The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 622

hanged upon 1.1 tree was accounted accursed of God (cf. Gea. iii. 12-19; Dent. xx. 22, 23; Josh. viii. 29; x. 26, 27). Those curse-bearers were types of Christ (see Gal. iii. 13). (2) Crucifixion amongst the heathen ie trace,! back to the age of Semira.mis. H was cbioCTy inflicted on slnves; on free persons only when convicted of the most heinous crimes, Hence Paul's emphatic "evea the death of the erase" (Phil. ii. 8). (3) It was 1.1 pflrt of the reproach of 1.1 criminal that he had to carry hie own croes to the plo.ce of execution. Plutarch says, "Every kind of wickedness produces its own peculiar torment, just I.IS malefactors when brought forth to execution carry their own crosses." So Jesus carried his cross until he sank under it (see John xix. 17), overcome by exhaustion through his agony in the garden followed by his sufferings in the Prmtorium. He carried it as Isaac carried the wood upon which he was to be offered up. (4) So shameful 1.1 thing was the cross, that no Jew or Roman citizen could be induced to carry one. Hence Simon the Cyrenian was impressed to bear the cross of Jesus. Probably he was pointed out as a disciple of Jesus (cf. Mark xv. 21 ; Rom. xvi. 13). He became thereby the honoured representative of the suffering followers of Christ in every age (cf. eh. xvi. 24; Heh. xiii. 13). 2. It was an instrv,- ment of shame. (1) 'l'here was 1.1 cruel torture inflicted upon the victim before he came to his crucifixion. Jesus was accordingly delivered by Pilate to he scourged, preparatory to his being crucified. The soldiers to the scourging added cruel mockings. (2) At. the .place of execution he was stripped of his garments. " The poorest man dies with some clothing on, Jesus with none; and his garments fall not to his friends, but to the soldiers who crucified him" (Harmer). David said in the spirit of prophecy of. Christ, for it was never true of himself, • 'l'hey part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture" (Ps. x.xii. 18). (3) Then came the actual crucifixion. The stretching of the victim upon the wood. The transfixing. The concussion through the striking the foot of the cross into the hole dug for its reception, by which the bones became dislocated (see Ps. xxii. 14). The lingering torture, the vitals being avoided. "The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." II. REPROACH WAB ABBOCIATED WITH IT. 1. In the place of the r:ru,ti,fir,;ion. (1) "A place called Golgotha., that is to say, The place of a skull." It bad its name from being the place of common execution. Ch1ist being crucified there gives expressiveness to the prediction of Isaiah, "numbered with the transgressors." (2) 'l'he ghastly place was an emblem of the devastated state of the Church that crucified Christ. So of every Church-member who crucifies him afresh. But to the repentant sinner it is the end of death and beginning of life. "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate (Heh. xili.12). (3) "Golgotha n (n~fJJ) resembles "Gilgal," with the Syriac addition (1m-). The latter place was named by Joshua to commemorate the temporal redemption of Israel from the reproach of Egypt. In the former place Jesus freed his people by a spiritual redemption from the reproach of siu (see Josh. v. 9). 2. In the inscription on the cross. (1) "His accusation written" (ver. 37). It was common to affix a label to the cross, giving a statement of the crime for which the person suffered. (2) But the accusation of Jesus alleged no crime. It was really an accusation of the priests. They condemned Jesus for blasphemy, but had him crucified for trel.l.5on. It impeached them as murderers. (3). The accusation of Jesus asserted 1.1 glorious truth. The truth was emphasized by being three times written, viz. in three languages. Pilate could not be induced to alter what he had written (see John xix. 21). Like Balaam, he blessed IVhen he was entreated to curse (see Numb. x.xiv. 10). (4) When we look at the cross as the emblem of suffering, we sec over the head of the Sufferer the promise of triumph and the hope of glory. Sanctified suffering evermore brings forth this fruit. 3. In the characters crudfied along with 1,im. (1) "Two robbers, one on the right hand, and one on the left." Placing the Lor<l between the robbers was intended to stigmatize him with peculiar infamy, as if he were the greater criminal of the three. (2) Herein note 1.1 further fulfilment of the words of Isaiah, "He was numbered with the transgressors." He was so numbered that we may be numbered with his saints. III. REPBOAOH WAS OAST UPON mu.· 1. By those that passed by. (1) "They ro.ilcd on him, wagging their heads, and saying, 'l'hou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself." Here is 1.1 shameful misconstruction of bis words. Cruelty has its refuge in falsehood. "Save." They mock at the name of Jesm, equi- 628 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [oH. xxvn. 1-66,