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74
S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5
under the condemnation of God, he pronounced sentence on Christ
as a blasphemer. He performed all his actions toward Christ as a
priestly judge, as an officiating high priest, but he was not this by the
appointment of God. The priestly robe he rent in order to impress
the people with his horror of the sin of blasphemy covered a heart
full of wickedness. He was acting under the inspiration of Satan.
Under a gorgeous priestly dress, he was fulfilling the work of the
enemy of God. This has been done again and again by priests and
rulers.
The rent garment ended Caiaphas’ priesthood. By his own action
he disqualified himself for the priestly office. After the condem-
nation of Christ he was unable to act without showing the most
unreasonable passion. His tortured conscience scourged him, but he
did not feel that sorrow that leads to repentance.
The religion of those that crucified Christ was a pretense. The
supposed holy vestments of the priests covered hearts that were
full of corruption, malignity, and crime. They interpreted gain to
be godliness. The priests were appointed, not by God, but by an
unbelieving government. The position of priest was bought and
sold like goods of merchandise. Thus it was that Caiaphas obtained
the office. He was not a priest after the order of Melchisedec, by
God’s appointment. He was bought and sold to work wickedness.
He never knew what it was to be obedient to God. He had the form
of godliness, and this gave him the power to oppress (
Manuscript
102, 1897
).