The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 564

they find a point of agreement in hostility to ChriRt. (3) Thus they treated as 11 robber him that came to "restore" that he "took not 11way" (see Ps. lxix. 4). He became a prisoner tlrnt ho might set us at liberty. "If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way" (eee John xviii. 8, 9). (4) "I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye ook me not." How comes this change in your conduct? Is it not unreasonable and inconsistent? Why come clandestinely in the night? Who looks most like the c:riminal? III. TnE BUDMIBBION OF JEBUB TO Goo. 1. For the vindication of his truth. (1) •How then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" Jesus carried the Law of God in his heart. (2) They were "a great multitude" that came to arrest him, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled which saith, "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me!" (Ps. iii. 1). (3) By being pursued as a thief, "he was numbered with the transgressors" (Isa. !iii. 12). This Scripture met a further accomplishment when ho was afterwards crucified between two malafactors (see Mark xv. 27, 28). (4) He was shamefully deserted by his disciples. In their conduct they evinced (a) unfaithfulness, (b) unkindness, (c) ingratitude, (cl) folly. For why should they through fear of death forsake the Fountain of life (see John vi. 67, 68)? But thia desertion was to be a part of Messiah's suffering (cf. Job xix. 13; Ps. xxxviii. 11; Isa. !xiii. 3-5). (5) The Scripture must be fulfilled that Christ should be "led as a lamb to the slaughter" (Isa. !iii. 7). Had he summoned the angels, he would not have been so led. Note: Nothing must be Jone against the fulfilment of the Scriptures. 2. For the vindicatic>n of Ms goodness. (1) The sword of the Lord was drawn against Christ (seo Zech. xiii. 7). The Great One had to be smitten that the "little ones" might go free. (2) The Redeemer of mankind ban afterwards to become the Intercessor for the salvation of believers. (3) He had to become the Example of the triumph of patience, of the victories of suffering. He accordingly denounced the human doctrine of victory by the sword, by asserting the converse, viz. "A.11 they that take the sword shall 1>erish by the sword." (4) History has given its verdict. The Jews who put our Lord to death by the sword of the Romans perished by the same Roman sword. The Romans who used the sword against Chri~t perished by the sword of the Goths. The doom of persecuting Churches and of persecutors also is pre-written here (see Rev. xiii. 10). Reflect: A.re there not still found among the disciples: 1. Those who betray Christ and his cause? 2. Wbo deny him and his people? 3. Who abandon him, his cause, his people, and his truth ?-J. A.. M. Vers. 57-68.-The demoralized council. The tribunal before which JesWI wu arraigned was corn posed of "all the chief priests," with the high priest at their head, and all the "elders and scribes." It was the Sanhedrin, by the Jews claimed to have originated in the time of Moses, and by learned critics acknowledged to have been at least as ancient as the time of Jonathan Maccabreus. Once a venerable judicial assembly, it had now degenerated into a cab11L I. ITS COUNCILLOBB ARE MURDERERS. 1. They had beforehand plotted the death of Jesus. (1) The faithfulness of bis preaching had mortified their pride. The spirit of murder was in the hatred and resentment which they cherished toward him. (2) After the raising of Lazarus, they consulted together what they must do to the Miracle- worker, and Caiaphas gave forth his memorable decision. In advising assassination, he prophesied under an inspiration which he did not understand. His accomplices understood him only as he intended. "So from that day forth thoy took counsel that they might put Jesus to death" (see John xii. 45-53). "Man proposeth; God disposeth." (3) Fear from the popularity of Jesus alone prevented them from procuring his assassination without even the eernblauce of a trial (see Luks u. 19; xxii. 2). How questionable is the virtue that is fostered by fear! (4) Judas It.new his market. He knew where "blood-money" could be procured (see eh. xxvii. 3-8). Satan, in the councillors, was "glad" to "commune" with "Sat11n" in the traitor (see Luke xxii. 3-6). 2. They assembled fo carry their plot into effect. (1) They first resolve to ruin Jesus, then seek out the means to do it. So notorious was this that it is recorded as an historic fact (cf. ver. 69; Acts vi. 11-13). (2) There is murder in their haste. The Jewish ca.uons enjoin th11t "Capit.u causes should be 5i0 TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW, [OR. xxvr. 1-75.