Likewise also the chief priests
Who as they attended at his apprehension, and in their own
council condemned him to death unanimously, and were very busy at
his arraignment, examination, and trial before Pilate, and
persuaded the people to be urgent for his crucifixion; they
follow him to the cross to exult over him, and insult him, and to
see that the execution was strictly performed: and forgetting
their character, office, and education; and laying aside all
humanity, decent, and good manners; instead of rebuking and
restraining the populace from using him in an ill and unkind
manner, they themselves stood
mocking him, with the Scribes and elders;
who composed the whole sanhedrim of the nation. The Syriac,
Arabic, and Persic versions, and several copies, read, "and the
Pharisees": of which, no doubt, there were great numbers present,
who had been indefatigable and implacable enemies of Christ every
where, and to whom it must be a pleasing sight to see him hanging
on the cross: these scoffed at him, gibed, and reproached him;
and
said,
as follows;
