Watchfulness enjoined.

32

MARK 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is near, 30 even at the door. Verily I say to you, That this generation shall not pass away till all these 31 things be accomplished. Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away. "But that day and that hour no one maketh known; no, not the angels who are in heaven, 33 nor the Son, but the Father. Take heed, watch and pray for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man going into another country, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and 35 commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, 36 or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: Lest 37 coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all, Watch,"

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XII 1. We learn the need the disciples had of the cautions and admonitions of their Lord, from the difficulties and dangers which they would have to encounter. Their faith and their patience would be alike tried. To live in times like those predicted was an affliction indeed; and nothing can be more proper than gratitude, that we live in peaceful times, sitting under our own vine and fig-tree, undisturbed with fear. While our Lord's first disciples were exposed to all kinds of sufferings and persecutions, we are indulged with seeurity both to our persons and our property. The gospel has triumphed, and we enjoy the privileges and blessings which are thereby secured.

2. How awful were the denunciations of our Lord against the Jewish nation, for their unbelief and almost unequalled depravity. They had been favoured with the instructions of prophets, whom they had persecuted and slain. John had preached repentance and aunounced the coming of their long expected Messiah; and when he appeared in the humble form of a servant, though he taught with a

there.

AFTER two days was the passover, and the 1 feast of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize Jesus by craft, and put him to death, But 2 they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be a disturbance among the people."

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon 3 the leper, as he sat at meat there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of liquidnard, very precious; and she broke open the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some 4 that had indignation within themselves, and said, "Why is this v waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more 5 than three hundred denarii, and have been given to the poor." And they murmured against her. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why 6 trouble ye her? she hath done a good deed to me. For ye will have the poor with you always, 7 and whensoever ye will ye may do them good; but me ye will not have always. She hath done 8 what she could: she hath beforehand anointed my body for its embalming. Verily I say to 9 you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached

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majesty and authority never equalled, and wrought astonishing miracles in attestation of his claim and character, they persecuted him. He saw their impeding ruin, and kindly forewarned them of it. He knew that judgment was at hand, when a severe account would be taken of all their crimes and iniquities; when he as the Son of man, would come by the instruments of his providence to destroy their city, their temple and polity. Let us from their example take heed lest we fall by fall by unbelief.

3. We are taught how necessary the duty of watchfulness is. At all times we should reineniber how uncertain present enjoyments and blessings are. We hold them at the pleasure of the giver; nor can we say he does wrong in resuming what he bestowed. Our life is his gift and at his disposal; nor do we know when the time is," that he will take away our breath and summon us to his tribunal. Let us watch then for this coming of our Lord, and prepare to meet our God, day should come upon us unawares. Happy those (servants who when their Lord cometh, he shall find watching!

st that

lést

34-36. For the Son of man, &c. Our translators considered the words supplied as necessary to give the genuine sense of the text. I have followed them, satisfied that the text is elliptical. The reason of the duty of watching

Jesus keeps the passover.

10

12

MARK

I throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to deliver him up to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might deliver him up. And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said to him, "Where wilt thou that we go and prepare 13 that thou mayest eat the passover?" And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith to them, "Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say to the master of the house, The Teacher saith, Where is the guest-chamber, where I may eat the pass15 over with my disciples? And he will show a large upper room furnished and prepared; 16 there make ready for us." And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as

you

( he had said to them; and they made ready the 17 passover. And in the evening he cometh with 18 the twelve. And as they were at table, and were eating, Jesus said, "Verily I say to you, One of you who eateth with me will deliver me 19 up." And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to him, one by one, "Is it I?" and another 20 said, "Is it I?" And he answered and said to them, "It is one of the twelve, who dippeth 21 with me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him; but alas for that man by whom the Son of man is delivered up! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

1

22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and having blessed God, he broke it and gave aw to them, and said, "Take, eat, this is my body."

XIV.

He prayeth in the garden.

And he took the cup, and when he had given 23 thanks he gave it to them; and they all drank of it. And be said to them, "This is my blood 24 of the new covenant which is shed for many. Verily I say to you, I will drink no more of the 25 produce of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it new in the kingdom of God." And 26 after having the hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.

And Jesus saith to them, "All ye will offend 27 because of me this night; for it is written, 'I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go 28 before you into Galilee." But Peter said to 29 him, "Although all should offend, yet will not

I." And Jesus saith to him, "Verily I say to 30 thee, That this day, even on this night, before the cock crow twice thou wilt deny me thrice." But he spoke the more vehemently, saying, "If 31 I should die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee." And thus said they all.

And they came to a place which was named 32 Gethsemane; and he saith to his disciples, "Sit ye here, while I pray." And he taketh with him 33 Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly astonished and full of anguish ; And 34 saith unto them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful unto death: abide here, and watch." And he went forward a little, and fell on the 35 ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. And he said, 36 "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me: yet not what I will, but what thou wilt." And he cometh, 37 and findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter, "Simon, sleepest thou? couldst not thou watch one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not 38 into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." And again he went 39

12. When they killed the, &c. According to Philo, every Jew was permitted to kill the paschal lamb or kid in his own house; and so far to be his own priest, though in no other instance whatever. Comp. Exod. xii. 6—8. Deut. xvi. 6.

13-16. Go into the city, &c. Luke (xxii. 8.) gives us the names of the two disciples, Peter and John; and agrees with Mark as to meeting a man with a pitcher of water, &c.

19, 20. Another said, Is it I? From Matt. xxvi. 25. we learn that this

was Judas.

22. Took bread and blessed, &c. That is, blessed God for it, or gave thanks. See note, Matt. xxvi. 26-29.

26. Having the hymn. See note, Matt. xxvi. 30.

30. Cock crow twice, &c. For the sense of this, and the agreement with the other Evangelists, see note, Matt. xxvi. 34.

32. Gethsemane, &c. See note, Matt. xxvi. 36.

36. This cup from, &c. This cup of affliction. See note, Mati. xxvi. 39. 37-42 Findeth them asleep, &c. Comp. Matt. xxvi. 40, 41. and notes. 43-45. Yet spoke, &c. Matthew gives a more particular account, and

away, and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when he returned, he again found them asleep; for their eyes were heavy, and they knew 41 not what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith to them, "Do ye now sleep on, and take rest? It is enough; the hour is come, behold, the Son of man is delivered 42 up into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he who delivereth me up draweth near." And immediately, while he was yet speaking, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now he who delivered him up had given them a token, saying, "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely." | 45 And when he had come, he goeth immediately to him, and saith, "Rabbi, Rabbi ;" and kissed him.

43

46

And they laid hands on him, and took him. 47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut 48 off his ear. And Jesus spoke and said to them, "Are ye come out, as against a robber, with 49 swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not; but the, scriptures must be fulfilled." 50 And they all forsook him, and fled. Now there 51 followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body;" and the 52 soldiers laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; with whom were assembled all the chief priests 51 and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him at a distancé, even to the court of of the high priest; and he sat with the servants,

and warmed himself at the fire. And the chief 55 priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For many bore false witness against 56 him, but their testimonies were not sufficient. And there arose certain, and bore false witness 57 against him, saying, "We heard him say, "I 58 will destroy this temple which is made by hands, ́ ↑ and within three days I will build another not made by hands." But neither so was their 59 testimony sufficient. Then the high priest stood 60 up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, "Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these testify against thee?" But he was silent, and 61 answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said to him, "Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" And Jesus said, "I 62 am; and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest rent 63 his garments, and saith, "What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blas- 64 phemy; what is your opinion?" And they all condemned him to be condemned him to be guilty of death. And 65 some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to strike him with the fist, and to say to him, "Prophesy:" and the servants beat him with the palms of their hands.

And as Peter was in the court beneath, 66 there cometh one of the maid-servants of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming 67 himself, she looked on him, and said, “And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth." But 68 he denied, saying, "I know not, neither understand I what thou meanest." And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

And a 69

mentions the respectful address of the traitor and the reply of our Lord; so Luke also.

47.

Drew a sword, &c. See note, Matt. xxvi. 51. and John xviii. 10. 49. I was daily with you, &c. Our Lord had now been teaching in the temple at least four days.

51. A certain young man. He might be a disciple, or one of the neighbourhood, aroused by the noise of so many coming there. Newcome observes, that the Evangelist may allude to him as a known witness of the facts here related.- -Linen cloth. This may have been the vesture in which he slept, or a thin upper-garment.

54. Court of the, &c. See notes, Matt. xxvi. 58, 69.--Warmed himself. Though at the passover the day time was hot, yet the nights were cold, in Judea. See Harmer.

56. Were not sufficient. Or equal to the point which the high priest wanted to establish. For this sense of oog, see Schleus. and Pearce's note. 58. This temple, &c. This was 'false witness,' because they meant Herod's temple, and our Lord meant that of his body, John ii. 21.——Made with hands, &c. Things made by man are liable to decay and perish, and hence denote perishing; but those 'not made with hands,' are such as endure and do not perish: 1 Cor. v. 1. Colos. ii. 11. Heb. ix. 11.

62. 1 am, &c. Mark has given the sense of the Hebrew idiom. See Matt. xxvi. 64, and note.

65. Prophesy. This was to insult his claims to the prophetic character, See Matt. xxvi. 68.

66. And as Peter, &c. Comp. Matt. xxvi. 69, &c.

70. Thy speech, &c. Thy manner of pronunciation is like to that of the

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maid-servant saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, "This is one of them." 70 And he again denied it, and a little after, those that stood by said again to Peter, "Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilean, and 71 thy speech showeth it." But he began to curse and to swear, saying, "I know not this man of 72 whom ye speak." And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said to him, "Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice." And when he thought thereon, he wept.

CHAPTER XV.

A. D. 33. Jesus brought and accused before Pilate; Barabbas preferred to him; delivered to be crucified; being crowned with thorns is insulted; is

Barabbas released.

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king of the Jews?" And he answering said to him, "Thou sayest truly." And the chief 3 priests accused him of many things; but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, 4 saying, "Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they testify against thee." But 5 Jesus answered no more, so that Pilate wondered.

Now at that feast he was wont to release to 6 them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, who lay 7 bound with those who had made insurrection with him, and who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying 8 aloud desired him to do as he had ever done to them. But Pilate answered them saying, "Will 9 ye that I release to you the king of the Jews?"

Jews, confessed by the centurion, and buried by Joseph.

1 AND early in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pi2 late. And Pilate asked him, "Art thou the

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XIV. 1. We learn the high regard of Mary for Jesus, and how properly and publicly she expressed it. She had sat at his feet and heard with equal pleasure and profit his divine instructions; and had been enabled to choose the good part which should not be taken from her. While Jesus was enjoying the hospitality of Simon, who had been a leper, and whom he had probably healed, Mary came and poured on his head a very precious ointment. She had doubtless prepared this to express her affection, her gratitude and confidence, and this deed is recorded to her honour. It is preserved in a record more durable than brass. If the least token of regard to him should not lose its reward, it could not be expected that so signal a one as Mary showed should be forgotten. Let every Christian show his faith by his works; and by acts of kindness and charity to the servants and cause of Jesus, manifest their love to him.

2. While we are taught to admire and emulate the piety of Mary, we are admonished to guard against the temper and crimes of Judas. The love of money appears to have been the ruling passion of his soul; and this is the root of all evil. Hence his inviduous reflections. Why all this waste? Might not this ointment have been sold for three hundred pence?" Covetousness is often disguised both from ourselves and others under some specious pretence; such as laying up

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envy delivered him up.) But the chief priests 11 excited the people to ask that he would rather release Barabbas to them. And Pilate answered 12 and said again to them, "What will ye then that I should do to him whom ye call the King of the Jews?" And they cried out again, "Crucify 13

for future wants, or providing for those dependent on us. This vice led Judas to sell his Lord for thirty pieces of silver, and to deliver him into the hands of his enemies by the deceitful token of a kiss. By this vice the name of Judas is consigned to eternal infamy. take heed and beware of covetousness; and let it not be once named or charged on us as becometh saints,

3. We are reminded how much our Lord felt and suffered by the occurrences of this dark night. His soul might well be sorrowful even unto death! Betrayed by one faithless disciple, denied with oaths by another, and then deserted by all? Seized as if à robber, and treated with indignity and contempt. The foresight of all this made him say, "Take away this cup from me;" yet recollecting the design of his incarnation, and the holy purposes to be accomplished by his death, he added, "Not what I will, but what thou wilt." How tenderly must he have felt when charged with blasphemy, a crime most abhorrent to his holy nature. He might have appealed to the whole tenor of his ministry in refutation of it; and to his miracles as the testimonies of heaven in favour of his claims. He knew such an appeal would be in vain; and he foretells his own future glory and majesty. He who thus suffered is worthy to reign, and may we be subject to him and share in the happiness of his kingdom.

Galileans. Different districts of the same country often vary in their accent and tones of voice. See Judg. xii. 6.

CHAP. XV. 1-3. And early in the, &c. See note, Matt. xxvii. 1, &c. 5. Answered no more. The common version is not true in fact, as Jesus

had answered the former question of Pilate; but on being asked a second he did not reply. 7-11. Barabbas, &c. See notes, Matt. xxvii. 16, 21.'^

15. Willing to gratify, &c. Mark has omitted many particulars in this