Ver. 1. Who is this that cometh from Edom?] It had been said, in Isaiah 62:11, “Behold, thy salvation (thy Saviour) cometh.” Here, therefore, by an elegant hypotyposis, the Sionidae, or saints, are brought in wondering at his coming in such a garb, and asking, Who is this? What gallant conqueror have we here? Edom, or Idumaea, signifieth red; Bozrah, (the chief city of Idumaea), a vintage. [compare Isaiah 63:2] It may very well be also that this prophecy was uttered in vintage time, and therehence haply might grow the comparison here used. John the divine, representing to us Christ’s coming to judgment, useth the same simile. (Revelation 19:13) Some also of good note, do understand this prophecy of Christ’s triumphing over all his and our enemies (the Romish Edomites especially), at the last day. With dyed garments.] Heb., Leavened, i.e., drenched, besmeared. This that is glorious in his apparel.] Which is the more glorious, because laced or embroidered with the blood of his enemies. Walking in the greatness of his strength.] Fortiter grassans, walking and stalking, going in state, gressu grallatorio, emperor like, so as Epaminondas marched before his army; which, when Agesilaus, king of Spartans beheld, he cried out, O virum magnificum! O that is a gallant man! “Ye shall see the Son of man coming with great power!” saith Christ. I that speak in righteousness.] Christ’s answer, q.d., ” Fear not, little flock”; this strange garb and gait of mine portendeth no hurt but good to you; to whom whatsoever I have faithfully promised, I will powerfully perform. As King of Zion, I will “ Parcere subiectis et debellare superbos. ” At the last day also I will “come to be glorified in my saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.” (2 Thessalonians 1:10) See Revelation 19:11. Mighty to save.] Suficiens ad salvandum, sive Magister ad salvandum, a Master to save. This those lepers had learned, and therefore cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” (Luke 17:13) Vivid description of a scene, event, or situation, bringing it, as it were, before the eyes of the hearer or reader. Metaph. a massa conspersa. Plutarch. in Epam.
Ver. 2. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel?] The wondering Church had proposed two questions in Isaiah 63:1 -viz., Who that was? and why so bloodied? To the first she bad an answer in few, but very full in Isaiah 63:1. To the second, she here again presseth for an answer; and the rather because, candor magis quam cruor, clemency would better beseem a Saviour than cruelty. Augustine.
Ver. 3. I have trodden the winepress alone.] I, the sole and all-sufficient Saviour of my Church, have executed God’s just vengeance upon all her enemies, spiritual and corporal; [compare Lamentations 1:15 Revelation 14:19,20 19:15] and this with as much ease as men tread grapes in a winepress. And of the people there was none with me.] Christ maketh use of men for the beating down of Satan’s strongholds; but the power whereby it is done is from Christ alone. (2 Corinthians 10:4,5 4:7) Papists, who will needs share with Christ and make him but a half Saviour, have no share in his salvation. For I will tread them in mine anger.] I have already done it; and I will much more at that great “day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” (Romans 2:5) See Revelation 19:20,21. And their blood shall be sprinkled.] Or, Was sprinkled. Their blood; not his own. The Fathers, therefore, and others who interpret this text of Christ’s passion, were mistaken. There is one among the rest who thus descants upon this verse, but not so well. The wild bull, saith he, of all things cannot abide any red colour. Therefore the hunter, for the time being standing before a tree, puts on a red garment; whom, when the bull seeth, he runs hard at him, as hard as he can drive. But the hunter slipping aside, the bull’s horns stick fast in the tree; as when David slipped aside, Saul’s spear stuck fast into the wall: such a hunter is Christ. Christ standing before the tree of his cross, putteth on a red garment dipped and dyed in his own blood, as one that cometh with red garments from Bozrah. Therefore the devil and his angels, like wild bulls of Bashan, run at him; but he, saving himself, their horns stick fast in the cross; as Abraham’s ram, by his horns, stuck fast in the briers. Thus he. Stain my raiment.] Heb., Pollute it; for other blood polluteth, (Isaiah 59:3 Lamentations 4:14) but “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
Ver. 4. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart.] Or, Was in mine heart. Hence I made such havoc. Christ is the “Lord God of recompenses,” (Jeremiah 51:56) and the “Lord God of revenges”; (Psalms 94:1) he is “jealous and furious,” (Nahum 1:2; see the note there) his feet, wherewith he treadeth down his enemies, are “like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace.” (Revelation 1:15) Oh, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the punishing hands of this living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) And the year of my redeemed is come.] Their joyful jubilee. It is hail with the saints when ill with the wicked. The deliverance of those is oft the destruction of these.