confessed, that though he was to be " cut off, it was not for him- self " or, in other words, that " he was the true Messiah V] 2. His ineffectual attempts to save him — [Pilate, being convinced of the innocence of Jesus, was very averse to condemn him: yet, being afraid of offending the Jews, he did not dare to acquit him. Upon the mention of Galilee therefore, he was glad to get rid of the matter alto- gether, and to send the parties to Herod, to be judged by him. When this expedient failed, he tried to pacify the people, by offering to inflict on Jesus the milder punishment of scourging; (though he had no right to punish in that manner a person whom he knew to be innocent;) but this would not satisfy them : they thirsted for his blood ; and would be satisfied with nothing less. Perceiving that the chief priests and elders were the chief instigators of the people, he tried to secure his object by putting the matter entirely into the hands of the people ; amongst whom he supposed Jesus must have many friends. Accordingly he reminded them of a privilege, which by the courtesy of the Roman government they enjoyed, of having one criminal liberated at their request ; and, that there might be no comparison at all between the persons presented to their choice, he gave them the option of liberating Jesus, or a noted robber, rebel, and murderer, named Barabbas. This, however, through the influence of the priests, succeeded no better than the former devices. He therefore resorted to one more con- trivance. He thought that the people would feel themselves highly honoured if they might on this occasion have their privilege extended to the liberating of two instead of one ; and therefore, without expressing it in plain terms, he intimates to them, that if they chose to ask it, he would readily grant their request in favour of Jesus too: " What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ0?" But all was to no purpose: they were bent upon destroying Jesus, and would listen to no
proposal in his favour In their pertinacity however, we
see, that though they were free agents, and criminal in the highest degree, they did only what was from eternity fixed in " the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of Godd."]
3. His surrender of him to the will of his enemies —
[In proportion as Pilate wavered, the people became more urgent : and they would at last take no denial. Seeing there- fore his efforts of no avail, he set the murderer, Barabbas, at liberty, and gave up Jesus into their hands; first, to be scourged, (in hopes that their pity might be moved, when they should see " great furrows ploughed upon his back,") and then to suffer death upon the cross.
b Dan. ix. 2G. c Matt, xxvij. 22. a Acts ii. 23. and iv. 28.