The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 625

it to his mouth, but the kindness we.s interrupted by others who, in the same obdure.te spirit-, Mid, " Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him." 'l'he heart is desperately wicked. (4) The prodigies which followed made them IC smite theil' bNle.llts" (see Luke xxili. 48), The wicked will wail amid the convulsions of the last day (cf. Ise.. ii. 19-21; Rev. i. 7). 2. Upoo the soldiers. (1) 'l'hey had reviled hlm before (see Luke xxiii. 36), but now they IC fear exceedingly," and the centurion, in particular is thoughtfully affected, for he makes a true confession. (2) In his reflec- tions he thought upon the manner of the death of Christ (see Mark xv. 39), for his death was evidently a voluntary act. (a) Luke tells us that the last utterauoe:was, "Father, unto thy hands I oommend my spirit." This he uttered with a loud or great voice. Then immediately he "yielded up his spirit." His strength was unbroken. He died as the Prince of life. (b) The circumstance of his expiring sooner than was usual with crucified persons (see Mark xv. 4.4), as well as the loudness of his v:oiJ:c i)1 the very act of bis dying, showed the voluntariness of bis deat.h (see John x. 17, 18). (c) Our Lord is nowhere said to have fallen ~leep (cf. ver. 52), but always to have di,ed. "Abraham, Ise.e.c, Ishmael, Jacob, breathed their last; Ananias, Sapphire., Herod, expired; Jesus gave up the ghost, dismissed or delivered up his own spirit" (A. Clarke). In the manner of his death, then, behold the manner of his love. (d) Christ's loud voice was like the trumpet blown over the sacrifices. 3. Upon the women, (1) They followed him in love. They had ministered to him. They seem no.w to have been the only disciples, excepting John, present at the Crucifixion. They were "afar off.'' This expression may only intimate that they bad come from for, even from Galilee. For the mother of Jeans stood by the cross with John, and Mary of M:agde.la and others also were near. Yet when Christ suffered, his friends were-but spectators. Even ·angels stood aloof when he trod the winepress alone. (2) Their faith and love were strengthened. All that the centurion saw they also ,saw, and with wider and deeper oonviction.-J. A. M. Vers. 57-66.-The treatment of the body of Ohrist. The body of Christ is mysti- ca.Ily te.ken to represent his Church (see 1 Cor. x. 17; Eph.iv.16; Col.i.18); In this figure the fact is strongly set forth, viz. that Christ takes home to himself .what- ever treatment his Chnrch may receive (see Prov. xix. 31; eh. xxv. 35-46; Acts ix. 1, 4, 5). This also applies t.o individual members. And agreeably to this analogy, whst was done to the literal body of Jesus is suggestive of the treatment he also receives ns he.is represented in his followers. 'l'he actors may be described as- I. THOSE LOVINGLY SOLICITOUS FOB HI8 BONOUB. 1. Ohrist has disciples, secretly so thrm.,,gh fear. (1) Joseph of Arimath113a was a "rich man" and yet " Jesus' disciple." Things impossible with men are possible with God (see eh. xix. 23-26). \' Judge nothing before the time." (2) He was an "honourable counsellor," a member of:that wicked Sanhedrin that condemned Christ, but "he had not consented to the counsel and deed of them." In difficult circumstances he was true. He' was " a good and righteoU.6 man, who was looking for the kingdom of God" (cf. Mark xv. 43; Luke ::uili. 50). Genuine honour is the associate of goodness and righteousness. 'l'hese come to 11.6 through Christ. (3) Yet be had been a disciple "secretly through fear of the Jewa." Probably he had been converted by hie friend and fellow-ruler, Nicoclem.us, and his timidity was in keeping with the caution which prompted Nicodemus to visit Jesus under the cover of "night" (see John iii. 1, 2). Note: There are family like- nesses in spiritual relationships. (4) But he did not allow his timidity to involve him in the wickedness of the council. He doubtless gave his voice as well as his vote against their crime. It was he probably who cross-examined the _suborned witness~s, making their disagreement too apparent for the comfort of the pnests (see Mark nv. 56, 59). In his protest he probably took some such line of argument as that of Ga1ualiel on a subsequent occasion (see Acts vi. 34-39). 2. They wilt show kindne.ss tu his body. (1) The righteous soul of Joseph was grieved at the indignities to which it had been subjecl ed, and at the earliest opportunity he went to Pilate and asked for it. He then proceeded without loBB of time to remove it from the accursed tree (see Acts xiii. 29). He had it decently swathed in linen, and laid in bis own new tomb which be had hewn out in the rock. His friend Nicodemus laid in with it "a mixture of myrrh and aloes, a.bout a huadred pound weight" (~ce John xix. 39). Thon, rolliug a ott. Xll:vn. 1-66,] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 631