(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 witness agreed not together. (57) And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, (58) We heard him say, I 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. (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 the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? (62) And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (63) Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? (64) Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? and they all condemned him to be guilty of death. (65) And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy. And the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
We now enter upon the more immediate scene of this solemn process leading to CHRIST's death. Every minute circumstance merits our closest regard. Perhaps there is not the smallest indignity offered to the person of the LORD JESUS, but had a mystical meaning. May GOD the HOLY GHOST go before, accompany, and follow, both the Writer of this Poor Man's Commentary, and the Reader of it, with his Almighty teaching! Amen.
And first: Mark relates, that no sooner had the soldiers apprehended JESUS, than they led him away to the High Priest. Now here, if I mistake not, there was much signification intended by GOD the HOLY GHOST. For this was according to the law; in which the sacrifice was first to be brought unto the Priest, before it was offered. Leviticus 17:5
The next point to be noticed according to Mark's relation, is, that at the High Priest's palace where JESUS was led, the whole Sanhedrim were then assembled. John indeed, in his account states, that the band which led JESUS away, took him to Annas first, and that they had previously bound him. See Mark 15:1. But let us here attend to Mark's relation of those transactions. We shall be better prepared hereafter for making suitable observations also on the account by John. It must have been late, and after the celebration of the Pass over, when the Sanhedrim was thus assembled, so desperately bent were they to CHRIST's death. And although after that holy solemnity of the Passover, the Jews were prohibited from going abroad for the night, yet to crucify JESUS, this breach may be in their view passed over.
The process of trial which followed, was done with a view to cover over their proceedings, as if done most justly and legally; and as it became necessary to obtain the Roman Governor's sanction to CHRIST's death, without which, the sentence could not be carried into execution, they proceeded in a regular order, and, sought for witnesses to condemn CHRIST.
The destruction of the temple, the refusing to give tribute to Caesar, and the supposed blasphemy against GOD; all these charge were brought forward, but no witnesses could be found to substantiate or prove. But when to the adjuration of the High Priest, the LORD JESUS gave testimony to the GODHEAD of his person, and to the authority of his office; the whole assembly present decided, that he was guilty of death! And the consequence as is here related of the utmost in dignities and cruelties manifested to his divine person immediately followed! Some began to spit upon him, some to buffet and mock him, and some to smite him with the palms of their hands. I beg the Reader not to overlook the LORD JESUS giving testimony to his GODHEAD. It was for this supposed blasphemy he was sentenced to die. John 10:33. Reader! let us pause over the solemn view, and looking unto the LORD JESUS encompassed with dogs, as he is described by the Prophet, as the Hind of the morning, hunting for his blood; let us as another Prophet saith, figure to ourselves JESUS himself speaking and saying to us: behold and see! if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger! Lamentations 1:12; Psa 22. throughout, and title.