Bible Commentaries

To accuse him. They changed the accusation, now that they had brought him before Pilate. The charge before their council was blasphemy; now, it is disaffection towards the Roman government.

I find no fault, &c. The conversation with Jesus, by which Pilate was satisfied of his innocence, is given in detail, John 18:29-38.

Herod's jurisdiction; Herod Antipas, son of old King Herod, who had ordered Jesus to be destroyed in infancy.

Had heard many things of him. See Matthew 14:1.

Set him at nought; mocked and ridiculed him.

That perverteth the people, from their allegiance to the Roman government.

No, nor yet Herod; though Herod treated him with indignity and ridicule, he acquitted him of all criminal designs.

I will chastise him. This proposal to subject Jesus to the punishment of scourging was intended as a compromise. Pilate did not consider him as really deserving of any punishment at all.

To their will; not to their custody, but to that of his own soldiers, to be dealt with according to their will.

Coming out of the country; that is, they met him as they were going out of the city. At first Jesus bore the cross himself. (John 19:17.)

In the dry. Our Savior here seems to refer to the terrible calamities which were to come upon the Jewish nation, at the approaching siege and destruction of Jerusalem.

Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, because those three languages were spoken in Jerusalem at this time. Laws and public proclamations are often, in conquered countries, published in different languages. The Hebrew was the native language; the Latin that of the Romans, who were the masters of the country at that time. The Greek had been previously introduced into the Jewish regions, by the conquests of Alexander.

Sixth hour; noon.

The centurion; the Roman officer who had charge of the execution.

And all the people, &c. It appears from Luke 23:27, that a large portion of the populace regarded Jesus with friendly feelings,and strongly deprecated these proceedings. They who cried, "Crucify him," were probably comparatively few, and were instigated to their hostility by the Jewish leaders.

A counsellor; a member of the Jewish council or Sanhedrim, mentioned in Luke 22:66.

Waited for, &c.; was interested in looking for its approach.

The preparation; that is, for the Sabbath.

Mark (Mark 15:40) mentions their names.

Prepared spices and ointments, making arrangements in part for the embalming of the body. These preparations were not completed until after the Sabbath. (Mark 16:1.)