the soldier being daunted by the appearance of the Eoman General Caius Marius, is weak and evasive. A whole cohort of Roman soldiers would not fall down without miraculous in- terference. If not a miracle, the event is utterly inexplicable and contrary to experience.
7. — [Then asked He them again, etc.] Our Lord repeats His ques- tion, as if to test the effect of the miraculous exhibition of power which He had just given to His enemies. But they were hardened, like Pharaoh and the Egyptians under the mi- raculous plagues of Egypt. As soon as they rose from the ground, they proved, that though frightened, they were not turned from tlieir purpose. They still seek to take Jesus of Nazareth.
8. — [Jesus answered...! am He.] The dignity and calmness of our Lord at this point are very striking. Knowing full well all the insults and barbarous usage about to begin in a few min- utes, He repeats His declaration. " I am He whom you seek. Behold Me; here I am, ready to surrender myself into your hands."
[// therefore. ..Me.. .let them. ..way.] The tender thoughtful- ness of our Lord for His weak disciples is strikmgly shown in this sentence. Even at this trying moment He thought more of others than of Himself. " If I alone am the person you seek to make prisoner, if your commission is to seize Me only, then let these my followers go away, and do not harm them." Once more, we need not doubt tliat the miraculous power accompa- nied these words, and that insensibly a restraint was laid upon our Lord's enemies, so that they felt obhged to let the disciples escape.
The tender sympathy and consideration of our great High Priest for His people come out very beautifully in this place, and would doubtless be remembered by the eleven long after- wards. They would remember that the very last thought of their Master, before He was nmde a prisoner, was for them and their safety.
Christ's protecting power over all His believing people is plainly taught in this passage.
Jansenius remarks, that to this saying we may attribute the safety of Peter, though he smote with the sword and got inside the high priest's palace, and of John, though he stood by the cross.
Besser quotes a saying of Luther, that this was as great a miracle as that of casting the party to the ground. To tie the hands of the party of Judas and prevent them touching His disciples, was a mighty exercise of Divine power.
9. — [That the. sayinrj might he fuljilled, etc.] In this verse we have one of tliose parenthetical comments or explanations