Exposition of John, Chapter 18 · Verse 14
Verſe 28. Then led they Jeſus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgement: And it was early. and they themſelves went not into the judgement hall, leſt they ſhould be defiled: but that they might eate the Paſſeover.
Followeth the third and laſt part of the chapter, conteining a part of Chriſts trial, and the procedure about him, in Pilates judgement-hall. It may be taken up in foure branches. In the firſt whereof (in this verſe) is recorded how they led Jeſus unto the hall of judgement, (or the place where the Romane Governours uſed to ſit in judgement) to have him ſentenced and condemned by Pilate, and executed accordingly. Before all which, we are to conceive, (as is marked by the reſt) that the chief Prieſts and their Councel, had (beſide their examination of himſelf, v. 19.) examined falſe witneſſes againſt him, and adjured himſelf to declare what he was; and upon his confeſſion condemned him of blaſphemy, and adjudged him to be worthy of death. And then, with all ſpeed they bring him to the Roman Governour, as is here marked. Unto which John ſubjoyneth, that they themſelves would not enter into the judgement hall, leſt being defiled they ſhould be kept from the Paſſeover, which they did not eat till this day, as hath been cleared on chap. 13.2. Doct. 1. It may ſhame the Lords people in their negligence in going about his ſervice, to ſee the activity of wicked men in their ill courſes, particularly, in their oppoſition to Chriſt; for, here, having been at it all night, they do not yet weary, but led him away, and it was early, and they go themſelves, and do not ſend officers only. 2. It pleaſed the Lord ſo to order, as Chriſt ſhould he brought before a pagan Judge, and be by him condemned; one reaſon whereof is given, v. 31, 32. which I remit to its proper place, And do adde, 1. Chriſt would not be ſlain tumultuouſly, as the Jewes cut off Steven, Acts 7. but would be judicially condemned, that ſo ſin might be condemned in the fleſh, Rom 8.3. and he might fully ſatisfie for his people, and abide a full proceſſe in Law. 2. By this lot he would expiate our being under the dominion of forreign powers of ſin; Satan, and the kingdome of darkneſſe. 3. Chriſt by getting his innocency aſſerted by Pilate, (which the Jewes would never grant) and yet being by him condemned, would have it cleared, that he ſuffered not for himſelf, but for others. 4. By this means both Jewes and Gentiles had an hand in his death, that both might have an occaſion to look to him whom they had pierced, to excite them to repentance and mourning. 5. Hereby alſo he hath ſanctified unto his people their being brought before judgement-ſeats, (even of unfriends or ſtrangers to Religion) for his ſake: All theſe conſiderations may be read in this, that they led Jeſus from Gaiaphas, unto the hall of judgement. Doct. 3. Men may pretend to very much zeal in external performances of Religion, who yet are but naughty, yea, and cruel bloody perſecutors; for, ſo appears in theſe here; They themſelves went not into the judgment-hall, leſt they ſhould be defiled: but that they might eat the Paſſeover. It is not needful to determine, whether it was a Tradition of their own, or a determination by God, that entring into the judgement-hall ſhould defile them, that they might not eat the Paſſeover; or whether they apprehended pollution, from ſomewhat they might meet with there, rather then from entring ſimply to the place; But this is clear in it, that they pretend to reſpect the Paſſeover, and are careful to avoid pollution; when yet they are ſeeking the life of the Lord of glory. See Matth. 23.23.