The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 582

no.hie it is impossible to find any word of too brittle B nature to be used in this ndequntely to express." way. Some variety of the cactus or prickly Vera._ 27-30.-JeBus moclced by the soldiers. pear may Le mee.nt. "Hassclquist, a Swedish no.ture.lfot, supposes a very common (Mnrk xv. 16-19; John :11.ix, 2, 3.) plant, naba or nabka of the Arabs, with Ver. 27.-The soldiers of the governor. me.ny small and sharp spines, soft, round, Tlie brutnl soldiers, far from feeling com- nnd pliant bushes, leaves much resem- pnseion for the meek Sufferer, take e. fiendish bling those of ivy, being of a very deep plensuro in torturing o.nd Insulting him. green, as if in designed mockery of a victor's They fling upon his bleeding body his upper wreath, 'Travels,' 288" (F. M.). Thorne garments, and t11ke him into the common were the fruits of the primal CUl'se, which hall (1rpa<'Twp1ov,:the Prretorium). This name Christ, the second Adam, was now bearing, we.a o.pplied to the dwelling-house of the and by bearing removed. A reed in his provincial governor, and here refers to the right hand. By way of sceptre. This must open court of the building, outside which have been a reed or cane of a thick and solid the preceding events had taken place (Ree character (see ver. 30, and note on vcr. 48). on ver. 2). The whole band (<11r<ipav), which Bowed the knee before him. Doing mock usuo.lly signifies "e. cohort" (Acts ll.. 1), obeisance to him as King. Thus these but sometimes only B maniple, which we.a wretched heathens did that in derision n third pa.rt of the eame(Polybius, :11.i.23, l). which some day e.11 Gentiles shall do in This is probably what is meant here, as solemn earnest, when " all the kindreds of they would not denude the barre.eke of all the nations shall worship before him " (Ps. its occupant.a, who consisted of one cohort of nii. 27). Hail. King of the Jews! Doubt- about six hundred men (Josephus, 'Bell. less they cried," .Ave, Rex Judieorum I" in Jud.,' ii 15. 6). The soldiers summoned imitation of the" .Ave,Imperator I" addressed their comrades on guard at the palace or in to the Emperor of Rome. the Tower of Antonia to come e.nd join in Ver. 30.-Theyspit upon him. Repeating the cruel sport. " 'fhe devil was then enter- the atrocious outrage already offere,l (eh. ing in fury into the bee.rte of all. For :11.:11.vi. 67). Bmote him (hU"ll'Tov, imperf., indeed they ma.de a pleasure of their insults kept smiting him) on the head. They tore against him, being a savage and a worthless the mock sceptre from his trembling hands, set" (Chrysostom, in loo.). and one after the other, as they passed, Ver. 28.-They &tripped him (J1<1i6<1a.vru). stl'nck him with it on the head, at every Some manuscripts read bllo<T«v'Tu, "when blow driving the thorns deeper into his they had clothed him;" but this seems to flesh. Here must be introduced some other hnve been derived from St. Mark, and to attempts of Pilate to save him. narrated by be here somewhat tautological. They had St. John (xix. 4-16), especially the episode heard of hie cle.im to be a King, so they of "Ecce Homo I " determined to deride him with the mockery Vera. 31-33.--JeBUB iB led to crucifi:£ion. of royal honouu. They tore hie garments Via dolorosa. (Mark :11.v. 20-23: Luke from his mangled form, thus opening afresh his half-dried wounds. Put on him a scarlet :11.ll.iii. 2~3; John xix. 16, 17.) In these robe (x>..aµolla 1<01<1<Cv1w). This was pro- accounts, those of Matthew a.nu Mark are bably the short military woollen cloak worn most alike, though varied in expression and by officers, in colour either scarlet or purple, in some details: tho.t of Luke is the fullest: and fastened by B buckle on the right that of John distinct from the rest. shoulder. Some think it was B cast-off garment from the wardrobe of King Herod, Ver. 31.-St. Matthew, omitting some which they found and appropriated to this details, hurries to the finnl scene. Too:i: the purpose. Whatever it was, its bright hue robe off from him; i.e. the scnrlct robe 1Yitii was suitable for this mockery of regal which they had arrayed him (ver. 28). splendour. Whether they removed the crown of thorns Ver. 29.-Plo.tted B orown of thoms. In is uncertain. The Lord is always depicted carrying out their mockery, the soldiers wee.ring it upon tlie cross. His own raiment nell.t supply a regnl crown. Po.lestine was ( Tel lµchia av'Tov, his gannents ). 'l'he term a countl'y tliickly set with brambles and would include the outer e.nd inner garments, thorn-growing bushes. They would have especially the seamless tunic for which the no difficulty in finding plants to suit their soldiers cast lots (John x.i:i:. 23: Ps. :x:xii. cruel purpose, and in plucking wilh their 18). Thus unknowingly they wore pre- gauntlot-covered hands sprnys suffldent to paring to fulfil prophecy. Led him nway wenve into B rude coronet. Who.t was the to orncify him. 'l'his must he.ve been about pnrtioulo.r shrub employed cannot bo known 9 e..m. Executions took place outside the for cel'tninty. 'l'lrn zizyphus, Spinn C:hristi, city wnlls (sea Numb. xv. 85, 36; Acts vii. a kind of o.ca.oio. with long rellex tliorns, is 58). "Tho Lollies of thoso beasts, who1e  6f:8 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. 'MA'l'THEW. [on. xxvn. 1-68.