(5) Teaching throughout all Jewry.--This is one of the few passages in which the old English equivalent for Judaea retains its place in the Authorised version (Daniel 5:13); in the Prayer Book version of the Psalms, from the Great Bible (see Introduction), we find it in Psalm 76:1. Traces of the general use of the word remain in Shakespeare's way of speaking of "Herod of Jewry," and in the Old Jewry as the name of the Jews' quarter in ancient London. The charge of "beginning from Galilee" probably rested upon the crowds that had followed Him on His last journey to Jerusalem.Verses 5-12. - Pilate sends Jesus to be tried by Herod. Verse 5. - And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. On hearing the Roman governor's declaration that in his opinion the Prisoner was innocent, the Sanhedrists became more vehement, repeating with increased violence their accusation that Jesus had been for a long time past a persistent stirrer-up of sedition, not only here in the city, but in the northern districts of Galilee. 23:1-5 Pilate well understood the difference between armed forces and our Lord's followers. But instead of being softened by Pilate's declaration of his innocence, and considering whether they were not bringing the guilt of innocent blood upon themselves, the Jews were the more angry. The Lord brings his designs to a glorious end, even by means of those who follow the devices of their own hearts. Thus all parties joined, so as to prove the innocence of Jesus, who was the atoning sacrifice for our sins.And they were the more fierce,.... Or urgent to have him put to death; so the Hebrew word is rendered in Exodus 12:33 which answers to that here used. "They cried out", as the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read; they were more clamorous and noisy; they cried out louder, and exerted themselves with great fury and violence, and added strength to their clamour, and increased their charges: saying, he stirreth up the people; to sedition and rebellion: teaching throughout all Jewry; or "Judea"; not in one, or a few places only, but every where: beginning from Galilee; where indeed our Lord did begin his ministry, and where he chiefly taught; see Matthew 4:12 and which they rather chose to mention, because that the Galilaeans were reckoned a seditious people, and had been drawn into rebellion, and had suffered for it; see Acts 5:37 to this place; the city of Jerusalem, the metropolis of the nation; suggesting, that he taught seditious principles not only in Galilee, but all the way from thence throughout Judea, and even in their chief city, and had drawn many disciples after him every where; so that it was a notorious case, as well as of great consequence, and much danger, and ought not to be trifled with. |