The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-13
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MARCH II.

Subject: Jesus and PLATE, Luke XIII.
13-26-Golden Text. Luke kill, A.
Memory Verses, 2O-24 - Commentary
on the Days Lesson.
Introduction left Jesus condemned
by an irregular meeting of the Sanhedrln
hastily called together during the night
at the palace of the high priest. The San
hedrin reassembled at daybreak Matt. q:
/: Mark Is: |; Luke q: 6-7l(, at thelI
proper place of meeting in the council
chamber near the temple gate. A formal
vote was taken and Jesus was taken to
the Roman court before Plate for the ap.
proval of the sentence.
l3. "And Plate" His capital was at
Cesarea, but it was his custom to go to
Jerusalem a. the times Of the great festi
walls for the purpose of securing order
Writers speak of "his corruption, his acts
of insolence, his habit of insulting the peo
pie, his cruelty, his continual murders OF
people untried and uncondemned. The
Jews naturally expected that he would
willingly put Jesus to death without spe
cial inquiry into His guilt. PLATE greatly
hated the Jews, but he was afraid OF them
lest they should report him to the en-
peror at Rome; which they did six years
later, and he was deposed. "Called to-
gether." Plate summons the rulers and
the people and makes another strong ap
peal to them in order to get their consent
to release Christ. Instead of calling them
together he should have dispersed them
as riotous and seditous assembly. :.
IA. 'As one that perverteth.' AS one
that has taught doctrines injurious to your
religion, and also to tine civil peace and the
Roman Government. Having examined"
At the first trial he had heard all that
could be brought against Him. mo
fault" They had failed to prove single
charge.
Is. "Nor yet Herod." Christ had trav
eled extensively in Galilee and yet Herod
brings no charge that He had ever at
tempted to raise an insurrection among
us" (R. W This involved distinct ac
charge brought against Him. Had He in
people, (2) forbdding to pay tribute, or
(3) claiming to be q king, it would have
been Herod's duty, and still more To bis
interest, to punish Him. His dismissal of
the case was a deliberate avowal of His
innocence. SIS done unto Him." 'Noth-
ing worthy of death hath been done by
Him." r. V.
l6. "Chastise Him" John says that Pi
late took Jesus and scourged Him, but
this was not done till little later. The
evangelists make it clear that the scourg'
ing was inflicted as separate punishment,
in the hope that it would suffice, and not
merely as the usual accompaniment Of cru
cifxion." The scourge OF leather thongs
was loaded with lead or armed with spikes
and bones. which lacerated the back, chest
and face till the victim sometimes fell
down before the Judge bleeding mass Of
torn flesh. Thus "He was wounded for
our transgressons, He was bruised for our
iniquities, the chastisement of our peac.
was upon Him, and by His stripes we a..
healed" And release Him." PLATE
hoped that when they saw Jesus scourged
they would be satisfied, but not SO; they
were clamoring for HIS blood, and nothing
short of death on cross would satisfy
them.
II. "Must release one" This verse is
omitted in che Revised Version. But see
the parallel accounts. This custom was in
harmony with the nature of the feast and,
however it originated, was so completely
established that Plate was obliged to at.
tend to it..
49, "They cried out all together" (R
MARK Is: ~; they were like pack Of
surrectionist, a robber and a murderer.
He was actually guilty of much worse
crimes than they had charged against
Jesus.
= 10. "Insurrection made in the city" (R.
W He had short time before this evi.
dently been ringeader in an outbreak in
Jerusalem against the Roman Govern.
ment.
20. willing to release Jesus" 1t was
probably at this time, while the people
were clamoring for His death so loudly
that the messenger came from Pilates
wife Matt. 81: ly), urging the release Of
Jesus, and stating that she had just suf.
fered many things in dream because Of
Him.
81. "Crucify, cruelty Him" (R. W Let
Him die the most ignominious death pos.
sible.
%. what evil hath He done?" How
many and what various persons bear testi.
mony to the innocence of the Holy One
Plate, Herod, Pilates wife, Judas Isca.
riot, the thief on the cross, and the centu-
rion at the crucifxion. "And let Him &c" "
Plate is laboring hard to release Him; he
could have ended this whole matter with
one word. 1t was at this juncture that
Plate asked, What shall 1 do then with
Jesus, which is called Christ!
%. Instant" Insistent, urgent. "Pre.
Vailed The reason why He finally yield.
ed seems to have been the one given in
John l9 IL, If thou let this man go, thou
art not Caesars friend; whosoever maketh
himself king, speaketh against Caesar.
"a. "Pilate gave sentence" Before Pi.
late pronounced the sentence he took
water and washed his hands publicly, thus
expressing in acts what he uttered in
words, II am innocent Of the blood of this
just Person; see We to it." Matt. 27: "a.
PLATE again ascends the judgment seat,
which was set up in raised place in the
open square, and delivers his final decree.
Jesus is now mocked the third time, about
o'clock Friday morning, in the court OF
Pilates palace. Matt. 81: 26-3O; Mark l5:
1910; John 10: l-3. When Jesus is brought
out before them PLATE makes one last eff.
for to release Him. John 10: 4-l5. Now
| it is that he permits Jesus to be scourged,
hoping that will satisfy them, but the cry
is still, Cruelty Him. and He is taken
back into the court and His own clothes
are put upon Him.
26. Laid hold" Compelled. ''Simon
OF Cyrene" (R. W Cyrene was city sit.
uated in a province of the same name,
west of Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea.
There was colony of Jews in Cyrene.
and they had synagogue in Jerusalem.
Acts 6: 9. Coming out of the country
They were taking Jesus out OF the city,
and they met this man. Bear it after
Jesus" He assisted Jesus, who evidently
was exhausted. Simon bore the hinder
part Jesus the fore part