the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean,

And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself was also at Jerusalem .t that time.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

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Although the Jewish rulers had condemned our LORD to death, they could not put their sentence in execution; for about two years before, the Romans had taken from them the power of indicting capital punishments ; there. fore early in the morning another council was held, to consider what measures to pursue, when it was deter. mined to send their prisoner to Pontius Pilate the Ro. man governor'; and in order to secure him effectually, they bound him faster than before. So hasty were they to effect their malignant design, that they ar. rived at the Prætorium, or judgment hall, sa place erected for the Roman magistrate to keep his court) some hours before the Governor usually appeared. The Jews were obliged to go to this court, to procure an order for the execution of Jesus ; and that his punishment might be more severe than the Jewish law inflicted upon blasphemers, they delivered him up as a seditious person, and an enemy to Cuesar's authority.

If the Jews had entered into the house of a Gentile, they would have thought themselves polluted, and disqualified for eating of the sacrifices, which were offered on the first day of unleavened bread, which was re, garded as a very considerable part of the passover, of which eating the Paschal Lamb' was only the beginning. Pilate, therefore, to comply with their superstitious

scruplesy

scruples, left the Prætorium, and caused his Tribunal or judgment seat to be erected in an open place adjoining to it, as the Roman governors often did.

When Pilate enquired what accusation they brought against Jesus? the Jews answered in a manner which 'shewed, that they felt a secret indignation at being curbed by a superior power, and that they had still a privilege of inflicting slighter punishinents. Pilate saw that this was likely to be a very troublesome affair, and was therefore desirous of shifting it from himself; but the Jews would not suffer him to do so : and when they charged Jesus with refusing to pay tribute to Cæ. sar, Pilate was obliged to pay attention to it. In this instance was the foreknowledge of our blessed LORD remarkably exemplified; for he had declared, he should be crucified, which was a Roman and not a Jewish punishment.

With what dignity did Christ behave during his examination! Pilate himself was struck with astonishment at the scene before him. He heard the principal men of the Jewish nation accusing Jesus as the vilest of mankind; he beheld him listening to their accusation with silence and perfect composure. An air of meekness, not a consciousness of guilt, appeared in his countenance. Pilate, therefore, resolved to examine him apart from the Jews; and for this

purpose, returned into the judgment-hall again, and Jesus was brought before him. When at length he opened his mouth, the words he uttered were suitable to the majesty of a king doomed for a while to submit to his enemies, but certain of being securely established on a heavenly thrope at an appointed time. In his dialogue with Pilate it is observ. able, that being asked, whether he was the king of the Jews ? our Lord answered in so cautious a manner, as

a

to avoid giving the least suspicion, that he had any desiga against Casar; for though he declared himself to be a King, yet he told Pilate, his kingdom was not of this world : and he gave undeniable proof that it was not, by the restraint he laid upon his followers not to rescue him, as they might have done, by divine aid, if such had been the will of God.

Pilate being satisfied that Jesus laid no claim to his province, nor meant to raise any sedition in Cæsar's do. minions, was yet surprised to hear a man of his humble appearance own himself to be a King : on which our LORD declared, that the great end of his coming into the world was to testify to all who were willing to hear him, the truth of God's promises. Pilate, for want of knowing the prophecies and our Saxiour's doctrine, did not understand what ke meant by the truth : and being impatient to dispatch this intricate business, he did not wait for an answer to his question, bụt returned to the Jews, who were greatly enraged to find he was inclined to acquit Jesus; they, therefore, encreased their clamour against him.

When Pilate was told that Jesus was a Galilean, he gladly seized the opportunity of sending him to Herod, who being himself a Jew, came up to Jerusalem to the passover.

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SECTION XXXVI.

JESUS EXAMINED

BY HEROD, AND SENT

BACK TO

PILATE.

From Luke, Chap. xxiii.-Matt. xxvii.-Mark, xv.

John, xix. AND when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad : for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because

he

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he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

Then he questioned with him in many words: but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between themselves.

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers, and the people,

Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and behold, I having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man, touching those things whereof ye accuse him.

No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him, and lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

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I will therefore chastise him, and release him. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner whom they would.

And they had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas. (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast in prison.)

And the multitude crying aloud, began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

Therefore when they were gathered together Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or JESUS, which is called CHRIST?

(For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.)

Whilst Pilate was sitting down on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to

do

do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream, because of him.

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called CHRIST? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

The governor said, Ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the

passover; will

ye therefore that I release unto you the king of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas.

And Pilate answered, and said again unto them, What will

ye then that I shall do unto him, whom ye call the King of the Jews ?

And he said unto them the third time, Why, what évil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified : and the voices of them, and of the chief priests, prevailed..

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him,

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, king of the Jews; and they smote him with their hands.

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find ng fault in him,

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Be. hold the man.. When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him,

they