38. — Lord, behold, here are two swords.] The disciples, understanding their Master to mean literally that they should arm themselves for their defence, said to Him, "Here are two swords:" but Jesus, who really meant only to signify to them the greatness of their approaching distress and temptations, and to warn them against surprise, replied, "It is enough;" ye need not trouble yourselves for any more weapons of this nature for your defence. Dr. S. Clarke. — It is enough.] This He said, as no use was to be made of them. Bp. Pearce. 40. — at the place,] The garden of Gethsemane. 41. — kneeled down,] This marked the greater earnestness: the Jews usually stood when they prayed. Grotine. 44. And being in an agony] What was it, what could it be, that lay thus heavy on the soul of the Saviour of the world? Was it the fear of death? Was it the pain, shame, and torment, felt beforehand, of His ensuing crucifixion? Such a thought were poor and base: thousands of His blessed martyrs have welcomed tortures, not less than His, with smiles and gratulations. If their weakness was thus prevalent and undaunted, how great must have been his strength! No, it was the sad weight of the sins of mankind, it was the heavy burden of His Father's wrath for those sins, which thus pressed down His soul, and wrung from Him these bitter expressions of sorrow. If every human sin deserve eternal death, what was it for His soul, in this short time of His bitter passion, to answer those millions of eternal deaths, which all the sins of all mankind had deserved! Dr. Hales. Our Saviour was to undergo not only the utmost load that human malice could impose, of ignominious disgrace and grievous pain, but was to feel dismal agonies Christ is betrayed. Peter's denial of Christ, Anno DOMINI 33. was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45. — for sorrow.] Their great sorrow had dispirited them, and rendered them sleepy. Dr. Whitby. 48. — betrayest thou &c.] Canst thou thus basely and ungratefully betray Me with a treacherous token of peace and friendship? Dr. S. Clarke. Our Lord bestows on Judas no upbraiding appellation; but simply declares His knowledge, that this seeming token of affection was used for the purpose of marking Him out to those whom His relentless enemies sent to apprehend Him. Abp. Newcome. 50. — one of them] St. Peter. See note at Matt. xxvi. 51. 51. — Suffer ye thus far.] Jesus seems to have addressed this to the soldiers who came to apprehend Him; 'Excuse this injury done by one of My Apostles, which I will presently repair:' for it is related, immediately after, that He healed him. He seems to have intended to shew by this action, that He who had power thus miraculously to heal, must have been taken willingly, and not for want of power to preserve Himself. Dr. Whitby. 52. — captains of the temple.] See note at ver. 4. 53. — but this is your hour, &c.] He says this, with some allusion to the hour of the night; the season most favourable to deeds of darkness. This is the time in which it is permitted to you to exercise your malice, and execute your bloody designs against Me; and in which Satan is permitted to assail Me with the most furious temptations. Dr. Whitby.