Matthew 27

Christ is by the Jews delivered into the hands of Pilate,1. Judas repenting cast the money into the Temple, and strangles himself,3. With which money a potter field is bought, as was foretold,6. Pilate examines Christ about the accusation brought against him, 11, is warned by his wife, 19. declares Christ innocence, and endevours, by exposing of Barabbas, to release him, but in vain,20. washed his hands, and upon the Jews pressing of him, gives him over to the souldiers to be crucified, 24. who reproachfully mis – use him, and lead his away to be cruciefied, 27 Simon of Cyrene is forced to help him bear his cross, 32. Christ is crucified, 35 and with him two murderers, 38 he is reproached and mocked by those that pass by, 39. Darkeness cometh upon the earth, and Christ hath gall given him to drink, cries out in his extreamest distress unto his Father, and give up the ghost, 45 Divers wonders happen about his death, whereby the Captain acknowledgeth that he is the Son of God, 51. he is buried by Joseph of Arimathes, an at the request of the chief Priests, a guard is set upon his grave,57.

1. Now when the morning was come, all the chief Priests, and Eldres of the people, took counsil together against Jesus, that they might put him to death.

2. And having bound him, they led him (away) and gave him over to Pontius Pilate the Governor, [Namely, of the Roman Empourour Tiberius, over to the land of Judah, Luke 3:1. for the jews had no power lest them to punish any man with death, without the foregoing consent of the Roman Governours, as they themselves testifie, John 18:31.]

3. Then Judas which had betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repented, [This was no true repentance, such as Peter had, seeing it was not accompanied with amendment of life,nor with faith and confiedence of forgiveness of his sins. Paul calls such a repentance as Judas had, a sorrow of the world which worketh death, 2 Cor 7.10.] and brought again [Gr. turned again; that is, turned out again] the thirty silver (pence) to the chief Priest and Elders

4. Saying i have sinned, betraying the innocent bloud. But they said, What is (that) to us? Thou mayest look to it.

5. And when he had thrown (down) the silver (pence) in the Temple, he departed, and going away strangled (himself). [see hereof more at large, Acts 1:18]

6. And the chief Priets taking the silver (pence) said, It is not lawful to put the same into the offering – chest , [In the Greek Text the syriack word Corbanan is kept, which signifies a gift or offering, and so they called the treasury or mony – chest, in which money given or consecrated to the service of God was kept. see 2 Kings 12 verse 9. This, Mark 12:41. and Luke 21:1. is called Gazaphylacium] seeing it is a price of bload [that is, for which Christ was bought but them to put him to death. It seems that these hypocrites have respect to the place, Deut 23. verse 18.]

7. And being taken councel together, they bought therewith the potters field fro burying – place fro straingers [That is, coming out strange Countries,and being strangers to the Jews Religion, with whom it seems that the Jews have communion, no not after their death]

8. Therefore is that field called the field of bloud, even unto this day. [Of this field, see Acts 1:19]

9. Then (there) as fulfilled that which is spoken by the Prophet Jeremy, [This palce is not found in Jeremy, but in Zachary. chap 11 verse 13. and thherefore some ancuent Teachers think that here was no name of the Prophet exprest by Matthew himself, as he is wont also elsewhere to omit it, and as likewise this name is not extant in the Syriack Translation, which is very ancientt, and in some others: and that the name of Jeremy should by some of the Transcribers, although ignorance, (because of the likeness of the letters i and s they are written in short) be inserted out of the margine of the Text. But others think that Zachary was also named Jeremy, as among the Israelites it was very usual to have two names, especially when they signified almost one kind of thing] Saying , And they took the thirty silver (pence), the value of him that was valued by the children of Israel, whom they did value. [Oth translate it, the value of him that was valued, which some of the children of Israel did value. Zachary chapter 11 verse 13. brings in Christ himself, as speaking in his own person, but Matthew regarding more the sense then the words of the Prophet, speaks of Christ in the the third person, to shew that this prophecy was here fulfilled in him]

10. And gave the same for the potters field, according to that with the Lord commaned me. [These words indeed are not in the Prophet, but the sense of them is]

11. And Jesus stood before the Governour, and the Governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? [Namely, whom the Jews expect for their Messias and Deliverer.] And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest it. [See before, chap 26 verse 25,64. and John 18:37.]

12. And when he was accused of the chief Priest and Eldres, he answered nothing.

13. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many (things) they witness against thee? [These things are exprest, Luke 23:2.]

14. But he answered him not to any one word, [Partly, because the accusation were manifest lies, partly, because he would be condemned for us, being innocent. And so was fulfilled that which was foretold of him, Isa.53.7.] so that the Governour marvelled greatly.

15. And at the Feast [Namely, of the Passover, Job 18.39] the Governour was wont to release to the people, [Gr. to the multitude] one prisoner, whom they would.

16. And they had then well known prisoner, [That is, a famous and eminet (one) whose person and ill feats were notorious. For he was put in prison for murder and sedition, Mark 15:7. Luke 23:19., John 18:40] called Barabbas.

17. Thererfore when they were gathered together, Pilate, said unto them, Whom will ye that i shall release unto you, Barabbus, or Jesus which is called Christ?

18. For he knew that for envy they had delivered him over.

19. And when he sate upone the judgement seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have nothing to do (i pray)with that righteous (man) for i have suffered muct to day in a dream for his sake.

20. But the chief Priest and the Elders perswaded the multitudes, [or moved them thereunto by counseling] that they should desire Barabbas, and put Jesus to death.

21. And the Governour answering, said unto them, Which of these two will ye that i shall release unto you? and they said Barabbas.

22. Pilate said unto them, What shall i do then (with) Jesus, who is called Christ? They all said unto him, Let him be crucified

23. But the Governour said, What evil then hath he done? And they cryed the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24. Now when Pilate saw that he advanced nothing, but much rather (that there) was an uproar made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, i am innocent of the bloud of this righteous (man): [That is, of his death; whereof notwithstanding he was not wholly innocent, seeing he might not for to please others put an innocent person to death: as the Governor Festus himself, Acts 25:16.] ye may look to it.

25. And all the people answering, said, His bloud (come) upon us, and upon our children. [That is, if this bloud be innocently shed, the judgment or vengeance of God for it come upon us and posterity. Which likewise shortly after was fulfilled by the Romans, and is fulfilling yet, Matth 24.21. The like phrase, see Lev.20.9. 2 Sam.1.16]

26. Then released he Barabbas unto them, but having scourged Jesus [The Romans had indeed the custom, that they caused those which were condemned to death, openly to be scourged first: but it appears out John19.1. that Pilate did this, because he hoped to satisfie the Jews with this lesser punishment, and to move them to compassion, that he might release hhim] gave him over to be crucified.

27. Then the soldiers of the Governour took Jesus with them into the judgement – Hall, and gathered upon him whole band.

28. And when they had unrayed him, [Namely, of his upper garment] they put a a purple colour cloak about him. [This was a certain sot of costly purple colour, like as the other Evangelists call it; Or of scarler, which was worn only by the Kings and great ones, Daniel 5:7. And so these made a nock of the Kingly office of Christ, For which purpose served also the crown of thorns, and the reed instead of a scepter, and the following mockery.]

29. And having platted a crown of thorns, they set (the same) upon his head, and a reed in his right (hand) ; and falling on their knees before him, they mocked him, saying, Hail, thy King of Jews

30. And having spit upon him, thet took the reed and smote upon his head.

31. And when they had mocked him, they took the cloak off from him, and put his (own) garments on him, [Namely, his upper garments which they had stripped off] and led him away to crucifie him.

32. And going out they found a man of Cyrene, by name Simon, [see more largely of this Simon, Mark 15 verse 21] this (man) they forced [see of this word, Matthh 5.41] that he should bear his croos, [Gr. should take up; namely, to carry the same after Christ, Luke 23:26. It was usual that those which should be crucified, must bear their cross themselves to the place of execution. But seeing Christ was very much weakned in his body by the former ill handling, therefore they joyned this man unto him.]

33. And being come to the place called Golgotha, which is to say , skull – place, [Or place of the skull, or of the brain – pain, which place seems to be so called, because justice used to be done there, by reasoan whereof many dead skulls of offendors were found there. Or as some think, because that Hill had the form or shape of a brainpan.]

34. They gave him to drink Vinegar mingled with gall pMark, chap 15. verse 23. faith, wine mingled with myrrhe, which drink was used to be given to those that were condemned, that they might forget their pain, to which the souldiers put Vinegar and gall; herein also to show their maliciousness towards him.] and when he had tasted (it), he would not drink.

35. Now when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots: that that might be fulfilled which is said by the Prophet, they parted my garments among them; and cast lots upon my raiment. [Because his inner coat was without seeam, as may be seen, John 19:23.]

36. And sitting down, they watched him there.

37. And they set over his head his accusation written, [Or his offence; Others his cause; namely whereof he was accused, and for which hhe was condemned] THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF JEWS.

38. Then (there) were two murderers crucified with him, one at the right, and one at the left (side)

39. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads. [In token of compempt, and that they liked it well, (or wished him no better) see Psalms 22:8. Lament.2.15]

40. And saying, Thou that breakest down the Temple, and buildest (it) up in three days, deliver they self. If thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41. And like manner also the cheif Priest, with the Scribes, and Eldres, and Pharisees, mocking (him) said,

42. He deleivered others, he cannot deleiver himself. [Or, can he not deleiver himself?] If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43. He trusted in God, let him now deleiver him,if he willeth him (well), [That is, if he have delight in him] For he said, i am the Son of God.

44. And with the same did the murderers also which were crucified with him upbraid him. [Properly it was done but one of the murderers, as Luke testified, chap 23. verse 39. but this is spoken thus in common to shew that Christ was mocked of all sorts of men, even of the murderers themselves. Except we should say, (as some of the ancient Teachers are of opinoin) that at first both should have received him, and afterwards on of them, seeing the miracles which came to passe, ws converted]

45. And from the sixth hour , [That is, from about noon, till about three a clock in the afternoon, according to our account. see Matth 20.3. John 11:9 see further, Mark 15:25. John 19:14.] there was darkness [This was no ordinary Eclipse of the Sun, seeing the Passover waskept at the full Moon, when the Moon stands right opposite the Sun on the other side of theHeaven, and for this cause cannot hinder the light of the Sun: but a supernatural work of God, coming to pass by miracles, like as the darkeness in Egypt, Exodus 10:22.] over the whole earth, [Some understand hereby the land of the jews only. Others thhe whole Globe of the Earth] until the night hour.

46. And about the night hour Jesus cryed with great voice, saying, Eli ELI LAMA SABACTHANI, [These words are taken out of Psalms 22:2.] thhat is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [Namely, under the burden of thy terrible wrath against thhe sins of mankind, without suffering me to the enjoy the sense of thy savour and help, Galatians 3:13. But these are no words of despair, seeing hhe perfectly trusted in him nor withstanding, as appears by the words, My God. see likewise here, Hebrews 5:7.]

47. And some of those that stood there, hearing (this), said, This (man) calleth Elias. [This they said, mocking him, because the words Eli and Elias come come pretty near one another.

48. And straightway one of them running (to him) took a spunge, and having filled (it) with Vinegar, stuck it on a reed, [Gr. put it about a reed. This he did, because Christ had said, i thirst , as John chap.19. verse 28 witness] and gave him to drink

49. But the others said, stay, let us see whether Elias will come to deliver him.

50. And Jesus again cryed with a great voice, gave (up) the ghost [Gr. let go (or dimist) the ghost, i.e. his soul, John 10:18.]

51. And behold the vail of the Temple [This was a certain Tapistry, or embroidered cloth, which hun before the Holy of Holies; and the parted the same from the holy place, or foremost part of the Temple. What this signified is declared, Heb.10.20.] rent in twain, from the top to the bottome: and the Earth quarked, and the rocks rent.

52. And the graves were opened, and many bodies of saints, which were faln asleep, were raised up.

53. And being gone forth out of the graves after his resurrection, they come into the holy City, [Namely, Jerusalem. see Matth.4.5.] and appeared unto many.

54. And the Centurion and those that kept Jesus with him, seeing the Earthquake and the things which had happened, were sore afraid, saying Truly, this was the Son of God.

55. There were many women looking on from afar, whhich had followed Jesus from Galilee to minister unto him. [Gr. ministring unto him; namely, in his life, of their goods, Luke 8:3.]

56. Among wich was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Moses, [See of her, Matth 13.55.] the mother of sons of Zebedee. [see also, of her Matth 20.20.]

57. And when it was become evening, [That is, late of the day, before the sun was gone down. For with the going down of the Sun the Sabbath begun] there came a rich man of Arimathea, [namely by birth, this was a city in the land of Judea, Luke 23:51] by name Joseph, who also himself was a desciple of Jesus.

58. This (men) came to Pilate, and desired the body of Jesus . Then Pilate commanded that the body should be given (him)

59. And Joseph taking the body, wrapped the same in clean fine linnen. [Which he had bought new for that purpose, Mark 15:46.]

60. And laid it in his (own0 new grave, [In the which yet no man before was laid, Luke 23. verse 53. which by Gods disposing came to pass, that men might not say or think that any one else was arisen again] which he had hewn out of a rock: and having rolled a great stone (against) the door of the grave, he went away.

61. And there was Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary, [Namely, named and described before verse 56.] sitting over against the grave.

62. Now the next day, which is after the Preparation, [That is, on their own Pascha – day, or, day of the Passover, which then was also the Sabbath – day] the chief Priest and the Pharisees gathered unto Pilate .

63. Saying, sir , We remember that this Seducer being yet alive, [So do these ungodly men slander Christ yet after his death] said, After three days i will arise again. [Gr. i arise]

64. Command therefore that the grave be kept safe (or safe – guarded) until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come night and day, and steal him, and say to the people, he is risen from the dead: and (so) the last errour (or seduction) be worse then the first.

65. And Pilate said unto them, Ye have a Guard, [Which were souldiers, that were set to keep and watch the Temple without; which had their watch- place in the Tower Antonia. see Joseph Antiqu.lib, 18.cap.6. Go your way, Make it sure, as ye know (or understand) it

66. And they going away, secured the grave with the Guard, having sealed the stone, [that no man should be so bold, as to open the grave, without their knowledge, as Dan 6.q7. which like wise came to pass by Gods disposing, to make Christ resurrection so much the more certain and glorious.]