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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:12

Verse 12 12She hath done it to bury me. By these words Christ confirms what we have said, that the precious ointment was not valued by him on account of its odor, but solely in reference to his burial. It was because he wished to testify by this symbol, that his grave would yield a sweet odor, as it breathed life and salvation through the whole world. Accordingly, we are told by John (John 12:7) that Christ praised Mary for having reserved that anointing till the day of his burial. But since... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:13

Verse 13 13.Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached. He says that this action will do honor to Mary, because it will be praised by the doctrine of the gospel. Hence we infer, that we ought to estimate our works not by the opinion of men, but by the testimony of the word of God. When he says that she will be held in honorable remembrance throughout the whole world, by this comparison he indirectly censures his disciples; for among strangers, and in distant parts of the world, all nations, with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:14

Verse 14 Matthew 26:14.Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot. Christ’s admonition was so far from being of any avail for softening the heart of Judeas, or producing any change in it for the better, that he immediately went away, without any concern, to transact an infamous bargain with his enemies. It was amazing and prodigious stupidity, that he considered himself to have found, in the expense of the ointment, a fair excuse for so heinous a crime; and next, that, after having... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:1-5

The shadow of the cross. I. THE PROPHECY . 1 . The end of the Lord ' s public teaching. "Jesus had finished all these sayings." There was precious teaching yet to come; but that would be private, in the upper room, addressed to the little circle of the twelve. This Tuesday was the last day of the Lord's public teaching. Now he had finished all these sayings—the controversies with scribes and Pharisees and Sadducees, the great discourse delivered on the Mount of Olives, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:1-5

God's plans and man's plots. The "sayings," "words," or discourses of Jesus here "finished," were begun on the Mount of Olives (see Matthew 24:1 ), and continued till he came to Bethany (see Matthew 26:6 ). They were spoken, it would seem, publicly, while the sentence following was privately spoken "unto his disciples" ( Matthew 26:2 ). The matter of this sentence is intrinsically intensely interesting, and it is interesting also from its relation to the consultation of the Sanhedrin... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:3

Then . While Christ was announcing his approaching death, the rulers were plotting its accomplishment. He was certain; they were in doubt and perplexity about it. The chief priests (see on Matthew 16:21 ). The office of high priest had originally been held for life; but of late the civil power had often deposed one and appointed another, so that there were at times many who had held the post, and who, as well as their deputies, and the heads of the courses, claimed the title of chief... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:3-5

Conspiracy of the Jewish rulers. ( Mark 14:1 ; Luke 22:2 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:4

By subtilty. They had decided to put Jesus to death; the question was how to get possession of his Person when there would be no attempt at a rescue, nor any tumult in his favour. The original is literally, They took counsel in order that they might take, etc. They seem scarcely to have reckoned on any legal trial; once they had him quietly in their hands, they would find means to dispose of him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:4

The final devices of our Lord's foes. It appears that the priest party, under the lead of Caiaphas, had resolved to secure our Lord's death in a council held immediately after the raising of Lazarus ( John 11:47-53 ). But it proved to be a much more difficult matter than they imagined, and weeks passed and found them no nearer to the accomplishment of their purposes. At last they were set upon securing their end by assassination. They tried to devise some way of "taking him by subtlety and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:5

Not on the feast day ; ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ : during the feast ; i.e. during the eight days of the Passover celebration. The assembled multitudes did not leave the city until the close of the octave, so the danger of a rising was not removed till then. The rulers well knew the stern temper of Pilate the procurator, who was prepared to crush any popular movement with the strong hand, and at festival times had always his soldiers ready to hurl upon the mob at the slightest... read more

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