Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
relf-rt Deniafs of his Lord. MARK XIV. The Eedeemer's Look upon Peter.
but might, and probably does, mean Just ihe female who had charge of the door or gate near which Peter now was. Accordingly, in Matthew 26. 71, she is expressly called "anpther [maid]." But in Luke it is a male servant: "And after a little while (from the time of the first denial) another" i. e., as the word signifies, 'anotlier male' servant. But there is no real difficulty, as tlie challenge, probably, after being made by one was reiterated by another. Accordingly, in John, It is, " r/iej/ said therelore unto him," &c., as if more than one challenged liim at once—and began to say to them that stood by, This Is one of them—or, as in Matthew 26. 71—"This [fellow] was also with Jesus the Nazarene." TO. And he denied it again—In Luke, "Man, I am not." But worst of all in Matthew—"And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man" (26.72). This was the Second Denial, more vehement, alas ! than tlie first.
nnto ns, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?" The earoastlc fling at Him as "the Christ," and the demand of Him in this character to name tlie unseen perpetrator of the blows Inflicted on Him, was in them as infamous as to Him It must have been, and was intended to be, stinging, and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands—or "struclc Him on the face" (Luke 22.61). Ah! Well did He say prophetically, in that Messianic prediction which we have often referred to, "I gave my b.ocii to the smiters, and my cheeks to tliem that plucked ofl" the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting!" (Isaiah 50. 6). "And many other things blasphemously spake they against Him" (Luke 22. 65). This general statement is important, as showing that virulent and varied as were the recorded affronts put upon Him, they are but a small specimen of what He endured on that dark occasion.
Peter's Third Denial, of his Lord (.v. 70-72). 70. And a
Peter's First Denial of his Lord (v. 66-68). 66. And as Peter was beneath In the palace—This little word "beneath"—one of our Evangelist's graphic touches—is most important for the right understanding of what we may little after—" about the space of one hour after" (Luke
22. 59)—they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou an one of them : for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth tlkereto—"bewrayeth (or ' discovereth') thee" (Matthew 26. 73). In Luke it is "Another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this [fellow] also was with him: for he is a Galilean." The Galilean dialect had a more Syrian cast than that of Judea. If Peter had held his peace, this peculiarity had not been observed ; but hoping, probably, to put them oflT the scent by joining in the fireside talk, he only thus discovered himself. Tlie Fourth Gospel is particularly interesting here: "One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman (or kinsman to him) whose ear Peter cut o/T. safth. Did not I see thee in the garden with Him?" (John 18. 20.) No doubt his relatlonsliip to Malclius drew his attention to the man who had smitten him, and this enabled him to Identify Peter. 'Sad reprisals !' exclaims Bengel. Poor Peter! Thou art caught in thine own toils; but like a wild bull in a net, thou wilt toss and rage, filling up the measure of thy terrible declension by one more denial of thy Lord, and that the foulest of all. 71. But he begun to curse— ' anathematize,' or wish himself accursed if what he was now to say was not true—and to swear—or to take a solemn oath—saying, I know not this man of whom ye 8i>eak. 73. And THE SECOND TIME THE COCK CREW. The other three Evangelists, who mention but one crowing of the cock—and that not the first, but the second and last one of Mark—all say the cock crew "Immediately," but Luke says, " Immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew" (22. 60). Alas !—But now cornea the wonderful sequel.
call the topography of the scene. We must take it in connection with Matthew's word (26.69): "Now Peter sat tv Uhout in the palace"—or quadrangular court, in the centre of which the fire would be burning; and crowding around and buzzing about it would be the menials and others who had been admitted within the court. At the upper end of this court, probably, would be the memorable chamber in which the trial was held open
(o the court, likely, and not far from the fire (as we gather from Luke 22. 61), but on a higher level; for (as our verse says) the court, with Peter in it, was " beneath"
It. The accent to the Council chamber was perhaps by a short flight of steps. If the reader will bear this explanation In mind, he will find the intensely Interesting details which follow more Intelligible, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest—" the damsel that kept the door" (John 18. 17). The Jews seem to have employed women as porters of their doors (Acts 12. 13). 67. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked npon him—Luke (22.56) is here more graphic; "But a certain maid beheld hlni as he sat by the fire" lit., 'by the light,' which, shining full upon him, revealed him to the girl—"and earnestly looked upon him"—or, 'fixed her gaze upon him.' His demeanour and timidity, which must have attracted notice, as so generally happens, 'leading,' says Olshausen, 'to the recognition of bim'—and said, And thou also wast with Jesns of Nazareth—' with Jesus the Nazarene,' or, " with Jesus of Galilee" (Matthew 26. 69). The sense of this is given In John's report of It (18. 17), "Art not thou also one of this maa'8 disciples?" ». e., thou as well as "that other disciple," whom she knew to be one, but did not challenge, perceiving that he was a privileged person. In Luke (22.
The Redeemer's Look upon Peter, and Peter's Bitter Tears
(t). 72; Luke 22.61,62). It has been observed that while the beloved disciple is the only one of the four Evangelists who does not record the repentance of Peter, ho is the only one of the four who records the af Tecting and most beautiful scene of his complete restoration. (John 21. 15-
66) It Is given as a remark made by the maid to one of the bystanders—"this man was also with Him." If so expressed In Peter's hearing—drawing upon him the eyes of everyone that heard it (<as we know It did, Matthew
17.) Luke 22. 61: "And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter." How? it will be asked. We answer. From the chamber in which the trial was going on, in the direction of the court wliere Peter then stood—in tiie way already explained. See on i'. 66. Our Second Evangelist makes no mention of this look, but dwells on the warning of his Lord about the double crowing of the cock, which would announce his triple fall, as what rushed stingingly to his recollection and made him dissolve in tears. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him. Before the cock crow twice, tlion shalt deny me thrice. And tvhen he thought thereon, he wept—To the same ef Tect Is the statement of the First Evangelist (Matthew
26. 70), and compelling him to answer to It—that would explain the different forms of the report naturally enough. But In such a case this Is of no real Importance. 68. But he denied—" before all" (Matthew 26. 70)—saying, I know not, neither underictand I what thon aycat—In Luke, "I know Him not." And he went out into the porch—the vestibule leading to the street—no doubt finding the flre-place too hot for him; possibly also with the hope of escaping—but that was not to be, and perhaps he dreaded that too. Doubtless by this time his mind would be getting into a sea of commotion, and would fluctuate every moment In Its resolves. AND THE COCK CREW. See on Luke 22. 34. This, then, was the First Dental.
26. 751, save that like "the beloved physician," he notices the " bitterness" of the weeping. The niost precious link, however, in the whole chain of circumstances In this scene is beyond doubt that " look" of deepest, tenderest Import reported by Luke alone. Who can tell what lightning fliushcs of wounded Igve and piercing reproach shot from that " look" through the eye of Peter into liis heart! "And Peter reinembered the word of the Lord, how He had said unto him. Before the cock crow, thou
Peter's SECOND DENIAL 0/ his Lard (f. 69, 70). There Is here a verbal dlf Terence among the Evangelists, which, without some Information which has been withheld, cannot be quite extricated. 69. And a maid saw him •gain—or, 'a girl.' It might be rendered 'the girl;' but this would not neoessarlly man the same one as before.
i>3
TJie Resurrection Announcedto the Women. MARK XV, XVI. Appearances of Jesus after His Resurrection.
Bhalt deny Me thrioe. And Peter went out and wept bitterly." How dill'erent from the sequel of Judas' act! Doubtless the hearts of the two men towards the Saviour were perfectly different from the first; and the treason of Judas was but the consummation of the wretched man's resistance of the blaze of light in the midst of which he had lived for three years, while Peter's denial was but a momentary obscuration of the heavenly light and love that knows no decay. In Matthew he Is represented as sitting on the stone outside the sepulchre; but since even there he says, " Come, see the place where the Lord lay"
(28. 6), he seems, as Alford says, to have gone in with them from without; only awaiting their arrival to accompany them into the hallowed spot, and instruct them about it. Sitting on the right side—having respect to the position In which His Lord had lain there. This trait is peculiar to Mark; but cf. Luke 1. 11—clothed in a long white garment—On its length, see Isaiah 6. 1 ; and on its whiteness, see on Matthew 28.3— and they were affrighted. 6. And he salth unto them, Be not affrlglited—a stronger word than "Fear not" in Matthew. \'e seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was cmcl Jied—'the Nazarene, the Crucified.' he Is risen } he is not here See on Luke 24. 5, 6—beliold tike place where they laid him—See on Matthew 28. 6. 7. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter—This Second Gospel, being drawn up—as all the earliest tradition states under the eye of Peter, or from materials chiefly furnished by him, there to his Master which ruled his life. But the immediate cause of the blessed revulsion which made Peter " weep bitterly" was, beyond all doubt, this heart-piercing "look" which his Lord gave him. And remembering the Saviour's own words at the table, "Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but J prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not," may we not say that this prayer fetched down all that there was in that " look" to pierce and break the heart of Peter, to keep it from despair, to work in it "repentance unto salvation not to be repented of," and at length, under other healing touches, to "restore his soul?" (See on Mark 16. 7.)
is something deeply affecting in the preservation of this little clause by Mark alone—that he goeth before yon into Galilee ; there shall ye gee him, ag he said unto you— See on Matthew 28.7. 8. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre ; for they trembled and were amazed — 'for tremor and amazement seized them
CHAPTEE XV.
Ver. 1-20. Jesus is Brought Before Pilate—At a Second Hearing, Pilate, after Seeking to Release Him, Delivers Him up— After being Cruelly Entreated, He is Led Away to be Crucified. (=Matthew 26. 1, 2, 11-31; Luke 23. 1-6, 13-25; John 18. 28-19. 16.) See on John 18. 28-19. 16.
'—neither said they anything to any man j for they were afraid—How Intensely natural and simple is this
21-37. Crucifixion and Death op the Lord Jesus. (=Matthew 27.32-^; Luke 23. 26-46; John 19. 17-30.) See on John 19. 17-30.
Appearances of Jesus after His Resurrection (f. 9-18). 9. Now when Jesus was risen early the flrst day of the week, he appeared flrgt to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast scren devils—There is sfcme dlfliculty here, and different ways of removing it have been adopted. She had gone with the other women to the sepulchre (f. 1), parting from them, perhaps, before their interview with the angel, and on finding Peter and John she had come with them back to the spot; and It was ftt this second visit, it would seem, that Jesus appeared to Uiis Mary, as detailed in John 20. 11-18. To a woman was
38-47. Signs and Circumstances following the Death of The Lord Jesus.—He is taken Down from THE Cross and Buried-The Sepulchre is Guarded. (=Matthew 27. 51-66 ; Luke 23. 45, 47-56 ; John 19. 31^.) See on Matthew 27. 51-56; and on John 19. 31-42.
CHAPTER XVI.
Ver. 1-20. Angelic Announcement to the Women on THE First Day of the Week, that Christ is Risen— His Appearances after His Resurrection—His Ascension—Triumphant Proclamation of His Gospel. (—Matthew 28. 1-10, 16-20; Luke 24. 1^1 ; John 20. 1, 2, 11-29.)
this honour given to be the first that saw the risen Redeemer and that woman was not Tits virgin-mother, 11. And they when they had Iieard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not—This, which is once and again repeated of them all, Is most Important In Its bearing on their subsequent testimony to His resurrection at the risk of life itself. 13. After that he appeared in another form — (cf. Luke 24. 16)— unto two of them as they walked, and went into the country— The reference here, of course. Is to His manifestation to the two disciples going to Emmaus, so exquisitely told by the Third Evangelist (see on Luke 24. 13, Ac). 13. And they went and told it unto the residue neither believed they them
JTie Resurrection Announced to the Women {v. 1-8). 1. And when the gabbath wag pagt—that is, at sunset of our Saturday—Mary Magdalene—see on Luke 8. 2—and Mary the mother of •Tames—James the Less (see on ch. 15. 40) nud Salome—the mother of Zebedee's sons (cf. ch. 1.5. 40 with Matthew 27.56)— had bought gweet spices, that they might come and anoint him—The word is simply •bought.' But our translators are perhaps right in rendering It here ' had bought,' since it would appear, from Luke 23. 56, that they had purchased therr, immediately after the Crucifixion, on the Friday evening, during the short Interval that remained to them before sunset, when the sabbath rest began ; and that they had only deferred using them to anoint the body till the sabbath rest should be over. On this "anointing," see on John 19. 40. a. And very early In the morning—see on Matthew 28.
. . . 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the M'orld, and preach the Gospel to every creature—See on John 20. 19-23; and on Luke 21. 36-49. 16. He that believeth and Is baptized—Baptism Is here put for the external signature of the Inner faith of the heart, just as "confessing with the mouth" Is In Romans 10. 10; and there also as here this outivard manifestation, once mentioned as the proper fruit of faith, is not repeated In what follows (Romans 10. II)—shall be saved | but he that bellevetli not shall be damned—These awful Issues of the reception or rejection of the Gospel, though often recorded In other connections, are given In this connection only by Mark. 17. And these signs shall follow them that believe . . . 18. They shall take up serpents, &c.—These two verses also are peculiar to Mark.
1—the flrst day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun—not quite literally, but ' at earliest dawn;' according to a way of speaking not uncommon, and occurring sometimes in the Old Testament. Thus our Lord rose on the third day ; having lain in the grave part of Friday, the whole of .Saturday, and part of the following First day. 3. And they said among them Kelves—as they were approaching the sacred spot—Who shall roll ns away the stone from the door of the epnicltre 1 ... for It was very great.—On reach i ng
The Ascension and Triumphant Proclamation of the Oospel tlicreafter (v. 19-20). 19. So then after the IiOmI—an epithet applied to Jesus by this Evangelist only In the two concluding verses, when lie comes to His glorious Ascension and Its subsequent fruits. It is most frequent in Luke—liad spoken unto them, he was received up Into heaven — See on Luke 24.50,61 — and sat on the right hand of God—This great truth Is here only related as a
It they find their dlfliculty gone—the stone already rolled away by an unseen hand. And arc there no' otlurrn who, when advancing to duty in the face of appalling difflcultic.i, find their stone also rolled awayf 5. And entering Into the sepulchre, they saw a young man—In Matthew 2lS. 2 he Is called "the angel of the Lord ;" but here he is den Tlbed as he appeared to the eye. In the bloom of a life fact In the Gospel history. In that exalted attitude He appeared to Stephen (Acts 7. 55, 66) ; and It is thereafter