The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 555

Vers. 1--5.-God's plans and man'• p'lces. The "sayings," "words," or discourses of Jesus here "finished," were begun on the Mount of Olives (see eh. xxiv. 1), nnd continued till he came to Bethany (see ver. 6). They were spoken, it would seem, publicly, wliile the sentence following was privately spoken "unto his disciples" (vor. :il). The matter of this sentence is intrinsically intensely interesting, and it is intorest- ing also from its relation to the consultation of the Sanhedrin next mentioned (Ycrs. 8---5). 'l'he subject remarkably illustrates two things, viz.- I. THAT Gon's PLANS ARE WISE AND BENEFICENT. 1. Here '10"' the prescience of Jaus. (1) He clearly and circumstantially foretells his death. Mark the contrast in his revelations: "The Son of man shall come in his glory" (eh. xxv. 31); "The Son of man is delivered up to be crucified." The literal fulfilment of the latter pledges the certainty of the former. (2) He had already very particularly foretold his de11th (see eh. ni. 21; x:x. 17; Mark x. 32-34). Now he precisely indicates the time: "After t,.-o days," i.e. on the third day, or with one full day intervening (cf. Hos. vi. 2). This was Wednesday; on Thursday night he was betrayed by Judas; Friday morning he was condemned by the Sanhedrin, and two hours later crucified by Pilate. (3) 'l'he calmness with which Jesus anticipated the horrors so soon to be experienced is truly admirable. It is explained by the prescience which carried him further (cf. eh. u:v. 31 ; Heh. xii. 2). 2. This prescience is dearly Divine. (1) The chief priests and rulers had for some time m<'ditated Lis death, and it was within the range of probability that they might accomplish their purpose. Dut what human forecast could have seen the circumstances and the time of the event? (2) These particulars, as he anticipated them, were against Luman probability. The plot was to destroy Jesus secretly, and therefore the execution of the purpose was to be deferred until after the feast (var. 5). Then the multitude would have dispersed, and the Galilaians in particular would have returned to their homes. (3) It was not until Judas made his overture that the plotters altered their plans, and resolved to risk the " tumult among the people." But the treachery of Iscariot was fully within the prescience of Jesus (see vers. 21-25). 3. It is the prescience of ,L'i.sdom and beneficence. (1) Jesus was sacrificed· at the Feast of the Passover as the antitype of the Paschal lamb. (a) This God distinguishes as especially his: "My sacrifice" (see Exod. xxiii. 18), viz. because it was instituted by him to be a special type of" the LAM11 OF GOD that beareth away the sin of the world" (see 1 Cor. v. 7). (b) The Paschal lamb was" a male of the first year," the symbol of excellence in its prime. So was Jesus, in the prime of bis peerless manhood, when offered up. (c) It was "without blemish." He was immaculate in his birth, and in his life and death he fulfilled all righteousness. (2) Wisdom is also seen in the time. (a), The word here construed" betrayed" is in the New Version rendered" delivered up,' the reference being to the setting apart of the lamb rather than to the treachery ot Judas. It refers to something accomplished. The lamb wo.s taken on the tenth day of the first month (see Exod. xii 1-3); and on this day Jesus entered Jerusalem (see John xii 1, 12, 13). (b) The Jamb was then to be kept" until the fourteenth day of the same month" (see Exod. xii. 6). On this day the true Paschal Lamb was ea.en• ficed. There is reason to believe that in this case, two days were kept, and .the right day was that upon which Jesus4 wae offered up. (c) The time of the day also was ex.a.et, viz." between the two evenings" (see Exod. xii 6, margin), i.e. between the sun'E declining west, at noon. and his setting, at about six in the afternoon. Jesllil was crucified at noon, and expired three hours later, exactly between the evenings (see eh. xxvii. 46--50). (3) The beneficence of this wisdom is seen in the purposes, As the blood of the Paschal lamb redeemed Israel from Egypt, and redeemed his firstbom from the sword of the destroyer, so are we redeemed from sin and death by the sacri- ficial blood of Christ. II. THAT RE HAKES MAN'S PLOTS SUBBEBVIENT TO THEM. 1. We see God's purposes in the assembly. (1) Who are they? "The chief priests , .. and the elders of the people," Little did they think that they were giving effect to the truth of prophecy; for it is written that "the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against his Christ" (see Ps. ii 2; xli. 7). It is also specified that the Paschal lamb sho~ld be offe~ed _br, th6 whole congregation : "The whole assembly of the congregation shall kill 1t (Exod. xii. 6). Here was the very Sanhedrin. (2) What a lesson of human depravity is here I "Tile cilief priests," and probably Caiaphas the high prie~t at the head of ce. x.xv1. 1-75,] THE OOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MAT':'llEW. 5Gl