A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Mark · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV.
1. ANd ſtraitway in the morning the chief prieſts held a conſultation with the elders and Scribes, and the whole council, and bound Jeſus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
1. To be put to death.
2. And Pilate asked him, Art thou the king of the Jews? And he anſwering ſaid unto him, Thou ſayeſt it.
2. I am.
3. And the chief prieſts accuſed him of many things; but he anſwered nothing. 4. And Pilate asked him again, ſaying, Anſwereſt thou nothing? behold how many things they witneſs againſt thee. 5. But Jeſus yet anſwered nothing, ſo that Pilate marvelled.
3. He would not ſtrive againſt calumniators, nor againſt the death which he came to undergo.
6. Now at that feaſt he releaſed unto them one priſoner, whomſoever they deſired. 7. And there was one named Barabbas, who lay bound with them that had made inſurrection with him, who had committed murther in the inſurrection. 8. And the multitude crying aloud, began to deſire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9. But Pilate anſwered them, ſaying, Will ye that I releaſe unto you the king of the Jews? 10. (For he knew that the chief prieſts had delivered him for envy).
9. Note, He called him their King in ſcorn.
11. But the chief prieſts moved the people, that he ſhould rather releaſe Barabbas unto them. 12. And Pilate anſwered and ſaid again unto them, What will ye then that I ſhall do unto him whom ye call the king of the Jews? 13. And they cried out again, Crucifie him.
12. Note, The people are but the mouth of the Prieſts.
14. Then Pilate ſaid unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucifie him. 15. And ſo Pilate willing to content the people, releaſed Barabbas unto them: and delivered Jeſus, when he had ſcourged him, to be crucified.
4. Pilate to pleaſe the People, and they to pleaſe the Prieſts, all pleaſe the Devils, diſpleaſe God, and undo themſelves. And yet by all this God is ſaving the World.
16. And the ſoldiers led him away into the hall, called Pretorium, and they call together the whole band. 17. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head. 18. And began to ſalute him, Hail King of the Jews. 19. And they ſmote him on the head with a reed, and did ſpit upon him, and bowing their knees, worſhipped him. 20. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucifie him.
16. As the Prieſts are the chief contrivers of the Murder, the Souldiers are fitteſt for execution; ſuch uſually being hardened by blood and wickedneſs into a deſtroying inclination, the great executioners of the Devil for the ruine of the World. Alas, mad Sinners, little know you whom you ſcorn, and how your ſport will end at laſt. Reader, ſee here what ſin is. And what thou and I have deſerved, that needed ſuch a Sacrifice.
21. And they compelled one Simon a Cyrenian who paſſed by, coming out of the countrey, the father of Alexander and Rufus. to bear his croſs. 22. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, the place of a skull. 23. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, caſting lots upon them, wha… every man ſhould take. 25. And it was the third …our, and they crucified him. 26. And the ſuperſcription of his accuſation was written over, The King of the Jews.
See on Mat. 27.
24. See on Joh. 19.24.
26. Meaning that they put him to death, for proclaiming his Kingdom (though it was a ſpiritual one.)
27. And with him they crucified two thieves, the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28. And the ſcripture was fulfilled which ſaith, And he was numbred with the tranſgreſſors.
27. Note, Men imputed ſin it ſelf to him: God only reputed him a Sacrifice for our ſins.
29. And they that paſſed by, railed on him, wagging their heads, and ſaying, Ah thou that deſtroyeſt the temple, and buildeſt it in three days. 30. Save thy ſelf, and come down from the croſs. 31. Likewiſe alſo the chief prieſts mocking, ſaid among themſelves with the Scribes, He ſaved others, himſelf he cannot ſave. 32. Let Chriſt the King of Iſrael deſcend now from the croſs, that we may ſee and believe: and they that were crucified with him, reviled him
29. Note, All this tells us what ſin is? And when his ſervants follow him in ſufferings, Prieſts, Souldiers and Rabble with inſult with ſcorns.
33. And when the ſixth hour was come, there was darkneſs over the whole land, until the ninth hour. 34. And at the ninth hour Jeſus cried with a loud voice, ſaying, Eloi, Eloi, lama ſabachthani, which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me?
33. Note, Chriſt was forſaken ſo far as to be left to the power of Satans Servants, and deprived of life, and to have the ſenſe of Gods Juſtice againſt Mans ſin: And this to ſhew that we deſerved to be forſaken, and to keep us from being utterly forſaken. But Gods Love and eſteem of him was not abated, but his ſuffering was meritorious.
35. And ſome of them that ſtood by when they heard it ſaid, Behold he calleth for Elias. 36. And one ran and filled a ſpunge full of vineger and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, ſaying, Let alone, let us ſee whether Elias will come to take take him down.
36. In ſcorn they ſtill inſult.
37. And Jeſus cryed with aloud voice, and gave up the Ghoſt.
37. Saying Father, into thy hand I commend my Spirit.
38. And the vail of the temple rent in twain, from the top to the bottom. 39. And when the Centurion who ſtood over againſt him ſaw, he ſo cryed and gave up the Ghoſt, he ſaid, Truly this man was the Son of God.
39. That he dyed not as other men in that caſe do.
40. There were alſo women looking afar off, among whom was Mary Magdalen and Mary the Mother of James the leſs, and of Joſes and Salome. 41. Who alſo when he was in Galilee followed him and miniſtred unto him, and many other women who came up with him to Jeruſalem.
42. And now when the even was come, becauſe it was the preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath.
40. Note, It is likely that it's James thats called the Brother of Chriſt, that is, he that is called James the leſs: for Joſes and James, are called brethren, as here, ſo Math. 13.55. But whether Littleneſs of Statu… or Dignity be meant it is uncertain.
43. Joſeph of Arimathea, an honourable Counceller, who alſo waited for the Kingdome of God, came and went in boldly unto Pilate, and cra…ed the body of Jeſus. 44. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead, and calling unto him the Centurion he asked him whether he had bin any while dead. 45. And when he knew it of the Centurion, he gave the body to Joſeph.
45. Note, He feared leſt he ſhould ſeem dead and be taken down alive, till inquiry reſolved the doubt.
46. And he bought fine linen, and took him d…, a…d wrapped him in the linen, and … …ep…lchre which was hewen out of a …ock, a…d r…lled a ſtone unto the door … the …pulchre. 47. And Mary M…gd…len, and Mary the mother of Joſes, beh…d where h… was laid.
46. …e, Joſeph ſhewed great boldneſs and faith, in ow…ing Chriſt ſo openly when he was dead: and ſo ol… Ni…demus who joyned with him. 2. As Ahahs Court h…d one Obadiah, ſo even the Jewiſh Rulers had a Joſ…ph and a Nico…emus? And there were Saints in Nero's houſe. 3. Chriſts being buried in fine Linnen maketh it not our duty; nor a ſin to be buried in woollen; yea tho it had bin the greateſt enemy of Chriſt that in oppoſition to him, had made the new Law which doth command it.
The Grave was alſo ſealed and Watcht.
Chriſts bur… hath in ſome ſort Sanctified the Grave, to true believers. We ma… boldly there lay down theſe bodies, as ſtill in his power and care that was buryed for us