Bible Commentaries

1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

Ver. 1. After two days] Two days after the former discourse. This Sun of righteousness shone most amiably toward his going down.

2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

Ver. 2. Not on the feast day] And yet they did it on the feast day, as loth to lose the opportunity then offered them by Judas the traitor. But God had a special hand in it, that by the circumstance of time Christ might appear to be the true passover. He was crucified on the very true day of that feast.

3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

Ver. 3. Of spikenard very precious] Or pure, right, sincere, αδολον, not sophisticate, or adulterate; so Theophylact interprets it. But Scultetus saith it was spikenard of Opis, a town not far from Babylon, whence the most precious odours and ointments were transported into other parts ( πιστικης, melius better δπιστικης).

4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

Ver. 4. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:8"}

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

Ver. 5. Three hundred pence] That Isaiah 52:1-15 French pounds and more, as Budaeus computes it. She spared for no cost.

They murmured against her] {a} But Judas began: so dangerous a thing it is to converse with hypocrites. One rotten sheep may rot the rest. Uvaque conspecta livorem ducit ab una. Great danger there is, if not of infection, yet of defection. Peter by his halting compelled others to do so too, Galatians 2:13, ενεβριμωντο.

{a} Murmur et fremitus indignantium significatur. Beza.

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

Ver. 6. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:10"}

7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

Ver. 7. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:11"}

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Ver. 8. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:12"}

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Ver. 9. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:13"}

10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

Ver. 10. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:14"}

11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Ver. 11. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:15"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:16"}

12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

Ver. 12. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:17"}

13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

Ver. 13. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:17"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:18"}

14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

Ver. 14. The guest chamber] In a private house, for the whole city was then turned into a great inn, for the receipt of strangers that came up to the feast.

15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

Ver. 15. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:18"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:19"}

16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Ver. 16. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:18} {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:19}

17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

Ver. 17. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:20"}

18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

Ver. 18. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:21"}

19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

Ver. 19. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:22"}

20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

Ver. 20. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:23"}

21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Ver. 21. Good were it for that man] For his own particular: for otherwise, in respect of the glory of God’s justice, in that man’s righteous condemnation, good it was that he was born.

22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

Ver. 22. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:26"} The Lord’s supper is (as Justin Martyr saith) τροφη ευχαριστηθεισα, food made up all of thanksgiving.

23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

Ver. 23. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:27"}

24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Ver. 24. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:28"}

25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

Ver. 25. I will drink no more] ουκετι ου μη, "I will not, not, not drink;" so Hebrews 13:5; "I will not, not, not forsake thee." Our Saviour here seemeth to allude to that grace cup (as they call it), after which they might not eat anything more till the day following.

26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

Ver. 31. I will not deny thee] The Syriac addeth Mari, that is, Domine mi, my God. And this he affirmed, magis ex abundanti. So did Pendleton the apostate, when he said to Sanders the martyr, with greatest vehemence, I will see the uttermost drop of this grease of mine molten away, and the last gobbet of this flesh consumed to ashes, before I will forsake God and his truth. (Acts and Mon.)

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

Ver. 32. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:36"}

33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

Ver. 33. Began to be sore amazed] Animo et corpore per horrescere, horripilari, ορθοτριχειν. Now it was, that he took that terrible cup at his Father’s hands, and drunk it off all at once, which we must else have been sipping and sucking at throughout all eternity.

34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Ver. 36. Abba, Father] Father, Father, with greatest earnestness. This was an effectual prayer, had he said no more. God can feel breath in prayer, Lamentations 3:56.

Not what I will, but, &c.] Aposiopesis emphatica, saith Beza.

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

Ver. 37. Couldst thou not watch] How, then, wilt thou die with me? So how will they endure wounds for Christ, that cannot endure words? See Jeremiah 12:5.

38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

Ver. 40. Neither wist they what to answer] They were ashamed to excuse it, yet fell again into it.

41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Ver. 41. Sleep on now, take your rest] If you can, at least, or have any mind to it, with so many swords and halberds about your ears. They were in heaviness, and yet are sharply reproved for relapsing so often into the same sin. Let not us be more mild than Christ was, but deal freely and faithfully with all.

42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Ver. 42. Rise up, let us go] To meet the enemy in the face. See how courageous he grew upon his prayers.

43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

Ver. 43. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:47"}

44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

Ver. 44. Had given them a token] συσσημον. Signum consignans, vel commune signum de composito datum; a watchword, or as soldiers call it, the word.

45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

Ver. 47. And one of them] Beza gathered from this text that Mark received not this Gospel from Peter, because Peter would no less have confessed this rashness in himself than he had done his denial of his Master.

And cut off his ear] This was his indiscreet zeal, proceeding ab affectu carnis, non ab afflatu Spiritus sancti, from the flesh, not spirit. (Piscator.)

48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

Ver. 51. And there followed him a certain young man] That this was St John, Calvin counts a fancy. He might be one well affected to Christ, who, bearing the noise, came to see the news, and hardly escaped with the skin of his teeth; such is the rudeness and rage of persecutors.

52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

Ver. 52. And there followed him a certain young man] That this was St John, Calvin counts a fancy. He might be one well affected to Christ, who, bearing the noise, came to see the news, and hardly escaped with the skin of his teeth; such is the rudeness and rage of persecutors.

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

Ver. 53. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:57"}

54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Ver. 54. At the fire] προς το φως. At the light, or by the light, that is (say some), by the candle light (for that discovered him), referring ad lumen to the light, to sedens. to sitting.

55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

Ver. 55. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:59"}

56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

Ver. 56. Agreed not] ισαι ουκ ησαν. Were not matches, or amounted not to an accusation of death.

57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

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.

59 But neither so did their witness agree together.

60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

Ver. 61. The Son of the Blessed?] So God is called, because to be everlastingly blessed and praised of men and angels. Hence God is frequently set forth in the commentaries of the Hebrew doctors by Baruch-hu, He that is blessed. So Zacharias begins his canticle with, "Blessed is the Lord God," &c., Luke 1:68.

62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Ver. 62. {See Trapp on "Matthew 24:30"} {See Trapp on "Luke 22:70"} {See Trapp on "Luke 22:71"}

63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

Ver. 63. Rent his clothes] So they used to do in case of blasphemy, to signify that their very hearts were rent with grief at so sad a hearing.

64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

Ver. 64. They all condemned him] As a blasphemer, because he made himself the Son of God. This may comfortably assure us that we are freed by Christ from that crime of blasphemy we stand guilty of, for affecting a deity in our first parents.

65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Ver. 65. Prophesy] Est hic sarcasmus amarulentissimus. (Piscator.) This is a most bitter taunt.

66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

Ver. 66. {See Trapp on "Matthew 26:69"}

67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

Ver. 68. He went out] Thinking to steal away, and here he heard the cock, but recanted not.

69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

Ver. 71. To curse and to swear] Let him that stands, take heed, &c. Cavebis autem si pavebis. God had a sweet providence in all this, that Peter might be an eyewitness of our Saviour’s sufferings.

72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

Ver. 72. And when he thought thereon] Or adding to his grief, proportioning his sorrow to his sin; {a} or, throwing his garment over his head (which was the garb of deep mourners, 2 Samuel 15:30; Ezra 6:12), so Theophylact expounds it. Or, prorupit in fletum, he burst out and wept. That is an impudent fable, that, long after this, he solicited the blessed virgin, after her assumption, to intercede to Christ for pardon of his thrice denying him, and that Christ thereupon made him and his successors his vicars here, &c. As Xaverius reporteth in Peter’s life, written by him in the Persian language.

{a} Augens, id est, abunde flevit, επιβαλων.