54 chapters
11 hour read
Selected Chapters
54 chapters
THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW.
THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW.
CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE Matt. I. Matt. II. Matt. III. 1-12. Matt. III. 13-17. Matt. IV. 1-11. Matt. IV. 12-25. ("Sermon on the Mount.") Matt. V., VI., VII. Matt. VIII.-IX. 35. Matt. IX. 36-X. 42. Matt. XI., XII. Matt. XIII. Matt. XIV.-XVI. 12. (Founding of the Church.) Matt. XVI. 13-XVII. 21. Matt. XVII. 22-XVIII. 35. Matt. XIX. 1-XX. 16. Matt. XX. 17-XXI. 17. Matt. XXI. 18-XXIII. Matt. XXIV., XXV. Matt. XXVI.-XXVII. 56. Matt. XXVII. 57-XXVIII. 15. Matt. XXVIII. 16-20. Matt. III. 1-12. Matt. III. 1
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
III.HIS HERALD. Matt. iii. 1-12.
III.HIS HERALD. Matt. iii. 1-12.
THIRTY years have gone since all Jerusalem was in trouble at the rumour of Messiah's birth. But as nothing has been heard of Him since, the excitement has passed away. Those who were troubled about it are ageing or old or dead; so no one thinks or speaks of it now. There have been several political changes since, mostly for the worse. Judæa is now a province of Rome, governed by procurators, of whom the sixth, called Pontius Pilate, has just entered on his office. Society is much the same as bef
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
IV.HIS BAPTISM. Matt. iii. 13-17.
IV.HIS BAPTISM. Matt. iii. 13-17.
"THE baptism of John, was it from Heaven or of men?" This question must have been asked throughout the length and breadth of the land in the days of his mission. We know how it was answered; for even after the excitement had died away, we are told that "all men counted John for a prophet." This conviction would of course prevail in Nazareth as well as everywhere else. When, therefore, the Baptist removed from the wilderness of Judæa and the lower reaches of the Jordan to the ford of Bethany, or
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
V.HIS TEMPTATION. Matt. iv. 1-11.
V.HIS TEMPTATION. Matt. iv. 1-11.
MUCH has been written on the possibility of temptation in the experience of a sinless Being. The difficulties which have been raised in this region are chiefly of a metaphysical kind, such as it is possible—for some minds, we might say inevitable—to raise at every point in that mysterious complexity which we call life. Without attempting to enter profoundly into the question, may not an appeal be made to our own experience? Do we not all know what it is to be "tempted without sin,"—without sin,
24 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I. The Nature and Constitution of the Kingdom (vv. 2-16): first in itself, and then in relation to the world.
I. The Nature and Constitution of the Kingdom (vv. 2-16): first in itself, and then in relation to the world.
The answer to the questions in the people's hearts is given in no cold didactic way. The truth about the heavenly kingdom comes warm from a loving heart yearning over the woes of a weary and heavy-laden humanity. Its first word is "Blessed"; its first paragraph, Beatitudes. Plainly the King of heaven has come to bless. There is no thunder nor lightning nor tempest on this mount; all is calm and peaceful as a summer's day. How high the key-note struck in this first word of the King! The advantage
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II. The Law of the Kingdom (v. 17-vii. 12).
II. The Law of the Kingdom (v. 17-vii. 12).
After blessing comes obligation—after beatitude, law. It is the same order as of old. The old covenant was in its origin and essence a covenant of promise, of blessing. Mercy, not duty, was its key-note. When God called Abraham to the land of promise, His first word was: "I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing" (Gen. xii. 2). Later on came the obligation resulting, as in Genesis xvii. 1: "Walk before me, and be thou perfect." So in the history of the Nation, the
36 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
III. Invitation to enter the Kingdom (vii. 13-29).
III. Invitation to enter the Kingdom (vii. 13-29).
The Master has now said everything necessary in order to clear away popular misapprehensions, and place the truth about His kingdom fairly before the minds of His hearers. He has explained its nature as inward and spiritual, setting forth the character of those who belong to it, the blessedness they will enjoy, and the influence they will exert on the world around them. He has set forth clearly and fully the obligations that will rest upon them, as summed up in the comprehensive requirement of r
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Leper (viii. 1-4).
The Leper (viii. 1-4).
"And when He was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, there came to Him a leper." What will He do with him? Should He say to him, "Poor man, you are too late—the sermon is done"? or should He give him some of the best bits over again? No, there is not a sentence in the whole of it that would be any answer to that cry, "Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean." What does He do, then? "Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean.
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Centurion's Servant (5-13).
The Centurion's Servant (5-13).
This case, while affording another valuable illustration of the Master's willingness and power to save, differs in several important points from the first, so that the lesson is widened. First and chiefly, the application was from a Gentile; next, it was not on his own behalf that the centurion made it, but on behalf of another, and that other his servant; and, further, it was a request to heal a patient out of sight, out of knowledge even, as it would seem. Each of these particulars might sugge
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Fever Patient (14, 15).
The Fever Patient (14, 15).
The leprosy and palsy were symbols of sin wholly possessing its victims: the one suggestive of the state of those who are positively defiled by sin, the other of the condition of those who, though sound to all outward appearance, are simply wanting in inward life, paralysed in that part of their being which constitutes life. These two cases, then, were most suitable for setting forth the saving power of the Christ of God as regards the unconverted, be they Jew or Gentile. This third cure is with
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Impulsive Scribe (18-20).
The Impulsive Scribe (18-20).
The two incidents which follow, though at first sight apparently different in character from the great majority of the group, are quite in place among the mighty deeds of the Master, manifesting, as they do, His penetrating insight into character. To all appearance there could have been no better offer than that of the impulsive scribe—"Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest"; and, had it been made with a full understanding of all it meant, it would beyond all question have been at
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Hesitating Disciple (21, 22).
The Hesitating Disciple (21, 22).
This case is one of the opposite description. Judging from the way in which the scribe had been dealt with, it might have been expected that when this disciple asked to be excused for a time, in order to discharge a duty which seemed so urgent, the answer would have been one not only allowing but even enforcing the delay. But no. Why the difference? Again, because the Master saw "what was in man." This was no impulsive, impetuous nature which needed a word of caution; but one of those hesitating
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Storm Stilled (23-27).
The Storm Stilled (23-27).
It was not enough that the Saviour of mankind should have power to grapple with disease and skill to search the hearts of men: He must be Master not only of life, but of its environment too. That He is becomes apparent before the boat which carries the little company reaches the other side of the lake. One of those tempests which often lash the Sea of Galilee into sudden fury has burst upon them, and the little boat is almost covered with the waves. Here is a situation beyond the reach even of t
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Demons cast out (28-34).
Demons cast out (28-34).
Visible nature is not man's sole environment. There is an unseen universe besides; and He Who would be Saviour of mankind must be Master there as well. That this also is sure is now proved beyond a doubt. For it is important to observe that this is not an ordinary case of healing, otherwise its true place would have been with the group of bodily diseases at the beginning of this series. When we consider its salient features, we see that it is just in its right place, closely following, as it doe
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Sins Forgiven (ix. 1-13).
Sins Forgiven (ix. 1-13).
Master of disease—Searcher of hearts—Master of the forces of nature—Master of the powers of the Unseen: is not this enough? Not yet; He must make it evident that "the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." To heal the diseases of the body was a great and blessed thing to do, but it was not thorough work; for what are all these varied diseases—leprosy, fever, palsy—but symptoms of one great disorder which has its roots, not in the flesh, but in the soul, a disease belonging to that regi
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Death Vanquished (14-26).
Death Vanquished (14-26).
The focal point of the passage is the chamber of death in the house of Jairus. There we learn that He Who had shown Himself to be Lord of nature and of human nature, Master of the spirits of evil, and Saviour from sin, is also Conqueror of Death. He needs no preparation for the encounter. The summons comes to Him in the midst of a discourse, yet He asks not a moment's delay, but sets out at once; on the other hand, He is in no haste, for He has time to attend to another sufferer by the way; and
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Lost Faculties Restored (27-34).
Lost Faculties Restored (27-34).
The raising of the dead may be regarded as the culminating point of the series; yet there is a special value in the two that follow in close succession before the series is complete. We have seen already that, occurring, as they do, immediately after, they show that His power is not at all exhausted—a token this of the exhaustlessness of the Divine love and helpfulness. But, besides this, are they not resurrections too—the raising again of faculties that had long been dead? Vision is a large par
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.—The Mission (ix. 36-x. 5).
I.—The Mission (ix. 36-x. 5).
SO far the King Himself has done all the work of the kingdom. But it has grown upon Him, so that He can no longer do it without assistance; He must therefore provide Himself with deputies. His doing so will be the first step in the organisation of His world-wide kingdom. He reveals, however, no plan laid down to meet all possible emergencies. It is enough to provide for necessities as they develop themselves. He constructs no mechanism beforehand into the different parts of which life may be aft
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.—The Commission (x. 5-42).
II.—The Commission (x. 5-42).
"These twelve Jesus sent forth" (in pairs, as we learn elsewhere, and as is indicated here, perhaps, by the grouping in the list), "and charged them." This leads us to look at their commission. It begins with a limitation, which, however, was only to be temporary. The time had not yet come for the opening of the door to the Gentiles. Besides this, we must remember that the Saviour's heart was yearning over His own people. This appears in the tender way He speaks of them as "the lost sheep of the
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.—Discouragements (xi).
I.—Discouragements (xi).
HITHERTO almost everything has been hopeful and encouraging in our Evangelist's record of the Saviour's ministry. It began like daybreak on the shores of the sea of Galilee. Great multitudes followed Him wherever He went; and those whom He called to be with Him cheerfully responded to the summons. When He preached the Gospel of the kingdom, the people were astonished at His doctrine, and recognised that He "taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." His works of healing were w
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.—The Contradiction of Sinners (xii.).
II.—The Contradiction of Sinners (xii.).
The darkness deepens on the Saviour's path. He has now to encounter direct antagonism. There have been, indeed, signs of opposition before. When the man sick of the palsy was forgiven, "certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth" (ix. 3); but it was only "within themselves," they did not venture to speak out. Again, after the feast in the house of Levi, the Pharisees complained, but not to Christ Himself; "they said unto His disciples, Why eateth your Master with publica
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.—The Principle of Parabolic Instruction.
I.—The Principle of Parabolic Instruction.
The parable is a new style of teaching as compared with that of which the "Sermon on the Mount" was so notable an example. That discourse was not by any means lacking in illustration; still its main lines of thought were of the nature of direct spiritual instruction. But here there is no direct spiritual teaching. It is all indirect; it is parabolic through and through. No wonder the disciples noticed the difference, and came to the Master with the question, "Why speakest Thou unto them in parab
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.—The Group of Seven.
II.—The Group of Seven.
So far we have dealt with the parabolic method of teaching, and in doing so have glanced at only one of the seven parables the chapter contains, every one of which invites special study; but inasmuch as our plan will not admit of this, we shall attempt nothing more than a general view of the entire group; and to this we restrict ourselves the more willingly that there is a unity in the cluster which is apt to escape notice when they are considered apart, and because by letting go the details we
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.—The Banquet of Herod and the Feast of Christ (xiv. 1-21).
I.—The Banquet of Herod and the Feast of Christ (xiv. 1-21).
"Among them that are born of woman there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist." Such was the Saviour's testimony to His forerunner in the hour of his weakness; and the sequel fully justified it. The answer which came to John's inquiry brought him no outward relief. His prison bolts were as firmly fastened as before, Herod was as inexorable, the prospect before Him as dark as ever; but he had the assurance that Jesus was the Christ, and that His blessed work of healing the sick and prea
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.—Calm on the Mountain and Trouble on the Sea.
II.—Calm on the Mountain and Trouble on the Sea.
We learn from the fourth Gospel that the immediate result of the impression made by our Lord's miraculous feeding of the five thousand was an attempt on the part of the people to take Him by force and make Him a king. Thus, as always, their minds would run on political change, and the hope of bettering their circumstances thereby; while they refused to allow themselves to think of that spiritual change which must begin with themselves, and show itself in that repentance and hunger and thirst aft
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
III.—Israel after the Flesh, and Israel after the Spirit (xv.).
III.—Israel after the Flesh, and Israel after the Spirit (xv.).
Issue is now joined with the ecclesiastical leaders at Jerusalem, who send a deputation to make a formal complaint. When Jerusalem was last mentioned in our Gospel, it was in connection with a movement of quite a different character. The fame of the Saviour's deeds of mercy in Galilee had then just reached the capital, the result being that many set out at once to find out what new thing this might be: "There followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jeru
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
IV.—The Culmination of the Crisis (xvi. 1-12).
IV.—The Culmination of the Crisis (xvi. 1-12).
All this time Jesus has been keeping as much out of the way of His ungrateful countrymen as the limits of His commission would permit, hovering, as it were, around the northern outskirts of the land. But when in the course of this largest circuit of all His northern journeys, He reaches Decapolis, He is so near home that He cannot but cross the lake and revisit the familiar scenes. How is He received? Do the people flock around Him as they did before? If it had been so, we should no doubt have b
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.—The Christ (xvi. 13-20).
I.—The Christ (xvi. 13-20).
The faith test is a strictly personal one. We have seen how the Master has, so to speak, focussed His gospel in Himself. He had begun by preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and calling men to repentance; but as time passed on He found it necessary to make a more personal appeal, pressing His invitations in the winning form, "Come unto Me." When things came to a crisis in Galilee, He first in symbol and then in word set Himself before the people as the bread of life, which each one must receive
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.—The Cross (xvi. 21-28).
II.—The Cross (xvi. 21-28).
A still more searching test must now be applied. It is not enough to discover what they have learned from their intercourse with Him in the past; He must find out whether they have courage enough to face what is now impending in the future. Their faith in God as revealed in Christ His Son has been well approved. It remains to be seen whether it is strong enough to bear the ordeal of the cross, to which it must soon be subjected: "From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, how t
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
III.—The Glory (xvii. 1-8).
III.—The Glory (xvii. 1-8).
"After six days"—the interval is manifestly of importance, for the three Evangelists who record the event all lay stress on it. St. Luke says "about an eight days," which indicates that the six days referred to by the others were days of interval between that on which the conversation at Cæsarea Philippi took place and the morning of the transfiguration. It follows that we may regard this important epoch in the life of our Lord as covering a week; and may we not speak of it as His passion week i
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
IV.—The Descent (xvii. 9-21).
IV.—The Descent (xvii. 9-21).
Who can tell what each step downward cost the Son of man? If it seemed good to the disciples to be on the mountain-top, what must it have been to the Master! and what utter denial of self and conscious taking up of the cross it must have been to leave that hallowed spot! We have already seen a reason, as regards the disciples, why the vision should be sealed till the time of the end; but was there not also a reason which touched the Master Himself? It was well that He had enjoyed such a time of
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Temple Tribute (xvii. 22-27.)
The Temple Tribute (xvii. 22-27.)
THE way southward lies through Galilee; but the time of Galilee's visitation is now over, so Jesus avoids public attention as much as possible, and gives Himself up to the instruction of His disciples, especially to impressing upon their minds the new lesson of the Cross, which they find it so very hard to realise, or even to understand. A brief stay in Capernaum was to be expected; and there above all places He could not hope to escape notice; but the manner of it is sadly significant—no friend
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Little Ones (xviii. 1-14).
The Little Ones (xviii. 1-14).
The brief stay at Capernaum was signalised by some other lessons of the greatest importance. First, as to the great and the small in the kingdom of heaven . We learn from the other Evangelists that by the way the disciples had disputed with one another who should be the greatest. Alas for human frailty, even in the true disciple! It is most humiliating to think that, after that week, with its high and holy lessons, the first thing we hear of the disciples should be their failure in the very part
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Trespasses (xviii. 15-35).
Trespasses (xviii. 15-35).
The transition is natural from those solemn words in which our Lord has warned His disciples against offending "one of these little ones," to the instructions which follow as to how they should treat those of their brethren who might trespass against them. These instructions, occupying the rest of this chapter, are of perennial interest and value, so long as it must needs be that offences come. The trespasses referred to are of course real. Much heartburning and much needless trouble often come
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Marriage and Divorce (vv. 3-12).
Marriage and Divorce (vv. 3-12).
There it was, and then, that the Pharisees came to Him with their entangling question concerning divorce. To know how entangling it was it is necessary to remember that there was a dispute at the time between two rival schools of Jewish theology—the school of Hillel and that of Shammai—in regard to the interpretation of Deut. xxiv. 1. The one school held that divorce could be had on the most trivial grounds; the other restricted it to cases of grievous sin. Hence the question: "Is it lawful for
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Children (vv. 13-15).
The Children (vv. 13-15).
" Then were there brought unto Him little children"—a happy interruption! The Master has just been laying the solid foundations of the Christian home; and now the group of men by whom He is surrounded is joined by a troop of mothers, some carrying infants in their arms (for the passage in St. Luke expressly mentions infants), and some leading their little ones by the hand, to receive His blessing. The timeousness of this arrival does not seem to have struck the disciples. Their hearts had not ye
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Rich Young Man (vv. 16-22).
The Rich Young Man (vv. 16-22).
Another inference from these precious words of Christ is the importance of seeking to win the children for Christ while yet they are children, ere the evil days come, or the years draw nigh, when they will be apt to say they have no pleasure in Him. It is a sad thing to think how soon the susceptibility of the child-nature may harden into the impenetrability which is sometimes found even in youth. Is there not a suggestion of this in the story of the young man which immediately follows? There wa
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Danger of Riches (vv. 23-26).
Danger of Riches (vv. 23-26).
So striking an incident must not be allowed to pass without seizing and pressing the great lesson it teaches. No lesson was more needful at the time. Covetousness was in the air; it was already setting its mark on the Hebrew people, who, as they ceased to serve God in spirit and in truth, were giving themselves over more and more to the worship of mammon; and, as the Master well knew, there was one of the twelve in whom the fatal poison was even then at work. We can understand, therefore, the de
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Rewards (xix. 27-xx. 16[15]).
Rewards (xix. 27-xx. 16[15]).
The thought of sacrifice very naturally suggests as its correlative that of compensation; so it is not at all to be wondered at that, before this conversation ended, the impulsive disciple, so much given to think aloud, should blurt out the honest question: "Behold, we have forsaken all and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore?" He could not but remember that while the Master had insisted on His disciples denying self to follow Him, He had spoken no less clearly of their finding life thro
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.—The Going Up (xx. 17-34).
I.—The Going Up (xx. 17-34).
WE have now reached the last stage of the long and sorrowful journey to Jerusalem. From the corresponding passage in the second Gospel we learn that the disciples were greatly moved by something in their Master's manner: "they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid." It would appear, indeed, that they had considerable hesitation in following at all, for it is pointedly mentioned that "Jesus went before them," a hesitation which was no doubt due to the same feeling which prompted Pet
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.—The Royal Entry (xxi. 1-17).
II.—The Royal Entry (xxi. 1-17).
Travelling from Jericho, it is probable that our Lord reached Bethany on the evening of Friday, a week before His crucifixion. The next day, being the Jewish Sabbath, He would spend in retirement, probably in the house of Lazarus, whom a short time before He had raised from the dead. The following day, the first day of the week, would therefore be the date of His entry into Jerusalem as the Royal Son of David, come to claim His kingdom. That this entrance into the capital is a most important eve
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.—The Challenge (xxi. 23-xxii. 14).
I.—The Challenge (xxi. 23-xxii. 14).
"By what authority doest Thou these things? And who gave Thee this authority?" The question was fair enough; and if it had been asked in an earnest spirit, Jesus would have given then, as always to the honest inquirer, a kind and satisfying answer. It is not, however, as inquirers, but as cavillers, they approach Him. Again and again, at times and in ways innumerable, by fulfilment of prophecy, by His mighty deeds and by His wondrous words, He had given proof of His Divine authority and establis
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.—The Ordeal of Questions (xxii. 15-46).
II.—The Ordeal of Questions (xxii. 15-46).
The open challenge has failed; but more subtle weapons may succeed. The Pharisees have found it of no avail to confront their enemy; but they may still be able to entangle Him. They will at all events try. They will spring upon Him some hard questions, of such a kind that, answering on the spur of the moment, He will be sure to compromise Himself. 1. The first shall be one of those semi-political semi-religious questions on which feeling is running high—the lawfulness or unlawfulness of paying t
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
III.—The House left Desolate (xxiii.).
III.—The House left Desolate (xxiii.).
The day of grace is over for the leaders of the people; but for the people themselves there may still be hope; so the Lord of the Temple turns to "the multitude," the general throng of worshippers, mingled with whom were several of His own disciples, and solemnly warns them against their spiritual guides. There is every reason to suppose that many of the scribes and Pharisees were within hearing; for when He has finished what He has to say to the people, He turns round and addresses them directl
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.—The Coming of the Son of Man (vv. 3-44).
I.—The Coming of the Son of Man (vv. 3-44).
In secular history the destruction of Jerusalem is nothing more than the destruction of any other city of equal size and importance. It is indeed marked out from similar events in history by the peculiarly terrible sufferings to which the inhabitants were subjected before the final overthrow. But apart from this, it is to the general historian an event precisely similar to the destruction of Babylon, of Tyre, of Carthage, or of any other ancient city once the seat of a dominion which now has pas
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.—Parables and Pictures of Judgment (xxiv. 45-xxv.).
II.—Parables and Pictures of Judgment (xxiv. 45-xxv.).
The remainder of this great prophecy is taken up with four pictures of judgment, very striking and impressive, having for their special object the enforcement of the great practical lesson with which the first part has closed: "Watch therefore" (vv. 42, 43); "Be ye also ready" (ver. 44). In the former portion of the prophecy the destruction of Jerusalem was in the foreground, and in the background the coming of the Son of man to judgment in the end of the world. In this portion the Great Day of
37 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
"After Two Days" (xxvi. 1-19).
"After Two Days" (xxvi. 1-19).
This passage does not strictly belong to the history of the one great day, but it is the approach to it. It opens with the solemn announcement "After two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified"; and without any record of the Saviour's doings in the interval, [24] it closes with the preparation for the keeping of the feast with His disciples, the directions for which are introduced by the pathetic words, "My time is at hand." The incident at Bethany (vv.
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.—The Evening (xxvi. 20-30).
I.—The Evening (xxvi. 20-30).
The last day of our Lord's Passion begins at eventide on Thursday with the Passover feast, [27] at which "He sat down with the Twelve." The entire feast would be closely associated in His mind with the dark event with which the day must close; for of all the types of the great sacrifice He was about to offer, the most significant was the paschal lamb. Most fitting, therefore, was it that towards the close of this feast, when its sacred importance was deepest in the disciples' minds, their Master
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.—The Night (xxvi. 31-75).
II.—The Night (xxvi. 31-75).
As the little company have lingered in the upper room evening has passed into night. The city is asleep, as Jesus leads the way along the silent streets, down the steep slope of Moriah, and across the Kedron, to the familiar place of resort on the mount of Olives. As they proceed in silence, a word of ancient prophecy lies heavy on His heart. It was from Zechariah, whose prophecy was often [30] in his thoughts in the Passion week. "Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
III.—The Morning (xxvii. 1-26).
III.—The Morning (xxvii. 1-26).
The formal meeting of the council in the morning would not occupy many minutes. The death sentence had been already agreed upon, and it only remained to take the necessary steps to carry it into effect. Hence the form in which the Evangelist records the morning session: "All the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death." This could not have passed as a minute of the meeting; but it was none the less a true account of it. As, however, the law forbade t
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
IV.—From the Third to the Ninth Hour (xxvii. 27-56).
IV.—From the Third to the Ninth Hour (xxvii. 27-56).
The cool of the morning was passing into the heat of the day, as the soldiers took Jesus and led Him away to be crucified; and the sun was at the same angle in the western sky when He bowed His head and gave up the ghost. In the six hours between lay the crisis of the world (see John xii. 31, Greek): its judgment, its salvation. The great conflict of the ages is concentrated in these hours of agony. In the brief record of them we have the very core and kernel of the gospel of "Jesus Christ and H
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Evening of the First Day (vv. 57-61).
The Evening of the First Day (vv. 57-61).
Day was passing into evening when Jesus "yielded up His spirit"; for the early evening according to the Jewish reckoning began at the ninth hour. It was probably some time after this—perhaps towards the later evening, which began about the twelfth hour (six o'clock)—that Joseph of Arimathæa thought of claiming the body to give it honourable burial. Why should such a duty have fallen to a stranger? Where were the eleven? Had none of them so far recovered from their fear? Where was Peter? might no
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Second Day (vv. 62-66).
The Second Day (vv. 62-66).
It was the Jewish Sabbath. The Evangelist for some reason avoids the common designation, preferring to speak of it as "the day after the preparation"—whether it was that he shrank from mentioning the Sabbath in such a connection, or whether it was that the great event of the preparation day had such complete possession of his mind that he must date from it, we shall not attempt to decide. This is the only record we have of that Sabbath day except that St. Luke tells us that on it the women "rest
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
The Morning of the Third Day (xxviii. 1-15).
The Morning of the Third Day (xxviii. 1-15).
The women, having rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment, knew nothing of what had been done at the tomb that day, so, as they set out before daybreak on the third morning, they only thought of the great stone, and wondered how it could be rolled away; but when they came, the sun just rising as they reached the spot, they found the stone already rolled away, and an angel of the Lord at the tomb, so lustrous in the livery of heaven that the keepers had quailed in his presence and were
24 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter