John 19:6–7

In the third branch of this part of the chapter is recorded the successe and fruit of this policy of Pilate, to wit, that this sight of Christ did not move them to pity, but awaked their cruelty, and made them importunately to cry out that he might be put to death: and that Pilate declining to be their butcher in executing of an innocent man, they bring a new accusation against Christ, that he was a blasphemer, and therefore by their law ought to be put to death; wherein, finding Pilate not much moved with the accusation concerning his Kingdome, as seeing little hazard to the State in tolerating Christ, they bring in this accusation from their law, wherein he behoved to credit them, as not being able to judge it of himself, Whence learn, 1. Persecutors will not be satisfied with any measure of affliction, so long as Christ, or his truth, or cause have anie life in them; for, when the chiefe Priests and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucifie him, crucifie him, as thirsting for his death, though he was already sore afflicted; and what they cannot obtain with reason, they will endeavour to prevail in it by impudent importunity, and tumultuous out-cries. 2. Christ submitted to be denied all pity in his sufferings, and to have mens face hid from him; not only that he might sanctifie such a lot to his followers, but that they might finde bowels of pity under their troubles, in so far as shall be for their good, Jer. 15.11. and 31.20. for, so much may be gathered from this part of his suffering, that he found no compassion, but was cruelly pursued. 3. Divine justice, pursuing sin, could not be satisfied, but only by the death of the Surety of sinners, nor could that burning fire be quenched but by his blood, for, there was an over-ruling hand of God, craving for compleat satisfaction to justice, in his being crucified. 4. A natural conscience may cleave long to truth and duty, against much opposition, and yet at last quit it; for, so much appears in Pilate, who notwithstanding all this vehemency, yet stands by his point, Take ye him, saith he, and crucifie him, (of the meaning whereof, see chap. 18.31.) for I finde no fault in him. He declines for their pleasure to crucifie an innocent, and will rather let them do it, then put his hand to it. Only it is to be marked, that however this permission point out chiefly a sad reflexion on their cruelty and injustice; yet it insinuates also that his chief scope was to be rid of this processe, since he could not get his will; but that succeeds not, since he employed not his power to rescue the innocent. And indeed, when men have any light or conscience in trying times and cases, they will not get leave to lurk, but must either closely follow their light, and act by it in their stations, or else they will be given up to go over the belly of light and act against it, as Pilate did. 5. Persecutors are incessant and endlesse in their machinations, plots and calumnies, against Christ and his followers; And when one plot or accusation miscarrieth, they will be sure to finde another; for, so do they here, when the former challenge, that he made himselfe a King, avails not, they bring another, and do not claime to any power upon Pilates concession, but do take upon them only to point out the law. 6. Where Religion keeps not the first place, it is an argument of no zeal, whatever men do pretend; for, in this they bewray their unsoundnesse, that this accusation of blasphemy cometh in the second place, after that of his being an enemy to Cesar, which they first propounded, as was cleared on Chap. 18.33. 7. Such as are indeed blasphemers, and do arrogate to themselves what is proper to God only, by the law of God they ought to be put to death; for, it was indeed agreeable to the law, and may be taken in as a branch of that law against blasphemy, Lev. 24.16. that he ought to die, who maketh himselfe the Son of God. But Christ was not guilty, who did not make himselfe, but was indeed, the Son of God. 8. It is no strange thing to see corrupt and bloody men cry down most necessary and saving truths as blasphemous errours, and to abuse and misapply Scriptures for that end, and to deceive others; for, they reckon that saving truth of Christs Godhead to be blasphemy, and wrest the Scriptures to draw Pilate to be of their minde, we have a law, and by our law he ought to die, &c.