John 18:28

Followeth the third and last part of the chapter, conteining a part of Christs trial, and the procedure about him, in Pilates judgement-hall. It may be taken up in foure branches. In the first whereof (in this verse) is recorded how they led Jesus unto the hall of judgement, (or the place where the Romane Governours used to sit in judgement) to have him sentenced and condemned by Pilate, and executed accordingly. Before all which, we are to conceive, (as is marked by the rest) that the chief Priests and their Councel, had (beside their examination of himself, v. 19.) examined false witnesses against him, and adjured himself to declare what he was; and upon his confession condemned him of blasphemy, and adjudged him to be worthy of death. And then, with all speed they bring him to the Roman Governour, as is here marked. Unto which John subjoyneth, that they themselves would not enter into the judgement hall, lest being defiled they should be kept from the Passeover, which they did not eat till this day, as hath been cleared on chap. 13.2. Doct. 1. It may shame the Lords people in their negligence in going about his service, to see the activity of wicked men in their ill courses, particularly, in their opposition to Christ; for, here, having been at it all night, they do not yet weary, but led him away, and it was early, and they go themselves, and do not send officers only. 2. It pleased the Lord so to order, as Christ should he brought before a pagan Judge, and be by him condemned; one reason whereof is given, v. 31, 32. which I remit to its proper place, And do adde, 1. Christ would not be slain tumultuously, as the Jewes cut off Steven, Acts 7. but would be judicially condemned, that so sin might be condemned in the flesh, Rom 8.3. and he might fully satisfie for his people, and abide a full processe in Law. 2. By this lot he would expiate our being under the dominion of forreign powers of sin; Satan, and the kingdome of darknesse. 3. Christ by getting his innocency asserted by Pilate, (which the Jewes would never grant) and yet being by him condemned, would have it cleared, that he suffered not for himself, but for others. 4. By this means both Jewes and Gentiles had an hand in his death, that both might have an occasion to look to him whom they had pierced, to excite them to repentance and mourning. 5. Hereby also he hath sanctified unto his people their being brought before judgement-seats, (even of unfriends or strangers to Religion) for his sake: All these considerations may be read in this, that they led Jesus from Gaiaphas, unto the hall of judgement. Doct. 3. Men may pretend to very much zeal in external performances of Religion, who yet are but naughty, yea, and cruel bloody persecutors; for, so appears in these here; They themselves went not into the judgment-hall, lest they should be defiled: but that they might eat the Passeover. It is not needful to determine, whether it was a Tradition of their own, or a determination by God, that entring into the judgement-hall should defile them, that they might not eat the Passeover; or whether they apprehended pollution, from somewhat they might meet with there, rather then from entring simply to the place; But this is clear in it, that they pretend to respect the Passeover, and are careful to avoid pollution; when yet they are seeking the life of the Lord of glory. See Matth. 23.23.