Westminster Annotations, Matthew 2 · Chapter 27
CHAP. XXVII.
Vers. 1. WHen the morning was come] Assoon as it was day, Luke 22. 66. They were so greedy of Christs death, that they could not sleep, Prov. 4. 16. So chap. 26. 47.
all the chief priests] Mark 15. 1. Luke 22. 66. Joh. 18. 28. See chap. 2. 4.
took counsel] Assembled themselves to advise.
to put him to death] For they had condemned him for blasphemie before, chap. 26. 65, 66. but they thought Pilate would not put him to death for that; and they themselves could not, as they confesse, Joh. 18. 31. in this council therefore they resolve to accuse him of treason and sedition, as appears in the charge, Joh. 19. 12.
V. 2. when they had bound him] Gr. having bound him. To wit, before, at his apprehension, Joh. 18. 12. They led him bound to Pilate, as a malefactour, to be tried for his life.
delivered him to Pilate] That they might put him to death by a judiciary course; for, to do it privily, would have been infamous; and, in tumultuary way, it would have been jeopardous, Luke 24. 20. And God in his providence so disposing it, that he might suffer that death, being most usuall among the Romanes, that himself had foretold, Joh. 12. 32, 33. and 18. 31, 32.
V. 3. when he saw that he was condenned] By the consistory of the priests, whose sentence he now thought would take effect; which, it may be, fell out besides his expectation, supposing that his Master would have, by miracle, delivered himself out of their hands, and so escaped, as at other times he had done, Luke 4. 29, 30. Joh. 10. 39. and 8. 59.
repented himself] Was sorry that he had done it, and wished it undone.
the thirty pieces of silver] Thirty shekels: of which, see on Neh. 5. 15.
V. 4. innocent blood] Thus he that betrayed him acknowledgeth his innocency, which serves much to clear him, especially seeing he conversed daily with him.
What is that to us?] See their hardnesse of heart! they do not say, He is guilty; and yet they would be guiltlesse, who gave money to betray him, and lay all on Judas, who did the act.
V. 5. he cast down the pieces] To shew his utter dislike of his fact, and to perswade them, if it might be, to relent, and not bring him to P…late to be condemned.
in the temple] In the place where the elders used to sit.
and departed] Acts 1. 18.
and hanged himself] He, that betrayed his Master, now conveys himself to hell, not enduring to live to set his master crucified, Acts 1. 24.
V. 6. It is not lawfull to put them into the treasury] Of the temple. The hire of a whore might not be brought in, Deut. 22. 19. now idolatry, whoredom and murder were all of like esteem with them.
the price of blood] They were not afraid to give it to shed blood, but afraid to put it in the treasury afterwards. Thus they strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel, chap. 23. 24.
V. 7. the potters field] The heart whereof was taken off for potters use: else it was a small plot that could be bought for so small a price.
to bury strangers in] Men of another religion, whom the Jews could not abide to be joyned to, no not after they were dead. Or, of their own nation or religion, which dwelt in other places, and coming to Jerusalem to the feasts, Acts 2. 10. or upon other occasions, died there.
V. 8. The field of blood] Acts 1. 19.
unto this day] As it had that name from this occasion, so it kept it, till this Gospel was written. Hereby God would have the death of his Son to be remembred.
V. 9. Then was fulfilled] What was done then, was a type of what is done now.
by Jeremy the prophet] Seeing this prophecie is read rather in Zechary, it may be that it was delivered at first by Jeremy, and after written by Zechary, who in many things imitates him. Hence the Hebrews say, The spirit of Jeremy was in Z…chary. Or, it might be taken partly out of Jeremy, and partly out of Zechary, for Jeremy bought a field also, Jer. 32. Or, Zechary might have two names: or, Zecharies name might be added by transcribers; for it is not in the Syriack, neither doth Matthew use to name the prophets he cites. Or, it might creep out of the margine into the text; for their names being abbreviated, are much alike in the Hebrew letters.
And they took] Zech. 11. 13. The euangelist doth not follow the prophets words altogether, but keeps his meaning, and shews how this prophecie was fulfilled.
whom they of the children of Israel did value] Or, whom they bought of the children of Israel.
V. 10. as the Lord appointed me] These words run, as if they were spoken by the prophet, to shew that in Zechary was a type of this in Matthew.
V. 11. Art thou the king of the Jews] Because the Jewish rulers had, with that accusation, given him up unto Palate, as one that sought or challenged the crown of Israel.
Thou sa…est] As the thing is, chap. 26. 64. 1 Tim. 6. 12. Or, De…st thou say it? Joh. 18. 34.
V. 12. he answered nothing] In this their second accusation; for he answered to the former, v. 11. Now he did not answer, either out of a deliberate purpose to endure death, or because the crime charged was such, as would of it self vanish, or, if Pilate were resolved to gratifie the Jews, it was to no purpose to speak, Isa. 53. 7. Chap. 26. 63.
V. 13. how many things] Many things indeed were objected but either of no probability, as of affecting the kingdom; or no proof for them, as forbidding payment of tribute; or far from matter of treason, as filling Jewry with his teaching: all which needed no resutation at all.
T. 14. to never a word] Or, not so much as to one thing, as chap. 18. 16. Or, not so much as one word, Isa. 53. 7.
V. 15. Now] Luke 23. 17.
at that feast] Of the passeover, Joh. 18, 39. which, by way of eminency, is styled, The feast, chap. 26. 23. Joh. 4. 45.
to release a prisoner] Gr. one prisoner. It may be they desired it, as a memoriall of their deliverance out of Egypt.
V. 16. a not able prisoner] A robber, Joh. 18. 40. a raiser of sedition, and a murderer, Mark 15. 7. Acts 3. 14.
V. 17. when they were gathered together] To wit, when the multitude had first desired a prisoner to be delivered to them, Mark 15. 8.
Barabbas, or Jesus] It appears that Pilate was very willing to save Jesus, in that he set so vile a man against him. Very likely it is, he could have named some other prisoner, who had done some lighter offence: but he names Barabbas, in hope the people would not have chosen him, but Christ.
called Christ] By many so accounted.
V. 28. he knew that for envi… ] As well by what he had heard of him, as by their frivolous and groundlesse charges, and his modest carriage. See the like in Josephs brethren, Gen. 37.
they had delivered him] Jesus, not Barabbas.
V. 19. with that just man] Innocent, guiltlesse, as v. 4, 24. Luke 23. 47. Acts 3. 14. and 22. 14. and 7. 52.
for I have saffered many things this day in a dream] I have been much troubled about him in my sleep this night; the night being esteemed one part of the naturall day: which might come to passe by a speciall providence, the better to cleer Christs innotency, and to make Palate the more inexcusable.
V. 20. But the chief priests] Joh. 18. 40. Acts 3. 14.
and destroy Jesus] By not asking his life. Or, that they should not onelyonly ask pardon for Barabbas, but also clamour to have Christ put to death, as they do, v. 22. which shews the extreme malice of the priests against Christ.
V. 22. Let him be crucified] As they shewed too much pity in sparing Barabbas: so abundance of cruelty in desiring Christs death.
V. 24. a tumult was made] He doubted lest they would take him by force, and raise some sedition.
washed his hands] Thereby intending to signifie himself free from the guilt of Christs death, Deut. 21. 6. Psal. 26. 6. He thought by this vain ceremony to free himself, without whom Christ could not have been condemned.
of the blood] Of the murder.
of this just man] Christ being pronounced innocent now thrice, vers. 4, 19 and here, died for our sins doubtlesse, 1 Pet. 3. 18.
see ye to it] Take heed lest ye be plagued for forcing me to condemn him.
V. 25. His blood be on us, and on our children] If there be any offence committed in slaying him, let us and our posterity sm…rt for it, and bear the burden of it: so they do to this day, 2 Sam. 3. 28, 29.
V. 26. when he had scourged Jesus] He satisfied their desire in releasing Barabbas, and sought to pacifie them by scourging Christ, Luke 23. 16. Joh. 19. 1, 4.
he delivered him to be crucified] When he saw nothing but Christs death would pacifie them, he condemned him, to please the Jews.
V. 27. Than the souldiers] Joh. 19. 1.
common hall] Or, governours house, Acts 23. 35. Phil. 1. 13.
V. 28. a scarlet ro…e] John and Mark make mention of a purple robe, which in effect is the same, the usuall habit of kings. They cast a cloke on him without sleeves, and wrapped it about him. Because he had confessed himself to be a king, v. 11. the souldiers, out of their zeal to Cesar, put him on stately apparel, to mock him.
V. 23. a crown of thorns] Not a golden one, to ado…n him; but one of thorns, to disgrace and to vex him.
a need in his right hand] Some ca…e, such as they usually curried either for stay and support, or to smite with, if occasion required, in way of offence or defence. See chap. 10. 10. vers. 30. This was instead of a scepter.
they …owed they knee] As the manner was, before great ones, Gen. 41. 43. Chap. 17. 14. Mark 1. 40. and 10. 17.
V. 30. they spit upon but] In signe of reproach. See on chap. 36. 67.
V. 31. they took the robe off] They did, as it were, degrade and unking him again.
V. 32. And as they came-out]. Mark 15. 21. Luke 23. 26. As they were going out of the city, Num 15. 35. 1 Kings 21. 13. Christ had carried his crosse so far, all along the city, Joh. 19. 17. as the custome was for condemned persons to do, Mat. 16. 24. Joh. 19. 17. But because Christ had been so rudely handled by them, that he could carry it no further, they compelled Simon to carry it out of the city. Some conceive, he did onelyonly help Christ to carry it, by bearing up the hinder part of it; and cite to that end, Luke 23. 26. Joh. 19. 17. Others think rather, that the upper part, or transome of it onelyonly was carried, the nether part, or the main stake standing constantly fixed in the place of execution, for that the whole may seem more then a single mans load.
V. 33. And when they were come] Joh. 19. 17.
that is to say] This shews that Matthew writ not in Hebrew, because he interprets Golgotha. See on chap. 1. 23.
a place of a scull] Because many sculls of dead men executed lay there scattered.
V. 34. They gave him vineger to drink] See v. 48.
he would not drink] Which yet afterwards he refused not to do, when he had suffered all but death, and was athirst. See v. 48. Joh. 19. 30.
V. 35. they crucified him] They nailed him to the crosse, Psal. 22. 17. Joh. 20. 25.
and parted his garments] The garments were the executioners fees. They divided the rest, but cast lots for his upper coat, Joh. 19. 23, 24.
They my garments] Psal. 22. 18.
V. 36. they watched him there] Lest any should take him down before he was dead.
V. 37. the king of the Jews] So he was indeed, though this were done in mockery.
V. 38. two theeves crucified with him] This was done to disgrace him the more, and to make the world believe he was as bad as they, nay worse; for he was crucified in the midst, as a principall ring leader of such.
one on the right hand, the other on the left] As if two such base fellows were the fittest men to be in prime place about such a king as they would have him esteemed to be, chap. 20. 21.
V. 39. they that passed by] Who use to pity such as suffer, (though justly) Lam. 1. 12. yet now they deride Christ, who was innocent, and not the two theeves, who were nocent.
wagging their heads] A signe of insulation, Psal. 22. 7. 2 Kings 19. 21. Isa. 37. 22. Lam. 2. 15.
V. 40. Thou that destroyest the temple] See on chap. 26. 61.
if thou he the Son of God] See on chap. 4. 3.
V. 41. the chief priests] See their malice to Christ! for notwithstanding their great place, they would be present at the execution, and insult over a poor condemned man, and stay till they were sure he was dead.
V. 42. He saved others, himself he cannot save] A scoff like that by-word, Luke 4. 23. Physitian, cure they self.
we will believe him] Spoken in way of derision: for though he did a greater matter then that, in raising himself from the dead, yet they refused to believe in him, chap. 28. 12, 13.
V. 43. He trusted in God] Psal. 22. 8. Wisd. 2. 16, 17, 18.
if he will have him] Or, if he delight in him: as Psal. 22. 8. whence this seems to be taken.
V. 44. The theeves also] Or, Even the theeves. To shew how basely Christ was used: not onelyonly others, but even condemned persons, and dying at the same time, mocked him, Luke 23. 39, 40. Yet here is a figure of the whole for the part; for it appears that one of the theeves onelyonly mocked him; See in Luke; and the like, Heb. 11. 33. 33, 37. unlesse both mocked him at first, and one of them repented afterwards.
V. 45. from the sixth hour] About noon; for they began the day at six in the morning. So was that really performed which was spoken of, Am. 8. 9, 10.
there was darknesse] To shew Gods dislike of their cruelty, and that he would not let the sun look upon the Sun of righteousnesse in his eclipse. A naturall eclipse it could not be, because the moon was then at the full, it being the midst of the Lunar monethmonth when the passeover was killed.
over all the land] Of Judea, and the countreys adjoyning. Or, ever all the earth, as some suppose.
V. 46. My God] Ps…l. 22. 1.
why hast thou forsaken me?] In my present apprehension, suffering my humane nature to feel so much misery.
V. 47. This man calleth for Elias] He called on God, and they mock him, as if he had called for Elias, because the words are alike in the Syrian.
V. 48. straightway] After he had said, I thirst, Joh. 19. 28.
ashuree] To such; for he could not drink out of it.
and filled it] Psal. 69. 21.
with vineger] Or, broken wine, such as the Roman souldiers had their allowance of, and did usually drink, mixed with wa…; to which purpose, they might have a vessel then at hand by them, Joh. 19. 29. Howbeit it may seem, that they mixed it with some other ingredients, and that bitter stuff, called therefore gall, v. 34. See more hereof, Mark 15. 23.
put it on a reed] Or, cane. See on v. 29. See Joh. 19. 29.
V. 49. The rest said] Others, besides those that so mocked him, as before.
V. 50. when he had cried] And uttered those words recorded, Joh. 19. 30. Luke 23. 46.
again] For he had cried aloud once before, v. 46.
yeelded up] Gr. let go.
V. 51. the of the temple was rent] Which divided the holiest of all from the holy place, Exod. 26. 21, 23. 2 Chron. 3. 14. whereby was signified, that the ceremoniall law was abolished, and the way to heaven more plainly laid open, and the meaning of the legall ceremonies, Heb. 9. 8. and 10. 19, 20, 22. and the wall of separation broken down, Eph. 2. 14. And the priests themselves, who onelyonly might come into the temple to see it, might hereby be converted or convinced.
the earth did quake, and the rocks rent] These were signes of Gods anger against the Jews, and of Christs divine Majestie, Psal. 114. 4, 6, 7.
V. 52. the graves were opened] The grave-stones were either removed or broken, and the graves gaped, although the bodies came not out till after Christs resurrection, as appears in the next verse. Hereby was then shewed, that our Saviour had overcome death for himself and others.
many bodies of saints] It is likely to be good men lately dead, …lse why did they appear, v. 53. unto many in the city▪ or how did they know them?
which slept] Which had lien dead for a time, but now to be raised up again, Joh. 11. 11.
arose] Either to appear as witnesses of Christs resurrection, and then die again: or, which is more likely, to attend Christ into heaven, who was the first-fruits of the resurrection, 1 Cor. 15. 20.
V. 53. went into the holy citie] For the places of buriall were out of the citie, in the suburbs. Why it is called, The holy citie, see on Matth. 4. 5.
appeared unto many] Of the faithfull, not unto all the people, as Christ himself did, Acts 10. 41.
V. 54. watching Jesus] See on v. 36. They watched, that no man might take him down without leave. See v. 58.
they feared greatly] They were much afraid of Gods wrath, because they had been instruments of the cruelty shewed on Christ.
this was the Son of God] A man beloved of God, deep in savour with him; or not a guiltlesse one onelyonly, but more than a man: for they were heathen men, and did esteem some of their great men sons of the gods, Luke 23. 47. It is not likely they knew the Godhead of Christ. The like may be said of Dan. 3. 25.
V. 55. afar off] Either womanly modesty kept them from thrusting in among men; or else they could not come neer, because of the souldiers and presse; or they were afraid to be questioned as his followers, as Peter was, chap. 26. 58.
which followed Jesus] They had followed him out of Galilee, and would not leave him till he was dead, so great was their love unto him: yet were they not all Galileans, Luke 8. 3. and 23. 27, 28.
V. 56. Mary Magdalene] So called of the place of her abode. See chap. 15. 39.
the mother of James and Joses] See Mark 6. 3.
the mother of Zebedees children… See chap. 20. 20. whose name may seem to have been Salome, Mark 15. 40.
V. 57. When the even was come] Mark 15. 42. Luke 23. 50. Joh. 19. 38. After the ninth hour; at three of the clock in the afternoon.
a rich man] The more likely to obtain the body of Pilate, and the more in danger to be made a prey to the priests, for his care of Christ.
of Arimathea] Or, Rama, or Ramathaim. See 1 Sam. 1. 1.
named Joseph] Christ is buried not privily, or by stealch; but by the Governours consent, by a famous man, in a place not far distant, in a new sepulchre; so that there can be no doubt of his death. See Isai. 53. 9.
V. 58. begged the bedy of Jesus] For the bodies of condemned persons were in the power of the magistrates, left such as thought themselves injured by them, should use them barbarously when they were dead.
Pilate the body to be delivered] See on v. 54.
V. 59. in a clean linen cloth] To bury it decently, as became them that believed a resurrection.
V. 60. in his own new tomb] Prepared for himself, but none yet laid in it, Luke 23. 53. that no suspition might be of the rising of any other in his room.
rolled a great stone] As the Jews used to do on the sepulchres of their friends, Joh. 11. 38, 39. Also it was a means to ke… his body from being abused by his foes, and to take away suspidon of his disciples removing him, which is objected, chap. 28. 13.
V. 61. the other Mary] Mentioned, v. 56. See Mark 15. 47.
suting over against the sepulchre] To see where Christ was laid, that they might anoint his body, Luke 23. 55, 56.
V. 62. the day of the preparation] So was any day called that went next before any solemn feast, Mark 15. 47. Luke 23. 54. Joh. 19. 14, 31, 42.
V. 63. that deceiver] So Joh. 7. 12. Thus they seek still to subvert the truth of Christs doctrine and miracles, and to maintain the justnesse of their condemning him as a seducer of the people.
said] Chap. 12. 40. Mark 8. 31. Joh. 2. 19.
After three days] Or, within three days, Mark 8. 31. For he was laid in the grave on friday, lay there all saturday, which was their sabbath, rose on the Lords-day morning, which is ours, chap. 28. 1.
V. 64. untill the third day] According to the time set by Christ for his resurrection (chap. 2. 16.) that so they might keep his body safe till that time were past, and then shew it to the people, and so convince him of untruth in this particular, which would weaken the credit of all the rest of his doctrine.
the last errour shall be worse then the first] A proverbiall form of speech, as chap. 12. 45. Luke 11. 26. 2 Pet. 2. 20. The people will believe in him more then before, Joh. 11. 48. and 12. 32.
V. 65. Ye have a watch] He means, the souldiers of the garison, which were appointed to keep the Temple, Acts 4. 1. and 5. 26. especially at the passeover, for fear of tumults. These, in likelihood, were used to apprehend Christ, Joh. 18. 3.
as ye can] Gr. as ye know, as Jer. 8. 12. Or, ye know well enough how to do it, as 2 Pet 2. 9.
V. 66. they went] The keeping of the sepulchre was committed to them that murdered Christ, that there might be no doubt of the truth of his resurrection.
sealing the stone] With the emperours, or some publike seal, which might prohibit any to remove it, Dan 6. 17. Rev. 20. 3.
and setting a watch] Lest any should be so bold as to slight the seal. They thought him never fast enough. This confirmed his resurrection the more.