The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 565

tried in the day, and punished in the day." But with indecent hMte, In the same night that their treachery succeeded in seizing Jesus, the court is gathered. 'l'bey were evidently waiting for the summons. And he is condemned in the night. It was " the hour" as well as "the power of darkness." (3) Note: That gate of the city looking toward Gethsemane was called "the sheep-gate," because the animals appointed for sacrifice were led that way. Admire the providence whioh ordained that through this gate also the very Lnmb of God shouls. be led to the slaughter. The La,., prescribed that the victims for sacrifice should be led to the priest (see Lev. xviii. 6). Herein also is a prophecy. One evangelist records that Jesus was first led to Annas (see John x:viii. 13). This was to honour Annas, and to gain time for the assembling of the council. God makes the subtlety of the devil in men to praise him. II. THE WITh"ESSES ARE LIARS. 1. They cannot give a consistent testimony. (1) No man could be legally condemned upon the testimony of a single witness (see Deut. xvii. 6). The witnesses must also agree in their testimony. They must speak with "one mouth." The unsupported testimony of a single witness is stronger than the conflicting testimony of many. (2) The number of the witnesses against Jesus was sufficient. The retainers of the priests knew that "they sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death," and "many false witnesses" accordingly "came" (cf. vers. 59, 60; Ps. xxvii. 12; xxxv. 11; Mark xiv. 66). (3) But their testimony was conflicting. Suborned men are bound to say something for their hire. But "the legs of the lame are not equal." This would be evident under cross-examination from Joseph of Arimathrea; and possibly Nicodemus also was found to be a protestant (see Luke xxiii. 50, 51; John xix. 39). 2. They/ail to prove an offence against the Law. (1) Blasphemy was an offence against the Law, punishable with death (see Lev. x:r.iv. 16). But what is blasphemy? To speak evil of God, or malicionsly to rail against or deny his work. (2) The Jews bad a traditional disposi- tion to account it blasphemy to predict the destruction of the temple (cf. Jer. xxvi. 11, 12; Acts vi. 13, 14). The Pharisees also confounded their traditions with the Law. (3) By means of this tradition, then, they sought to fasten the crime of blasphemy upon Jesus. Two 'ltltne~ses deposed, •• This Man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." Here note: (a) They were in a strait when, they had to go back to what had passed three years before (see Mark xiv. 58; John ii. 19). (b) This allegation was, in effect, a falsity; for it suppressed some words of Christ, with the action which explained them, and added words be had not spoken. False testimony lays bold on some basis of truth. Half-truths are often the most vicious lies. (c) In perverting the meaning of the words of Jesus, his enemies uncon- sciously bring about their fulfilment. 3. The fudges themselves became lying witnesses. (1) Jesus bad maintained a dignified silence while the other witnesses gave their evidence. It was too manifestly frivolous and malicious to require explanation or refutation. "There is a time to speak, and a time to keep silence." (2) Caiaphas then sought to make Jesus a witness against himself (see ver. 62). Still he held his peace (see Ps. xx.xviii. 12-14; Isa. liii. 7). The personal Word, like the written Word, declines to answer questions that are idle and insincere. (3) Unable to make the testimony matter for the charge of blasphemy, Caiaphas had to shift his ground. He now had recourse to adjuration. This was the refuge of rage at the rebuke of that silence which stung him to the quick. What a temper in which to make an appeal to the living God!, (4) Jesus now at length responded. For (a) had he refused to answer when adjured, they would have accused him of contempt for the Name of God. Note: Persecutors take advantage of the consciences of good men. (b) He responded for an example to otbens of reverence for such a solemn form. (c) He answered because now it was no longer a question of admitting or denying a false accusation, but of admitting or denying a great truth-to confess whether he were the Christ or not ( ver. 64). The " nevertheless " should rather be " moreover : " "Not only do I confess myself the Christ, but you yourselves will have to confess it when he who now appears before you as in weakness will be revealed in power" (see Rev. i. 7). (6) Then came the climax of rage when be was adjudged worthy of death for speaking blasphemy " (see vers. 65, 66). III. THE roooMENT IS INIQUITOUB. 1. It igMred the reason, of the daims of Jesus, (1) The Jews exvected their Messiah to be the Son of God. In so expecting they were cm, xxvi.1-75.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 6il