Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Luke
Book: Luke
Chapter: 23
Overview:
Christ before
Pilate.
(1-5) Christ before Herod.
(6-12)
Barabbas preferred to
Christ.
(13-25) Christ speaks of the
Destruction of
Jerusalem.
(26-31) The
Crucifixion, The repentant
malefactor.
(32-43) The
Death of
Christ.
(44-49) The
Burial of
Christ.
(50-56)
1-5 Pilate Well understood the difference between armed
Forces
and our
Lord's followers. But instead of being softened
By
Pilate's declaration of his innocence, and considering whether
they were not bringing the guilt of innocent
Blood upon
themselves, the Jews were the more angry. The
Lord brings his
designs to a glorious
End, even
By means of those who follow the
devices of their own hearts. Thus all parties joined,
So as to
prove the innocence of
Jesus, who was the atoning
Sacrifice for
our sins.
6-12 Herod had heard many things of
Jesus in
Galilee, and out
of curiosity longed to see him. The poorest beggar that asked a
Miracle for the relief of his necessity, was never denied; but
this proud
Prince, who asked for a
Miracle only to gratify his
curiosity, is refused. He might have seen
Christ and his
wondrous
Works in
Galilee, and would not, therefore it is justly
said, Now he would see them, and shall not. Herod sent
Christ
again to
Pilate: the friendships of wicked men are often formed
By union in wickedness. They agree in little, except in
Enmity
to
God, and contempt of
Christ.
13-25 The fear of
Man brings many into this
Snare, that they
will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than
get into trouble.
Pilate declares
Jesus innocent, and has a mind
to release him; yet, to please the people, he would punish him
as an evil-doer. If
No fault be found in him, why chastise him?
Pilate yielded at length; he had not courage to go against
So
strong a stream. He delivered
Jesus to their will, to be
crucified.
26-31 We have here the blessed
Jesus, the
Lamb of
God, led as a
Lamb to the slaughter, to the
Sacrifice. Though many reproached
and reviled him, yet some pitied him. But the
Death of
Christ
was his victory and triumph over his enemies: it was our
deliverance, the purchase of eternal
Life for us. Therefore weep
not for him, but let us weep for our own sins, and the sins of
our children, which caused his
Death; and weep for fear of the
miseries we shall bring upon ourselves, if we slight his
Love,
and reject his
Grace. If
God delivered him up to such sufferings
as these, because he was made a
Sacrifice for
Sin, what will he
do with sinners themselves, who make themselves a dry tree, a
corrupt and wicked
Generation, and good for nothing! The
Bitter
sufferings of our
Lord Jesus should make us stand in awe of the
Justice of God. The best saints, compared with
Christ, are dry
trees; if he suffer, why may not they expect to suffer? And what
then shall the
Damnation of sinners be! Even the sufferings of
Christ preach terror to obstinate transgressors.
32-43 As soon as
Christ was fastened to the
Cross, he prayed
for those who crucified him. The great thing he died to purchase
and procure for us, is the forgiveness of
Sin. This he prays
for.
Jesus was crucified between two
Thieves; in them were shown
the different effects the
Cross of
Christ would have upon the
children of men in the preaching the
Gospel. One malefactor was
hardened to the last.
No troubles of themselves will change a
wicked
Heart. The other was softened at the last: he was
snatched as a brand out of the burning, and made a monument of
Divine
Mercy. This gives
No encouragement to any to
Put off
Repentance to their
Death-beds, or to
Hope that they shall then
find
Mercy. It is certain that true
Repentance is never too
late; but it is as certain that late
Repentance is seldom true.
None can be sure they shall have time to repent at
Death, but
every
Man may be sure he cannot have the advantages this
penitent thief had. We shall see the case to be singular, if we
observe the uncommon effects of
God's
Grace upon this
Man. He
reproved the other for railing
On Christ. He owned that he
deserved what was done to him. He believed
Jesus to have
suffered wrongfully. Observe his
Faith in this
Prayer.
Christ
was in the depth of disgrace, suffering as a deceiver, and not
delivered
By his
Father. He made this profession before the
wonders were displayed which
Put honour
On Christ's sufferings,
and startled the
Centurion. He believed in a
Life to come, and
desired to be happy in that
Life; not like the other thief, to
be only saved from the
Cross. Observe his
Humility in this
Prayer. All his request is,
Lord, remember me; quite referring
it to
Jesus in what way to remember him. Thus he was humbled in
true
Repentance, and he brought forth all the fruits for
Repentance his circumstances would admit.
Christ upon the
Cross,
is gracious like
Christ upon the
Throne. Though he was in the
greatest struggle and
Agony, yet he had pity for a
Poor
penitent.
By this act of
Grace we are to understand that
Jesus
Christ died to open the kingdom of
Heaven to all penitent,
obedient believers. It is a single instance in
Scripture; it
should teach us to despair of none, and that none should despair
of themselves; but lest it should be abused, it is contrasted
with the awful state of the other thief, who died hardened in
unbelief, though a crucified
Saviour was
So near him. Be sure
that in general men die as they live.
44-49 We have here the
Death of
Christ magnified
By the wonders
that attended it, and his
Death explained
By the words with
which he breathed out his soul. He was willing to offer himself.
Let us seek to
Glorify God By true
Repentance and
Conversion;
By
protesting against those who crucify the
Saviour;
By a sober,
righteous, and godly
Life; and
By employing our talents in the
service of Him who died for us and
Rose again.
50-56 Many, though they do not make any show in outward
profession, yet, like
Joseph of
Arimathea, will be far more
ready to do real service, when there is occasion, than others
who make a greater noise.
Christ was buried in haste, because
the
Sabbath drew
On. Weeping must not hinder sowing. Though they
were in tears for the
Death of their
Lord, yet they must prepare
to keep holy the
Sabbath. When the
Sabbath draws
On, there must
be preparation. Our worldly affairs must be
So ordered, that
they may not hinder us from our
Sabbath work; and our holy
affections
So stirred up, that they may carry us
On in it. In
whatever business we engage, or however our hearts may be
affected, let us never fail to get ready for, and to keep holy,
the
Day of sacred
Rest, which is the
Lord's Day.