charge as a 2 Bishop Mann. Dr. Macknight.

3 Dr. Whitby.

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