Matthew 27

Matthew 27:2

DElivered him] for the Romans had left the Iewes the power of judging the crimes of such as were malefactors of their owne Nation, but had reserved the power of condemning them to death, and executing of them to themselves Iohn 18. 31.

Matthew 27:3

Repented himselfe] with that kinde of griefe and repentance, which proceedeth only from the wound of Conscience, and from the feeling of Gods wrath, without any conversion, faith, or hope in his mercy: which kind of repentance can produce nothing but death, 2 Corinthians 7:10.

Matthew 27:6

Treasurie] the Greeke Corbana, a Syriack word, which signifieth the place where they layed up and kept the gifts and offerings which were made in the Temple, and consecrated things.

Matthew 27:7

The Potters field] it was some close which was so called for an unknowne cause Strangers] heathens, from whom the Iewes would be separate even after their death.

Matthew 27:9

The Prophet] many Greeke Copies doe adde Ieremie in stead of Zechariah, but it is likely that this change might be slipt into the text, by the error of Coppiers and Seriveners And they tooke] this is the proper meaning of Zechariah, which the Syriack translation hath also followed, though your Greeke Texts have and they tooke, &c. and they gave, &c. as if Zechariah had set downe the prediction and Saint Matthew the fulfilling of it Of him that was valued] of him, who though he was a true Israelite, yet the Iewes bought his life at the same rate as by the Law they ransomed a poore slaves life that was a stranger, Exodus 21:32. See upon Matthew 26:15.

Matthew 27:12

Hee answered nothing] See upon Matth. 26. 62.

Matthew 27:15

At that feast] the Italian At every feast] at the Passeover as Saint Iohn saith, though peradventure it may also bee understood of the other two solemne feasts of the yeare.

Matthew 27:16

They had] by these words may be meant either simply that Barrabas was a Iew, or that the Iewes had taken him and condemned him according to their Law, and afterwards had put him into Plates hands as they had done Iesus.

Matthew 27:24

That he could] Or that all this would not helpe it He tooke water] a vaine ceremony, to shew that hee protested himselfe to bee innocent of his death, to which he was forced by the Iewes. See Deuteronomy 21:6.

Matthew 27:25

His bloud be] if there be any in justice in it, we take the guilt and the punishment thereof upon ourselves.

Matthew 27:26

When hee had] that is to say, having first sought to appease the peoples fury, by this smaller punishment, as for a slight fault, Luke 23:16. Ioh 19. 1. Or for a kinde of torture used before execution: to get the whole truth out of the Delinquent. Now amongst the Romans in such cases they used rods or wands for free persons, and whippes for slaves, of which Christ had taken the shape upon him, Philippians 2:7

Matthew 27:28

A Scarlet robe] which might be the robe of some Centurion, or Sergeant, who used to weare that colour. Now all this was done in scorne because he had stiled himselfe to bee King of the Iewes. See Luke 23:11. But Gods secret providence did here nore two things: first that Christ presented himselfe before Gods judgement seate in a strange vesture, namely as a sinner, and a pledge for all the sins of the world, Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 53:12. 2 Corinthians 5:21. secondly that he only suffered the bloudy punishment therfore according to the prophesie, Isaiah 63:2.

Matthew 27:29

A reed] instead of a Scepter, and herein also there may bee a mistery namely that Christ governeth his Kingdome by very weake meanes, and disperseth the powers of this world, 1 Cor. 1. 25. 28.

Matthew 27:31

To crucifie him] the Crosse was a punishment wherewith the Romans punished their slaves, and such as were Authors of sedition, a crime wherof Christ was accused, and had voluntarily made himselfe a servant. See Luke 23:2. and Isaiah 49:7. Philippians 2:7.

Matthew 27:32

Of Cirene] in Africa They compelled] See upon, Matthew 5:41 To beare] the custome of the Romans was that malefactors did carrie their crosse to the place of execution. But Iesus being so faint, that he was not able to beare so great a burthen, this poore contemptible man was joyned to him, to help him to beare it up behinde, Luke 23:26. Ioh. 19. 17. for to shew figuratively what communion poore beleevers have with Christ in his sufferings. See Matthew 10:38.

Matthew 27:33

Of a skull] so called by reason of the great company of bones of executed men which were in that place.

Matthew 27:34

Vineger] there stood a vessell with vineger there ordinarily, Iohn. 19. 29. for to comfort a little those which suffered, but it shold seem that the inhumane Souldiers, thorow an insolent kinde of scorne had mingled gall amongst it He would not]namely this first time, that this vineger thus mingled was presented unto him, before hee was lifted up upon the Crosse. For it was offered him againe another time, after he was nailed on, Luke 23:36. and then he took it, Iohn 19. 30.

Matthew 27:35

Casting tts] this must specially be understood of the coat without seame, Iohn 19. 24.

Matthew 27:36

They watched] because that delinquents which were put to death by the Crosse, lingered in paine a great while.

Matthew 27:44

The theeves] namely one of them, Luke 23:39

Matthew 27:45

The sixth houre] which was at noone or midday Darknesse] not by any naturall eclipse, the moon being then at the full but by a supernaturall miracle, to shew that the great Sun of righteousnesse and life, was as it were encumbred & overcast with darknes. Luk. 22, 53. being brought unto extremitie. And likewise to shew Christs infinite power, & the grievousnesse of the Iewes fact Over all the Land] some affirme that it was over all the world, others thinke that it was in Iudea onely, and the Countries thereabouts.

Matthew 27:46

Eli] these words of the Psalme are he related in the Syriacke tongue, which in those dayes was most frequent amongst the Iewes Forsaken] not that the Father, and the Sons God-head had forsaken Christs humanity, neither concerning his personall union, not the presence and influence of all manner of vertue and love: neither did Christ judge it to be so: seeing that he calleth him father. But because the Father and the Sons God-head, did suspend their effect of joy and comfort, to let his humanity feele all the sorrowes and torments which God had appointed: though the same Deitie did give him strength and sufferance to beare, and overcome them, See Psal. 98. 1. Isaiah 63:5 Heb. 9 14.

Matthew 27:47

This man] whither it were in a scoffing manner by reason of the name Eli, or whither they had misunderstood it, or whither they were strangers and did not understand the language.

Matthew 27:50

Cried] with the words contained, Luk. 23 46. Ioh. 19 30.

Matthew 27:51

The vaile] which separated the holy place from the most holy, in the Temple, see Exodus 26:31 2 Chronicles 3:4 And this breach was a signe that by the death of Christ all Mosaicall ceremonies were annihilated: amongst which the chiefe was the secret service which was yeelded to God in his sanctuary. And besides to shew that tho heavenly sanctuary was open to all true beleevers for to direct their prayers and spirituall service to God, Heb. 9. 8. and 10, 19, 20, 22.

Matthew 27:52

That slept] which were dead in certaine hope of a resurrection: an ordinary terme in Scripture Arose] namely after Christs Resurrection, not to die any more, nor yet to live an animall life, but to accompany the Lord ascending up to heaven, as first fruits of the resurrection of the dead.

Matthew 27:54

The Sonne of God] that is to say a divine man: for there is no great likely-hood that these prophane people were illuminated in the knowledge of Christs God-head. See Marke 15. 39. Luke 23:1-56. 7.

Matthew 27:56

And Mary] some have beleeved that it was the blessed. Virgin, as Mother in law to these children of Ioseph borne by another woman. See upon Matth. 12. 46. And indeed the Mother of Iesus ood by the Crosse, Iohn 19. 25 And the mo〈…〉] called Salome, Mark 15:40. peradventure it was the same Mary the wife of Cleophas, Iohn 19. 25.

Matthew 27:57

Of Arimathea] this is old Rama, or Ramathaim in the tribe of Benjamin.

Matthew 27:62

The preparation] that day which was before the Sabbath, or before any other solemne feast was so called, and especially the nine houres, namely the three houres after midday, untill the end of that day after which the feast day was.

Matthew 27:65

A Watch] of Roman Souldiers, appointed to lie in garrison in a strong hold which was by the Temple, for the securing of it, and for the publike peace: whither the Iewes might call upon them, whensoever they had need, for to assist them, or whether Plate suffered them upon this occasion to make use of them.