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20. And he answered and said unto them, "It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. "21.The Son of man indeed goeth, "as it is written of him: but woe "to that man by whom the Son "of man is betrayed! good were "it for that man if he had never "been born." 22. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, "Take (p), eat; "this is my body." 23. And he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24. And he said unto them, This is my

(p) v. 22. "Take, &c." This was perhaps substituted for the paschal form at the feast of the passover. That form was, "This is the bread of affliction, which our "fathers did eat in Egypt." Hamm. 131.

(q) v. 24. "Testament," i. e. covenant or dispensation."

(r) "For many." Not indiscriminately for all mankind, but for many, that is, the real Christians, the pure in heart, &c. So post, Matt. xx. 28. 66 a ransom for "many." (s) v. 27. "Offended," i. e. "fall off "from me, desert me."

(t)" Written, &c." The passage is Zech. xiii. 7. "Awake, O sword, against "my shepherd, and against the man that "is my fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts: "smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall "be scattered: and I will turn my hand "upon the little ones: and it shall come "to pass, that in all the land, saith the "Lord, two parts thereof shall be cut off "and die; but the third part shall be left "therein and I will bring the third part "through the fire, and will refine them as "silver is refined, and will try them as "gold is tried: they shall call on my name, " and I will hear them; I will say it is my "people, and they shall say, the Lord is "my God." This is an important prophecy. It describes the Messiah as "the "man that was God's fellow," (and who that was not God and man could be so ?) and imports that he should be smitten and his followers scattered. It intimates also that that event should be followed by the

"blood of the new (q) testament, "which is shed for (r) many. "25. Verily I say unto you, I will "drink no more of the fruit of "the vine, until that day that I "drink it new in the kingdom of "God." 26. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 27. And Jesus saith unto them, "All ye "shall be (s) offended because of "me this night: for it is (t) writ"ten, I will smite the shepherd, "and the sheep shall be scattered. "28. But after that I (u) am risen, "I will go before you into (x) "Galilee." 29. But (y) Peter said

destruction of great part of the land, and that those who should escape should be those only who could bear the strictest trials, the being brought through the fire, and being refined as silver is refined. Our Saviour might wish at this time to bring this prophecy under their consideration.

(u) v. 28. "After I am risen, &c." This imports that he was to rise; and though they might not exactly understand at the time what he meant (see ante, 83. note on Luke xviii. 34.) they could not fail to recollect it after the resurrection, and then they would understand its full force.

(x) "Into Galilee." Our Saviour accordingly appeared to them there after his resurrection. Saint Matthew says, the eleven went "into Galilee, into a moun"tain where Jesus had appointed them; "and when they saw him" (which implies they did see him) "they worshipped him; "but some doubted. Matt. xxviii. 16, 17.” St. John gives a detailed account of his shewing himself to seven of the disciples at the sea of Tiberias, which is in Galilee. John xxi.

(y) v. 29. "Peter." Though Mark was peculiarly Peter's friend, and though Peter is supposed to have overlooked this gospel, this instance of Peter's cowardice is fully detailed: the apostles never shrunk from acknowledging their own failings. The intrepidity of the apostles after the crucifixion, notwithstanding their timidity be fore, is accounted for, ante, p. 40. note on John xx. 25.; and see Maltby, 137. 145.

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unto him, Although all shall "be offended, yet will not I." 30. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before "the cock crow twice, thou shalt "deny me thrice." 31. But he spake the more vehemently," If "I should die with thee, I will "not deny thee in any wise." Likewise also said they all. 32. And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, "Sit ye here, "while I shall pray." 33. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; and saith unto them, 34. "My soul is exceeding sorrow"ful unto death: tarry ye here, "and watch." 35. And he went 35. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36. And he said, "Abba, Father, all things "are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: ne"vertheless not what I will, but "what thou wilt." 37. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, "Si"mon, sleepest thou? couldest "not thou watch one hour? "38. Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The

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(z) v. 47. "One of them," viz. "Peter." See John xviii. 10. St. John alone names him, and the reason may be this, that the other gospels were published in Peter's life-time, and it might have exposed him unnecessarily to persecution, had he been named. Peter perhaps expected that our Saviour would now assume the appearance of a temporal prince, and his courage might have been raised by what he had seen at the transfiguration, and by what he

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away safely." 45. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, "Mas'ter, master;" and kissed him. 46. And they laid their 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 off his ear. 48. And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Are (a) ye come out, as against

had witnessed of the temper of the multitude at our Saviour's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. See Maltby, 137.-1 Jort. Rem. 212.

(a) v. 48. According to Matt. xxvi. 52. and John xviii. 11. our Saviour checked Peter," Put up again thy sword into his "place; for all they that take the sword "shall perish with the sword. The cup "which my Father hath given me, shall "I not drink it?" And, according to Luke

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"a thief, with swords and with "staves to take me? 49. I was daily with you in the temple "teaching, and ye took me not: "but the Scriptures must be ful"filled." 50. And they (b) all forsook him, and fled. 51. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; 52. and the young men laid hold on him: and he (c) left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. 53. And they led Jesus away to the high priest and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. 55. And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. 56. For many bare false witness against him, but their

xxii. 51. he immediately touched the man's ear, and healed him.

(b) v. 50." All forsook him." Another instance of the candour of the Evangelists: they never concealed their own weaknesses. It might be inconsistent with their ideas of the Messiah, that he should be seized as a malefactor, and they might be afraid of being called to account for the injury to the high priest's servant. It may indeed be thought remarkable, after the evidence his miracles afforded, that any circumstances should have induced them to desert him; but they were probably overpowered by surprize, from not expecting that this could ever happen to the true Messiah, and surprize may, for a time at least, drive out reason. Our Saviour had, in v. 27. foretold their desertion.

(c) v.2. "Left, &c." This may be mentioned to shew how great their fear was; the young man chose rather to lose the only garment he had than be detained.

(d) v. 56. "Agreed not." No man could be put to death except upon the testimony of two witnesses.

witness agreed (d) not together. 57. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58. "We heard him say, "I (e) will destroy this temple "that is made with hands, and "within three days I will build "another made without hands." 59. But neither so did their witness agree together. agree together. 60. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, "Answerest "thou nothing? what is it which "these witness against thee?" 61. But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again (g) the high priest asked him, and said unto him, "Art thou the Christ, "the Son of the Blessed?" 62. And Jesus said, Jesus said, "I am: and ye shall

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(e) v. 58. "I will destroy, &c." See ante, 104. note on Matt. xxvii. 40.

(g) v. 61. "Again, &c." According to the parallel place, Matt. xxvi. 63. the high priest, upon putting this question, addressed our Saviour with this solemn adjuration, "I adjure thee by the living God, "that thou tell us whether thou be the "Christ the Son of God;" and it is supposed, that upon a question so put, no Jew could refuse to answer. Dr. Hammond says, it obliged the person adjured to speak and answer truly, as much as if he had taken an oath. And this accounts for our Saviour's answering a question when so put, though till that time he had held his peace, and answered nothing.

(h) v. 62. "Sitting on the right hand of "Power, and coming in the clouds of "heaven." Perhaps not literally, but figuratively; "with as decisive proofs of "his being the Son of God, as if they saw "him so sit and come." It alludes probably to that coming when Jerusalem was destroyed. See note on Matt. xxiv. 30. ante, 76. and on Luke xxi. 25. ante, 32.

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"a Galilean, and thy speech "agreeth thereto." 71. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, "I know not this man of "whom ye speak." 72. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, "Be"fore the cock crow twice thou "shalt deny me thrice." And when he thought thereon, he wept. (m)

"64. ye have heard the (i) blas-
phemy: what think ye?" And
they all condemned him to be
guilty of death. 65. And some ing,
65. And some
began to spit on him, and to cover
his face, and to buffet him, and to
say unto him, “Prophesy (k):"
and the servants did strike him
with the palms of their hands.
66. And as Peter was beneath in
the palace, there cometh one of
the maids of the high priest:
67. and when she saw Peter warm-
ing himself, she looked upon him,
and said, " And thou also wast
"with Jesus of Nazareth." 68. But

he denied, saying, "I know not,
"neither understand I what thou
"sayest." And he went out in-
to the porch; and the cock crew.
69. And a (7) maid saw him again,
and began to say to them that
stood by, "This is one of them."
70. And he denied it again. And
a little after, they that stood by
said again to Peter, "Surely thou
"art one of them: for thou art

(i) v.64." Blasphemy." See post, note on John xix. 7. Bp. Porteus's very able Lecture on the parallel chapter, Matt. xxvi. (Lecture 21.) is well worth consulting.

(k) v. 65. "Prophesy." St. Matthew and St. Luke add, "Who is he that smote "thee?" this he was to tell, though he was smitten whilst his face was covered, or blindfolded. Matt. xxvi. 68. Luke xxii. 63. post, 122.

() v. 69. "Amaid," rather "the maid," her mentioned, ver. 66. ý raidionŋ.

(m) v. 72. St. Matthew and St. Luke add" bitterly." If St. Peter overlooked this Gospel, it was more decorous in him to omit it.

(n) A prophetic account of the indignities that should be offered to the Messiah, of his patience and success, and of the confusion of his enemies.

(o) v. 5. "Opened mine ear," i. e. "taken me with my consent to be his "servant for ever." When a bondman

Tuesday before Easter.

For the Epistle. Isaiah 1. 5. (n) THE Lord God hath (0) opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6. I (p) gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7. For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like (q) a flint,

So

preferred perpetual servitude to being
made free, the master was to bore his ear
through with an awl, and then the bond-
man was to serve him for ever; (See Exod.
xxi. 6. Deut. xv. 17.) and it is to this
practice the prophet here alludes.
Psalm xl. 8. "Sacrifice and meat-offer-
"ing thou wouldest not, but mine ears
"hast thou opened," (or pierced ;) that is,
thou hast taken me to be thy servant for
Or "opening the ear" might mean,
hath made me obedient, hath made me
hear his commands.

ever.

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sultation with the elders and
scribes, and the whole council,
and bound Jesus, and carried him
away, and delivered him (x) to
Pilate. 2. And Pilate asked him,
"Art thou the King of the Jews?"
And he answering said unto him,
"Thou (y) sayest it." 3. And
the chief priests accused him of
many
many things; but he answered
nothing. 4. And Pilate asked him
again, saying, "Answerest thou
"nothing? behold how many

and I know that I shall not being the chief priests held a conashamed. 8. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? Let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. 9. Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. 10. Who is among you that feareth that feareth the Lord, that (r) obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. 11. Behold, all ye that (s) kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks; (t) walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow.

The Gospel. Mark xv, 1.
AND straightway in the (u) morn-

As an

"against their faces, and thy forehead
"strong against their foreheads.
"adamant, harder than flint, have I made
"thy forehead: fear them not, neither be
"dismayed at their looks." So Jer. v. 3.
(to signify the inflexible obstinacy of the
Jews, and their disregard of warnings,)
"they have made their faces harder than
"a rock, they have refused to return."

(r) v. 10. For "that obeyeth," the reading should be, "let him obey;" and for "that walketh," "who that walketh." This is the reading of the Septuagint and Syriac, and gives a much more elegant turn and distribution to the sentence. Bp. Lowth.

(s) v. 11. "That kindle a fire, &c." i. e. "that rely upon human devices and "worldly policy."

(t) "Walk, &c." i. e. tauntingly, "de"pend, if you think fit, on human aid and "human counsel, but it shall bring upon "you my judgments: what you shall have "of my hand shall be, to lie down in "sorrow."

(u) v. 1. "The morning :" he was ap

things they witness against "thee." 5. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. 6. Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. 7. And there was one, named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. s. And the multitude, crying aloud, began to desire him

prehended at night, and led at once to the high priest, where the chief priests and the scribes and elders were assembled, and they immediately examined witnesses and questioned him.

(x)" Delivered him to Pilate." The chief priest and council of the Jews had before agreed "that he was guilty of "death, Mark xiv. 64." but the sceptre was departed from Judah, they had not the power of punishing capitally: they delivered him therefore to Pilate, the Roman governor, who had.

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(y) v. 2. "Thou sayest it," i. e. “I am. When the high priest adjured our Saviour to say, whether he were the Christ, the Son of God, St. Matthew states his answer to have been, "Thou hast "said." St. Mark states it, "I am." And Luke xxii. 70. post, 122. when the chief priests and elders asked our Saviour if he were the Son of God, and he answered, "Ye say that I am," they treated his answer as an assertion that he

was.

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