Read Scripture In A Year: July 25

Passage 1: 2 Samuel 11

(2Sa 11:1) And when the yeere was expired in the time when Kinges goe forth to battell, Dauid sent Ioab, and his seruantes with him, and all Israel, who destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah: but Dauid remayned in Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass, after the year was (a) expired, at the time when kings go forth [to battle], that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

(a) The year following about the spring time.

(2Sa 11:2) And when it was euening tide, Dauid arose out of his bed, and walked vpon the roofe of the Kings palace: and from the roofe he sawe a woman washing her selfe: and the woman was very beautifull to looke vpon.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his (b) bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman [was] very beautiful to look upon.

(b) Upon which he used to rest in the afternoon, as was read of Ishbosheth in (2Sa 4:7).

(2Sa 11:3) And Dauid sent and inquired what woman it was: and one sayde, Is not this Bath-sheba the daughter of Eliam, wife to Vriah the Hittite?

(Notes Reference) And David sent and enquired after the woman. And [one] said, [Is] not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the (c) Hittite?

(2Sa 11:4) Then Dauid sent messengers, and tooke her away: and she came vnto him and he lay with her: (now she was purified from her vncleannes) and she returned vnto her house.

(2Sa 11:5) And the woman conceiued: therefore shee sent and tolde Dauid, and sayd, I am with childe.

(Notes Reference) And the woman conceived, and sent and (d) told David, and said, I [am] with child.

(d) Fearing lest she be stoned according to the law.

(2Sa 11:6) Then Dauid sent to Ioab, saying, Send me Vriah the Hittite. And Ioab sent Vriah to Dauid.

(2Sa 11:7) And when Vriah came vnto him, Dauid demanded him how Ioab did, and howe the people fared, and how the warre prospered.

(2Sa 11:8) Afterward Dauid said to Vriah, Go downe to thine house, and wash thy feete. So Vriah departed out of the Kings palace, and the king sent a present after him.

(Notes Reference) And David said to Uriah, (e) Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess [of meat] from the king.

(e) David thought that if Uriah lay with his wife, his sin might be covered.

(2Sa 11:9) But Vriah slept at the doore of the Kings palace with all the seruants of his lord, and went not downe to his house.

(2Sa 11:10) Then they tolde Dauid, saying, Vriah went not downe to his house: and Dauid saide vnto Vriah, Commest thou not from thy iourney? why didst thou not go downe to thine house?

(2Sa 11:11) Then Vriah answered Dauid, The Arke and Israel, and Iudah dwell in tents: and my lord Ioab and the seruants of my lord abide in the open fields: shall I then go into mine house to eate and drinke, and lie with my wife? by thy life, and by the life of thy soule, I will not do this thing.

(Notes Reference) And Uriah said unto David, (f) The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? [as] thou livest, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

(f) By this God would touch David's conscience, for seeing the fidelity and religion of his servant, he would declare himself forgetful of God, and injurious to his servant.

(2Sa 11:12) Then Dauid sayd vnto Vriah, Tary yet this day, and to morow I will send thee away. So Vriah abode in Ierusalem that day, and the morowe.

(2Sa 11:13) Then Dauid called him, and hee did eate and drinke before him, and he made him drunke: and at euen he went out to lie on his couch with the seruants of his Lord, but went not downe to his house.

(Notes Reference) And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him (g) drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

(g) He made him drink more liberally than he was wont to do, thinking by this he would have slept with his wife.

(2Sa 11:14) And on the morowe Dauid wrote a letter to Ioab, and sent it by the hand of Vriah.

(2Sa 11:15) And he wrote thus in the letter, Put ye Vriah in the forefront of the strength of the battell, and recule ye backe from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

(Notes Reference) And he wrote in the letter, saying, (h) Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

(h) Except God continually uphold us with his mighty Spirit, the most perfect fall headlong into all vice and abomination.

(2Sa 11:16) So when Ioab besieged the citie, he assigned Vriah vnto a place, where he knewe that strong men were.

(2Sa 11:17) And the men of the citie came out, and fought with Ioab: and there fell of the people of the seruants of Dauid, and Vriah the Hittite also dyed.

(2Sa 11:18) Then Ioab sent and tolde Dauid all the things concerning the warre,

(2Sa 11:19) And he charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an ende of telling all the matters of the warre vnto the King,

(2Sa 11:20) And if the kings anger arise, so that he say vnto thee, Wherefore approched ye vnto the citie to fight? knewe ye not that they would hurle from the wall?

(2Sa 11:21) Who smote Abimelech sonne of Ierubesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a milstone vpon him from the wall, and he died in Thebez? why went you nie the wall? Then say thou, Thy seruant Vriah the Hittite is also dead.

(Notes Reference) Who smote Abimelech the son of (i) Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

(i) Meaning Gideon, (Jdg 9:52-53).

(2Sa 11:22) So the messenger went, and came and shewed Dauid all that Ioab had sent him for.

(2Sa 11:23) And the messenger said vnto Dauid, Certainely the men preuailed against vs, and came out vnto vs into the field, but we pursued them vnto the entring of the gate.

(2Sa 11:24) But the shooters shot from ye wall against thy seruants, and some of the Kings seruants be dead: and thy seruant Vriah the Hittite is also dead.

(2Sa 11:25) Then Dauid said vnto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say vnto Ioab, Let not this thing trouble thee: for the sworde deuoureth one as well as another: make thy battell more strong against the citie and destroy it, and encourage thou him.

(Notes Reference) Then David said unto the messenger, (k) Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.

(k) He conceals the truth from the messenger, so that neither his cruel commandment, nor Joab's wicked obedience would be discovered.

(2Sa 11:26) And when the wife of Vriah heard that her husband Vriah was dead, she mourned for her husband.

(2Sa 11:27) So when the mourning was past, Dauid sent and tooke her into his house, and shee became his wife, and bare him a sonne: but ye thing that Dauid had done, displeased the Lord.

Passage 2: Jeremiah 15

(Jer 15:1) Then sayde the Lord vnto me, Though Moses and Samuel stoode before mee, yet mine affection coulde not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them depart.

(Notes Reference) Then said the LORD to me, (a) Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

(a) Meaning that if there were any man living moved with so great zeal toward the people as were these two, yet he would not grant this request, as he had determined the contrary, (Eze 14:14).

(Jer 15:2) And if they say vnto thee, Whither shall we depart? then tell them, Thus saith the Lord, Such as are appointed to death, vnto death: and such as are for the sworde, to the sworde: and such as are for the famine, to the famine: and such as are for the captiuitie, to the captiuitie.

(Jer 15:3) And I wil appoint ouer them foure kindes, sayth the Lord, the sworde to slay, and the dogs to teare in pieces, and the soules of the heauen, and the beastes of the earth to deuoure, and to destroy.

(Notes Reference) And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the (b) dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.

(b) The dogs, birds and beasts would devour them that were slain.

(Jer 15:4) I will scatter them also in all kingdomes of the earth, because of Manasseh the sonne of Hezekiah King of Iudah, for that which he did in Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And I will (c) cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, (d) because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for [that] which he did in Jerusalem.

(d) Not that the people were punished for the king's sin only, but for their own sins also, because they consented to his wickedness.

(Jer 15:5) Who shall then haue pitie vpon thee, O Ierusalem? or who shalbe sorie for thee? or who shall go to pray for thy peace?

(Jer 15:6) Thou hast forsaken me, sayth the Lord, and gone backward: therefore wil I stretch out mine hand against thee, and destroy thee: for I am weary with repenting.

(Notes Reference) Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am (e) weary with repenting.

(e) That is, I will not call back my plagues or spare you any more.

(Jer 15:7) And I wil scatter them with the fanne in the gates of the earth I haue wasted, and destroyed my people, yet they would not returne from their wayes.

(Notes Reference) And I will fan them with a fan (f) in the gates of the land; I will bereave [them] of children, I will destroy my people, [since] they return not from their ways.

(f) Meaning, the cities.

(Jer 15:8) Their widdowes are increased by mee aboue the sande of the sea: I haue brought vpon them, and against the assembly of the yong men a destroyer at noone day: I haue caused him to fal vpon them, and the citie suddenly, and speedily.

(Notes Reference) Their widows (g) are multiplied to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused [him] to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.

(g) Because I had slain their husbands.

(Jer 15:9) Shee that hath borne seuen, hath bene made weake: her heart hath failed: the sunne hath failed her, whiles it was day: she hath bene confounded, and ashamed, and the residue of them will I deliuer vnto the sworde before their enemies, sayth the Lord.

(Notes Reference) She that hath borne (h) seven languisheth: she hath breathed her last; her sun is (i) gone down while [it was] yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the remnant of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.

(h) She who had many lost all her children.

(i) She was destroyed in the midst of her prosperity.

(Jer 15:10) Wo is mee, my mother, that thou hast borne mee, a contentious man, and a man that striueth with the whole earth I haue neither lent on vsury, nor men haue lent vnto me on vsurie: yet euery one doeth curse me.

(Notes Reference) (k) Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither (l) lent on interest, nor have men lent to me on interest; [yet] every one of them doth curse me.

(k) By these are the prophet's words, complaining of the obstinacy of the people and that he was reserved to so wicked a time: in which also he shows what is the condition of God's ministers, that is, to have all the world against them, though they give no opportunity.

(l) Which is an opportunity for contention and hatred.

(Jer 15:11) The Lord sayd, Surely thy remnant shall haue wealth: surely I will cause thine enemie to intreate thee in the time of trouble, and in the time of affliction.

(Notes Reference) The LORD said, (m) Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee [well] in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.

(m) In this perplexity the Lord comforted me, and said that my last days would be quiet: and by the enemy he means here Nebuzaradan the captain of Nebuchadnezzar, who gave Jeremiah the choice either to remain in his country or to go where he would; or by the enemy he means the Jews, who would later know Jeremiah's faithfulness, and therefore favour him.

(Jer 15:12) Shall the yron breake the yron, and the brasse that commeth from the North?

(Notes Reference) Shall (n) iron break the northern iron and the steel?

(n) As for the people, though they seemed strong as iron, yet they would not be able to resist the hard iron of Babylon, but would be led captives.

(Jer 15:13) Thy substance and thy treasures wil I giue to be spoyled without gaine, and that for all thy sinnes euen in all thy borders.

(Jer 15:14) And I wil make thee to go with thine enemies into a land that thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burne you.

(Jer 15:15) O Lord, thou knowest, remember me, and visite me, and reuenge me of my persecuters: take mee not away in the continuance of thine anger: know that for thy sake I haue suffered rebuke.

(Notes Reference) O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and avenge me of my (o) persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.

(o) He does not speak this out of a desire for revenge, but wishing that God would deliver his Church from them who he knew to be hardened and incorrigible.

(Jer 15:16) Thy wordes were founde by me, and I did eate them, and thy worde was vnto me the ioy and reioycing of mine heart: for thy Name is called vpon me, O Lord God of hostes.

(Notes Reference) Thy words were found, and I (p) ate them; and thy word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

(p) I received them with a great joy, as he that is famished eats meat.

(Jer 15:17) I sate not in the assembly of the mockers, neither did I reioyce, but sate alone because of thy plague: for thou hast filled me with indignation.

(Notes Reference) I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone (q) because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.

(q) I had nothing to do with the wicked contemners of your word, but lamented bitterly for your plagues: showing what the faithful should do when they see tokens of God's anger.

(Jer 15:18) Why is mine heauines continuall? and my plague desperate and cannot be healed? why art thou vnto me as a lyar, and as waters that faile?

(Notes Reference) Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, [which] refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether to me (r) as a liar, [and as] waters [that] fail?

(r) And have not assisted me according to the promise? In which it appears that in the saints of God is imperfection of faith, which through impatience is often assailed as in (Jer 20:7).

(Jer 15:19) Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou returne, then wil I bring thee againe, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take away the precious from the vile, thou shalt be according to my worde: let them returne vnto thee, but returne not thou vnto them.

(Notes Reference) Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou shalt (s) return, then will I bring thee again, [and] thou shalt stand before me: and if thou shalt separate the (t) precious from the vile, thou shalt be (u) as my mouth: let them return (x) to thee; but return not thou to them.

(s) If you forget these carnal considerations and faithfully execute your charge.

(t) That is, seek to win the good from the bad.

(u) That is, as my mouth has pronounced, (Jer 1:18) and as here follows in (Jer 15:20).

(x) Do not conform yourself to their wickedness, but let them follow your godly example.

(Jer 15:20) And I will make thee vnto this people a strong brasen wall, and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not preuaile against thee: for I am with thee to saue thee and to deliuer thee, saith ye Lord.

(Notes Reference) And I will make thee to this people a fortified brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not (y) prevail against thee: for I [am] with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

(y) I will teach you with an invincible strength and constancy, so that all the powers of the world will not overcome you.

(Jer 15:21) And I will deliuer thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeeme thee out of the hand of the tyrants.

Passage 3: Matthew 26

(Mat 26:1) And it came to passe, when Iesus had finished all these sayings, he saide vnto his disciples,

(Notes Reference) And (1) it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

(1) Christ witnesses by his going to death voluntarily, that he will make full satisfaction for the sin of Adam by his obedience.

(Mat 26:2) Ye know that after two dayes is ye Passeouer, and the Sonne of man shalbe deliuered to be crucified.

(Notes Reference) (2) Ye know that after two days is [the feast of] the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

(2) God himself and not man appoints the time that Christ should be crucified.

(Mat 26:3) Then assembled together the chiefe Priests, and the Scribes, and the Elders of ye people into the hall of the high Priest called Caiaphas:

(Mat 26:4) And consulted together that they might take Iesus by subtiltie, and kill him.

(Mat 26:5) But they sayd, Not on the feast day, least any vprore be among the people.

(Notes Reference) But they said, Not on the (a) feast [day], lest there be an uproar among the people.

(a) By the word "feast" is meant the whole feast of unleavened bread: the first and eighth day of which were so holy that they were not allowed to do any work on it, though the whole company of the Sanhedrin determined otherwise: And yet it came to pass through God's providence, that Christ suffered at that time, so that all the people of Israel might be witnesses of his everlasting sacrifice.

(Mat 26:6) And when Iesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper,

(Notes Reference) (3) Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

(3) By this sudden work of a sinful woman, Christ helps the guests to understand about his death and burial which was near: the gracious result of which will bring life to all sinners who flee unto him. But Judas takes an occasion here to accomplish his wicked purpose and plan.

(Mat 26:7) There came vnto him a woman, which had a boxe of very costly oyntment, and powred it on his head, as he sate at the table.

(Notes Reference) (b) There came unto him a woman having an alabaster (c) box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat [at meat].

(b) For these things were done before Christ came to Jerusalem: and yet some think that the evangelists have two differing accounts.

(c) These boxes were of alabaster, which in ancient times men made hollow to put in ointments: for some write that alabaster keeps ointment without changing it in any way; Pliny, book 13, chap. 1.

(Mat 26:8) And when his disciples sawe it, they had indignation, saying, What needed this waste?

(Notes Reference) But when his (d) disciples saw [it], they had indignation, saying, To what purpose [is] this (e) waste?

(d) This is a figure of speech called synecdoche: for it is said that only Judas was moved at this; (Joh 12:4).

(e) Unprofitable spending.

(Mat 26:9) For this oyntment might haue bene solde for much, and bene giuen to the poore.

(Mat 26:10) And Iesus knowing it, sayde vnto them, Why trouble yee the woman? for shee hath wrought a good woorke vpon me.

(Notes Reference) (4) When Jesus understood [it], he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

(4) We ought not to rashly condemn that which is not orderly done.

(Mat 26:11) For yee haue the poore alwayes with you, but me shall yee not haue alwaies.

(Notes Reference) (5) For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

(5) Christ, who was once anointed in his own person, must always be anointed in the poor.

(Mat 26:12) For in that shee powred this oyntment on my bodie, shee did it to burie me.

(Notes Reference) For (f) in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did [it] for my burial.

(f) In that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to bury me.

(Mat 26:13) Verely I say vnto you, wheresoeuer this Gospel shall bee preached throughout all the worlde, there shall also this that shee hath done, be spoken of for a memoriall of her.

(Mat 26:14) Then one of the twelue, called Iudas Iscariot, went vnto the chiefe Priestes,

(Mat 26:15) And said, What will ye giue me, and I will deliuer him vnto you? and they appoynted vnto him thirtie pieces of siluer.

(Mat 26:16) And from that time, he sought opportunitie to betraie him.

(Mat 26:17) Nowe on the first day of the feast of vnleauened bread the disciples came to Iesus, saying vnto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eate the Passeouer?

(Notes Reference) (6) Now (g) the first [day] of the [feast of] unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

(6) Christ purposing to bring us into our country without delay and so, to pay the penalty of the law, truly fulfils the law, omitting the contrary tradition and custom of the Jews: and thus shows that all things will so come to pass by the ministry of men as governed by the secret plan of God.

(g) This was the fourteenth day of the first month: now the first day of unleavened bread should have been the fifteenth, but because the evening of this day (which after the manner of the Romans was referred to the day before) belonged by the Jews' manner to the day following, therefore it is called the first day of unleavened bread.

(Mat 26:18) And he said, Goe yee into the citie to such a man, and say to him, The master saieth, My time is at hande: I will keepe the Passeouer at thine house with my disciples.

(Mat 26:19) And the disciples did as Iesus had giuen them charge, and made readie the Passeouer.

(Mat 26:20) So when the Euen was come, hee sate downe with the twelue.

(Notes Reference) Now when the even was come, he (h) sat down with the twelve.

(h) Because the Law appointed them to be wearing footwear, and to have their staffs in their hands, as though they were is haste, therefore it is to be gathered that they did not sit down when they ate the Passover, but stood, for normally when they went to eat they took off their shoes: therefore he speaks here in this place, not of the Passover, but of the supper which was celebrated after the Passover was solemnly done.

(Mat 26:21) And as they did eate, he sayde, Verely I say vnto you, that one of you shall betraie me.

(Mat 26:22) And they were exceeding sorowfull, and began euery one of them to say vnto him, Is it I, Master?

(Mat 26:23) And hee answered and sayde, Hee that dippeth his hande with me in the dish, hee shall betraie me.

(Notes Reference) And he answered and said, He that (i) dippeth [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

(i) That is to say, he whom I invited to come to my table, alluding in this to (Psa 41:9), which is not to be understood as though just as the Lord spoke these words Judas had his hand in the dish (for that would have been an undoubted sign) but it refers to his tabling and eating with him.

(Mat 26:24) Surely the Sonne of man goeth his way, as it is written of him: but woe be to that man, by whom the Sonne of man is betrayed: it had bene good for that man, if hee had neuer bene borne.

(Mat 26:25) Then Iudas which betraied him, answered and sayde, Is it I, Master? He sayde vnto him, Thou hast sayd it.

(Notes Reference) Then Judas, (k) which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

(k) Who was thinking of nothing else but to betray him.

(Mat 26:26) And as they did eate, Iesus tooke the bread, and when he had blessed, he brake it, and gaue it to the disciples, and sayd, Take, eate: this is my bodie.

(Notes Reference) (7) And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and (l) blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; (m) this is my body.

(7) Christ who will without delay fulfil the promises of the old covenant, institutes a new covenant with new signs.

(l) Mark says, "Had given thanks": and therefore blessing is not a consecrating with a conjuring type of murmuring and power of words: and yet the bread and the wine are changed, not in nature but in quality, for without doubt they become tokens of the body and blood of Christ, not of their own nature or force of words, but by Christ his institution, which must be recited and laid forth, that faith may find what to lay hold on, both in the word and in the elements.

(m) This is a figure of speech which is called metonymy: that is to say, the giving of one name for another: so he calls the bread his body, which is the sign and sacrament of his body: and yet nonetheless, it is a figurative and changed kind of speech meaning that the faithful do indeed receive Christ with all his gifts (though by a spiritual means) and become one with him.

(Mat 26:27) Also he tooke the cuppe, and when he had giuen thankes, he gaue it them, saying, Drinke ye all of it.

(Notes Reference) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye (n) all of it;

(n) Therefore they who took away the cup from the people, disobeyed the instruction of Christ.

(Mat 26:28) For this is my blood of the Newe Testament, that is shedde for many, for the remission of sinnes.

(Notes Reference) (o) For this is my blood of the (p) new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

(o) That is, this cup or wine is my blood sacramentally, as in See Luk 22:20.

(p) Or covenant, that is to say, by which the new league and covenant is made, for in the making of leagues they used the pouring of wine and shedding of blood.

(Mat 26:29) I say vnto you, that I will not drinke henceforth of this fruit of the vine vntil that day, when I shall drinke it new with you in my Fathers kingdome.

(Mat 26:30) And when they had sung a Psalme, they went out into the mount of Oliues.

(Notes Reference) And when they had sung (q) an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

(q) When they had made an end of their solemn singing, which some think was six Psalms, (Psa 112:1; Psa 117:2).

(Mat 26:31) Then saide Iesus vnto them, All yee shall be offended by me this night: for it is written, I wil smite the shepheard, and the sheepe of the flocke shalbe scattered.

(Notes Reference) (8) Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

(8) Christ, here taking more care of his disciples than of himself, forewarns them of their falling away, and provides them with some comfort.

(Mat 26:32) But after I am risen againe, I will go before you into Galile.

(Mat 26:33) But Peter aunswered, and sayde vnto him, Though that al men should be offended by thee, yet will I neuer be offended.

(Mat 26:34) Iesus sayde vnto him, Verely I say vnto thee, that this night, before the cocke crow, thou shalt denie me thrise.

(Mat 26:35) Peter saide vnto him, Though I should die with thee, I will in no case denie thee. Likewise also sayd all the disciples.

(Mat 26:36) Then went Iesus with them into a place which is called Gethsemane, and said vnto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I goe, and pray yonder.

(Notes Reference) (9) Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

(9) Christ having regard to the weakness of his disciples, leaves all the rest in safety, and takes with him but three to be witnesses of his anguish, and goes on purpose into the place where he would be betrayed.

(Mat 26:37) And hee tooke vnto him Peter, and the two sonnes of Zebedeus, and began to waxe sorowfull, and grieuously troubled.

(Notes Reference) And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and (r) very heavy.

(r) The word which he uses signifies great sorrow, and tremendous and deadly grief: this thing, as it indicates man's true nature, which shuns death as a thing that entered in against nature, shows that though Christ was void of sin, yet he sustained this horrible punishment, because he felt the wrath of God kindled against us for sins, which he revenged and punished in his person.

(Mat 26:38) Then sayde Iesus vnto them, My soule is very heauie, euen vnto the death: tarie yee here, and watch with me.

(Notes Reference) (10) Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

(10) Christ, a true man, who is about to suffer the punishment which we should have suffered for forsaking God, is forsaken by his own: he has a terrible conflict with the horror and fear of the curse of God: out of which he, since he escaped as a conqueror, causes us not to be afraid of death any more.

(Mat 26:39) So hee went a litle further, and fell on his face, and praied, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup passe from me: neuerthelesse, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

(Notes Reference) And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, (s) let this (t) cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].

(s) Let it pass me, and not touch me.

(t) That is, which is at hand, and is offered and prepared for me: an idiom which the Hebrews use for the wrath of God, and the punishment he sends. See Mat 20:22.

(Mat 26:40) After, hee came vnto the disciples, and founde them a sleepe, and sayde to Peter, What? coulde yee not watch with me one houre?

(Notes Reference) (11) And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

(11) An example of the carelessness of man.

(Mat 26:41) Watch, and praie, that yee enter not into tentation: the spirit in deede is readie, but the flesh is weake.

(Mat 26:42) Againe he went away the second time, and praied, saying, O my Father, if this cuppe can not passe away from mee, but that I must drinke it, thy will be done.

(Mat 26:43) And he came, and founde them a sleepe againe, for their eyes were heauie.

(Mat 26:44) So he left them and went away againe, and praied the third time, saying the same woordes.

(Mat 26:45) Then came he to his disciples, and said vnto them, Sleepe henceforth, and take your rest: behold, the houre is at hand, and the Sonne of man is giuen into the hands of sinners.

(Mat 26:46) Rise, let vs goe: beholde, hee is at hande that betraieth me.

(Notes Reference) (12) Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

(12) Christ offers himself willingly to be taken, that in so obeying willingly he might make satisfaction for the wilful fall of man.

(Mat 26:47) And while hee yet spake, loe Iudas, one of the twelue, came, and with him a great multitude with swordes and staues, from the high Priests and Elders of the people.

(Notes Reference) And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, (u) from the chief priests and elders of the people.

(u) Sent from the high Priests.

(Mat 26:48) Now he that betraied him, had giuen them a token, saying, Whomesoeuer I shall kisse, that is he, laie holde on him.

(Mat 26:49) And forthwith he came to Iesus, and sayd, God saue thee, Master, and kissed him.

(Mat 26:50) Then Iesus sayde vnto him, Friende, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laide hands on Iesus, and tooke him.

(Notes Reference) (13) And Jesus said unto him, (x) Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

(13) Christ is taken, that we might be delivered.

(x) Christ reprehends Judas tauntingly, and rebukes him sharply, for he knew well enough why he came.

(Mat 26:51) And behold, one of them which were with Iesus, stretched out his hand, and drewe his sworde, and strooke a seruaunt of the high Priest, and smote off his eare.

(Mat 26:52) Then sayde Iesus vnto him, Put vp thy sworde into his place: for all that take the sworde, shall perish with the sworde.

(Notes Reference)

(14) Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that (y) take the sword shall perish with the sword.

(14) Our vocation must govern our zeal.

(y) They take the sword to whom the Lord has not given it, that is to say, they who use the sword and are not called to it.

(Mat 26:53) Either thinkest thou, that I can not now pray to my Father, and he will giue me moe then twelue legions of Angels?

(Notes Reference) (15) Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

(15) Christ was taken because he was willing to be taken.

(Mat 26:54) Howe then shoulde the Scriptures bee fulfilled, which say, that it must be so?

(Notes Reference) (z) But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

(z) By this questioning he answers a sly objection, for they might have asked him why he did not in this his great extremity of danger call to his Father for aid: but to this objection he answers by this question.

(Mat 26:55) The same houre sayde Iesus to the multitude, Ye be come out as it were against a thiefe, with swordes and staues to take mee: I sate daily teaching in the Temple among you, and yee tooke me not.

(Mat 26:56) But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsooke him, and fled.

(Mat 26:57) And they tooke Iesus, and led him to Caiaphas the hie Priest, where the Scribes and the Elders were assembled.

(Notes Reference) (16) And they that had laid hold on Jesus led [him] away to (a) Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

(16) Christ being innocent is condemned by the high Priest for that wickedness of which we are guilty.

(a) From Annas to Caiaphas, before whom the multitude was assembled; (Joh 18:13).

(Mat 26:58) And Peter followed him a farre off vnto the hie Priestes hall, and went in, and sate with the seruants to see the ende.

(Notes Reference) But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's (b) palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

(b) The word used here properly denotes an open large room in the front of a house, as we see in kings' palaces and noblemen's houses: we call it a court, for it is open to the air, and by the use of synecdoche, is understood to mean the house itself.

(Mat 26:59) Nowe the chiefe Priestes and the Elders, and all the whole councill sought false witnesse against Iesus, to put him to death.

(Mat 26:60) But they founde none, and though many false witnesses came, yet founde they none: but at the last came two false witnesses,

(Mat 26:61) And saide, This man saide, I can destroie the Temple of God, and build it in three daies.

(Mat 26:62) Then the chiefe Priest arose, and sayde to him, Answerest thou nothing? What is the matter that these men witnesse against thee?

(Notes Reference) And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? (c) what [is it which] these witness against thee?

(Mat 26:63) But Iesus helde his peace. Then the chiefe Priest answered, and saide to him, I charge thee sweare vnto vs by the liuing God, to tell vs, If thou be that Christ the Sonne of God, or no.

(Mat 26:64) Iesus saide to him, Thou hast saide it: neuerthelesse I say vnto you, hereafter shall ye see the Sonne of man, sitting at the right hande of the power of God, and come in the cloudes of the heauen.

(Notes Reference) Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, (d) Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting (e) on the right hand of power, and coming in the (f) clouds of heaven.

(d) This word distinguishes his first coming from the latter.

(e) Sitting with God in like and equal honour at the right hand of his power, that is, in greatest power: for the right hand signifies among the Hebrews that which is mighty and of great power.

(f) Clouds of heaven; see above in (Mat 24:30).

(Mat 26:65) Then the hie Priest rent his clothes, saying, Hee hath blasphemed, what haue wee any more neede of witnesses? beholde: nowe yee haue heard his blasphemie.

(Notes Reference) Then the high priest (g) rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

(g) This was a peculiar custom among the Jews: for so were they bound to do when they heard any Israelite blaspheme God, and it was a tradition of their talmud in the book of the magistrates, in the title, of the four kinds of death.

(Mat 26:66) What thinke yee? They answered, and said, He is guiltie of death.

(Mat 26:67) Then spet they in his face, and buffeted him, and other smote him with roddes,

(Mat 26:68) Saying, Prophecie to vs, O Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

(Mat 26:69) Peter sate without in the hall, and a maide came to him, saying, Thou also wast with Iesus of Galile:

(Notes Reference) (17) Now Peter (h) sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

(17) Peter by the wonderful providence of God, in being appointed to be a witness of all these things, is prepared to be an example of outstanding faithfulness through this experience of unbelief.

(h) That is, outside the place where the bishop sat, but not outside of the house, for afterward he went from there into the porch.

(Mat 26:70) But hee denied before them all, saying, I wote not what thou saiest.

(Mat 26:71) And when hee went out into the porche, another maide sawe him, and sayde vnto them that were there, This man was also with Iesus of Nazareth.

(Mat 26:72) And againe he denied with an othe, saying, I knowe not the man.

(Mat 26:73) So after a while, came vnto him they that stoode by, and sayde vnto Peter, Surely thou art also one of them: for euen thy speache bewraieth thee.

(Mat 26:74) Then began hee to curse himselfe, and to sweare, saying, I knowe not the man. And immediately the cocke crewe.

(Notes Reference) Then began he to (i) curse and to swear, [saying], I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

(i) He swore and cursed himself.

(Mat 26:75) Then Peter remembred the wordes of Iesus, which had sayde vnto him, Before the cocke crowe thou shalt denie me thrise. So he went out, and wept bitterly.