And they shall be gathered together, [as] prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
Ver. 22. And they shall be gathered together, &c.] Id quod de poenis Iudaeorum intelligimus, saith an interpreter - that is, This we understand to be the punishment of the obstinate Jews, whose bodies after death were clapped up close prisoners in the grave, their souls held fast in hell till the last day; when after many days they shall be visited, i.e., in the whole man punished with eternal torments. Caveamus, si sapimus, a destinata peccandi malitia. Origen was certainly out when he argued from his text, that the damned in hell should after a time be visited, that is, delivered. There are that begin the promise at these words,
And after many days shall they be visited,] i.e., In mercy and favour as Isa 23:17 through Christ. This gracious visitation began in Israel, Luk 1:68 and then came abroad to the Gentiles also. Act 15:14-17