The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 566

justified by prophecy (see Ps. ii. 7, 12), The terms of the adjuration acknowledge,! this. And they understood the title to express Divinity. To call himself the Son o( God was, in their estimation, to make himself equal with God (see John x. 33). (2) Thorefore, unless Jesus were Divine, he could not have been the Christ. Otherwise his claim to be "the Christ, the Bon of God," would indeed have been a blasphemy. But he had vindicated hie claim by infallible proofs. He verified in himself the prophecies concerning Messiah, and wrought many miracles, as his judges very well knew (see John xi. 47). (3) Before proceeding to condemn him, it was their duty to answer the argument from prophecy and miracle. But this they never attempted. Rage and violence were their substitutes for justice and truth. ( 4) And they aggravated their crirr.e by delivering the Blessed One to the insolence of their myrmidons, who blindfolded him and smote him, and asked him to prophesy as to whose fist was lifted against him (cf. ver. 67; Isa. 1. 6, 6; Luke xxii. 64). He well knew; but he refuses to prophesy when men close their ears against the truth. The wretches also spat in his face, which was a mark of the most profound contempt (see Numb. xii. 4; Job xvi. 10; xu:. 10; Iea. l. 6; Micah v.1). 2. It will be revilJ'!D6d at another tribunal,. (1) "What contrasts are here I The Deliverer in bonds I The Judge of all attainted I The Prince of glory scorned I The Holy One condemned for sin! The Son of God accused of blasphemy! The Resurrection and the Life sentenced to die I The High Priest for ever condemned by the high priest for a year! " (Steir). (2) To the eternal confusion of the unrighteous council, God ordered it that our Lord should be condemned on the very evidence of his own innocence, purity, and truth. In accusing him of blasphemy they were the blasphemers. (3) They will yet have to answer before him for their injustice and cruelty. He will one day come with the clouds of heaven, as the Prophet Daniel has described him (cf. Dan. vii. 13, 14). The terrors of that judgment-day will be a. sensible conviction to the most obstinate infidel.-J. A. M. Vera. 69-75.-Sin in sequence. From the trial of Jesus before the council the evangelist turns to the trial of Pater's faith. How striking is the contrast! Jesus, forsaken of hie friends, and unjustly condemned and cruelly treated by his enemies, betrays no sign of fear or resentment, while Peter, with his Master's exalted example before him, shrinks from the slightest glance of recognition. 'l'he history of Peter's fall remarkably illustrates the principle of sequence in sin. Weare forcibly rel!linded- I. THAT PBIDE COMETH BEFORE A FALL. 1. Some men are constitutirmoJ.ly self- reliant. Within proper limits, self-reliance is an admirable quality. (1) It conduces to nobleness. For it saves men from the meanness of hanging on to their fellows. (2) It inspires enterprise. Nothing can be accomplished that is not undertaken. The achievements of the strong are the astonishment of the weak. (3) It is an elemeD.t of greatness. The weak will submit to the strong. The feeble will serve the mighty. Where self-reliance is strong, other things being equal, there you have a leader of meu. 2. But such are especially in danger of presumption. (1) Self-assertion may be immo- derate, ungenerous, and invidious. "Though all men forsake thee, yet will not I ; " •• I will never be offended ; " "Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee" (see vers. 33-35). (2) Excessive self-confidence leads to the neglect of prayer. Peter's sense of self-security blinded him to his need of Divine help. So he slept in the garden when he should he.ve prayed. Even when exhorted by his Lord to pray, still he slept. (3) It leads to rashness in action. Peter's pride led him rashly to support hie strong professions by volunteering the use of his sword. So was he as wanting in watchfulness as he was in prayer. He so looked in as to neglect to look up and look around. (4) After proving his weakness by his shameful flight, his pre- sumption still carried him after his Master into the place of trial, "to see the end." But he "followed at a distance," fearful of being discovered. This dallying with his fears increased them. Hie case is a standing warning to Christ's disciples never without a call to run into dangers which they may not have strength to meet. II. THAT BIN MAKES OCCASION FOB BINNING. 1. One sin leads to another. (1) Peter was found in questionable company. Having followed Jesus "afar off," he fell in with the "officers" of the high priest and of other enemies of his Master, " Evil communications corrupt good manners." Bad company leads to bad deeds (see Ps. cm. 116). He was now in the arena of temrtation. (2) Here a maid came 11.nto him,  6i2 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [en. xxvi. 1-75.