Mat 12:46, 17:5, 19:20, 26:47, 27:63, Mar 5:35, 8:17, 12:6 | Barnes | STEP | Verses 46-50. See also . His brethren . There has been some difference of opinion about the persons who were meant here; some supposing that they were children of Mary his mother, others that they were the children of Mary the wife of Cleophas or Alpheus his cousins , and called brethren according to the customs of the Jews. The natural and obvious meaning is, however, that they were the children of Mary his mother. See also . To this opinion, moreover, there can be no valid objection. (u) "his mother" (v) "brethren stood"

Matthew 12:46

Verses 46-50. See also Mk 3:31-35, Lk 8:19-21.

His brethren. There has been some difference of opinion about the persons who were meant here; some supposing that they were children of Mary his mother, others that they were the children of Mary the wife of Cleophas or Alpheus his cousins, and called brethren according to the customs of the Jews. The natural and obvious meaning is, however, that they were the children of Mary his mother. See also Mk 6:3. To this opinion, moreover, there can be no valid objection.

(u) "his mother" Mk 3:31, Lk 8:19 (v) "brethren stood" Mt 13:55

Matthew 17:5

Verse 5. A bright cloud overshadowed them. The word overshadow here means, rather, to be diffused or spread over them. It does not mean that it made a shade. A cloud was a symbol of the Divine Presence. Thus God went before the Israelites in a cloudy pillar--dark by day, and bright by night, (Ex 14:19,20) he appeared on Mount Sinai in a cloud bright by fire, (Ex 24:15-17) and a cloud, the symbol of the Divine Presence--called the Shechinah-- dwelt continually in the Most Holy Place in the temple, 1Kgs 8:10,11, Eze 1:4, 10:4. When, therefore, the disciples saw this cloud, they were prepared to hear the word of the Lord.

This is my beloved Son. This was the voice of God. This was the second time that, in a remarkable manner, he had declared this. See Mt 3:17. This was spoken to confirm the disciples; to declare their duty to hear Christ rather than any other, and to honour him more than Moses and Elijah; and to strengthen their faith in him when they should go forth to preach the gospel, after he was shamefully put to death. After this, it was impossible for them to doubt that he was truly the Son of God. See 2Pet 1:17,18.

(i) "voice" Mt 3:17, Mk 1:11, Lk 3:22, 2Pet 1:17 (k) "in whom" Isa 42:1,21 (l) "hear ye" De 18:15,19, Acts 3:22,23, Heb 1:1,2, 2:1-3

Matthew 19:20

Verse 20. All these, etc. I have made these the rule of my life. I have endeavoured to obey them. Is there anything that I lack--any new commandments to be kept ? Do you, the Messiah, teach any new commands, besides those which I have learned from the law, and from the Jewish teachers, which it is proper for me to obey, in order to be saved?

Matthew 26:47

Verses 47-57. The account of Jesus' being betrayed by Judas is recorded by all the evangelists. See Mk 14:43-52, Lk 22:47-53, Jn 18:2-12.

Verse 47. Judas, one of the twelve, came. This was done while he was addressing his disciples. John informs us that Judas knew the place, because Jesus was in the habit of going there with his disciples. Judas had passed the time, after he left Jesus and the other disciples at the passover, in arranging matters with the Jews, collecting the band, and preparing to go. Perhaps, also, on this occasion they gave him the money which they had promised.

A great multitude with swords and staves. John says, that he had received a band of men and officers from the chief priests, etc. Josephus says, (Ant. xx. ch. iv.) that at the festival of the Passover, when a great multitude of people came to observe the feast, lest there should be any disorder, a band of men was commanded to keep watch at the porches of the temple, to repress a tumult, if any should be excited. This band, or guard, was at the disposal of the chief priests, Mt 27:65. It was composed of Roman soldiers, and was stationed chiefly at the tower of Antonia, at the north-west side of the temple. In addition to this, they had constant guards stationed around the temple, composed of Levites. The Roman soldiers were armed with swords. The other persons that went out carried probably whatever was accessible as a weapon. These were the persons sent by the priests to apprehend Jesus. Perhaps other desperate men might have joined them.

Staves. In the original, "wood;" used here in the plural number. It means rather clubs or sticks, than spears. It does not mean staves. Probably it means any weapon at hand, such as a mob can conveniently collect. John says, that they had lanterns and torches. The passover was celebrated at the full moon. But this night might have been cloudy. The place to which they were going was also shaded with trees; and lights, therefore, might be necessary.

(r) "Judas" Acts 1:16

Matthew 27:63

Verse 63. We remember. They had either heard him say this, or, more probably, had understood that this was one of his doctrines.

That deceiver. One of the charges against him was, that he deceived the people. By this title they still chose to designate him, thinking that his death had fully confirmed the truth of the charges against him.

(y) "deceiver" Jn 7:12,47, 2Cor 6:8 (z) "After three" Mt 16:21, 17:23, 20:19, Lk 24:6,7, Jn 2:19

Mark 5:35

Verses 35,36. Why troublest thou, etc. It seems that the people had not yet confidence that Jesus could raise the dead. He had not yet done it; and as the child was now dead, and as they supposed that his power over her was at an end, they wished no farther to trouble him. Jesus kindly set the fears of the ruler at rest, and assured him that he had equal power over the dead as the living, and could as easily raise those who had expired as those who were expiring.

(o) "is dead" Jn 5:25, 11:25

Mark 8:17

Verse 17.

(w) "perceive" Mk 6:52 (x) "ye your heart" Mk 3:5, 16:14

Mark 12:6

Verse 6.

(s) "he sent" Heb 13:12