The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 528

7 ; of. Ps. xxxviii. 13, 14). HB knew it we.a Almighty God. Coming in the clouds et of no use, nnd was not the moment, to heaven (eh. xxiv. 30). Chriat thus dis- e'llplnin the mystery of the words which tinctly asserts bis Divinity, and claims to he b11d need. Indeed, it was unfair to a.k apply to himself the utterance in Ps. ex I, him to explain the diecrep11ncies in the and the great prophecy of Daniel (vii. 13, alleged testimony. "Attempts at defence 14). This was the plainest e.11d most specific were unprofltnhle, no man hearing. For this declaration of bill real nature, power, and was e. show only of a court of justice, but in attributes,_ me.Je with calm majesty, though tt-uth an onset of robbers, e.esailing him be knew 1t was to seal his condemnation, without cause, e.a in II cave or on the road" and open the immediate way to his death. (St. Chysostom, in we.). The ce.se was best Ver. 65.-The high priest rent his clothes met by a majestic silence. Answered. (.-a /µ&..-aa). His outer garments, not his Puzzled and embarrassed by Christ's per- pontifical vestment, which lie woultl not sistent silence. C11iaphe.s at last proceeds to wear on this OCCBllion. St. Mark notes that put to him a question which he mu1t he rent his under clothes, hill tunic; so answer, and which must lead to some probably he tore both outer and inner gar- definite result. I adjure thee by the living ments. '!'his was done in assumed horror ·God. The high priest now a<ldresses Jesus at Christ's blasphemy (cf. 2 Kings xviii. 37; officially as the minister of Jehovah, and xix. 1), rabbinical injunctions requiring puts him under an oath to make e.n answer. such an action, and prescribing the nature, To such e.n e.djure.tion a reply was abso- extent, and direction of the sciasure. "This lutely necessary, e.nd the Law held a man he did," says Chrysostom, " to add force to guilty who kept silence under such circum- the accusation, and to increase the weigLt stances (Lev. 'f. 1). The Christ, the Son of of his words hy the act." His aasensors, God. It is not to be supposed that Caiaphe.a though fully agreeing with hiln, appear not by these words intended to imply tbe.t to have followed his example in this par- Mesai~h we.a one with God, of one nature, ticular, taking the high priest's action as power, and eternity. It is not likely that typical and sufficiently expressive of the he had risen above the popular Jewish con- genera.I sentiment. The Fathers see in it ception of Messiah, which was of one a symbol of the rending and destruction of inferior to God, though invested with certain the Jewish priesthood ( cf. 1 Sam. xv. 27, Divine attributes. But he had heard that 28; 1 Kings xi. 30, 31). He hath spoken Jesus had more than once claimed God as blasphemy. In claiming to be the Son of his Father, so he now, as he hopes, will God, not in a theocratic sense, but by nature, force a confession from the Prisoner's lips, me.king himself oue with Jehovall. This which will set the question at rest one way we.s what Caie.phas had been desiring. No or the other,and give him ground for decisive mor~ discussion wu neetled; Christ was action, and enable him to denounce Christ self-convicted. What further need have we either as an acknowledged impostor or a of witnesses 1 He was doubtless relieved to blasphemer. His language is, perhaps, find that the Prisoner !Jad saved him from based on the second psalm, vers. 2, 6, etc. the trou!Jle of seeking, suborning, and Ver. 64.-Thou hast ea.id; Jb ,l1r,u (ver. examining o.ny more witnesses. Ye have 25); in St. Mark, l-ycI, ,1µ,. This is a strong heard; ye heard just now. All the assembly affirmative asseveration, and on Christ's could now testify to the truth of the alle- lips carries with it the full meaning of the gation. words used by Caie.phas, "I am the Ver. 66.-What think ye 1 He wishes to Messiah, the Son of the Blcfsed One, Gou get t\ vote by acclaumtion, not in a formal of God, of one substance with the l<'alher." way, e.s to the guilt of Christ and the Nevertheless (1r>.~v); i.e. in spite of yolll' punishment which he deserved. He is guilty incredulity. But there is no direct opposi- of ((voxos, worthy of, liable to) death. This tion intended between the previous o.nd the was the punishment pronounced by the Law following statements; so 1r>.¾v would be on blasphemy (Lev. x.riv. 16); the ueath. better translated, but moreover, or what ia was, however, to be by stoning (Acts viL more. Hereafter; li.1r<1.pn From this moment, 58). This dote.ii, as they consitlered it, was beginning from now, from my PIIB~ion, my now exclusively in the hands of the Romans. triumph and my reign are iuo.ugurated. We see tho.t this meeting, which viitually ,Shall ye seo. Ye, the rcpresentotivc,s of doomed Christ to d~ath, was not a regulo.r Israel, shall sec the eyents a.bout to be con- council of the Sllnhedrin; for it was not held summated, the preludes of the great o.ssize, in the appointed cbambcr,o.nd was contlucted o.nd the coming of Messiah's kingdom. The at night, when oriminal processes were for- Son of man. Goel and yet man; me.n now bidden. The meeting noxt morning (eh. in weakness and humility, a.bout to display :uvii. I) was convened for the purpose of anti give inconteeto.ble proofs of his Godhead. considering how this . informnl sentence Bight hand of power. Of Omnipotence, of should be executed. 631 TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [oa. xxvi. 1-75,