they might kill Him, for they feared the people." (Luke xxil. 2.) Again : "They said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people." (Mark xiv. 2, and Matt. xxvi. 5.)
45. — [Then came the officers, etc.~\ It is not clear what interval of time elapsed between verse 32nd, where we read that the offi- cers were sent by the priests to take our Lord, and the present verse, where we are told of their coming back to their mas- ters.— At first sight of course it all happened in one day. Yet if we observe that between the sending them to take our Lord, and the present verse, there comes in the remarkable verse, "In the last day, that great day of the feast," it seems impos- sible to avoid the conclusion, that an interval of two or three days must have elapsed. — It seems highly probable that the offi- cers had a general commission and warrant to take our Lord prisoner, whenever they saw a fitting opportunity, about the fourth day of the feast. They found however no opportunity, on account of the temper and spirit of the crowd, and dared not make the attempt. And at last, at the end of the feast, when the multitude was even more aroused than at first, by our Lord's open testimony, they were obliged to return to those who sent them, and confess their inability to carry out their orders.
46. — [The officers answered, etc.'] The answer of the officers has probably a double application. They themselves felt the power of our Lord's speaking. They had never heard any man speak like this man. It tied their hands, and made them feel incapa- ble of doing anything against Him. — They had besides marked the power of His speaking over the minds of the multitude which gathered round Him. They had never seen any one ex- ercise such an influence over His hearers. They felt it useless to attempt arresting one who had such complete command over His audience. We cannot doubt that they bad heard much more " speaking" than the few things recorded between verses 32nd and 46th. These are only specimens of what our Lord said, and furnish a keynote to us indicating the general tenor of His teaching.
What it was precisely that the officers meant when they said "Never man spake like this man," we are left to conjecture. They probably meant that they had never heard any one speak such deep and important truths— in such simple and yet striking language — and in so solemn, impressive, and yet affectionate style. Above all, they probably meant that He spake with a dignified tone of authority, as a messenger from heaven, to which they were entirely unaccustomed.
47. — [Then answered them.. .Pharisees... ye.. .deceived?] The word rendered " deceived " means, literally, " led astray, or caused to err." Have you too been carried off by this new teaching? The question implies anger, sarcasm, ridicule, and displeasure.
48. — [Have any... rulers... Pharisees believed on him?] This arro-