41. we . . . justly, &c.--He owns the worst of his crimes and
deserts, and would fain shame his fellow into the same.
nothing amiss--literally, "out of place"; hence "unnatural"; a
striking term here. Our Lord was not charged with ordinary crime, but
only with laying claim to office and honors which amounted to
blasphemy. The charge of treason had not even a show of truth, as Pilate
told His enemies. In this defense then there seems more than meets the
eye. "He made Himself the promised Messiah, the Son of God; but in this
He 'did nothing amiss'; He ate with publicans and sinners, and bade all
the weary and heavy laden come and rest under His wing; but in this He
'did nothing amiss': He claimed to be Lord of the Kingdom of God, to
shut it at will, but also to open it at pleasure even to such as we are;
but in this He 'did nothing amiss!'" Does His next speech imply less
than this? Observe: (1) His frank confession and genuine
self-condemnation. (2) His astonishment and horror at the very different
state of his fellow's mind. (3) His anxiety to bring him to a better
mind while yet there was hope. (4) His noble testimony, not only to the
innocence of Jesus, but to all that this implied of the rightfulness of
His claims.
JFB.
Picture Study Bible