ciples must have marked this striking prediction of Christ and His full foresight of the events. This would naturally strengthen their confidence. Since Judas went out from the supper, He had been bargaining with the chief priests and completing the arrangements for Christ's delivery into their hands.- T With him a great multitude. John says, "a band and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees." Some have supposed that Judas was entrusted with the command of a cohort stationed in the castle of Antonia, or with the guard which attended near the temple at the time of the great feasts. These were likely Roman soldiers and Jewish guards, carrying "swords and clubs" (translation 1582). The Wicklif translation, 1580, has it "swordis and battis." Besides these, they had " lanterns and torches." See John 18. 3. Guilty consciences led them to make large preparations, and to take a strong force.

48. A sign. That there might be no mistake or failure in seizing Christ, he gave them a mark by which they might know which was HE; he was to kiss the person, and on his kissing Him, they were to seize Him. The kiss was a customary mode of friendly salutation among the Jews and early Christians. See Luke 7. 45. Hence the "holy kiss" | of Paul. 1 Cor. 16. 20. Rom. 16. 16. This custom still prevails in the Eastern church. What foul hypoc

50. Friend—as we say, "my friend.” This is the substance of the conversation which John more particularly details (18. 4-9)-Christ's question, whom seek ye? and their reply-the overpowering effect of His answer, "I am He," &c.-all as preliminary to their seizing Him. Luke has it, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?" The term here, is meant as the language of recognition-that Christ knew Him well, and knew his object—and that the traitor could not deceive Him by his hypocrisy.

Judas was not alone- but Christ accosted him personally-and to his amazement.

51. One of them. This was Peter, as John informs us (John 18. 10).— ¶ A servant. His name was Malchus. The gracious Saviour healed the wound immediately. (Luke. See Fig. ch. 18. 20.)

52. Put up again, &c. This was a rebuke to Peter. The sheath was the place for the sword. Such a deed was even a reflection upon the nature of His kingdom. See John 18. 36. "My kingdom is not of this world, else would my servants fight." Christ needed no such defences, and they that take the

53 Thinkest thou that I cannot, now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels. 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

55 In that same hour said Je

€ 2K.6.17. Da.7.10. c.4.11. fƒ Lu.24.26,46. sword render themselves liable to the same weapons, and the aggressors in such violence will be the sufferers. Compare Gen. 9. 6, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed-for in the image of God made He man." Here again Christ shows His willingness to suffer and the covenant grounds of it all-and John has it here, "The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18. 11.) | 53. Thinkest thou. Such a resort betrayed an unworthy trust, and a poor understanding of His higher dependence. It was like getting bread out of stones, instead of living by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4. 3). It was not for want of helpers that He gave Himself up to Judas. But " for this cause He came unto this hour.". ¶ My Father. Here is still the filial temper and confidence. It was not a conflict between the Father and the Son. Twelve legions. A legion was a body of the Roman army, varying from about 4,000 to over 6,000 men. It is taken for an indefinitely large body, as in Luke 8. 30, where the demoniac gave his name as "Legion, because many devils were entered into him." The number twelve is to the same effect. The hint is, that He could have a legion of angels in the place of each disciple for a body guard-and that He did not choose the twelve for such a purpose as a defence with swords.

¶

54. But how then. Here the whole subject is explained. The Saviour plainly had undertaken to die(Bengel). His death was not a common death or any casual event. It had been

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55. Are ye come out, &c. The three Evangelists have these same words, and they, doubtless, were spoken in a way to leave the strongest impression. This brings out the secret of such preparations for His seizure. It was rendered necessary only in their troubled conscience and disturbed imagination. "The wicked flee when no man pursueth.”As against a thief-or rather robber. Here again He declares a voluntary surrender, and the ground of it, in the predictions which must be fulfilled. What a tremendous word to them was this, that it was not at all their strong force, but rather the hand of God, even in His arrest. What a thought to the apostate, infamous traitor, that he was fulfilling the Scripture, and that a sovereign God was higher than he so that even in this, he could not contravene the Divine purpose, nor escape the judgment of God. Here, also, Christ vindicates His peaceable course, and His open, public manner among them. Why all this arming as against a thief, except in their own wicked thoughts? Judas might have feared His power, from the impressions he had of His

distance-afraid of sacrifices for Him, even when He goes to sacrifice Himself for them-afraid of taking any burdens of His blessed cause, when He bore the burden of THEIR SINS How little do they know that their happiness and safety lie in keeping near to Him. Palace (avλn). This is rather the open square of the dwelling-the court which Eastern houses had in the centre (see Fig. ch. 9). John here notes the fact, that another disciple (which was he himself) also followed Christ, and went in with Jesus into the high priest's house. But Peter stood at the door without. Matthew states that the maid in the porch recognized Peter. But John shows us how this occurred. Peter had been noticed, doubtless, standing outside-and then John (who was known at the high priest's house) went out and spoke to the maid and brought in Peter. This undesigned coincidence is an incidental proof of the veracity of the Evangelists.-Blunt.

59. Though Matthew and Mark record Peter's denials, after Christ's condemnation, yet they occurred, doubtless, while the council was sitting in judgment. Luke mentions the denial first, and so does John.

T False witness. The Sanhedrim sought testimony that could be urged against Him, not in the way of sheer fabrication, for such stood ready, but would not be admitted. They sought to have the show of right, though they had prejudged the case, and had resolved on putting Him to death. But the false witnesses did not agree in their testimony (Mark 14. 56). It is very difficult for two or three (which the law required) to agree in all particulars where the whole is false. Hence we see the strong proof of truth we have in the harmony of the four Evangelists.

though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false wit

nesses,

i Ps.27.12; 35.11.

60. Two false witnesses. The law required two witnesses to convict a man (Deut. 19. 15).

61. I am able to destroy. Here was Something which they could take hold of. He had spoken of His death and resurrection, and had said that the temple of His body which they should destroy, He would raise again in three days. This language they perverted to a declaration that He would destroy their temple, "the temple of God," &c. (Mark 14. 58). " But neither so did their witness agree together" (Mark 14. 59). Therefore this FIRST PLAN FAILED. This could have been proved a capital crime, if it had so been said, since it amounted to the claim of the power of working miracles.

62. The high priest arose.

¶ Answerest thou nothing? Here sun. dry conversations passed, as related,