1A když bylo ráno, vešli v radu všickni přední kněží {biskupové} a starší lidu proti Ježíšovi, aby jej na smrt vydali. 2I svázavše jej, vedli, a vydali ho Pontskému Pilátovi hejtmanu. 3Tedy vida Jidáš zrádce jeho, že by odsouzen byl, želeje toho, navrátil zase třidceti stříbrných předním kněžím {biskupům} a starším, 4Řka: Zhřešil jsem, zradiv krev nevinnou. Oni pak řekli: Co nám do toho? Ty viz. 5A povrh ty stříbrné v chrámě, odšel pryč, a odšed, oběsil se. 6Přední kněží {biskupové} pak vzavše ty stříbrné, řekli: Neslušíť jich vložiti do pokladnice, nebo mzda krve jest. 7A poradivše se, koupili za ně pole to hrnčířovo, ku pohřebu poutníků. 8Protož nazváno jest pole to pole krve, až do dnešního dne. 9A tehdy naplnilo se povědění proroka řkoucího: A vzali třidceti stříbrných, mzdu ceněného, kterýž šacován byl od synů Izraelských, 10A dali je za pole hrnčířovo, jakož mi ustanovil Pán. 11Ježíš pak stál před vládařem. I otázal se ho vládař, řka: Ty-li jsi ten král Židovský? Ježíš pak řekl jemu: Ty pravíš. 12A když na něj přední kněží {biskupové} a starší žalovali, nic neodpověděl. 13Tedy dí mu Pilát: Neslyšíš-li, kteraké věci proti tobě svědčí? 14Ale neodpověděl jemu ani k jednomu slovu, tak že se vládař velmi divil. 15Měl pak obyčej vládař v svátek propouštěti lidu vězně jednoho, kteréhož by chtěli. 16I měli v ten čas vězně znamenitého, kterýž sloul Barabáš. 17Protož když se lidé sešli, řekl jim Pilát: Kterého chcete, ať vám propustím? Barabáše-li, čili Ježíše, kterýž slove Kristus? 18Nebo věděl, že jej z závisti vydali. 19A když seděl na soudné stolici, poslala k němu žena jeho, řkuci: Nic neměj činiti s spravedlivým tímto, nebo jsem mnoho trpěla dnes ve snách pro něho. 20Ale přední kněží {biskupové} a starší navedli lid, aby prosili za Barabáše, Ježíše pak aby zahubili. 21I odpověděv vládař, řekl jim: Kterého chcete z těch dvou, ať vám propustím? A oni řekli: Barabáše. 22Dí jim Pilát: Co pak učiním s Ježíšem, kterýž slove Kristus? Řekli mu všickni: Ukřižován buď. 23Vládař pak řekl: I což jest zlého učinil? Oni pak více křičeli, řkouce: Ukřižován buď. 24A vida Pilát, že by nic neprospěl, ale že by větší rozbroj byl, vzav vodu, umyl ruce před lidem, řka: Čist jsem od krve spravedlivého tohoto. Vy vizte. 25A odpověděv všecken lid, řekl: Krev jeho na nás i na naše dítky. 26Tedy propustil jim Barabáše, ale Ježíše zbičovav, vydal, aby byl ukřižován. 27Tedy žoldnéři hejtmanovi, vzavše Ježíše do rathouzu, shromáždili k němu všecku rotu. 28A svlékše jej, přioděli ho pláštěm brunátným. 29A spletše korunu z trní, vstavili na hlavu jeho, a dali třtinu v pravou ruku jeho, a klekajíce před ním, posmívali se jemu, řkouce: Zdráv buď, ó králi Židovský. 30A plijíce na něho, brali tu třtinu a bili jej v hlavu. 31A když se mu naposmívali, svlékli s něho plášť, a oblékli jej v roucho jeho. I vedli ho, aby byl ukřižován. 32A vyšedše, nalezli člověka Cyrenenského, jménem Šimona. Toho přinutili, aby nesl kříž jeho. 33I přišedše na místo, kteréž slove Golgota, to jest popravné místo, 34Dali mu píti octa, smíšeného se žlučí. A okusiv, nechtěl píti. 35Ukřižovavše pak jej, rozdělili roucha jeho, mecíce los, aby se naplnilo povědění proroka: Rozdělili sobě roucho mé, a o můj oděv metali los. 36A sedíce, ostříhali ho tu. 37I vstavili nad hlavu jeho vinu jeho napsanou: Totoť jest Ježíš, ten král Židovský. 38I ukřižováni jsou s ním dva lotři, jeden na pravici a druhý na levici. 39Ti pak, kteříž chodili tudy, rouhali se jemu, ukřivujíce hlav svých. 40A říkajíce: Hej, ty jako rušíš chrám a ve třech dnech vzděláváš, pomoziž sám sobě. Jsi-li Syn Boží, sstupiž s kříže. 41Tak podobně i přední kněží {biskupové} posmívajíce se s zákonníky a staršími, pravili: 42Jiným pomáhal, sám sobě nemůž pomoci. Jestliže jest král Izraelský, nech ať nyní sstoupí s kříže, a uvěříme jemu. 43Doufalť v Boha, nech ať ho nyní vysvobodí, chce-liť mu; nebo pravil: Syn Boží jsem. 44Takž také i lotři, kteříž byli s ním ukřižováni, utrhali jemu. 45Od šesté pak hodiny tma se stala po vší zemi až do hodiny deváté. 46A při hodině deváté zvolal Ježíš hlasem velikým, řka: Eli, Eli, lama zabachtani? To jest: Bože můj, Bože můj, proč jsi mne opustil? 47A někteří z těch, kteříž tu stáli, slyšíce, pravili: Eliáše volá tento. 48A hned jeden z nich běžev, a vzav hubu, naplnil ji octem, a vloživ na tresť, napájel ho. 49Ale jiní pravili: Nech tak, pohledíme, přijde-li Eliáš, aby ho vysvobodil. 50Ježíš pak opět zvolav hlasem velikým, vypustil duši. 51A aj, opona chrámová roztrhla se na dvé, od vrchu až dolů, a země se třásla, a skálé se pukalo, 52A hrobové se otvírali, a mnohá těla zesnulých svatých vstala. 53A vyšedše z hrobů po vzkříšení jeho, přišli do svatého města, a ukázali se mnohým. 54Tedy centurio a ti, kteříž s ním ostříhali Ježíše, vidouce země třesení a to, co se dálo, báli se velmi, řkouce: Jistě Syn Boží byl tento. 55Byly také tu ženy mnohé, z daleka se dívajíce, kteréž byly přišly za Ježíšem od Galilee, posluhujíce jemu, 56Mezi nimiž byla Maria Magdaléna, a Maria, matka Jakubova a Jozesova, a matka synů Zebedeových. 57A když byl večer, přišel člověk bohatý z Arimatie, jménem Jozef, kterýž také byl učedlník Ježíšův. 58Ten předstoupil před Piláta, a prosil za tělo Ježíšovo. Tedy Pilát rozkázal dáti tělo. 59A vzav tělo Jozef, obvinul je v plátno čisté. 60A vložil do svého nového hrobu, kterýž byl vytesal v skále; a přivaliv kámen veliký ke dveřům hrobovým, odšel. 61A byla tu Maria Magdaléna, a druhá Maria, sedíce naproti hrobu. 62Druhého pak dne, kterýž byl po velikém pátku, sešli se přední kněží {biskupové} a farizeové ku Pilátovi, 63Řkouce: Pane, rozpomenuli jsme se, že ten svůdce řekl, ještě živ jsa: Po třech dnech vstanu. 64Rozkažiž tedy ostříhati hrobu až do třetího dne, ať by snad učedlníci jeho, přijdouce v noci, neukradli ho, a řekli by lidu: Vstalť jest z mrtvých. I budeť poslední blud horší nežli první. 65Řekl jim Pilát: Máte stráž; jděte, ostříhejte, jakž víte. 66A oni šedše, osadili hrob strážnými, zapečetivše kámen.
Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary 1 Wicked men see little of the consequences of their crimes when they commit them, but they must answer for them all. In the fullest manner Judas acknowledged to the chief priests that he had sinned, and betrayed an innocent person. This was full testimony to the character of Christ; but the rulers were hardened. Casting down the money, Judas departed, and went and hanged himself, not being able to bear the terror of Divine wrath, and the anguish of despair. There is little doubt but that the death of Judas was before that of our blessed Lord. But was it nothing to them that they had thirsted after this blood, and hired Judas to betray it, and had condemned it to be shed unjustly? Thus do fools make a mock at sin. Thus many make light of Christ crucified. And it is a common instance of the deceitfulness of our hearts, to make light of our own sin by dwelling upon other people's sins. But the judgment of God is according to truth. Many apply this passage of the buying the piece of ground, with the money Judas brought back, to signify the favour intended by the blood of Christ to strangers, and sinners of the Gentiles. It fulfilled a prophecy,
Zech 11:12. Judas went far toward repentance, yet it was not to salvation. He confessed, but not to God; he did not go to him, and say, I have sinned, Father, against heaven. Let none be satisfied with such partial convictions as a man may have, and yet remain full of pride, enmity, and rebellion.
11 Having no malice against Jesus, Pilate urged him to clear himself, and laboured to get him discharged. The message from his wife was a warning. God has many ways of giving checks to sinners, in their sinful pursuits, and it is a great mercy to have such checks from Providence, from faithful friends, and from our own consciences. O do not this abominable thing which the Lord hates! is what we may hear said to us, when we are entering into temptation, if we will but regard it. Being overruled by the priests, the people made choice of Barabbas. Multitudes who choose the world, rather than God, for their ruler and portion, thus choose their own delusions. The Jews were so bent upon the death of Christ, that Pilate thought it would be dangerous to refuse. And this struggle shows the power of conscience even on the worst men. Yet all was so ordered to make it evident that Christ suffered for no fault of his own, but for the sins of his people. How vain for Pilate to expect to free himself from the guilt of the innocent blood of a righteous person, whom he was by his office bound to protect! The Jews' curse upon themselves has been awfully answered in the sufferings of their nation. None could bear the sin of others, except Him that had no sin of his own to answer for. And are we not all concerned? Is not Barabbas preferred to Jesus, when sinners reject salvation that they may retain their darling sins, which rob God of his glory, and murder their souls? The blood of Christ is now upon us for good, through mercy, by the Jews' rejection of it. O let us flee to it for refuge!
26 Crucifixion was a death used only among the Romans; it was very terrible and miserable. A cross was laid on the ground, to which the hands and feet were nailed, it was then lifted up and fixed upright, so that the weight of the body hung on the nails, till the sufferer died in agony. Christ thus answered the type of the brazen serpent raised on a pole. Christ underwent all the misery and shame here related, that he might purchase for us everlasting life, and joy, and glory.
31 Christ was led as a Lamb to the slaughter, as a Sacrifice to the altar. Even the mercies of the wicked are really cruel. Taking the cross from him, they compelled one Simon to bear it. Make us ready, O Lord, to bear the cross thou hast appointed us, and daily to take it up with cheerfulness, following thee. Was ever sorrow like unto his sorrow? And when we behold what manner of death he died, let us in that behold with what manner of love he loved us. As if death, so painful a death, were not enough, they added to its bitterness and terror in several ways.
35 It was usual to put shame upon malefactors, by a writing to notify the crime for which they suffered. So they set up one over Christ's head. This they designed for his reproach, but God so overruled it, that even his accusation was to his honour. There were crucified with him at the same time, two robbers. He was, at his death, numbered among the transgressors, that we, at our death, might be numbered among the saints. The taunts and jeers he received are here recorded. The enemies of Christ labour to make others believe that of religion and of the people of God, which they themselves know to be false. The chief priests and scribes, and the elders, upbraid Jesus with being the King of Israel. Many people could like the King of Israel well enough, if he would but come down from the cross; if they could but have his kingdom without the tribulation through which they must enter into it. But if no cross, then no Christ, no crown. Those that would reign with him, must be willing to suffer with him. Thus our Lord Jesus, having undertaken to satisfy the justice of God, did it, by submitting to the punishment of the worst of men. And in every minute particular recorded about the sufferings of Christ, we find some prediction in the Prophets or the Psalms fulfilled.
45 During the three hours which the darkness continued, Jesus was in agony, wrestling with the powers of darkness, and suffering his Father's displeasure against the sin of man, for which he was now making his soul an offering. Never were there three such hours since the day God created man upon the earth, never such a dark and awful scene; it was the turning point of that great affair, man's redemption and salvation. Jesus uttered a complaint from
Pss 22:1. Hereby he teaches of what use the word of God is to direct us in prayer, and recommends the use of Scripture expressions in prayer. The believer may have tasted some drops of bitterness, but he can only form a very feeble idea of the greatness of Christ's sufferings. Yet, hence he learns something of the Saviour's love to sinners; hence he gets deeper conviction of the vileness and evil of sin, and of what he owes to Christ, who delivers him from the wrath to come. His enemies wickedly ridiculed his complaint. Many of the reproaches cast upon the word of God and the people of God, arise, as here, from gross mistakes. Christ, just before he expired, spake in his full strength, to show that his life was not forced from him, but was freely delivered into his Father's hands. He had strength to bid defiance to the powers of death: and to show that by the eternal Spirit he offered himself, being the Priest as well as the Sacrifice, he cried with a loud voice. Then he yielded up the ghost. The Son of God upon the cross, did die by the violence of the pain he was put to. His soul was separated from his body, and so his body was left really and truly dead. It was certain that Christ did die, for it was needful that he should die. He had undertaken to make himself an offering for sin, and he did it when he willingly gave up his life.
51 The rending of the veil signified that Christ, by his death, opened a way to God. We have an open way through Christ to the throne of grace, or mercy-seat now, and to the throne of glory hereafter. When we duly consider Christ's death, our hard and rocky hearts should be rent; the heart, and not the garments. That heart is harder than a rock that will not yield, that will not melt, where Jesus Christ is plainly set forth crucified. The graves were opened, and many bodies of saints which slept, arose. To whom they appeared, in what manner, and how they disappeared, we are not told; and we must not desire to be wise above what is written. The dreadful appearances of God in his providence, sometimes work strangely for the conviction and awakening of sinners. This was expressed in the terror that fell upon the centurion and the Roman soldiers. We may reflect with comfort on the abundant testimonies given to the character of Jesus; and, seeking to give no just cause of offence, we may leave it to the Lord to clear our characters, if we live to Him. Let us, with an eye of faith, behold Christ and him crucified, and be affected with that great love wherewith he loved us. But his friends could give no more than a look; they beheld him, but could not help him. Never were the horrid nature and effects of sin so tremendously displayed, as on that day when the beloved Son of the Father hung upon the cross, suffering for sin, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. Let us yield ourselves willingly to his service.
57 In the burial of Christ was nothing of pomp or solemnity. As Christ had not a house of his own, wherein to lay his head, while he lived, so he had not a grave of his own, wherein to lay his body, when he was dead. Our Lord Jesus, who had no sin of his own, had no grave of his own. The Jews designed that he should have made his grave with the wicked, should have been buried with the thieves with whom he was crucified, but God overruled it, so that he should make it with the rich in his death,
Isa 53:9. And although to the eye of man the beholding a funeral may cause terror, yet if we remember how Christ by his burial has changed the nature of the grave to believers, it should make us rejoice. And we are ever to imitate Christ's burial in being continually occupied in the spiritual burial of our sins.
62 On the Jewish sabbath, the chief priests and Pharisees, when they should have been at their devotions, were dealing with Pilate about securing the sepulchre. This was permitted that there might be certain proof of our Lord's resurrection. Pilate told them that they might secure the sepulchre as carefully as they could. They sealed the stone, and set a guard, and were satisfied that all needful care was taken. But to guard the sepulchre against the poor weak disciples was folly, because needless; while to think to guard it against the power of God, was folly, because fruitless, and to no purpose; yet they thought they dealt wisely. But the Lord took the wise in their own craftiness. Thus shall all the rage and the plans of Christ's enemies be made to promote his glory.
