1.
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
against. Greek. kata. App-104 .
Jesus. App-98 .
to put Him, &c. = so that they might put Him, &c.
2.
And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3.
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
which had betrayed Him = that delivered Him up.
repented himself. Greek. matamelomai . App-111 .
the thirty pieces, &c. Compare Matthew 26:15 .
4.
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
sinned. App-128 . Literally "I sinned".
the innocent. (No Art.) The innocence of the Lord affirmed by six witnesses, three in Matthew and three in Luk_:1 . Judas (Matthew 27:4 );
2. Pilate (Matthew 27:24 );
3. Pilate's wife (Matthew 27:19 );
4. Herod (Luke 23:15 );
5. the malefactor (Luke 23:41 );
6. the Roman centurion (Luke 23:47 ).
innocent. Greek. athoos. Occurs only here, and Matthew 27:24 .
blood. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for the whole person, with a latent reference to Matthew 27:6 . Compare verses: Matthew 24:25 .Psalms 94:21 .Proverbs 1:11 .
What . . . &c. Ignoring both the Lord's innocence and Judas's guilt. see thou to that = thou wilt see [to it]. see. App-133 .
5.
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
in. Greek. en . App-104 . But all the texts read eis = into (vi) the Sanctuary, over the barrier into the Sanctuary.
Temple = the Sanctuary. Greek. naos. See note on Matthew 23:16 .
hanged himself. Greek. apagchomai . Occurs only here. Acts 1:18 describes what took place, in consequence, afterward. He must have been hanging before he could "fall forward". See note there. Greek. apagcho. Occurs only here (Matthew 27:5 ) in N.T. Septuagint for hanak. 2 Samuel 17:23 , only of Ahithophel, the type of Judas (Psalms 55:14 , Psalms 55:15 ). See note on Acts 1:18 .
6.
And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
because = since.
7.
And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
bought = purchased with money in the market. In Acts 1:18 , the word is not agorazo, as here, but ktaomai = acquired as a possession by purchase. Acts 1:18 refers to quite another transaction. See App-161 . There is no "discrepancy" except that which is created by inattention to the Greek words used.
with = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
field. Greek. agros, not chorion = a small holding, as in Acts 1:18 .
to bury strangers in = for (Greek. eis. App-104 .) a burying ground (Greek. taphe. Occurs only here) for foreigners.
8.
Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
9.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
spoken. Not "written", either by Jeremiah or Zechariah, but "spoken" by Jeremiah. Greek. to rhethen, not ho gegraptai. See App-161 .
by = by means of, or by [the mouth of]. Greek. dia. App-104 .Matthew 27:1 .
Jeremy = Jeremiah. of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
children = sons. App-108 .
10.
And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
as = according to what. Greek. katha. Occurs only here.
appointed. Greek. suntasso. Occurs only in Matthew (here and Matthew 26:19 ).
11.
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
Thou sayest = Thou thy self sayest [it]. A Hebraism.
12.
And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104 . Not the same as in verses: Matthew 27:9 , Matthew 27:21 .
nothing. Note the occasions of the Lord's silence and speech.
13.
Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
14.
And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
never = not one.
word. Greek. rhema. See note on Mark 9:32 .
15.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
people = crowd.
would. Greek. thelo . App-102 .
16.
And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Barabbas. Aramaic. See App-94 .
17.
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
will = choose. App-102 .
Christ = Messiah. App-98 .
18.
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
knew = was aware. Greek. oida.
for = on account of. Greek. dia.
19.
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
on = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same as in Matthew 25:30 .
unto. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Matthew 27:27 , Matthew 27:33 ; but same as in Matthew 27:62 .
I have suffered = I suffered.
a dream. Greek. onar. See note on Matthew 1:20 .
because of. Greek. dia.
20.
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
persuaded. See App-150 .
multitude = crowds.
ask = ask for (themselves).
21.
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22.
Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
crucified. See App-162 .
23.
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
evil. Greek. kakos. App-128 .
cried = kept crying
24.
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Was made = arose, or was brewing.
washed. Greek. aponipto . Occurs only here. See App-136 .
innocent = guiltless.
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 . Same as in verses: Matthew 27:9 , Matthew 27:57 . Not the same as in verses: Matthew 27:12 , Matthew 27:29 , Matthew 27:48 .
blood. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , for murder, as in Matthew 23:35 .Deuteronomy 19:12 .Psalms 9:12 .Hosea 1:4 .
Person = [One].
see ye = ye will see. Greek. opsomai. App-133 .
25.
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
on. Greek. epi . App-104 . Not the same as verses: Matthew 27:19 , Matthew 27:30 .
children = offspring. Greek. Plural of teknon. App-108 .
26.
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
scourged. Greek. phragelloo. Occurs only here, and Mark 15:15 .
delivered Him = handed Him over.
27.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
common hall = Praetorium. In Mark 15:16 it is called the aule, or open courtyard (compare Matthew 26:3 ). In John 18:28 , John 18:33 ; John 19:9 , it is Pilate's house, within the aule.
unto = against. Greek. epi . App-104 . Not the same as in verses: Matthew 27:19 , Matthew 27:33 , Matthew 27:45 , Mat 19:62 .
band. Render "cohort" and omit "of soldiers". The cohort contained about 600 men.
28.
And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
scarlet = purple.
robe. Greek. chlamus. Occurs only here, and Matthew 27:31 .
29.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
crown. Greek. Stephanos (used by kings and victors); not diadema, as in Revelation 12:3 ; Revelation 13:1 ; Revelation 19:12 .
upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .
in. Greek. epi. App-104 . But all the texts read in (as in verses: Matthew 27:27 , Matthew 27:5 , Matthew 27:60 ).
mocked Him: as foretold by Him in Matthew 20:17-19 , but they were only ignorantly fulfilling His own word, as well as the Father's purpose.
Hail. ! Compare Matthew 28:9 .
30.
And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
upon = at. Greek. eis. App-104 .
smote = kept heating.
on. Greek. eis. Same word as "upon", Matthew 27:30 .
31.
And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
to = for to. Greek. eis (with Inf.) App-104 .
32.
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
him = this [man].
compelled. See note on Matthew 5:41 .
33.
And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
unto. Greek. eis. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Matthew 27:19 , Matthew 27:27 , Matthew 27:45 , Mat 19:62 .
Golgotha. An Aramaic word, from the Hebrew Gulgoleth (see App-94 .Judges 9:53; Judges 9:53 . 2 Kings 9:35 ). Nothing is said about a "green hill". But an elevation, which we speak of as being a "head", "shoulder", or "neck". The Latin is calvaria = a skull. Hence Eng. Calvary.
34.
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
They gave Him . . . drink. Note the five occasions on which this was done; and observe the accuracy of what is said, instead of creating "discrepancies":
1. On the way to Golgotha (Mark 15:23 = were offering, Imperfect Tense), He did not drink.
2. When they arrived there (Matthew 27:33 ), He tasted it, but would not drink.
3. Later, by the soldiers after He was on the cross (Luke 23:36 ), probably at their own meal.
4. Later still, a proposal made by some and checked by others, but afterward carried out (Matthew 27:48 ).
5. The last about the ninth hour, in response to the Lord's call (John 19:29 ).
vinegar. In the first case, it was wine (Greek. oinon) drugged with myrrh (see Mark 15:22 , Mark 15:23 ). 2. In the second case, it was "vinegar (Greek. oxos) mingled with gall" (Greek. chole) (Matthew 27:33 ). 3. In the third case, it was "sour wine" (Greek. oxos) , (Luke 23:36 ). 4. In the fourth case it was also "sour wine" (Greek. oxoa), (Matthew 27:48 , as in Matthew 27:34 ). 5. In the fifth case it was the same (Greek. oxoa) , (John 19:28 ). These then were the five occasions and the three kinds of drink.
tasted. See notes above. He would not. Greek. thelo.
35.
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
ported His garments. This fulfilled Psalms 22:18 ; and marks a fixed point in the series of events, which determines the time of others.
36.
And sitting down they watched him there;
watched = were keeping.
guard over. (Note the Imperf. Tense.)
37.
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
set up over His head. This is not therefore the inscription written by Pilate and put upon the cross before it left Pilate's presence (John 19:19 ); this was brought after the dividing of the garments; and was probably the result of the discussion of John 19:21 , John 19:22 . See App-163 .
over. Greek. epano = up over. See note "upon", Matthew 28:2 .
THIS, &c. For these capital letters see App-48 .
38.
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Then. After the parting of the garments. See App-163 .
two thieves = two robbers. Greek. lestia. Therefore not the two "malefactors" (Greek. kakourgoi) of Luke 23:32 , who "were led with Him to be put to death", and came to Calvary and were crucified with Him (Luke 23:33 ). These two "robbers" were brought later. Note the word "Then" (Matthew 27:38 ). See App-164 .
with = together with: i.e. in conjunction (not association). Greek. sun. App-104 .
one on, &c. See App-164 .
39.
And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
passed = were passing. Another indication that it was not the Passover day. See App-166 .
40.
And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Thou that, &c. Perverting the Lord's words (John 2:19 ). Compare Matthew 6:18 .
the Son of God. App-98 .
from = off. Greek. apo. App-104 . Same as in w. 42, 45, 55, 64.
41.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
also the chief priests = the chief priests also.
said = kept saying.
42.
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
He saved. Note the Alternation here, in the Greek. In Eng. it is an Introversion. j | Others k | He saved j | Himself k | He cannot save.
others. App-124 .
cannot = is not (Greek. ou, as in Matthew 27:6 ) able to.
If he be, &c. The condition is assumed. See App-118 . All the texts omit "if", and read "he is" (in irony).
43.
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
trusted. See App-150 . Quoted from Psalms 22:8 .
if He will. The condition assumed, as in Matthew 27:42 . Compare Psalms 18:19 ; Psalms 41:11 .
44.
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
cast . . . teeth = kept reviling Him. Both the robbers reviled; but only one of the malefactors (Luke 23:39 , Luke 23:40 ). See App-164 .
45.
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
the sixth hour. Noon. See App-165 .
there was darkness. No human eyes must gaze on the Lord's last hours.
land. Greek. ge. App-109 .
unto = until. See App-165 .
the ninth hour. 3pm. See App-165 .
46.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
about. Greek. peri. App-104 . Eli, Eli, lama sabachtnani. The English transliteration of the Greek, which is the Greek transliteration of the Aram, ' eli , ' eli , lamah 'azabhani. The whole expression is Aramaic. See App-94 . Words not reported in Luke or John. Quoted from Psalms 22:1 . See the notes there. Thus, with the Lord's last breath He gives Divine authority to the O.T. See App-117 . Note the "seven words" from the cross: (1) Luke 23:34 ; (2) Luke 23:43 ; (3) John 19:26 , John 19:27 ; (4) Matthew 27:46 ; (5) John 19:28 ; (6) John 19:30 ; (7) Luke 23:46 .
47.
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
Elias. Greek for Elijah. Mistaken by the hearers for the Hebrew (or Aramaic) 'eliy-yah.
48.
And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
vinegar. Greek. oxos. See notes on Matthew 27:34 .
gave = was offering.
49.
The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
will come = is coming. Reference to Mai. Matthew 4:5 .
50.
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
ghost = spirit. Greek. pneuma. See App-101 .
51.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
the veil. Greek. katapetasma = that which is spread out downward, or that which hangs down. Septuagint for Hebrew. masak, (Exodus 26:37 ; Exodus 35:12 ; Exodus 40:5 ). Occ only here; Mark 15:38 . Luke 23:45 .Hebrews 6:19 ; Hebrews 9:3 ; Hebrews 10:20 . Not the same word as in 1 Corinthians 11:15 , or as in 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 (Exodus 34:33 , &c).
in = into. Greek. eis. Not the same word as in verses: Matthew 27:5 , Matthew 27:19 , Matthew 27:29 , Matthew 5:40 , Matthew 5:43 , Mat 5:59 , Mat 5:60 .
from the top = from above, as in Luke 1:3 . See note there. Greek. anothen. First of thirteen occurrences.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Matthew 27:51-53 .
rent = were rent.
52.
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
graves = tombs.
arose = were waked. All the texts read "were raised". Is this the resurrection referred to in Romans 1:3 ? See notes there. Greek. egersis = awaking rousing up, or arising. Occurs only here. Compare John 12:24 . They thus fulfilled the Lord's word in John 5:25 .
53.
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
out of. Greek. ek.
after. Gr . meta. App-104 .
resurrection = arising He rose: they were raised.
the holy city. See note on Matthew 4:5 .
appeared: privately. Greek. emphanizo. See App-106 .
54.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
saw = having seen.
55.
And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
beholding. Greek. theoreo. App-133 .
afar off = from (Greek. apo. App-104 .) afar.
which = who : i.e. such as.
Galilee. App-169 .
56.
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
which. Denoting a class: referring to Matthew 27:55 .
Zebedee's. See note on Matthew 4:21 .
57.
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
also himself = himself also.
was, &c. = had been discipled to Jesus.
58.
He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
He = This [man]. The Lord was thus buried by two secret disciples. See John 19:38 , John 19:39 . Compare Mark 15:42 , Mark 15:43 .Luke 23:50-53 .
delivered = given up. Compare Matthew 18:25-34 .
59.
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60.
And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
laid it. See note on Isaiah 53:9 .
new = Greek. kainos. See note on Matthew 9:17 ; Matthew 26:28 , Matthew 26:29 . Here = not newly hewn, but fresh; i.e. unused and as yet undefiled by any dead body.
tomb = monument. Greek. mnemeion.
sepulchre = tomb, as above. Not the same word as in Matthew 27:61 .
departed. When Joseph rolled the stone against the door he departed; when the angel rolled it away, he "sat upon it" (Matthew 28:2 ).
61.
And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
Mary . . . Mary. See App-100 .
sepulchre. Greek. taphos = burying-place. Not the same -word as in Matthew 27:60 .
62.
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
that followed. This was the "high Sabbath" of John 19:42 , not the weekly Sabbath of Matthew 28:1 . See App-156 .
the day of the preparation. See App-156 and App-166 .
63.
Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Sir. See App-98 .
remember = [have been] reminded.
deceiver = impostor.
After three days. They had heard the Lord say this in Matthew 12:39 , Matthew 12:40 . This is how they understood the "three days and three nights". See App-144 and App-166 ,; compare "after" in Matthew 27:53 .
64.
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
made sure = secured.
the third day. See App-148 .
the dead. See App-139 .
error = deception.
the first. They do not say what the first was. It may be the crucifixion itself.
65.
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Ye have. Or, Ye may have.
a watch = a guard: the word being a transliteration of the Latin custodia, consisting of four soldiers (Acts 12:4 ). See note there. Greek. koustodia. Occurs only in Matthew (here, and in Matthew 28:11 ).
can = know [how]. Greek. oida. App-132 .
66.
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
and setting a watch = with (Greek. meta, as in verses: Matthew 27:34 , Matthew 27:41 , Matthew 27:54 . Not as in verses: Matthew 27:7 , Matthew 27:38 ) the watch: i.e. in the presence of the watch, leaving them to keep guard.