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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Mark 15:6 - 15:6
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Now at that feast, that is, at the feast of the passover, which by way of eminency is called the feast, the governor used to release a prisoner; possibly by way of memorial of their deliverance out of Egypt; accordingly Pilate makes a motion that Christ may be the prisoner set at liberty in honour of their feast; for he was sensible that what they did was out of envy and malice.
Observe here, 1. What were the sins which immediately occasion the death of Christ; they were covetousness and envy. Covetousness caused Judas to sell him to the chief priests, and envy caused the chief priests to deliver him up to Pilate to crucify him. Envy is a killing and murdering passion; Envy slayeth the silly one Job_5:2, That is, it slayeth the silly person who harbours this petilent lust in his breast and bosom; being like a fire in his bones, continually preying upon his spirits; and it is also the occasion of slaying many an holy and innocent person; for who can stand before envy? The person envying wishes the envied out of his way, yea, out of the world; and if need be, will not only wish it, but lend a lift upon occasion towards it also. Witness the chief priests here, whose envy was so conspicuous and barefaced, that Pilate himself takes notice of it; he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
Observe, 2. How unwilling, how very unwilling, Pilate was to be the instrument of our Saviour's death. One while he expostulates with the chief priests, saying, What evil hath he done? Another while he bids him while he bids them, Take him, and judge him according to their law. Nay St. Luke says, that Pilate came forth three several times, professing, That he found no fault in him, Luke 23.
From whence note, That hypocrites within the visible church may be guilty of such tremendous acts of wickedness, as the consciences of infidels and pagans without the church may boggle at, and protest against. Pilate a pagan, absolves Christ, whilst the hypocritical Jews, that heard his doctrine, and saw his miracles, do condemn him.
Observe, lastly, How Pilate suffers himself to be overcome with the Jews importunity, and, contrary to the light of his own reason and judgment, delivers the holy and innocent Jesus, first to be scourged, and then crucified, It is a vain apology for sin, when persons pretend that it was not committed with their own consent, but at the instigation and importunity of others; such is the frame and constitution of man's soul, that none can make him either wicked or miserable without his own consent. Pilate, willing to content the people, When he had scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
Here observe, That as the death of the cross was a Roman punishment, so it was the manner of the Romans first to whip their malefactors and then crucify them. Now the manner of the Romans scourging is said to be thus: "They stripped the condemned person, and bound him to a post; two strong men first scourged him with rods of thorns, then two others scourged him with whips of cords full of knots, and last of all two more with whips of wire, and therewith tore off the very flesh and skin from the malefactor's back and sides."
That our blessed Saviour was thus cruely scourged by Pilate's command, seems to some not improbable, from that of the psalmist, The ploughers ploughed upon my back, and made long furrows Psa_129:3 : which if spoken prophetically of Christ, was literally fulfilled in the day of his scourging. But why was the precious and tender body of our holy Lord thus galled, rent, and torn with scourging? Doubtless to fulfil that prophecy, I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that pluck off the hair; that by his stripes we might be healed Isa_50:6;
and from his example, learn, Not to think it strange, if we find ourselves scourged with the tongue, with the hand, or with both, when we see our dear Redeemer bleeding by stripes and scourges before our eyes.