The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 619

"King of the Jews." (3) The true bonds which bound Jesus were those of hla wondrous love to man. Other bonds could not have held him, Ho suffered himself to be bound, that man might be loosed from the ba.nds of sin (see Prov. v. 22; Lam. i. 12-14). So likewise "by his stripes we are healed." 2. They could not purchase the repentance of the i·ulera. (1) "What is that to us?" These men did not concern themselves about the innocency of Jesus. They did not say," What is that to us?" when JudRs came to them saying," What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" They paid the price of blood, and were determined to shed it. If the elders of Jezreel, to please Jezebel, murder Naboth, is it nothing to Ahab (see 1 Kings xxi. 19)? (2) "See thou to that." Thus they disclaim the guilt of their own wicked instrument, and turn him over to bis terrors, Obstinate sinners stand on their guard against convictions. Those who betray Christ, and justify themselves, are worse than Judas. The resolutely impenitent look with disdain upon the penitent, The wicked encourage men to crime, and desert them after its commission. (3) The cold villainy of the priests and elders bears testimony to the injustice with which they had treated Christ. (4) "And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury." An astonishing amount of rascality may be associated with the utmost ceremonial scrupulosity. Probably they had ta.ken the money out of the treasury to pay the price of blood (see eh. xxiii. 24). They were fearful of defiling the temple with blood-money, while ruthlessly defiling their con• sciences with innocent blood. Men are often scrupulous about trifles who stick not at great crimes. 3. They could not redllm Judaafrom perdition. (1) Some think Judas was partly induced to betray his Master by the expectation that, as Messiah. he could not suffer death, and that he would deliver himself from the rulers as he had done before. He might, therefore, have calcnlated that in this case Christ would have the honour, the Jews would have the shame, and he would have the money, They are mistaken who imagine that Christ will work his miracles in the interests of selfish• ness. But actions are not to be estimated by their consequences, but by their relation to the Law of God. (2) How differently did the silver appear to the traitor before and after his transgression I He "cast down n the price of the innocent blood, How the victim now hates the snare I That which is ill gotten brings sorrow to the getter (see Job n:. 12-15). (3) As Judas was actuated by avarice in his sin, so was he possessed with despair in his repentance. Remorse, sharpened by the sense of the contempt and abhorrence of good men, is unbearable. Miserable is the wretch who must go to hell for ease. The repentance of J uda.s was that of the damned at the judgment, when mercy's door is shut. (4) There is little reason to believe that the repentance of Judas was more than the remorse of an upbraiding conscience (cf. eh. xxvi. 24; John xvii. 12; Acts L 25). It was a repentance which needs to be repented of (2 Cor. vii. 10). Had he returned the money before he had betrayed Christ, he would have agru<l while yet in the way (see eh. v. 2~26). Had he gone to Christ, or even to the disciples of Christ, in his distress, he might have obtained some relief. Sinners under conviction of sin will find their old companions miserable comforters. The devil by the help of the priests drove Judas to despair. Despair of the mercy of God is a fatal sin. One may know hie sin, repent, confess, make restitution, and yet be like Judas I -J. A..M. Vers. 11-31.-The actor, in a momentotu tragedy. The scene is la.id In Jerusalem, in the pa.lace of the Roman governor. The occasion is the trial of the Lord Jesus for his life. The whole human race and all the ages are interested. Behold- I. THE PRISONER AT THE BAB, 1. "Nou, Je,us ,tood before the governor." (1) But who is this JesW!? I.mmanuell The Creator and Upholder of all things, mysteriously enshrined ia human nature. (2) Then what a miracle of condescension is here I The stoop was wonderful from the throne of glory to the manger of Bethlehem. But what a marvel tnat he shr,uld submit to be arraigned before a mortal I (3) The con- descension will he set in its strongest light by a grand reversal of this scene, He will yet appear as Judge of all Pilate will then have to answer at his bar. The accusf!rs a!Bo will then have to give account of their accusations. (4) We shall all do well to keep that solemnity evermore in mind (see Ps. 1. 3, 22). 2. Liaten to his con- fession, (1) To implicate him with the Romans, he is ar,cused of claiming to be the ou. xxvn. 1-66.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 626