The burial of Christ. (57–61)
The sepulchre secured. (62–66)Verses 1–10
Wicked men see little of the consequences of their crimes when they commit them, but they
must answer for them all. In the fullest manner Judas acknowledged to the chief priests that he had
sinned, and betrayed an innocent person. This was full testimony to the character of Christ; but the
rulers were hardened. Casting down the money, Judas departed, and went and hanged himself, not
being able to bear the terror of Divine wrath, and the anguish of despair. There is little doubt but
that the death of Judas was before that of our blessed Lord. But was it nothing to them that they
had thirsted after this blood, and hired Judas to betray it, and had condemned it to be shed unjustly?
Thus do fools make a mock at sin. Thus many make light of Christ crucified. And it is a common
instance of the deceitfulness of our hearts, to make light of our own sin by dwelling upon other
people's sins. But the judgment of God is according to truth. Many apply this passage of the buying
the piece of ground, with the money Judas brought back, to signify the favour intended by the blood
of Christ to strangers, and sinners of the Gentiles. It fulfilled a prophecy, Zec 11:12. Judas went
far toward repentance, yet it was not to salvation. He confessed, but not to God; he did not go to
him, and say, I have sinned, Father, against heaven. Let none be satisfied with such partial
convictions as a man may have, and yet remain full of pride, enmity, and rebellion.
Verses 11–25
Having no malice against Jesus, Pilate urged him to clear himself, and laboured to get him
discharged. The message from his wife was a warning. God has many ways of giving checks to
sinners, in their sinful pursuits, and it is a great mercy to have such checks from Providence, from
faithful friends, and from our own consciences. O do not this abominable thing which the Lord
hates! is what we may hear said to us, when we are entering into temptation, if we will but regard
it. Being overruled by the priests, the people made choice of Barabbas. Multitudes who choose the
world, rather than God, for their ruler and portion, thus choose their own delusions. The Jews were
so bent upon the death of Christ, that Pilate thought it would be dangerous to refuse. And this
struggle shows the power of conscience even on the worst men. Yet all was so ordered to make it
evident that Christ suffered for no fault of his own, but for the sins of his people. How vain for
Pilate to expect to free himself from the guilt of the innocent blood of a righteous person, whom
he was by his office bound to protect! The Jews' curse upon themselves has been awfully answered
in the sufferings of their nation. None could bear the sin of others, except Him that had no sin of
his own to answer for. And are we not all concerned? Is not Barabbas preferred to Jesus, when
sinners reject salvation that they may retain their darling sins, which rob God of his glory, and
murder their souls? The blood of Christ is now upon us for good, through mercy, by the Jews'
rejection of it. O let us flee to it for refuge!
Verses 26–30