Annotations Upon the New Testament, Luke · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
Verse 2. PErverting the Nation, and forbiding to give tribute to Caesar] There was nothing more odious than this crime with Pilate, who cared for nothing more than to defend the quiet state of the empire.Calvin. Therefore Pilate neglecting other things, most of all insists on that about sedition, because if he had found that Christ had troubled any thing in the publick state, he would willingly without delay have condemned him, this is the reason why Pilate questioned him about the Kingdome.
Vers. 5. He stirreth up the people] They say not in the preterperfect tense, he hath stirred up the people, but in the present tense, he doth stirre up, signifying that his whole life was seditious. The Syriack hath a word which signifies to move with a certaine tumult, which word the Thargum useth,Gerhard. Exod. 14.24. and Ier. 51.7. therfore the Priests meane this by their accusation, that Christ moved the people in Galilee and Judaea with new and seditious doctrines.
By the very mentioning of Galilee they desire to provoke Pilate, See Luke 13.1 Acts 5.37.and make him an enemy to Christ, for the Galileans above others were prone to sedition, and impatient of the Romane yoake.
Vers. 11. Mocked him] He derides Christ,Illudens ei, ut homini fatuo: haec enim portio est Christi & Christianorum apud id genus homines. Grotius. as if he had been a foole who had boasted great things of himselfe, but when it was come to the point could performe nothing foreign is properly to handle one like a childe, to mock and scoffe at him. The Syriack hath a word which signifies to scoffe at, and play with. The Septuagint use this greek word of Sampson scorned by the Philistimes, who was a type of Christ 2 Pet. 3.3. Iude 18. They are called mockers who esteeme the doctrine of the last Judgement but a fable, and sharply scoffe at it; such a scoffer in this place is Herod, who not only refuseth the doctrine of Christ, but also jests and sports at it.Gerhard. Christ foretold this mocking of him, Matth. 20.19. Marke 10.34. Luke 18.34. which he would undergoe for us.
Vers. 17. They delivered at the feast a malefactor] Some say in remembrance of the delivery of Ionathan by the people; others say to cause greater joy; others say it was a signe of their delivery from Egypt.
Vers. 18. Release unto us Barrabas] No marvell to see murderers desire a murderer.
Vers. 21. Crucifie him, crucifie him] The Epizeuxis or repetition notes the vehemencie of the hatred; as if they would crucifie him twice, they crie out twice, crucifie him, crucifie him.
Vers. 27. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him] Although in publick all the people with one crie condemned Christ, yet we see that some of them forgat not his doctrine and miracles,Calvin. so God kept to himselfe a small remainder in that miserable dissipation.
Vers. 31. If they doe these things in a green tree, Vide Piscat. 1 Pet. 4.15. Compare 20 Ezek. 47… with 21.3.what shall be done in the drie] This shewes First-Christ and the godly flourish. 2. The wicked are drie. It was a proverbiall speech, for the Hebrewes call good men green wood, bad men drie wood. If husbandmen spare not their green trees which are of good use for timber but burne them, they will not spare old stumps.
Vers. 34. Father forgive them, for they know not what they doe] Beza saith, here he is a true High-Priest, he prayed for those that persecuted him, because he foresaw their Conversion.
Vers. 38. A suterscription also was written over him in Letters of Greek, and Latine, and Hebrew &c. Iesus of Nazareth King of the Iewes, John 19.19. Pilatus scripsit tribus Linguis, quod nemo videretur ad festum venturus, qui non unum saltem trium linguarum intelligeret. Rainold. praelect. 256. Col. 1529. Latino sermone scripta haec foreign ob majestatem imperii; Hebraeo, ob locum in quo supplicium sumebatur; Graeco ob maximam turbam Hellenistarum quae ad Pascha convenerat: quanquam alioqui Graeco sermoni à Macedonicis temporibus & in Palaestina Iudaei vic inaeque gentes assueverant. Grotius in 27. Matth. 37. These three Languages were the most knowne of all the rest. The Latine because of the Romane Empire, and the Greek by reason of the studies of Philosophie, and the Hebrew for the antiquity of it, and being the Language of the Jews.] or rather as the originall sounds, Jesus that Nazarene, that King of the Jewes. Three languages, to shew first that he is a Saviour of all sorts. 2. Prayers in a knowne tongue. 3. Nothing can hinder Christs kingdome. Pilates purpose was that it might be read and understood of all, both inhabitants and strangers then gathered together over the whole world, but the counsell of God herein is to be regarded by us, who would by this way consecrate these three tongues for the propagation of his kingdome. The Scripture of the old Testament was written in Hebrew, that of the New in Greek, both were turned into Latine, which version was hitherto more usuall and common in the Church than all the rest, moreover the most excellent Commentaries upon the Scripture were written in one of these tongues. Gerhard.
First here is an exact description of the substance of our faith. Secondly, he acknowledgeth his name on the Crosse. Thirdly, he is King able to save, no power is lost in his abasement.
Vers. 39. And one of the malefactors, which were hanged, railed on him] Matth. 27.44. saith, the theeves. Some say it is a Synechdoche, and the Scripture ascribes that to both the theeves which agreeth but to one. Others answer it thus, that at the first both the evill doers did mock Christ,Perkins. and of that time speaketh Matthew: but afterward one of them was miraculously converted, then the other alone mocked him, and of that time speaks Luke; this is the better.
Vers. 40. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying, Doest not thou feare God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation] It shewes First, a true Convert cannot abide sinne. Secondly, will reprove it in others, yea his companions. Thirdly, want of the feare of God is the cause of all disorder. Fourthly, mockers have great cause to feare. Fiftly, It is fearfull not to repent when there is a great Judgement on one.
It makes not for late penitents. First it is an example without a promise. 2. A miracle and rare,Many therefore deferre their repentance. Hic est impiissimus optimi exempli abusus. we may as well looke for another crucifying of Christ. 3. He did not wittingly refuse before. 4. He had no meanes before. 5. He expressed more than our late penitents doe at last.
Vers. 41. But this man hath done nothing amisse] Or that is absurd, or out of place, as the *foreign.originall word doth import.
Vers. 42. Lord remember me when thou commest into thy kingdome] First, Christ is King. Secondly, not of this world. Thirdly, hath the keyes of heaven. Fourthly, we must flie only to Christ for salvation. Fifthly, must believe in Christ though all be against it.
Vers. 43. This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise] Christ promiseth more than the other asked.foreign vox est, ut Pollux verè dicit, Persica, quanquam & Haebraei usurpant, ut Eccles. 2.5. Nehem. 2.8. Sed Graeci usu hanc vocem suam fecerunt. Grotius. This to day is emphaticall, and is wont to be added to the mention of benefits, as Ier. 1.10.
Vers. 44. There was a darknesse over all the earth untill the ninth houre] This darknesse was not a naturall Eclipse of the Sun.Over all the Earth] viz. in Jury, and most Countries about. Philosophers saw it in Athens. Signifies First, Sun of righteousness did not set. 2. Shews the Jews blindnesse. 3. Detestation of the fact. 4. Vilenesse of our sins. 5. Teacheth us compassion. For first it cannot be so totall. 2. Not so long, for the interposed Moone goeth swiftly away. It was dark, first to shew the sin of the people in crucifying of Christ. 2. That darknesse of ignorance should come on the people. Bellarm. This darknesse was spoken of by St. Dennis the Areopagite.
Vers. 46. Into thy hands I commend my Spirit] That is, to thy safe custody and blessed tuition, I commend my soule, as 1 Cor. 6.20. Acts 7.59. Gal. 6.18. 2 Tim. 4.22. 1 Pet. 3.19. as a speciall treasure or Jewell most charily and tenderly to be preserved and kept.foreign est commendare veluti commendatur depositum servandum, ac reddendum tempore. Eras. & Gerh. Mr. Ball.