George Hutcheson
33 Then Pilate entred into the Judgement-hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jewes?
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thy selfe? or did others tell it thee of me?
Followeth, to v. 38. the third branch of this part of the Chapter, containing Pilates examination of Christ, and his answers to his questions. Concerning which, we are to conceive that Pilate following his own way, will have some accusation against him before he proceed; And they to satisfie him, do accuse Christ of affecting a Kingdome, as is recorded, Luk. 23.2. Upon which Pilate proceeds to the examination. It may be taken up in three discourses betwixt him and Christ: In the first whereof (in these verses) Pilate enquireth if he was the King of the Jewes, and would grant that crime whereof they accused him; Christ desires, in the first place, before he answer, whence that accusation might flow, whither from his own apprehension, or from the Jewes: Whereby he would put Pilate to it, to consider, either his own simplicity, if he himselfe did suspect him to be a King, such a one as he dreamt of, when yet he saw nothing in him like such a state; or, his levity and credulity, if he did receive such an improbable report and delation from others; or his injustice, if to please malicious delators and accusers, he intended that process against him Whence learn, 1. It is a plague upon the children of men, that all of them by nature have still somewhat to make them jealous of Christ, and afraid of him and his company; for, as the Pharisees feared the blasting of their reputation by him, and others are afraid that he will not give liberty to their lusts, so Pilate hath his own prejudice, in that he is accused to be the King of the Jewes. Happy are they who are delivered from prejudices at him. 2. It is, in particular, the great prejudice of Rulers and great men against Christ, that they apprehend that his Kingdome and power in his Church is prejudicial to their authority and power in the earth; for, that is the thing Pilate fears, when he enquires, Art thou the King of the Jewes? 3. It is exceeding reproachful either lightly to take up, or lightly to receive and hearken unto calumnies and reproaches, cast upon men, or yet to gratifie these who are known to pursue the innocent maliciously; for, so much doth Christs questions to Pilate point at. 4. Men ought not to be born with, in their dallying with conscience and justice, especially in matters which concerne God and his truth, but should be put to it, either altogether to disclaime conscience, and equity, or else to walk according to the rules thereof; for, so much also do Christs questions drive Pilate unto, that he would not dally in this processe, if in his conscience he knew it but frivolous and invented by malice.
