BURKITT : | Mr 14:1-2 | Mr 14:3-9 | Mr 14:10-11 | Mr 14:12-16 | Mr 14:17-21 | Mr 14:22-26 | Mr 14:27-31 | Mr 14:32-42 | Mr 14:43-50 | Mr 14:51-65 | Mr 14v66-72 | KJV
Reference
51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. 55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. 56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. (Mark 14:51-56 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Here we have the history of our Saviour’s examination before the high priest and council, who set up all night to arraign and try the holy and innocent Jesus; for, lest his death should look like a downright murder, they allow him a mock trial and abuse the law by perverting it to injustice and bloodshed. Accordingly, false witnesses are suborned, who deposed that they heard him say, he would destroy the temple, and build it again in three days.
It is not in the power of the greatest innocence to protect the most innocent and holy person from slander and false accusation; yea, no person is so innocent and good, whom false witnesses may not condemn.
Observe, 2. Our Lord’s meekness and patience, his silence under all these wicked suggestions and false accusations: Jesus held his peace, and answered nothing, Mr 14:61.
Guilt is naturally clamorous and impatient, but innocency is silent and careless of misreports.
Learn hence, That to bear the revilings, contradictions, and false accusations, of men with a silent and submissive spirit, is an excellent and Christ-like temper. Our Lord stood before his unjust judge, and false accusers even as a sheep before the shearer, dumb, and not opening his mouth; even then when a trial for his life was managed most maliciously and illegally against him: When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not.
May the same humble mind and forgiving spirit be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus!
Observe, 3. That although our Saviour was silent, and made no reply to the false witnesses; yet now, when the question was solemnly put by the high priest, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? He answered I am.
Thence learn, That although we are not obliged by every ensnaring question to make answer, yet we are bound faithfully to own, and freely to confess, the truth, when solemnly called thereunto: when our silence will be interpreted a denial of the truth, a dishonour to God, a reproach and scandal to our brethren, it will be a great sin to hold our peace; and we must not be silent, though our confession of the truth hazards our liberty, yea, our life. Christ knew that his answer would cost him his life, yet he durst not but give it: Art thou the Son of the Blessed? Jesus said, I am.
Observe, 4. The crime which the high priest pronounces our Saviour to be guilty of is that of blasphemy; He hath spoken blasphemy. Hereupon the high priest rends his clothes: it being usual with the Jews so to do, both to show their sorrow for it, and great detestation of it, and indignation against it.
Observe, 5. The vile affronts and horrid abuses which the enemies of our Saviour put upon him, they spit in his face, they blindfold him, they smite him with their hands, and in contempt and mockery bid him prophesy who it was that smote him. Verily, there is no degree of contempt, no mark of shame, no kind of suffering, which we ought to decline or stick at for Christ’s sake, who hid not his face from shame and spitting upon our account.
Observe, 6. The high priest rends his clothes at Christ’s telling him, Ye shall see the Son of man sitting on God’s right hand, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Mr 14:62. And well might his clothes and his heart rend also. It was as if our Lord had said, “I that am now your prisoner, shall shortly be your judge. I now stand at your bar; and, ere long, you must stand at my tribunal. Those eyes of yours that now see me in the form of a servant, shall behold me in the clouds, at the right hand of your God, and my Father.”