Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 23
Matthew Henry Commentary
Luke 23
Matthew Henry Commentary
Luke 23
"And the whole company of them rose up, and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest. And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitudes, I find no fault in this man. But they were the more urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judaea, and beginning from Galilee even unto this place." — Luke 23:1-5 (ASV)
Pilate well understood the difference between armed forces and our Lord's followers. But instead of being softened by Pilate's declaration of his innocence, and considering whether they were not bringing the guilt of innocent blood upon themselves, the Jews were all the more angry. The Lord brings his designs to a glorious end, even by means of those who follow the devices of their own hearts. Thus, all parties joined to prove the innocence of Jesus, who was the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
"But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And when he knew that he was of Herod`s jurisdiction, he sent him unto Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in these days. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him. And he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves." — Luke 23:6-12 (ASV)
Herod had heard many things about Jesus in Galilee, and out of curiosity longed to see him. The poorest beggar who asked for a miracle for the relief of his necessity was never denied; but this proud prince, who asked for a miracle only to gratify his curiosity, is refused. He might have seen Christ and his wondrous works in Galilee, and would not; therefore, it is justly said, Now he would see them, and shall not.
Herod sent Christ again to Pilate: the friendships of wicked men are often formed by union in wickedness. They agree on little, except in enmity to God and contempt for Christ.
"And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said unto them, Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth the people: and behold, I having examined him before you, found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: no, nor yet Herod: for he sent him back unto us; and behold, nothing worthy of death hath been done by him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him. [Now he must needs release unto them at the feast one prisoner.] But they cried out all together, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: -- one who for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison. And Pilate spake unto them again, desiring to release Jesus; but they shouted, saying, Crucify, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him. But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that what they asked for should be done. And he released him that for insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, whom they asked for; but Jesus he delivered up to their will." — Luke 23:13-25 (ASV)
The fear of man brings many into this snare, so that they do an unjust thing against their consciences, rather than get into trouble. Pilate declares Jesus innocent and intends to release him; yet, to please the people, he would punish him as an evildoer. If no fault is found in him, why chastise him? Pilate yielded eventually; he did not have the courage to go against so strong a stream. He delivered Jesus to their will, to be crucified.
"And when they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to bear it after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the breasts that never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" — Luke 23:26-31 (ASV)
Here we have the blessed Jesus, the Lamb of God, led as a lamb to the slaughter, to the sacrifice. Though many reproached and reviled him, yet some pitied him. But the death of Christ was his victory and triumph over his enemies: it was our deliverance, the purchase of eternal life for us.
Therefore do not weep for him, but let us weep for our own sins, and the sins of our children, which caused his death; and weep for fear of the miseries we will bring upon ourselves, if we slight his love, and reject his grace. If God delivered him up to such sufferings as these, because he was made a sacrifice for sin, what will he do with sinners themselves, who make themselves a dry tree, a corrupt and wicked generation, and good for nothing!
The bitter sufferings of our Lord Jesus should make us stand in awe of the justice of God. The best saints, compared with Christ, are dry trees; if he suffered, why should they not expect to suffer? And what then will the damnation of sinners be!
Even the sufferings of Christ preach terror to obstinate transgressors.
"And there were also two others, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they came unto the place which is called The skull, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left. And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself. And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us. But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." — Luke 23:32-43 (ASV)
As soon as Christ was fastened to the cross, He prayed for those who crucified Him. The great thing He died to purchase and procure for us is the forgiveness of sin. This He prays for. Jesus was crucified between two thieves; in them were shown the different effects the cross of Christ would have upon the children of men in the preaching of the gospel.
One malefactor was hardened to the last. No troubles, by themselves, will change a wicked heart. The other was softened at the last: he was snatched as a brand out of the burning and made a monument of Divine mercy. This gives no encouragement to anyone to delay repentance until their deathbeds, or to hope that they will then find mercy. It is certain that true repentance is never too late; but it is just as certain that late repentance is seldom true.
No one can be sure they will have time to repent at death, but everyone can be sure they cannot have the advantages this penitent thief had. We will see the case to be singular if we observe the uncommon effects of God's grace upon this man. He reproved the other for railing against Christ. He acknowledged that he deserved what was done to him. He believed Jesus to have suffered wrongfully.
Observe his faith in this prayer. Christ was in the depth of disgrace, suffering as a deceiver, and not delivered by His Father. He made this profession before the wonders were displayed that put honour on Christ's sufferings and startled the centurion. He believed in a life to come and desired to be happy in that life; not like the other thief, to be only saved from the cross. Observe his humility in this prayer.
All his request is, Lord, remember me; completely referring it to Jesus how He should remember him. Thus he was humbled in true repentance, and he produced all the fruits of repentance his circumstances would allow. Christ upon the cross is gracious like Christ upon the throne. Though He was in the greatest struggle and agony, yet He had pity for a poor penitent.
By this act of grace, we are to understand that Jesus Christ died to open the kingdom of heaven to all penitent, obedient believers. It is a single instance in Scripture; it should teach us to despair of no one, and that no one should despair of themselves. But lest it should be abused, it is contrasted with the awful state of the other thief, who died hardened in unbelief, though a crucified Saviour was so near him. Be sure that, in general, people die as they live.
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