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with solemn countenances, answer, “Never man spake like this man.”
Dealing with violence and crime had naturally hardened the hearts of
these men; but they were not so unfeeling as the priests and elders,
who had resolutely shut out the light, and given themselves up to envy
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and malice.
The officers had heard the words of Jesus in the temple, they had
felt the wondrous influence of his presence, and their hearts had been
strangely softened and drawn toward him whom they were commanded
to arrest as a criminal. They were unequal to the task set them by the
priests and rulers; they could not summon courage to lay hands upon
this pure Being who stood, with the light of Heaven upon his counte-
nance, preaching a free salvation. As they stand excusing themselves
for not obeying their orders, and saying, “Never man spake like this
man,” the Pharisees, enraged that even these tools of the law should be
influenced by this Galilean peasant, cry out angrily:—
“Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees
believed on him? But this people, who knoweth not the law, are
cursed.” They then proceed to lay plans to condemn and execute Jesus
immediately, fearful that if he is left free any longer he will gain all
the people. They decide that their only hope is to speedily silence him.
But Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, and he who had come to Jesus in
the night and had been taught of him concerning the new birth, speaks
out boldly:—
“Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what
he doeth?” For a moment silence falls on the assembly. Nicodemus
was a rich and influential man, learned in the law, and holding a high
position among the rulers. What he said was true, and came home
to the Pharisees with startling emphasis; they could not condemn
a man unheard. But this was not the only reason that the haughty
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rulers remained confounded, gazing at him who had so boldly spoken
in favor of justice. They were startled and chagrined that one of
their own number had been so impressed by the power of Jesus as to
openly defend him in the council. When they recovered from their
astonishment, they addressed him with cutting sarcasm:—
“Art thou also of Galilee? Search and look; for out of Galilee
ariseth no prophet.” But they were nevertheless unable to carry their
purpose, and condemn Jesus without a hearing. They were defeated
and crest-fallen for the time, and “every man went unto his own house.”