Matthew Poole and continuators on Mark 15:20

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.