Matthew Poole and continuators on Mark 15

1 AND straightway in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

See the Notes on Matth. 27.1.2. Pontius Pilate was the Roman Governour in Iudea at this time, Luke 3.1. The reasons of their carrying Christ to him, when they had condemned him to Death for Blasphemy (a crime cognoscible before them as appeareth in the case of Stephen Acts 7.) see in our Notes on Matthew; what time in the Morning they carried him before Pilate, is not said, only Iohn saith it was early, and we read it was the about the Sixth hour, when Pilate dismissed him, being by him condemned, (that is, with us twelve of the Clock, so probably they were with Pilate, by Six or Seven in the Morning. This Morning was the Morning after the evening in which they had eaten the Passover, and the first day of their feast of Vnleavened Bread. So little did they regard Gods Ordinance.

Marginal references: Psal. 22. Matth. 27.1, 2. Luke 22.66. John 18.28.

20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucifie him.

This History of our Saviours examination before, and Condemnation by Pilate, together with the indignities offered him, after his Condemnation, is recorded in some degree or other, by all the four▪ Evangelists, by the comparing of which it will appear that Mark hath left out many material circumstances, and parts of it. In our Notes on Matth. 27. v. 2.3.4, &c. We have compared, and considered them all, and shall thither refer the Reader. Only observing, 1. How much more favour Christ found from a Gentile Heathen, than from the Iewish High Priest, and not Favour only, but Iustice also. 2. Hour close our Saviour kept upon his Guard, not accusing himself. 3. The horrible debauchery of these Priests, that they would prefer a Murderer, and Seditious Person, before a most innocent Person. 4. The weakness of a corrupt heart, to resist an ordinary Temptation. Pilate was convinced the Prosecution was Malicious, that there was no guilt in Christ; yet he must content the People, and is basely afraid of their misrepresenting him to the Roman Emperour. 5. That the point upon which Christ was Condemned, was his maintaining his spiritual Kingdom, in, and over his Church, for he expresly disclaimed any claim to any earthly Kingdom, before Pilate as the other Evangelists tell us. 6. How punctually the words of Christ are, by the Providence of God fulfilled, we have now heard how Christ was delivered to the Gentiles, by them mocked, scourged, spit upon, and now going to be killed. 7. How Christ hath made all our bitter Waters sweet? Sanctifying every cross to us, and taking the curse out of it. He was reviled▪ imprisoned, mocked, scourged, spit upon, and last of all killed; he hath tasted of all these bitter Watters, and by that tast they are made wholesome, and medicinal for us, and he hath learned us, that there is no ignominy, shame, and contempt, no indignity, and species of suffering for his sake, in which we may not boast and Glory, as being thereby made conformable to the sufferings, and Death of Christ. And if we suffer with him, we shall be glorified together.

37 And Jesus cryed with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

To make this History compleat, all the other Evangelists must be consulted, and compared with Mark, who omitteth many considerable passages recorded by them, we have done it in our Notes on Math. 27.32, 33, &c. to which I refer the Reader, both for the understanding the several passages of this Relation, and reconciling any small differences betwixt the Relations of the several Evangelists. It is the observation of some, that when in Scripture the Father is made known by the Son, or Sons, it signifieth some more eminency in the Sons, then in the Father. Many think that this Simon was a Pagan, tho it be not certain, yet it is not improbable, that this Alexander was the same who is mentioned, Acts 19.33. persecuted there by the Iews, and Rufus he whom▪ Paul saluteth Rom. 16.13. calling him chosen in the Lord. They say they were both at Rome, where they judge St. Mark was when he wrote this History, and that Mark mentioneth them, as those who could attest the truth of this part of the History. The Father bare Christ's Cross, (or one end of it,) there is all we read of him. The Sons believe on him, who died upon it. So free is Divine Grace, fixing where it pleaseth. Concerning the Wine mingled with Myrrhe, we spake in our Notes on Matth. 27. Some think our Saviours friends gave it him, to refresh him: But it is most prob[illegible: 1 letter]ble it was given him to entoxicate him, that he might be less sensible of the pain he should endure upon the Cross; whatsoever they intended, our Saviour refused it, having Wine to uphold him, which they knew not of. For other things relating to this Story, see the Notes on Matth 27.32.33.

Marginal references: Matth. 27.50▪ John 19.30

41 Who also when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministred unto him; and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

The Prodigies happening upon the Death of our Saviour, and the passages happening betwixt the time of his expiration, and his Burial, are more largely reported by the other Evangelists then by Mark; we have put them all together, and considered the passages relating to them in our Notes on Matth. 27. v. 51.52.53. &c.

Marginal references: Luke 3.3.

47 And Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Joses, beheld where he was laid.

The circumstances of our Saviours honourable burial as related by this, and the other Evangelists, are gathered together, and opened in our Notes on Matthew 27. from v. 57. to 66.