Acts 8:33 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

In his humiliation, &c.— This is the translation of the LXX. and, if it be admitted, seems to mean, that Jesus appeared in so humble a form, that though Pilate was convinced of his innocence, he seemed a person of so little importance, that it would not be worth while to hazard any thing to preserve him. To take away a person's judgment, is a known proverb for oppressing him. See Job 27:2. Dr. Heylin reads it, In his humiliation was his crisis; he was taken away, but who shall declare, &c.? Crisis, says he, is the word in the original, which I understand here, in its English signification, for "a decisive trial, in which he stood the test." The subject brings to mind that apt phrase of the chymists, experimentum crucis, "the experiment of the cross." Dr. Hammond expresses the clause, Who shall declare his generation? thus: "Who can describe the obstinate infidelity and barbarous injustice of that generation of men, among whom he appeared, and from whom he suffered such things?" But see the notes on Isaiah 53:8.