Matthew Poole's Commentary After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. Mark 14:1,2 The chief priests and scribes conspire against Christ.Mark 14:3-9 A woman pours precious ointment on his head. Mark 14:10,11 Judas covenants to betray him, Mark 14:12-21 Christ eats the passover, and showeth that one of his disciples should betray him. Mark 14:22-26 He institutes his last supper, Mark 14:27-31 foretells the desertion of all his disciples, and Peter’s denial of him. Mark 14:32-42 His agony and prayer in the garden. Mark 14:43-52 He is betrayed by Judas, and apprehended: his disciples flee. Mark 14:53-65 He is carried before the council, falsely accused, examined, pronounced guilty and treated with indignity. Mark 14:66-72 Peter’s denial, and repentance. Ver. 1,2. Matthew saith the same, only he bringeth it in as said to the disciples by Christ. This must be said upon that day in the week which we call Tuesday, for Friday was the passover day, when began the feast of unleavened bread. See Poole on "Matthew 26:1", and following verses to Matthew 26:5. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. See Poole on "Mark 14:1" And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. Ver. 3-9. See Poole on "Matthew 26:6", and following verses to Matthew 26:13, where this piece of history is fully considered, with the differing circumstances related by our evangelist and by St. John. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? See Poole on "Mark 14:3" For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. See Poole on "Mark 13:4" And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. See Poole on "Mark 14:4" For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. See Poole on "Mark 14:4" She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. See Poole on "Mark 14:4" Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. See Poole on "Mark 14:4" And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. Ver. 10-16. See Poole on "Matthew 26:17", and following verses to Matthew 26:19. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. See Poole on "Mark 14:10" And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? See Poole on "Mark 14:10" And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. See Poole on "Mark 14:10" And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? See Poole on "Mark 14:10" And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. See Poole on "Mark 14:10" And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. See Poole on "Mark 14:10" And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. Ver. 17-21. See Poole on "Matthew 26:20", and following verses to Matthew 26:25, where is opened whatever is necessary for the understanding of these words, in which nothing of moment is varied, save only that Matthew reports Judas as being at this time particularly discovered. John hath nothing of this, unless the supper mentioned John 13:1-38 were this supper, of which more shall be said in its order. And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. See Poole on "Mark 14:17" And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? See Poole on "Mark 14:17" And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. See Poole on "Mark 14:17" The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. See Poole on "Mark 14:17" And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. Ver. 22-26. See Poole on "Matthew 26:26", and following verses to Matthew 26:30, where the very small differences between our evangelist and Matthew and Luke are also considered. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. See Poole on "Mark 14:22" And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. See Poole on "Mark 14:22" Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. See Poole on "Mark 14:22" And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. See Poole on "Mark 14:22" And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. Ver. 27-31. See Poole on "Matthew 26:31", and following verses to Matthew 26:35, on all the discourse. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. See Poole on "Mark 14:27" But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. See Poole on "Mark 14:27" And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. See Poole on "Mark 14:27" But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. See Poole on "Mark 14:27" And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. Ver. 32-42. See Poole on "Matthew 26:36", and following verses to Matthew 26:46. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; See Poole on "Mark 14:32" And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. See Poole on "Mark 14:32" And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. See Poole on "Mark 14:32" And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. See Poole on "Mark 14:32" And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? See Poole on "Mark 14:32" Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. See Poole on "Mark 14:32" And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. See Poole on "Mark 14:32" And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. See Poole on "Mark 14:32" And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. See Poole on "Mark 14:32" Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. See Poole on "Mark 14:32" And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Ver. 43-45. See Poole on "Matthew 26:47", and following verses to Matthew 26:49. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. See Poole on "Mark 14:43" And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. See Poole on "Mark 14:44" And they laid their hands on him, and took him. Ver. 46-50. Having, to complete the history of the passion, especially as to what is said of it by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, in my notes on Matthew considered all passages relating to what Matthew saith, the things here mentioned being opened in our notes on Matthew 26:50-56, need not here again be enlarged upon. See Poole on "Matthew 26:50", and following verses to Matthew 26:56. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. See Poole on "Mark 14:46" And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? See Poole on "Mark 14:46" I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. See Poole on "Mark 14:46" And they all forsook him, and fled. See Poole on "Mark 14:46" And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: Ver. 51,52. This part of the history is only recorded by Mark. What hath made some affirm that this was St. John I cannot tell. John was one of the eleven that were with Christ when Judas came, and though we find him asleep a little before, yet we read not that he was gone to bed, nor can conceive there was any at or near the place. The garment in which he was, in all probability, was a night garment. It is certain it was a loose garment, he could not else, when he was apprehended, have so soon quit himself of it; and being quit of that it seemeth he was quit of all, for the text saith he fled from them naked; nor doth the text give him the honour to call him a disciple of Christ at large. Probably it was some young man who, being in his bed, and hearing the noise of the multitude going by his lodging with swords and staves, got up, slipped on his night garment, and followed them, to see what the matter was; and they having apprehended Christ, he followed them. And possibly his unusual habit made them take the more notice of him, staying when the disciples were all fled. Nor can the reason be well given why Mark should record such a passage, unless it were to tell us what we must expect from the rage of persecutors, viz. that our own innocency should not defend us. This young man was not concerned in Christ, only came as a spectator, without any arms. But the sword of persecution useth not to distinguish perfectly. The basilisk (they say) will fly at the picture of a man. And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. See Poole on "Mark 14:51" And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. Ver. 53-65. This history of our Saviour’s examination before the high priest we had in Matthew 26:57-68: See Poole on "Matthew 26:57", and following verses to Matthew 26:68. It should seem the high priests and council were very eager upon this thing. This council seems to have sat up all night, for early in the morning they carried him (condemned by them) to Pilate, and before twelve they brought him out of the city to be crucified. These wretched hypocrites had but the evening before been taking the passover. It was now the feast of unleavened bread. This was now the first fruit of their thanksgiving to God, for bringing them out of the land of Egypt; besides that their keeping a court of judgment in a capital case on a holy day, or in the night, were things against all rules of order. But the rage of persecutors can be neither bounded by the laws of God or men. If the servants of God still be thus treated, they are in this more like Christ, who hath told them, that the disciple is not above his master. But see further in the notes on Matthew twenty-six. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. See Poole on "Mark 14:53" And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. See Poole on "Mark 14:53" For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. See Poole on "Mark 14:53" And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, See Poole on "Mark 14:53" We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. See Poole on "Mark 14:53" But neither so did their witness agree together. See Poole on "Mark 14:53" And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? See Poole on "Mark 14:53" But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? See Poole on "Mark 14:53" And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. See Poole on "Mark 14:53" Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? See Poole on "Mark 14:53" Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. See Poole on "Mark 14:53" And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. See Poole on "Mark 14:53" And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: Ver. 66-72. All four evangelists give us an account of this history of Peter’s denial of his Master. We have considered what they all say, to complete the history, in our notes on Matthew 26:69-75; to which I see no reason to add any thing but the observation, 1. How contemptible means God often useth to take down our pride and self-confidences. Peter, a great apostle, is here humbled by the means of two maids. 2. How naturally one sin draws on another. Peter first tells a lie, then to lying addeth swearing and cursing. 3. How necessary it is for those that would keep from sin to keep out of sinners’ company. I am (saith David) a companion of them that fear thee, Psalm 119:63. 4. How profitable words from God are for the time to come, though at present we find not the use and advantage of them. 5. How different the sinnings of reprobates and saints are, as to the consequences and issues. Judas sins, repents, and hangs himself; Peter goeth out and weepeth bitterly. Judas repented unto death; Peter repenteth unto life. See more with reference to this history in our notes on Matthew 26:75. Thus far we have heard Christ’s trial before the ecclesiastical court of the Jews. Thus far what he said Mark 10:33 is made good. He is delivered to the chief priests, and the scribes, and they have (as we have heard) condemned him to death. But he also said there, —and they shall deliver him to the Gentiles: and they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him. We must see those words verified in the ensuing part of the history, in the next chapter. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. See Poole on "Mark 14:66" But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. See Poole on "Mark 14:66" And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. See Poole on "Mark 14:66" And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. See Poole on "Mark 14:66" But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. See Poole on "Mark 14:66" And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. See Poole on "Mark 14:66" |
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