Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Ver. 7. Prayers and supplications] Gr. ικετηριας, deprecations, and most ardent requests, uttered with deep sighs, hands lifted up, and manifold moans, in a most submissive manner.
With strong crying and tears] Be our hearts so hard (saith one) that we cannot pray for ourselves or others? cry, Conqueror tibi lachrimis Iesu Christi, I cry to thee with Christ's tears.
Unto him that was able to save him, &c.] Neither let any here object that many martyrs suffered with less ado, nay, with great joy and triumph. For, 1. What were all their sufferings to his? 2. He therefore suffered the worst, that they might the better suffer. 3. They were lifted up with the sense of God's love, which he for present felt not. 4. Their bodily pains were miraculously mitigated; as Rose Allen, being asked by a friend how she could abide the painful burning of her hand held over a candle, so long till the very sinews cracked asunder? She said, at the first it was some grief to her; but afterward, the longer she burned the less she felt, or well near none at all. Sabina, a Roman martyr, crying out in her travail, and being asked by her keeper how she would endure the fire next day; Oh, well enough, said she, for now I suffer in child birth for my sins,Genesis 3:16, but then Christ shall suffer in me and support me.
And was heard in that he feared] απο της ευλαβειας, or, He was heard (that is, delivered) from his fear. For no sooner had he prayed, but he met his enemies in the face, and asked them, "Whom seek ye?" I am he.