The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 525

buy one." Two of them had then exhibited was of wide application, and contained a tlie weapons with wliioh they bad artucd universal truth; it wa.a, in fa.et, a fe-onaot- themscl l'Cs, as if ready to repel violence. ment of the primieve.l law touohing the A.nd now one of these, thinking that the sacredness of human life, and the penalty boor was nrrived for striking a blow in that ensues on ita infringement (Gen. ix. bis MUBter's defenoe, resorted to violence. 5, 6). It enforced also the genero.l lesson Physiool courage, inneed, Peter possessed, that violence and revenge effect no good as wo.s proved by his a ;titude in the faoe of end, and bring their own punishment, There fearful odds, but of u1r,ral courage he and is no prophecy here (as some suppose) of his comrades exhibited little evidence, when, the destruction of the Jews at the ho.nde as soon as their M~-was apprehended of the Romans; nor is Christ intent on and led away, they "all forsook him, o.nd soothing Peter by the thought of the future fled" (ver. 56). Struok a (tlie) servant of retribution which a.waited the enemies whom the high priest's. The man was the high he was so eager to chastise. Suoh sugges- priest's servant in a special way-what we tions are arbitrary and nil.warranted by the should call his body-serva.nt; he had context. c-.-idently mRde himself conspicuons in the Ver. 53.-Thinkest thou that I oannot o.rrest, and Peter struck fiercely at his head now (lipTa) pray to (,rapc,cczA"1·111, be,eech) as the foremost of the aggressors. St. John, my Father I Jesus proceeds to show thai who was acquainted with the high priest he needs not Pater's puny e.ssiata.nce. ~H and his household. gives his name as 5o,c•is; An pu.tas f Or thinkeat thou f The Jl'Ialchus, a Syriac word. meaning ''Counsel- particle, neglected by the A.uthorized Ver- lor." Smote off his ear. The blow fell sion, marks the transition to a new motive; short, but inflicted a serious wound. How The verb ,rr,pa.,cczA•ia, ha.a the special meaning the mischief was repaired by the hen.ling of "to summon with authority," "to call touch of Christ is mentioned a.lone by Luke upon as an ally." Peter needed still to \he physician, for whom the incident would learn the lesson of Christ's Divinity, hi11 have special interest. We may note. in onene11s with the Fo.thcr; and this is passing, that this miracle (the last which furnished by the right interpretation of this Christ worked before his death) we.s wholly word. which we.a not, as our version seems unsolicited and unexpected on the part of to make it, the cry of an inferior to one the recipient, and was performed upon an mightier than himself, but the summons of enemy actua.lly engaged in hostility. What an equal to his great Ally in heaven. So more striking proof of the Lord's mercy Jesus virtually says, "Ho.ve I not power and forgiveness could have been given? through my own Godhead to summon my What better way could there he of demon- Father to support me?" (Sewell, 'Microscope strating the nature of the kingdom which of the New Testa.ment '). Shall presently he came to establish? ThtlS he displayed give me (',rr,pa<TT1)1TH ,,.a, l!pn). •The A.utho- his superhuman pol"l"er even while surrender- rized Version eeema to have read lipT< twice, ing himself to captivity and death. By "now . . . presently." - The manuscript&· this immediate action too he secured his show it only once, but •vary its position. followers from reprisal, so that they were It moat probably belongs to the fltst clause. allowed to retire unmolested. aud Peter, The verb rendered "give" has a more t.hongh recognized to have been one of those pregnant meaning. It is a military' term in the garden (John xviii. 26), was not meaning " to place by •the side," " to po_st· punished for his part in the transaction. on one's flank." Hence the Lord implies Ver. 52.-l'ut up again thy sword into that at a word the serried ranks of angels his (it,) plaoe. Christ orders Peter to would range themselves at- his side, true sheathe his sword : but the wording is flank-comrades, to defend and support him pecul.ie.r, Turn away (hocTTpe,J,011) thy sword; Twelve legions of angels, Not a dozen weak &S if Christ woulJ say, " The sword is none men. He employs the Roman term" legion" of mine; the arm of flesh and tho carnal with intention. He had been arrested by weapon are thine; turn off thy sword from a cohort (John xviii 3, 12, ,r,reipa), the the ll88 which thou art making of it tu its tenth part of tl!e legion, which numbered proper destination, to be wielded only at six thouao.nd men ; he could. if he chose, God's command." Then be gives a motive call to his a.id twelve times six thousand for this injunction. For all they that take angels, who would deliver their Lord from {o/ ~lwns) the 1word shall perish with his enemies. If there was to be an appeal the nvord. There is a stress on the word to force, which Peter'a rash assault sug- "take," and there is an imperative force gested, what oonlcl withstand his a.ngelio in the .future, " shall perish." The Lord allies, the heavenly host9! infinitely -more i.i speaking of those who arbitrarily and numerous, better disciplined, mote effectively presumptuously resort tD violence; and he officered, prompt and happy to do tl!.e will imys, "Let them fod the sword." The word of the greo.t Commandt:r ? oe. xxv1. 1-75.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 631