<hi type="bold">29. So ye, in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass--</hi>rather, "coming to pass."

<hi type="bold">know that it--</hi>"the kingdom of God" (<reference osisRef="Luke.21.31">Lu 21:31</reference>).

<hi type="bold">is nigh, even at the doors--</hi>that is, the full manifestation of it; for till then it admitted of no full development. In Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.21.28">Lu 21:28</reference>) the following words precede these: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh"--their redemption, in the first instance certainly, from Jewish oppression (<reference osisRef="1Thess.2.14-1Thess.2.16">1Th 2:14-16</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.11.52">Lu 11:52</reference>): but in the highest sense of these words, redemption from all the oppressions and miseries of the present state at the second appearing of the Lord Jesus.

29. So ye, in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass-- rather, "coming to pass." know that it-- "the kingdom of God" (Lu 21:31). is nigh, even at the doors-- that is, the full manifestation of it; for till then it admitted of no full development. In Luke (Lu 21:28) the following words precede these: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh"--their redemption, in the first instance certainly, from Jewish oppression (1Th 2:14-16; Lu 11:52): but in the highest sense of these words, redemption from all the oppressions and miseries of the present state at the second appearing of the Lord Jesus.


<hi type="bold">30. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass fill all these things be done--</hi>or "fulfilled" (<reference osisRef="Matt.24.34">Mt 24:34</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.21.32">Lu 21:32</reference>). Whether we take this to mean that the whole would be fulfilled within the limits of the generation then current, or, according to a usual way of speaking, that the generation then existing would not pass away without seeing a begun fulfilment of this prediction, the facts entirely correspond. For either the whole was fulfilled in the destruction accomplished by Titus, as many think; or, if we stretch it out, according to others, till the thorough dispersion of the Jews a little later, under Adrian, every requirement of our Lord's words seems to be met.

30. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass fill all these things be done-- or "fulfilled" (Mt 24:34; Lu 21:32). Whether we take this to mean that the whole would be fulfilled within the limits of the generation then current, or, according to a usual way of speaking, that the generation then existing would not pass away without seeing a begun fulfilment of this prediction, the facts entirely correspond. For either the whole was fulfilled in the destruction accomplished by Titus, as many think; or, if we stretch it out, according to others, till the thorough dispersion of the Jews a little later, under Adrian, every requirement of our Lord's words seems to be met.


<hi type="bold">31. Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away--</hi>the strongest possible expression of the divine authority by which He spake; not as Moses or Paul might have said of their own inspiration, for such language would be unsuitable in any merely human mouth.

 Warnings to Prepare for the Coming of Christ Suggested by the Foregoing Prophecy (<reference osisRef="Mark.13.32-Mark.13.37">Mr 13:32-37</reference>).

<hi type="bold">It will be observed that, in the foregoing prophecy, as our Lord approaches the crisis of the day of vengeance on Jerusalem and redemption for the Church--</hi>at which stage the analogy between that and the day of final vengeance and redemption waxes more striking--His language rises and swells beyond all temporal and partial vengeance, beyond all earthly deliverances and enlargements, and ushers us resistlessly into the scenes of the final day. Accordingly, in these six concluding verses it is manifest that preparation for "THAT DAY" is what our Lord designs to inculcate.

31. Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away-- the strongest possible expression of the divine authority by which He spake; not as Moses or Paul might have said of their own inspiration, for such language would be unsuitable in any merely human mouth. Warnings to Prepare for the Coming of Christ Suggested by the Foregoing Prophecy (Mr 13:32-37). It will be observed that, in the foregoing prophecy, as our Lord approaches the crisis of the day of vengeance on Jerusalem and redemption for the Church-- at which stage the analogy between that and the day of final vengeance and redemption waxes more striking--His language rises and swells beyond all temporal and partial vengeance, beyond all earthly deliverances and enlargements, and ushers us resistlessly into the scenes of the final day. Accordingly, in these six concluding verses it is manifest that preparation for "THAT DAY" is what our Lord designs to inculcate.


<hi type="bold">32. But of that day and that hour--</hi>that is, the precise time.

<hi type="bold">knoweth no man--</hi>literally, no one.

<hi type="bold">no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father--</hi>This very remarkable statement regarding "the Son" is peculiar to Mark. Whether it means that the Son was not at that time in possession of the knowledge referred to, or simply that it was not among the things which He had received to communicate--has been matter of much controversy even among the firmest believers in the proper Divinity of Christ. In the latter sense it was taken by some of the most eminent of the ancient Fathers, and by Luther, Melancthon, and most of the older Lutherans; and it is so taken by Bengel, Lange, Webster and Wilkinson, Chrysostom and others understood it to mean that as man our Lord was ignorant of this. It is taken literally by Calvin, Grotius, De Wette, Meyer, Fritzsche, Stier, Alford, and Alexander.

32. But of that day and that hour-- that is, the precise time. knoweth no man-- literally, no one. no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father-- This very remarkable statement regarding "the Son" is peculiar to Mark. Whether it means that the Son was not at that time in possession of the knowledge referred to, or simply that it was not among the things which He had received to communicate--has been matter of much controversy even among the firmest believers in the proper Divinity of Christ. In the latter sense it was taken by some of the most eminent of the ancient Fathers, and by Luther, Melancthon, and most of the older Lutherans; and it is so taken by Bengel, Lange, Webster and Wilkinson, Chrysostom and others understood it to mean that as man our Lord was ignorant of this. It is taken literally by Calvin, Grotius, De Wette, Meyer, Fritzsche, Stier, Alford, and Alexander.


33. Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is.


<hi type="bold">34. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, &c.--</hi>The idea thus far is similar to that in the opening part of the parable of the talents (<reference osisRef="Matt.25.14">Mt 25:14</reference>, <reference osisRef="Matt.25.15">15</reference>).

<hi type="bold">and commanded the porter--</hi>the gatekeeper.

<hi type="bold">to watch--</hi>pointing to the official duty of the ministers of religion to give warning of approaching danger to the people.

34. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, &c.-- The idea thus far is similar to that in the opening part of the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14, 15). and commanded the porter-- the gatekeeper. to watch-- pointing to the official duty of the ministers of religion to give warning of approaching danger to the people.


<hi type="bold">35. Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning--</hi>an allusion to the four Roman watches of the night.

35. Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning-- an allusion to the four Roman watches of the night.


<hi type="bold">36. Lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping--</hi>See on <reference osisRef="Luke.12.35-Luke.12.40">Lu 12:35-40</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.12.42-Luke.12.46">Lu 12:42-46</reference>.

36. Lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping-- See on Lu 12:35-40; Lu 12:42-46.


<hi type="bold">37. And what I say unto you--</hi>this discourse, it will be remembered, was delivered in private.

<hi type="bold">I say unto all, Watch--</hi>anticipating and requiring the diffusion of His teaching by them among all His disciples, and its perpetuation through all time. <chapter eID="Mark.13"/>

37. And what I say unto you-- this discourse, it will be remembered, was delivered in private. I say unto all, Watch-- anticipating and requiring the diffusion of His teaching by them among all His disciples, and its perpetuation through all time.


<title type="x-s2">CHAPTER 14</title> <title type="x-s3"><reference osisRef="Mark.14.1-Mark.14.11">Mr 14:1-11</reference>. The Conspiracy of the Jewish Authorities to Put Jesus to Death--The Supper and the Anointing at Bethany--Judas Agrees with the Chief Priests to Betray His Lord. ( = <reference osisRef="Matt.26.1-Matt.26.16">Mt 26:1-16</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.22.1-Luke.22.6">Lu 22:1-6</reference>; <reference osisRef="John.12.1-John.12.11">Joh 12:1-11</reference>).</title>
 The events of this section appeared to have occurred on the fourth day (Wednesday) of the Redeemer's Last Week.

 Conspiracy of the Jewish Authorities to Put Jesus to Death (<reference osisRef="Mark.14.1">Mr 14:1</reference>, 2).

<hi type="bold">1. After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread--</hi>The meaning is, that two days after what is about to be mentioned the passover would arrive; in other words, what follows occurred two days before the feast.

<hi type="bold">and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death--</hi>From Matthew's fuller account (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.1-Matt.26.75">Mt 26:1-75</reference>) we learn that our Lord announced this to the Twelve as follows, being the first announcement to them of the precise time: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings" (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.1">Mt 26:1</reference>)--referring to the contents of <reference osisRef="Matt.24.1-Matt.25.46">Mt 24:1-25:46</reference>, which He delivered to His disciples; His public ministry being now closed: from His prophetical He is now passing into His priestly office, although all along He Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses--"He said unto His disciples, Ye know that after two days is [the feast of] the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." The first and the last steps of His final sufferings are brought together in this brief announcement of all that was to take place. The passover was the first and the chief of the three great annual festivals, commemorative of the redemption of God's people from Egypt, through the sprinkling of the blood of a lamb divinely appointed to be slain for that end; the destroying angel, "when he saw the blood, passing over" the Israelitish houses, on which that blood was seen, when he came to destroy all the first-born in the land of Egypt (<reference osisRef="Exod.12.12">Ex 12:12</reference>, <reference osisRef="Exod.12.13">13</reference>)--bright typical foreshadowing of the great Sacrifice, and the Redemption effected thereby. Accordingly, "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working," it was so ordered that precisely at the passover season, "Christ our Passover should be sacrificed for us." On the day following the passover commenced "the feast of unleavened bread," so called because for seven days only unleavened bread was to be eaten (<reference osisRef="Exod.12.18-Exod.12.20">Ex 12:18-20</reference>). See on <reference osisRef="1Cor.5.6-1Cor.5.8">1Co 5:6-8</reference>. We are further told by Matthew (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.3">Mt 26:3</reference>) that the consultation was held in the palace of Caiaphas the high priest, between the chief priests, [the scribes], and the elders of the people, how "they might take Jesus by subtlety and kill Him."

CHAPTER 14 Mr 14:1-11. The Conspiracy of the Jewish Authorities to Put Jesus to Death--The Supper and the Anointing at Bethany--Judas Agrees with the Chief Priests to Betray His Lord. ( = Mt 26:1-16; Lu 22:1-6; Joh 12:1-11). The events of this section appeared to have occurred on the fourth day (Wednesday) of the Redeemer's Last Week. Conspiracy of the Jewish Authorities to Put Jesus to Death (Mr 14:1, 2). 1. After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread-- The meaning is, that two days after what is about to be mentioned the passover would arrive; in other words, what follows occurred two days before the feast. and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death-- From Matthew's fuller account (Mt 26:1-75) we learn that our Lord announced this to the Twelve as follows, being the first announcement to them of the precise time: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings" (Mt 26:1)--referring to the contents of Mt 24:1-25:46, which He delivered to His disciples; His public ministry being now closed: from His prophetical He is now passing into His priestly office, although all along He Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses--"He said unto His disciples, Ye know that after two days is [the feast of] the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." The first and the last steps of His final sufferings are brought together in this brief announcement of all that was to take place. The passover was the first and the chief of the three great annual festivals, commemorative of the redemption of God's people from Egypt, through the sprinkling of the blood of a lamb divinely appointed to be slain for that end; the destroying angel, "when he saw the blood, passing over" the Israelitish houses, on which that blood was seen, when he came to destroy all the first-born in the land of Egypt (Ex 12:12, 13)--bright typical foreshadowing of the great Sacrifice, and the Redemption effected thereby. Accordingly, "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working," it was so ordered that precisely at the passover season, "Christ our Passover should be sacrificed for us." On the day following the passover commenced "the feast of unleavened bread," so called because for seven days only unleavened bread was to be eaten (Ex 12:18-20). See on 1Co 5:6-8. We are further told by Matthew (Mt 26:3) that the consultation was held in the palace of Caiaphas the high priest, between the chief priests, [the scribes], and the elders of the people, how "they might take Jesus by subtlety and kill Him."


<hi type="bold">2. But they said, Not on the feast day--</hi>rather, not during the feast; not until the seven days of unleavened bread should be over.

<hi type="bold">lest there be an uproar of the people--</hi>In consequence of the vast influx of strangers, embracing all the male population of the land who had reached a certain age, there were within the walls of Jerusalem at this festival some two million people; and in their excited state, the danger of tumult and bloodshed among "the people," who for the most part took Jesus for a prophet, was extreme. See Josephus [Antiquities, 20.5.3]. What plan, if any, these ecclesiastics fixed upon for seizing our Lord, does not appear. But the proposal of Judas being at once and eagerly gone into, it is probable they were till then at some loss for a plan sufficiently quiet and yet effectual. So, just at the feast time shall it be done; the unexpected offer of Judas relieving them of their fears. Thus, as Bengel remarks, did the divine counsel take effect.

 The Supper and the Anointing at Bethany Six Days before the Passover (<reference osisRef="Mark.14.3-Mark.14.9">Mr 14:3-9</reference>).

 The time of this part of the narrative is four days before what has just been related. Had it been part of the regular train of events which our Evangelist designed to record, he would probably have inserted it in its proper place, before the conspiracy of the Jewish authorities. But having come to the treason of Judas, he seems to have gone back upon this scene as what probably gave immediate occasion to the awful deed.

2. But they said, Not on the feast day-- rather, not during the feast; not until the seven days of unleavened bread should be over. lest there be an uproar of the people-- In consequence of the vast influx of strangers, embracing all the male population of the land who had reached a certain age, there were within the walls of Jerusalem at this festival some two million people; and in their excited state, the danger of tumult and bloodshed among "the people," who for the most part took Jesus for a prophet, was extreme. See Josephus [Antiquities, 20.5.3]. What plan, if any, these ecclesiastics fixed upon for seizing our Lord, does not appear. But the proposal of Judas being at once and eagerly gone into, it is probable they were till then at some loss for a plan sufficiently quiet and yet effectual. So, just at the feast time shall it be done; the unexpected offer of Judas relieving them of their fears. Thus, as Bengel remarks, did the divine counsel take effect. The Supper and the Anointing at Bethany Six Days before the Passover (Mr 14:3-9). The time of this part of the narrative is four days before what has just been related. Had it been part of the regular train of events which our Evangelist designed to record, he would probably have inserted it in its proper place, before the conspiracy of the Jewish authorities. But having come to the treason of Judas, he seems to have gone back upon this scene as what probably gave immediate occasion to the awful deed.


<hi type="bold">3. And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman--</hi>It was "Mary," as we learn from <reference osisRef="John.12.3">Joh 12:3</reference>.

<hi type="bold">having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard--</hi>pure nard, a celebrated aromatic--(See <reference osisRef="Song.1.12">So 1:12</reference>).

<hi type="bold">very precious--</hi>"very costly" (<reference osisRef="John.12.3">Joh 12:3</reference>).

<hi type="bold">and she brake the box, and poured it on his head--</hi>"and anointed," adds John (<reference osisRef="John.12.3">Joh 12:3</reference>), "the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: <hi type="bold">and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment." The only use of this was to refresh and exhilarate--</hi>a grateful compliment in the East, amid the closeness of a heated atmosphere, with many guests at a feast. Such was the form in which Mary's love to Christ, at so much cost to herself, poured itself out.

3. And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman-- It was "Mary," as we learn from Joh 12:3. having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard-- pure nard, a celebrated aromatic--(See So 1:12). very precious-- "very costly" (Joh 12:3). and she brake the box, and poured it on his head-- "and anointed," adds John (Joh 12:3), "the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment." The only use of this was to refresh and exhilarate-- a grateful compliment in the East, amid the closeness of a heated atmosphere, with many guests at a feast. Such was the form in which Mary's love to Christ, at so much cost to herself, poured itself out.


<hi type="bold">4. And there were some that had indignation within themselves and said--</hi>Matthew says (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.8">Mt 26:8</reference>), "But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying," &c. The spokesman, however, was none of the true-hearted Eleven--as we learn from John (<reference osisRef="John.12.4">Joh 12:4</reference>): "Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray Him." Doubtless the thought stirred first in his breast, and issued from his base lips; and some of the rest, ignorant of his true character and feelings, and carried away by his plausible speech, might for the moment feel some chagrin at the apparent waste.

 Why was this waste of the ointment made?

4. And there were some that had indignation within themselves and said-- Matthew says (Mt 26:8), "But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying," &c. The spokesman, however, was none of the true-hearted Eleven--as we learn from John (Joh 12:4): "Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray Him." Doubtless the thought stirred first in his breast, and issued from his base lips; and some of the rest, ignorant of his true character and feelings, and carried away by his plausible speech, might for the moment feel some chagrin at the apparent waste. Why was this waste of the ointment made?


<hi type="bold">5. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence--</hi>between nine and ten pounds sterling.

<hi type="bold">and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her--</hi>"This he said," remarks John (<reference osisRef="John.12.6">Joh 12:6</reference>), and the remark is of exceeding importance, "not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and had the bag"--the scrip or treasure chest--"and bare what was put therein"--not "bare it off" by theft, as some understand it. It is true that he did this; but the expression means simply that he had charge of it and its contents, or was treasurer to Jesus and the Twelve. What a remarkable arrangement was this, by which an avaricious and dishonest person was not only taken into the number of the Twelve, but entrusted with the custody of their little property! The purposes which this served are obvious enough; but it is further noticeable, that the remotest hint was never given to the Eleven of his true character, nor did the disciples most favored with the intimacy of Jesus ever suspect him, till a few minutes before he voluntarily separated himself from their company--for ever!

5. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence-- between nine and ten pounds sterling. and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her-- "This he said," remarks John (Joh 12:6), and the remark is of exceeding importance, "not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and had the bag"--the scrip or treasure chest--"and bare what was put therein"--not "bare it off" by theft, as some understand it. It is true that he did this; but the expression means simply that he had charge of it and its contents, or was treasurer to Jesus and the Twelve. What a remarkable arrangement was this, by which an avaricious and dishonest person was not only taken into the number of the Twelve, but entrusted with the custody of their little property! The purposes which this served are obvious enough; but it is further noticeable, that the remotest hint was never given to the Eleven of his true character, nor did the disciples most favored with the intimacy of Jesus ever suspect him, till a few minutes before he voluntarily separated himself from their company--for ever!


<hi type="bold">6. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me--</hi>It was good in itself, and so was acceptable to Christ; it was eminently seasonable, and so more acceptable still; and it was "what she could," and so most acceptable of all.

6. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me-- It was good in itself, and so was acceptable to Christ; it was eminently seasonable, and so more acceptable still; and it was "what she could," and so most acceptable of all.


<hi type="bold">7. For ye have the poor with you always--</hi>referring to <reference osisRef="Deut.15.11">De 15:11</reference>.

<hi type="bold">and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always--</hi>a gentle hint of His approaching departure, by One who knew the worth of His own presence.

7. For ye have the poor with you always-- referring to De 15:11. and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always-- a gentle hint of His approaching departure, by One who knew the worth of His own presence.


<hi type="bold">8. She hath done what she could--</hi>a noble testimony, embodying a principle of immense importance.

<hi type="bold">she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying--</hi>or, as in John (<reference osisRef="John.12.7">Joh 12:7</reference>), "Against the day of my burying hath she kept this." Not that she, dear heart, thought of His burial, much less reserved any of her nard to anoint her dead Lord. But as the time was so near at hand when that office would have to be performed, and she was not to have that privilege even after the spices were brought for the purpose (<reference osisRef="Mark.16.1">Mr 16:1</reference>), He lovingly regards it as done now. "In the act of love done to Him," says Olshausen beautifully, "she has erected to herself an eternal monument, as lasting as the Gospel, the eternal Word of God. From generation to generation this remarkable prophecy of the Lord has been fulfilled; and even we, in explaining this saying of the Redeemer, of necessity contribute to its accomplishment." "Who but Himself," asks Stier, "had the power to ensure to any work of man, even if resounding in His own time through the whole earth, an imperishable remembrance in the stream of history? Behold once more here the majesty of His royal judicial supremacy in the government of the world, in this, 'Verily I say unto you.'"

8. She hath done what she could-- a noble testimony, embodying a principle of immense importance. she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying-- or, as in John (Joh 12:7), "Against the day of my burying hath she kept this." Not that she, dear heart, thought of His burial, much less reserved any of her nard to anoint her dead Lord. But as the time was so near at hand when that office would have to be performed, and she was not to have that privilege even after the spices were brought for the purpose (Mr 16:1), He lovingly regards it as done now. "In the act of love done to Him," says Olshausen beautifully, "she has erected to herself an eternal monument, as lasting as the Gospel, the eternal Word of God. From generation to generation this remarkable prophecy of the Lord has been fulfilled; and even we, in explaining this saying of the Redeemer, of necessity contribute to its accomplishment." "Who but Himself," asks Stier, "had the power to ensure to any work of man, even if resounding in His own time through the whole earth, an imperishable remembrance in the stream of history? Behold once more here the majesty of His royal judicial supremacy in the government of the world, in this, 'Verily I say unto you.'"


<hi type="bold">10. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them--</hi>that is, to make his proposals, and to bargain with them, as appears from Matthew's fuller statement (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.14">Mt 26:14</reference>, <reference osisRef="Matt.26.15">15</reference>) which says, he "went unto the chief priests, and said, What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver." The thirty pieces of silver were thirty shekels, the fine paid for man- or maid-servant accidentally killed (<reference osisRef="Exod.21.32">Ex 21:32</reference>), and equal to between four and five pounds sterling--"a goodly price that I was prized at of them!" (<reference osisRef="Zech.11.13">Zec 11:13</reference>).

10. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them-- that is, to make his proposals, and to bargain with them, as appears from Matthew's fuller statement (Mt 26:14, 15) which says, he "went unto the chief priests, and said, What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver." The thirty pieces of silver were thirty shekels, the fine paid for man- or maid-servant accidentally killed (Ex 21:32), and equal to between four and five pounds sterling--"a goodly price that I was prized at of them!" (Zec 11:13).


<hi type="bold">11. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money--</hi>Matthew alone records the precise sum, because a remarkable and complicated prophecy, which he was afterwards to refer to, was fulfilled by it.

<hi type="bold">And he sought how he might conveniently betray him--</hi>or, as more fully given in Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.6">Lu 22:6</reference>), "And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray Him unto them in the absence of the multitude." That he should avoid an "uproar" or "riot" among the people, which probably was made an essential condition by the Jewish authorities, was thus assented to by the traitor; into whom, says Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.3">Lu 22:3</reference>), "Satan entered," to put him upon this hellish deed.
 <title type="x-s3"><reference osisRef="Mark.14.12-Mark.14.26">Mr 14:12-26</reference>. Preparation for, and Last Celebration of, the Passover--Announcement of the Traitor--Institution of the Supper. ( =</title>
 <reference osisRef="Matt.26.17-Matt.26.30">Mt 26:17-30</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.22.7-Luke.23.39">Lu 22:7-23, 39</reference>; <reference osisRef="John.13.21-John.13.30">Joh 13:21-30</reference>).

 See on <reference osisRef="Luke.22.7-Luke.22.23">Lu 22:7-23</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.22.39">Lu 22:39</reference>; and see on <reference osisRef="John.13.10">Joh 13:10</reference>, <reference osisRef="John.13.11">11</reference>; <reference osisRef="John.13.18">Joh 13:18</reference>, <reference osisRef="John.13.19">19</reference>; <reference osisRef="John.13.21-John.13.30">Joh 13:21-30</reference>.
 <title type="x-s3"><reference osisRef="Mark.14.27-Mark.14.31">Mr 14:27-31</reference>. The Desertion of Jesus by His Disciples and the Fall of Peter, Foretold. ( = <reference osisRef="Matt.26.31-Matt.26.35">Mt 26:31-35</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.22.31-Luke.22.38">Lu 22:31-38</reference>; <reference osisRef="John.13.36-John.13.38">Joh 13:36-38</reference>).</title>
 See on <reference osisRef="Luke.22.31-Luke.22.46">Lu 22:31-46</reference>.
 <title type="x-s3"><reference osisRef="Mark.14.32-Mark.14.42">Mr 14:32-42</reference>. The Agony in the Garden. ( = <reference osisRef="Matt.26.36-Matt.26.46">Mt 26:36-46</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.22.39-Luke.22.46">Lu 22:39-46</reference>).</title>
 See on <reference osisRef="Luke.22.39-Luke.22.46">Lu 22:39-46</reference>.
 <title type="x-s3"><reference osisRef="Mark.14.43-Mark.14.52">Mr 14:43-52</reference>. Betrayal and Apprehension of Jesus--Flight of His Disciples. ( = <reference osisRef="Matt.26.47-Matt.26.56">Mt 26:47-56</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.22.47-Luke.22.53">Lu 22:47-53</reference>; <reference osisRef="John.18.1-John.18.12">Joh 18:1-12</reference>).</title>
 See on <reference osisRef="John.18.1-John.18.12">Joh 18:1-12</reference>.
 <title type="x-s3"><reference osisRef="Mark.14.53-Mark.14.72">Mr 14:53-72</reference>. Jesus Arraigned before the Sanhedrim, Condemned to Die, and Shamefully Entreated--The Fall of Peter. ( = <reference osisRef="Matt.26.57-Matt.26.75">Mt 26:57-75</reference>; <reference osisRef="Luke.22.54-Luke.22.71">Lu 22:54-71</reference>; <reference osisRef="John.18.13-John.18.24">Joh 18:13-18, 24</reference>-<reference osisRef="John.18.27">27</reference>).</title>
<hi type="bold">Had we only the first three Gospels, we should have concluded that our Lord was led immediately to Caiaphas, and had before the Council. But as the Sanhedrim could hardly have been brought together at the dead hour of night--</hi>by which time our Lord was in the hands of the officers sent to take Him--and as it was only "as soon as it was day" that the Council met (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.66">Lu 22:66</reference>), we should have had some difficulty in knowing what was done with Him during those intervening hours. In the Fourth Gospel, however, all this is cleared up, and a very important addition to our information is made (<reference osisRef="John.18.13">Joh 18:13</reference>, <reference osisRef="John.14.19-John.14.24">14, 19-24</reference>). Let us endeavor to trace the events in the true order of succession, and in the detail supplied by a comparison of all the four streams of text.

 Jesus Is Brought Privately before Annas, the Father-in-Law of Caiaphas (<reference osisRef="John.18.13">Joh 18:13</reference>, <reference osisRef="John.18.14">14</reference>).

 <reference osisRef="John.18.13">Joh 18:13</reference>:

<hi type="bold">And they led Him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year--</hi>This successful Annas, as Ellicott remarks, was appointed high priest by Quirinus, A.D. 12, and after holding the office for several years, was deposed by Valerius Gratius, Pilate's predecessor in the procuratorship of Judea [Josephus, Antiquities, 18.2.1, &c.]. He appears, however, to have possessed vast influence, having obtained the high priesthood, not only for his son Eleazar, and his son-in-law Caiaphas, but subsequently for four other sons, under the last of whom James, the brother of our Lord, was put to death [Antiquities, 20.9.1]. It is thus highly probable that, besides having the title of "high priest" merely as one who had filled the office, he to a great degree retained the powers he had formerly exercised, and came to be regarded practically as a kind of rightful high priest.

 <reference osisRef="John.18.14">Joh 18:14</reference>:

 Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. See on <reference osisRef="John.11.51">Joh 11:51</reference>. What passed between Annas and our Lord during this interval the beloved disciple reserves till he has related the beginning of Peter's fall. To this, then, as recorded by our own Evangelist, let us meanwhile listen.

 Peter Obtains Access within the Quadrangle of the High Priest's Residence, and Warms Himself at the Fire (<reference osisRef="Mark.14.53">Mr 14:53</reference>, <reference osisRef="Mark.14.54">54</reference>).

11. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money-- Matthew alone records the precise sum, because a remarkable and complicated prophecy, which he was afterwards to refer to, was fulfilled by it. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him-- or, as more fully given in Luke (Lu 22:6), "And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray Him unto them in the absence of the multitude." That he should avoid an "uproar" or "riot" among the people, which probably was made an essential condition by the Jewish authorities, was thus assented to by the traitor; into whom, says Luke (Lu 22:3), "Satan entered," to put him upon this hellish deed. Mr 14:12-26. Preparation for, and Last Celebration of, the Passover--Announcement of the Traitor--Institution of the Supper. ( = Mt 26:17-30; Lu 22:7-23, 39; Joh 13:21-30). See on Lu 22:7-23; Lu 22:39; and see on Joh 13:10, 11; Joh 13:18, 19; Joh 13:21-30. Mr 14:27-31. The Desertion of Jesus by His Disciples and the Fall of Peter, Foretold. ( = Mt 26:31-35; Lu 22:31-38; Joh 13:36-38). See on Lu 22:31-46. Mr 14:32-42. The Agony in the Garden. ( = Mt 26:36-46; Lu 22:39-46). See on Lu 22:39-46. Mr 14:43-52. Betrayal and Apprehension of Jesus--Flight of His Disciples. ( = Mt 26:47-56; Lu 22:47-53; Joh 18:1-12). See on Joh 18:1-12. Mr 14:53-72. Jesus Arraigned before the Sanhedrim, Condemned to Die, and Shamefully Entreated--The Fall of Peter. ( = Mt 26:57-75; Lu 22:54-71; Joh 18:13-18, 24-27). Had we only the first three Gospels, we should have concluded that our Lord was led immediately to Caiaphas, and had before the Council. But as the Sanhedrim could hardly have been brought together at the dead hour of night-- by which time our Lord was in the hands of the officers sent to take Him--and as it was only "as soon as it was day" that the Council met (Lu 22:66), we should have had some difficulty in knowing what was done with Him during those intervening hours. In the Fourth Gospel, however, all this is cleared up, and a very important addition to our information is made (Joh 18:13, 14, 19-24). Let us endeavor to trace the events in the true order of succession, and in the detail supplied by a comparison of all the four streams of text. Jesus Is Brought Privately before Annas, the Father-in-Law of Caiaphas (Joh 18:13, 14). Joh 18:13: And they led Him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year-- This successful Annas, as Ellicott remarks, was appointed high priest by Quirinus, A.D. 12, and after holding the office for several years, was deposed by Valerius Gratius, Pilate's predecessor in the procuratorship of Judea [Josephus, Antiquities, 18.2.1, &c.]. He appears, however, to have possessed vast influence, having obtained the high priesthood, not only for his son Eleazar, and his son-in-law Caiaphas, but subsequently for four other sons, under the last of whom James, the brother of our Lord, was put to death [Antiquities, 20.9.1]. It is thus highly probable that, besides having the title of "high priest" merely as one who had filled the office, he to a great degree retained the powers he had formerly exercised, and came to be regarded practically as a kind of rightful high priest. Joh 18:14: Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. See on Joh 11:51. What passed between Annas and our Lord during this interval the beloved disciple reserves till he has related the beginning of Peter's fall. To this, then, as recorded by our own Evangelist, let us meanwhile listen. Peter Obtains Access within the Quadrangle of the High Priest's Residence, and Warms Himself at the Fire (Mr 14:53, 54).


<hi type="bold">53. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled--</hi>or rather, "there gathered together unto him."

<hi type="bold">all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes--</hi>it was then a full and formal meeting of the Sanhedrim. Now, as the first three Evangelists place all Peter's denials of his Lord after this, we should naturally conclude that they took place while our Lord stood before the Sanhedrim. But besides that the natural impression is that the scene around the fire took place overnight, the second crowing of the cock, if we are to credit ancient writers, would occur about the beginning of the fourth watch, or between three and four in the morning. By that time, however, the Council had probably convened, being warned, perhaps, that they were to prepare for being called at any hour of the morning, should the Prisoner be successfully secured. If this be correct, it is fairly certain that only the last of Peter's three denials would take place while our Lord was under trial before the Sanhedrim. One thing more may require explanation. If our Lord had to be transferred from the residence of Annas to that of Caiaphas, one is apt to wonder that there is no mention of His being marched from the one to the other. But the building, in all likelihood, was one and the same; in which case He would merely have to be taken perhaps across the court, from one chamber to another.

53. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled-- or rather, "there gathered together unto him." all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes-- it was then a full and formal meeting of the Sanhedrim. Now, as the first three Evangelists place all Peter's denials of his Lord after this, we should naturally conclude that they took place while our Lord stood before the Sanhedrim. But besides that the natural impression is that the scene around the fire took place overnight, the second crowing of the cock, if we are to credit ancient writers, would occur about the beginning of the fourth watch, or between three and four in the morning. By that time, however, the Council had probably convened, being warned, perhaps, that they were to prepare for being called at any hour of the morning, should the Prisoner be successfully secured. If this be correct, it is fairly certain that only the last of Peter's three denials would take place while our Lord was under trial before the Sanhedrim. One thing more may require explanation. If our Lord had to be transferred from the residence of Annas to that of Caiaphas, one is apt to wonder that there is no mention of His being marched from the one to the other. But the building, in all likelihood, was one and the same; in which case He would merely have to be taken perhaps across the court, from one chamber to another.


<hi type="bold">54. And Peter followed him afar off, even into--</hi>or "from afar, even to the interior of."

<hi type="bold">the palace of the high priest--</hi>"An oriental house," says Robinson, "is usually built around a quadrangular interior court; into which there is a passage (sometimes arched) through the front part of the house, closed next the street by a heavy folding gate, with a smaller wicket for single persons, kept by a porter. The interior court, often paved or flagged, and open to the sky, is the hall, which our translators have rendered 'palace,' where the attendants made a fire; and the passage beneath the front of the house, from the street to this court, is the porch. The place where Jesus stood before the high priest may have been an open room, or place of audience on the ground floor, in the rear or on one side of the court; such rooms, open in front, being customary. It was close upon the court, for Jesus heard all that was going on around the fire, and turned and looked upon Peter (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.61">Lu 22:61</reference>)."

<hi type="bold">and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire--</hi>The graphic details, here omitted, are supplied in the other Gospels. <reference osisRef="John.18.18">Joh 18:18</reference>:

<hi type="bold">And the servants and officers stood there--</hi>that is, in the hall, within the quadrangle, open to the sky.

<hi type="bold">who had made a fire of coals--</hi>or charcoal (in a brazier probably).

<hi type="bold">for it was cold--</hi>John alone of all the Evangelists mentions the material, and the coldness of the night, as Webster and Wilkinson remark. The elevated situation of Jerusalem, observes Tholuck, renders it so cold about Easter as to make a watch fire at night indispensable.

<hi type="bold">And Peter stood with them and warmed himself--</hi>"He went in," says Matthew (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.58">Mt 26:58</reference>), "and sat with the servants to see the end." These two minute statements throw an interesting light on each other. His wishing to "see the end," or issue of these proceedings, was what led him into the palace, for he evidently feared the worst. But once in, the serpent coil is drawn closer; it is a cold night, and why should not he take advantage of the fire as well as others? Besides, in the talk of the crowd about the all-engrossing topic he may pick up something which he would like to hear. Poor Peter! But now, let us leave him warming himself at the fire, and listening to the hum of talk about this strange case by which the subordinate officials, passing to and fro and crowding around the fire in this open court, would while away the time; and, following what appears the order of the Evangelical Narrative, let us turn to Peter's Lord.

<hi type="bold">Jesus Is Interrogated by Annas--</hi>His Dignified Reply--Is Treated with Indignity by One of the Officials--His Meek Rebuke (<reference osisRef="John.18.19-John.18.23">Joh 18:19-23</reference>).

 We have seen that it is only the Fourth Evangelist who tells us that our Lord was sent to Annas first, overnight, until the Sanhedrim could be got together at earliest dawn. We have now, in the same Gospel, the deeply instructive scene that passed during this non-official interview.

 <reference osisRef="John.18.19">Joh 18:19</reference>:

<hi type="bold">The high priest--</hi>Annas.

<hi type="bold">then asked Jesus of His disciples and of His doctrine--</hi>probably to entrap Him into some statements which might be used against Him at the trial. From our Lord's answer it would seem that "His disciples" were understood to be some secret party.

 <reference osisRef="John.18.20">Joh 18:20</reference>.

<hi type="bold">Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world--</hi>compare <reference osisRef="John.7.4">Joh 7:4</reference>. He speaks of His public teaching as now a past thing--as now all over.

<hi type="bold">I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort--</hi>courting publicity, though with sublime noiselessness.

<hi type="bold">and in secret have I said nothing--</hi>rather, "spake I nothing"; that is, nothing different from what He taught in public: all His private communications with the Twelve being but explanations and developments of His public teaching. (Compare <reference osisRef="Isa.45.19">Is 45:19</reference>; <reference osisRef="Isa.48.16">48:16</reference>).

 <reference osisRef="John.18.21">Joh 18:21</reference>:

<hi type="bold">Why askest thou Me? ask them which heard Me what I have said to them--</hi>rather, "what I said unto them."

<hi type="bold">behold, they know what I said--</hi>From this mode of replying, it is evident that our Lord saw the attempt to draw Him into self-crimination, and resented it by falling back upon the right of every accused party to have some charge laid against Him by competent witnesses.

 <reference osisRef="John.18.22">Joh 18:22</reference>:

<hi type="bold">And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest Thou the high priest so?--</hi>(see <reference osisRef="Isa.50.6">Is 50:6</reference>). It would seem from <reference osisRef="Acts.23.2">Ac 23:2</reference> that this summary and undignified way of punishment what was deemed insolence in the accused had the sanction even of the high priests themselves.

 <reference osisRef="John.18.23">Joh 18:23</reference>:

<hi type="bold">Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil--</hi>rather, "If I spoke evil," in reply to the high priest.

<hi type="bold">bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou Me?--</hi>He does not say "if not evil," as if His reply had been merely unobjectionable; but "if well," which seems to challenge something altogether fitting in the remonstrance. He had addressed to the high priest. From our Lord's procedure here, by the way, it is evident enough that His own precept in the Sermon on the Mount--that when smitten on the one cheek we are to turn to the smiter the other also (<reference osisRef="Matt.5.39">Mt 5:39</reference>)--is not to be taken to the letter.

 Annas Sends Jesus to Caiaphas (<reference osisRef="John.18.24">Joh 18:24</reference>).

 <reference osisRef="John.18.24">Joh 18:24</reference>.

<hi type="bold">Now Annas had sent Him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest--</hi>On the meaning of this verse there is much diversity of opinion; and according as we understand it will be the conclusion we come to, whether there was but one hearing of our Lord before Annas and Caiaphas together, or whether, according to the view we have given above, there were two hearings--a preliminary and informal one before Annas, and a formal and official one before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrim. If our translators have given the right sense of the verse, there was but one hearing before Caiaphas; and then <reference osisRef="John.18.24">Joh 18:24</reference> <hi type="bold">is to be read as a parenthesis, merely supplementing what was said in <reference osisRef="John.18.13">Joh 18:13</reference>. This is the view of Calvin, Beza, Grotius, Bengel, De Wette, Meyer, Lucke, Tholuck. But there are decided objections to this view. First: We cannot but think that the natural sense of the whole passage, embracing <reference osisRef="John.18.13">Joh 18:13</reference>, <reference osisRef="John.14.19-John.14.24">14, 19-24</reference>, is that of a preliminary non-official hearing before "Annas first," the particulars of which are accordingly recorded; and then of a transference of our Lord from Annas to Caiaphas. Second: On the other view, it is not easy to see why the Evangelist should not have inserted <reference osisRef="John.18.24">Joh 18:24</reference> immediately after <reference osisRef="John.18.13">Joh 18:13</reference>; or rather, how he could well have done otherwise. As it stands, it is not only quite out of its proper place, but comes in most perplexingly. Whereas, if we take it as a simple statement of fact, that after Annas had finished his interview with Jesus, as recorded in <reference osisRef="John.18.19-John.18.23">Joh 18:19-23</reference>, he transferred Him to Caiaphas to be formally tried, all is clear and natural. Third: The pluperfect sense "had sent" is in the translation only; the sense of the original word being simply "sent." And though there are cases where the aorist here used has the sense of an English pluperfect, this sense is not to be put upon it unless it be obvious and indisputable. Here that is so far from being the case, that the pluperfect "had sent" is rather an unwarrantable interpretation than a simple translation of the word; informing the reader that, according to the view of our translators, our Lord "had been" sent to Caiaphas before the interview just recorded by the Evangelist; whereas, if we translate the verse literally--</hi>"Annas sent Him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest"--we get just the information we expect, that Annas, having merely "precognosced" the prisoner, hoping to draw something out of Him, "sent Him to Caiaphas" to be formally tried before the proper tribunal. This is the view of Chrysostom and Augustine among the Fathers; and of the moderns, of Olshausen, Schleiermacher, Neander, Ebrard, Wieseler, Lange, Luthardt. This brings us back to the text of our second Gospel, and in it to

 The Judicial Trial and Condemnation of the Lord Jesus by the Sanhedrim (<reference osisRef="Mark.14.55-Mark.14.64">Mr 14:55-64</reference>).

 But let the reader observe, that though this is introduced by the Evangelist before any of the denials of Peter are recorded, we have given reasons for concluding that probably the first two denials took place while our Lord was with Annas, and the last only during the trial before the Sanhedrim.

54. And Peter followed him afar off, even into-- or "from afar, even to the interior of." the palace of the high priest-- "An oriental house," says Robinson, "is usually built around a quadrangular interior court; into which there is a passage (sometimes arched) through the front part of the house, closed next the street by a heavy folding gate, with a smaller wicket for single persons, kept by a porter. The interior court, often paved or flagged, and open to the sky, is the hall, which our translators have rendered 'palace,' where the attendants made a fire; and the passage beneath the front of the house, from the street to this court, is the porch. The place where Jesus stood before the high priest may have been an open room, or place of audience on the ground floor, in the rear or on one side of the court; such rooms, open in front, being customary. It was close upon the court, for Jesus heard all that was going on around the fire, and turned and looked upon Peter (Lu 22:61)." and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire-- The graphic details, here omitted, are supplied in the other Gospels. Joh 18:18: And the servants and officers stood there-- that is, in the hall, within the quadrangle, open to the sky. who had made a fire of coals-- or charcoal (in a brazier probably). for it was cold-- John alone of all the Evangelists mentions the material, and the coldness of the night, as Webster and Wilkinson remark. The elevated situation of Jerusalem, observes Tholuck, renders it so cold about Easter as to make a watch fire at night indispensable. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself-- "He went in," says Matthew (Mt 26:58), "and sat with the servants to see the end." These two minute statements throw an interesting light on each other. His wishing to "see the end," or issue of these proceedings, was what led him into the palace, for he evidently feared the worst. But once in, the serpent coil is drawn closer; it is a cold night, and why should not he take advantage of the fire as well as others? Besides, in the talk of the crowd about the all-engrossing topic he may pick up something which he would like to hear. Poor Peter! But now, let us leave him warming himself at the fire, and listening to the hum of talk about this strange case by which the subordinate officials, passing to and fro and crowding around the fire in this open court, would while away the time; and, following what appears the order of the Evangelical Narrative, let us turn to Peter's Lord. Jesus Is Interrogated by Annas-- His Dignified Reply--Is Treated with Indignity by One of the Officials--His Meek Rebuke (Joh 18:19-23). We have seen that it is only the Fourth Evangelist who tells us that our Lord was sent to Annas first, overnight, until the Sanhedrim could be got together at earliest dawn. We have now, in the same Gospel, the deeply instructive scene that passed during this non-official interview. Joh 18:19: The high priest-- Annas. then asked Jesus of His disciples and of His doctrine-- probably to entrap Him into some statements which might be used against Him at the trial. From our Lord's answer it would seem that "His disciples" were understood to be some secret party. Joh 18:20. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world-- compare Joh 7:4. He speaks of His public teaching as now a past thing--as now all over. I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort-- courting publicity, though with sublime noiselessness. and in secret have I said nothing-- rather, "spake I nothing"; that is, nothing different from what He taught in public: all His private communications with the Twelve being but explanations and developments of His public teaching. (Compare Is 45:19; 48:16). Joh 18:21: Why askest thou Me? ask them which heard Me what I have said to them-- rather, "what I said unto them." behold, they know what I said-- From this mode of replying, it is evident that our Lord saw the attempt to draw Him into self-crimination, and resented it by falling back upon the right of every accused party to have some charge laid against Him by competent witnesses. Joh 18:22: And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest Thou the high priest so?-- (see Is 50:6). It would seem from Ac 23:2 that this summary and undignified way of punishment what was deemed insolence in the accused had the sanction even of the high priests themselves. Joh 18:23: Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil-- rather, "If I spoke evil," in reply to the high priest. bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou Me?-- He does not say "if not evil," as if His reply had been merely unobjectionable; but "if well," which seems to challenge something altogether fitting in the remonstrance. He had addressed to the high priest. From our Lord's procedure here, by the way, it is evident enough that His own precept in the Sermon on the Mount--that when smitten on the one cheek we are to turn to the smiter the other also (Mt 5:39)--is not to be taken to the letter. Annas Sends Jesus to Caiaphas (Joh 18:24). Joh 18:24. Now Annas had sent Him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest-- On the meaning of this verse there is much diversity of opinion; and according as we understand it will be the conclusion we come to, whether there was but one hearing of our Lord before Annas and Caiaphas together, or whether, according to the view we have given above, there were two hearings--a preliminary and informal one before Annas, and a formal and official one before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrim. If our translators have given the right sense of the verse, there was but one hearing before Caiaphas; and then Joh 18:24 is to be read as a parenthesis, merely supplementing what was said in Joh 18:13. This is the view of Calvin, Beza, Grotius, Bengel, De Wette, Meyer, Lucke, Tholuck. But there are decided objections to this view. First: We cannot but think that the natural sense of the whole passage, embracing Joh 18:13, 14, 19-24, is that of a preliminary non-official hearing before "Annas first," the particulars of which are accordingly recorded; and then of a transference of our Lord from Annas to Caiaphas. Second: On the other view, it is not easy to see why the Evangelist should not have inserted Joh 18:24 immediately after Joh 18:13; or rather, how he could well have done otherwise. As it stands, it is not only quite out of its proper place, but comes in most perplexingly. Whereas, if we take it as a simple statement of fact, that after Annas had finished his interview with Jesus, as recorded in Joh 18:19-23, he transferred Him to Caiaphas to be formally tried, all is clear and natural. Third: The pluperfect sense "had sent" is in the translation only; the sense of the original word being simply "sent." And though there are cases where the aorist here used has the sense of an English pluperfect, this sense is not to be put upon it unless it be obvious and indisputable. Here that is so far from being the case, that the pluperfect "had sent" is rather an unwarrantable interpretation than a simple translation of the word; informing the reader that, according to the view of our translators, our Lord "had been" sent to Caiaphas before the interview just recorded by the Evangelist; whereas, if we translate the verse literally-- "Annas sent Him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest"--we get just the information we expect, that Annas, having merely "precognosced" the prisoner, hoping to draw something out of Him, "sent Him to Caiaphas" to be formally tried before the proper tribunal. This is the view of Chrysostom and Augustine among the Fathers; and of the moderns, of Olshausen, Schleiermacher, Neander, Ebrard, Wieseler, Lange, Luthardt. This brings us back to the text of our second Gospel, and in it to The Judicial Trial and Condemnation of the Lord Jesus by the Sanhedrim (Mr 14:55-64). But let the reader observe, that though this is introduced by the Evangelist before any of the denials of Peter are recorded, we have given reasons for concluding that probably the first two denials took place while our Lord was with Annas, and the last only during the trial before the Sanhedrim.


<hi type="bold">55. And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death--</hi>Matthew (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.59">Mt 26:59</reference>) says they "sought false witness." They knew they could find nothing valid; but having their Prisoner to bring before Pilate, they behooved to make a case.

<hi type="bold">and found none--</hi>none that would suit their purpose, or make a decent ground of charge before Pilate.

55. And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death-- Matthew (Mt 26:59) says they "sought false witness." They knew they could find nothing valid; but having their Prisoner to bring before Pilate, they behooved to make a case. and found none-- none that would suit their purpose, or make a decent ground of charge before Pilate.


<hi type="bold">56. For many bare false witness against him--</hi>From their debasing themselves to "seek" them, we are led to infer that they were bribed to bear false witness; though there are never wanting sycophants enough, ready to sell themselves for naught, if they may but get a smile from those above them: see a similar scene in <reference osisRef="Acts.6.11-Acts.6.14">Ac 6:11-14</reference>. How is one reminded here of that complaint, "False witnesses did rise up: they laid to my charge things that I knew not" (<reference osisRef="Ps.31.11">Psa 31:11</reference>)!

<hi type="bold">but their witness agreed not together--</hi>If even two of them had been agreed, it would have been greedily enough laid hold of, as all that the law insisted upon even in capital cases (<reference osisRef="Deut.17.6">De 17:6</reference>). But even in this they failed. One cannot but admire the providence which secured this result; since, on the one hand, it seems astonishing that those unscrupulous prosecutors and their ready tools should so bungle a business in which they felt their whole interests bound up; and, on the other hand, if they had succeeded in making even a plausible case, the effect on the progress of the Gospel might for a time have been injurious. But at the very time when His enemies were saying, "God hath forsaken Him; persecute and take Him; for there is none to deliver Him" (<reference osisRef="Ps.71.11">Psa 71:11</reference>), He whose Witness He was and whose work He was doing was keeping Him as the apple of His eye, and while He was making the wrath of man to praise Him, was restraining the remainder of that wrath (<reference osisRef="Ps.76.10">Psa 76:10</reference>).

56. For many bare false witness against him-- From their debasing themselves to "seek" them, we are led to infer that they were bribed to bear false witness; though there are never wanting sycophants enough, ready to sell themselves for naught, if they may but get a smile from those above them: see a similar scene in Ac 6:11-14. How is one reminded here of that complaint, "False witnesses did rise up: they laid to my charge things that I knew not" (Psa 31:11)! but their witness agreed not together-- If even two of them had been agreed, it would have been greedily enough laid hold of, as all that the law insisted upon even in capital cases (De 17:6). But even in this they failed. One cannot but admire the providence which secured this result; since, on the one hand, it seems astonishing that those unscrupulous prosecutors and their ready tools should so bungle a business in which they felt their whole interests bound up; and, on the other hand, if they had succeeded in making even a plausible case, the effect on the progress of the Gospel might for a time have been injurious. But at the very time when His enemies were saying, "God hath forsaken Him; persecute and take Him; for there is none to deliver Him" (Psa 71:11), He whose Witness He was and whose work He was doing was keeping Him as the apple of His eye, and while He was making the wrath of man to praise Him, was restraining the remainder of that wrath (Psa 76:10).


<hi type="bold">57. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him--</hi>Matthew (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.60">Mt 26:60</reference>) is more precise here: "At the last came two false witnesses." As no two had before agreed in anything, they felt it necessary to secure a duplicate testimony to something, but they were long of succeeding. And what was it, when at length it was brought forward?

<hi type="bold">saying--</hi>as follows:

57. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him-- Matthew (Mt 26:60) is more precise here: "At the last came two false witnesses." As no two had before agreed in anything, they felt it necessary to secure a duplicate testimony to something, but they were long of succeeding. And what was it, when at length it was brought forward? saying-- as follows:


<hi type="bold">58. We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands--</hi>On this charge, observe, first, that eager as His enemies were to find criminal matter against our Lord, they had to go back to the outset of His ministry, His first visit to Jerusalem, more than three years before this. In all that He said and did after that, though ever increasing in boldness, they could find nothing. Next, that even then, they fix only on one speech, of two or three words, which they dared to adduce against Him. Further, they most manifestly pervert the speech of our Lord. We say not this because in Mark's form of it, it differs from the report of the words given by the Fourth Evangelist (<reference osisRef="John.2.18-John.2.22">Joh 2:18-22</reference>)--the only one of the Evangelists who reports it all, or mentions even any visit paid by our Lord to Jerusalem before His last--but because the one report bears truth, and the other falsehood, on its face. When our Lord said on that occasion, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," they might, for a moment, have understood Him to refer to the temple out of whose courts He had swept the buyers and sellers. But after they had expressed their astonishment at His words, in that sense of them, and reasoned upon the time it had taken to rear the temple as it then stood, since no answer to this appears to have been given by our Lord, it is hardly conceivable that they should continue in the persuasion that this was really His meaning. But finally, even if the more ignorant among them had done so, it is next to certain that the ecclesiastics, who were the prosecutors in this case, did not believe that this was His meaning. For in less than three days after this they went to Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, after three days I will rise again" (<reference osisRef="Matt.27.63">Mt 27:63</reference>). Now what utterance of Christ known to His enemies, could this refer to, if not to this very saying about destroying and rearing up the temple? And if so, it puts it beyond a doubt that by this time, at least, they were perfectly aware that our Lord's words referred to His death by their hands and His resurrection by His own. But this is confirmed by <reference osisRef="Mark.14.59">Mr 14:59</reference>.

58. We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands-- On this charge, observe, first, that eager as His enemies were to find criminal matter against our Lord, they had to go back to the outset of His ministry, His first visit to Jerusalem, more than three years before this. In all that He said and did after that, though ever increasing in boldness, they could find nothing. Next, that even then, they fix only on one speech, of two or three words, which they dared to adduce against Him. Further, they most manifestly pervert the speech of our Lord. We say not this because in Mark's form of it, it differs from the report of the words given by the Fourth Evangelist (Joh 2:18-22)--the only one of the Evangelists who reports it all, or mentions even any visit paid by our Lord to Jerusalem before His last--but because the one report bears truth, and the other falsehood, on its face. When our Lord said on that occasion, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," they might, for a moment, have understood Him to refer to the temple out of whose courts He had swept the buyers and sellers. But after they had expressed their astonishment at His words, in that sense of them, and reasoned upon the time it had taken to rear the temple as it then stood, since no answer to this appears to have been given by our Lord, it is hardly conceivable that they should continue in the persuasion that this was really His meaning. But finally, even if the more ignorant among them had done so, it is next to certain that the ecclesiastics, who were the prosecutors in this case, did not believe that this was His meaning. For in less than three days after this they went to Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, after three days I will rise again" (Mt 27:63). Now what utterance of Christ known to His enemies, could this refer to, if not to this very saying about destroying and rearing up the temple? And if so, it puts it beyond a doubt that by this time, at least, they were perfectly aware that our Lord's words referred to His death by their hands and His resurrection by His own. But this is confirmed by Mr 14:59.


<hi type="bold">59. But neither so did their witness agree together--</hi>that is, not even as to so brief a speech, consisting of but a few words, was there such a concurrence in their mode of reporting it as to make out a decent case. In such a charge everything depended on the very terms alleged to have been used. For every one must see that a very slight turn, either way, given to such words, would make them either something like indictable matter, or else a ridiculous ground for a criminal charge--would either give them a colorable pretext for the charge of impiety which they were bent on making out, or else make the whole saying appear, on the worst view that could be taken of it, as merely some mystical or empty boast.

59. But neither so did their witness agree together-- that is, not even as to so brief a speech, consisting of but a few words, was there such a concurrence in their mode of reporting it as to make out a decent case. In such a charge everything depended on the very terms alleged to have been used. For every one must see that a very slight turn, either way, given to such words, would make them either something like indictable matter, or else a ridiculous ground for a criminal charge--would either give them a colorable pretext for the charge of impiety which they were bent on making out, or else make the whole saying appear, on the worst view that could be taken of it, as merely some mystical or empty boast.


<hi type="bold">60. Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?--</hi>Clearly, they felt that their case had failed, and by this artful question the high priest hoped to get from His own mouth what they had in vain tried to obtain from their false and contradictory witnesses. But in this, too, they failed.

60. Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?-- Clearly, they felt that their case had failed, and by this artful question the high priest hoped to get from His own mouth what they had in vain tried to obtain from their false and contradictory witnesses. But in this, too, they failed.


<hi type="bold">61. But he held his peace, and answered nothing--</hi>This must have nonplussed them. But they were not to be easily baulked of their object.

<hi type="bold">Again the high priest--</hi>arose (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.62">Mt 26:62</reference>), matters having now come to a crisis.

<hi type="bold">asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?--</hi>Why our Lord should have answered this question, when He was silent as to the former, we might not have quite seen, but for Matthew, who says (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.63">Mt 26:63</reference>) that the high priest put Him upon solemn oath, saying, "I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God." Such an adjuration was understood to render an answer legally necessary (<reference osisRef="Lev.5.1">Le 5:1</reference>). (Also see on <reference osisRef="John.18.28">Joh 18:28</reference>.)

61. But he held his peace, and answered nothing-- This must have nonplussed them. But they were not to be easily baulked of their object. Again the high priest-- arose (Mt 26:62), matters having now come to a crisis. asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?-- Why our Lord should have answered this question, when He was silent as to the former, we might not have quite seen, but for Matthew, who says (Mt 26:63) that the high priest put Him upon solemn oath, saying, "I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God." Such an adjuration was understood to render an answer legally necessary (Le 5:1). (Also see on Joh 18:28.)


<hi type="bold">62. And Jesus said, I am--</hi>or, as in Matthew (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.64">Mt 26:64</reference>), "Thou hast said [it]." In Luke, however (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.70">Lu 22:70</reference>), the answer, "Ye say that I am," should be rendered--as De Wette, Meyer, Ellicott, and the best critics agree that the preposition requires--"Ye say [it], for I am [so]." Some words, however, were spoken by our Lord before giving His answer to this solemn question. These are recorded by Luke alone (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.67">Lu 22:67</reference>, <reference osisRef="Luke.22.68">68</reference>): "Art Thou the Christ [they asked]? tell us. And He said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: and if I also ask [interrogate] "you, ye will not answer Me, nor let Me go." This seems to have been uttered before giving His direct answer, as a calm remonstrance and dignified protest against the prejudgment of His case and the unfairness of their mode of procedure. But now let us hear the rest of the answer, in which the conscious majesty of Jesus breaks forth from behind the dark cloud which overhung Him as He stood before the Council. (Also see on <reference osisRef="John.18.28">Joh 18:28</reference>.)

<hi type="bold">and--</hi>in that character.

<hi type="bold">ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven--</hi>In Matthew (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.64">Mt 26:64</reference>) a slightly different but interesting turn is given to it by one word: "Thou hast said [it]: nevertheless"--We prefer this sense of the word to "besides," which some recent critics decide for--"I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sit on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." The word rendered "hereafter" means, not "at some future time" (as to-day "hereafter" commonly does), but what the English word originally signified, "after here," "after now," or "from this time." Accordingly, in <reference osisRef="Luke.22.69">Lu 22:69</reference>, the words used mean "from now." So that though the reference we have given it to the day of His glorious Second Appearing is too obvious to admit of doubt, He would, by using the expression, "From this time," convey the important thought which He had before expressed, immediately after the traitor left the supper table to do his dark work, "Now is the Son of man glorified" (<reference osisRef="John.13.31">Joh 13:31</reference>). At this moment, and by this speech, did He "witness the good confession" emphatically and properly, as the apostle says in <reference osisRef="1Tim.6.13">1Ti 6:13</reference>. Our translators render the words there, "Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed"; referring it to the admission of His being a King, in the presence of Cæsar's own chief representative. But it should be rendered, as Luther renders it, and as the best interpreters now understand it, "Who under Pontius Pilate witnessed," &c. In this view of it, the apostle is referring not to what our Lord confessed before Pilate--which, though noble, was not of such primary importance--but to that sublime confession which, under Pilate's administration, He witnessed before the only competent tribunal on such occasions, the Supreme Ecclesiastical Council of God's chosen nation, that He was THE Messiah, and THE Son of the Blessed One; in the former word owning His Supreme Official, in the latter His Supreme Personal, Dignity.

62. And Jesus said, I am-- or, as in Matthew (Mt 26:64), "Thou hast said [it]." In Luke, however (Lu 22:70), the answer, "Ye say that I am," should be rendered--as De Wette, Meyer, Ellicott, and the best critics agree that the preposition requires--"Ye say [it], for I am [so]." Some words, however, were spoken by our Lord before giving His answer to this solemn question. These are recorded by Luke alone (Lu 22:67, 68): "Art Thou the Christ [they asked]? tell us. And He said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: and if I also ask [interrogate] "you, ye will not answer Me, nor let Me go." This seems to have been uttered before giving His direct answer, as a calm remonstrance and dignified protest against the prejudgment of His case and the unfairness of their mode of procedure. But now let us hear the rest of the answer, in which the conscious majesty of Jesus breaks forth from behind the dark cloud which overhung Him as He stood before the Council. (Also see on Joh 18:28.) and-- in that character. ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven-- In Matthew (Mt 26:64) a slightly different but interesting turn is given to it by one word: "Thou hast said [it]: nevertheless"--We prefer this sense of the word to "besides," which some recent critics decide for--"I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sit on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." The word rendered "hereafter" means, not "at some future time" (as to-day "hereafter" commonly does), but what the English word originally signified, "after here," "after now," or "from this time." Accordingly, in Lu 22:69, the words used mean "from now." So that though the reference we have given it to the day of His glorious Second Appearing is too obvious to admit of doubt, He would, by using the expression, "From this time," convey the important thought which He had before expressed, immediately after the traitor left the supper table to do his dark work, "Now is the Son of man glorified" (Joh 13:31). At this moment, and by this speech, did He "witness the good confession" emphatically and properly, as the apostle says in 1Ti 6:13. Our translators render the words there, "Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed"; referring it to the admission of His being a King, in the presence of Cæsar's own chief representative. But it should be rendered, as Luther renders it, and as the best interpreters now understand it, "Who under Pontius Pilate witnessed," &c. In this view of it, the apostle is referring not to what our Lord confessed before Pilate--which, though noble, was not of such primary importance--but to that sublime confession which, under Pilate's administration, He witnessed before the only competent tribunal on such occasions, the Supreme Ecclesiastical Council of God's chosen nation, that He was THE Messiah, and THE Son of the Blessed One; in the former word owning His Supreme Official, in the latter His Supreme Personal, Dignity.


<hi type="bold">63. Then the high priest rent his clothes--</hi>On this expression of horror of blasphemy, see <reference osisRef="2Kgs.18.37">2Ki 18:37</reference>.

 and saith, What need we any further witnesses? (Also see on <reference osisRef="John.18.28">Joh 18:28</reference>.)

63. Then the high priest rent his clothes-- On this expression of horror of blasphemy, see 2Ki 18:37. and saith, What need we any further witnesses? (Also see on Joh 18:28.)


<hi type="bold">64. Ye have heard the blasphemy--</hi>(See <reference osisRef="John.10.33">Joh 10:33</reference>). In Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.71">Lu 22:71</reference>), "For we ourselves have heard of His own mouth"--an affectation of religious horror. (Also see on <reference osisRef="John.18.28">Joh 18:28</reference>.)

<hi type="bold">what think ye?--</hi>"Say what the verdict is to be."

<hi type="bold">they all condemned him to be guilty of death--</hi>or of a capital crime, which blasphemy against God was according to the Jewish law (<reference osisRef="Lev.24.16">Le 24:16</reference>). Yet not absolutely all; for Joseph of Arimathea, "a good man and a just," was one of that Council, and "he was not a consenting party to the counsel and deed of them," for that is the strict sense of the words of <reference osisRef="Luke.23.50">Lu 23:50</reference>, <reference osisRef="Luke.23.51">51</reference>. Probably he absented himself, and Nicodemus also, from this meeting of the Council, the temper of which they would know too well to expect their voice to be listened to; and in that case, the words of our Evangelist are to be taken strictly, that, without one dissentient voice, "all [present] condemned him to be guilty of death."

 The Blessed One Is Now Shamefully Entreated (<reference osisRef="Mark.14.65">Mr 14:65</reference>).

 Every word here must be carefully observed, and the several accounts put together, that we may lose none of the awful indignities about to be described.

64. Ye have heard the blasphemy-- (See Joh 10:33). In Luke (Lu 22:71), "For we ourselves have heard of His own mouth"--an affectation of religious horror. (Also see on Joh 18:28.) what think ye?-- "Say what the verdict is to be." they all condemned him to be guilty of death-- or of a capital crime, which blasphemy against God was according to the Jewish law (Le 24:16). Yet not absolutely all; for Joseph of Arimathea, "a good man and a just," was one of that Council, and "he was not a consenting party to the counsel and deed of them," for that is the strict sense of the words of Lu 23:50, 51. Probably he absented himself, and Nicodemus also, from this meeting of the Council, the temper of which they would know too well to expect their voice to be listened to; and in that case, the words of our Evangelist are to be taken strictly, that, without one dissentient voice, "all [present] condemned him to be guilty of death." The Blessed One Is Now Shamefully Entreated (Mr 14:65). Every word here must be carefully observed, and the several accounts put together, that we may lose none of the awful indignities about to be described.


<hi type="bold">65. And some began to spit on him--</hi>or, as in <reference osisRef="Matt.26.67">Mt 26:67</reference>, "to spit in [into] His face." Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.63">Lu 22:63</reference>) says in addition, "And the men that held Jesus mocked him"--or cast their jeers at Him. (Also see on <reference osisRef="John.18.28">Joh 18:28</reference>.)

<hi type="bold">to cover his face--</hi>or "to blindfold him" (as in <reference osisRef="Luke.22.64">Lu 22:64</reference>).

<hi type="bold">to buffet him--</hi>Luke's word, which is rendered "smote Him" (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.63">Lu 22:63</reference>), is a stronger one, conveying an idea for which we have an exact equivalent in English, but one too colloquial to be inserted here.

<hi type="bold">began to say unto him, Prophesy--</hi>In Matthew (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.68">Mt 26:68</reference>) this is given more fully: "Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote Thee?" The sarcastic fling at Him as "the Christ," and the demand of Him in this character to name the unseen perpetrator of the blows inflicted on Him, was in them as infamous as to Him it must have been, and was intended to be, stinging.

<hi type="bold">and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands--</hi>or "struck Him on the face" (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.64">Lu 22:64</reference>). Ah! Well did He say prophetically, in that Messianic prediction which we have often referred to, "I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting!" (<reference osisRef="Isa.50.6">Is 50:6</reference>). "And many other things blasphemously spake they against Him" (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.65">Lu 22:65</reference>). This general statement is important, as showing that virulent and varied as were the recorded affronts put upon Him, they are but a small specimen of what He endured on that dark occasion.

 Peter's First Denial of His Lord (<reference osisRef="Mark.14.66-Mark.14.68">Mr 14:66-68</reference>).

65. And some began to spit on him-- or, as in Mt 26:67, "to spit in [into] His face." Luke (Lu 22:63) says in addition, "And the men that held Jesus mocked him"--or cast their jeers at Him. (Also see on Joh 18:28.) to cover his face-- or "to blindfold him" (as in Lu 22:64). to buffet him-- Luke's word, which is rendered "smote Him" (Lu 22:63), is a stronger one, conveying an idea for which we have an exact equivalent in English, but one too colloquial to be inserted here. began to say unto him, Prophesy-- In Matthew (Mt 26:68) this is given more fully: "Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote Thee?" The sarcastic fling at Him as "the Christ," and the demand of Him in this character to name the unseen perpetrator of the blows inflicted on Him, was in them as infamous as to Him it must have been, and was intended to be, stinging. and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands-- or "struck Him on the face" (Lu 22:64). Ah! Well did He say prophetically, in that Messianic prediction which we have often referred to, "I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting!" (Is 50:6). "And many other things blasphemously spake they against Him" (Lu 22:65). This general statement is important, as showing that virulent and varied as were the recorded affronts put upon Him, they are but a small specimen of what He endured on that dark occasion. Peter's First Denial of His Lord (Mr 14:66-68).


<hi type="bold">66. And as Peter was beneath in the palace--</hi>This little word "beneath"--one of our Evangelist's graphic touches--is most important for the right understanding of what we may call the topography of the scene. We must take it in connection with Matthew's word (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.69">Mt 26:69</reference>): <hi type="bold">"Now Peter sat without in the palace"--</hi>or quadrangular court, in the center of which the fire would be burning; and crowding around and buzzing about it would be the menials and others who had been admitted within the court. At the upper end of this court, probably, would be the memorable chamber in which the trial was held--open to the court, likely, and not far from the fire (as we gather from <reference osisRef="Luke.22.61">Lu 22:61</reference>), but on a higher level; for (as our verse says) the court, with Peter in it, was "beneath" it. The ascent to the Council chamber was perhaps by a short flight of steps. If the reader will bear this explanation in mind, he will find the intensely interesting details which follow more intelligible.

<hi type="bold">there cometh one of the maids of the high priest--</hi>"the damsel that kept the door" (<reference osisRef="John.18.17">Joh 18:17</reference>). The Jews seem to have employed women as porters of their doors (<reference osisRef="Acts.12.13">Ac 12:13</reference>).

66. And as Peter was beneath in the palace-- This little word "beneath"--one of our Evangelist's graphic touches--is most important for the right understanding of what we may call the topography of the scene. We must take it in connection with Matthew's word (Mt 26:69): "Now Peter sat without in the palace"-- or quadrangular court, in the center of which the fire would be burning; and crowding around and buzzing about it would be the menials and others who had been admitted within the court. At the upper end of this court, probably, would be the memorable chamber in which the trial was held--open to the court, likely, and not far from the fire (as we gather from Lu 22:61), but on a higher level; for (as our verse says) the court, with Peter in it, was "beneath" it. The ascent to the Council chamber was perhaps by a short flight of steps. If the reader will bear this explanation in mind, he will find the intensely interesting details which follow more intelligible. there cometh one of the maids of the high priest-- "the damsel that kept the door" (Joh 18:17). The Jews seem to have employed women as porters of their doors (Ac 12:13).


<hi type="bold">67. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him--</hi>Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.56">Lu 22:56</reference>) is here more graphic; "But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire"--literally, "by the light," which, shining full upon him, revealed him to the girl--"and earnestly looked upon him"--or, "fixed her gaze upon him." His demeanor and timidity, which must have attracted notice, as so generally happens, "leading," says Olshausen, "to the recognition of him."

<hi type="bold">and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth--</hi>"with Jesus the Nazarene," or, "with Jesus of Galilee" (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.69">Mt 26:69</reference>). The sense of this is given in John's report of it (<reference osisRef="John.18.17">Joh 18:17</reference>), "Art not thou also one of this man's disciples?" that is, thou as well as "that other disciple," whom she knew to be one, but did not challenge, perceiving that he was a privileged person. In Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.56">Lu 22:56</reference>) it is given as a remark made by the maid to one of the by-standers--"this man was also with Him." If so expressed in Peter's hearing--drawing upon him the eyes of every one that heard it (as we know it did, <reference osisRef="Matt.26.70">Mt 26:70</reference>), and compelling him to answer to it--that would explain the different forms of the report naturally enough. But in such a case this is of no real importance.

67. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him-- Luke (Lu 22:56) is here more graphic; "But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire"--literally, "by the light," which, shining full upon him, revealed him to the girl--"and earnestly looked upon him"--or, "fixed her gaze upon him." His demeanor and timidity, which must have attracted notice, as so generally happens, "leading," says Olshausen, "to the recognition of him." and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth-- "with Jesus the Nazarene," or, "with Jesus of Galilee" (Mt 26:69). The sense of this is given in John's report of it (Joh 18:17), "Art not thou also one of this man's disciples?" that is, thou as well as "that other disciple," whom she knew to be one, but did not challenge, perceiving that he was a privileged person. In Luke (Lu 22:56) it is given as a remark made by the maid to one of the by-standers--"this man was also with Him." If so expressed in Peter's hearing--drawing upon him the eyes of every one that heard it (as we know it did, Mt 26:70), and compelling him to answer to it--that would explain the different forms of the report naturally enough. But in such a case this is of no real importance.


<hi type="bold">68. But he denied--</hi>"before all" (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.70">Mt 26:70</reference>).

<hi type="bold">saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest--</hi>in Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.57">Lu 22:57</reference>), "I know Him not."

<hi type="bold">And he went out into the porch--</hi>the vestibule leading to the street--no doubt finding the fire-place too hot for him; possibly also with the hope of escaping--but that was not to be, and perhaps he dreaded that, too. Doubtless by this time his mind would be getting into a sea of commotion, and would fluctuate every moment in its resolves.

<hi type="bold">AND THE COCK CREW--</hi>(See on <reference osisRef="Luke.22.34">Lu 22:34</reference>). This, then, was the First Denial.

 Peter's Second Denial of His Lord (<reference osisRef="Mark.14.69">Mr 14:69</reference>, <reference osisRef="Mark.14.70">70</reference>).

 There is here a verbal difference among the Evangelists, which without some information which has been withheld, cannot be quite extricated.

68. But he denied-- "before all" (Mt 26:70). saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest-- in Luke (Lu 22:57), "I know Him not." And he went out into the porch-- the vestibule leading to the street--no doubt finding the fire-place too hot for him; possibly also with the hope of escaping--but that was not to be, and perhaps he dreaded that, too. Doubtless by this time his mind would be getting into a sea of commotion, and would fluctuate every moment in its resolves. AND THE COCK CREW-- (See on Lu 22:34). This, then, was the First Denial. Peter's Second Denial of His Lord (Mr 14:69, 70). There is here a verbal difference among the Evangelists, which without some information which has been withheld, cannot be quite extricated.


<hi type="bold">69. And a maid saw him again--</hi>or, "a girl." It might be rendered "the girl"; but this would not necessarily mean the same one as before, but might, and probably does, mean just the female who had charge of the door or gate near which Peter now was. Accordingly, in <reference osisRef="Matt.26.71">Mt 26:71</reference>, she is expressly called "another [maid]." But in Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.58">Lu 22:58</reference>) it is a male servant: "And after a little while [from the time of the first denial] <hi type="bold">another"--</hi>that is, as the word signifies, "another male" servant. But there is no real difficulty, as the challenge, probably, after being made by one was reiterated by another. Accordingly, in John (<reference osisRef="John.18.25">Joh 18:25</reference>), it is, "They said therefore unto him, &c.--as if more than one challenged him at once.

<hi type="bold">and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them--</hi>or, as in <reference osisRef="Matt.26.71">Mt 26:71</reference>--"This [fellow] was also with Jesus the Nazarene."

69. And a maid saw him again-- or, "a girl." It might be rendered "the girl"; but this would not necessarily mean the same one as before, but might, and probably does, mean just the female who had charge of the door or gate near which Peter now was. Accordingly, in Mt 26:71, she is expressly called "another [maid]." But in Luke (Lu 22:58) it is a male servant: "And after a little while [from the time of the first denial] another"-- that is, as the word signifies, "another male" servant. But there is no real difficulty, as the challenge, probably, after being made by one was reiterated by another. Accordingly, in John (Joh 18:25), it is, "They said therefore unto him, &c.--as if more than one challenged him at once. and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them-- or, as in Mt 26:71--"This [fellow] was also with Jesus the Nazarene."


<hi type="bold">70. And he denied it again--</hi>In Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.58">Lu 22:58</reference>), "Man, I am not." But worst of all in Matthew--"And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man" (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.72">Mt 26:72</reference>). This was the Second Denial, more vehement, alas! than the first.

 Peter's Third Denial of His Lord (<reference osisRef="Mark.14.70-Mark.14.72">Mr 14:70-72</reference>).

<hi type="bold">70. And a little after--</hi>"about the space of one hour after" (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.59">Lu 22:59</reference>).

 they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: <hi type="bold">for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto--</hi>"bewrayeth [or 'discovereth'] thee" (<reference osisRef="Matt.26.73">Mt 26:73</reference>). In Luke (<reference osisRef="Luke.22.59">Lu 22:59</reference>) it is, "Another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this [fellow] also was with him: for he is a Galilean." The Galilean dialect had a more Syrian cast than that of Judea. If Peter had held his peace, this peculiarity had not been observed; but hoping, probably, to put them off the scent by joining in the fireside talk, he was thus discovered. The Fourth Gospel is particularly interesting here: "One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman [or kinsman to him] whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with Him?" (<reference osisRef="John.18.26">Joh 18:26</reference>). No doubt his relationship to Malchus drew his attention to the man who had smitten him, and this enabled him to identify Peter. "Sad reprisals!" exclaims Bengel. Poor Peter! Thou art caught in thine own toils; but like a wild bull in a net, thou wilt toss and rage, filling up the measure of thy terrible declension by one more denial of thy Lord, and that the foulest of all.

70. And he denied it again-- In Luke (Lu 22:58), "Man, I am not." But worst of all in Matthew--"And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man" (Mt 26:72). This was the Second Denial, more vehement, alas! than the first. Peter's Third Denial of His Lord (Mr 14:70-72). 70. And a little after-- "about the space of one hour after" (Lu 22:59). they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto-- "bewrayeth [or 'discovereth'] thee" (Mt 26:73). In Luke (Lu 22:59) it is, "Another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this [fellow] also was with him: for he is a Galilean." The Galilean dialect had a more Syrian cast than that of Judea. If Peter had held his peace, this peculiarity had not been observed; but hoping, probably, to put them off the scent by joining in the fireside talk, he was thus discovered. The Fourth Gospel is particularly interesting here: "One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman [or kinsman to him] whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with Him?" (Joh 18:26). No doubt his relationship to Malchus drew his attention to the man who had smitten him, and this enabled him to identify Peter. "Sad reprisals!" exclaims Bengel. Poor Peter! Thou art caught in thine own toils; but like a wild bull in a net, thou wilt toss and rage, filling up the measure of thy terrible declension by one more denial of thy Lord, and that the foulest of all.


<hi type="bold">71. But he began to curse--</hi>"anathematize," or wish himself accursed if what he was now to say was not true.

<hi type="bold">and to swear--</hi>or to take a solemn oath.

 saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

71. But he began to curse-- "anathematize," or wish himself accursed if what he was now to say was not true. and to swear-- or to take a solemn oath. saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.