73 Cibrarjp of Che trheolo^ical ^eminarjo PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY PRESENTED BY Princeton University Library -^ \- >^-^^ . \\ > s "^ Pr 1 1 ce t en nr. i vev^l ty "^^^ Library » ^f'"' THE \J^ !^0Q!^,^ nrV^^ FOUR GOSPELS, ACCORDING TO THE AUTHORIZED VERSION, WITH ORIGmAL AND SELECTED PARALLEL REFERENCES AND MARGINAL READINGS, AND AN ORIGINAL AND COPIOUS REV. DAVID 6rOWN, D.D. PROFESSOR, FREE CHURCU COLLEGE, ABERDEEN. PHILADELPHIA: WILLIAM S. & ALFRED MAPtTIEN, No. C06 CHESTNUT STREET. 1859. CHEONOLOGICAL TABLE OF THE MIRACLES OF CHEI5T. On tJie order of some of our Lord's miracles and parables, the data being scanty, coj> siderahle difference obtains. ^IlRACLES. Where wrought. Wliere recorded. Water made wine, Cana, Traders cast out of the temple, Jerusalem, • Nobleman's sou healed, . . . ICana, First miraculous draught of fishes. Sea of Galilee, Leper healed, Capernaum Centurion's servant healed, . ■ Capernaum, Widow's son raised to life, . . Nain, Demoniac healed, Capernaum, Peter's mother-in-law healed, . Capernaum, Paralytic healed, Capernaum, Impotent man healed, .... Jerusalem, Man with withered hand healed, jGalilee, Blind and dumb demoniac healed,! Galilee, Tempest stilled, Sea of Galilee, Demoniacs dispossessed, . . . Gadara, Jairus' daughter raised to life, . Capernaum, Issue of blood healed Near Capernaum, . Two blind men restored to sight, Capernaum, Dumb demoniac healed, , . . Capernaum, rive thousand miraculously fed, Decapolis. Jesus walks on the sea, . . . Sea of Galilee, Syrophenician's daughter healed. Coasts of Tyre&Sidon Deaf and dumb man healed, . . Decapolis, Pour thousand fed, ..... Decapolis, BUnd mau restored to sight, . . iBethsaida, Demoniac and lunatic boy healed, iNearCesareaPhilippi Miraculous provision of tribute, 1 Capernaum, The eyes of one bom blind opened, Woman, of 18 years' infirmity, Dropsical man healed, . [cured- Ten lepers cleansed, Lazarus raised to life, .... Two blind beggars restored to sight Barren fig-tree blighted, . . . Buyers and sellers again cast out, Malchus' ear healed, .... Second draught of fishes, . . . Jerusalem, [Perea.] I Perea.] Borders of Samaria, Bethany, Jericho, Bethany, Jerusalem,' ". Getlisemane, Sea of GaUlee, John, 2, 1-11. Johu, 2, 13-17. John, 4, 46-54 Luke, 5, 1-lL Matt 8, 2-4; Mark, 1, 40-45; Luke, 6, IS-li Matt. 8, 5-13; Luke, 7, 1-10. Luke. 7, 11-17. Mark, 1, 21-23; Luke, 4, 31-37. Matt. 8, 14,15; :\[ark, 1, 29-31; Luke, 4.38, 3a Matt 9, 2-8; Mark, 2, 1-12; Luke, 5, lV-a6. John, 5, 1-16. Matt 12,10-14; Mark,3,l-fi; Luke, 6,6-lL Matt 12, 22-24; Luke, 11, 14. Matt 8, 23-27; Mark, 4, 35-41; Luke, 8, 22-25. Matt 8, 28-34; Mark, 5,1-20. Matt 9, 18-26; Mark, 5, 22-24; Luke, 8, 41-56. jratt 9, 27-31. Matt 9, 32-34. r John, 6, 5-14. Matt. 14, 13-21; Mark,C, 31-44; Luke, 9, l(i-17; Matt 14, 22-33; Mark, 6, 45-52; John, 6, 15-21. Matt. 15, 21-28; Mark, 7, 24-30. Mark, 7,31-37, Matt 15, 32-39; Mark, 8, 1-9. Mark, 8,22-26. INIatt 17, 14-21; Mark, 9, 14-23; Luke, 9,37-43, Matt 17, 24-27. John, 9,1-41. Luke, 13, 10-17. Luke, 14, 1-6. Luke, 17, 11-19. John, 11, 1-46. Matt 20, 29-34; : Matt 21, 12, 13, Luke, 19, 45, 46. Matt. 26, 51-54; : John, 21, 1-14. , Mark, 10. 46-52; La 18,35-431 19; Mark, 11, 12-24. , Mark, 14, 47-49; Luke, 22, 50, [51; John, 18, 10, 11. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF THE PAEABLES OF CHRIST. Parables, The two debtors, The strong man armed, . . . The unclean spirit, . . . * . The sower, ........ The tares and wheat, .... The mustard seed, ..... The seed growing secretly, . . The leaven, The hid treasure The pearl of great price, . . , The draw net The unmerciful servant, ... The good Samaritan The friend at midnight, . . . The rich fool, The barren fig-tree, ..... The great supper, . . . . , The lost sheep, Thelost piece of money, . . . The prodigal son, ...... The good shepherd The unjust steward, ..... The rich man and Lazarus, . . The profitable servants, . , . The importunate widow. . . . The Pharisees and publicans, , The labourers in the vineyard, , The pounds, The two sons, The wicked husbandmen. . . . The marriage of the king s son. The ten virgins, .;...: ^Tbetaleuts, . Where spolcen. [Capernaum,] Galilee, Galilee, Sea-shore of Galilee,' Sea-shore of Galilee, Sea-shore of Galilee, Sea-shore of Galilee, Sea-shore of Galilee, Sea-shore of Galilee, Sea-shore of Galilee, Sea-shore of Galilee, Capernaum, Near Jerusalem, Near Jerusalem, GalUee, Galilee, Perea, , Perea, Perea, Perea, Jerusalem 7 Perea, '^ Perea, Perea, Perea, Perea, Perea, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Mount of Olives, Where recorded. Luke, 7, 40-43. Matt 12, 29; Mark, 3, 27; Luke, 11, 21, 22. Matt 12, 43-45; Luke, 11, 24-26. Matt 13,3 9,18-23, Mark, 4, 3-9, 14-20; Luke, Matt 13,24-30,36,-43. [8, 5-8. 11-15. Matt 13, 31, 32; Mark, 4, 30-32; Lu. 13, 18, 10. Mark, 4. 26-29. l\Iatt 13, 33; Luke, 13, 20, 2L Matt. 13, 44. Matt 13, 45, 46. Matt 13, 47-50. Matt 18, 21-35, Luke, 10, 29-37. Luke, 11, 5-a Luke, 12, 16-2L Luke, 13, 6-9. Luke, 14, 15-24 Matt 18, 12-14; LukC, 15, 3-7. Luke, 15, 8-10. Luke, 15, 11-33. John, 10, 1-18. Luke, 16, 1-8. Luke, 16, 19-31. Luke, 17, 7-10. Luke, IS, 1-8, Luke, 18, 9-14 Matt 20, 1-18, Luke, 19, 11-27. Matt 21, 28-32. Matt 21,33-44; Mark,lS,l-12;Lukc,C0,0-ja Matt 22, 1-14. 3Iatt 25, 1-13. Matt. 25, 14-3a OT-5XtT? tT' THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S. MATTHEW. CnAPTEH I. I Tht pentalogy of Jesxts Christ: 18 Mary's mi- rofulous ameef'tion; Jeans is born: iil, 23 At* i»>i»i«>, with their interpretation. T^ll E book of the » generation of Jesus -*- Christ, t> the son of Da\id, * the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thaniar; and <* I'hares begat Esrom; and Esroni begat Aram ; 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Ami- nartab begat *Naasson; and I^aasson begat Salmon; 6 And Salmon begat Booz of /Kachab: and Uooz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And "Jesse begat Da\id the king; and David * the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Unas; 7 And » Solomon begat Koboam ; and Ro- boam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 And Asa be^at Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham ; and Joatham begat Achaz ; and Achaz hegat Ezekias ; 10 And > Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manassea begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 And 1 Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren.about the time they were * canied away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babj-- lon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Sala- thiel begat < Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc bcL'at Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan ; and Matthan begat Jacob : 16' And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was bom "* Jesus who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from Da\id until the carrying a^^ay into Babylon are fourteen generations; and frfim the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. 18 H Now the " biith of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing " to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee ilary thy wife; p for that which is 2 con- ceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou Shalt call his name 3 JESDS; for She shall save his people from their sins. 22 (Now all this was done, that '" it might Ua. 11. 1. ch. 22. 42- Acts 2. 30. R«m. 1. 3. c Gal. 3. 16. d Kuth 4.18. 1 Ch 2 6,9. « Num. 1. 7. f Josh. 6.22. Heb.il.31. g 1 Sam. 16 1. h 2 Sa.12.24. i 1 Chr.3.10. j 2 £1.2(1 21. 1 Some read, be^-at Jakira,and be;at Jcchoniaa. 1 Chr.3.15. k 2 Ki.25.11. Jer. 27.20. Jer.52. 11. Dan. 1. 2. { Eira .3. 2. H»g. 1. 1. m Gen. 3.15. Isa. 9. e. !«» 53. 2, JohD3. 14 Rom. 9. 5. lTim.3.1G. n Luke 1.27. Gal. 4. 4. Heb. 10. 6. o Deut. 24.1. p Luke 1. 36. 2 t.e,'otton. 3 That is, q Gen. 49.10. Jer. 33 16. Dan. 9. 24. Acts 5. 31. Heb. 7. 25. 1 JohD3.5. RcT. 1. 6. r Ueb. 6. 18. 8 Isa. 7. 11. t Isa. 9. 6. 1 Tim .3. 16. 4 Or, his name shall bo called, u Ex. 13. 2. CHAP. 2. o Dan. 9. 24. Liike 2. 4. 6 Gen. 10. 30. Gen. 25. 6. 1 Ki. 4. 30. laa. 11. 10. e Luke 2. 11. d Nu. 24. 17. e P.. 2. 1. / 2 Ch.34.13. Jlal. 2. 7. h Mic. 5. 2. i Key. 2. 2". 1 Or, feed. Isa. 40. 11. ;■ P.. 2. 12. John 6. 23. be ftilfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying. 23 Behola • a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and * they shall call his name Eninianuel, which, being interpreted, is, * God with us.) 24 Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife; ; 25 And knew her not till she had brought I forth " her first-born son: and he called his name JESUS. i CHAPTER IL 1 Wise men enquire after Chritt: 11 they worship him, and offer ■presents. 13 Joseph fteeth into Mgypt with Jesus an4 Alary. 16 Herod slayeth the children at £ethlehem: 19 Christ brought cut of Egypt. "NJO W when " Jesus was bom in Bethlehem -'-^ of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men * from the east to Jemsalem, 2 Saying, « Where is he that is bom King of the Jews? for we have seen <* his star in the east, and are come to Avorship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he bad gathered all 'the chief priests and /scribes of the people to- gether, ^ he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the pro- phet, 6 And '» thou, Bethlehem, in the land of J uda, art not the least among the princes of J uda: for out of thee shall come a Gov- ernor, » that shall i mle my people IsraeL 7 Then Herod, when he had pnvily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said. Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have fomid him, bring me word again, that I may come and wor- ship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw La the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 H And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Ma)-- his mother, and fell down and J worshippea him: and when they had opened their treasures, they 2 presented mi to him gifts; gold, and franldncense, and mynh. 12 And being warned of God * in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13 IT And when they were departed, be- hold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 11 When he arose, he took the young child THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S. MATTHEW. CHAPTER I. Vee. l-ir. Genealogy OF Christ. l.Book of the generation— table of the pedigree. So Ge. 5. 1. This is the title, then, only of the first 17 verses. Of Jesus Christ— JEsrs is the Personal, Christ the Official name of our Lord. See on v. 21, & v. 16. The Son of David the Son of Abr. — Abraham was the first, David the last, in connection with whose family Messiah was promised (Ge. 22. 18; 2 Sa. 7. 12.- 16.^. Hence, as from his nearest father, he was styled 'The Son of David' (M. 12. 23; etc.); see also on v. 6, & Preface. 2. Judah— Jacob's fourth son only is here named, Messiah's descent being through him Ge. 49. 10.). 3, 5, 6. Of Thamar, of Bachab, ofRuth, ofher of Unas. Four women are here introduced, two of them Gentiles by birth, and three with a blot at their names in the Old Testament. By this, he who styles himself *M. the publican would point to the grace that could reach not only to 'them that afar off.' but down to ' publicans and harlots,' and raise them to "sit with the princes of his people." 6. David the king— so styled as first of the royal line of Messiah, who was to ** sit on the throne of his father David." 8. Joram begat Ozias— Three idolatrous kings are here omitted; probably to compress the whole into three fourteens. see v. 17. 11. Jechonias and his brethren— meaning Josiah's grandson, and his uncles who came to the throne. 12. The time they were carried away— lit. ' of their migration' or ' removal;' for the Jews avoid- ed the word ' captivity,' as too bitter a recol- lection. 13-15. These names are not found in the O. T. but were doubtless taken from the public or family registers, which the Jews kept, and their accuracy was never challenged. 16. Joseph the husband of Mary of whom was born Jesns— Joseph being his legal father, it was important that he too should be seen to be of the royal line. Thus, our Lord's descent from David was never questioned. Called Christ— Mes- siah from the Hebrew.) and Christ from the Greek,) have exactly the same mean- ing, anointed. It is applied to the kiyigs (1 Sa. 24. 6, 10.),to the priests Le. 4. 5, 16, etc.', and to the larophets iKi. 19.16.), as being anointed with oil, the symbol of the needful spiritual gifts, to consecrate them to office; and to the promised Deliverer, in its most sublime and comprehensive sense, as consecrated to an office embracing aU three, by the immeasur- able anointing of the Holy Ghost (Is. 61. 1; J. 3. ?4.). Fourteen generations— That is, the whole may be conveniently divided into three four- teens, each embracing one marked era, and each ending with a notable event, in the Is- raelitish annals. Such artificial aids to me- mory were familiar to the Jews. 18-25. Birth of Christ. 18. This wise- lit, 'thus.' found— discovered to be. Holy Ghost— That the Holy Ghost is a Person, is plainly impUed here, and elsewhere clearly taught (A. 5. 3, 4, etc.). That He is distinct from the Father and the Son in the tinity of the Godhead is also clearly taught (M. 28. 19; 2 Co. 13. 14.). Ou the miraculous conception of Chri.'Jt. see on L. 1. S.'. 19. "Set Husband, and v. 20. Mary thy wife.— Espousals or betrothal was equivalent in law to mar- riage. In giving Maiy up therefore, Joseph had to divorce her by a legal document, make her a public example— 'expose her,' see De. 22. 23, 24.). privily— privately ; by giving her the writing of divorcement (De. 24. l.). before two or three witnesses, and without cause assigned, instead of bringing her before a magistrate. 20. Joseph Son of David— This style of address, reminaing him of what aU the families of David's line so eagerly covet- ed, would at once prepare him for the mar- vellous announcement which followed. 21. Jesus— originally Jehoshua, 'Jehovah the Saviour;' afterwards contracted into Jeshua, or (in Greek] Jes^is; sweetest of all names, expressing so melodiously his whole office and work! for He shall save— The 'He' is emphatic here: q. d. 'He and no other,' 'He personally, and by personal acts.' His people— the lost sheep of the house of Israel first (A, 5. 31.,; then, on the breaking down of the middle wall of partition, ' the redeem- ed unto God by his blood, out of every kin- dred, and people, and tongue, and nation, from their sins— in the most comprehensive sense seeEph. 5. 25-27.) ; of salvation from sin; from the guilt, the strength, the being of it, "spot and wrinkle and every such thing. The proper Deity of Christ is v:ritten as ivtth a sxivheam here cf. L. 1. 68, withPs. 130. 7, 8.). 23. They shall, &c.— He shall be known and recognized as 'God with rs,' God mani- fested in the flesh. 25. The word 'till' does not settle the much disputed question, whether Mary had any children to Joseph after the birth of Christ, for it is often used where the event referred to never afterwards occurred. (But see on ch. 13. 55, 56. i. A double end was gained by our Lord being bom of a betrothed virgin: the reproach of illegitimacy was avoided, and a protection of his infancy provided. CHAPTER n. Ver. 1-12. Visit of the Magi. 1. Beth- lehem of Judea — so called to distinguish it from another Bethlehem in the tribe of Zebulun, near the sea of Galilee (Jo. 1 19. 15,): it is called B. Judah, as being in that tribe (Ju. 17. 7,'; also Ephrath Ge. 3.5. 16.); and combining both, Bethlehem Ephratah INIi. 5. 2.). It layabout six miles S. IV. of Jerusalem, see on L. 2. 4. Herod the king— styled the Great, son of Antipater, an Edomite, made king by the Komans: thus was 'the sceptre departing from Judah,' (Ge. 49. 10.1, a sign that Messiah was at hand. Wise Men— lit. Magi, or Magicians from the east; probably a class of astrologers, to whom Balaam's prophecy, Nu. 24. 17, and perhaps Daniel's, 9. 24, etc. might have come down by tradition; but nothing definite is known of them. 2. King of the Jews— This shows they were not themselves Jews. Suetonius and Tacitus, Eoman historians, testify to a General expectation in the east that out of udea should arise a sovereign of the world; and V. 11, shows that they deemed this ' King Of the Jews' to be their king also. His star— Preaching of John the Baptist, MATTHEW, 111, IV . Chi-ist tempted of the devil. and his mother by night, and departed Into 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was Bpoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out ' of Egypt have I called my son. IG IT Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceed- ing wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in aU the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he h.id diligently enquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was Broken by "* Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Kama was there a voice heard, lam- entation, and weeping,and great mourning, Kachel weeping/or her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 19 IT But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dieam to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the ymmg child's life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Isi'ael, 22 But when he heard that Arch elans did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: not- withstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside "into the parts of Galilee: 23 And he came and dwelt in a city " called Kazareth: that it might be fulfiUea P which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a 3 Nazarene. CHAPTER IIL 1 John preacheth; his office, 6 and baptism: 7 he rebuketh the Fharistes, 13 Chriit baptized by John in Jordan. TN those days came "John the Baptist, ■*■ preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 And saymg, Repent ye: for "the king- dom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, "iThe voice ot one crymg in the wilderness, * Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And /the same John*" had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was "locusts and wild » honey. 5 IT Then went out to him Jerusalem, and aU Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And } were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of A-ipers, who hath warned you to flee from «the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits i meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves. We * have Abraham to our father: for 1 say nuto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: ""therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good Ihiit is hewn down, and cast into the lire. HI" indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me IS mightier thou I, whose shoes I am not CHAP. 8. a Mai. 3. 1. Mark 1.4. Luke 3. 2. John 1.28. b Jos. 14. 10. c Dan. 2. 44. ch. 10. 7. d Ua. 4U. 3. e Luke 1. 76. f Mark 1. 6. g 2 Kin. 1. 8. h Lev. 11.22. i 1 Sa. 14.25. > Acts 19. 4. * Rom. 6. 9. 1 Thes.1.10. lOr, answerable to amend- ment of life. 2 Cor. 7. 1, 11. I John 8. 33. Actsl3.-.:G. Bom. 4. 1. »» ch. 7. 19. John 15. 6. Heb. 6. 8. n Mark 1.8. Luke 3.16. John 1.33. Acts 1. 6. Isa. 4. 4. Mai. 3. 2. Acts 2.3,4. Titus 3. 6. P Mai. 3. 3. ? Mai. 4. 1. ch. 13. 30. r ch. 2. 22. 8 Dan. 9. 24. t Mark 1. 10. Luke 3.22. John 1. 32. V John 12.28. V) Vs. 2. 7. Isa. 42. 1. Luke 9.35. Col. 1. 13. CHAP. 4. Deut. 6. 13. k Jura. 4. 7. I Heb. 1. 14. m Luke 3.20. 1 Or .deliver- ed up. n 1)1.9. 1,2. worthy to bear: » he shall baptize you witb the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 "Whose yfan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the gamer; but he will « bum up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 13 H Then cometh Jesus ^ from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him. Suffer it to he so now: for thus it becometh us to * fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And ' Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw " the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And " lo a voice from heaven, sajing, This «■ is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. CHAPTER IV. 1 ChrUt fasttth, is tempted, and overeometh: 17 he beginneth to preach i 18 7ie caXUth i'eter and Andrew : 'J3 he teacheth in the tynagogue, and heaUth the diseased. fpilEN was " Jesus led up of » the Spirit -*■ into the wUdemess to be ' tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had <* fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said. If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, ' It is written, Man /shall not live by bread alone, but by every \Nord that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up g into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written. He '» shall give his angels charge concern- ing thee; and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot agamst a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again. Thou » shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up mto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth Lim all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them ; 9 And saith unto him. All these things will 1 give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan : for it is written, i Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou ser\'e. 11 Then the de\-il * leaveth him ; and, behold, * angels came and ministered unto him. 12 IT Now "•when Jesus had heard that John was i cast into prison, he departed into Galilee ; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthahm: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saymg, 15 The "land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the GeuliieB; Joseph JtceVi into Egvpt MATTTTEW. m. probably a huninous meteor. Worship— see on r. 11. 3. Troubled— Herod was concerned for fear of his crown, and all Jenisalem— for fear of what bloody Herod might do, as well as of popular commotions. 4. the chief priests and scribes— The Sanhedrim, consist- ing of 71 members, demanded of them— as the authorized interpreters of Scripture, where Christ should be bom — according to prophecy. 5. in Bethlehem of Judea — an involuntary testimony to Jesus from the highest ecclesiastical authority; which yet at length condemned him to die. 6. art not the least— 'Tliis event ^vill lift thee from the humblest to the highest rank,' rule — lit. •feed' (Marg.i. In the O. T. kings are called shepherds (Ez. 34. etc.), and under this beauti- ful image Jehovah's and Messiah's relation to his people is set forth Ps. 23. etc.). 8. I may come and worship also— Tlie cumiiug of the bloody h%i:)ocrite ! but it served as a safe-con- duct to the strangers. 9. Lo, the star which they saw in the E.— Tliis shows it must have disappeared in the interval ( see v. 10.). went before . . stood over, &c.— This could hardly be but by a luminous meteor, and not veryhigh. 11. fell down and worshipped him:—' worship' is used of any homage to a superior, espec- ially a sovereign; but clearly it was no civil homage to a petty Jewish king, which the Btar-guided strangers came so far,and enquir- ed so eagerly, and rejoiced with such exceed- ing joy to pay, but a loftier spiritual homage, presented— Tliis word is seven times used in the N. T. and always in a rcUmmis sense, of offerings to God. gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh— visits were seldom paid to sovereigns without a present 1 K. ip. 2, etc. See Ps. 72. 10, 11, 15.). Here the feelings ot the givers are seen in the richness of their gifts. 13-23. Flight INTO Egypt. 14.bynight— the same night. The young child and his mother— a remarkable expression, to show that Joseph was only the child's guardian. Egypt — being near, and a Roman province independent of Herod, and much inhabited by Jews, it was an easy and convenient re- fuge. 15. Until the death of Herod— about a year or less after this, of a horrible disease. That it might be fulfilled— verified in its hidi- est sense. 16. Mocked— ' trifled with.' two years old and under— taking a large sweep, not to miss his mark. 17, 18. relates to the Babylonish captivity, but Eachel being buried near Bethlehem, is represented as weeping over again for the loss of her cliil- dren, now by a bloody death, as then by a sad captivity. They are dead which— See Ex. 4. 19. 22. Heard that Archelaus. . . was afraid —He succeeded as ethnarch to Judea, Sa- maria, and Idumea; after a nine years' reign of injustice and cruelty, he was ban- ished, and Judea reduced to a Eoman pro- vince. Then ' the sceptre' clean ' departed from Judah' (see on v. 1.). Galilee— the north province; Samaria the central; Judea the southern. Into those three was the v.hole country W. of the Jordan divided at this time. 23. Nazareth — a small secluded town in lower Galilee, about equally distant from the Medit. sea on the \VT and the sea of Gal. in the E. A Nazarene— 'contemptible' is perhaps the thing meant J. 1. 40. , spoken by the prophets— the spirit of their testimony, not the very words of any one prophet. CHAPTEliin. Ver. 1-12. Pkeaching and Baj-iish or rnplismofJohn, John.— 1. Thos-e days— of Christ's secluded Ufa at Nazareth. For the exact lime, see L. 3. 1, Wilderness of Judea— the desert- valley of ih.ft Jordan, thinly peopled and bare in pa.stute,' a little N. of Jems, (see on v. 3.). 2. Re- pent—the word denotes a change of mind. kingdom of heaven — this sublime plirase occurs only in the first gospel, specially ad- dressed to the Jcus, as if expressly to meet their carnal views. It means Messiah's kingdom, both in its inward and otduard departments. Repent ye, for— Deliverance from sin, the chief blessing of Christ's king- dom (1. 21.). can be valued only by those to whom sin is a burden (9.12.). John there- fore was sent to awaken this feeling, and hold out the hope of a speedy and preciotis remedy. 3. This prophecy is quoted in all the gospels, to show that Christ, like the gi-eat ones of the earth, was to have his im- mediate approach announced, and his way prepared. Wilderness— the scene of his min- istiy was to correspond with its rough nature. Prepare the way— i. e. remove what- ever stands in the v;av of Messiah's triumphs. "Tlie Lord," whose way was to be pre- pared, is, in Is. 40. 3, called "Jehovah" and "our Gop;" a bright evidence of Christ's proper Divinity. 4. camel's hair — i. e. woven of it. leathern girdle— the pro- phetic dress of Elijah 2 Ki. l. 8;cf Ze. 13.4.). locust— the great well-known eastern locust, a food of the poor (Le. 11. 22.). wild honey —made by wild bees (1 Sa. 14. 25, 26.). This chess and diet, with the wild ' cry' in the wilderness, would recall the stern days of Ehjah. 6. baptized of him— A public seal (1.) of their /e« need of < redemption as sin- ners; (2.) expectation of tJie promised Deliverer; (3.) readiness to embrace him when he ap- peared. The Jews, it would seem, baptized proselytes, but this was the baptism of Jeu'S themselves. 7. Phar. and Sadd.— See Table of Sects, etc. generation of vipers— expressing the deadly influence of both sects on the com- mimity (12.34; 23. 33.). flee from the wrath to Striking expression of the real import of this step! (Eo._l,.18;l Th. 1. ip.) who hath warned you— (/. d. 'What can have brought you hither ? ' He more than suspected it was the popularity of his movement rather than their own spiritual anxieties. 9. Abraham to our father— the fatal rock onwhich the nation spUt ;J. 8. 33, 39, 53.'. these stones— 'l"he pebbles of the bare clay hills lay around, to which the Baptist pointed." (Stanley's 'Sinai and Pales- tine,' 1856. p. 311.). The calling of the Gentiles is meant iGa. 3, 28. 29; Eph. 2. 14.). The im,- penitence of those nursed amid the privileges of the visible Church cannot disar point God of a people (J. 6. 36, 37.). 11. 1 baptize with water— q. d. I am but the servant, but the Master is coming: I administer the symbol of purifica- tion; His it is to di.spense the reality. I'he shoes— (sandals,) were tied and untied, and borne about by the humblest servants, bap- tize with Holy Ghost— (See on 1. 20.). The pour- ing out of the Spirit was a familiar figure in the O. T. with fire- another figure of the same purif jing baptism. Tlie visible sjtu- bol of fire appeared at Pentecost (A. 2. 3.). Observe the Baptist's lofty views of his Master and loivUj esteem of himself. 12. fan— winnowing fan, the Gospel, whose re- ception or rejection would separate all into two classes, floor — bam floor, the visible Church, wheat— 50 Jici, precious saints IL. ChrisFs sermon MATTHEW, V. C« *hc mouvt. 16 The "people which sat in darkness saw KTeat light; and to thera which sat in the region and shadow of death light ia sprung up. 17 From P that time Jesoa began to preach, and to say, ' Kenent: lor the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18 IT And '■Jesus, walking by the sea of (Jalilee, saw two brethren, Simon • called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them. Follow me, and * I will make j-ou fishers of men. 20 And " they straightway left their nets, and followed him. -I And ' going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of' Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their uets ; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. 23 IT And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching "" in their synagogues, and preach ing the gospel of the kingdom, and healing nil manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his '^fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those wiiich were pos- sessed with devils, and those which were limatic, and those that had the palsy ; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multi tudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and /rom be jond Jordan. CHAPTER V. S Who are bUfsed. 13 7'he dwipjus called the salt of the earth, and light of the worlds Christ urgeth on them a good example, etc. A ND seeing the multitudes, " he went up ■"■^ into a mountain: and when he was set his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed b are the poor in sphit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed "are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed ''■are the meek for 'they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hmiger and thirst after righteousness: / for ihey shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: ' for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed f^ are the pure in heart: for » they shall see God. 9 Blessed are > the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed * are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you i falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and he exceeding glad; for gieat IS yoiu- reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before j'oiu 131F \e are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be tioddea under foot of men, I CHAP. 4. o l8». 4U. 7. Luke "2.32. P M»rk 1.14. 9 ch. 10. 7. ••Mark 1.16. » John 1 4a. t £m. 47.10. Luko 6.10 K AI«rkI0.28. LukelS.liS. » Blark 1. 19. Luke 6.10. to Luke 4.15. sc I». 62. 13. CHAP a Mark 3.13. 6 P«. 51. 17. lea. 57. 15 e 2 Cor. 1. 7. Key. 21. 4. d P«. 37. 11. 1 Pet. 3. 4. « Bom. 4. 13. / l«a. 65. 13. y Pi. 41.1. Heb. 6. 10. Jam. 2. 13. ft Heb.12.14. i lCor.13.12. 1 Joha 3. 2,3. ;• Heb. 12.14. k 2 Cor.4.17. 2Tim.2.12. 1 Pet.3.14. 1 Phil! 2. 15. 2 modlus. ed nearly "1 1 Pet 2.12. n John 15.a. 1 Co.14.25. Dan. 9. 24. Rom. 10.4. Gal. 3. 24. p Lukel6.17. 9 Jam. 2 10. rRom. 10.3. 15. 4 Tliat IB, vain feUow. 6 Or, graceless wretch. John 8. 44. ActBlS.lO. « Job 42. 8. 1 Pet. 3.7. » Job 22. 21. Pro. 26. 8. Heb. 3. 7. w P«. 32. 6. IB». 65. 6. ' 2 l-hea. 1.9. V Gen. 34. 2. Pro. 6. 25. Eph. 6. 6. Heb. 13. 4. » Mark 9. 43. 6 Or, do cause tbee P.. 119.37. »Deu.24. 1. Jcr. 3. 1. Mark 10.2. Kora. 7. 3. I Cor.7.10. 14 Ye • are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hiU cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men Ught a candle, and put it under a 2 bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that "* they may see your good works, and glorify " your Father which is in heaven. 17 IT Thmk " not that I am come to de- stroy the Law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, P Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever « therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you. That except your righteousness shall exceed *■ the righteous- ness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 ^ Ye hare heard that it was said 8 by them of old time, * Thou shalt not kill ; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger ol the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That ' whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, * Raca! shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou 6 fool! shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave " there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way ; fii-st be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and oiler thy gift. 25 Agree "with thine adversary (jtiiickly, whiles "" thou art in the way with him ; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily 1 say unto thee. Thou '^ shalt by no means come out thence, tiU thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 ^ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh " on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And 'if thy right eye « offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profit- able for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 ^ It bath been said, " Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto jou. That * whosoever shall put away his wile, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adul- tery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 33 % Again, ye have heles (L. 16. 16 ; A. 13. 15.). not to de- stroy but to fulfil— not to subvert, but estab- lish, unfold, embody in living form, and enshrine them in the reverence, affection, and character of men, did C. come. 18. till heaven, &c.— in other words, they are im- perishable principles. 19. whosoever, &c.— q. d. Men will be treated on the same prin- ciple, with honour or contempt, as they treat the law, in its least requirements. 20. Scribes and Pharisees, sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them. They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and leam what that meaneth, I * wiU have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, 'but sinners to repentance. 14 IT Then came to him the disciples of John, sajing, •" Why do we and the Phari- sees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And J esus said unto them, Can " the children of the bride-chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegi-oom shall be taken from them, and * then shall they fast. 16 No man putteth a piece of i new cloth unto an old garment; for that which is put in to fill it up tidceth from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles; else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preseiTed. 18 H While y he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My dau^htel Paralytic healed. MAlUHiiiW. IX. Blatthnifs call. preach (cf. L. 9. 59, 60.); yet not ready: to God only. 4. tWiik ye— 'harbour ^~6,0' 'Lord, I ^cill; but there is a diflSculty in whether is it easier to say, drc— Is it easier to the way just now.' 22. follow me — Christ command away disease than to bid away will have immediate obedience, the dead— , sin? if then, I do the one, Mhich you can see spiritually, their dead— in a literal sense, know thus that I have done the other you q. d. ' There are times when even filial { cannot see.' the Son of Man hath power on duty must yield to higher— nature to grace : 1 earth— that forgiving power dwells in this your dead father will have others to attend : flesh of Man. and is exercised by Him while to him, who are dead to the things of the on this earth with you.' take up thy bed and kingdom.' For another such case, see Luke go into thine house— Taking up the portable 9. 61. 62. 24. there was a great tempest— see on , couch, and walking home with it, was de- Mark, 4. 37. the ship was covered with the ' signed to prove the completeness of the cure. •they all ap- iM-iiiii, ». o(. wie Biup was covereu wiin lae signeu to prove ine completeness 01 tne ( waves— rather, 'was getting covered.' See on 8. such powerto men— At forgiving power Mark, 4. 37, & Luke, 8. 23. He was asleep— wondered not, but that a Man, to al] 'Twas evening (INlk. 4. 35.1, and after the pearance like one of themselves, should ig - . - - — - fatigues of a busy day, having nothing to do while crossing, he sinks into sleep (He. 4. 15.)," in the hinder (stern) part of the ship, on a piUow,' or cushion (Mk. 4. 38.). 25. Lord save us, v/e perish— imminent must have been the danger to alai-m the fishemien of the lake. 26. ye of Uttle faith— faif/t they had, for they applied to Clnist for relief; but little, for they were afraid, though Christ was in the ship. Faith dispels fear, but in proportion to its strength. 27. See on Mark, 4. 41. 28. country of the Gergesenes— ' Gadarenes,' Mark, 5. l, & Luke, 8. 26— the same region. South East of the lake, coming out of the tombs, &c.— dweUing in no house, but in the gloomy abode of the dead inm,L<;sMns Jiig aposdcf. is even uow dead: but come aiid lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 f And, « behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve yeais, came beliind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his Erarment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about- and when he saw her, he said, l)aas;hter, be of good comfort; *" thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23 And " when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw ' the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, "Give place; for the niaid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went m, and took ner by the hand, and the maid arose. 20 And - the fame hereof went abroad into aJ! that land. 27 H And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, " Thou sou of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesits saith unto them. Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying. According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And *" their eyes were opened: and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, * See that no man know it. 31 But J' they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. 32 IT As *they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a denl. 33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, Baying, It was never so seen in Israel. 31 But the Pharisees said, lie casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. 35 % And "Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and neaUug every sickness and every dis- ease, among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, be- cause they 3 fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith lie unto his disciples, 6The haiTest truly is plenteous, but the labomers are few ; 38 Pray "ye therefore the Lord of the har- vest, that he will send forth labom-ers into his harvest. „ CHAPTER X. 1 Christ aendeth his apostles to do miraehs, B to pre«m5 d/:moniae healed. MATTHEW, X. Mission of the Apostles. 20; Am. 5. 16.) 24. the maid is not dead, but Bleepeth— so brief her state of death as to be more like a short sleep, and they laughed him to scorn— an important testimony this to the reality of her death. 25. See on Mark, 6. 43, & Luke 8. 56. (J. 11. 25.) 27-34. Two Blind Men, and a Dumb Demoniac, Healed. 27. thou Son of David.— By this august title they owned him as Messiah (see 12. 23.). 28-30. the blind men came to him— Jesus, to try their faith and perseverance, makes them no answer; they follow him into the house ; He asks, and receives from them an acknowledgment, touchingly simple, of his power to heal them; immediately it is done, and the cure is ex- pressly linked to faith, see that no man Know it— from Mark 1. 45, we see how this *' blazing abroad" of Christ's miracles tended to impede, rather than advance his work. 32. A dumb man possessed with a devil— The dumbness was caused by the possession. 33. it was never so seen in Israel— referring not to this case only, but to his miracles in general. 34. See on ch. 12, 24, &c. 35 - 38. Jesus, Compassionating the Multitudes, asks Pkayer for Help. 36. fainted— better copies read "harassed;" refen-ing, perhaps, rather to their wretched- ness, as the victims of Pharisaic guidance, than to their bodily fatigue, scattered abroad — * abandoned,' ' unprotected,' with none to care for their souls, yet now flocking after and hanging on Him. lliis spectacle moved liis heart. 37. the harvest plenteous— His eye doubtless rested on the Jewish field first, but He saw this widening into the vast field of "the world," (13. 38. , to be all gathered in. labourers few— even for the narrower, how much more for the wider field ! 38. the Lord of the harvest— cf. J. 15. 1. My Father is the Husbandman, that He will send, (fee— The Church, in its missionary character should take this precious saying along with ch. 28. 18-20; the one as the directory of its devotional, the other of its active work, as Christ's instrument for evangelizing the •world, and every Christian should do the same. Ministers of Christ are'. God's gifts to a perishing world, to be sought by prayer, offered ttp in the spirit of tlie Saviour's awn compassion. CHAPTER X. Ver. 1-15. IMissioN of the ttvelve Apos- tles. The choice of the apostles had taken place before this, though not related by M. Hee Luke, 6. 13; this is the sending of them, twelve— 'Hiis number was fixed on with an eye, doubtless, to the number of the tribes of Israel. See on Luke, 10. 1. & Eev. 21. 12, 14. cast out. . . heal all manner of sickness— Tlius it will be seen that their mission was all for restoration from sin's ravages, notliing for destruction. 2. Apostles— i. e. persons *sent' with a divine commission, first Simon— so named as being the most promi nent. John— named after James as bein^ the younger. 3. Bai'tholomew- the same, it is believed, with " Nathanael of Cana in <;alilee," because (1.) Bartholomew (that is, ' son of Ptolemy") is not so properly a name as a family surname; (2.) he follows, in this list, as also in Mark's and Luke's, the name of " Philip," who was the instrument of biing- ing"Nathanael" firstto Jesus, See Jolm 1,45. _, - ,.- - <3. ) Wlien our Lord appeared at the sea of other scarce better than locakness: combined, Tiberias after his resurrection, "Nathanael even the wolves gave way before it, in the a of Cana in Galilee" is mentioned along with six others, all apostles, as being present (J. 21. 2.). Matthew the publican— In none of the lists is this apostle so branded but in his own, as if he would have all to know how deep a debtor he was to hia Lord. See on ch. 1. 3-6. &: cf. 1 Ti. 1. 12-16. James of Alphens— See on Mark 3. 18. Lebbeus, whose sxirname was Thaddeus— called also "Judas the brother of James" (Luke, 6. 16; & Acts, 1. 13.). 4. Simon the Canaanite— to distin- guish him from Simon Peter— perhaps from a word signifying "zealous," for he is called also "Simon Zelotes," or "the zealot." Is- cariot— i. e. 'of Kerioth,' a town of Judah (Jos. 15. 25,)— so called to distinguish him. from Judas, brother of James (Luke, 6. 16.)^ who also betrayed him— Judas is not only put last in aU the lists, as Peter is in all put first, but he is branded as the traitor in tlie other lists also, as if he had become an abhorrence to all Cliristians ; in so much that the be- loved disciple, in recording a most interest- ing question put by Judas to his Lord at the supper-table, seems anxious to explain that it was "not Iscariot" that he meant (Jolin, 14. 22.). 5, 6. these twelve Jesus sent forth— "two and two" (Mark. 6. 7.). Go not into the way of the Gentiles— Until Christ's death, which broke down the middle waU of partition (Eph. 2. 14.), the Gospel commis- sionwas to Jews only, who tho' the.visible peo- ple of God, were j'et "lost sheep," needing a Saviour even as others. Samaritans— see Table. 7. preach, saying, the kingdom of hea- ven is at hand— Tlie burden of their coimnis- sion was two-fold, (1.) A call to "repent" (Mark. 6. 12.); (2.) An encouragement to com- ply, " because the kingdom of heaven was at hand." See on ch. 3. 2. 8. freely ye have received, freely give, (fee- a divine saying, and divinely said; "apples of gold in a set- ting of silver," (Pro. 25. 11.), compare with this that other golden saying of our Lord res- cued by Paul, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (A. 20. 35.). Who can esti- mate what these sayings have done for the world, and how they will yet ennoble and transfigure it! 10. scrip— a leathern pouch for victuals, slung over the shoulders, two coats, &c.— no change of dress, staves — no more than their usual stafi". for the workman is worthy of his meat, 1 John 2.6. ■ Zocli. 9. 9. clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, /* and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, * Behold, 1 send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you. Among them that are bom of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notmthstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And i from the days of John the Baptist until now the kmgdom of heaven i suf- fereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For * all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is <£lias, which was for to come. 15 He *" that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 16 But * whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling imto their fellows, 17 And saying, "We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have momneu unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say. He hath a denl. 19 The Son of man came eatuig and drinking, and they say. Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine-bibber, " a friend of publicans and sinners, fiiut Wisdom is justilied of her children. 20 IT Then « began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty woilis were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin ! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago *■ in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, • which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell : for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained mitil this day. 24 But I say unto you. That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. 25 H At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord ot heaven and earth, because ' thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so. Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All " tilings are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; " neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and lie to whomsoever the Son will reveal Idm. 28 H Come unto me, all we that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, "" and learn of me; for 1 ain meek and * lowly in heart: and y ye shall lind rest mito jour souls. 30 For ' my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. The Baptises incssane. T.IA' *V. XT. XTI. Ph.rl-ivr cor:i -r,ro ^- ,C^7 '-r-'r, . early ages ot Christianity. 18. for a testimony against them— to the truth and its glorious effects, the Gentiles— a hint that the mes.sage would not long be confined to tlie lost sheep ofthe house of Israel {v. 6.). 19. take no thought —See on ch. 6. 25. given you— see marg. 20. the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you —see J. 15. 26. 27. pointing to a future mis- sion after Pentecost. Jy.B. Jesus never says, "our Father," but always "mi/" or "your Father" (see on J. 20. 17.). 21. deli- ver up— perhaps, by gi\ing official ivform- ation against them. 23. flee ye into another— see marg. till the Son of Man be come— in the establisliment of his kingdom on the ruins of Jerusalem and the old economy. 25. Beelzelbub— see on ch. 12. 24. 26-33. See on L. 21. 2-9. 34-36. I come not to send peace, but a sword, (tc— deadly opposition between light and darkness, Christ and Eelial, penetrating into and rending asunder the dearest ties Mi. 7. 5-7.; cf. Deu. 33. 9.). he that loveth father . . is not worthy of me— a claim to supreme affection which Jesus could not have made without blasphemy, if only a creature. 39. See on L. 9. 24. 40. he that receiveth you receiveth me—' your authority is mine, as mine is my Father's.' 41. in name of a prophet— because he is one, and from love to Christ his Master. 42. little ones— little thought of disciples. CHAPTER XI. Ver. 2-30. The Baptist's JIessage, the Beply, xst) Consequent Discourse. 2. John heard in the prison— See on ch. 14. 3., etc. 3. Art thou He, (tc— a cjuestion rather of im- patience than of unbelief. Hearing "of the works of Christ " from his disciples {v. 2. and L. 7. 18.), he wondered he was allowed to lie in prison, and hoped to draw from Christ some hint of his intentions. 4. Shew Jolin those things ye hear and see— These were mir- acles wrought " the same hour" iL. 7. 21. 22.), and words of grace spoken " to the poor," [V. 5.\ expressly to be reported to John. 5, 6. The blind receive their sight—' Let these con- vince him that " my hand is not shortened that it cannot save;" but blessed is he who can take Me in a prison, and is not stumbled if perchance he be called to die for Me.' 7. etc. Not a ray of light is cast on his prospects, nor a word of conmiendation uttered while his tlisciples are present; he must die in sim- ple faith, and as a martyr to his fidelity. But no sooner are they gone, than Je.sus breaks forth into a glorious commendation of him. reed shaken, &c.— 'driven about by every wind, bearing an uncertain testimony? Such was not John.' a man clothed, &c.— 'a self-indulg- ent, courtly preacher? Such was not John. 9. more than a prophet— a straightforward ut- terer of his divine message? Then he is that, and more than that.' 10. ' There were many prophets, but only one Forerunner, and this is he.' 11. a greater than he— in official dignity, not personal character, least in kingdom of heaven— in the new .Gospel kingdom which John announced, but was not of. See on v. 13. 12. suffereth violence—' is pressed into,' or 'entered by violence.' the violent, etc.— eager multitudes seize on it' ;L. 16. 16.). 13. John stood midway between the old economy (with its "law and prophets,") and the new; above the one, below the other. 14. If ye wiU receive, &c.— ' He is the only Elias promised by Mala- chi, (4. 5. 6.), if ye can take it in' (for they ex- pected the Tishbite in person.) 16-19. See on 10 L. 7. 31-35. 20-^*. Cliorazm, iJeinsaioa, c-autr- naum— on the borders of the sea of Galilee, which art exalted— in having more of Christ's presence and ministry than all others. Tyre and Sidon— North of Palestine, on the Medi- terranean sea; heathen cities ruined by com- mercial prosperity, repented long ago— there- fore in God s sight less criminal. See on L. 10. 12. 25. 1 thank thee— lit. ' I assent to thee' — expressing deep acquiescence, holy satisfac- tion with this arrangement. Father— the first time he calls God oy this name in puhlic. Lord of heaven and eai-th— from Whom of right spring all such arrangements, wise and pru- dent Father (or ' shrewd 'j-vrho pride them- selves on their intellectual superiority, babes —in unassuming docility. 26. Even so. &g.— A sublime echo of the foregoing, as if he had paused to reflect on it, and as if the glory of it, in the light of God's absolute will, had filled his soul. 27. AU things are dehvered— not "revealed," for He is Himself the Ee- vealer— but made over, i. e. the whole ad- ministration of the economy of grace, as Mediator J. 3. 35.). knoweth, rB demoniac HEALED — CHAKGE OF BEING IN LEAGUE ■WITH HELL, AND KEPLY— DEMAND OP A SIGN, AND REPLY. 22. blind and diunb— see on cli. 9. 32. 23. Son of David— the promised Messiah (see on ch. 1. 1.). 'Tis remarkable that in all the three narratives of sight given to the blind the patients give this title to Jesus (ch. 0. 27.; 20. 30, 31.), 24. Beelzebub —same as 'Baalzebub, the god of Ekron' (2 Ki. 1. 2.}. How the name of this Philistine idol came to be given to Satan, is not known; but as idolatry is in reality devil-worsliip (1 Co. 10. 20.), it was not unnatural, n.b. Chrisfs bitterest enemies did tiot deny the reality of his miracles; and being stung by the unsophisticated testimony of 'aU the people ' (' the multitudes,' v. 23.), they had no way of holding out against liis claims but by the desperate shift of ascribing his miracles to Satan. 25, 26. The argimient here is ir- resistible. ' Ko organised society— whether with being in league with hell, they wero displaying beforehand a malignant determi- nation to shut their eyes to aU evidence, and so bordering upon, and '^n spir 't committing the Tinpardonable sin, 33-35. either, (to.— A new application of a former saying (ch. 7. 16. 18.): ' There are but two kingdoms, interests, parties, together ^vith the proper workings and fruits of each; if I promote the one, I canntit belong to the other, but they that set them- selves in wilful oppo.=^.ition to the kingdom ot light, openly proclaim to what other kingdoiu they belong. As for you, ye have but re- vealed the viperous, venomous, malignity of your hearts m the words ye have uttered.' 36, 37. every idle word — Tliey might say, 'It was nothing; we meant no evil; wa merely threw out a supposition, as one way of accounting for the miracle we mtnessed; if it will not stand, let it ro; why make so much of it, and bear down with such severity for it?' Jesus replies, 'It was not nothing, and at the great day will not be treated as nothing : Words, as the index of the heart, however idle they may seem, will be taken account of, whether good or bad, in estimating character in the day of judgment.' 38, 39. Master, we would see a sign—' from heaven' (L. 11. 16.): something of an im- mediate and decisive nature, to show that his miracles were by a power from above. This was asked by a different class from „ . those who had charged Him with being in 'kingdom, city, or household"— can stand I league with Satan (L. 11. 15. 16.); but as the when turned against itseK ; such intestine war is suicidal: But the works I do are all destructive of Satan's kingdom : That I should be in league with him, therefore, is incredible and absurd.' Observe, Jesus here aets his seal to the Jewish doctrine of an wganized kingdom of evil, under one chief, emph.atically called' Satan; akingdom which, though full of contradiction and division in itself, is tremendously harmonious in its op- position to truth and righteousness. Tor this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy' this kingdom (1 Jo. 3. 8. ; Ge. 3. 15.). 27. your children— or 'sons,' i.e. the disciples or pupils of the Pharisees, cast them out— Our Lord seems to admit that such works were really done; in which case the Pharisees were self-condemned. 28. kingdom of God is come upon you—' It this ex- pulsion of Satan is, and can be, by no other than the Spirit of God, then is his Destroyer already in the midst of you, and that king- dom which is destined to supplant it is al- ready rising on its ruins.' 29, 30. See on L. 11. 21-23.). 31, 32. aU manner of sin and blas- phemy, kc— "every description of sin is par- donable' Therefore, when it is added that the .•«in against the Holy Ghost is unpardonable, this cannot arise from anything in the sin itself; for that would be a contradiction. It arises from the wilful malignity which hates ihe light and wilt not admit it, wMch of cour.se precludes salvation. This is plain from what follows, where rejection of ' the Son of Man,' that is, in his veiled condition and, unfinished v:ork, is said to be pardon- able, since it might be done 'ignorantly, in unbelief 1 Ti. 1. 13.)- whereas after the bla;^e of glory which ' the Holy Ghost' was soon to throw around his claims, to reject Him in the fuU knowledge of these, would be to do U spirit of both was similar, the tone of severe warning is continuecL evil and adidterous— cf. Je. 3. 20. * Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me. ' 40. so shall the Son of Man, &:c.— This was the first public an- nouncement of his resun-ection three days after his death. Any sign of this in the form of an actual resurrection wrought for the occasion was out of the question; but the re- ference to the analogous case of Jonah, as a past sign, comes the nearest to it, as being (1.) God's awful judgment, (2.) reversed in three days, and (3.) followed by a glorious mis- sion to the Gentiles. 41, 42. Tlie Ninevites (see on Jon. 1. #), though heathens, repented at a man's preaching; they, God's covenant- people, repented not at the preaching of the Son of God— whose supreme dignity is rather hinted at than expressed. The queen of Sheba/— a tract in Arabia, near the shores of the Bed Sea— came from a remote country {'south' of Judeai to hear the wis- dom 01 a mere though gifted man ; they, when a Greater than he had come to them,, despised and rejected, slighted and slandered lum. 43-45. dry places — i.e. desert, unin- habited places, where are no men to possess and destroy, seeking rest and finding none— because out of his element, ^vithout human victims. I win return unto my house, etc.— 'It may be I shall find it wearj' of its new religious ways, and not unwilling to entertain overtures of reconciliation with its old friend.' empty — occitj'ied by no rival. swept and garnished— not only empty, but all ready to receive him— nay, decked out as if to invite his return, seven more wicked, &c. —a sevenfold mightier diabolic force, as if resolved not to be again disturbed, enter . . . dwell— jio resistaiice now—' they walk tha ParnhU of the sower. MATTHEW, XIII. Parables representing of a man, « he walketh through dry places, Beeking rest, and ftiideth none. 44 Then he saith, 1 will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished, 45 Then *■ goeth he, and taketh with him- eelf seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and * the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 46 ^ While he yet talked to the people, behold, ' his mother and " his brethren Btood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Theu one said unto him. Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him. Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said. Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For " whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. CHAPTER XIII. 8 Of the sower and the seed. 10 Why Christ spake in parables. 38 The exposition of the parable of the sower. 24 Divers other parables, etc, T'HE same day went Jesus out of the house, " and sat by the sea-side. 2 And * great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that " he went into a ship, and sat: and the whole multitude stood on the snore. 3 And he spake many things imto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow: 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way-side, and the fowls came and de- voured them up: 5 Some fell upon <* stony places, where they had not much earth ; and tbrthwith they sprung up, because they had no deep- ness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched ; and because they had no * root, they withered away: 7 And some fell among thorns ; and the thorns sprung up and choked them: 8 But other fell into good gi'ound, and Drought forth liuit, some / an hundred-fold, gome sixty-fold, some thirty-fold. 9 Who » hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 ^ And the disciples came, and said unto nim. Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them. Be- cause '» it is given vmto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For • whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance ; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not; neither do they under- stand. 14 And in them is fulfdled the prophecy f>f Esaias, which saith, 3 By healing ye shall bear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, aud their ears ^are dull of hearing, and A. D. CUAP. 12. 9 Job 1. 7. 1 Pot. B 8. r Isa. M.S.*. « Heb. 6. 4. Hob.10.26. 2 J'et.2.i». t Mar. 3. ai. Lu. 8. 10. W Mark 6. 3. John 2. 12. John 7.3,5. Actsl. U. 1 Cor. 9.5. GaL 1. 19. W Johnl5.14. Gal. 5. 5. Gftl. 6. 15. Col. 3. 11. Heb. 2.11. CHAP. 13. a Mark 4. 1. b Luke 8. i. e Luke 5. 3. d E7.e. 11.19. e Col. 2. 7. / Gen. 20.12. g Alark 4. 9. h ch. 11. 25. ch.16. 17. JLir. 4. 11. 1 Ccr.2.10. 1 John 2. 27. Col. 1. 26. i Mar. 4. 26. Lu. 8. 18. Lu. 19. 28. }■ li-a. 6. 9. Eiek.12.2. Mar. 4. 12. Lu. 8. 10. Johnl2.40. Act328.26, 27. Rom. 11.8. 2 Cor.3.14. k Heb. 5. 11. I ch. 16. 17. Lu. 10. 23, 24. John20.29. »nHeb.ll.i3. 1 Pet.l.lU. n Mar. 4. 14. Lu. 8. 11. 2 Cor. 2.11. P Isa. 68. 2. Eze 33.31. John 5. 35. 8 ch. 11. 6. 2Tim.l.l6. r ch. 19. Zi. Mar. 10.23. Lu. IS. 24. 1 Tim. 6.9. 2Tim.4.10. « Jcr. 4. 3. t 1 Pot. 6. 8. " ch. 3. 12. "188.2.2,3. Mic. 4. 1. Mar. 4. 30. Lu. 13. 13. 2Pet.3.18. K'Lu.13.20. 1 The word in the Greek is a their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they shoiud see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, aud should under- stand with their heart, and should be con- verted, and I should heal them. 16 But 'blessed are your eyes, for they see ; and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily 1 say unto you, '" That many prophets and righteous mtn have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 18 % llear " ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then Cometh "the wicked oiie, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way- side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon P with joy receiveth it: 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while ; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by * he is otiended. 22 He '"also that received seed 'among the thorns is he that heareth the word ; and the care of this world, and the deceitfid- ness of riches, choke the word, aud he bccometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fniit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred-fold, some sLxty, some thu-ty. 24 H Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, « his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Su-, did.st not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them. An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said. Nay; lest, while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the har- vest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers. Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them m bundles to burn them; but "gather the wheat into my barn. 31 fl Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, ^ The kingdom of heaven is like to a giam of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the bu'ds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 33 IT Another "'parable spake he onto them ; The lungdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three i meiisures of meal, till the whole waa leavened. Tlie parable of the sower. MATTHEW. Xm. cfthe vjheat and tares, dc course.' the last state worse, &c.— Relapse into evil, wlun thoroughly yielded to, nuikes the case ever loorse than before. The power of a resisting will is destroyed- in just judgment God lets this awful law of tlie human soul take effect ; and the Enemy is permitted to take his own advantage of it. 45. By the ministry of the Baptist their 'heart was turned to the Lord,' to a large extent ; then was their opportunity to receive Christ and live; but they did not; so they became worse than at the first, and soon put their very Dehverer to death. It matters little though the devil be out if Clirist be not in. Negative reformations em in positive and fatal de- clension. 4S-60. Hi3 Mother and Brethren SEEK TO Speak with Him. 46. Ms brethren —See on ch. 13. 55, 56. to speak with him— for what purpose we learn from ;Mk. 3. 20. 21. In his zeal and ardour he seemed indifferent both to food and repose, and "they went to lay hold of him," as one " beside himself." 48. who is my mother? . . . who my brethren?- Ab- sorbed in the awful warnings he was pouring forth, he felt this to be an unseasonable iu- terruption, fitted to dissipate the impres- sion made upon the large audience, such an interruption as duty to the nearest relatives did not require him to give way to. But in- stead of a direct rebuke, he seizes on the in- cident to convey a sublime lesson, expressed in a style of inimitable condescension. 49, 50. Behold . . . For whosoever, &c. — ' Tliere stand here the members of a family trans- cending and surviving this of earth; filial subjection to the wiU of My Father ia hea- ven is the indissoluble bond of union be- tween Me and all its members; and whoso- ever enters tliis haUowed circle ' becomes to Me " brother and sister and mother! " '. CHAPTMl XTIT. Ver. 1-52. Seven Parables. 1,2. "The same day" on which the foregoing solemn discourse was delivered, and his kindred thought him "beside himself" for his in- difference to food and repose— that same day, retiring to the sea-shore of Galilee, and there seating himself, perhaps for coohiess and rest, the crowds again flock around him, and he is fain to push off from them, in the boat usually kept in readiness for him; yet only to begin, without waiting to rest, a new course of teaching by parables to the eager multitudes that lined the shore. There is nothing in all language to be compared to the parables of our Lord, for simpUcity, grace, fulness, and variety, of spiritual teaching. They are adapted to all classes and stages of advancement, being imderstood by each ac- cording to the measure of his spiritual ca- pacity. 3-9, 18-23. First Parable: The So AVER. ITiis parable is introductory to the other six, which consist of three pairs. For the exposition of it, see on Mk. 4. 3-9, 14-20. Eeason for Teaching in Parables, V. 10-17. 10. why in parables ?— This seems to imply that, though one or two parables had been spoken before to illustrate what was spoken in another style, he now for the first time formally employed this me- thod of teaching. 11. to you it is given to know ... to them not — Parables serve the double purpose of revealing and con- cealing; presenting 'the mysteries of the Ivingdom' to those who know and reUsh tliem, though in never so small a degree, in a new and attractive light; but to those who are insensible to spiritual things yielding only, as so many tales, some temporary entertain- ment. 12. whosoever hath, &c. — " retains," or keeps, as one does who values what he re- ceives: the 'hath not' means the reverse of this— not cherishing, but letting go, as of what one sets no value on. The one class are re« warded by an increase of what they so much prize; the other are punished by the judi- cial vAthdrawal of what they despise. 13. Therefore because, &c. — Our Lord did not begin to teach by parables till his enemies perversely ascribed his miracles to Satan. " Seeing,"— for the light shone on them as never light shone before—" they saw not," for they closed their eves; "hearing," for He taught them who spake as never man spake," they yet "heard not"— taking noth- ing in, "understanding not" the soul-pene- trating, life-giving words addressed to tnem. 14, 15. They were judicially sealed up in the darkness and obduracy which they delibe- rately prejerrecl to the light and the healing which Christ brought nigh to them. 16, 17. Not only were the disciples blessed above the blinded jiist spoken of, but favoured above the most honoured and the best that lived under the old economy, who had but glimpses of the things of the new kingdom, just sufficient to kindle in them desires not to be fulfilled to any in their day. Second and Seventh parables, or. First Pair: The Wheat and Tabes {v. 24-30, 36-43.) and The Good and Bad Fish (v. 47-50.1— or. The MIXED character of the kingdom in its present state, and the final absolute sepa- ration of the two classes. Both parables teach the same truth, with a slight diver- sity of aspect. 24. a man which sowed— " the Son of Man," v. 37. The most frequent title by which our Lord designates Himself, but never given Him by others save once, by Stephen (A. 7. 66.). to indicate, it would seem, that the glorified Saviour appeared bodily to his eyes. " The one true and perfect flower which had ever unfolded itself out of the root of humanity." [Tiiench.] cf. Da. 7. 13. with Ps. 8. 4. good seed— "the childi-en of the kingdom;" the same seed of " the word" as in the former parable, but now received into the heart and converting him that receives it into a new creature, a^' child of the king- dom," (cf. Ja. 1. 18; Ho. 2. 23.). his field—" the world," V. 38. Observe, this vast field is Christ's — " His field," says the parable (See Ps. 2. S.|, 25. while men slejpt— As it could oiily be done then, no blame seems intended, nor is any such charged on " the servants:" 'tis just the dress of the parable, his enemy—' ' the devil," V.39; emphatically " His enemy"— " the Son ot Man's" (Ge. 3. 15; 1 Jo. 3. 8.). sowed— i.e. within the territory of the visitjle Chxirch. tares- not what we call such, but a noxious plant, probably Darnel. These are " the chil- dren of the wicked one," v. 38, resembling, in religious profession, "'the children of the kingdom, and produced by the same process " ("sowing.") went his way— His dark work takes time to develope its true character, which at length appears, v. 26. 27. the ser- vants—Christ's ministers.— Didst not thou, &c. —This well expresses the surprise, cUsap- pointment, and anxiety of Christ's faithful servants and people, at the discovery of " false brethren," among the members of the Church, wiit thou— compare James and John the kingdom of heaven. MATTHEW, XIV. John Baptist beheaded. ci All these things spake Jesus nnto the multitude in parables ; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken bv the prophet, saying, * I will open my mouth in parables ; " I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 36 TI Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and Ms disciples came unto him, saying. Declare uuto us the parable of the tares of the held. 37 He answered and said unto them, He that ^ soweth the good seed is the Son of 38 I'he « field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the Uires are 6 the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the dcNil; "the haiTest is the end of the world - and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the lire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, <* and they shall gather out of his kingdom all 2 things that offend, and them which do iniquity, 42 And * shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. ,. ^ , 43 Then /shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 44 H Again, the kingdom of heaven is lilce unto treasure hid in a field ; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and ^ selleth all that he hath, and '» buyeth that field. 45 U Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls : 46 Who,- when he had found » one pearl of great price, went and sold all that lie had, and bought it. . ,., 47 IT Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea. and gathered > of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat do^vn, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wcked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, „ 51 Jesus saith unto them. Have ye under- stood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them. Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man that is an householder which bringeth forth out of his treasm'e * things new and old. 53 H And it came to "pass, tluxt, when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54 And 'when he was come into his own country,he taught them in their sj-nagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said. Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is ""not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary ? and " his brethren, •James, and Joses, and Shnon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence thcu hath thia man all thtse thuiga? 13 CHAP. 13. «; Pa. 78. 2. y Ro. 16. 25. 1 Cor. 2. 7. Epli. 3. 9. Col. 1. 26. 2 Is. 01. 1. a ch. 24. 14. Lu. 24.47. Ro. 10. 18. Col. 1. 6. 6 Gen. 3. 13. Acts 13.10. 1 John 3. 8. e Jool 3. 13. Rov. 14.15. d 2 Pet .2.1,2. a Or, Bcandals. e Rev. 19.20. Rev. 20.10. / Dan. 12. 3. 1 Cor. 15. 42. R«v. 7. 9. ff Phil. 3. 7. h Is. 65. 1. Key. 3. 18. t Prov. 2. 4. Pro. 3. 14. Pro. 8. 10. } ch. 22. 10. k Sor,g 7. 13. I Deu. 18. 15. ch. 2. 23. Mark 6. 1. Lu. 4. 16. m u. 49. 7. 18.53.2,3. Mark 6. 3. Lu. 3. 23. John 6.4a. nch. 12. 46 o Mar. 15. 40. p Ps. 22. 6. John 4. 44. r Htb. 3. 19. Heb. 4. 2. 57 And they ^ were ollended in him. But Jesus said unto them, «A prophet is not ^Nithout honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58 And ^ he did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. CHAPTER XIV. 1 Herod's opinion of Christ. 3 John Baptist beheaded. 15 rive thousand fed, etc. A T that time " Herod the tetrarch heard ■"■ of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said unto his ser^-ants, This is John the Baptist: he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works i do show forth themselves in him. 3 IT For f> Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put hirn in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. 4 For John said unto him, * It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, <* because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod's * bu-thday was kept, CHAP. 14. a Mar. 6. 14. Lu. 9. 7. 1 Or, are wrought 6 Pro. 10.17. Pro. 15. 10. Mar. 6. 17. Lu. 3. 19. e Lev. 18. IG. Lot. 20.21. Dan. 6. 22, 23. Eph. 6. U. 2 Ti. 4. 2. d ch. 21. 26. Lu. 20. 0. « Gen. 40. 20, 2 in the midst. /Ti. 1. 16. ff ch. 10. 23. ch. 12. 15. Mark 6. 32 Lu. 10. John 6.1,2. A ch. 9. 36. Heb. 2. 17. Hob. 4. 15. t 2 Kin. 4. 42. 4<. j oh. 15. 36. A Mar. 0.40. the daughter of Herodias danced them, and pleased Herod. 7 Whereupon he promised vnth an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said. Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. 9 And the king was sorry: / nevertheless, for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her, 10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. •12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and bm-ied it, and went and tola Jesus. 13 IT When " Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart; and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and '' was moved with compas- sion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15 IT And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying. This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multi- tude away, that they may go into the vil- lages, and buy themselves nctuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them. They need not depart; »give ye them to eat. 17 And they say unto him. We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said. Bring them hither to me. 19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and, looking up to heaven, J he blessed, and brake, and tave the loaves to his disciples, and the isciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 22 IT And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the nailtitudts away. 2J And '' when he had sent the multitudes Parable of the good and bad fi sh, MATTHE W. XIIL L 9^X" Wilt thou that we command fire," [ Arc. In this kind of zeal there is nsually a lar?e mixture of carnal heat. 29. Nay, lest, &c. — ' It wiU be done in due time, but not now, nor is it j'our business.' This condemns intolerance, on pretence of purging out heresy, lest ye root up the tares— This plainly teaches tfie dij/iculty of didinguish- ing the tvxf classes, and so the impropriety of sitting in judgment on men's state be- fore God. 30. let both grow together— i.e. in the visible Church. 27i.i5, however, must not be stretched so far as to justify retaining s"andalous persons in tlie communion of tlte Ciitirch, in tlie teeth of apostolic injunctions (1 Cor. 5.). till harvest— till the one have ripened for full salvation, the other for de- struction, at " the end of the world," v. 39. reauejrs— "the angels." v. 39. Observe the extent and grandeur of the ministiy of angels. In V. 41, they are called "His angels" (cf. 1 Pe. 3. 22. I wiU say. Gather, &c.— Christ, as Judge, will separate the two classes, cf. ch. 25. 32. Observe, the tares are burned before the wheat is housed; and the same order is observed in the exposition of the parable, V. 41. 43, and cf. ch. 25. 46; as if m some literal sense, "with thine eyes shalt thou liehold and see the reward of the wicked," Ps. 91. 8. 4L Gather out of his kingdom— to which they never belonged, cf. Ps, 1. .5, "The ungodly .shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners (abide" in the congregation ot the righteous." that offeud— or cause others to stumble, and them that do iniquity— The foi-mer class, as the worst, are men- tioned first. 42. waUing, &c.,— see on ch. 8. 12. 43. shine forth— as if under a cloud daring their present association with un- godly pretenders to their character, and claimants of their privileges. 47. a net—' a draw-net,' and a ' hauling ' net as distin'-;Tiish- ed from a ' casting' net; a net of the largest size, sufFeiing nothing to escape — point- ing to the wide reach and potent opera- tion of the Gospel. [Trench.] gathered of every kind— every variety ot character. 48. when fuU— The separation will not be tiU the number of the elect is accomplished, sat down — expressing the deliberateness with which the separation will be made, the bad — worthless fish, corresponding to " the tares," "the children of the wicked one." The aifterence between the two parables of this pair, besides the minuteness in detail of the Wheat and Tares, in contrast with the brief generality of the Draw Net, is that the cue gives more prominence to the present mixture ; the other to the future separation of the two classes. Third and Fourth Parables, or Second Pair: The Mustard Seed, and The Lea- VEX (v. 31-33.}, or The Growth of the kingdom, from the smallest beginnings to tdtimate universality. For the exposition of these parables, see on L. 13. 20, 21. 34. without a parable spake he not— i. e. on this occasion, refraining not only from all naked discourse, but even from all interpretation in public of these parables. 35. in parables things kept secret, &c.— Though the Psalm here quoted (Ps. 78.) seems to contain only a summary of Israehtish history, the Psalmist himself calls it "a parable" and "dark sayings of old," as containing, underneath the history, truths for all time not fuily brought to Ught till the Gospel-day. 13. cf the hidden treasure, tfrc Fifth and Sixth Parables, or Third Pair: The Hidden Treasure and The Pearl of Great Price {v. 44-46.^. or The priceless value of the blessinns of the Kinndom. The one parable represents the kingdom faund ivithout seeking; the other, thekm^domsought and found. 44. treasiire hid in a field— no un- common thing in unsettled and half-civiUzed countries, even now as well as in ancient times, when there was no other way of se- curing it from the rapacity of neighl)ours or marauders, (Jer. 41. 8; Job 3. 21; Pr. 2. 4.). a man that found— i. e. unexpectedly, for joy thereof, &c.— perceiving what a treasure he had found, passing the wortli of all he pos- sessed, buyeth that field— in which case, the treasure would^ by the Jewish law, become his own. In the other parable, the " one pearl of great price" is not found by acci- dent; it is found by "a merchant-manj" whose business is to " seek goodly pearls; it is found in the way of seeking just for such treasures. But in tliis case, as in the othtw", it is seen to be of surpassing value, and aU is parted with for it. The truths taught in these captivating parables are the following: (1.) The ble^xings of Christ's kingdom are of incomparable value. (2.) They oidy deem tliem so who are prepared to part with all for them. (3.) Sonic find Christ withotd seeking him; others, as the residt of Ion g and anxious search. Of the first sort Christ himself says, "I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me " iRo. 10. 20.). And such was the wo- inan of Samaria J 0.4.). Of the second sort it is said, " Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart ''^ (Jer. 29. 13. ) . Such was Na tkanael fJo. 1. 45.), (fee. Tlie calling of the Gentiles was nearly all of tlie first sort, as are the fruits of missions still in heathen lands; the dis- ciples of John, and generally "all those who in Jerusalem looked for redemption " (L. 2. 3«.i, were of the second sort, as are all nowin Christian lands reared in the knowledge of Christ, and taught to seek htm early, yet often long of finding liim. (3.i Tliose %vho find Christ v-ithout seeking him liave u.'iuMly the liveliest joy; while those who find him, after long and anvious search have usually the deepest apprehension of his value. It will be observed that the joy of discovery is only in the fonner parable; as if to express not the value set upon tlie treasure, but the unea>- pectedness of it. So, there was "more joy" over the unexpected return of the " prodigal son" than over the son who had been with his father all his days. Yet not less, nay rather more, profound is the sense of Christ's preciousness when fo\iud after lon^ and anxious search has deepened the craving df the soul after him. 52. therefore— q. d. ' WelL then.' scribe— Chri.stian teacher; so called from that well-known class amon.g the J ews ch. 23. 34.). instructed unto the kingdom of heaven— himself taught and trained in the mysteries of the Gospel, bringeth forth — ■ dealeth out.' treasure— storehouse, things new and old— old truths in ever new forms and applications, and with ever new illustra- tions. 5x-56. his own country —Nazareth. whence this wisdom? carpenter's son? ld, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Ha\'e mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him. saying, iSeud her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, « I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, lx)rd, help me! 26 But he ansAvered and said. It ia not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to " dogs. 27 And she said. Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that ver^ hour. 20 H And "Jesus departed trom thence, and came nigh "'unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 00 And "great multitudes came unto him, having with them tJtose tluxt were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' leet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they gtoiified the God of Israel. 32 ^ Then i* Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, 1 * have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and 1 will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 33 And " his disciples say unto him. Whence should we have so much bread in the w ilderuess as to till so great a multi- tude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. Discovrsc o n ceremon ial vollu tion. flLVl''.l.'llE\V, XIV. XV. Miracles of Ixea linrf, cfff.' These particulars of the hvmnn his*-oiT ofi to drink in everv thins he said, and -with ad- our Lord are the most vahiahle testimony niirable plainness, pithiness, and brevity not only to his perfect humanity, but to the lays down the great principle of real poUu- divine character of his whole rnisnpn. his tion. by wliidi a world of bondage and un- hrethren ... his sisters— Either l.i/«Uoro«/wrs easiness of conscience would be dissipated and siders; or (•-'.) s'tv-hrothers and sisters, \ia a moment, and the sense of sin be re- children of Joseph hy a former marriage ; or. served for deviations from the holy and (3.) coiisins, according to a common way of eternal law of God. 12. the Fharisees, &c. speaking amon? the Jews, for the second —they gav6 vent to their irritation, and opinion there is no ^ound but a vasrue tra- perhaps threat.s, not to our Lord him .-elf, dition, probably arising from tlie wish for I from whom they seem to have slunk away, some such exidanation. Tlie first opinion i but to some of the disciples, who report it to .suits the text best in all the places ; but as it | their Waster. 13. ' They are ofiended, are they? Heed it not; their corrupt teaching is already doomed; the Garden ol the Loid upon earth shall ^-et be purged of them and their system; yea and v.hatsoever is not uf " my Father, the Husbandman" (J. 15 i t.}. 14 Striking expression ol the ruinous effects ol erroneous teaching ! 16. Sloumeas of spiri- tual avvrchension grieves the Saviour. 17-20. How searching is this ! As notliing outward can defile, so neither can it sanetify, of iiaeli —as the Church of Eome teaches that sacra- ments do of themselves: But all the evil that is in tlte heart, that is allowed to rise up in thought and affection, and that flows forth in voluntary action— that is defiling. How appalling is tjie black catalogue here given, (and even more minutely in Mark], of the heart's depravities ! 21-28. The SYPvOPHENiciANWoiyiAii See on ]Mk. 7. 24-so. 29-30. MIRACLE3 OF HeaLING — FOUK, Thousand Fed. 29. a mountain— the moun- tain-range bounding the lake on the north- east, in Decapolis. See ilk. 7. 31. 30. casi them down at Jesus' feet—' a graphic descrip- tion of their appeal to his compassion and reliance on lii s power ' [ W. & W.] 31. maimed whole — The word "maimed" probably means here, not * mutilated,' but ' deformed:' Jesus restored them, glorifieii the God of Israel— thty saw in these glorious miracles, with delight and thanksgiving, an evidence that the God of their fathers, after long is difficult to account for our Lord's com-' mitting his mothei- to John, if he had full brothers of his own then living, many of the best interpreters prefer the third opinion Still it is not to be doubted tmt our Lord might have reasons for appointing the be- loved disciple the adopted son of his doubly widowed mother, in preference even to ful brothers of his own. 57. fc^ee on L. 4. 24 58. did not manv mighty works— "save that lie laid his hands on a few sick iolk, and healed them" 'Mk. c. .5.). , _ CHT AFTER XIV. Ver. 1-12. Hekod Thinks Jestts a Ee- HTJRRECTION' OF THE MURDEBED E.^PTIST— Account os- His Death. See on JVIk. 6. 14-30. 15-21. Five Thousand Miraculously Fed. See on Jo. 6. i-i 3. 22-23. Jesus Walks on the Sea. See on J. 6. 14-21. 34-36. Incidents on Landing, v. M. land of Gennesaret — from which the lake sometimes takes its name, stretching .-i-lon - its western shore. Capernaum was his land- ing-place, J. 6. 24, 25. 35,36. SeeMk's. more graphic narrative, ch. 6. 54-56. Our Lord's l.opularity was now at its height. CHAPTER XV. Ver. 1-20. Discourse on Ceremoniai. Pollution. 1. Scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem— As our Lord did not attend that Passover which was "nigh at hand" when . hefedthefive thousand I J. 6. 4.J— on account I silence and apparent distance, had anew of the plots against his life which were hatching in Judea J. 7. 1.)— but "walked in GaUlee, where his influence was daily in visited his people," L. 7. 16. 32. I have compassion— an expression of that deep emo- tion in the Redeemers heart which always creasin .'these rulers followed him north preceded some remarkable interposition (Mk. 7. 1.), expressly to watch, and if possible ' '■ ' '^' "^ " ^•- "" ".a,,. . .. give him a check. 2. wash not when they eat— !See on JNIk. 7. 2-4. 3. ye also transgress— The charge is retorted with startling power. * The tradition they tran.sgress is but man's, and is itself the occasion of heavy transgres- sion, undermining the authority of Gods law: 5,6. but ye say, Urk 9. 12. % ch. 14. 3. I Lu. 9. 37. »» Mar. 11. 23. Lu 17.6. »»ch. 16.21, Mark !<.31. Lu. 9. 22. Lu. 18. 31. Lu. 24.6.7. Mark 9, 33. 1 didrachma, ID value fifteen- pence. P Mar. 12 17. 1 Cor. 10. 32. 2 Or, a luo 2s 6d. after 63. the ounce. iPs. 131.2. Mar. 10.14. Lu. \». 16. 1 Cor. 14. 2eu. 5. 17. 9 ch. 15. 4. r Lev. 19. 18. Kom. 13. 9. G»l. 5. 14. Jam. 2. 8. « Lu. 12. 33. Lu. 16. 9. Acts 2. 45. Acts 4. 34. . 1 Ti. 6. 18. t 1 Cor. 1.26. 1 Tim. 6.9. u Gen. 18.14. Job 42. 2. Jer. 32. 17. Zech. 8. 6. V Mar. 10.28. «'X)eu.33.9. eh. 4. 20. Lu. 5. 11. * 2 Cor. 5. 17. Kcv. 2. 26, Sch. 20. 16. Mar. 10.31, and there are some eimuchs, which were made eunuchs of men; and * there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. 13 IT Then ' were there brought unto him little children, that he should put Ais hands on them, and pray: and the disciples re- buked them. 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; fot of"* such is the kingdom of heaven. 13 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. 16 TT And, behold, one came and said unto him, " Good Master, what " good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him. Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, tJuit is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him. Which? Jesus said. Thou P Shalt do no mm-der. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour 9 thy father and thy mother; and, ''Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him. If thou wilt be perfect, * go tt»id sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 H Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you. That * a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto yon, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them. With men this is impossible; but with " God all things are possible. 27 % Then " answered Peter and said unto him. Behold, "■ we have forsaken all, and followed thee ; what shall we have there- fore? 28 And Jesus said unto them. Verily I say unto you. That ye which have followed me, in * the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his gloiT, ^ ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for niv name's sake, shall receive an hundred- fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But * many tliat are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. CHAPTEll XX. 1 Of the labourers m the vineucird. 17 Christ foreUlleth his passioin 2U Teachcth his disci fles to be lowly t W and giveth sight to two bUud men, "r"OK the kingdom of heaven is like unto ■* a man lliat is an householder, which Final dcparlurc from Ccdilec. MATTHEW, XIS, XX. The rnrahle of the la'mircrs, etc. and make reparation for it, you have done more service to him tlian even justice to your- self.(2.] If this fail, take two ortnree to w itness how just your complaint is, and how broth- erly your spirit in dealing with him. (3.) If this fail, bring him before the Church, to which both own subjection. (4.) If this fail, regard him as no longer a brother Christian, but as one " without," as the Jews did Gen- tiles and Publicans. 18. See on ch. 16. 19, and J. 20. 23. 19, 20. \Miat precious en- couragement to united prayer! Observe the connexion of the two verses. ISvo or three met in Jesus' name are assured that tl:ey have Him in the midst of them; and this secures that "Hw Father in heaven will" do for them what they " agree to ask." Ob- serve also the answer "in heaven" to the asking "'on ea?-Wi."— Jesus being the link of connexion, the living Conductor of the prayer upward, and the answer downward I 21. Peter . . . Lord, how oft shall my brother —In the recent dispute, Peter had probably been an object of special en'^'y, and his for- wardness in continually answering for all the rest would likely be cast up to him, (by Judas? notwithstanding Ids Master's commendations. And as such insinuations had been made once and again, he wished to know how often and how long he was to bear it. 22. seventy times seven— As long as needed; i. e. never coming to the point of refusal when sincerely asked. See on L. 17. 3. 4. 23. Therefore— Q. d. 'in reference to this matter.' take account of his servants— 'overhaul the accounts of his revenue-col- lectors.' 24. ten thousand talents— if of silver, equal to the revenue of a province; much more if gold. 25. sold— See Marg. and Le. 25. 39. 26. fell down . . . worshipped, &c. — This is just an aclmowledgment of the jus- tice of tlie claim against hirn, and a piteous impl oration of mercy. 27. Payment being hopeless and the case desperate, the Master (1.1 is "moved with compas.sion;" ,2.) libe- rates Ms debtor from prison; 3. cancels the debt— freely. 28. one of liis feUow-servants— Jlark the different footing of these two Irom that of Master and servant— which was the other case. See v. 33. an hundred pence— a proportion to the other of about one to a hundred, took by throat— thrusting the hand between the upper part of a close-fitting tunic and the throat, and so griping him. [w. & \v.] pay, &c.— Mark the mercilessness even of the tone. 29. The same words which, from his own lips, drew compassion from his ]\laster. 31. This expresses their sense of the intolerable injustice and impudence of the act, in one so recently laid imder the heaviest obligations to their common mas- ter. 34. tormentors- more than j«t/ers— de- noting additional severity. 35. So likewise, &c.— in this spirit- for God cannot mistake the character of those he pardons, as men often do. In this beautiful parable, it is presupposed that God's forgiveness of us pre- cedes our forgiveness of each other, begets the forgiving disposition in us, and furnishes the grand model of mercy which we are to copy. See ch. <;. 15. CHAPTER XIX. Ver. 1-12. PiNAL Departtjke from Galilee — Divorce. 1. departed — but a considerable time elapsed between the events of ch. 18. and those of this chapter. iL. 9. 61 to 18. 14; J. 7. 2-10, 40.). beyond Jordan— on the E. side. 3. put away ... for every cause— See on ch. 5. 31, 32. IVo rival JewLsh schools were divided on this question —a delicate one in Herod Antipas' domin- ions De W.). 4-6. Jesus sends them back to the original constitution of man as one pair, a male and a female; to their marriage, as such, by divine appointment; and to the purpose of God, expressed by the sacred historian, that in all time one man and one woman should by marriage become one flesh, i. e. so long as both are in the flesh. ITiis being God's constitution, let not man break it up by causeless divorces. 8. Moses— as a civil lav:giver. for— 'having respect to.' the hardness, fcc— their low moral state, their inability to endure the strictness of the original law. F^iffered— tolerated a relasation.of the strictne^-s of the marriage bond: not in approbation of it, but to prevent still greater evils, but from the beginning, izc. — this is repeated to enforce the temporary and civil nature of this INIosaic relaxation. 10. If, . He that is able, izc.—' who feels it to be his own vo- cation, let him embrace it— i. e. he only. Thus, all is free in this matter. 13-15. Little Children Brought to Christ. See on L. 18. 15-17. 16-30. The EiCH Young Euler. See on L. 18. 18-30. CHAPTER XX. Ver. 1-16. The Parable of theLabottr- ERS in the Vineyard. 1. For, (tc— This parable is closely connected with the close of ch. 19, being spoken with reference to Peter's question, how it should fare with those who. Like himself, had left all for Christ. It is designed to show that while they would be richly rewarded, a certain equity would still be observed towards later converts and workmen in his service, early in the morning- At vintage time labour was scarce and masters were obhged to be early in the market to secure it. Perhaps the pressing nature of the work of the Gospel, and the comparative paucity of labourers, may be incidentally suggested, ch. 9. 37, 38. [W. & W.J labourers— first, the official ser- vants of the Church, and next, all the ser- vants of Christ, considered as lying under an obligation to engage in the work of His kingdom. 2. penny— a usual day's liire. 3. third hour— after a tourth of the working-day had expired, whatsoever is right— a. e. in Eroportion to their time. 6. the eleventh our— a most unusual time of day both to offer and engage. 7. No man hired us— Of course they had not been there at the pro- per time. But as they were now willing, they also are engaged, and on similar terms. 8. even— the reckoning-time with servants, Deu. ^4 1.5, pointing to the day of flniu ac- count, his steward—" Christ as a Son over his own house," Heb. 3. 6; M. 11. 27; J. 3. 35' 5. 27. beginning from the last— the last hired the first paid. Here is support against de- spair to those who, reading the encourage- Of the Uihourers m the vincj/rrrd. MATTHEW. XXI. CJirist's entry ivto Jnifsnlcm. went out early in the morning to hire laboinvrs into his vineyard. 2 And when Jie had as,Teed with the labourers for a i penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle iu the market-place, 4 And said unto them. Go ye also into the vinevard, and whatsoever is right I will give jou. And they went their way. 5 Again he went ont about the sLx.th and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and I'ound otliers standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him. Because no man hath hired us. lie saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when " even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward. Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last mito the first. 9 And when they came that wtre hired about the eleventh hour, they received eveij man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they munnured against the goodman of the bouse, 12 Saying, These last 2 have wrought hut one hour, and thou hast made thtm equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and Baid, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou asree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give mito this last even as unto thee. 15 Is 6 it not la'ivfiil for me to do what I will with mine owa'i 'Is thine eye evil, be- cause lam good? 16 So ''the last shall be first, and the first last: * for many be called, but few chosen. 17 H And /Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, » we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, ly And ''shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. 2011 Then ch. 25. 34. 9 Lu. 22. 24. 1 I'ct. 5. 3. U. Mark 9. 35. Mark 10.43. t ch. 18. 4. « John 13. 4. Phil. 2. 7. V Lu. 22 27. John 13.14. tv la. 53. 10. Dan. 9. 24. Johnll.51. 1 Tim. 2.6. Tit. 2. 14. 1 Pet.1.19. ' ch. 2ti. 23. Kom. 5. 15. Heb. 9. 28. y Mar. 10.16 Lu. 18. 35. s cb. 9. 27. a Pa. 146. 8. Heb. 4. 15. »ch. CHAP. 21. a Mark 11.1. Lu. 19. 29. 6 Zech. 14. 4. c Ps. 24. 1. d 2 Cor. 8. 9. e 1 Kin. 1.33. Is. 62. 11. Zech. 9. 9. /Mark 11.4. a 2 Ki. 8. 13. A I-uv. 23.40, John 12.13. i Ps. 1 10. 25. / ch. 23. 39. drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized witli the baptism that L am baptized with: but to sit on my ri^ht hand, and on my left, is not mine to P give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And ' when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 13ut Jesus called them unto him, and said. Ye know that the jjiinces of the Gen- tiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 2G But ''it shall not be so among you: but whosoever *will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And * whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even " as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, " but to minister, and to '* give his life a ransom '^ for many. 29 H And S'as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30 And, behold, ''two blind men sitting by the way-side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying. Have mercy on us, Lord, thou son of David ! 31 And the multitude rebuked them, be- cause they shuuld hold their peace : but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy en us, O Lord, thoii son of David! 32 And Je-sus stood still, and called them, and said. What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33 They say unto him. Lord, that our eyea may be opened. 34 So Jesus had " compassion on them, and touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. CHAPTER XXI. 1 Christ rideth into Jerusalem wfon an ess: 12 drivetk the buyers and sellers out of the (emj'le: 18 curseth the Jig tree. 2a JfarabU of the two sons: 33 of the husbandmen. A KD "when they drew nigh unto J era- ■'^ salcm, and were come to Bethphage, unto * the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them. Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them., and bring them unto me. 3 And if any »nan say ought unto you, ye shall say. The ' Lord hath Eesurrec- TION. See on Mk. 10. 32, and L. 18. 31-.'i4. 20-28. AJMBITIOUS KEQUE.ST OF ZEBEDEE'S Children, and the Eeply. See on Alk. 10. 35-45. 29-34. Two Blind Men Healed. See on L. 18. 35-43. CHAPTER XXI. Ver. 1-11. Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. This grand and impos- ing scene is recorded by all the evanselists, 1). 1-3. See on L. 19. 29-31. 4, 5. daughter of Zion— the members of the Church, as we should. say, by a beautiful figure, as being the osj'spring of Zion's ordinances, thy King- magnificent regal title of Messiah: cf. Ps. 2. 6, " I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion." meek— entering the city with royal autliority, yet waiving, during his humbled state, all the external grandeur that shall yet accompany tl.at royalty, an ass and colt— used by magistrates and persons of distinction, Ju. 5. 10; 10. 4; 12. 14, but only on peaceful occasions. The Lord sat on the focd, (Mk. 13 11. 7; L. 19. 35.), the mother accompanying. 8. a very great multitude— " that were come to the fea.st (of the passover:, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem" {J. 12. 12.1, which they woidd do from those who had gone to Bethany, to see Lazarus whom he had raised i J. 12. 9.), and the re- port of whose resurrection, in the immediate neighbourhood, woidd set the whole city astir. This multitude "went forth to meet Him" (J. 12. 13, 18.'. spread, &c.-this was expressly to do him royal honour, 2 Ki. 9. 13. 9. went before . . . followed — This arrange- ment, of one company before and another behind, was doubtless intentional, to make it a state-procession. Hosanna, Arc— See on L. 19. 37, 38. 10, 11. Who is this ? — naturally suggested by the advancing crowd, the prophet— in the sense, probably of J. 6. 14, 15. 12 - 17. Second Cleansing of the Temple, and other Transactions the Same Day. 12, 13. See on L. 19. 45, 46. 14. These miracles, in the very temple-court from which the money-changers had been cleared out, would set a divine seal on that act of mysterious authority. 15, 16. chil- dren crying, &c. — the prolonged echo of the popular acclamations on his triumphal entry, but drawn forth anew from these children, on witnessing what doubtless filled their unsophisticated minds with wonder and admiration. Hearest thou — stung, most of all,'by this novel testimony to Jesus, as showing to what depths his popularity was reachin" down, and from the mysterious effect of siirn voices upon the human spirit. Have ye never read, &c. — This psalm is re- peatedly referred to as prophetic of Christ. The testimony he would receive from " babes "—a v«ry remarkable feature of the prophecy, though here fulfilled UteraUy— reaches deeper see M. 11. 25. ; as is the case with other prophecies of Christ. 18-22. The Barren Pig-Tree Cursed, AND Lesson from It. See on Mk. ll. 12- 14, 20-26. 23-32. The Authority of Jesus Ques- tioned. —His Reply. 'Now commences that series of parables and discourses of our Lord \nth his enemies, in which He deve- lopes, more completely than ever before, His hostility to their hypocrisy and iniquity: —and so they are stirred up to compass Ids death.' [AlfJ 23—27. See on L. 20. 1-8. 28. two sons— From the application of this parable, v. 31, 32, it is plain that the ^rs^ son means that class of men to which "the pub- licans and the harlots" belonged, and the second that of '"the chief priests and the elders of the people" [v. 23.', whom He was addressing. Go work in my vineyard— a strik- ing evidence of the vracticul character and aim of all true religion, as a " bringing forth Iruit unto God." 29. I will not— 'The rude- ness oi the answer, and the total absence of any attempt to excuse his disobedience, are both characteristic, representing careless, reckless sinners' [Trench.], 'who di.^^obey God to his face.' fAxF.] afterv/ard repented and went— See on v. 31, 32. 30. I, sir— The em- phatic "I" is meant to denote the self- righteous " God, 1 thank thee that I am not as other men," (L. 18. 11.). and went not— He did not "afterwards repent" and re- fuse : there was in this case no intention to go. For the class intended "said and did not" (ch. 23. 3.)— 'a falseness more abominable C TTie priests and elders rehul-ed. MATTHEW, XXIL ParaUe of the hvsband/nen. 10 II And * when he was come iuto Jenisa- lem. all the city was moved, sajing, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the' prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 12 H And "Jesus went into the temnle of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the " money-changers, aud the 8e«ts of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, "My house shall be called the house of praj'er; but^ ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And ' the blind and the Lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crjing in the temple, and say- ing, llosanna to ''the son of l)and; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto hitn, Ilearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea ; have ye never read, * Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 17 And he left them, and went out of the city into * Bethany ; and he lodged there. 18 V Now in the morning, as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19 And when he saw i a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it. Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the tig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the tig tree withered away! 21 Jesus answered and said nnto them. Verily I say unto you, " If ye l^ve faith, and " doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the tig tree, *" but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And * all things, whatsojever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 23 IF And " when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teach- ing, and *said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And "Jesus answered and said nnto them, 1 also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, 1 in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying. If we shall say. From heaven ; he will say unto us. Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people ; * for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and said. We cannot tell. And he said unto them. Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 28 IT But what think ye? A certain man had two sons ; and he came to the first, and said, 8on, go work to-day in mv vineyard. 2S» He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said Ukeivise. And he answered and said, I go, Bir; and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They sa\ uuto him, The first. CHAP. 21. *JVI»r. 11.15. Lu. 19. 46. Johnl2.13. I John 6. 14. m John 2AR. n Ueu. 14.25. Is. 56. 7. P Jer. 7. 11. q Is. 36. 5. ru. 11. 1. 8 Ps. 8. 2. t Mar. 11.11. John 11. 18. 1 one fig- L\>. » J(i l.G. «< 1 C..r.l3.2, «ch. 7. 7. Lu 11. 9. Jam. 5. 15, 1 John 3. 22. 1 John a. * E.^. 2. l-t Acts 4. 7. Att3 7. 27. a Job 5. 13. 6ch. 14.5. Mark 6. 21). c Lu. 7. 29. d ch 3. 1. « Lu. 3 12. / Ps 80. 9. S.ine 8. 11. ch. 5. 12. ch. 2!. 34. Acts 7 52. 1 Thc3.2 16. neb. 11.36. ;■ Gal. 4. 4. * Ps. 2. 8. Hcb. 1. 2. I Ps. 2. 2. John 11. 63. Acts 4. 27 "• Acts 2. 23. n Lu.20. 16. " Deu. 4. 26. Lu. 21 24. Hob. 2. 3. P Acts 13.46. Kom! 10.1. Kom. 11.1. 9 Ps 113. 22. Is. 28. 16. Mar. 12.10. Acts 4. 11. £l.h. 2. 20. 1 Pet.2C.7. r 1 Tim.3.16. Sch. 8. 12. ( Is. 8. 14. Zech. 12. 3. « Is. CO. 12. Dan. 2. 44. f Lu. 7. 16. John 7. 40. CHAP. 22. a Lu. 14. 16. IUv.19.7,9. 6 Pro.. 9 2. e Pb. 81. 11. Jesus saith unto them, * Verily 1 sav unto you. That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For ''John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but ' the publicans .and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not aften,\'ard, that ye might believe him. 33 IT Hear another parable: There w.as a certain householder, /which planted a \'ineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, aiid let it out to husbandmen, and ^ went into a far country: 34 And when the time of the frait drew near, he sent his servants to the husband- men, '« that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And 'the husbandmen took his ser- vants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first; and they did vuito them likewLse. 37 But last of all i he sent unto them his son, sa>ing. They will reverence my son. 38 But when tne husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, *This is the heir; ' come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And "• they caught him, and cast him out of the ^^neyard. and slew him. 40 When the Lord therefore of the vine- yard cometh, what will he do mito those husbandmen? 41 They *» say unto him, ' He will miser- ably destroy those wicked men, ^ and will let out his vineyard unto other husband- men, which shall render him the tiuits iu their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, 'Did ye never read in the Scriptures. The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the comer : this is the L». 9 T%e calling of the Oentiles. U The' wedding garment. "Jl Tribute ought to be paid to Cesar. 23 Christ silenceth the Sadducees. A ND Jesus answered "and spake unto ■'^ them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto j certain king, which made a marriage foj his son, 3 Aud sent forth his sen'ants to call them that were bidtlen to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other sen'ants, sajiug. Tell them which are bidden, Be- hold, I have prepared my dinner: * my o.\en and mi/ fallings are killed, and all things are ready: come uuto the mar. riage. 6 But they * made light of it, and went rarable oftJie mnrrlafjs MATTHEW. XXU, XXHI. of Uie Icing's son, etc. tlinn any ' I Avill not.' [Stier.] 31. jubli- sion of the Spirit, to wliich the parable could cans and harlots go— are even now entering in not directly allude; in the strictest sense \vhile ye hold cJack. 32. John came— The , when 'all thingswere ready' seel Cor. 5.7,8; father's call to his two sons is here represented [ J. 6. 51.). 6, 6. Two classes of despisers, the as given by the Baptist; implying that the cri- indifferent and the hostile— scorners and per- minality of rejecting Himself was hut a re- 1 secutors. 7. Ms armies— the Eomans; just as petition of their prior conduct in the case the 'Assyrian' is styled 'the rod of God's of John, in the way of righteousness— i.e. cal- anger,' Is. 10. 5. their city— Jeru.salem, no ling you to repentance; as Koah is styled " a longer ' the city of the Great King.' So He preacher of rii;hteousness " (2 Pe. 2. 5.), when now calls the temple ' your house,' ch. 23. 38, he warned the old world, like the Baptist, to , [Tkench.] 8. not worthy—' they robbed Him "flee from the -wrath to come." believed him of the honour of being gracious to them, they did not reject him, but would not re- 1 and bestowing salvation upon them. See ■ ' ~' ' the fulfilment, A. 13. 46,' [Stier,] and a be- ceive his testimony to Jesus, (see v. 25 publicans and harlots believed him — L. 3. 12; 7. 29— and hastened to Jesus, ;L. 7. 37; 15. 1; | <^-''.) when ye had seen, rei^ented not, er,'L. 14. 15. &:c.) 1. acer- guests— Solemn expression of that omniscient tain king . . . marriage for his son— 'See ho\v \vnspection of every professed disciple of the the Lord is revealing himself in ever clearer | Lord Jesus, even now, in virtue of which light as the central Person of the kingdom, i his true character wiU hereafter be judici- giving here a far plainer hint than in the ally proclaimed ! a man— Tliis shows that last parable of the nobility of his descent, lit is tne judument of inc/irif/tmZswhichis in- There he was indeed the son, the only and I tended in this latter part of the parable: the beloved one (Mk. 12. 6.), of the householder; first part represents rather national judg- but here his race is royal, and he ai)pears as himself at once the king and the king's son. (I's. 72. 1.) The last was a parable of the O. T. history ; and Christ is rather the last and greatest of the line of its prophets and teachers than the founder of a new kingdom. In that, God appears demajiding something from men; in this, a parable of grace, God appears more as giving something to them. Thus, as often, the two complete each other; this taking up the matter where the ment. a wedding -garment— The language is drawn from a remarkable passage in Zeph. 1. 7, 8. The custom in the east of pre- senting festival-garments Ge. 45. 22; 2 Ki. 5. 22.), even though not clearly proved, is cer- tainly presupposed here. It means 'that righteousness out of and above us, in Clirist, "the Lord our righteousness," which by the appropriative and assimilative power of faith we also make ours — ''putting on the Lord Jesus."' [Trench.] As the king clothes other left it.' [Trench.] a marriage for his ■ his guests, and the bridegroom his bride son— The marriage of Jehovah to his people | iPs. 45. 10.), so does God himself clothe us Israel was familiar to Jewish ears ; and iu | with the robe of righteousness and the gar- Ps. 45, this marriacre is seen consummated in ment of salvation. (Is. 61. 10.) IFe may and the Person of Messiah ' the King,' hhnseU . ought, ichen lie calls, to come a.s we are: a-idressed as ' God ' and yet as anointed by : but we may not, if we tcoidd see His face and * His God' with the oil of gladne-ss above his jeijjoy his last feast, rejiain as we are.' fe'Jows" iv. 6.). These apparent contradic- [Stier.] And see 2 Cor. 5. 3. 12. speech- tories (see on L. 20. 41-44.) are resolved in less— being self -condemned. 13. servants— tlus parable; and Jesus, claiming to te | angels, ch. 13. 39, 41. outer darkness, -tes from the heathen— that they had ' come under the wings of the Sheclu- nah.' [ScHCETTGEN in !Mey.] For this last word, see on v. 38. how often— not, surely, during the six or seven times merely that he visited and taught in Jerusalem while on earth— that would be against the whole spirit of this appeal. It points to "the prophets" whom they "killed," to "them that were sent unto her, "whom they "stoned;" for, says Peter, it was " the Spirit of Christ which was in them that did testify before- hand the sufferings of Christ and the follow- ing glories" (1 Pe. 1. 11.). He it was that "sent unto them all his servants the pro .. phets, rising early and sending them, sajing, pleading with men, bleeding for them, and Oh donot that abominable thing thatlhater ascending only to open his arms to them and (Je. 44. 4.) ' In his divine and eternal natur win them back by the power of this story of matchless love, that has conquered the world, that wiU yet " draw aU men unto Him," and beautify and ennoble Humanity itself ! Jerusalem— not the mere city or its in- habitants, nor as the metropolis of the ruition merely, but as the centre of their re- lUjious life, "the city of their solemnities," " whither the tribes went up " to worship, and at this veiy moment full of them. It is the whole visible family of God, then, that is here apostrupliized, by a name dear to 20 nature He was the Prophet of the prophets.' [Olsh.] But see on v. 38. and ye wovJd not— (See JSe. 9. 26; Ps. 81. 11, 13; Is. 28. 12; 30. 8, 9, 15; 49. 4; 53. 1; 6. 9, 10. with J. 12. 37-41). my.ste- rious word ! mysterious the resistance of such i)atient Love— mysterious the liberty of self-undoing ! The awful dignity of the vyill, as here expressed, might make the ears to tingle. But though if we "will not come ('have not the will to come') unto Him that we may have life," we die, yet it is "God that worketh in us, of his own good pleasure, both and rJiarisees denwvccd. MATTIIEAV, XXIV. De^tnidion of Janisalnn farctold. 12 And /whosoever sliall exalt himstll shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13 H But * woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of Leaven against men : tor ye neither go in yourselves, neither sutler ye them that are enterins,' to go in. li Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ' for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer : therefore ye shall receive the greater dam- nation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte ; and when he is made, ye make hnn two-fold more the child of hell than yourselves. 16 Woe unto you, *" ve blind guides, which say, " Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools, and blind! for whether is greater, the gold, " or the temple that sanc- titieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is i guilty. 19 Ye fools, and blind! for whether is greater, the gill, or i' the altar that sancti- fieth the gifti 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, Bweareth by it, and by « him that dwelleth therein. '/J An{l he that shall swear by heaven, Bweareth by ''the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! * for ye pay tithe of mint and 2 anise and cummin, and 'have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judg- ment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! "for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are lull of extortion and excess. 26 77iou, blind Pharisee, cleanse lirst that which " is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ■"" for ^e are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Kven so ye also outwardly appear righ- teous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say. If we had been in the days of our lathers, we would r.ot have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto your- selves, tliat ''ye are the childien of them which killed the proplk-ts. 32 i'ill * ye up then the measure of your fathers. 36 Ye serpents, ye ' generation of vipers, CHAi". 23. /Fro. 15.33. Pro. m. 23. Dan. 4. 37. 1 ret. 6. 5, k Lu. 11 r.2. I Eze. 22. 25. 2Tiin. 3.0. Tit. 1. 11. m Is. 58. 10. ch. 15. 11. n cli. 5. 33. Ex. 3U. 29. 1 Or, debtor, or, bound. P Ex. 29. 37. 3 1 Ki. 8 13. 2 Chr. 6. 2. Pa. 26. 8. P3. r ch. 5. 34. Pa. 11. 4. Acta 7. 49. « Lu. 11. 42. 2 anethon, Acta 23. 3. Acts 7. 61. 1 Theas. 2. lo. » ch. 12. 34. « ch. 21. 34. i Acta 5. 40. Acta 7. 58. Acts 22.19. c 2 Cor. a. 24. •I Key. 18.24. « Gen. 4. 8. 1 John 3. /•Deu. 32.11. g Pro. 1. 2B. A Pa. 118. 26. ch. 21. 9. CHAP. 24. a fliark 13 1. Lu 21.5. b 1 Kin. 9. 7. Jer. 5. 10. J or. 26. 18. Mic. 3. 12. Lu. 19. 44. 1 Thoa. 6.1. d Eph. 5. 6. 2 Tho8.2.3. 1 John 4.1. « Jer. 14. 14. Jer. 23. 21. John 5. 43. / I«. 19. 2. Hiig. 2. 22. i;ech.l4.13. g Acta 4. 2.3. Acts 7. 59. Acts 12. 1. h 2 Ti..l. 15. i Arts tSl.^y. 2 Cor. 11. 13. 2 Pet. 2. 1. J 1 Tim. 4.1. k Heb. 3. 0. 1 Horn. 10.18. m D.-iu. 9.27. l^au.ia.U. how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, " behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some * of them ye shall kill and crucify; and " some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute thtm from city to city: 35 that o.vii.8.7.). 30. 23-32; Ze. 4.2, 12; A. 10. 38; Heb. I. 9.). 8. sat upou the Mount of Olives— On their way I lu fact having no oil provided iu the vessels to xvill and to do," in " working out our o^vn salvation" (Ph. 2. 12, 13.). 38. your house- beyond all reasonable doubt, the Temple ; their house now, not the Lord's. See on ch. 22. 7. desolate—' deserted ' i e. bereft of its di- vihe Inhabitant. Wlio is He ? Hear the next words. 39. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see ME henceforth— What ! Does Jesus mean that He v/as Himself the Lord of the temple, and that it became " deserted " when He finally left it? It is even so. Now is thy fate sealed, O Jenisalem, for the glory is departed from it ! Tfuit glory, once visible in the holy of holies, over the mercy-seat, when on the day of atonement the blood of t.ypical expiation was sprinkled on it and in front of it— called by the Jews the Shechinah, or the Dwdling, as being the visible pavilion of Jehovah— that alory, which Isaiah (ch. 6.) saw in vision, the beloved disciple says was the glory of Christ (J. 12. 41.). Though it was never visible in the second temple, Haggai fore- told that "the glory of that latter house shoidd be greater than of the former," (ch. 2. 9,) be- cause " the Lord whom they sought was sud- denly to come to his temple," (Mai. 3. 1,) not in a mere bright cloud, but enshrined in living Humanity! Yet brief as well as "sudden" was the manifestation to be; for the words He was now uttering were to be his very last within its precincts, till ye shall say. Blessed, &c.— -i.e. till the "Hosannas" with which the midtitude had welcomed him into the city, instead of " sore tlispleas- ing " the " chief priests and scribes" ch. 2i. 15,) should break forth from the whole nation, (Ze. 12. 10; Ko. 11. 20; 2 Co. 3.) CHAPTER XXTV. Ver. 1-51. Christ's Prophecy of the Dessxruction of Jerusalem, and Warn- ings TO PrepareFor His Second Coming, Suggested by It. v. 1. went out, and de- parted—or ' was in the act of departing' from the temple— taking leave of it, to return no more. 'As He withdrew, the gracious pre- sence of God left the sanctuary; and the Temple, with all its service, and the whole theocratic constitution, was given over to destruction.' [Olsh.J his disciples— "one of them," says JNIk. (13. 1.). came to show him the buildings of the temple — saying, "Master, see what manner of stones and what ■buildings!"- wondering, probably, how so massive a pile could be overthrown, as seemed implied in our Lord's last words regarding it. Josephus, who gives a minute account of the wonderful structure, speaks of stones forty cubits long (Jewish War. v. 6, 1.), and says the pillars supporting the porches were twenty-five cubits high, all of one stone, and that the whitest marble (Do. v. 6. 2.). Six days' battering at the walls, dur- ing the siege, made, no impression upon them, iDo. vi. 4, 1.). Some of the under- building, yet remaining, and other works, are probably as old as the first temple. 2. See ye not these things 1— 'Ye call my atten- tion to these tilings? I have seen them: Ye point to their massive and durable appearance; now listen to their fate.' not one stone left, lf of the Ten Virghis, MATTUEY/, XXV. of the Talents, etc. is exactly parallel to having no deepness of | inconsistent ■with the whole tenor of such earth (M. 13. 5! ; the seed si)rings np till the sun scorches it ; the lamps burn on till their oil is exliausted through the length of the bridegroom's delay. La each case there is something more than a merely external pro- fession, conscious to itself that it is nothing besides ; it is not that there was no faith, but rather that there was only that temporary faithvihich could not endure temptation nor survive delay— the christian lile in manifes- tation, but not fed from deep internal foun- tains.' 6. the bridegroom tarried— cf. A. 3. 21. "Whom, the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things ;" also L. 19. 11. Among other reasons. Christ " tar- ries" to try the faith and patience of his people, all slumhered and slept— wise virgins as well as fooUsh. The one word— expressing the sleep of persons sitting up, 'nodding,' or becoming drowsy'— denotes the first stage of spiritual letliargv: the other, signifving to 'lie down to sleep, marks a more cmvanced stage of sviritual declension consciously yielded to— cf. L. 18. 8. " When the Son of Man Cometh, shall He find faith in the earth T 6. at midnight—' That is indeed the true midnight, ■« hen even those who shoiUd be watching are asleep' [Stier.] The mean- ing is, the time when He -vvill be least ex- pected, coming "as a thief in the night," 1 Th. 5. 2. 7. all arose and trimmed— the fool- ish virgins as weU as the wise. How long do both parties seem the same— almost to the moment of decision ! 8. cur lamps are gone out— rather 'are going out;' andatwhata moment ! cf. in the parable of the Sower, (ch. 13. 21.) the thorny-ground hearers : Yet "hath he not root in himseff, but dureth forav:hile." give us ofyoiir oil— They have now at length discovered not only their own foUy, but the wisdom of the other class, and they do homage to it. Tlius will many who, if not despising the more spiritually minded, deem them " righteous over much," yet be forced, with bitter mortification, to o-rni their superiority. See Is. 60.14; Ke. 3. 9. 9. The words "not so" are not in the original, where the reply is strongly elliptical. 'In case there be not enough for us and you'— what then ? Both loill he undone. What is divine cannot be imparted by one man to another. "The just shall live by his own faith" (Ha. 2. 4. ) see Ga. 6. 4, 6 • Pi-. 9. 1 2. go rather— This merely reminds them of the proper way of obtaining the precious article, and im- plies, beneath a friendly advice, a certain reflection on them for having it now to seek, that sell, and buy— i. e. get it in the only le- gitimate way. For the language, of Pr. 23. 23; Llk. 13. 44 ; Ee. 3. 18 ; Is. 55. 1, 10, 11. while they went the bridegroom came— Tliey are sen- sible of their folly ; they have taken good advice ; they are in the act of getting what alone they lacked : a very little more, and they also are ready. But the Bridegroom comes; the ready are admitted ;—" the door is shut" (L. 13. 25 ; Ge. 7. IG.), and they are imdone. How graphic and appalling this Eicture of one almost saved— hut lost! 11. ord, Lord— see 7. 22. It is here a piteous ci-y of urgency and felt danger. Now at length they realise their past folly. 12. I know you not— The difference made by some between this and " I never knew you," in ch. 7. 23. as being milder, and impljlng a different fate, [Olsh., Siiek., AtF.J is to be resisted, as 22 laugiiage, [see Trench], and especially with the solemn moral of the whole, v. 13 : to say nothing of the danger of such criticism. Why, it may be asked, are unworthy gue-sta admitted to "the Marriage of the King'.s Son" in a former parable, (ch. 22. 8.), and the foolish virgins here excluded? In Ger- hard's words, quoted by Trench. ' Those festivities are celebrated in this life, in the church militant ; these at the . last day. in the church triumphant. To those, even they are admitted who are not adorned with the wedding-garment ; but to these, only they to whom it is granted to be arrayed in fine linen clean and white, which is the righteous- ness of saints (Eev. 19. 8.) ; to those, men are called by the trumpet of the Gospel; to these by the trumpet of the Archani;el. To those, who enters may go out from them, or be cast out ; who is once introduced to these, never goes out, nor is cast out, from them anymore: wherefore it is said, "The door is shut." • ^ 14-30. Parable or the Taxents. For the points of difference between this parable and the very similar one of The Pounds, L. 19. 11-27, see opening remarks there. 'AVliile the Virgins were represented as xcaiting for their Lord, we have the servants vorking for him : there the imcard spiritual life of the faithful was described; here hia external activity. It is not, therefore, with- out good reason that they appear in their actual order— that of the Virgins first, and of the Talents follo\nng— since it is the sole con- dition of a profitalde outward activity for the Kingdom of God, that the life of God be diligently maintained within the heart.' GCpench.] 14. travelling into a far country— t. 'going abroad.* called, &c.— Between master and slaves this was not uncommon in ancient times. Christ's "servants" here mean aU who stand in the relation to Hira of professed entire subjection. His "goods" mean all their gifts and endowments, whe- ther original or acquired, natural or spiritual. As all that slaves have belongs to their mas- ter, so Christ has a claim to everything which belongs to his people, everything wliich may be turned to good, and he cfemauds its appro- priation to his service ; or rather, they first otter it up to Him, as "not their own, but bought with a price" (1 Cor, 6. 19, 20.), and He "delivers it to them" again to be put to use in his service. 15. Five, two, one, to every one according to, &c.— The gifts diher in every servant, but the principle of distri^ h%itio7b is the same in aU. This lays the foundation for an equitable reckoning, see L. 12. 48. took his journey— cf. ch. 21. 33, where the same departure is ascribed to God after setting up the old economy ; for ' the divine visitation, after it has organized a new plan of life— lent out new capital— is always followed by a "departure," in order to a trial how men will use it : the instructive revela- tion is followed by a quite as instructive silence.' [Beck, quoted by Stier.]. 16-17. traded— 'wrought;' marking the act ii^ity and labour bestowed, other five . . . other two- each doubling what he received, and there- fore ftof/i, cquaiii/^ai^/i/MJ. 18. see on -i?. 24, 25. 19. after a long time— cf. v. 5, "tarried," and ch. 24.48, "deiayeth his coming"— ' intimat- ing that the interval would be no short one.' [ALF.J 20 22. Lord. &c.— How beautifully The paraUe of the talents. MATTHEW, XXVI. Tlie last jiuIgmenL man according to his several ability; and Etrais;htway took his journey. 1(> Then he that had received the live talents went and " traded with the same, and made thtvi other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But ne that had received one went and digged in the earth, and "hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those 8er\'ant3 cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, say- ing. Lord, thou dehveredst unto me five talents: behold, 1 have gained besides them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him. Well done, thou good and faithful sen-ajit: thou hast been faithful over a few things. Pi will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into ' the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said. Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold. I have gained two other talents besides them. 23 His lord said unto him. Well done, good and faithful sen'ant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not straw ed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast th the gift and grace of the Father: The "for" faithful as a servant; now be a ruler— tlwa which follows [V. 35.) in connexion with the hast been entrusted with a fev) things; now I works of mercy, is therefore to be under- have dominion over manij things.' the joy of I stood as an acknowledgment, by their acts, thy Lord— Thy Lord's own joy (J. 15. 11.). of the worthiness WTought in them. LBexg., 24-27. an hard man, &:c. — one whom it was Stier.] prepared from the foundation of the impossibletoserve, one whom nothing would world — In tph. 1. 4, they are said to be please; exactingwhat was impracticable, and " chosen before the foundation of the world."" dissatisfied mth what was attainable.' Thus Tlie meaning isthe same—' before time was,' ■ from everlasting.' 35. 38. an hungered . . Astonishing dialogue bet\,een the do men secretly think of God as a hard Mas ter, and virtually throw on Mm the blame of 34-40 „ _, . their fruitlessness. I was afraid— of making; King, from the throne of his glory, and his matters worse by meddling with it at all. wondering people ! " L was an hungered, and hid thy talent—' We read repeatedly of tho _ in the early Church who w?th pleas like these ye gave Me meat," &c.— ' >>ot we,' thty reply, 'We , , X, _x T _ , ,,r We never did that. Lord: We were born out —that they had enough to do with their ovvti [ of due time, and enjoyed not the privilege of souls, and were afraid of losin^' them in try- , ministering unto Thee.' 'But ye did it to ing to save others—' put back from them- these my brethren, now beside you, when selves the charges to which they were called; cast upon your love.' ' lYiith, Lord, but was and who, when they should have been the that doing it to Thee? Thy name w:'.s indeed salt of the earth, thotight rather to keep their ' dear to us, and we thou.uht it an honour too owTi saltness, by withdrawing, sometimes ' great to suffer shame for it. When among into caves and wildernesses, from all those the destitute and distressed wc discerned active ministries of love by which they might any of the household of faitli, we will not have served their brethren.' [Trench. 1 deny that our hearts leapt within us at the ■wicked— falsehearted; opposed to the "good\ discovery, and when their tap came to our servants," v. 21 and 23. slothful —Thus this , dwelling, " our bowels were moved," as servant's "wickedness" con.sisted not in I though 'our Beloved Himself had put in his his doing an}^hing against, but simply hand by tlie hole of the door." Sweet was nothing for his mader: see on v. 30. knewest the fellowship we had with tliem, as ii we that I reap, (tc— He takes the servant's own had "entertained angels unawares;" all account of his demands, as expressing graplii- difference between giver and receiver some- caUy enough, not the " hardnesi^' which he : how melted away under the beams of that had basely imputed to him, but simply his love of Thine which knit us together; nay, demand of "aproftable return for the gifts i rather, as they left us with gratitude for our entrusted.' exchangers—' bankers.' usury— \ poor givings, we seemed tlie debtors our- interest' 28-29. take ... give, Ac— See on selves, not they. But Lord, were we aU that L. 19. 24; also on M. 13.12, 30. unprofitable— time in company with Thee'r' 'Yes, that 'useless,' that does his Master no service, scene was all with Me,' replies the King- cuter darkness, oor ones. The voice in this parable, as in that of the Pounds, door shut against me by otliers was opened is, not 'Wait for your LorcL' 'Love his ap- ' by you '— " Ye took me in." Apprehended pearing,' bitt "Occupy till J came." Blessed and imprisoned liy the enemies of tlie truth, is that servant whom his Lord when He ye whom the truth had made free sought me cometh shall find, not vatcldng, &5 in a for-)outdiligentlyandfoundnie;visitin^nieinmy mer parable, but^-if orA-tngr .' 'Ioik' 31--46. The Last Judgment. nely c'ell at the risk of your o^^■nlives, and It will cheering my solitude: ye gave me a coat, for heighten' our estimation of the wonderful I shivered, and I felt warm. With cups sublimity of this description, when we re- ol cold water ye moistened my parched Ups; collect that it was spoken by the Lord on^i/j when famished with hunger ye supplied me three day s before his sujj'erings!' [Alf.I 31. Uvith crusts, f,nd my spirit revived— "Yb come in his glory— in contrast with the shame ! did it unto Me." AVhat thoughts crowd of his first coming,which was speedily to reach upon us as we listen to sucli a description of its lowest depth, all holy angels, &c. — cf. the scenes of the Last Judgment ! Lo ! He Deu. 30. 2; Da. 7. 9, 10; Jude 14; and see Heb. | casts bis entire cause in the earth upon the 1. C; 1 Pe. 3. 22. then shall He sit— the atti- love of liis people. Hisoxvn poveHv was to tudeof resTrtZandJMd iciaJ dignity and repose. '/iff ve an end, but that of his Church v:as to throne of his glory— " ffis glory " twice, with take his place. His personal conflict "fin- ntmost emphasis; the one expressing his ished," that of his cause was then only to rcr.i. 22. { John 5. 3>J. John 6 38. PhU. 2. 8. ;• Mar. 13. 33. Mar. 14. 38. Lu. 22. 40. Eph. ti. 18. k Alar. 14.43. Lu. 22. 47. John 18. 3. Acts 1. 16. 1 2 Sa. 20. 9. 3 Compau- P8.41. 9. Ps. 65. 13. n* John 18. 10. n 1 Cor.4.12. Gen. 9. G. Rev. 13.10. p2Ki.6. 17. « la 53. 7. Dan. 9. 25. rLam. 4 20. * John 18.15. t Mar. H.U3. Lu. 22 54. IKi. .10. P.. 27. 12. exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and * watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and /prayed, saying, <'0 my Father, if it be possible, '» let this cup pass from me: nevertheless »not as 1 will, but as thou ivilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saitli unto Feter, What ! could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch .;■ and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them. Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the nour isat hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. M Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 47 II And * while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of tlie twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, W homsoever 1 shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and saiil. Hail, Master! ' and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said uuto him, 3 Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And, behold, "* one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and diew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and smote otf his ear. 52 TJien said J esus unto him, " Fut up again thy swoid into his place: "for all they that take the sword shaJl peiish with th« sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pra> to my Father, and he shall presently give me Pmore than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall « the Scriptures be fuimied, that thus it must be? 55 in that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? 1 sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the '"scrip- tures of the prophets might be fultiiled. Then ' all the disciples foi-sook him, and tied. 57 IT And * they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were as- sembled. 58 But Feter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; CO But found none: yea. though " many Twralle of tlie Lad Judgment. MATTHEW, XXVI. TM Anointing at Bdhanv. self to be the Person to whom anything It is said to be " prepared for the devil and whatever is done that is done to the humblest his angels," because they were "first in aud the meanest of them. JS or let it be over looked that ' the assistance to the sick and imprisoned here is not hmling and release, which only few could render, but just that which all could render— ^iaitation, sympathy, attention. (See Ex. 2. 11; 1 Ki. 17. 10-16; Je. ;;S. 7-13; A. 16. 15; 2 Ti. 1. 16-18; 3 Jo. 6-8.).' 1 W. & W.] 41-45. ' As for you on the left liand, ye did nothing for Me. I came to you also, but ye knew me not; ye had neither warm atfections nor kind deeds to bestow upon me: I was as one despised inyonr ej'es.' 'in our eyes. Lord? We never saw Theo before, and never, sure, behaved we so to 1'liee.' * But thus ye treated these little ones that believe in me and now stand on mj right hand. In the disguise of these poor members of mine 1 came soliciting your pity, l>ut ye sliut up your bowels of compassion from me: I asked relief, but ye had none to fcive me. Take back therefore your own coldness, your own contemptuous distance: Ye bid me away from your presence, and now 1 bid you from mine— ' Depart rrom Me ye cursed!" "What claims does ' the Son of Man " here put f onvard for Himsell ! He is to come in his o-mx glory; all the holy angels are to come with him; he is to take his seat on the throne; it is the throne of his own glory; all nations are to be gathered before him; the awful separa- tion of the two great classes to bf Jlis doing; the word of decision on both— "Ye blessed !" "Ye cursed!" and the word of command to the one, ' Come !" to the other, " Depart !" — ' To the Kingdom! To the flames ! ' aU this is to be His doing. But most astonishing of aU, The blissful or the blighted eternity oj each one ofbotli classes is sus- pended upon his treatment of Hiirh— is made to turn upon those mysterious ministrations from age to age to the Lord of glory, dis- guised in the persons of those who love his name: 'Ye did thus and thus unto me — Come, ye blessed ! Ye did it not to me— Depart ye cursed ! In that " me " lies an emphasis, the strength of which only the scene itself and its everlasting issues wiU disclose. Verily, "God is Judge Himself," (Ps. 60. 6,) hut it is God in flesh. God in One who is " not ashamed to callus Brethren." And what a practical character is here stamped upon Christ's service ! It is not, ' Ye had it in your hearts,' but ' Ye did it with your hands.' It is the love of Christ in the heart rushing to the eyes, ears, hands, feet, going in search of Him, hastening to embrace and to cherish Him, as he wanders through this bleak and cheer- less world in His persecuted cause and needy people. O what has this done, and what will it yet do, to bless and to beautify this fallen world ! 46. these shall go away— these "cursed." Sentence was first pro- nounced, in the hearing of the wicked, upon the righteous, who thereupon sit as asses- sors in the jud,gment upon the wicked I Cor. 6. 2.); but sentence is first ej:ecuted, it would seem, upon the wicked, in the sight of the righteous, whose glory mt.11 thus not be be- held by the wicked, while their descent into "their own place" will be mtnessed by the righteous. [Bexg.] everlasting punishment — "everlasting fire prepared lor the Devil and his anijels," v. -ll. cf. 13. IJ; 2 Tli. 1. 9. &c.) transgression." But both have one doom, because one unholy character, life eternal— or ' everlasting:' it is the same word in both clauses. Thus the decisions of this awful day wiU be final, irreversible, unending, "The Lord grant," to both the ^vTiterandhis readers, "that they may find mercy of the Lord in that day !" (2 Tim. 1. 18.) CHAPTEK XXVI. Ver. 1-5. Our Lord's Final Announce- >rENT OF His Death, as "SVithin Two Days— Conspiracy oftheJewishAutho- RiTiES. 1. had finished all these sayings— His pitfc^w; teaching was now at an end. From his proplietical He now passes into his priestly office, though essentially aU along, " Himself took our infirmities and bare our sickness." pa.ssover . . . crucified— "By the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God," it was at the Passover-season that "Christ, our Pass- over, was to be sacrificed for us." betrayed to be cracified— the first and the last steps of his final 6ufi"erings are brought together in tins brief acnouncement of aU that was to take place. 3. then assembled— probably while announce- riiey mean, . _ , ted seven days |MuY ] ; the influx of stran'-ers at that festival beiag enormous, and in their excited stati", tli«= danger of tumult and bloodshed araon^ " the people," who owned Jesus a prophet, extreme. (See Jo^seph. Ant. xx. 6, 3.) But just at the feast-time shall it be done; the unexpected offer of Judas inducing them to get over their fears. Thus the divine counsel takes efi"ect! LBeng.] 0-13. The Anointing at Bethany. This occurrence took place " six days before the Passover," iJ. 12. l, and therefore before \\hat is related in the first five verses of this chapter. It seems to have been inserted here, in order to mention what induced Judas to carry into eflect his intention of betraying his Master, namely, the rebuke admimstered to him for his hypocritical objection to the tcaste of money in anointing our Lord. [Alf.] See V. 14, following immediately on thi.s scene, and the corresponding passages la Mk. and L. 6. in the house of Simon the lever.— But for this statement, and that of jMk. (14. 3), we should have supposed, from John's account, that the scene occurred in the house of Lazarus. Who tliis Simon was is quite unknown. But as Martha served, [Alk. L. and J.; he was probably some near relative of her family. A "leper" at that time he could not have been, while entertaining guests at his own table. But he had been one, perhaps long one, and so came to be called by no other than his old name, " Simon the leper," even after the Saviour had, by healing him, wen his heart; for there can hardly be a doubt that, having owed to Jesus both body and soul, he had, like him who delighted to call himself " Matthew the pubhcan" long after he was transformed into "an apostle of Jesus Christ," made him this supper in the fulness of a grateful heart. It was his last visit to Bethany, that quiet and loved retreat, where dwelt friends peculiarly dear to him. 7-13. See on J. 12. 2-8. 14-lG. JUDAS AGREES WITH THE CHTEP PuiEaiS TO Betray HIS Lop^d. See L. 22.3-0, Pcttr deniefh Christ. MATTIIETV, XXVIT. Cltrht is accused before Pilate. f;\lse witnesses came, yet fouml they none. At the last came "two false witnesses, 61 And said, Thisftlloiv said, '" I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and snid unto him, Answerest thou nothiiigl what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But * Jesus held his peace. And the hish priest answered and said unto him, v I adjure thee by the living God. that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him. Thou hast said: nevertheless, I say unto you, ' Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man '■* sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest * rent his clothes, s.aying. He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy, 66 What think ye? They answered and said, " He is guilty of death. 67 Then ''did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and 'others smote him with *the palms of their hands, 6S Saying, /Proyihesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? 60 IT Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying. Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, 1 know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This/eitoto was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely tiiou also art one of them ; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And imme- diately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jtsus, which said unto him. Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thi-ice. And he went out, and " wept bitterly. CHAPTER XXVII. 1 Christ delivered bound to FiUte. S Judas hangeth himself. 27 Christ is mocked. 33 cruci- Jied, S^ and reviled. 51 The astonishing events which attended his death, etc. AVHEN the morning was come, " all the ' chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against J esus to put him to death: 2 And when they had bound him, they led hira away, and '' delivered him to Pontius I'ilate the governor, o H Then " J udas, which had betrayed him, wl'.en he saw that he was condemned, re- pt-nted himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have be- ti ayed the innocent blood. And they said. What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, "^ and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said. It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is tlie rice of blood. V Dou. 19.15. tOch. 27 V.l John 2. 19. X Is. &3. 7. ch. 27. 12. V Lev. 5. 1. 1 .Sa. 14.24. * Ps. 110. 1 Dan. 7. 13. John 1.51. K.im.14.10. 1 aiies. 4. Hev. 1. 7. a Pa. 110. 1. Acts 7. 56. b 2 Ki.l8 37. 2 KL 19.1. c Lev. 24. 16. John 19. 7. d U. 50. 8. Ifl. 53. 3. ch. 27. 3IJ. « Lu, 22. 6S. 4 Or, roil. / ALir. 14.05. g Zoch. 12.10. 2 Cor. 7.10. CHAP. 27. a Ps. 2. 2. Mark 15.1. Lu. 22. m. Lu. 2a. 1. John 18. 28. 6 ch. 20. 19. Acts 3. 13. c Job 20.5. ch. 26. 14. 2 Cor. 7.10. d2Sa.l7.23. Acta 1. 18. e Zech. 11. 12, 13. 1 Or, whom they bought of the cliilJ drcn of Israel. / Mark 15. 2. Lu. 23. 3. John 18. 33. i^ John 18. 37. 1 Ti. 6. 13. h laa. 53. 7 ch. 63. John lU 9. 1 Pot. 2.23. i ch. 20. ' 2. John 19.10. j Mark 15. 0. LuUe 23.17. JolinT8.39. * Acts 7. 9. I Job 33 15. »n Mar. 15.11. Lo 23.18. John 18. 40. Acta 3. 14. n Deu 21 6. Ueu 19 10. Jo=.h.2.19. 1 Ki. 2. 32. 2 Sa. 1. 16. P la. 53. 5. Q Lu. 23 11. r P.. 69. 19. » la. 50. 6. t .Mic. 5. 1. 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. 8 'Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9 Then was fulhlled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, * And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, l whom they of the children of Israel did value, 10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. 11 H And Jesus stood before the governor; and /the governor asked him, saying, .\rt thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said mito him, ^ Thou sayest. 12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, '«he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him, tlleai'est thou not how many things they witness again.st thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word ; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 15 H Now / at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them. Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for * envy they had delivered him. ly ir When he was set down on the judg- ment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying. Have thou notliin!^ to do with that just man: for I have surt'ered many things this day in f a dream because of him. 20 But *" the chief priests and elders per- suaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and -destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them. Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them. What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? TheyaM say unto him. Let him be crucified. 23 And the governor said. Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying. Let him be crucified. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he ** took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, 1 am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, "His blood be on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when ^ he had scourged Jesus, he de- livered him to be crucified. 27 II Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the '-^ common hall, and gathered unto hira the whole band of sol- diers. 28 And they stripped him, and ' put on him a scarlet robe. 29 H And ''when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a ived in his riL'iit hand : ami they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, sayin.'. Hail, Kingof the Jews! oO And* theyspit upon him, and took the reed, and '.smote him on the heail. 31 And after that they had inockvjd him. Desertion of the Disciples. ]^r\TTIIEW\XX\^n. nemorse and Sudcic'e of Judas. 17-30. Last Celebration op tbe Pas3- OVEU— ANNOUNC£iIENT OF THE TjlAlTOPv —Institution of tele Supp£11. fcee on L. 22. 7-20; J. 13. 21-.30. 31-4G. DE^EiiTION OF THE DISCIPI.ER, AND Fall of Petep.,Fob.etoij)— Agony in THE Garden. 31. all ye— probablywith re- ference to the one who had just "gone out." Great as was the relief, now for the first time experienced by the Saviour himself, in the traitor's voluntary separation from a fellow- ship to M'hich he never in heart belonged (see on J. 13. 31 , even in those who remain- ed there was something which burdened the spirit and wounded the heart of the Man of borrows. It was sad to him to think that within one brief hour, or less, of the time when their hearts had warmed towarcLs him more than ever at the Paschal and Conmiunion table, they should every one of them be * stumbled ' because of Him. for it is written— He falls back upon this striking prophecy, partly to confirm their faith in what they would hardly think credible, even from Him; and partly to console Himself with therefleo tion that it was but one of "the thintts con- cerning him" wliich "would have an end,"— that they would be but links in the chain, *' doing what God's hand and purpose de- termined before to be done." I wiU smite the Shepherd— In the Hebrew and Septuagint, it is Jehovah who com'nands the sword to *' smite the Shepherd. *" Here. Jesus receives tlie thrust direct from hisFather's hand (J. 18. 11.). the sheep . , . scattered— Jesus up to this Kioment had been their one Bond of union. When Pie is smitten, they are scattered. How beautiful and how true thetigure ! The sheep speedily disperse when their Shepherd iji struck. 32. How very explicit He is in his announcements now, when ou the eve of parting with them tiU after his resurrection. go before you— as a shepherd; for it is a pas- toral word. fliENG.] cf. J. 10. 4. There is an intended allusion to the remainder of the prophecy he had quoted from Zech. (13. 7\ " and Iwill turn mine hand upon the little ones." Tills he began to do when he " went before them into GalLlee;for though after his resurrection he Bad several interviews with them at .lerusalem before this, it was in Galilee that he collected and rallied them, as the shepherd of his lately scattered flock and gave tnem those parting instructions and commissions which may be termed the ini- tial organization of the thurdi. 33-46. See on L. 22. 31-46. 47-56. BETP.A.TAL AND APPREHENSION OF jErsu8— Slight of His Disciples. See on L, 22. 47-54. and J, 18. 1-12. 67-75. Jesus bepore Caiaphas— Con- demned TO Die and Sha3Iej.'Ully En- TREAiED— Fall of Peter. See on Mark 14. 53-61; and Luke 22. 03-71, 67. to Caiaphas —From J. 18. 13, it appears that he was led first to Annas his fatner-in-law, as probably j.earest: with him he appears to have re- mained till the Council was convened in the palace of Caiaphas, to whom he was then .:u.ssion at that moment taking place in the moral world. Extraordinary rents and fissures have been obser\'ed in the rocks near this spot. 52, 53. the graves were opened, &c. —a glorious symbolical proclamation that the Death which had just taken place had "swallowed up death in victory." many bodies of the Saints— 0. T. believers, whicn slept— See on 1 Th. 4. 14. arose— ?:of nov:, at their Lord's dtath, but, as expressed in next verse, (which shouldhave been joined tc this one], they " arose and came out of the graves, after his resurrection." For it was fitting that "The Prince of Life" " should be — temporary recaUings of the departed spirit to the mortal bodv, to be fol- lo-n-ed by a final departure of it " till the trum- pet shall sound." They were a resurrection once for all, to life everlasting; and tliis leaves no room to doubt that they went to glory with their Lord, as bright trophies of His vic- tory over death. 54, 56. See on ?.ik. 15. >;y-41. 57-01. liUEIAL OF CHKIST. Se© OU li. -lo. 60 02, 6 J «-J; and J. 19. iiu-il,. 52-66. The SErtTLCHEE Guarded. 63. the next day that followed the day of the pre- paration— i.e. after six o'clock of our Saturday evening. The crucifixion took place on the Friday, and all was not over tUI shortly before sunset, when the Je%vish Sabbath commenced and "that sabbath day was an high day. ,J. 19. 31,) being the first day of the fea.st of imleavened bread. That day over, at six on Saturday evening, they hastened to take their measures. 63. that deceiver—' T«.' ever wiU youflnd the heads of the people to have called Jesus by his own name. [Beng.] Yet here there is betrayed a certain uneasiness, which one almost fancies they only tried to stifle in their own minds, as well as crush in Pi- late's, in case he should have any lurking sus- picion that he had done -wrong in yielding to them, while yet alive— important testi- mony, from the lips of his bitterest enemies, to th^ reality of Christ s death; the comer- stone of the whole Christian religion, after three days— or, after the third day had com- menced, according to the customary Jewish w.iy of reckoning. I will rise— lit. 'I rise,' the present tense, —thus reporting not only the fa^t of the prediction as having come to their ears, but the confidence with which He looked forward to it on the very day- named, made sure— by a Eoinan guard, till the third day— after which, if he still lav in the grave, the imposture of his claims would be manifest to ail. his disciples . . . steal him —Did they really fear this ? last error be worse than the first— the imposture of his pre- tended resurrection be worse than that of his pretended Messiahship. 65. ye have a watcn— The guards had already acted under orders of the Sanhedrim, with Pilate's con- sent: but probably they were not clear about emploj-ing them as a night-wat<;h without Pilate s express authority, go . . . make it as sure as ye can— Though there may be no irony m this speech, it evidently insinuated that if the event should be contrary to tbeir -wish, it would not be for want of hurran power to prevent it. 66. made the seruV-hre sure— namely, by "sealing the stone, which was "very great," iMk. 16. 4, and " setting the watch,'" to guard it. "What more could man do? But while they are trj^ing to prevent the resurrection of the Prince of Life, God makes use of their precautions for his own ends. Their stone-covered, seal- secured sepulchre shall preserve the sleeping dust of the Son of God free from all intligni- ties, in untlisturbed, sublime repose; while their watch shall be His guard of honour until the angels shall come to take their place 1 CHAPTER XXVm. Ver. 1-10. Glorious Ee.sueeectiok of Christ— He Appears to the Wo3iex. 1 In the end, cast " out devils. 40 IT And ^ there came a leper to him, be- seeching him, and kneeling down to him, i Kud saying unto him. It" thou wilt, thou Civnst » make me clean. 41 And Jesus, J moved with compassion, put torth hU hand, aud touched him, and saith unto hun, I will; be thou clean. 42 And as soou as he had spoken, imme- diately the leprosy departed &om him, and he was cleansed. 43 And he straitly charged him, and forth- with sent hiin away; 44 And saith unto him. See thou say no- thmg to any man: but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things * wliich Moses com- manded, for a testimony unto them. 45 But 'he went out, and began to publish It much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without m desert places: '"and they came to bim from every qoaiter. CHAPTER II. 1 Christ folloiued by muUittides: S he hcaleth the paUy, Hcatkth Levi, \5 justifieth himself for eating with publicans and sinners, lb excuseth MS disciples for not fasting, etc. A Ni) again "he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: aud he * preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of tour. 4 And when they could not come nigh onto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was : and when they had broken it up, they let do\vn the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus "saw their faith, he said onto the sick of the palsy, a the son of Alpheus sitting i at the receipt of custom, and said unto him. Follow me. And he arose and followed him. 15 And ' it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and suiners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples : for there were many, and they followed him. IG And when '" the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, " They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. IS H And "the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the discijiles of John and of the Phaiisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? 19 And Jesus said unto them. Can the children of p the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have 2 the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come, when the bride- groom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. 21 No man also seweth a piece of " new cloth on an old garment; else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. 22 And no man putteth new wine iuto old bottles; else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the buttles will be maiTed: but new wine must be put into new bottles. 23 IT And '"it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, * to pluck the ears of corii. 24 And the Pharisees said nnto him. Be- hold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? 25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read > anger, being grieved for the 2 hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man. Streteh forth thine hand. And he stretched it out; and his hand was re- stored whole as the other. 6 And "the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with «* the Ilero- dians against him, how they might destroy him. 7 IT But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, * and from Judea, 8 And from Jemsalem, and from Idumea, and /rom beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. 9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him: 10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they 8 pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. 11 And /unclean spaits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, say- ing, B Tliou art the Son of God. 12 And '<■ he straitly charged them that they should not make him known. 13 IT And* he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth iinto him whom he would: and they came unto him. 14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to r -ach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. 16 And Simon > he surnamed Peter; 17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; (and he sur- named them Boanerges, which is, *The sons of thunder;) 18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholo- mew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and ' Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite, 19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed liim. And they went * into an house. 20 II And the multitude cometh together again, ^ so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 And when his 5 friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, lie is beside tiimself. 22 ^ And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, " He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 2J And " he called them unto him, and t-J CHAP. 8. a Mat. 12. 9. Lulio G. G. 1 Ariao, BtariJ forth in tho midst. Dan. 6. 10. Fhil. 1.1*. 6 Pa. 09. 9. 2 Or, blindness. e M.it. 12. 14. d Mot. 22.10. « Lu. 6. 17. g Acts IG. 17. Mat. 14.33. ch. 1. 1. ft ch. 1. £5, 34. Blat. 12.10. i Mat. 10. 1. Lu. 12. Lu. 9. 1. ;• John. 1. 42. * Isa. 58. 1. I Jude 1. 4 Or, homo, m ch, 6. 31. 6 Or, John 7. 6. John 10.20. n Mat. 9 34. Mat. 10.25. John 10 22. o Mat. 12. 25. P Is. 49. 24. Mat. 12.29. 3 Mat 12.31. Lu. 12. 10. 1 John 5. 10. »• Acts 7 61. « M;3. 33. 9. CHAP. 6. a Mat. 13.54. Lu. 4. 10. 6 John 6. 42. c Is. 53. 2, 3. 1 Cor. 1.23 d Mat. 12.4C. Gal. 1. 19. e Mat. 11. 6. / Mat. 13. 57. John 4. 44. g Gen. 19.22. Gen. 32.25. Mat. 13.53. ch 9 23. h Is. 53. 1, 2, 16. i Blat. 9. 35. Lu. 13. 22. j Mat. 10. 1. ch.3. 13. Lu. 9 1. 1 Tlie word Bi.-nifiuth a Piece of farthing, Slat. 10. 9 but here i( is taken in general for money. Luko 9. k Ac ( Mat. 10. 11. Lu. 9. 4. Lu. 10.7,8. m Mat. 10.14. Lu. 10. 10. n Ads 13 61. Acts 18. 6. o Heb.lO. 31. i Jam. 5. 14. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cum!; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And "straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she M'as of the aqe of twelve years. And they were astonished with a gieat astonishment. 43 And " he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. CIIArTER VI. 1 Christ is contemned by his own countrymen. 16 Of John Baptist's imprisonment aud death. 3-1 The miracle of the loaves and_fishes, etc. A ND " he went out from thence, and came -^■^ into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him. were a8tonished,saying,'' From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is "not this the carpenter, the son of Mavy, ' he called unto Mm the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits ; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a stall only ; no scrip, no bread, no i money in their purse: 9 But * be shod with sandals; aud not put on two coats. 10 And ^he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye deriart from that place. 11 And ^ whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake " off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. "Verily I say unto you. It shall be more tolerable for Sodom 2 and Gomorrha in the day of judg- ment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, P and anointed witn oil many that were sick, and healed them. 14 II And 9 king Herod heard of Mm; (for his name was si)read abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him, 15 Others *" said. That it is Elias. And others said. That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16 But «when Herod heard thereof, he said. It is John, whom I beheaded: he ia risen from the dead. 17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound lim a Death ofJchn the Baptis IIAIIK, VL rive Thousand Ted. king of Arahia; but lie prevailed on Hero- dias, Ms half-brother Philip's wife, to for- sake her husband and live with him, on condition, says Josephus, (Antiq. xviii. 5, 1,) that he should put away his o-mi wife. This involved nim afterwards in war with Aretas, who totally defeated him and destroyed his army. 18. not lawful 31-44. Five Thousand MiEACTTLOui^LY Fed. 31, 32. they departed by ship— "over the sea of Galilee," J. t>. i. into a desert place — "belonging to the city called Bethsaida," L. 9. 10, on the noi-th-eastem shore of iho lake; called Jidias by Philip the tetrarc'i, (L. 3. 1. who raised it from a village to a city. Tliither he retired, as would seem, ISoble fidelity !_ It was not lawful, because : partly to avoid plots against him, following (1.) Herod's wife and Herodias' husband were both lixang; i2.) The parties were be- sides within the forbidden degrees of consan- guinity {see Le. 20. 21 ; Herodias being the daughter of Aristobulus, the brother of Doth Herod and Phihp "Joseph, xviii. 5, 4.>. 20. Herod feared John— But J oh nfca rednot Herod. [Bksg.] observed — rather tas in Marg.) ■ kept' or • preserved' him in safety, that Herodias might not have her wiU of liim. [Ueng. Mey. J did many things, &c.— strik- ing statement, (by I^lk. only,^ iUustrat:ng upon the Baptist's death— exemplifjdng his o%\-n directions about flight from persecu- tion M. 10. 23; partly to "rest a while" with Ms disciples; "for there were many coming and going, and theyhad no leisure so much as to eat" \.v. 31 ; and partly, as the apostles had but just returned from their mission and reported their success (L. 9. 10, that he might open to them a little further the things of the Kingdom. 33, How grajjhic ! afoot— here, rather by land,' A. 20. I3.i 34. moved with compassion— At the sight of the multitudes the working of contrary principles in the I who had followed him by land and even slaves of passion. 21. suprer, (fcc. — Ihis I got before him, he was so moved, as was his grapliicminuteness of detail aildsmuchtothe • wont in such cases, with compassion, because interest of the tragic narrative. 22. daughter they were like shephercUess sheep, as to fore- of Herodias— by her proper husband, PhUip: go both privacy and rest that he mi^'ht mini- Salome was hr ''- '' ' "" '^ ^ .1 r.. ..er name Joseph, lb.}. 23. ster to them. The approaching fassover, sware, &c. — Those in whom passion and i no doubt, made the crowds gi-eater. iSeeJ\ luxury have destroyed self-command will in a capricious moment say and do what in their cool moments they bitterly recTet. 25. Give me the head of John, tc — Aban- doned vjornen o/re more shanuless and heart- less than men. The Baptist's fidelicy marred the pleasures of Herorlias, and this was too good an opportimity of getting rid of him to let slip. 26. the king— so called by courtesy, fcee on v. 14. sorry— for he 'heard John gladly, and did many tilings ' in compliance with John's injunctions. This only shows how far HerotUas had won him over, as Jezebel did Aliab, to agree to what his awakened conscience kept him long from executing, his oath— See how men of no principle, but troublesome conscience, will stick at breaking a rash oath, while consent- ing to the worst crimes ! and their sakes which Bat with him— lalse shame, which could not brook being thought to be troubled with reli- gious or moral scruples. To how many has this iiroved a fatal snare! 27, beheaded— B;e-;sed martjTl Dark and cheerless was thine end; but thou hast now thy Master's benediction, i M. 11. 6,) and hast tound the Life thou gavest away .'M . 10. 39. ' . But where are they in whose skirts is found thy blood ? 28. head in a charger . . . gave it to her mother— As Herodias did not shed the blood ot the stern reprover, but only got it done, and gloated aver it, streaming from the trunkless head, so the anti christian "Woman" is only '"drunken with the bhod of the saints and of theraartyrs of Jesus Rev. 17. 6); she gets "the Jieast"—' the secidar arm,' to shed it. See on Rev. 17. 3, &c. 29. Ms disciples— i. e. the Bap- tist's, M. adds that ' 'they went and told Jesu; ' 6. 4, 5.) 35. the day far spent — M. says it " lat was "evening," and yet mentions a later evening of the same day, v. 23. The earlier began at 3 p.m. ; the later at sunset. 37. Give ye them to eat — doubtless said to prepare them for this new kind of miracle. Here, and in J. C 5-9. follows some further dialogue —"to prove them, for he Himself knew what he would do" J. 6. 6. . 40. in ranks by hun- dreds and by fifties— Doubtless this .vas to show at a glance the number fed, and to enable all to witness this glorious miracle in an orderly manner, on the grass— says M. [U. 19.,— '■ Jsow there was much grass in the place " (J. 6. 10.;— the bushy wastes of Beth- saida. blessed— L. adds, "them" i9. 16,1 le. the loaves and fishes, John calls this 'giv- ing thanks" (6. 11.; Tliis thanksgiving for the meat and benediction of it as the food of thousands, was the crisis ot the miracle, his disciples to set before them — Thus were the twelve held up as His future ministers. 42. did all eat, and were filled- Ail the four Evangelists mention this, and John says they got "as much as they would" 6. ll,) to show that vast as was the multitude, and scanty the pro^'isions, the meal to each was a full one. 43. And tiiey took up, (i:c.— but not without being bidden; for Jesus said, " Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost" (J. 6. 12. . Tliis was to bring out the whole extent of the miracle. 01 the fragments—'" which remained over and above unto them that had eaten" J. G. 13.). twelve baskets full— the word for "baskets" here denotes part of the luggage taken by J ews on a .journey, to carry, it is said, both their pro-s-isions and hay to sleep on, that (14. 12.). H these disclipes had, up to this time they might not have to depend on Gentiles, stood apart from Him, as adherents of Jolm, | and so run the risk of ceremonial pollution. iCh. 11. 2,) perhaps they now came to Jesus 1 44. five thousand men—" besides women and not without some secret reflection on Him for his seeming neglect of their master; but perhaps, too, as orphans, to cast in their lot henceforth with the Lord's disciples. How Jesus felt, or what he said, on receiving this intelligence, is not recorded; but niitfht it not have been said, as at the grave ol his triend Lazarus, "Jesus wept;" 31 children," M. 14. 21. Of these, however, there would probably not be many; as only the males were obliged to go to the approaching festival. "We have faint precursors of this glorious miracle in the doings of Elijah— 1 Ki. 17. 14-16- and still more of Llisha, 2 Ki. 4. 1-7, and 42-14: but besides the in- feriority of the things done, those proijheta JoJi-n iht Eaitisl beheaded. JAAUK, vi: Christ walkeUi en the sea. prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. 18 For John had said unto Herod, 'It is not lawful fur thee to have thy brother's wife. 19 Therefore Herodias had 3 a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: 20 For Herod " feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and * ob- served him ; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21 And " when a convenient day was com.e, that Herod, •" on his burth day, made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee ; 22 And when * the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel. Ask of me what- soever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23 And he sware unto her, ^ Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother. What shall I ask? And she said, Tlie*^ head of John the Baptist. 25 And she came in straiglitway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. 26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27 And immediately the king sent 6 an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded bim in the prison, 28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave It to her mother. 29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and " took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. 30 IT And ^the apostles gathered them- selves together unto J esus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31 And "he said unto them. Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for <* there were many coming and going, and they had no leisuie so much as to eat. 32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. 33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. 34 And * J esus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with com- passion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and /he be- gan to teach them many things. 35 And if when the day was ijow far spent, his disciples came un to him, and said. This a desert place, aud now the time is far 3(j Send them away, that they may go into the comitry round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: lor they have nothing to eat. 37 He answered and said unto them. Give ye them to eat. And they say mito him, « Shall we go and buy two hundred Sljeimywoith of bre;id, aud give them to eut'< 32 t Lev. 18. 16. Lav. 20. 21. 2 Sa. 12. 7. Dan. 5. 22, 2a. Eph. 5. 11. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Heb. 13. 4. " Mat. 14 5. Mat. 21.26. 4 Or, kept «ave'd him. V Mat. 14. 6. t« Gen 40.20. KEsth. 1.11, y E's'th. 5 3,6. E^h. 7.2. « Pro. 12. 10. 6 Or, one of his guard. a Acts 8. 2. 6 Lu. 9. 10. c Mat. 14. 13. d ch. 3. 20. e Mat. 9. 36. ilat. 14.14. f Isa. 54. 13. Isa. Ul. 1. Lu. 9. 11. 9 Mat. 14.15. Lu. 9. 12. 74 Nu. 11. 13, 2 Ki.4.43. 6 The Ko- man penny ponco half- pfnny. Mat. 13.28. i Mat 14.17. Mat. 15. 34. ch. S. 5. Lu. 9. 13. John 6. 9.; 7 baDqi;et3, 1 Cor. 14. 40. }• 1 Sa. 9. 13. Mat. 'jG.26. 1 Ti. 4.4.5. k Mat. 14.22. John 6. 17. 8 Or, over BeUisaid.!. I Mat. 14 23. m Lu. 24. 28. n ch. 8. 17. o Jer. 17. 9. ch. 3. 5. ch. 16. 14. Rom. 8. 7. Ilcb. 3. 13. P Mat. 14.3i. 4 Mat. U. DO. Acts 5. 16. 9 Or. it. CHAP. 7. a yUi. 15. 1. 1 Or, 2 witli tha fist, or, Uiligently. Theoi.h}- tho clb-v^. 38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, »Five, and two fishes. 39 And he commanded them to make all sit dovra 7 by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hun- dreds, and by fifties. 41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and> blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them ; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 42 And they did all eat, and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve liaskets full of the fragments, ancl of the fishes. 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. 45 IT And * straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before 8 ui.to Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And ' when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fom-th watch of the night he cometh imto them, walking upon the sea, and "* would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spuit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were trou- bled. And immediately he taUced with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I ; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond mea- sure, and wondered. 52 For " they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for theii- "heart was hard- ened. 53 And P when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, - 55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. , . 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick hi the streets, and besought nini that they 9 might touch if it were but the bor- der of his garment: and as many as touched 9 him were made whole. CHAPTER VII. 14 Meat defiUth not a man. 24 Christ heaUth the Si/ro phenician wonan's daughter, 31 aiid one that luas deaf, and stammered in his speech. rPHEN " came together mito him the ■*■ Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with i defiled (that is to say, with unwashen) hands, they found fault. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands Soft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders, 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be which they have Of Ceremonial Pollution,. n^iAiiK, vn. Tlic Syrophcnician IVoinan, acted ever as servants, saj-ing, " Thus saith the Lord," "when they announced the mir- acles they Avere to perform; whereas, the one feature which most struck all who came in contact with Jesus was the air of Personal authority with which he ever taught and wi-ought his miracles. 45-62. Jesus Walks ox the Sea. See on J. 6. 14-21. 53-56. Incidents on Landing. 53. See on M. 14. 34. drew to the shore— a nautical term is here employed, nowhere else used in the N. T. [w. & w.] 54-55. How rich in detaUs, as usual in this Gospel. 54, 55. knew him and ran, &c.— At lliis period of our Lord's ministry, the popular enthusiasm in his fa- vour was at its height, carry about— some- times misinfornSed of the place where he was, and following the rumour of His pre- sence. iAlf.1 66. touch but the border of his garment— having heard, no doubt, of what the woman with the issue of blood expe- i-ienced on doing so (ch. 5. 25-29. ^ and per- haps of other um-ecorded cases of the same nature. All this they contimced to do whUe our Lord was in that region (as is implied in the tenses of the verbs). The time corres- ponds to that mentioned J. 7. 1, when He walked in Galilee " instead of appearing in Jerusalem at the rassover, " because the ! borders, Jews," that is, the rulers, "sought to kiU know it him,'' (J. 6. 15.) while the people sought to enthrone him! CHAPTER vn. Ver. 1-23. Discourse on Cehemonial Pollution. See on M. 15. 1-20. 2. defiled— not ceremoniaUy cleansed by washing. 4. And from the market — ' after market, any common business, or attending a court of justice, where, after their subjection to the Romans, the Jews were especially exposed to intercourse and contact with heatuens. [w. & w.] tables— ' couches,' . such as were used at meals, which perhaps were merely sprinlled for ceremonial purification. Be it ODserved. that such practices, though based only on the tradition of the elders," might seem, even to conscientious Israelites, in the liighest degree laudable. It was a ceremo- nial economy they lived under; and as one principal design of this economy was to teach the difference oetv-een clean and unclean by external symbols, it was natural to think that exposed, in contrast with the manly obser- vance of "the commautbnent of God." 9. reject, or ' set aside,' the commandment, &c. — There is an observable climax in our Lord's representation of the dishonour done by these traditionists to the divhie law. (l.) They " gave up the commandment of God that they rmght hold the tradition of men" {v. 8.). (2.) They "set aside the commancbneat of God that they might keep their own tradi- tion" ,v. 9.) 1,3.! They "'made of none effect the word of God through their tradition" iv. 13^ or made it practically nuU. [w. & w.l 10. curseth— Obsen-e the large sense of " cursing " here, as including, besides what it expresses, all the dishonour and cruelty done to a parent by mtliliolding from them the "honour" legally due to them. 11. Cor- ban— q. d. ' I have gifted this to pious usos, and so am not permitted to alienate any portion of it, even to save my parents from want.' 13. many such things, &c.— This was but a specimen of their hideous treatment of the divine law — all for their own objects. See on M. 23. 16-18. 24-30. The Syrophenician Woman. 34. went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon— i. e., as seems from the narrative, actually into those heathen territories, though on the entered a house and would have none because He had not come to minister to heathens, but to avoid the wTath of the Pharisees at his withering exposure of them. He could not be hid— Christ's fame had early spread from GaUlee to these border heathen. See ch. 3. 8; L. C. 17. 25. heard of him— one wonders how; but distress is quick of hear- ing. 26. a Greeks, e., a Gentile, a Syrophe- nician by nation— so called, as being made up of Syrians and Phenicians. 'M., •wTitmg for Jews, describes her ;ch. 15. 22,) as "a woman of Canaan." [w. (fcw.l besought Mm— "cried unto Him, saying. Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David." Thus, though no Israelite herself, she salutes Him as Israel's promised Mesdah. 27. But Jesus said unto her— not at first, however, nor for a long time, as we learn from M. "He ansicerecl her not a v-ord," M. 15. 23, (1.) expressly to show that He was not sent to such as she. He had given express injunctions to the Twelve, "Go not into the way - of the Gentiles" (M. 10, 5.;; and being the more mviclly and varioudy they could Himself now, in point of fact, amongst them, bring this before their own minds, the more ' it was necessary, for consistency's sake, to would they be falling in with the spirit and let it be seen that he had not gone thither following out the de.sign of that economy.ifor missionary purposes. Therefore, He not Such are the plausibilities by v)hich most of the symbolical features of the Romish ritual are defended. JN or is it merely as acts of will- worship, without divine warrant, that they are to be condemned, but as tending to iceak- en the sense of divine authority for what is commanded by mixing it up with v:hat is purely human, though originally introduced with the best intentions. Examples of tliis deep principle will readUy occur — .such as the effect, everj^vhere seen, of observing a multitude of saints' days in weakening the sense of the paramount claims of " the Lord's Day." 7, 8. m vain they worship . . . teacliing, &c.— putting the commandments of men on a only kept sUence, but actually left the house and proceeded on liis way, as wiU presently appear. (2.) To try and to whet her faith, patience, and perseverance. And it had the desired effect: " She cried after them' (M. 15. 23). which shows that he was already on his way from the place. Tlie disciples, as often in such cases, thinking her troublesome— so importunate were her cries— asked their Lord to "send her away," i.e., to grant her request and be rid of her; for His reply shows that they meant to solicit favour for her, though not from the best of motives. To this Jesus answered, "I am not sent but unto the lest sheep of the house of Israel' level Avith the divine prescriptions:— Rom. 8. 7. 1 Cor.2.14. X Mat .10. -.iS. Blat. 16. 24. Lu. 23. Lu. 14. 27. Gal. 5. 24. Gal. 6. 14. P John 12. 25. 2 Ti. 1. 8. 2 Ti. 2. 12. 1 Johns. CHAP. 9. a Mat. 16 23. Lu. 9. 27. 6 Mat. 24.3IJ. AUt. 25.al. Lu. 22. 18. Heb. 2. 8,9. ejlat. 17.1. Lu. 9. 23. d Dan. 7. 9. Mat. 28. 3. « Ex. 40. 34. Isa. 42. 1. 2 Pet. 1.17. /Heb. 1.1,2. Hob. 2. 3. Hob. 12.25, 26. g Mat. 17. 9. A Mai. 4 5. JMat. 17.10. i Ps. 22. 6. laa. 53. 2. Can. 9. 26. Zech. 13. 7. ;• Lu. 23. U. Phil. 2. 7. k Mat. 11.14. Mat. 17.12. Lu. 1. 17. J Mat. 17. 14. Lu. 9. 37. 1 Or, Be I Tee? mSLit.17.14. Lu. 9. 38. Or, (lasli. otii liim. shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever ' therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. CHAPTER IX. 2 Jesus transfigured: 11 he instnicteth fits be set at nought. 13 But I say unto you. That * Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. 14 f And J when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. 15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16 And he asked the scribes. What ques- tiou ye i with them? 17 And '"one of the multitude answered and said. Master, 1 have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit: 18 And wheresoever he tT5 Sapkucees. See on M. 16. 5, 12. 14. put Ms hands again . . . saw dearly— Perhaps cue loaf— Here we have another example of the one operation pertectly re.-itored the that graphic circumstantiality which gives €*/e5, while the other miparted inmiediately such a charm to this briefest of the four Go. pels. The circumstance of the " one loaf the faculty of a.nng thtm. 'Tis the only re- rded example of a progressive cure, and it only remaining 'was more suggestive of their ■ certainly illustrates similar methods in the Master's recent miracles than the entire , spiritual kingdom. Of the four recorded absence of provisions.' [vr. & \v.] 15. leaven i cases of sight restored, all the patients save of the Pharisees— " and of the Saiducees," ' one either came or v:cre brought to thePhy- M. 16. 6. and the leaveu of Herod— Ihe teach- 1 sician. In the case of the man bom blind, ing or "doctrine" ,r. 12., of the Pharisees and tlie Physician came to the patient, fctme of the Sadducees was Quite difi'erent, but ' seek and find Christ: of others He is found both were equally pernicious; and the who seek Him not. See on M. 13. 44, 46. 20 Herodians, though rather a political party, ''°''*' ^^"^ *" '''^'' >i""<'o_T>^c:iri,.= t-ha ,i=„q1 r^o. were equally envenomed again.st our Lord's -„ „ — „ , spiritual teaching. See on ch. 3. 6. The ; matter, retirement in this case •would be penetrating and diffusive quality of leaven, for good or bad, is the ground of the com- p^ri.son. 16.— But a little ago He was tried with the obduracy of the Pharisees; now He is tried with the obtuseness of his own di.s- ciples. Tlie nine questions, following in rapid succession, v. 17-21, show how deeply He was hurt at this want of spiritual apprehension, and worse still, their low thoughts of Him, as if He would-utter so solemn a warning on so pettv a subject. It will be seen, however, from the verj' form of their conjecture, " It is because v:e have no bread," and our Lord's i the Mediterranean Sea. It was situated at astonishment that they should not by that i the foot of Mount Lebanon, near the sources sent hi-m to his house— Besides the usual rea- sons against going about "blazing the matter, retirement '" *'"' = salutary to himself. 27-38. Peter's Coxfesston of Christ- First Explicit Ajs^xouncement of His Approaching Death— Rebuke of Peter, AND General AVarnlng. See on M. 16. 13-28. 27. Csesarea Philippi — originally Pa- neas, but changed, by Philip the tetrarch who rebuilt it , in houour of the Roman Emperor, llberius, into Cctsarca Joseph. Antiq., x\aii. 2. 1. , to which he added Phi- lippi, after his own name, to distinguish it from Ciesarea of Palestine A. lo. l, (fcc. on time have known better what He took up His attention with— that He ever left the ahote care for His cnvn temporal icants to the of ths Jordan. John— risen from the dead. M. adis as another theory— Jeremias — M. 16. 14. "SVas this because "the Man of Tvelve; that He did this so entirely, that j sorrows" seemed to resemble 'theweepin finding they were reduced to their last loaf they felt as if unworthy of such a trust, and could not think but that the same thought was in their Lord's mind which was pressing upon their own; but yet that, so far wTong were they, that it hurt His feelings— sharp just in .proportion to His love— that such a thou.uht of Him should have entered their minds ! AVTio that like angels ' ' desire to look into these things" will not prize such glinvpses above gold? 17. heart yet hardened — How strong an expression to use of real disci iiles! cf. ch. 6. 52, and on J. 6. 21. 19, 20. baskets- full . . . Twelve . . . Seven — Profuse as were our Lord's miracles, we see from this that tliey were not wrought at random, but that He carefully noted their minutest details, and desired that this should be done by those who witnessed, as doubtless by all who read the record of them. Even the different kind of baskets used at the two miraculous feedings— so carefully noted in the two nar- ratives, both in M. and IMk.— are here also referred to; the one smaller, of which there prophet?' 29. But whom say ye, (tc. — He had never put this question before, but the crisis He was reaching made it fitting that He should now have it out of them. "We may suppose this to be one of those moments of which the prophet says, in His name, " Tlien 1 said. Ihave laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain" ;ls. 49. 4. . " Lo, these tliree years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree;" and what is it ? As the result of aU, I am taken for " John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremias, one of the prophets." Yet some there are that have "beheld my glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father," and 'I shaU hear their Aoice, for it is sweet.' 33. When He had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter— for He perceived that he was but bokUy uttering what others felt, and that the cheek was needed by them aiso. 34. When he had called the people, with his disciples also. He said, Ax.— turn- ing the rebuke of one into a warning to all, including even his general audi- were twelve, the other much larger; of wliichence: 'A suffering and dying Messiah lik- there were seven. 21. How not understand— j eth you iU; but what if His servants shall ' that care about the fewness of loaves in vour I meet the same fate? They may not; but scrip coiUd not have prompted the warning I i who follows Lie must be prepared for the gave you.'; worst.' take up his cross e prep; -W3 li have become 22-26. BLrsT> Man at Bethsaiba Re- I so accustomed to this expression, in the stored to Sight. 22. to Eethsaida— Is. E. j sen.«e of being prepar-ed/or xMat 1.^. 2 ch. 10. ID. «Mat 10.40. Lu. 9. 48 y Nu. 11. 28. L I. 9. 49. Z 1 Cor. 12.3. a M»t. 12.:*). b ftLit. 10. 42. c Mat IS. 6. Lu. 17. 1. Dexi. 13. 6. JIat. 6. 29. Mat. 18. 8. Col. 3. 5. Heb. 12.1. d U 1)6. 24. 2 Thei.l.O. 4 Or, cause ortbnd. Rom. 8. 13. Gal. 5. 24. / Lev. 3. 13. Ezo. 4.1. 34. Sf JIat. 5.13. Lu 14.34. /. Eph. 4. 29. Col. 4. 6. i Rom. 12.18. Rom. 14 19. 2 Cor. 13. 11. 2 Ti. 2. 22. Heb. 12. 14. CHAP. 10. I Mat. 19. 1 John 11.7. 1 Mat. 19.3. c Deu. 24.1. Mat. ft. Si. Mit. 19. 7. dOeu 9. 15. Acta 13.18. eGen. 1.27. Gen ft. 2. /Gen 2. 24. r.e.lli. E|.h .'•.. 31. g^Lt 5. 32. Mat 19.9. Lu. llj. 18. Rom . 7.3. ft »Lit 19.13. Lu. 18. 15. i 1 Cor. U. 2). j Mat ia.ij belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, ho shall not lose his reward. 42 And "whosoever shall offend one of these, little ones that believe m me, it is bitter for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the 43 And if thy hand 3 offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched ; 44 Where ^ their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than ha\ing.two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched; 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. , , 47 And if thine eye * offend thee, « pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eve, than having two eves to be cast into hell-fiie; 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. ,:,.., ^ 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and / every sacrifice shall be salted with 50 *Salt ^is good; but if the salt have lost his saltness. wherewith will ye season it? Have '' salt in yourselves, and » have peace one with another. CHAPTER X. 2 Of divorcement. 13 Christ bl^sseth children; 23 telleth the datujer of riches; .32 foretdkth his death and resurrection. 46 Blitui Barttmeus receivelX sight. A ND " h« arose from thence, and cometh ■^ into the coasts of Judoa by the larther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again: and, as he was wont, he taught them again. . ^ , . . 2 H And 6 the Pharisees came to him, and asked him. Is it lawful for a man to put away /iismfe? temptin^g him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did .Closes command you? 4 And th(y said, " Moses suftered to write a biU of di rorcement, and to put her away. 5 And Je lus answered and said unto them. For d. the hardness of yom- heart ne wrote vou this precept: „ ,, 6 But from the beginning of the creation God " made them male and temale. . 7 For fth\s. cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wite; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath jomed to- gether, let not man put asunder. 10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11 And he saith unto them, ^ Whosoever shaU put away his mfe, and marry another, coramitteth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. u-i^,.^,, 13 1[ And " they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and ^is disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he ■vvas much displeased, and said unto them, ^ufier the little children to come unto me and lorbid tlieni not: lor *of such is the kmgdom ol 15 Verily I say unto joa,; Whosoever shall Christ casteth out MARK, IX. a Deaf and Dumb Spirit. taken place at night, Jesus " came down i enough to cure the boy, and by the dignity from the hill" (see on L. 9. 37,) with Peter i with which He had ordered him to be brought and James and John, and, on approacliing to Him— in this mixed state of mina, he the other nine, found them surrounded by a great multitude, "and the Scribes ques- tioning " or disnuting with them. iN'o doubt these cavillers were twitting the apostles of Jesus with their inability to cure the Demo- niac boy of whom we are presently to hear, aaid insinuating doubts even of their Mas- ter's ability to do it; while they, zealous for their Master's honour, would no doubt refer to Ms past miracles in proof of the contrary. But no sooner was Jesus " beheld," than "all the people" ('the multitude') were gi-eatly amazed,— or 'astounded'— "and running to him saluted him." l"he singularly strong expression of surprise, the sudden arrest of the discussion, and the rush of the multitude towards Him, can be accounted for by nothing less than something amazing in Ms appear- ance. There can hardly be any doubt that His countenance still retained traces of His transfiguration-glory. (See Ex. 34. 29, 30. [Beng., De W., Mey., Trench, Alf.] No wonder, if tMs was the case, that they not only ran to Him but saluted Him. Our Lord, however, takes no notice of what had attracted them, and probably it gradually faded away as He drew near; but addressing Hmiself to the Scribes, he demands the subject of their discussion, ready to meet them where they had pressed hard upon his nalf-mstructed and as yet timid apostles. 17, 18. Ere they had time to reply, the father of the boy, whose case had occasioned the dispute, himself steps forward and answers the question; telling a piteous tale of deaf- ness, and dumbness, and fits of epilepsy, ending with tMs, that the disciples, though entreated, could not perform the cure. 19, 20. Our Lord replies to the father by a severe rebuke to the disciples. As if wounded at the exposure before such a multitude of the weakness of his disciples' faith, which doubt- less He felt 'as a reflection on Himself, He puts them to the blush before all— it is given with more severity in M. 17. 17 — but in lan- fuage fitted only to raise expectation of what lunself would do :— "How long shall / be with you," and yet you cannot perfonn this cure ? High claims these ; but they shall speedily be made good. 20, 24. The order to bring the patient to Him was instantly obeyed- when lo! as if conscious of the pre- sence of Ms divine Tormentor, and expecting to be made to quit, the fovd spirit rages and is furious, determmed to die nard. doing all the miscMef he can to this poor cliild Miiile yet within Ms grasp:-" When he saw Him, straightway the spirit tare him," kc. Still Jesus does nothing, but keeps conversing with the father about the case— partly to have its desperate features told out by him who knew them best, in the hearing of the spectators ; partly to let its virulence have tune to show itself; and partly to deepen the exercise of the father's soul, to draw out his faith and thus prepare both him and the by- standers for what He was to do. Having told briefly the affecting features of the case, the poor father, half dispirited by the failure of the disciples, and the aggravated virulence of the malady itself in the presence of their Master, yet encouraged too by what he had heard of Christ, by. the severe rebuke He had given to His disciples for not having faith 5i closes Ms description of the case with these touching words, "Bid if thou canst do any- thing, have compassion on us, and help us !" — maMng the case Ms own. \cf. M. 1.5. 26, "Lord help me,", [Axf.] Still, nothing done. Tlie man is but struggling into faith. It must come a step further. But he had to do with Him who breaks not the bruised reed, and wbo knew how to inspire what He demanded. 23. The man had said to Htm, "// Thou, canst do;" Jesus retorts upon him, "IJ thou canst believe." The man had said, "If Tliou canst do anything-" Jesus replies, "aH things are possible" to faith: — 'My doing all depends on thy belieying.' To impress this still more. He redoubles upon the believing: "If thou canst beikve, aU things are possible to Mm that hellevetli." ' Thus the Lord helps the birth of faith in that struggling soul; and now, though with pain and sore travail, it comes to the birth.' [Olsh., Tkench.] 24. —Seeing the case stood still waiting not upon the Lord's power but nis faith, the man becomes immediately conscious of con- flicting principles, and rises into one of the noblest utterances on record: "Straightway," kc.—q. d. 'It is useless concealing from Thee, Tliou mysterious, mighty Healer, the un- belief that still struggles in tMs heart of mine; but that heart bears me witness that 1 do believe in Thee- and if distrust stiU re- mains, I disown it, I wrestle with it, I seek help from Thee against it.' Two things are very remarkable here: (1.) The fit and owned presence of unbelief, which oMy the strength of the man's faith could have so re- vealed to his own consciousness. (2.) His appeal to Christ for help against his felt un- belief—a, feature in the case quite unparallel- ed, and showing, more than aU protestations could have done, the insight he had attained ofapowerin Christmore glorioii.s than any He haclbesought for his poor child. 25.— The work was done; and as the commotion and con- fusion in the crowd was now increasing, Jesus at once, as Lord of spirits, gives the word of command to the "dumb and deaf spirit", to be gone, never again to return to that victim. 26.— The malignant cruel spirit, see on ch. 5. 2, &c.j now conscious that Ms time was come, gathers up his whole strength, v,-ith intent by a last stroke to MU Ms victim, and had nearly succeeded: "in so much that many said. He is dead." But the Ix)rd of life was there ; the Healer of aU maladies, the Friend of sinners, the Seed of the woman, a " Stronger than the strong man anned, was there. The very faith wliich Christ de- clared to be enough for everything being now found, it was not possible that the serijent should prevail. He might " bruise the heel," and he does it to this believing man in Ms child. But " his own head" shall go for it — his "works shall be destroyed," (l J. 3. 8,) — as related in v. 27. 28, 29. This kind—' of evil spirits,' perhaps, fasting— 'as thev could not I'gst whUe He was with them, ■ h. 2. i9,i perhaps this was intended' as ii great prin- ciple ' for their after guidance,' 1 Ale. ] Great and difficult duties require special preparer- Hon and self-denial. 30-32. Christ's Second Explicit An- nouncement OP His Death and Eesxjr- BECTioN. See on M. 17. 22, 23; and L. 9. 43 45. T?ie dawjer ofrkhes. AIARK, XT. Blind Bartimens healed^ not receive the kingdom of God a3 a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he * took them up in his arms, put hix hands upon them, and blessed them. 17 IT And ' when he was gone forth into the waVj there came one runnins, and kneeled to him, and asked him. Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good hut one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments,"* Do not commit adultery, Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness, Defraud not. Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him. Master, all these have I obsen'ed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus, beholdina; him, loved him, and said unto him. One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell " whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure "in heaven: and come, take up tlie P cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that sasing, and went away giieved: for he had gieat pos- sessions. 23 H And « Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples. How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the king- dom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them ^ that trast in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus, looking upon them, saith. With men it is impossible, but not with God: for * with God all things are possible. 28 % Then ' I'eter began to say mito him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Yerily I say unto you. There is no man that hath lelt house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lauds, for my sake, and the Gospel's, 30 But " he shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time, houses, and bretluen, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, " with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But "'many that are first shall be last; and the last tirst. 32 IT And * they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went befuiethem: and they were amazed; and as they fol- lowed, they were afraid. 2' And he took again the twelve, and began to tellthem what things should happen unto him, 33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jeru- salem: and the Son of man shall be de- livered mito the chief piiests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him " . lall Gentiles to death, and shall deliver him to the 3-i And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and Bhall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. 35 H And * James and John, the sons of Ztbedee, come unto him, saying, ^aater, CHAP. 10. k Is. 40. 11. I Mat. 19. IG. Lu. IS 18. Acta 44. 1 Ti. C.13. J>t-.t. 6. 19, 20. Mat. 19.21. Lu. 12. 33. Lu. 16. 9. P Acts 14.22. 2 Tim. 3. 12. 9 JIat. 19.23. Lu. 18. 24. r Job 31. 24. Ps. 52. 7. Ps. 62. 10. lXim.6. « Jor. 32. 17. Mat. 19 26. Lu. 1. 37. Heb. 7. 25. t aiat. 19.27. Lu.18.28. M2Chr.25.9. Ps. 19.11. Lu. 18. .30. K Acta 14.22. 1 Thos. 3.3. 2 Tim. 3. Hob. 12. 6. "'JNlat. 19.30. fiLit. 20.1G. Lu. 13 -M. « Mat. 20.17. 18. 31. y ch. 8. 31. ch. 9. 31. Lu. 9. 22. Lu. 18. 31. « Mat. 20.20. a Acts 12. 2. "Rev. 1.9. 6 Jam. 4. 3. c Mat 20.24 d Lu. 22. 25. 1 Or, think good. e Mat. 20.26, ch. 9. 35. Lu. 9. 48. /■John 13.14. Phil. 2. 7. Heb. 6. 8. g Isa. 53. 10. D.-m. 9. 24, iskt. 20.23. 1 Ti. 2. 6. Tit. 2.14. h Mat. 20.29. La. 18. 35. i Isa. 11. 1. Jer. 23.5.6. Rora. 1. 3. Rev. 22.1G. 2 Or, savei! 6 Acts 1. 12. c Acts 10.36. lieb. I. -i. we would that thou shonldest do for U3 whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him. Grant unto us that we may git, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them. Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I diink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, "Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given b to them for whom it ia prepared. 41 And " when the ten heard if, they be- gan to be much displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesns called them to him, and saith unto them, <* Ye know that they which i are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But "so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even /the Son of man came net to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to ^^ve his life a ransom for many. 46 if And '' they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a gi-eat number of people, blind Barti- mens, the son of Timeus, sat by the high- way-side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, tliou »son of Da\id, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a gieat deal, Tliou son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him. Be of good com- fort, rise ; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, ^Vhat wilt thou that 1 should do unto thee? The blind man said mito him Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him. Go thy way: thy laith hath i^made thee whole. And immediately > he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. CHAPTER XI. 1 Christ rideth into Jerusalem; 12 cvrseth a fruit' less fig tree : Tt silencet/i the priests who quei- iioned his authority. A ND "when they came nigh to Jerusa- -"■ km, unto Beth phage and Bethany, at the mount of * Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them. Go your way into the tillage over against you: and as sooa as ye be entered mto it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you. Why do ye this? say ye that 'the Lord hath need John rebuked for Exdusivsness. MAPJv, X. Christ's Announcement of His Death. 33-50. Strife abiong the Twelve, Who [Grot.] and they were amazed—' struck with suouLD BE GREATEdT IN THE KiKGDOM astonishment' at Ms courage in advancing .._ TT — ,.,„ T„„„ -r.„„^^_„„ „.-... !:-„ to certain death. OF Heaven— John Eebuked Foit. Ex CLUSiVENE.ss. See on M. IS. 1-9; and ou L. 9. 46-50. 35. sliall be— i. e. 'let him be,' cf. L. 14. 11; 18. 14. 43-48. See ou M. 5. 29, 30, The "offence," or occasion of stumblinj?, immediately in view here was the dispute among the apostles, which arising out of their carnalambition,was aggravated, doubt- less, as the dispute went ou, by a number of little things, hand , . . feet . . . eyes, &c. — 'wliatever i:> to thee an occanon of sin, sacri- fice it, hov:ever dear.' The literal interpre- tation of these precepts by some early fana- tics shows a very low apprehension of spiri- tual things, two liands . . . feet . . . eyes, (fee. — * no laceration of natural feeling or corrupt affection can be ivcighed against final perdi- tion.' hell . . . hell . . . heU-fire, &c.— Thrice repeated, hoiv awfid this, of itself tremendous word sounds from tJie tips of Love incar- nate ! But when to this he adds, thrice over in the same terms, " where tlieir worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" — words enough to make both the ears of everyone that lieareth them to tingle — one cannot but loathe the mawkish sentimental- ism which condemns all such language in the mouthT of His servants, as inconsistent with what they presume to call 'the religion ot the meek and lowly Jesus.' It is just the apostle who breathed most of his Master's love whose Epistles express what would be thought the harshest tilings against vital error and those who hold it. It is love to men, not Imtred, that prompts such severity against vjliat will inevitably ruin them. (Who that has any regard for the teaching of Christ can venture, in the face of these verses, to limit the duration of future torment?) 49. A diffi- cult verse. "Eveiy one" probably means 'every follower of mine;' "salting with fire," 'a fiery trial to season him,' and thus "every sacrifice " vnil mean, ' every one who would be found an acceptable offering.' In this case, the whole verse vnU. mean, ' Every dis- ciple of mine shall have a fiery trial to under- go, and every one who would present him- self a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable un- to God, must have a salting, as had the legal sacrifices of old.' He has stiU in his eye the unseemly jarrings which had arisen amongst them.the peril to themselves of the indulgence of such passions, and the severe self-sacrifice which salvation would cost them. 50. q.d., * As to this salt, forget not that aU its value lies in its savour (its salting quality) : If this be lost, how shall it be restored? isee M. 6. 13'. Well, Have this salt— this quality that win make you a blessing to others; and with respect to the miserable strife out of which all this discourse has sprimg, "Have peace one •with another." ' (l Th. 5. 13.) CHAPTER X. Ver. 1-12. Final Departure frosi Ga- lilee—Divorce. See on M. 19. 1-12. 13-16. Little Children brought to Christ. See on L. 18. 15-17. 17-31. The Eich Young Euleb. See on L. 18. 18-30. 32-34. Fuller Announcement of His Approaching Death and itE.-jURRECTioN. 32. in the way going up to Jerusalem— proba- bly somewhere between Ephraim and Jeri- cho, N.E. of Jenisalem. and Jesus went before them—' in the style of au intrepid Leader.' 'testimony He would yet receive from them 3G Tiae Saviour, what a noLIe flame Was kiudled in His breast. When, hasting to Jerusalem, He marched before the rest!— [Cojrper.l and, as they followed, they were afraid— for their own safety, "niese most artless and intei-esting statements are peculiar to Mk.— as usual, took agaui the twelve— referring to his recent amiouncement of the same events, ch. 9. 31. This was now the third time. 33. the Gentiles— the first express statement that the Gentiles would combine with the Jews in His death. The two grand divisions of the human race, for whom He died, took part in crucifying the Lord of Glory, (.w. & w.J 34. Singularly explicit as this announcement was, L. says, "they understood none of these tilings, and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which v^ere spoken" 18. 341—16., not in their literal sense, but in their Messianic bearing [Mey.I; the whole prediction being right in the teeth of their preconceived notions. That they should have clung so teuaciousy to the popu- lar notion of an wnsuftering Messiah, may surprise us; but it gives inexpressible weight to their after-testimony to a sufiering and dying Saviour. 35-45. Ambitious Eequest op Zebedee's Children, and the Keply. 35. the sons of Zebedee come, saying— M. -says their " mother came to him with her sons, worshipping him and desiring," &c., (M. 20. 20;. Salome was her name iJ\Ik. 15. 40; 16. 1). We caimot be sure with which of the parties the move- ment originated; but as our Lord even in M.'s account) addresses himself to James and John, making no account of the mother, it is likely the mother was merely set on by tiiem. The thought was doubtless suggested to her sons by the recent promise to the twelve of "thrones to sit on, when the Son of Man should sit on the throne of his glory," I\[. 19. 28; but after the reproof so lately given them ch. 9. 39], they get their mother to speak for them, do for us what we shaU desire— thus cautiously approacliing the sub- ject. 36. Though well knowing what she intended, our Lord ^\iJl have her utter before all the unseemly petition. 37. Thy right . . . thy left— i.e., assign them the two places of highest honour. ' One of these brethren had his usual place close to the Lord (J. 13. 23); the other was among the chosen three.' [Alf.J 38-40. How gentle the reply to such a request, and preterred at such a time, after the sad announcement just made ! Can ye drink . . We can . . Ye shall indeed drink, (fee- Here we see them owning their mother's petition for them as their o\ati; and doubt- less they were perfectly sincere in professing their wiUirfgness to follow their Master to any suffering He might have to endure. Well, and they shaU have to do it. 'The one of them was the first of the Apostles to drink the cup of suffering, and be baptized with the baptism of blood, A. 12. 1, 2; the other had the longest experience amon^ them of a life of trouble and persecution. L^Vlf.] For all this unworthy ambition they were blessed men, and their Lord knew it; and perhaps the foresight of what they wouJd have to pass through, and the courageous Christ's entry into Jerusalem. AUK, Xir. Par.ille of the ickkerf husJfandmpn, of him; and straightway he will seud him hither. 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose niin. 5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus bad commanded: and they let them ?o. 7 And they brouarht the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; <*and he sat upon him. S And * many spread their garments in the way ; and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed the/m in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that ibllowed, cried, saying, / Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of tlie Lord! LO Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord! " Hosanna in the highest! 11 And ''Jesus entered into JenTsalem, and into tlie temple : and when he had looked round about upon all thintcs, and .now the even-tide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. 12 ^ And » on the mon"ow, when they were come from Bethany, he was himgrv: 13 And > seeing a fig tree alar oil' having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15 IT And * they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man Bhould caiTy any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, ' My house shall be called i of all nations the house of prayer? but "'ye have made it a den of thieves. 18 And " the scribes and chief priests heard it. and sought how they might de- stroy him: for they feared him, because lill " the people was astonished at his doc- trine. 19 And when even was come, he went out of the city. 20 ^ And P in the momtng, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up trom the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith imto him, Master, behold, fhe fig tree wliich thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, 2 Have faith in God. 23 For « verily I say unto you. That who- Boever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea: and shall not doubt in his heart, but ehall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, ^ What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, • forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your a? CDAP. U. d 1 Kin. 1. 33. Zcch. 9. 9. e Mat. 21. 8. / J'E 118. 213. l»a G2. U. g Ps. 14.S. 1. h MhI. 21.12. t Mat. 21. 18 ) >Ut. 21.19. k Mat. 21.12. Lu. 19. 45. John 2. H. I Isa 56. 7. Isa. 00. 7. Zech. 2. 11. 2 Or, Have tho faith of God. g Mat. 17.20. Mat, 21.21. Lu 17. C. r Mat. 7. 7. Lu 11 9. John 11.13, JoliD 15. 7. John 1U.24. Jaiu. 1.5.ti. « Mat. (J. It. Tol. 3. 13. £|.h. 4 3-J t lUit. IH. 35. " Mat. 21. 2.i. Lu. 20. 1. 3 Or, thing V Mit a. 5. HUl. 14. 5. ch. 6.20. «" Job 5. 13. Heb.ll 3( Kom. 8. 3 Gal. 4. i. i *Ut. 21.45, ch 11. IS. John 7. 25, 30, 44. ; Mat. 22.16. La. SO. -J}. Father also which is in heaven may forgive you vour trespasses. 2G But «if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 27 IT And they come again to Jerusalem: and" as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28 And say unto him. By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, 1 will also ask of you one !* question, and answer me, and 1 will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John, was it from hea- ven, or of men ? answer me. 31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying. If we shall say. From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not beheve him? 32 But if we shall say. Of men; they feared the people: for "all me^i counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 3;^ And they answered and said unto Jesus, \Ve cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, "' Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. CHAPTER XII. 1 The parable of the vineyard. 13 Touching the paying of tri'/ute. 18 I'he Sadducees confuted. 35 A difficulty proposed to the scribes, etc. A ND " he began to speak unto them by ■^^ parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it. and digged apUice/or the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. 2 And at the season ne sent to the hns- handmen ," servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. 4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. 5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and * killing some. 6 Having yet therefore one son, "his well- beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying. They will reverence my son. 7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is <'■ the heir; come, let ua kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. 8 And they took him, and * killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and /will give the vineyard unto others. 10 And have ye not read this scripture; The "stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11 This was the Lord's doing, and f^ it is mar\'ellou3 in our eyes? 12 And « they souglit to lay hold on him, but feared the peojile ; for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. 13 H And J they send unto him certain of the Phari-sees and of the Herodians, to catch liim in his words. 14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thuu ai't Amhit 0U-. rrqvcfd o,' Zchedre'if Ch ildrcn. IMARK, XI. TJie Barren Fig-Tree Cursed. was the cause of that gentleness which we cannot but wonder at in his reproof. 40. is not mine to give— to whomsoever I merely please, on a principle of farovritiim. but it shall be given to them for whom— lit., ' but to those for whom;' and the full sense must be supplied thus: 'but it is mine to pive to those for whom.' From this it wiU be seen how far our Lord is from disclaiming the right to assign co each his proper place in His Kingdom. On the contrary, He expressly asserts it; merely announcing that file principle of disiixbutlon is quite diffe- rent from what these petitioners supposed. for whom it is prepared— "of my Father," M. 20. 23. See M. 25. 34. In so saying, our Lord does not deny the petition of James and John, or say they shall not occupy the place in His kingdom which they now im- properly sought:— for aught we know, that may he their true place. All we are sure of is, that their asking it was displeasing to Him "towhomall judinneut is committed," and so was not fitted to gain their object, but just the reverse (L. li. 8-11.) 'One at least of these V rethren saw the Lord on His ■ ross—onHis right and left hand the cruci- ied thieves. Bitter indeed must have been the remembrance of this ambitious prayer at that moment!' [Als".] 41.the ten much dis- pleased.-' were moved ■with indignation' as che same word is rendered in M. 20. 24. And can we blame them? Yet there was pro- bably a spice of the old spirit of rivalry in it, which in spite of our Lord's recent len.sth- ened, diversified and most solemn warnings against it, had not ceased to stir in their breasts. 42—45. admirable -sAlsdom!— checking the hot quarrel, which doubtless would have broken out at this moment by calling them aU equally around Him and opening to them calinly the relation in which they were to stand, and the spirit they were to cherish, to each other in tne future work of His kingdom, holding forth Himself as the sublime Model both for their feeling and for their acting! they whicli are accounted to rule — ' are recogTiiued or acknowledge i as rulers.' lordship . . . authority— as superiors exercising an acknowledged authc rity over inferiors. But so it sh2.11 not be amr ng you—' In tiie Kingdom about to be set vp this principle ^tall luwe no place. jI' my servants shall tJierebeequal; and tlie only "greatness" knovm to it shall be the greatness of humility and devotedness to the service of others: He that goes down tlie deepest in these services of self- denying humility sJuill rise tlie highest and hold the "chief est" place in that kingdom; evenasthe Sonof Man, Whose abaementand set f -sacrifice for others, transcending all, gives Him of fight a place aX>ove all! your mini- ster—one holding a subordinate station, servant, or slave, a servant of the lowest m contrast with few or with all, but in op- position to one— tlie one Son of Man for the many sinners, to give Ms life a ransom for —or 'instead of.' The sacrificial and vica- rious VMture of Chrl^ts death is here ex- pressed by Himself as plainly as the -manner of his death is foretold a few verses before. And to say that this was merely in accom- modation to Jewish ideas, is to dishonour the teaching of our Lord, and degrade Juda- ism to a level with the rites of Paganism. 40-52. Blind Bartimeus Healed. See on L. 18. 35-43. CHAPTER XL Ver. 1-11. Christ's Tkiumphal Entrt INTO Jerusali::.!, and Bp.ief Notice of THE Sequel of xhat Day. See on M. 21. 1-11, 14-1". 12-16. The Barren Fig Tree Cursed, AND Lesson from it— Second Cleansing OF the Temple. 12-13. It was not now safe for the Lord to sleep in the City, nor, from the day of His Trimuphal Entiy, did He pass one night in it save the last fatal one. He was hungry— How was this? Had He stolen forth from that dear roof at Bethany to the " mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God;" (L. 6. 12.) or, "in the morn- ing," as on some occasions, " risen up a great while before day, and departed into a soli- tary place and there prayed," (Mk. 1. 35.), not breaking His fast thereafter, but bending His steps straight for the citj', that He might "work the works of Him that sent Him while it was day?" ;J. 9. 4.) We know not, though one lingers upon and loves to trace out the every movement of that life of wonders. One thing, however, we are sure of— it was real bodily hanger, which He now sought to allay by the fruit of this fi^ tree, "if haply He might find anj-thing thereon f not a mere scene for the purpose of teaching a lesson, as some early heretics maintained, and some still seem virtually to hold. And was there not another Fig Tree to which He came— not once only, but "lo! those three years— seeking fruit, and finding none';" (L. 13. 6, 7.) How really, how continuously, how keenly. He hungered for that fruit, is best understood by His lamentation over it. " How often would I have gathered these, and ye would not!" (M. 23. 37.) a fig tree— "one fig tree," says M. (21. 19, Marg.i having leaves— and therefore promising fruit, which generally comes before the leaves, for the time of figa was not yet— lit. 'was not.' "What the pre- cise meaning of this explanation is, inter- preters are not agreed. I'erhaps the most probable is— the fig-season or harvest had not arrived, and consequently they must have been sciU on the trt e if it had any at all, (Bethphage derives its name from its being a. tig-region.) 14. Jesus said, (fcc— That word did not make it barren, but it sealed it up in grade. Both terms are applied to our Lord, j its ovm barrenness. " Hearing ye shall hear & W.J came not to be Kiinistered unto, , and shall not understand, and seeing ye shall but to minister— As "the Word in tlie see and not perceive: For, the heart of this ginning %vith God," He ira ministered imto;! people is waxed gross, and their eves they i.ndas the risen Eedeemer in our nature, He I /lat-e closed, lest tfxey slwukl see with their \snow ministered unto, "angels and autho- ei/es," &c. A. 28. 26, 27. disciples heard it— rities and powers being made subject unto This is introduced as a connecting link, to liim " (1 Pe. 3. 22. ) But not for this came He ' explain what was afterwards to be said on hither: The Served of aU came to be tlie explain wnat was aiterwaras to oe saiu on the subject, as the narrative had to proceed Servant of aU ; and His last act %cas the gra nd- to the other transactions of thi.s day. 15-18. est Service ever beheld by tlie universe of God See on L. 19. 45, 48. 20. in the iuorning— of —•'He gave His Life a Eansom for | the day after the cursing of the fig tree. In ManyI" "Many" is here to be taken, not M. (21.19,20.) the whole is represented as JSi{j7ys of ChrLiVs cominrf. MARK, XIV. CHAP. 13. h Zi. 24. 12 Lu. 12. U. 11 But ''when they shall lead vou, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye pre- meditate; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ve: for it is not ye that speak, »but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now 3 the brother shall betray the : « Acts a. 4. brother to death, and the father the son ; Ana 4. 8, and children shall rise up against their \ . f}: , „ parents, and shall cause them to be put to J f^; J^^gi 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my jlu 21. le. name's sake: but *he that shall endure *D»n. 12.12. unto the end, the same shall be saved. 2 Ti. 4 7,8. 14 H But f when ye shall see the abomina- 1 "/''• '^ ^' tion of desolation, '"spoken of by Dciniel j jA'. „ - the prophet, standing wlieie it ousht not, lu ' "• ' (let him that readeth understand.) then I Kev. 3 10. let "•them that be in Judea flee to the i J Mat. 24. 15. x.;„_ "» Dub. 9.27. « Ln. 21.21. Lu. 23. 29. P Deu.2.S.15 Dan. 9. 2G Dan 12. 1. Joel 2. 2. Jlat. 24.21. 9Lu 17.2a. Conspiracy agaivst Christ, mountains 15 And let him that ia on the house-top not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16 And let him that is in the field not ttiru back a^'ain for to take up his garment. 17 But "woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! 18 And pray ye that yom- flight be not in the winter. 19 For P in those days shall be affliction, Buch as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shor- tened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21 And * then, if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, Ae is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, ''if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But * take ye heed: behold, I have fore- told you all things. 24 II But « in those days, after that tribu- lation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And " then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the fom- winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender,and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye, in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this genera- tion shall not pass, till all these thmgs be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my " words sliall not pass away. 32 H But of that day and that hour know- elh no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take "■ ve heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. &t For * the Son of man is as a man tak- mg a far .iourney, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every Lu. 21. 1 Pa. 1. 5. a 2 Pet 3.17. t D.m. 7. 10. Ze-i.h. 1. 15. Mai. 24. 29. Lu. 21. 25. tt D..D. 7. 13. Mat. 16 27. ch. 14. 12 Acts 1.11. 1 Thesa. 4. 16. V Is. 40. 8. Is. 51. 6. Pb. Ui2. 28. f Mat. 24. 42. Mat. 25 13. Lu. 12. 4'J. Lu. 21. iH. Ko. 13. 11. 1 Thes.5.6. * Mat. 24.45. Mat. 25.14. y Mat. 24. 42, 44. 2 Pet. 3. 1-18. Bev. 3. 3. man his work, and commanded the porteT to watch. 35 Watch »'ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house conieth, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crow- ing, or in the morning: 36 Lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all. Watch. CHAPTER XIV. 1 A conspiracy against Christ: 3 a woman pour- eth ointment on his head: 10 Judas cmtenanteth to betray him: \2heeateth the passover: 22 ft. instituteth his sttpper: G6 i'eter thrice denieth A FTLR " two days was the feast of the ■^^ passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. 2 But they said. Not on the feast day, lest *here be an upropr of the peo]>le. 3 1' And * being in Bethany, m the house of Simou ihe leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman ha%'ing an alabaster box of ointment of i spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and pomed it on his head. 4 And there were some that had indigna- tion within themselves, and said. Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred "pence, and have been given to the poor. And they mmmmed a.gainst her. 6 And .Jesus said. Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7 For d ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9 V'erily I say unto you. Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. 10 H And * Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to be- tray him unto them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him / money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. 12 IT And " the first day of unleavened bread, when they Skilled the passover, his Lu. 22. 1. JohnU.55. John 13. 1. b Mat. 2IJ. e. Lu 37. a Mat. 26. 2. i disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? 13 And he sendeth forth two of his dis- ciples, and saith unto them. Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bear- ing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house. The Master saith. Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat '' the passover with my disciples? 15 And he will show you a large upptr room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and fomid as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17 And »iu the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesua Jchnl2.1,3. 1 Or, pure c Mat. 18. 28. d Deu 15.11. e Mat. 20 14. /Zech. 11.12. 1 Ti. 6. 10. JuJe 11. 8 Lu. 22. 7. 2 Or, sarriBced. ft Ex. 12. 6. Lev. 23. 5. i Mat. 'J6.-J0. The Great Commandment, d-c. »iAPK. xni. Signs of Christ's Coming. as deirancling the same affection, and only the extension of it, in its proper measure, to the creatures of Him whom we thus love, our brethren, in the participation of the same nature, and neighbours, as connected with us by ties that render each dependent upon and necessary to the other, as thyself — therefore, not "' with all thy heart," kissed him. 46 And they laid theii' hands on him, and took him. 47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a secant of the high priest, and cut off" his ear. 48 And * Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but <* the Scriptm-es must be fulfilled. 50 And * they all forsook him, and fled. 51 And there lollowed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. 53 H And / they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 5i And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himseli at the fire. 55 And ^ the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and ''found none: 56 For many bare » false witness against him, but their witness agreed not to- gether. 67 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58 We heard him say, V I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made with- out hands. 59 But neither so did their witness agree together. 60 And * the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these wit- ness against thee? 61 But ' he held his peace, and answered nothing. ""Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him. Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: "and ye shall see the Son of man silting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further wit^ nesses? 64 Ye have heard "the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. 65 And some began to P spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him. Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. ( V And ? as Peter was beneath in the Bdraml^fCliTist MAEK. XIV. He isBrmidht hefore Caiphns: rent sense of the words— a strong argiiment to nvxkc a case, found none— tliat would si 't however— everytlung else which one is accus- their purpose, or make a decent ground uf tomed to take into account, in weighing the charge before Pilate. 56. many bare fa'<-e sense of a doubtful saying, is in favour of a j witness against Him— bribed, we are led to modified sense of the words in question. | conclude from their debasing theo'velves to 33-37. These verses are peculiar to Jlk. but ; ''seek" them; though there are never v,-ant- the substance of them is in M. 24 42 -61, aad i ing sycophants enough, ready to sell theni- L. 21. 34-30, See on L. 12. 35-10; 42-46. CHAPTEE, XIV. selves for naught, if they may but get a smile from those above them: see a similar Ver. 1, 2. Conspiracy of the Jewish ' scene, A. 6. ll. their witness agreed not to- AuTHORiTiES TO PUI Jesus TO Deaxh, gather— If even fu-o of them had been agreed Spfi on T\r 9fi 9-.;; , j^ -would havc been greedily enough laid hold of, as all that the law insisted upon even in capital cases, Deu. 17. 6. But even in this they failed. One cannot but admire the providence which secured this result; since, on the one hand, it seems astonishing that those unscrupulous prosecutors, and their ready tools, should so bungle a business in which they felt their whole intere.sts bound up, and, on the other hand, if they had succeeded in making even a plausible bee on M. 26. 2-5, 3-9. The Anointino at BEiHAjnr. See on M. 26. 6-13, and on J. 12. 1-8. 10, 11. Judas Agrees with the Chief Priests to Bexray His Lord. See on L. 22. 3-6. 12-26. Last Celebration of the Pass- over— Announce>ient OF THE Traitor —Institution of the Supper. See on L. 22. 7- 23 and on J. 13. 21-30. 27~£2. Desertion op the Disciples, AND Fall of Peter Foretold— Agony | case, the eftect on the progress of the Gospel in the^GaFvDen. See on M. 26. 31-46, and might for a time have been injurious. But ing, " God hath forsaken Him; persecute and take Him; for there is none to deliver Him " (Ps. 71. 11 -He whose Witness He was and on L. 22. .'l«46. 43-52. Betrayal and Apprehension of Jesus— Flight of His Disciples. 43-50. See on L. 22. 47-54, and on J. 18. 1-12. 51, 52. A singular incident, peculiar to JNIk. Tlie general object of introducing it is easily seen. The flight of all the Apostles, recorded in the preceding verse, suggested the mention of this other flight, as one of the noticeable incidents of that memorable night, and as showing what terror the scene inspired in aU wTio were attached to Jesus. By most interpreters .it is passed over too slightly, whose work He v.as doing was keeping Him as the apple of his eye, and, while he was making the wrath of man to praise Him, was restraining the remainder of that WTath (Ps. 76, 10. . 57. And there arose certain- M. is more precise here : ''At the last came two false witnesses." As no two hud before agi-eed m anything, they felt it necessary to secure a duplicate testimony to something, and One thing is stamped on the face of it— it is they were long of succeeding even to this the narrative of an eyewitness of what is , extent. And what was it? 58. I will destroy described Tlie mention of the fate of one I this temple that is made with hands and individual, and him a certain young man." j within, dc— On this charge, observe d.) that, (expressively put m the original 1 of his single! eager as his enemies were to find piece of dress, and that of " linen," of the precise parties who laid hold of him, though many ancient copies omit the parties,) and how he managed to make a hair-breadth escape, even though it obliged him to part with all that covered his nakedness— this singular minuteness of detail suggests even more than the pen of an eye-witness. It irresistibly leads to a further question— Had the writer of this Gospel himself nothing to do with that scene ?— ^ To me,' says Olshau matter against our Lord, they had to go back to the outset of his ministry, his first visit to Jerusalem, more than three years before this. In all that He said and did after that, though ever increasing in boldness, they could find nothing; 2.) that even then, they nx only on one speech of two or three words, which they dared to adduce against Him. (3.) j-heymost manifestly pervert the speech of our Lord. We say not this because— in JMk. 's ^^ ^ ... r-- ■ -V tJ- -.r — ^o™^ of it— it differs from the report of the SEN. it appears most probaUe that ?i€re I words given by the Evangelist John-, J. 2 18- Mark }rrites concerning himself.' a linen! 22 ,the only one of the Evangeli.sts who reports cloth- They were wont to sleep in linen i it at all, or mentions even any visit paid by clothing^ and in this condition this youth our Lord to Jerusalem before liis last— but had started up from his bed. [Grot.] the because the one report bears evident truth young men — the attendants of the chief and the other evident falsehood, on its face' priests, mentioned J. 18. 3. 52. fled naked ' When our Lord said on that occasion ' De- _ r, ^^„ „ ,._ , gj.j,^y ^jjjg temple and in three days 1 will raise it up," they might, for a moment, have understood him to refer to the temple out of whose courts He had swept the buyers and sellers. But after they expressed their astonishment at Ms saj-ing, in this sense of it considering the time it had taken to be built as it then stood, and no answer to this ap- pears to have been given by our Lord, it is hardly conceivable that they should con- tinue in the persuasion that this was really His meaning. i4.) But even if the more Ignorant among them had done .so, it is next to certain that the ecclesiastics, who were the prosecutors in this case, did not believe that this teas His meaning. For, in less than three days after this, they went to Pilate, — ' In great danger, fear conquers shame. [Beng. I 63-72. Jesus before Caiaphas— Con- demned TO Die and Shamefully En- treated—Fall of Peter. 53. led Jesus away to the high-criest — i. e. Caiaphas, as appears by comparing what follows ^^■ith the corresponding passage of M. But "'they led him away to Annas first, his father-in- law, probably for the reasons mentioned on M. 26. 57; and with him, and not Caiaphas, that important scene recorded J. 18. 19-23 appears to have occurred. 54. See on L 22. 64, 65 65. sought witness— " sought false witness," says M. (26. 59.) They knew they could find nothing vaUd; but having their Prisoner to bring before Pilate, they behoved Christ accvised before r'iUile. MARK. XV. palare. there cometh one of the maitla of t)ie hi^h priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming him- Belf, she looked upon him, and said. And thou iUso wast with Jesus ofls'azareth. 68 But he denied, saying, 1 know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And ""a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of tliem. 70 And he denied it again. • And a little after, they that stood by said again to Teter. Surely thou art one of them: ' for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thevto. 71 But " he began to curse and to swear, faying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And 6 when he thought thereon, he wept. CHAPTER XV. J Jesus it brought frounrf and aeeused before Filate: 6 Fiiate, prevailed on by the people, giveth up Jesus to be crucified i [7 he is crowned with thorns. '.T crucified between two thieves: 43 he is hQnuurcU>ly buried. AND * straightway in the morning the ""■ chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole coun- cil, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. '2 And t> Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, * Thou sayest it. 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but <* ne answered nothing. 4 And * Pilate asked him again, saying, Answcrest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5 But /Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. 6 H Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they de- sired. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, tvhich laif bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. 8 And the multitude, crying aloud, began to desire him to do aa he had ever done unto them. 9 But Pilate answered them, sajing, Will ye that 1 release unto you the King of the Jews? 10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for ^ envy. 11 But « the chief priests moved the peo- ple, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. L.' And Pilate answered and said again unto them. What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call > the King of the Jews? 13 And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14 Then Pilate said unto them. Why, what evil hath he done? And theycriedout the more exceedingly. Crucify him. 15 And so Pilate, * willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. 16 i[ And the soldiers led him away into 41 CHAP. 14. r Mat. '.i;.71. John \A-£>. • Mat. MJ-i. Lu. 22. 59. John IS.l^. e judg.vj.6. Acts 2. 7. u Pro. 20.26. . Cor. 10. abundilit- ly, or, ho weep. Eze. 7. 16. Zcch. 12. 10. 2 Cor.7.10. CHAP. 15. a P«. 2. 2. Mat. 21.38. Mat. 27. 1. Acts 3. 13. Acts 4. 26. 6 Mat. 2711. e\ Ti 6. 13. d 1 Pot. 2.23. e Mat. 27.13. f I». 53. 7. John 19. 9. ff Mat. 27. 16. Lu. 23. 17. John ia.39. h Acts 7. 9, 1 John 3. 12. i Mat. 27.20. Acts 3. 14. j Jor. 235,6. Mic. 6. 2. * Pro. 29. 25. I Mat. 27. 32. Lu. 23. 26. m Ro. 16 13. n John 19.17. Act. 7. 68. Heb.13.12. P.. 69. 21. p P». 22. 18. Lu 23. 34. 1 ftlat. 27.45. Lu. 23. 44. John 19.14. r Deu. 23. 5. Mat. 27.37. « Is. 53. 12. Lu. JZ 37. t P». 22 7. u ch 14. 58. John 2. 19. » Mat 27.44. Lu. 23. 39. Heb. 12. 3. 1 Pet. 2.23, VJ Lu. 23. 44, * Ps. 22. 1. V Mat. 27.48. John 19.29. » Ps. 09. 21 o Lu. 23. 46. b Ex. 26. 31. Eph.2. 14. Hob. 6. 19. Heb. 10.19. c Mat. 27 64 d Lu. 23. 49 * Ft. 38. 11. nis crncifxion, the hall called Pretorium; and they call together the whole band. 17 And they clothed him with purple, and E bitted a crown of thorns, and put it about is hea/i, 18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took otl' the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. 21 And '■ they compel one Simon a Cyre- nian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander •" and lliifus, to bear his cross. 22 And ''they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted. The place of a skull. 23 And they gave him "to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24 And when they had crucified him, theyP parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25 And « it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 And *■ the superscription of his accusa- tion was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, 'And he was numbered with the transgressors. 29 H And « they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah! thou " that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes. He saved others ; himself he cannot save. 32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And "they that were crucified with him reviled him. 33 IT And "" when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, sajing, *Eloi! Eloi! lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted. My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me? 35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. 36 And ^ one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and * gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. 37 And "Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And 6 the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 39 TI And 'when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said. Truly this miui was the Son of God. 40 There ''were also women looking on afar ' oil: among whom was Alary Magda- lene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 2'i: 'Jes us Before rUate. JMA FvK, XV. Hi s Cnwi fixkm and Deaih. Bcaying, "Sir. we remember that that de- See A. 3. 14. is; He was theri^lecukrofa ceiver_said,while he was yet^ahve, after three yang, for our verse speaks of those who had ,(le ct((Vs I ifill rise again" ;M. 27. C3!. They; made insurrection ^vith him." (4.) He was ejseak of this not as a casual speech, once! "a notable" or 'notorious' character M 27 Uttered, but as what he had given out re- 16. 8. the multitude, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And * they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12 IT After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13 And they went and tcld it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14 IF Afterward *he appeared unto the eleven as they sat i at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And "* he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, ♦* and preach the Gospel to every creature. 16 He " that belie veth and is baptized shall be saved ; P but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe: «In my name shall they cast out devils ; '' they shall speak with new tongues : 18 They * shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; 'they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 % So then, " after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was "received up into hea- ven, and "> sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord workuig with them, and ' confirming the word with signs fol- lowing. Ameu. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S. LUKE CHAPTER I. 1 Ia^'s preface. 6 The conception of John Bap- tist, 26 and of Christ. 57 The nativity and circumcision of John. 64 The mouth of Zacharias opened: 67 Aw prophecy. TfORASMUCH as many have taken in •*- hand to set forth in order a declaration of " those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Kven 6 as they delivered them unto us, which 'from the beginning were eye-wit- nesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It <* seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee • in order, most/ excellent Theophilus, 4 That «' thou mightest know the cer- t.iinty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. 12 CHAP. J. 1 Ti. 3. 16. b Heb. 2. 3. 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2 Pet. 1.16. c John 15.27. vay my reproach among men. 2(> If And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a * virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin's name was ^lary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said. Hail! thou that art 2 highly favoured, tne Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women! 29 And when she saw him, sue was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her. Fear not, ilary; for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, 'behold, thou shak conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt c»ill his name JESUS. a! lie shall be ^ great, and shall be called i3 CHAP. 1 » Dan. 10. Gen. •^.■n. 1 Sa 1 19. P Mat. 11.11. q Nu. 6 3. JuJ? 13.4. ch. 7. Xi. r Jer. 1. 5. Gal. 1. 15. « Mai. 4. 5,li. (Mat 11.14. Mark 9. 12. 1 Or, by. •Mat. IS.IO. Heb. 1. 14. « Eze. 3. 26. £ie 24.27. V -Nu. b. 23. 2 2Ki. 11 5. a Gen. 30.23. 6 U. 7. 14. Mat. 1. 18. a Or, graciously a-'cepte*!, c Gal. 4 4. d 1 Ti. 6. 15. Phil 2. 10. e 2 Sa. 7. U. Pi. 132. 11. 1b. 9. 6, 7. Is. 16. 5. Jer. 23. 5. Kev. 3. 7. f Dan 2. 44. Dan. 7. 14. Oliad. 21. Mic. 4. 7. Jolm 12.34. g Mat. 14.33. Mat. 26.03. »lark 1. 1. Jolm 1. 34. John 20 31. Acta 8 37. Kom 1.4. h Gen. ia.l4. Jer. 32.17. Zech. 8. 6. R.mi. 4.21. t Joah 21. 9. Acts »» Mai. 3. 12. ch 11.27. o Gen. 17. 7. El. 20. 6. Ps. 103.17, P Ps. 93. 1. Pa. 118.15 9 Ps. 33. 10 1 Pet 5. 5 r 1 Sa. 2. 6. Pa. 113. 0. e Ps. 34 10. t Ps. ys. 3. Jor. 31. 3, the Son of the Highest: and ' the Loid God shall give unto him the throne of his father DaA-id: 33 And /he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 31 Then said Mary unto the angel. How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, ana the power of the Highest shall over- shadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the ^ Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old ai,'e: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For ''with God nothing shall be im- possible. 38 And Mary said. Behold the handmaid of the Lord ; he it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 39 II And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hiU country with haste, » into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacha- rias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisa- beth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was hlled.'' with the Holy Ghost; 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, * Blessed artthou among women, and blessed is the tiuit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she <*that believed: for there shall be a performance of those thhiga which were told her from the Lord. 4(5 % And Mary said, * My soul doth mag- nify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For " he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden : for, behold, from henceforth " all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things ; and holy is his name. 50 And " his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He ^nath showed strength with hia arm: 'he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of theur hearts. 52 He ''hath put down the mighty from Iheir seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He * hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his ser^-ant Israel, * iu remembianee of /iis mercy, 55 As " he spake to om- lathers, to Abra- ham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57 U Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered ; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed gr»at mercy upon her; and they rejoiced witn her, 59 And it came to pass, that "on the eiglilh (lay thiy came to cutiancise toe John the Baptises LUKE, I. Lirih Fo'rdold. or spurious gospels, upheld by parties Tin- friendly to the truths exhibited in the cano- nical(>ospels have noiperished; but thosewell- meaut and substantially correct narratives here referred to, used only while better were not to be had, were by tacit consent allowed to merge in the four peerless documents which from age to age, and \vith astonishing unanimity, have been accepted as the ■^^Titten Charter of all Christianity, to set forth iu order— more simply, ' to draw up a narrative. ' from the beginning— that is, of His public ministry, as is plain from what follows, from the very first— that is, from the very earliest events ; referring to those precious details of the birth and early life, not only of our Lord, but of his forerunner, which we owe to Luke alone, iu order— or " consecutively"— in contrast, probably, with the disjointed productions t' < wliich he had referred. But this must not be pressed too far; for, on comparing it with the other Gospels, we see that in some particulars the strict chronological order is not observed in this gospel, most excellent — or ' most noble '—a title of rank applied by this same writer twice to Felix and once to Festus (A. 23. 26; 24. 3: 26. 2.5.). It is likely, tliere- fore, that " Theophilus " was chief magi- strate of some city La (rreece or Asia Minor. [w. & w.l that thou mightest know—' know thoroughly.' hast been instructed— * orally instructed '—?if. 'catechized' or ' catecheti- cally taujiht,' at first as a catechumen or candidate for Christian Baptism. Ver. 5-25. Announceme-nt of the Foke- RUNNER. 5. Heroa— See on M. 2. l. course of Abia— or Abijah— the eighth of the twenty- four orders or courses into wliich David divided the priests. See l Chr. 24. 1, 4, 10. Of these courses only four returned after the captivity Ezra, 2. 36-39.), which were again subdivided into twenty-four— retaining the ancient name and order of each. They took the whole Temple-service for a week each, his wife was of the daughters of Aaron— The priests might marry into any tribe, but ' it was most commendable of all to marry one of the priest's line.' [Lft.] 6. commandments and ordinances — Tlie one expressing their mo )'a?— the other their ceremonial obedience. FCal. Beng.] cf. Ez. 11.20; He. 9. 1. It has been denied that any such distinction was known to the Jews and N. T. writers. But Mk. 12. 33, and other passages, put this beyond aU reasonable doubt. 7. So with Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Elkanah and Hannah, Manoah and his wife. 9. his lot to burn incense — The part assigned to each priest in his week of service was decided by lot. Three were employed at the offering of incense— to remove the ashes of the former service; to brinw in and place on the golden altar the pan lilled with hot burning coals taken from the altar of burnt-offering; and to sprinkle the incense on the hot coals; and, while the smoke of it ascended, to make intercession for the people. This was the most distinguished part of the service (Eev. 8. 3,) and this was what fell to the lot of Zachaiias at this time. [Lft.] 10. praying without— outside the court in front of the temple, where stood the altar of burnt- otlering; the men and women in separate courts, but the altar visible to all. the time of incense- which was offered along with tlie morning and evening sacrifice of everyday: 43 a beautiful symbol of the acceptableness of the sacrijice offered on the altar of burnt- offering, with coals from whose altar the incense was burnt (Le. 16. 12, 13.). This again was a symbol of the "living sacrifice" ol themselves and their services offered daily to God by the worshippers. Hence the language of Ps. 141. 2; Re. 8. 3. But that the accept- ance of this daily offering depended on the expiatory virtue presupposed in the burnt- otfering, and pointing to the one " sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour," (Eph. 5. 2 i is evident from Is. 6. 6, 7. 11. right side— the south side, between the altar and the candle- stick, Zacharias being on the north side, in front of the altar, while offering incense, [w. & w.] But why there? The right was the favourable side, M. 25. 33. [Sch. & AVetst. in Mey.i, cf. JVIk. 16. 5. 13. thy prayer is heard- doubtless for offspring, which by some presentiment he even yet had not despaired of. John— the .same as " Johanan," so frequent in the O. T., meaning ' Jehovah s gracious gift. 14. shall rejoice— so they did [v. 58, 66.) ; but the meaning rather is. ' shall have cause to rejoice '—it would prove to many a joyful event. 15. ffreat in the sight of the Lord— nearer to Him in offi- cial standing than all the prophets. See on M. 11. 10, 11. drink neither wine, &c.— i.e., shall be a Nazarite, or ' a separated one,' Num. 6. 2, (fcc. As the leper was the living symbol of mn, so was the Nazarite of holiness: nothing inflaming was to cross his lips; nc rizor to come on his head ; no ceremonial defilement to be contracted. Thus was he to be " holy to the Lord ceremonially all the days of his separation." Tliis separation was in ordinary cases temporary and volun- tary: only Samson (Ju. 13. 7.), Samuel (1 Sa. 1. 11.), and John Bai tist, were Nazarites from the womb. It was fitting that the utmost severity of legal consecration should be seen in Christ's forerunner. He was the Reality and PerfectioxV of the Nazarite without the symbol, which perish- ed in that living realization of it:—" Such an High Priest became us, who was sepa- rate from sinners" (He. 7. 26.). filled with Holy Ghost from womb— a holy vessel for future service. 16,17. A religious and moral refoom- er, Elijah-like, he should be (Mai. 4. 6. where the " turning of the people's heart to the Lord" is borrowed from l Ki. 18. 37.) In both cases their success, though great was partial— the nation was not gained, before Him— before " the Lord their God," v. 16. By comparing this with Mai. 3. 1, and Is. 40. 3, it is plainly " Jehovah " in the flesh ol Messiah [Cal.; Olsh.1 before whom John was to go, as a herald to announce his ap- proach, and a pioneer to prepare his way. in the spirit— after the model, and power of Elias— not his miraculous power, for " John did no miracle" iJ. 10. 41.) but his power in •' turning the heart." or with like success in his ministry. Both fell on degenerate times; both witnessed fearlessly for God; neither appeared much save in the direct exercise of their ministry : both were at the head of schools of disciples; the success of both was similar, fathers to the children— taken lUe- rady, this denotes the restoration of parental fidelity [Mey. &c.], the decay of which is the beginning of religious and social corruption- one prominent feature of the coming revival beiug put for the whole. But what follows. Zaeharias's prophecy of John. LUKE, 11. The birth of Jems Christ, ctiild ; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her. There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, sajiiig. His name is John. And they mar\'elled all. 64 And hia mouth was opened imme- diately, and his tongue loosed, and he Bpake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these * sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of J udea. 66 And all they that heard them ^ laid them up in their hearts, saying. What manner of child shall t his be! And * the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 1[ And his father Zacharias ^ was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, say- 68 lilessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salva- tion for us in the house of his servant l;a\'id: 70 As * he epake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began; 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To " perform the mercy promised to GUI' fathers, and to remember his holy covenant. 73 The A oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our ene- mies, might " serve him without fear, 75 In "^holiness and ritrhteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest: for * thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his wais: 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people, & by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the 6 tender mercy of our God, whereby the 7 dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To /give light to them that sit in dark- ness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. _ 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto IsiaeL CHAPTER IL 1 Augtistus taxeth the Roman empire. 6 Christ's nativity: i!l Ms circumcision: Hi he questioneth tfte doctors, etc. A ND it came to pass in those days, that •^^ there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be 1 taxed. 2 [And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into J udea, UJito * the city of David, which is called 44 CHAP. 1. 4 Or, things. f cli. 2. 19. « Gen. 39. 2. Ps. 80. 17. Ps. 89. 21. Act. 11. 21. V 2 Chr. 20. 14. Joel 2. 28. « Jer. 23. 6. Jer. 30. 10. Dan. 9. 24. Acts 3. 21. Rom. 1. 2. 1 Lev. 26.42. b Gen. 12. 3. Heb. 6. 13. c Rom. 6. 18. Heb. 9. 14. d Je .32. Bl'h. 4. 24. 2 Thess. 2. 13. 2 Ti. 1. 9. Tit 2. 12. 1 Pet. 1.15. 2 Pet. I. 4. « Is. 40. 3. Mai. 3. 1. JVIat. 11.10. 6 Or, tor. 6 Or, boweU Nu. 24. 17. l9. 11. 1. Zech. 3. 8. Zoch. B.12. Mai. 4. 2. fla.9.2. CHAP. 2. 1 Or, enrolled in order to be Uxed. Acts &. 37. a 1 Sa. 16. 1. Mic. 5. 2. 6 M.it. 1. 10. « Gal. 4. 4. d Is. 53. 2. 2 Cor. 4. 4. 2 Or, the night e Gen. 12. 3. Col. 1. 23. f Is. 9. 0. g Phil. 2. 11. A Gen. 28 12. Pa. 103.20. Dan. 7. 10. He 1 John 4.9. 3 the men the shep- l Mat. 1. 21. •» Lev. 12. 2. n £i. 13. 2. o Is. *). 1. Mar. 15. 43. P Ps. 89. 48. Beb. 11. 5. Bethlehem, (* because he was of the house and lineage of David,) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And '^she brought forth her first-bom son, and wrapped him in swaddliiis< clothes, and laid him in "'a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 IT And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping 2 watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tid- ings of great joy, ' which snail be to all people. 11 For /unto you is bom this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, «' which is Chiist the Lord. 12 And this sMll be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And '» suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth » peace, } good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, 3 the shepherds said one to another. Let us now go even unto Dethlehem. and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they tliat heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21 ir And * when eight days were accom- Elished for the circumcising of the child, is name was called ' JLSDS. which was so named of the angel before he was con- ceived in the womb. 22 And when "• the days of her purifica- tion according to the law of Aloses were accomplished, they brought him to Jeru- salem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it 13 written in the law of the Lord, Every " male thatopeneth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to ofl'er a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jera- salem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, " waiting for the consolation of Israel: ana the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not^ see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Anvvrrinffon of Christ. LTTKE, I. Visit of Mary to Elizahcfh. explanatory of this, rather sut'J,'ests afig^ira- 1 of a double Sonship, as some do, harshly atul tire sense. If "the disobedient" be "thai without all ground, nor deny what is here children," and to "the fathers "belongs "the plainly expressed, the connection between wisdom of the just" [Beng.], the meaning His human birth and His proper personal will be, 'he shall bring back the ancient Sonship. 36. thy cousin— * relative,' but how spirit of the nation into their degenerate near the word says not. conceived, -ciatiox of Christ. See on M. 1. IS- 21. 26. sixth month — of Eliza- beth's time. Joseph, of the house of David- see on M. 1. 16. 28. highly favoured— a word only once used elsewhere (Eph. 1. 6 " made accepted") : cf. v. 30. "Thou hast found fa- vour with God." The mistake of the Vul- gate's rendering,' full of grace,' has been taken abundant advantage by the Romish Church. As the mother of our Lord, she was the most "blessed among women" in external dis- tinction ; but let them hear to the Lord's own words, " Nay rather blessed are they supposing Elizabeth, like the prophets of old, enlightened to perceive the Alessiah's Divine nahire.' [Olsh.I " llie mother of my Lord"— but not "My Lady" icf 20. 42; Jo. 20. 28./. [Beng.] 45. An additional bene- diction on the Virgin for her implicit faith, in tacit and delicate contrast with her own husband, for, &c.— rather, as in the margin, 'that.' 46-55. A magnificent canticle, in which the strain of Hannah's ancient song, in like circumstances, is caught up, and just slightly modified and sublimed. Is it imna- turalto suppose that the spirit of the blessed Virgin had been dra^vn beforehand into mysterious sjnnpathy with the ideas and the that hear the word of God and keep it." See | tone of this hymn, so that when the life and on L. 11. 27. 31. The angel purposely con- 1 fire of inspiration penetrated her whole forms his language to Isaiah's famous pro- soul it spontaneously swept the chords of phecy, ch. 7. 14. [Cal.] 32, 33. This is but this song, enriching the Hymnal of the an echo of the sublime prediction. Is. 9. 6, 7. Church with that spirit-stirring canticle 34. How, &c. — not the unbelief of Zacharias, which has resounded ever since from its " Whereby shall I know this?" but, taking temple walls? In both songs, those holy the fact for granted, ' How is it to be, so con- 1 women, filled with wonder to behold "the trary to the unbroken law of human birth ?' j proud, the mighty, the rich," passed by. and. Instead of reproof, therefore, her question is i m their persons, the lowliest chosen to answered La mysterious detail. 35. Holy ; usher in the greatest events, sing of this as Ghost— see on M. l. 18. power of the highest— ; no capricious movement, but a great law oj the immediate energy of the Godhead con- [ the kingdom of God, by which he delights to rgy ' r Gl veyed by the Holy Ghost, overshadow— a " put doion the mighty from their seats and word suggesting how gentle, while yet effica- 1 exalt them of loiu degree. " In both son'4S cious, would be this Power P5eng.}-, and its the strain dies away on Christ- in Hah- mysterious secrecy, withdrawn, as if by a nah's, under the name of "Jehovah's King"' to whom, through all his line, from David ... .-„ ^^„ exalt cloud, from human scrutiny. [Cal.] that holy thing bom of thee—' that holy Offspring onwards to himself. He will "give strengi of thine.' therefore. Son of God— That Clirist j His "Anointed," whose horn He wiU e the Son of God in his divine and eternal (1 Sam. 2.10); in the Virgin's song, it is as the .ture is clear from j,ll the N. T.; yet here *'Help" jjromised to Israel by all the pro- my spirit — "all that is nature we see that Sonship efflorescing into human phets. My soul . , ^ and palpable manil'estation by his being ; within me " ,Ps. 103. l.\ my Saviour— Mary, born, through " the power n oy of th e Highest, ' | poor heart, never dreamt, we see, of her an Infant oi days. W e must neither°tliink ! own ' immaculate conception '—in the offen- 41 B'rfh avrl Circnmnsnnn of John. LUKE, 11. five language of the Koinanists— any more than ot her own immaculate life, holpen— cf. Ps. 80. 19.i *' I liave laid help on One that is mighty." As He spake to our fathers — 27* c scu e reQuircs this clause to be read as a Vaiaithesis. \Ci. Mi. 7. 20 ; Ps. 98. 3.) for ever— the i erpetuity of Messiah's Idngdom, as expre;:sly promised by the angel, v. 33. 66. abode with her about three months— What an honoured roof was that which, for such a period, overarched these cousins! and j'et not a trace of it is now to be seen, while the progeny of those two women— the one b\it the honoured pioneer of tlie other — have made the world new. returned to her own house— at Nazareth, after vlikh took place what is recorded in M. l. 18-25. 57-80. BtRXH AJSD ClRCUMClSlOX OF JOHN — bONG OF ZACH ARIAS, AND PROGRESS OF THE Child. 69. eighth day— The law iGe. 17. 12,; was observed, even thou.uh the eighth day after birth should be a Sabbath J. 7. 23., and see Ph. 3. 5.;. called him— /*(. "were calling"— i.e., laswe should say) 'were for calling.' The naming of children at baptism has its origin in the Jewish custom at circumcision (Ge. 21. 3, 4,) and the names of Abram and Sarai were changed at its first performance ^Ge. 17. 5, 15.). 62. made signs — showmy: he was deaf, as well as dimib. 63. v/ondered all — at his giving the same name, not knowing of any communication between them on the subject, mouth opened immediately— on thus palpably showing his full faith in the vision, for disbelieving which he had been struck dumb (v. 13. 20.;. 65. fear— religious awe; under the impres- sion that God's hand was specially in these events icf. ch. 5. 26; 7. 16; 8. 37.). 66. hand of the Lord with him— by special tokens marking him out as one destined to some great work (1 Ki. 18. 40; 2 Ki. 3. 15; A. 11. 21.). 68-79. There is not a word in this noble burst of divine song about his own child ; like Elizabeth losing sight entirely of self, in the glory of a Greater than both. Lord God of Israel— the ancient covenant -God of the peculiar people, visited and redeemed— t. e., in order to redeem: returned after long absence, and broken his long silence see on M. 15. 31.;. In the O. T., God is said to '■ visit" chiefly for judgment, in the N. T. for mercy. Zacharias would, as yet, have but imperfect views of such " visiting and redeeming," " saving from and delivering out of the hand of enemies" (I\, 74.!. But this O. T. phraseology, used at first with a lower reference, is, when viewed in the light of a loftier and more comprehensive king- dom of God, equally adapted to express the most spiritual conceptions of the redemp- tion that is in Christ J esus. horn of salva- tion— i. e., ' strength of salvation,' or 'mighty Salvation,' meaning the iSaviour Himself, whom iSimeon calls "Thy Salvation" ch. 2. 30.). ITie metaphor is taken from those animals whose strength is in their horns (Ps. 132. 17; 75. 10; 18. 2. . 69. house of David Song of Znrharins. efr. on oath to Abraham and his seed, to be realised at an appointed period; and at length, in " the fulness of the time," glori- ously made good. Hence, not only grace," or the thing promised; but " tndh," or JidelUy to the promise, are said to " come by Jesus Christ" iJ. 1. 17. j. that He woidd grant us, &c.— How comprehensive is the view here given ! (l.i The piirpose of all redemption — "that we should serve Him"— i. e., "the Lord God of Israel" v. 68.). The word signifies religious service distinctively—' the priesthood of the N. T.' [Beng.J i2.) Tlie nature of this service — "in holiness and righteousness before Him'— or, as in His presence icf. Ps. 56. 13.). (3.) Its freedom— "being delivered out of the hand of our enemie.s." (4.) Its Jearlessness —" might serve Him without fear." i5.) Its duration — "aU the days of our life." 76-79. Here are the dying echoes of this song; and very beautiful are these closing notes— like the setting sun, shorn indeed of its noon tide ratUance, but skirting the liorizon Avith a ■wavy and quivering l:ght— asof molten gold —on which the eye delights to gaze, till it disappears from the view. Tlie song passes not here from Christ to John, but only from Christ direct, to Christ as heralded by his forerunner, thou child— not " my son "—this child's relation to himself being lost in his relation to a Greater thun either. Prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before him — i. e., "the Highest." As "the Most High" is an epithet in Scripture, only of tlie supreme God, it is inconceivable that inspira- tion should apply this term, as here undeni- ably, to Christ, unless he were " God over all blessed lor ever" lEo. 9. 5.). to give know- ledge of salvation— to sound the note of a needed and provided " salvation," was the noble office of John, above all that pre- ceded him; as it is that of aU subsequent ministers of Christ; but infinitely loftier was it to be the "Salvation" itself ^v. CO, and ch, 2. oO. . by the remission of sins— ITiis stamps at once the spiritual nature of the salva- tion here intended, and explains v. 71, 74. Through the tender mercy, A:c. — the sole spring, necessarily, of all salvation for sin- ners, day-spring from on high, ;uxciation to thg all the world— so the vast Eoman Empire was Shepherds — their Visit to the Nkw- termed.' taxed— 'enrolled,' or "register them- born Babe. 8 Abiding in the fields— stay- selves.' 2. first.. when Cyrenius, rr:.\.LOGY of Jestts. 23. he be- gr,n to be about thirty — i.e., 'was about en- tering on his ;-;Oth year.' So our translators have taken the word; [and so Cal., Bez , Bloomf.. w. & w. fcc] but ' was about 30 years of age when he began (liis ministry),' makes better Greek, and is probably the true sense. [Beng., Oi.sn., De W., Mey , Alf., &c.) At this age the priests entered on their olhce. (Nu. 4. 3.) being, as was sup- posed, the sen of Joseph. when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases biought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. 41 And *de\'ils also came out of many, crying out, and sajing. Thou art Christ, the Son of God. And ' he, rebuking them. Buttered them not * to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. 42 And •" when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place; and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart irom tai;iii. 47 CHAP 4. ' P« 45. 2. MBt. 13.54. Slarke.a. 'Ma * Mat. 10.64 Mark G. 1. V Mat. 13.67. Mark 6. 4. John 4. 44. »1 K[. 17.9. 1 Ki. 18. 1. Jam. 5. 17. 0.2 Ki. 5 14. 2 Or, edge. 6 John 8 59. John U).:a e Mat 4 13 Mark 1.21. '/ Mat. 7. 23, •.'9. Tit. 2. 1.^. « Mark 1. 23. 3 Or. Away. f P». 16. lU. Is. 49. 7. Dan. 9. 24. ch. 1. 35. Acts 2. 31. Art. 4. 37. g Mic. 5. 4. A Mat. 8 14 k Maikl 34 ALirk3. 11. I JNLirk 1. 25, 34. 4 Or, to say th.1t they to be Thrist. TOM.,rkl.35. n .Mark 1.14, 6 Joiin 21. ti. c 2 Sa 6. 9. IKi. 17.18 « Mat. 4. 20 Mai. 19.27. Murk 1 18 / Mat. 8. 2. i Lev. 13. 1. Lev. 14.4. 10,21.22 ;■ Mat. 4 25. Ma k 3. ; John 6. 2. k Mar. U.-.3. Mar. 6. 46. { Mat. 9. 2. Mark 2. a. 43 And he s.aid unto them, " I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. 44 And "he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. CHAPTER V, 1 Christ tfacheth out of Feter's ship. 4 A mi- racu!ou3 draught of fishes. \'i A lepfr deaiised. 18 The palsy healed. 27 Levi called from the receipt of custom. A ND " it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God. he stood by the lake of Gennes.iret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him tliat he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat do^vn, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, * Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him. Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they in- closed a great multitude of fishes; and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, tnat they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man. O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; "^from henceforth thou shalt catch men. U And when they had brought their ships to laud, *they forsook all, and followed liim. 12 H And /it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man lull of leprosy; who, seeing Jesus, fell on his lace, and be- sout,'ht him, saying. Lord, it thou wilt, thou canst "make nie clean. 13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thi u clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14 And '» he charged him to tell no man: but go, and show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, « according as Aloses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and> great multituiiea came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 And * he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. 17 1) And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were I'hari- sees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea. and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord w&s present to heal .hem. 18 II And, ' behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and Genealogv of Christ, friz., that in this case M. makes " Jacob, " , ihile L. makes "iMi," to be Josei;h's fa- LTJ KE, IV. HehcGinsMs Minidry. that event. ITie visit to Nazareth recorded Ln M. 13. 54-58, (and JWk. 6. 1 6J we take to be Iher; and though the same man had often ; not a later visit, but the same with this first more than one name, we ought not to resort j one; becaiise we cannot think that thelS'aza- to that suiiposition, in such a case as this, I renes, after being so enraged at His Jirst dis- without necessity. And then, though the play of wisdom as to attempt his destruction, descent of Mary from David would be liable | should, on a second display of the same, won- to no real doubt, even though we had no { der at it and ask how he came by it,' as if table of her line preserved to us, (see, for ex- ! they had never witnessed it before, as his ample, ch. l. 2-32, and on ch. 2. 5,i still it does I custcm was— cf. A. 17. 2. 17. stocd up to read- seem unlikely— we say not incredilile— that ■ others besides rabbins were allowed to ad- two genealogies of onr Lord should be pre- ' dress the congregation. See A. 13. 15. 18, 19. served to us neither of which gives his real \ To have fixed on any passage announcing descent. These who take the latter opinion. His sufferings, (as Is. 63,) would have been that we have here the line of Mary, as in ' unsuitable at that early stage of His minis- M. that of Jo6fi)/t— here his real, there his ; try. But He selects a passage announcing reputed line— explain the statement about the sublime object of His whole mission, its Joseph, that he was " Uie sou of Heli," to Liivine character, and His special endow- mean that he was his son-in-laiv, as the hus- ments for it; expressed in the first person, band of his daughter Mary, asin Eutb 1. 11, and so singiUarly adapted to tliejirst opening 12, and believe that Joseph's name is only | oj the mouth in his prophetic capacity, that i,r.t,.^A„..r.A ;„„+«o.i ^e-\\„„^^ ,-^ ^^„f„ — ,;»„ ^j seems OS if made expressly for this occa- sion. It is from the weU-known section of Isaiah's prophecies whose burden is that mysterious "bEEVAKT or the Loed," de- spised of man, abhorred of the nation, but before AVliom kings on seeing Him are to arise, and princes to worship; m visage more marred than any man and his form than the introduced instead of Maiys, in conformity with the Jewish custom in such tables. Per- haps this view is attended with fewest diffi- culties, as it certainly is the best supported. However we decide, it is a satisfaction to know that not a doubt was tlirowTi out by the bitterest of the early enemies of Christi- anity as to our LorcVs real descent from David. On comparing the two genealogies, I sons of men, yet sprinkling many nations- it wid be found that M.,wTitiug more imme- 1 labouring seemingly in vain, and spending diately for Jews, deemed it enough to show that the Saviour was sprung trcm Abraham and David; whereas L., wTittng more im- mediately for Gentiles, traces the descent back to Adam, the parent stock of the whole human family, thus showing him to be the prondsed " Seed of the woman." * The pos- sibility of constructing such a table, com- prising a period of thousands of years, in an his strength for nought and in vain, yet Je- hovah's Servant to raise up the triles of Jacob and be His Salvation to the ends of the earth. (Is. 49, Arc.) The quotation is chiefly from the Septuagint version, used in the synagogues, acceptableyear— an allusion to the Jubilee year. iLe. 25. iO,i a year of uni- versal release for person and property. See also Is. 49. 8; 2 Co. G. 2. As the maladies un- uninterrupted line from father to son, of a j der which humanity groans are here set family that dwelt for a long time in the utmost retirement would be inexplicable, had not the members of this line been endowed with a thread by which they could extricate themselves from the many families into which every tribe and branch was again subdivided, and thus hold fast and know tlie member that was destined to con- tinue the hneage. This thread was the hope that Messiah would be bom of the race of Abraham and David. Tlie ardent desire to behold Htm and be partakers of his mercy and glory suffered not the attention to be exhausted through a period embracing thou- sands of years. Thus the member destined to continue the lineage, whenever doubtful, became easily distinguishable, awakening the hope of a final fulfilment, and keeping it alive untd it was consummated.' [Ul^h.] 24-30. son of Matthat, drc— See on M. 1. 13-15. In V. 27, Salathiel Ls called the son, while in M. 1. 12, he is called the fatherot Zerubbabel. i>ut they are probably difl'erent persons. 38. son of God— cf. A. 17. 28. CHAPTEE IV. Ver. 1-13. Temptation of Chkist.— See on M. 4. ML 14-32. Je.stjs, E^r^EKING ox his Public Ministry, makes a Circuit of Galilee — Rejection at Nazareth, n.b. A large forth under the names of povcrtij, broken- ficarteclness, bondage, hlindnefs, bridsedncss, (or crushedness,'^ so, as the glorious Healer of all these maladies Christ announces Him- self in the act of reading it, stopping the quo- tation just before it comes to "' the day of vengeance," which was only to come on the rejecters of His message. (J. 3. 17.) The first words, *' The Spirit of the Lord is upon ]Me," have been noticed since the days of the Church fathers, as an Illustrious example of Father, Son, and, Holy Ghost, being exhibited as in distinct yet haimonious action in the scheme of salvation. 20. the minister— the Chazan ox synago-ue ctticer. all eyes fastened on Him— astoimded at his putting in such claims. 21. began to say, &c. — His whole address was just a detailed appli- cation to Himself of this and perhaps other like prf)phecies. 22. gracious words—' the words ol grace,' referring both to the rich- ness of his matter and the sweetness of his manner. iPs. 45. 2.) is not this -23. 2 Cor. 11.2. Kev. 19. 7. Eer. 21. 2. V Dan. 9. 26. Zech. 13. 7. John 7. 33. « Wat. 6. 16, 17. Ac. 13. 2,3. 1 Cor. 7.6. 2 Cor. 6. Mat. 9. 16, 17. Mark 2.21, CHAP. 6. a M.it. 12. 1. Mark 2. 23. b Ex. 2U. 10. Mark 7. 2. Cl Sa. 21.6. d Kx. 29. 23, 33. Lev. 24. 9. e Mat. 12.9. Mark 3. 1. ch. 13. 14. ch. 14. 3. John 9. 16. fl Sa. 16. 7. ch. 5. 22. John 2. 24, 25. John 6. 64. John 21.17. Acts 1. 24. EoT. 2. 23. g John 7. 23. * Mat.l4Ji3. t Mat. 10. 1. j John 1. 42. * John 14.22. Acts 1. 13. Jude 1. J Mat. 4. 25. Mark 3. 7. »» Mat.14.36. n Mark 5.30. ch. 8. 46. Mat. 5. 3. Mat. 11.6. p Is. 65. 1. 1 Cor.4.11. g la. 61. 3. Kev. 7. 14-17. CHAPTER VL 1 ToucMng the ears of corn that were vlueked bo the disciples on the sabbath. 13 Christ chooseih the tiuelve, M healelh divers diseases, 20 pro- nounceth blessings, etc. A ND "it came to pass, on the second ''•■*■ sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his discipks E lucked the ears of com, and did eat, rub- iug them in their hands. 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, 6 Why do ye that which is not lawl"ul to do on the sabbath days? 3 And Jesus answering them said. Have ye not read so much as this, ' what David dill, when himself was an hmigered, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him ; <* which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? 5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. ' % And * it came to pass also on another sbath, that he entered into the syna- gogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withtred. 7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he /knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered haiia, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; ^ Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? 10 And looking round about upon them aU, he said unto the man, Stretch forth tliy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus. 12 H And "i it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day. he called xaito him his disciples: < and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named Apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, I'hilip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas ''tlie brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plam, and the company of his disciples, ' and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidou.wliich came to hear him, and to be healed of their 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude '"sought to touch him: for " there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. 20 H And he lifted up his eyes on his dis- ciples, and said, • Blessed be ye poor: for yoms is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed Pare ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. 'Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Peter's Mother-in-law Healed. LUKE, V. Call of Peter, James, and JoTiiu when he did come thither, to give no displays as His enemies actually alle'^ed (See on M. -''' ' '■— J------^ -' -:" - 12. 24, &C.1. See also A. It;. iG-18. 42-44. Jesus, iSouGnr Out at Mobxino De- His we of his power when distant places were rinj ing with his fame, wounded their pride. He had indeed " Liid his hands on a few sick Prayer, and Extueated to Stay, folk and healed them," Mk. 6. 5 ; but this clines from the Urgency seems to have been done quite privately, the Work.— See on Mk. 1. 35-39, where ..„ general iinbelief precluding anything more | learn how early He retired, and how He and he said, &c.— He replies to the i was engaged in solitude when they came open. 24 one proverb by another, which we express in a rougher much familiarity breeds contempt equally familiar, form—' Too king Him. stayed him — ' were staying ^..v. him,' or sought to do it. What a con- Our trast to the Gadarenes ! The nature of Lord's long residence in Nazareth merely as His mission reqiiired Him to keep moving, a townsman had made him too common, in- , that all might hear the glad tidings. (M. capacitating them for appreciating Him as 8. :j4.) I must, (fee— but duty only could others did who were lees familiar with his move Him to deny entreaties so grateful to tivery-day demeanour in private life. A most His spirit important principle, to which the wise will pay due regard. _ .See also M. 7. 6, on which Ver. 1-11. CHAPTER V. Miraculous Draught op our Lord Himself ever acted.) 25-27. But I { Fishes — Call of Peter, James, and tell you, &c.— falling back for support on the j John. — Not their firhi call, however, re- well-known examples of Elijah and Elishal corded J. 1. 35-42; nor their second, recorded (Eliseus), whose miraculous power, passing |M. 4. 18-22; but their third and last before by those who were near, expended itself on i their appointment to the apostleship. That those at a distant, yea on heatliens, ' the these calls were all distinct and progressive. two great prophets who stand at the com- mencement of prophetic antiquity.and whose miracles strikingly prefigured those of our Lord. As he intended like them to feed the poor and cleanse the lepers, He joints to these miracles of mercy, and not to the fire from heaven and the bears that tore the mock- ers.' [Stier.]. three years and six mouths— So Ja. 5. 17, including perhaps the six months after the last fall of rai7i, when there would be little or none at any rate ; whereas in 1 Ki. 18. 1, which says the rain returned " in the third year," that period is probably not reckoned, save . . . saving—* but only. ' cf . Mk. 13. 32, Gr.) Sarepta — " Zarephath, " I Kl. 17. 9, a heathen village between Tyre and Sidon. (See Mk. 7. 24.) 28, 29. when they heard these things— these allusions to the heathen, just as afterwards with Paul (A. 22. 21-22.). rose np— broke up the .service irreverently and rushed forth, thrust him— with violence, as a prisoner in their hands, brow, &c.— Nazareth, though not built on the ridge of a hiU, is in part surrounded by one to the west, having several such precipices. (See 2 Chr. 25. 12: 2 Ki. 9. 33. It was a mode of capital punishment not unusual among the Eomans and others). This was the first insult which the Son of God received, and it came from "them of his own household !" (M. 10. 36.). 30. passing through the midst. &c. — evidently in a miraculous way, though perhaps quite noiselessly, leading them to wonder afterwards what spell could have come over them, that they allowed him to escape. [Similar escapes, however, in times of persecution are not unexampled). 31. dov/u to Capernaum— it lay on the Sea of Galilee (M. 4. 13.), whereas Nazareth lay high. 33-37. Demoniac Healed, unclean— the frequency with which tliis character of imptiritii is applied to evil spirits is worthy of notice, cried out, (fee.— see on M. 8. 29-, I\Ik. 3. 11. rebuked them, (fee— see on v. 41. thrown him, (fee— see on JMk. 9. 20. what a word— a word from tJw Lord of spirits ! 38-41. Peter's Mother-in-Law, and Many Others, Healed. See on M. 8. 14-17. 41. suffered them not to speak— the marginal reading here is. wrong. Our Lord ever refused testimony from devils, for the very reason tvhy they vjere eager to give it, because He and they would thus seem to be one interest, 48 seems quite plain. Similar stages are ob- servable in other eminent servants of Christ.) 3. taught out of the ship— see on M. 13. 2. 4. for a draught— munificent recompense for the use of his boat. 5. Master— betokening not surely a first acquaintance, but a relation- ship already formed. aU night— the usual time of fisiiing then (J. 21. 3.i, and even now Peter, as a fisherman, knew how hopeless it was to" let down his net" again, save as a mere act of faith, "at His word" of command, which carried in it, as it ever does, assurance of suc- cess. (Tills shows he must have been already and for some time a follower of Christ.) 6. net brake— rather ' was breaking,' or ▼begin- ning to break,' as v. 7, " beginning to sink." 8. depart, (fee- Did Peter then wish Christ to leave him? Verily no. His all was wrapt up in Him. (J. 6. 68.) 'Twas rather, 'Woe is me. Lord! How shall I abide this blaze of glory? A sinner such as I am is not fit com- pany for Thee.' (cf. Is. 6. 5.) 10. fear not, Simon— this shows how the Lord read Peter's speech. Themore hinhly they deemed of Him, ever the more grateful itwas to the Redeemer's spirit. Never did they vain Him ly mani- festing too lofty concei)iions of Him. from henceforth— marking a new stage of their con- nection \vith Christ. The last was simply, " I will make .you fishers." fishers of men— 'What ynli thou think, Simon, overwhelmed by this draught of fishes, when I shall bring to thy net what wiU beggar aU this glory? See on M. 4. 18. 11. forsook all— They did this before (M. 4. 20 ; now they do it again- and yet after the (iucifixion they are at their boats once more. (J. 21. 3.) In such a business this is easily conceivable. After Pentecost, however, they appear to have finally abandoned their secular calling. 12-16. Leper Healed.— ijee on M. 8. 2-4. 15. but so. (fee— See on I\Ik. 1. 45. 17-26. Paralytic He.^led.— See on M. 9. 1-8. 17. Pharisees and doctors . . . sitting by— the highest testimony yet borne to our Lord's growing influence, and the necessity increas- ingly felt by the ecclesiastics throughout the country of coming to some definite judgment regarding Him. power of the Lord present— with Jesus, to heal them— the sick people 18. house-top — the flat roof, through the tiling . . , before Jesus— See on Mk. 2. 2. 24 take up thy couch— 'sweet saying l The bed G Christ imtructeth his disciple s. -1 J31cssed *■ are ye when men sliall hate .vou, and wheu they « shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach yon, and cast out your name as e^•il, lor tne Son of man's sake. 23 llejoice «yein that day, and leap for joy: tor, behold, iour reward is afreat in heaven: for "hi the like manner did their lathers unto the propliets. 24 iJut "woe unto you that are rich! for ye '" have received your cousolation 25 Woe * unto you that are full! tor ye shall hunger, v Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn ana weep. 26 Woe ''unto you when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. 27 IT liut " I say unto yon which hear. Love your eueuiies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and Spray for them which despitefuUy use you. 2!> And^uuto him that smiteth thee on tiie one cheek oiler also the other ; ^ and him that taketli away thy cloak forbid not io Uike thy coat fxlso. 3(1 Give * to every mau that asketh of thee ; and of liim that taketh away thy goods ask them noi again. ol And /as ye would that men sliould do to^you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For ^ if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for siuuers also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And 'I if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? lox sinners also lend to siiiuers, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and » lend, hoping for nothing agaui ; anJ your reward shall be great, and > ye shall be the children of the Highest: for *he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil 3(} Be ' ye therefore merciful, as your father also is merciful. 37 Judge "* not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned : forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, "and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and ninuing over, shall men give iiito your "bosom. For ^with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 3y And he snake a parable unto them: Cans the blind Igad the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The '"disciple is not above his master: but every one i that is perfect shall be as his master. _ 41 And * why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother. Brother, let me pull out the mote that is m thine eye, when thou thyself be- holdest not the beam that is in thine owu eye? Thou hypocnte, 'cast out first the beam out of tliine o-vvn eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is m thy brother's eye. 43 For "a good tree bringeth not forth con-upt fruit: neither doth a corrupt tree biiuu lortli good li uit. I LUKE, vn. TTie centurion's faith. CHAP. 6. r Alat 5. 11. 1 Pet. 2.19. 1 Pet. 3.14. Col. 1 24. Jam. 1. 2. » Acts 7. 51. V Amos 0. 1. cli. 1^. ai. «« ftUt". 6. 2. ch. It) 25. a: Is. C5. 13. V Pro. 14. 13. " John 15.19. I.luhn4.5. a Ex. 2a. 4. Pro. 25. 2. »Iat. 5. 44 Ko. 12. 21), b ch. 23. 34. Acta 7 60. <-• Alat. 5. 39. d 1 Cor. G. 7. e Dou. 15. 7. Pro. 3. 27. Pro. 21 2C. Mat. 5. 42. / Mat. 7. 12. Phil. 4. 8. Mat. 6. 46. h Mat. 5. 42. i Lot. 25. 36. Ps. 37. 26. j Mat. 5. 45. 1 John 3. 1. A Act« H.17. 1 Mat. 5. 48. Eph.b.lX »» Mat. 7. 1. Jam. 4.11. n Pro. 19.17. Ps. 79. 12. P Mat. 7. 2. Mark 4.24. Jam. 2. 13. q aiat. 15.14. r Mat 10.24. John 13.16. John 15.20. 1 Or, shaU per- fected I his master. 8 Mat. 7. 3. t Pro. 18. 17. M Mat. 7. 16. Gal. 5. 19, 2.1 2 Ti. 31-9. V Mat. 12.33. 2 a grape. M- Ko. 8. 5-8. « Mai. 1. 6. Mat. 25.11. 44 For^eveiT tree is knov,-n by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they 2gTapes. 45 A '"good man out of the good trea.sure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good ; and an evil man out of the evil trea- sure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46 H And "why caU ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the tilings which I say? 47 Whosoever " cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a mau which built an house, aud digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and whqi *the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it; for it was fouuded upon " a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a inau that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; agauist which the stream did beat vehemeutly, aud im- mediately it fell; and *the rum of that house was great. CHAPTER VIL I The eenturion's faith { lU Christ healeth Mi $er- va7it, beitig absent; U raiseA the widow's son, 2i Christ's testimony of John. 36 Mary Mag- dalene anoinleth Christ's feet. ">JOW when he had ended all his sayiiigg -'-^ in the audience of the people, " he en- tered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who -vas dear uuto him, was sick, aud ready to die. 3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseech- ing him that he would come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they be- sought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saj ing uuto him. Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say m a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For 1 also am a man set under author- ity, having under me soldiers; and 1 say unto 1 one. Go, and he goeth; and to another. Come, and he cometh; aud to my ser\'aiit, Bo this, and he doeth it. 9 When Jesus heard these things, he mar- veiled at him, and tm-ued him about, aud said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, 1 h.vve not fotmd so great faith, no, not in * Israel. 10 And they that were sent, rettmiing to the house, found the sen'ant whole that had been sick. II ^ And it came to pass the day after, that he went mto a city called Nain, and many of his disciples went with ium, aud much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carrii d out, the only sou of his mother, ami she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. Plucldng Corn-ears on Sahhath. LTJKE, VT. Divers Diseases Healed. liad borne the man; now the man shall bear the bed.' JBeng.L 27--32. Levi's Call and Feast.— See on M. 9. 9-13; and Mk. 2. 14. 30. tlieir scribes— a mode of expression showing that L. was writing for Gentiles. 33-39. Fasting.— See on M. 9. 14-17. The incongruities mentioned in v. 36-38 were in- tended to illustrate the diflereuce between the genixLS of the old and the new economies, and the danger of mixing up the one with other. As, in the one case supposed, " the rent is made worse," and in the other, " the new wine is spilledj" so by a mongrel mixture of the ascetic rituahsm, of the old with the spi- ritnal freedom of the new economy, both are disfigured and destroyed. The additional E arable in i;. 39. which is peculiar to L., has een variously interpreted. But the " new wiue" seems plainly to be the evangelical freedom which Christ was introducing; and the old, the opposite spirit of Judaism: men 'ong accustomed to the latter could not be expected " straightway"— all at once— to take a liking for the former, q.d. ' These inquiries about the difference between my disciples and the Pharisees,' and even John's, are not surprising; tliey are the effect of a natural revulsion, against sudden change, which time wiU cure; tlie oiew wine will itself in time be- come old, and so acquire all the added charms of antiquity. What lessons does this teach, on the one hand, to those who unreasonably cling to what is getting antiquated ; and, on the other, to hasty reformers who have no patience with the timidity of their weaker Drethren! CHAPTER VI. Vcr. 1-5. Plucking Corn Ears on Sab- bath. See on M. 12. 1-8 ; and Mk. 2. 23-28, 1. secoud sabbath after tiie first disciples to pray for " labourers" just beforo sending themselves forth see on M. 9. 37; 10. 1.). so here we find the Lord Himself in prolonged communion with His Father in preparation for the solemn appointment of those men who were to give birth to His Church, and from whom the world in all tune was to take a new mould. How instructive is this! 13-16. See on M. 10. 2-4. 17. in the plain— by some rendered ' on a level place,' i. €., a piece of high table-land, by which they understand the same thins, as "on the mountain," where our Lord delivered th& sermon recorded by M. (5. 1.), of which they take this following discourse of L. to be but an abridged form. But as the sense given in our version is the more accurate, so there are weighty reasons for considering the dis- courses ditt'erent. Tliis one contains little more than a fourth of the other; it has woes of its own as weU as the beatitudes common to both; but above all, that of M. was plainly delivered a good while before, while this was spoken after the choice of the twelve, and as we know that our Lord delivered some of His weightiest sayings more than once, there is no difficulty in supposing this to be one of his more extended repetitions; nor could anything be more worthy of it. 19. healed— kept healing, denoting sucessive acts of mercy till it went over "a/J" that needed. There is something unusually grand and pictorial in this touch of description. 20, 21. In the Sermon on the Mount the be- nediction is pronounced upon the " poor in spirit" and those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness." (M. 5. 3, 6.) Here it is simply on the "poor" and the "hungry now." In this form of the discourse, then, our Lord seems to have had in view " the tiie first— an obscure ! poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of expression occurring here only, generally I the kingdom which God hath promised to understood to mean, the first Sabbath after them that love him," as these very beatitudes the second day of unleavened bread. The are paraphrased by James (2. 5'. laugh— how reasons cannot be stated here, nor is the charming is the liveliness of this word, to ex- opinion itself quite free from difficulty. 5. i press what in M. is called being " comforted!" Lord also— rather 'even,' as M. 12. 8.— of the i separate you— whether from theii Church, hy Sabbath— as naked a claim to cdltheaidhority [ excommunication, or from their society: both of Him who gave the law at Mount Sinai as i hard to flesh and blood. 22. for the Son of could possibly be made. q.d. ' I have said j Man's sake— cf. M. 5. 11, " for my sake-" and enough to vindicate the men ye carp at on my immediately before, " for riohteousness' sake" account; but in this place isthe Lord of the law, {v. 10). Christ thus binds upihe cause ofriuht- and tliey luive His sanction. See on Mk. 2. 28. 1 eousness in the v:orld icith the reception of 6-11. Withered Hand Healed. See on] Himself. 23. leap for joy — a liveher word M. 12. 9-15; and J\Ik. 3. 1-7. watched whether, j than " be exceeding glad" or ' exult, ' M 5 &e.— inM. this is put as an ensnaring question 12. 24, 25. rich . . full . . laugh— who have oftheirs'toourLord, who accordingly speaks I aU their good tilings and joyous feelings to tlie state of their liearts, v. 9, just as if they had spoken it out. 9. good or evil, save I your consolation or destroy— By this novel way of putting His ger— their Inwa case, our Lord teaches the great ethical principle, that to neglect any opportunity o/;26. all speak well of you— alluding to the court doing good IS to_xncu,r the guilt of doing evil; j paid to the false prophets of old. (Mi 2 11 ) TT., ,,.. ^^.j. (yee j For the principle of this woe, and its proper and by this law He bound His own on Mk. 3. 4.) 11. filled with m „ „-, „im jo; here and nov), in perishable objects, received see on ch. 16. 25. shall hun- Inward craving strong as ever, but he materials of satisfaction for ever gone. 6. all speak well of you— alluding to the court -aid to the false prophets of old. (Mi. 2. 11.) ess —the limits, see J. 15. 19. 27-36. See on M. 5. 44-^ word denotes senseless rage— at the con-! 7. 12; and 14. 12-14. 37, 38. See on M 7 l 2- fusion to which our Lord had put them, I but this is much fuller and more graphic' both by word and deed, what to do with ) 39. can the blind. &c.— not in the Sermon oii Jesus--not so much whether io get rid of! the Mount, but recorded by M. in another Him, hMt how to compass it. iSee on M. 3. 6.) ] and very striking connection, ch 15 14 40 12-19. The Twelve Apostle.s Chosen- [the disciple, kc.-q.d. 'The disciple's aim t6 Gathering Multitudes-Glorious Hea- come up to his master, and he thinks himself LINGS. 12, 13. went out— probably from complete when he does so: if you then be Capernaum, all night m prayer . .and when day, blind leaders of the blind, the perfection of he called, &c — the work with which the next one's training under you will only land him cia^ began shows what had been the burden the more certainly in one common ruin with of this mfir/ifs devotions. As He directed His yourselves." 41-4.9. See on M 7 3-6 l6-'>7. 49 ' ' • Christ's testimony of John, LUKE, vin. Parahle of the tioo debtont. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he "had rompassion ou her, and said unto her. Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the 2 bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, d Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat np, and be- gan to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And 'there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, sajing, /That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, 'That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about. 18 IT And 'i the disciples of John showed him of all these things. 19 And John calling unto him two of his discii)les, sent tfiem to Jesus, saying, Art thou «he that should come? or look we for another? 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John baptist hath sent us unto thee, saving. Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in the same horn* he cured many of their infinnities and plagues, and of e%al spirits ; and unto mauy Uuit were blind he gave sight. 22 Then } Jesus answering said unto them. Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; *how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, ' to the poor the Gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be oiiended in me. 24 IT And '"when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto th'', people concerning John, What went ye out mto the wilderness for to see? A reed Bhakeu with the wind? 25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. 2Q But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, 1 say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written, "Be- hold, 1 send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 28 For 1 say unto you. Among those that are bom of women there is not a greater prophet than J olm the Baptist : but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, " being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the I'harisees and lawyers 3 re- jected^ the counsel of God * against them- belves, being not baptized of him. 31 IT And the Lord said, « Whereunto then thall 1 liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the market - place, and calling one to another, and saj ing. We have i)iped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. 33 For '■John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye Bay, lie hath a deviL 34 The Son of man is come oaiing and diuikiiij;; and je say. Behold a glut touous A. D. 81. I CHAP. 7. e Lam. 3. 32. Jol.n 11. 33,85. Heb. 4. 15. 2 Or, coffin. d ch. 8. 64. John 11.43. AcU 9. Vh Kom. 4.17. e ch. 1. 65. /ch. 24. 19. John 9. 17. g ch. 1. 68. A Mat. 11. 2. i Eze. 21. 27. Eie. 34. 23, 29. Dan. 9, 24-26. Mic. 5. 2. Hag. 2. 7. Zech. 9. 9. Mai. 3. 1-3. } Mat 11. 5. k I«. 29. 18. I«. 35. 5. Is. 42 6. { la. 61. 1. ch. 4. 18. Jam. 2. 6. "» Mat. 11.7. n Is. 40. 3. Mai. 3. 1. Mai. 4. 5. Mat. 3. 6. ch. 3. 12. 3 Or, frua- trateil. P Acts 20.27. 4 Or, within selves. 9 Mat. 11.16. r Mat. 3. 4. Mark 1. 6. ch. 1. 16. » Mat. 11.19. 1 Cor. 1.23, 24. t Mat. 26. 0. Mark 14. 3. John 11. 2. « ch 8. 2. «' Zech.12.10. «» ch. 15. 2. * Mat. 18.28. V Is. 1. 13. Is. 43. 25. Is. 44. 22. » Gen. 18. 4. 1 Ti. 6. 10. a 1 Cor. 16. 20. 2 Cor. 13. 12. b Ps. 23. 5. Eccl. 9. 8. e 1 Ti. 1. 14. d Mat. 9. 2. Mark 2. 6. « Is. 53. 3. Mat. 9. 3. Mark 2. 7. / Mat. 9. 22. ch. 18. 42. CHAP. 8. a Mat. 27.56, 60. Mark 16.9. c Mnl^ 13. 2. M^ik4.1. man, and a wine-bibber, a liiend of pub- licans and sinners! 35 But • Wisdom is justified of 411 her children. 36 H And -39. Demoniac of Gadaba Healed.— See on M. 8, 28-34; and Mk. 5. 1-20. 40-56. Jairus' Daughter Raised, and Issue of Blood Healed.— See on M. 9. 18- 26; and Mk. 5. 21-43. 40. gladly received him, for . . . all waiting him— The abundant teach- ing of that day (in M. 13; and see Mk. 4. 36.) had only whetted the jpeople's appetite; and ointed, as would seem, that He had left them in the evening to cross the lake, they remain hanging about the beach, having got a hint probably through some of His dis- ciples that He would be back the sanie evening. Perliaps they witnessed at a dis- tance the sudden calmiug ol the tempest. Jairus^s daughter restored to life. LUKE. IX. mtdtitude miraeidouslp fed. Lev. 16.25. Mat. 9. 20. d Acts 5. 15. Acts 19 12 Mark 5. 30. ch. 5. 17. ch. tj. 19. / Mark 5. 36. g 2 Chr. 20. 20. Mark 9. 23. h John 11. 11, 13. i ch. 7. 14. John 11.43. j Mat. 8. 4. Mat. 9. 30. Mark 5. 43. 43 If And * a woman, havintr an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her li\'ing upon phjsicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and ''touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus s-dd. Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou. Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that 'virtue is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her. Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 4'J IT While /he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the sj-nagogue's house, saj-ing to him. Thy daughter is dead : trouble not the Master. 50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying. Fear not: s believe only, and she shall be made whole. 51 And when he came Into the house, he suHered no man to go in, save Peter and James and John, and the father and the mother ot the maiden. • 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, '' but Bleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to Bcom, know- ing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, sajing. Maid, • arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway; and he commanded to give her meat. 56 And her parents were astonished: but he i charged them that they should tell no man what was done. CHAPTER IX, 1 Christ tendeth out his ovostUs: 7 Berod is de- sirous to see him. 12 Christ feedeth five thou- sand; '2S his trMtsfiguration: 37 he heaUth a lunatic, etc. fTHEN " he called his twelve disciples -•■ together, and >> gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure dis- eases. 2 And * he sent them to preach the king- dom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And "* he said unto them. Take nothing for T/ottr journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money ; neither have two coats apiece. 4 And * whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5 And / whosoever will not receive yon, when ye go out of that city, ^ shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6 And A they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel, and heal- ing every where. 7 IT Now < Herod the tetrarch heard of aU that was done by him: and he was per- plexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; 8 And of some, that Elitis had appeared; i 1 2 Ki. a. ii. CHAP. 9. Mat. 10. 1. Mark 3.13. Mark 6. 7. b John 14.12. Acts 3. 6. c Mat.10.7,8. Mark 6. 12. ch. 10.1,9. Tit. 1. 9. Tit. 8. 12, 14. d Pa. 37. 3. Mat. 10. 9. Mark 6. 8. ch. 10. 4. ch. 22. 35. 2 Ti. 2. 4. e Mat. 10.11. Mark 6. 10. / Mat. 10. 14. g Acts 13.51. % Mark 6.12. i Mat. 14. 1. Mark 6. 14. j ch. 23. 8. k Mark 6. 30. 1 Mat. 14.13. m Mat. 14.15. Mark6.35. John 6. 1,6. 1 2 Kj. 4. 42, q Mat. 16 13. Mark 8. 27. r Mat. 14. 2. 8 Mat. 16.16. John 6. 69. Rom. 10. 9. 1 John 4. 14, 15. 1 Jolin 6. 5. t Mat. 16.20. u Mat. 16.21. Mat. 17.22. V Mat. 10 bS. Mat. 16.24. Mark 8. 34. ch. 14. 27. tf Mat. 16.26. Mark 8.B6. X Mat. 10.33. Mark8.o8. 2 Ti. 2. 12. i Mat. 16 28. Mark 9. 1. « Mat 17. 1. Mark 9. 2. 1 Or, things. a El. 34. Si9, and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. [) And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this of whom I hear such things? And i he desired to see him. 10 IT And * the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And ' he took them, and went aside pri- vately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 And the peonle, when they knew it, followed him: ana he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. 12 If And "^ when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him. Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. 13 But he said unto them, " Give ye them to eat. And they said, " We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. 14 (For they were about five thousand men.) And he said to his disciples. Make them sit down by fifties in a company. 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 And they ^ did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets. 18 If And 1 it came to pass, as he was alone E raying, his disciples were with him : and e asked them, saying. Whom say the people that I am? 19 They answering said, ^ John the Bap- tist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen agaiii. 20 He said unto them. But whom say \e that I am? 'Peter answering said. The Christ of God. 21 And « he straitly charged them,and com- manded them, to tell no man that thing ; 22 Saying, " The Son of man must suller many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. 23 If And "he said to them all, If any wan . will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For ^ what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For * whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. 27 But V I tell you of a tinith, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. 28 If And * it came to pass, about an eight davs after these i sayings, he took Peter and J ohn and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the " fashion of his comitenance was altered, and his raiment teas white and glistering. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and <> Elias; Peter's Confession ofChHst. LUKE, IX. JesMS Transfigured. Here at least they are, watching for His re- j the same instinctive desire to stand well vnth turn, and welcoming Him to the shore. The | others begets the temptation to be ashamed of tide of His popularity was now fast rising. ' "'^^ '""' ■>-'-^~ ' ^-^ 45. Wiio touched mel— 'Askest Tliou, Lord, M ho touched Thee'r Eather ask who touched Sou of Man be ashamed when he cometh, &c.— He Thee not in such a throng.' 46. somebody will render to that man his own treatment: touched— yes, the multitude " i/ironged and He will disown him before the most august of •pressed Him "—" they jostled against Him, all assemblies, and put him to "'shame and I Him which only the 'expulsive power' of higher aftection can effectually counteract. but all Mt-yo'trnfanZi/; they were merely car- everlasting contempt." Da. 12. 2.1 O shame, ried along: but one, one only—" somebody— to be put to shame before God, Christ, and TOUCHED HiM," with the conscious, volun- angels.' [Bexg,] 27. not taste of death till they tary, dependent touch of faith, reaching see the kingdom of God— "see it come with forth its hand expressly to have contact with Him. This and this only Jesus ac- knowledges and seeks out. Even so, as the - Church father Augustin long ago said multi- tudes stiM come similarly close to Christ in the means of grace, Init all to no purpose, being only sucked into the croivd. The voluntary, living contact of faith is that electric conduc- tor which alone draws virtue out of Him. 47. declared before all— this, though a great trial to the shrinking modesty of the believ- ing woman, M-as just what Christ wanted power" (]Mk. 9. 1.); or see "the Son of Man coming in his kingdom" (M. 16. 28.). Tlie reference, beyond doubt, is to the firm es- tablishment and victorious progress, in the life-time of some then i^resent, of that new Kingdom of Christ, which was destined to work the greatest of aU changes on this earth, and be the grand pledge of His final coming in glory. 28-36. Jestjs Tbansfigttred. 28. an eight days after these sayings— including the day on which this was spoken and that of the Trans- dragging her forth, her public testimony to ! figuration. M. and Mk. say " after six days," the facts of her case— both her disease, with ' excluding these two days. As the "sayings so her abortive efforts at a cure, and the in-' ''"*'"='^"'" '^--^ — ""^^ •"-- "" ^ stantaneous and perfect reUef which her touch of the Great Healer had brought her. 55. give her meat— .';ee on Mk. 5. 43. CHAPTER IX. Ver. 1-6. Mission of the Twelve Apos definitely connected with the Transfigura- tion scene are those announciug His death— at which Peter and aU the Twelve were so startled and scandalized, so this scene was designed to show to the eyes as well as the heart how glorious that death was TLBS. See on M. 10. 1-15. 1. power and in the view of Heaven. Peter, James, and -...,.. ._-i._ rx_ ■u^^^. — T.-.-.j — J _....i -•' Joiin— partners before in secular business; now sole v,-itnesses of the resurrection of Jairus' daughter JNIk. 5. 37.\ the transfigu- ration, and the agony in the garden (Mk. 14. 33.). a mountain— not Tahor, according to long tradition, with which the facts ill com- port, but someone near the lake, to pray— for the period he had now reached was a critical and anxious one. (See on M. 16. 13.) But who can adequately translate those " strong crj-ings and tears "? Methinks, as I steal by His side. I hear from Him these plaintive sounds. Lord, "SVho hath believed Our re- port? lam come unto mine own and mine authority— He both qualijied and autltorized tnem. 7-9. Herod TRotrBLED, at what He Hears 6y Christ, Desires to See Hui. See on Mk. 6. 14-30. 7. perplexed-' at a loss,' 'embarassed.' said of some that John was risen — amon^ many opinions, this was tlie one which Herod himself adopted, for the reason, no doubt, mentioned on Mk. 6. 14. desired to see him— but did not, till as a prisoner He was sent to him by Pilate just before His death, as we learn from ch. 23. 8. 10-17. On the Eeturn of the Twelve, Jesus retires with them to Betiisaida and there Miraculously Feeds Five ov.ti receive Me not; I am become a stranger Thousand. See on Mk. 6. 31-44. 18-27. Peter's Confession of Christ- Our Lord's First Explicit Announce- ment OF His Approaching Death, and Warnings arising out of it. See on M. 16. 13-28; and Mk. 8. 34. 24. will save— 'is minded to save,' bent on saving. Tlie pith of this maxim depends— as often in such weighty sas^ngs (for example, " Let the dead bury their dead," M. 8. 22.)— on the double sense attached to the word "life," a lower and a higher, the natural and the spiritual, temporal and eternal. An entire sacrifice of the lower, ora\\T.llingness to make it, is indis unto my brethren, an alien to my mother's children: Consider mine enemies, for they are many, and they hate me ^vith cruel hatred. Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail. "Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, slune forth : Show me a token for good : Father, glorify thy name.' 29. as he prayed, the fashion, &c.— before He cried He was answered, and whilst He was yet speaking He was heard. Blessed interruption to prayer this ! Thanks to God, transfiguring manifestations are not quite strangers here. Ofttimes in the deepest depths, out of groanings which cannot be uttered, Gtod's dear children are suddenly pensable to the preservation of the higher life; transported to a kind of heaven upon earth. and he who cannot bring himself to sun-ender the one for the sake of the other shall eventu- ally lose both. 26. ashamed of me and of my words— the sense of shame is one of the strongest in our nature, one of the social affec- tions, founded on our love of reputation, which causes instinctive aversion to what is fitted to lower it, and was given us as a preser- vative from aU that is properly shameful. WTien one is, in this sense of it, lost to shame, he is nearly past hope. (Ze. 3. 5; Je. (>. 15; 3.3.) But when Christ and "his word "' and their soul is made as the chariots of Amminadab. Tlieir prayers fetch down such light, strength, holy gladness, as makes their face to shine, putting a kind of celestial radi- ance upon it. ,2 Co. 3. 18. with Ex. 34. 29-3.i.) raiment wldte, Arc. — M. says "His .face did shine as the sun" (17. 2,), and Mk. says "His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller on earth can white them." (9. 2.) The light, then, it would seem, shone not upon Him fro^n v-ithout but out of Him /Vom within; He was all irradiated, was Cliristianity, especially in its more spiritual j in one blaze of celestial glory. What a' con- and uncompromising features— is unpopular, I trast to that "visage more marred than The trnnffirrurnfion. LUKE. X. Fevevft; dhciples sevt to preach. 31 Who appeared in "glory, and spake ot his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and they that were with him were "^ heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with. him. 3:3 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it 13 good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles ; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Ellas: not knowing what he said. 34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, 'This is my beloved Son: hear/ him. 3G And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. " And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. 37 IT And '• it came to pass, that on the next dav, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. 38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying. Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son; for he is mine only child: 39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and, bruising him, hardly departeth from him. 40 And 1 besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. 41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation! how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. 42 And as he was yet a-coming, the de\il threw him down, and tare lum. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. 43 II And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But. while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44 Let « these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But } they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they per- ceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saving. 46 H Then * there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of theur heart, took a child, and set him by him, , „ 48 And said unto them, « Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me ; and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: ™ for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. 49 And "John answered and said. Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name ; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for " he that is not agaiiist us is for us. 61 IT And it came to pass, when the time was come that P he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to J era Balem, 52 And sent messengers before his face and they went, and entered into a village Oii CHAP. 9. c Unl. 3. 21. Col. 3. 4. d Dan. 8. 18. Dan. 10. 9. Mat. 3. 17. 2 Pet. 1.16, 17. /Ex. 23.21. Den. 18. 15-13. Acta 3. 22. Hob. 2. 3. Q Mat. 17. 9. >t Mat. 17 14. Slark 9.14, Mat. 17. 22. j Mark 9. 32. ch. 2. 50. ch. 18 34. * Mat. 18. 1. M>rk9.34. I Mat. 10. 40. Mat. 18. 5. Mark 9. 37. John 12 44. John 13 20. n» Mat.23.11, n iil'rk 9.38. Nu. 11.28. Mat. 12.30. ch. 11. 23. 1 Cor. 12.3. P Mar. 16.19. Acts 1. 2. ? John 4.4,9. »- 2 Ki. 1. IC, 12. 8 Bom. 10. 2. t John 3. 17. John 12.47. " Mat. 8. 19. « Mat. 8. 21 '" 1 Ki. 19.20, » Heb. 6. <. CHAP. 10. a Mat. 10. 1. Mark 6. 7. 6 Mat. 9. 37, .Toiin 4. 35 e 2 Thes3.3 1. d Jar. 3 15. 1 Cor. 12. 10. Mark 6. 8. ch. 9. 3 g 2 Ki. 4. 29. ft Atit. 10.1'J. i Mat. 10 11. } 1 Cor. 10. 27. k Mat. 10 10. 1 Cor. 9 4. 1 Ti. 5. 18. I Eph. 5. 15. m cb, 9. 2. n la. 2. 2. Mat. 3. 2. Mat. 4. 17. Mat. 10. 7. Rom. 10.8. Tit 2, 11. o Mat. 10.14. ch. 9. 5. Acts 13.51 Acts 18. 6. pM.t. 10.15. Mark e.ll Heb. 6.4-8, of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 63 And ' they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 64 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said. Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as *■ Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said. Ye know not * what manner of spiiit ye are of. 56 For ' the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another \-illage. 57 H And " it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I \vili follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 53 And Jesus said unto him. Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests ; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And " he said unto another. Follow me. But he said. Lord, suffer me tii'st to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him. Let the dead bury their dead : but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said. Lord, "" I will follow thee • but let me first go bid them farewell which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, ^No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking Dack, is fit for the kingdom of God. CHAPTER X. 1 Christ sendeth oiU sevr'nt^ disciples. 13 Woet against Chorazin. Bethsaida,and Capernaum, 38 Mary ciymmendM, etc. A FTER these things the Lord appointed ^^ other seventy also, and " sent them two and two before his face into every city and plafe, whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he unto them, *The har- vest truly is great, but the labourers are few: "pray ye therefore the <^ Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his hai-\'est. 3 Go your ways: * behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4 Cairy /neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and «' salute no man by the way. 5 And /i into whatsoever house ye enter, first say. Peace be tped by cherubim, ready to be greeted by aU heaven ! In \'irtue of that decease we are here; our aU is .suspended on it and wrapt up in it. Thine every step is watched by us with ineffable interest; and though it were too high an honour to us to be permitted to drop a word of cheer into that precious but now clouded spirit, yet, as the first-fruits of harvest, the very joy set before Him, we cannot choose but tell Him that what is the depth of shame to Him is covered with glory in the eyes of heaven, that the Cross to Him is the Crown to us, that that " decease" is all our salvation and all our desire.' And who can doubt that such a scene did minister deep cheer to that spirit? 'Tis said they "talked" not to Him but "with Him;" and if they told Him how glorious His decease was, might He not fitly reply, ' I know it, but your voice, as messengers from heaven come down to tell it me, is music in mine ears.' 32. and when they were awake — so, certainly, the most commentators; but if we translate literally, it should be ' but having kept awake.' f AIey. LUKE. IX. Dem oni ac and Lunat ic Boy Healed. .). saw his glory, Arc— the emphasis lies sau-, qualiiying them to become " eve- ivitnesscs of his majesty" (2 Pet. 1. I6.i. 33 they aeparted— Ah! bright manifestations in this vale of tears are always "departing" manifestations. 34, 35. a cloud — not one of our watery clouds, but the Shechinah- cloud (see on M. 23. 39', the pavilion of the manifested presence of God with his people, what Peter calls "the excellent" or mag- nificent glory" (2 Pe. 1. l" . a voice—" such a voice," says Peter emphatically; " and this voice (he adds) we heard when we were with Him in the holy mount." i2 Pe. 1. 17, 18.) my beloved Son . . , hear Him— reverentially. Alf.J Perhaps, ' having roused tlumselvcs tip' [Olsh.] may come near enough the Uteral sense; but from the word used we can gather no more than that they stu>oko.tr't]tcir drowsi- ness. Ifc was night, and the Lord seems to have spent the whole night on the mountain ;3 implicitly, alone. 36, Jesus found alone— Mo.ses and Elias are gone. Their work is done, and they have disappeared from the scene, feel- ing no doubt with their fellow-servant the Baptist, " He must increase, but I must de- crea.se." The cloud too is gone, and the naked majestic Christ, braced in spirit, and en- shrined in the reverent aflection of hi3 disciples, is left— to suffer ! kept it close- feeling, for once at least, that such things were unmeet as yet for the general gaze. b7-4o. Demoniac ajjd Lunatic Boy Healed — Christ'-s Second Explicit An- nouncement OF His Death and Eesur- KECTioN.— See on Mk. 9. 14-32. 43-45. the mighty^ power of God — * the majesty" or Iniightmess' of God in this last miracle, the Transfignration, d Snmnrifan. LUKE, XI. CJn-isf teaches Jtnrr to pray. 1»5 Woe »unto thee, Chorazin! -woe unto thee, Bethsaida! Tor if the nii^chty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you, they had a ^-eat while ago • repented. Bitting in sackcloth end ashes, 14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tjts and Sidon at the judgment, than for you, 15 And ' thou, Capernaum, which art exalted " to heaven, "shalt be thnist down to hell. 16 He "'thatheareth you hearethme; and he * that despiseth you despiseth me; I'and he that despiseth me despiseth him that Bent me. _ 17 IT And the seventy returned again with joy, sajing. Lord, even the devils are sub- ject unto us through thy name. IS And he said luito them, * I beheld Satan as lightning fall fiom heaven. 19 Behold, "I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because *your names are wiitten in heaven. 21 H In "that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from "^the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so. Father- for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22 1 All things * are delivered to me of my Father: and /no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and lie to whom the Son will reveal }dm. 23 ^ And he turned him unto his disciples, and said pri\'ately, » Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, '' that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them.; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 25 II And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, 'Master, what shall 1 do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him. What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, /Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and * thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast an- swered right: this do, and ' thou shalt live. 29 But he, willuig to "'justify himself, said unto Jesus, AJid who is my neigh- bour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerasalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him ot his raiment, and wounded him, and de- parted, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a cer- tam priest that way: and when he saw him, « he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the ot her side. 33 But a certain "Samaritan, as he jour- neyed, came where he was: and when he Baw him, he had compassion on him, ol And went to him, and bound up his Vouuds, Eouiing in oil and wine, and set | &1 CHAP. 10. 9 Mat. 11.21. r Ere. 8. 6. « Jnn»h 3. 5. t Mat. 11.23. « Geo. 11. 4. Deu. 1. 28. Is. 14. 13. Jer. 61. 63. » Em. 28. 20. EzB.32. 18. «" Mark 9.37. Jolm 13.20. « 1 Thes 4.8. V John 5. 23. t John 12 31. John 16.11. Heb. 2. 14. 1 John 3.8. Kev. 9. 1. Rev. 12.8,9. O Mar. 16.18. Act3 28. 5. 6 Ex. 32.32. P8. 69. 28. Ii. 4. 3. Dan. 12. 1. Phil. 4. 3. Heb. 12.23. Ee». 13. 8. Kev. 2I).12. Bev. 21.27. c Mat. 11.25. d 1 Cor.1.19. 2 Cor. 2. 6. ancient copies add And turn- ing to his disciples, e Ma t. 28.18. John 3. 35. Jolm 5. 27. John 17 2. Ei.h. 1.21. Phil. 2. 9. /John 1. 18. John 6. 44. Mat. 13.16. A 1 Pet.l. 10. i Mat. 22. 36. ;■ Deu. 6. 5. ft Lev. 19.18. J Lev. 18. 5. Neh. 9. 29. Ew. 20. U. Rom. 10. 5. m eh. 16. 15. n P». 38. 11. John 4. 9. P Mat. 20. 2. 9 Rom. 12.20. r John 11. 1. 8 Deu. 33 3. Acts 22. 3. t 1 Cor. 7.32. CHAP. 11. a 2 Cor. 3.6. b Is. 63. 16. e Is. 11. 9. Dan. 7. 14. 1 Or, for the day. d E|.h. 4 32. e 1 Cor.10.13. Kev. 3. 10. 2 Or, out of his vpay. /ch. 18. 1. ffl John 5.14. A Mat. 7. 0. 3 give. him on his omi beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two P pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him. Take care of him: and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that tell among the thieves? 37 And he said. He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, i Go, and do thou likewise. 38 % Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named ''Martha received him into her house. 89 And she had a sister called Mary, which also *sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was « cumbered about much serving, and tame to him, and said. Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. CllAPTEll XL 1 Chrint tencheth to pray ■ \ihe casteih reted very narrowly and technically, as excluding Samaritans and Gentiles. [Alf.] 30. a certain man — a Jew. from Jerusalem to Jericho— a distance of 19 miles N.E., a deep and very fertile hollow — ' the Tempe of Judea.' [Trench.J thieves — " robbers. " The road, being rocky and desolate, was a notorious haunt of robbers, then and for ages after, and even to tliis day. 31, 33. came down a priest . . . and a Levite— Jericho, the second city of Judea, was a city of the priests and Levites, and thousands of them I lived there. The two here mentioned are supposed, apparently, to be returning from temiAe-duties, but they ' had not learnt what thatmeaneth. " I will have mercy and not sacrifice.'" [Trench] saw him— it was not inadvertently that he acted, came and looked I —a farther aggravation, passed by— although ithe law expressly required the opposite ; treatment even of thebeast not only of their ; brethren, but of their ervemn, Deu. 22. 4; Es", 23. 4, 6. (cf. Is. 68. 7.) 33. Samaritan— one ex- 1 communicated by the Jews, a bye-word among them, sjaionymous with heretic and devil. (J. 8. 48.) See on ch. 17. 18. had 1 compassion— His best is mentioned first; for * He who gives outward things gives some- I thing exter-nal to himself, but he who imparts I compassion and tears gives him something from his very self' [Gregory the Great, in Trench.] No doubt the Priest and Levite had their excuses—' Tisn't safe to be linger- ing here; besides, he's past recovery; and then, mayn't suspicion rest upon ourselves ? So might the Samaritan have reasoned, but did not.' [Trench.] Nor did he say. He's a Jew, who would have had no dealings with me (J. 4. 9), and why should I with him? oil and wine— the remedies used in such cases all over the East Js. 1. , and elsewhere; the wine to cleanse the wounds, the oil to assuage their smartings. on his own beast— himself going on foot. 35. two pence — equal to two days' wages of a labourer, and enough for several days' sui iport. 36. Which was neigh- bour?— a most dexterous way of putting the questioa: (1.) turning the question from MttHha and Mary. LUKE, XI. TheMsdples tauoM to Pray. •Whom am I to love as my neijchboiir?' to 'Who is the man that shows that love?' (2./ compelling the lawyer to give a reply very dilferent from what he would like— not only condemning his own nation, but those of them who shoulcJ ie the most exemplary. (3.) making him commend one of a deeply- hated race. And he does it, but it is almost extorted. For he does not answer, ' Tlie Sama- ritan'— that would have sounded heterodox, heretical— but " He that showed mercy on him." It comes to the same thin?, no doubt, but the circimilocution is significant. 37. Go, &c.— O exquisite, matchless teaching ! What new fountains of charity has not this opened up in the hxmian spirit— rivers in the wUdemess, streams in the desert! what noble Christian Institutions have not such words founded,all undreamed of till that won- drous One came to bless this heartless world of ours with His incomparable love— first in words, and then in deeds which have trans- lated His words into flesh and blood, and poured the life of them through that hu- manity which He made His own ! Was this Parable, now, designed to magnify the law of love, and to show who fulfils it and who not? And who did this as never man did it, as our Brother Man. " our Neighbour?" The Priests and Levites nad not strengthened the dis- eased, nor bound up the broken (Ez. 34. i\ while He bound up the broken-hearted (Is. he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the de^'il was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, *He casteth out de%1l3 through * Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting Mm, ' sought of him a 8i,£rn from heaven. 17 But "* he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation ; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be di\'ided against him- self, how shall his kingdom st^aud? because ye say that 1 cast out devils through Beel- zebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do "your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When p a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But 9 -when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh trom him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 23 He •■ that is not with me is against me ; Biid he that gathereth not with me scat- tereth. 24 When "the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh thi-ough dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, 1 will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than him- self; and they enter in, and dwell there: and * the last state of that man is woi'se than the first. 27 H And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the com- Eany lifted up her voice, and said unto im, " Blessed is the womb that bai-e thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But ne said. Yea * rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. 29 H And "" when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say. This is an e^'il generation : they seek a sign ; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. 30 I'or as * Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Sou of man be to this generation. 31 The ^ queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them : for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon ; and, behold, a ' neater than Solomon is here. _32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it : for " they repented at the preaching of Jonas ; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 33 No 6 man, when he hath lighted a caiidle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a '' bushel, but on a candlestick. CHAP. U. i l3. 44. 3. ;■ Mat. 9. 32. Mat. la.'."-'. ft Mat. 9. 34. Mat. 1 -J ,24. 4 Beeliebul. I Mat. 12.38. Mat. 15. 1. m Mat. 12. 26. Mark 3.24. John 2. 25. KeT. 2. 23. n Mark 9.38. ch. 9. 49. o Ex. 8. 19. P Mat. 12.29. Mark 3.27. Evh. 6. 12. Eph. 2. 2. 1 Pet. 6. 8. 9 Is. 9. 6. Is. 63. 12. Col. 2. 15. Heb. 7. 25. r Mat. 12.30. 8 Mat. 12.43. { Jolm 6. 14. Hob. (3. 4. Heb. 10 26. 2 Pet. 2.20. « ch. 1. 28, s Jonah 1.17. Jonah 2.10. J/1 Ki. 10.1. 2 Is. 9. 6. Rom. 9. 6. Titus 2.13. Phil. 2. 10. u Jonah 3. 6. 6 Ma>. 5. 16. fiUrk 4. 21. ch. 8. 16. c Mat. 6.16. (I Mat. 6. 22. 6 a candle by its bright shining. e Mark 7. 3. / Mat. 23.25. y 2 Tim. 3.5. Tit. 1. 16. h Is. 68. 7. Dan. 4. 27. ch. 12. 33. 6 Or, as you are ablo. i Mat. 23 23. j 1 Sa. 15.22. Hos. 6. £. ft Mat. 23. 6. Mark 12. 38,39. I Blat. 23. 27. m Ps. 6. 9. Acts 23.3. n Mat. 23. 4. JMat. 23. 29. P Acts 7. 61, 62. 1 Thest. 2. 15. ? Pro. 1. 20. 1 Cor. 1.24. r Mat. 23.34. « Gon. 4. 8. ( Mat. 23.13. 7 Or, forbade. « Mark 12. that they which come in may see tha light. 34 The <* light of the body is the eye : therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is e\il, thy body also is full of darkness. 3.5 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. 36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when 6 the bright shin- ing of a candle doth give thee light. 37 H And as he spake, a certain Tharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. 38 And *when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not fiirst washed be- fore dinner. 39 And /the Lord said unto him. Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but ^ yom- inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 40 Ye fools, did not lie that made that which is without make that which is within also? 41 But '' rather give alms « of such things as ye have ; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. 42 But » woe unto you, Pharisees! / for ye tithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God : these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 43 Woe * unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. 44 Woe 'unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! '"for ye are as giavcs which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. 45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him. Master, thus saymg thou reproachest us also. 46 And he said, Woe unto you also, y* lawyers! " for ye lade men with burdens giievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the bmdens with one of your fingers. 47 Woe "unto you! for ye build the sepul- chres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for p they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. 49 Therefore also said the « wisdom of God, ""I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 60 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this genera- tion; 51 From ' the blood of Abel.unto the blood of Zachaiias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily 1 say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. 52 Woe * unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye enter not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye ' hindered- 53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things; 54 Laying wait for him, and " seeking to catch something out of hia mouth, that they might accuse him. Demand of a Sign, aiidEcply. LUKE. XI. DenUTiciation of the Pharisees. nature is "rich unto all that call upon Him." (K. 10. 12.) 9-13. See on M. 7. Ml. the Holy Spirit— in M. (7. 11,' "good gifts;" the former, the Gift of gifts descending on the Church through Clulst, and comprehending the latter. 14—36. Blind and Dusib Demoniac Healed— CuAKGE of bexno in League WITH Hell, and Eeply— Deslind of a Sign, and Reply. See on M. 12. 22-45. 14. dumb— blind also, M. 12. 22. 20. the finger of God— "the Spirit of God," M, 12. 28 ; the former figuratively denoting the pov:er of God, the latter the livim Personal Agent in every exercise of it. 21, 22. strong man- meaning Satan, armed— pointing to all the subtle and varied methods by which he wields his dark power over men. keepeth— 'guardeth. Ms palace— ni^n, whether viewed more largely or in incli\idual souls — how significant of what men are to Satan ! in peace— undisturbed, secure in his possession, a stronger than he — Christ: Glorious title, in relation to Satan! come upon him and overcome him— sublimely ex pressing the Redeemer's approach, as the Seed of the woman, to bruise the Serpent's head, taketh from him all his armour—' his Eanoply,' 'his complete armour.' Vain would e the victory, were not the yneans of regain- ing his lost power wrested from him. It is t his that completes the triumph and ensiires the final overthrow of his kingdom. The par- able that immediately follows— ■». 24-26— is just tfie reverse of this. See on M. 12. 43-45 In the one case, Satan is dislodged by Chnd, and so finds, in all future assaults, the house pre-occupied ; in the other, he merely goes out and comes in again, finding the house "empty" (M. 12. 44.1 of any rival, and all ready to welcome him back. This explains the important saj-lng that comes in bdveen the two paraJbles, v. 23. Neutrality in religion there is none. The absence of positive attachment to Christ involves hostUity to Him. gathereth . . . scattereth— referring pro- bably to gleaners. The meaning seems to be, AMiatever in religion is disconnected from Christ comes to nothing. 27, 28. as he spake these things, a woman of the company— 'of the multitude,' the crowd. A charming little incident and profoundly instructive. With true womanly leelin;^, she envies the mother of such a wonderful Teacher. Weil, and higlier and better than she had said as much before her, ch. 1. 28, 42 ; and our Lord is far from condemning it. He only holds up— as " blessed rather"— the hearers and keepers of God's word; in other words, the humblest real saint of God. See on M. 13. 49, 50. How utterly alien is this sentiment from the teaching of the Church of Rome, wliich would excommunicate any one of its members that dared to talk in the spirit of this glorious saying ! 29-32. See on M. 12. 39-42, 33-36. See on M. 5. 14-16; 6. 22, 23. But V. 36. here is peculiarly vivid, expressing what pure, beautiful, broad perceptions the clarity of the inward eye imparts. 37-54. Denunciation of the Pharisees. 38. maive led, (tc.-See on Mk. 7. 2-4. 39-41. cup and platter— remarkable example of our Lord's way of drawing the most striking illustrations of great truths from the most familiar objects and incidents in life, raven- ing—rapacity, that wliich is without, fee.- q.a.,* He to whom belongs the outer life, and 65 nght to demand its subjection to Himself-i? the inner man less His? give alms and all clean— a principle of immense value. As the greed of these hyirocrites was one of the most prominent features of their character (M. 23, 14 ; ch. 16. 14), our Lord bids them exem- plify the opposite character, and then their ozitside, ruled by this, would be beauti- ful in the eye of God, and their meals would be eaten with clean hands, though never so fouled with the business of tliis worky world. (See Eccl. 9. 7.) 42. mint, rue, ts. his disciples first of all— aftei-wards to "the multitudes," v. 54. covered— from the view, hid— from knowledge. ' 'Tis no use conceaHng anvthing, for aU will one day come out: Give free and fearless utterance then to all the truth.' (cf. 1 Co. 4. 3. 5. ) 4, 5. 1 say, &c.— * You wiU say. That may cost us our life.' ' Be it so;' ' but, " my friends," there their power ends. He calls them " friends " here, not in any loose sense, but, as we think^ from the feeling He then had that in this " killing of the body" He and they were going to be affectingly one w^th each other. Fear Him . . fear Him— how striking the repetition here! Only tlie one fear would ef- fectuaWi expel the other, after he hath killed, &c.— Learn here. !l. To play false with one's convictions to save one's life, may fail of its end after all, for God can inflict a violent death in some other and equally formidable way. (2. Tliere is a hell, it seems, for the body as weU as the soul; conse- quently, snfferings adapted to the one as weU as the other. (3.) Fear of hell is a di- vinely authorised and needed motive of action even to Christ's "friends." (4.) As Christ's "meekness and gentleness" were not compromised by such harsh notes as these, so those servants of Christ want their Mas- ter's spirit who soften down all such lan- guage to please ' ears polite.' See on ]\Ik. 9. 43-48. 6, 7. five for two farthings— in M. 10. 29, it is "two for one fartliing;" so, if one took two farthings' worth, he got one ' in addition ' — of such small value were they, than many sparrows — not 'than mil- lions of sparrows : *■ the chaiTu and poM-er of our Lord's teaching is) very much in this 9. 26. 10. Son of Man . . . Holy Ghost. See on M. 12. 31, 32. 13-53. COVETOUSNESS— WATCHFUXNESS— Superiority to Earthly Ties. 13. Mas- ter, &LC.—q.d., 'Great Pi-eacher of righteous- ness, help; there is need of Thee in this ra- pacious world; here am I the victuu of injustice, and that from my o\vn brother. ^vho withholds from me my rightful share of the inheritance tiiat has fallen to us.' In this most inopportune intrusion upon the solemnities of our Lord's teaching, there is a mixture of the absurd and the irreverent, the one however occasioning the other. The man had not the least idea that his case was not of as urgent a nature, and as worthy the attention of our Lord, as any thing else He could deal with. 14. Man, &.C.— Contrast this style of address with "my friends," v. 4. Who, &c.— a question literally repudiating the ofllce which Moses assumed. (Ex. 2. 14.) The influence ofrehgious teachers in the external relations of life lias ever been immense, when only tlie indirect effect of their teaching; but whenever they intermeddle directly vMh secular and political matters, the spell of that influence is broken. 15. unto them— the multi- tude around Him, v. 1. of covetoasness. The best copies have " all," i.e., " every kind of co- vetousness;" because as this was one of the more plausible forms of it, so He would strike at once at the root of the eviL a man's Ufe, &c.— a singularly weighty maxim, and not less so because its meaning and its truth are equally evident. 16-19. a certain man. &c. — ^Why is this man called a " loolv" (1.) Because he deemed a life of secure and abundant earthly enjoyment the summit of human felicity. (2.) Becau.se, possessing the means of this, through prosiierity in his call- ing, he flattered himself that he had a long lease of such enjoyment, and nothing to do but give himseK up to it. Nothing else is laid to his charge. 20, 21. this night, &c.— This sudden cutting short ot his career is designed to express not only the foUy of building securely upon the future, but of throwing one's whole soul into what may at any moment be gone. " His soid being re- quired of him " is put in opposition to his own treatment of it, " I will say to my soid. Soul," &c. whose shall those things be, but rather di%dsion: 52 For *from henceforth there shall be five in one house di\1ded, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father- the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in- law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 51 IT And he said also to the people. When ' ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower and so it is. 55 And when ye see "* the south wind blow, ye say, Tnere will be heat; and it Cometh to pass. 66 Ye " hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the eartli ; but how is it that ye do not discern " this time? 67 Yea, and why even of yom'selves judge ye not what is right? 68 f When P thou goest with thine adver- sary to the magistrate, « as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. 69 1 tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last •■ mite. CHAPTER XIII. 1 Christ preacheth repetiUmce by the calamity upon the OaliUans and others. 6 The fruitless Jig tree cursed. 1 1 He heaieth the crooked tvotnan. 18 Jfarable of the grain of mtistard seed, and of leaven. 'M The strait gate. ^HERE were present at that season some that told him of "the Galileans, whose blood rilate had mingled with their sacri- fices. 2 And Jesus answering said nnto them. Suppose 6 ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suflered such things? 3 1 tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that tliey were i simiers above all men thut dwelt in Jerusalem? 67 CHAP. 12. 3 Or, cut him off. Mat. 21.51. / Nu. 15. 30. D«u. 26. 2. John 9. 41. John 15.22. Acts 17 »'. Jam. 4. 17. ff Lev. 6.17. 1 Ti. 1. liJ. h JIat. 20.22. Mark 10. B8. 4 Or, pained. i Mat. 10. 34. J fliic. Johl John 9. 18. John 10.19. * Mat. 10.36. I Mat. 10. 2. »» Job 37. 17. n 1 Cor. I. 19-27. ch. 19. 43-44. Gal. 4. 4. p Pro. 25. 8. Mat. 5. 25. q Pa. 32. 6. Is. 55. 6. Heb. 3. 7-15. r Mark 12. 42. aXbea.l.S. CHAP. 13. a Acts 6. 37. b Acta '2Si. i. ch. 11. 4. e £ze. 18. 30. d Is. 5. 2. Mat, 21.19. e Kom. 2.4,5. 2 Pet. 3. 9. /Ex. 32. 11. Joel 2. 17. Heb. 7. 25. g Mar. 16.18. Acta 9. 17. A Rom. 10. 2. i Ex. 20. 9. ;■ Mat. 12.10. Mark 3. 2. ch. 6. 7. ch. 14. 3. * ch. 14. 5. 1 ch. 19. 9. m Mat.13.31. Mark*. 30. » Mat 13.33. Mat. 9. 35. Mark 6. 6. 2 Strive as in agony. Mat. 7. 13. P John 7. 34. John 8. 21 John 13. 33. Bo. 9. 31. Ho. 10. 2,3. 5 Ps. 32. 6. Is 66 6 r Mat. 25.10. » ch. e. 46. t Mat. 7. 23. U lit. 1, Iti. 5 I tell you. Nay: but, except "ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 6 H He spake also this parable ; <* A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard: and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard. Behold, these * three years 1 come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him. Lord, let /it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, tveU; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. 10 H And he was teaching iu one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called Tier to him, and said unto her. Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And ^ he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and gloiified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue an- swered '•with indignation, because that J esus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, ' There are six days in which men oui,'lit to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and i not on the sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, 77iOit hypocrite, * doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to wateiing? 16 And ought not this woman, « being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. 18 V Then "' said he. Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall 1 resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. 20 IT And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three " measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 22 And " he went through the cities and villages, teaching and jomneying toward J eiTisalem. 23 H Then said one nnto him. Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 2 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for Pmany, 1 say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When « once the Master of the house is risen up, and *" hath shut to the door, and ye bt-Lin to stand without, and to knock at tlie door, saying, *Lord, Lori open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, *L know you not whence ye are: 20 Then shall ye begin to say, ** We hare Superiority to Earthly Ties. LUKE, Xm. Not Discerning the Signs of the Times. the ether holding up to their view the eter- nal love that encircled them, the everlasting amis that were imderneath them, and the high inheritance awaiting them!— "the king- domf ' grand word ; then why not " bread," V. 31.' [liENG.J WeU midit He say, " Fear not!" 33, 34. sell, &c.— This is but a more vivid expression of M. 6, 19-21, see note there). 35-40. loins girded— to fasten up the long outer garment, always done before travel and work (2 Ki. 4. 29 ; A. 12. 8.). The meaning is. Be in readiness, lights, k,c.—^ee on M, 25. 1. return from the wedding— not come to it, as the parable of the Virgins. Both have their spiritual significance; but preparedness for Christ's coming is the pro- minent idea, gird himself, &c.— ' a promi.se the most august of all: Thus wiU the Bride- groom entertain his friends [nay, servants] on the solemn Nuptial Day.' [Beng.J second . . . third watch— To find them ready to receive Him at any hour of day or night, when one might least of all expect Him, is peculiarly blessed. A servant may be tr'ily faithful, even though taken so far unawares that he has not everj^thing in stick order and readiness for his master s return as he thinks is due to him, and both could and would have had if he had had notice of the time of his coming, and so may not be willing to open to him " immediately " but fly to preparation, and let his ma.ster knock again ere he admit him, and even then not v:ith full joy. A too common case this with Cliristians. But if the servant have himselt and all under his charge in such a state that at any hour when his master knocks, he can open to him "immediately," and hail his return"— that is the most enviable " blessed" servant of all. 41-48. to us or to all?— us the Twelve, or all this vast audience? Who then, (fee— answering the question indirectly by another question, from which they were left to gather what it would be:— 'To you cer- tainly in the first instance, representing the " stewards" of the " household" I am about to collect, but generally to all " servants" in My house.' faitliful and vrisa— Fidelity is the first requisite in a servant, wisdom, (discre- tion, and judgment in the exercise of his func- tions) the next, steward— house-steward, whose it was to distribute to the servants their allotted portion of food, shall make — Mill deem fit to be made, make him ruler over all he hath— will advance him to the higliest post, referring to the world to come. (See M. 25. 21. 23.) begin to beat, &c.— in the confidence that his Lord's return will not be speedy, throws oil" the servant and plays the master, maltreating those faithful servants who refuse to join him, seizing on and revelUng in the fulness of his master's board; intend- mg, when he has got his fill, to resume the mask ol fidelity ere his master appear, cut him in sunder— a punishment not unknown in the East; cf. He. 11. 37, " Sawn asunder" 1 Sa. 15. 33 ; Da. 2. 6. the unbelievers — ' the unfaithful,' those unwortliy of trust; M. 24. 51 "the hypocrites"— talsely calling them- selves " servants." krew iiot-^.e., knew but yaiiiaUy; for some knowledge is pre-supposed both in the name " senant" of Christ, and his being liable to punishment at all. many ..few stripes— degrees of Suture punishment proportioned to the knowledge sinned against. Even heathens are not without knowledge enough for luture judgment: but 67 the reference here is not to such. It is a solemn truth, and though general, like all other revelations of the future world, dis- closes a tangible and momentous principle in its awards. 49-53. to send—' to cast.' fire — ' the higher spiritual element of life which Jesus came to introduce into this earth, (cf. M. 3. 11,) with reference to its mighty effects in quickening all that is akin to it and de- stroying all that is opposed. To cause this element of life to take up its abode on earth, and wholly to pervade human hearts with its warmth, was the lofty destiny of the Re- deemer.' [Olsh.; soCal., Stier.Alf., &c.] what will I, &c.— an obscure expression, ut- tered under deep and half-smothered emo- tion. In its general import all are agreed; but the nearest to the precise meaning seems to be, ' And what should I have to desire if it were once already kindled?' [Bexg, and Bloomf.] But.. a baptism, &c.— clearly. His own bloody baptism, first to take place. how straitened— not, ' how do I long for its accomplishment,' as many understand it, thus making it but a repetition of the former verse; but ' what a pressure of spirit is upon me.' till it be accomplished— till it be over. Before a promiscuous audience, such obscure language was fit on a theme like tliis; but O what surges of mysterious emotion in the \-iew of what was now so near at hand does it reveal! peace? nay— the reverse of peace, in the fird instance. See on M. 10. 34-36. Ihe connection of aU this with the foregoing warnings about Hyiiocrisy, Covetousness, and Watchfulness, is deeply solemn: ' My conflict hastens apace ; mine over, yours begins; and then, let the servants tread in their Master's steps, uttering their testimony entire and fearless, neither loving nor dread- ing the world, anticipating awful wrenches of the dearest ties in life, but looking for- ward, as I do, to the comiiletion of their testimony, when, reaching the haven after the temiiest, they shall enter into the joy of their Lord.' 64-69. Not Discerning the Signs of THE Time. 54. to the people-' the multi- tude, ' a word of special warning to the thoughtless crowd, before dismissing them. See on M. 16. 2, 3. how not discern, fcc— unable to perceive what a critical period that was for the Jewish Church, why not of yourselves, &c.— They might say. To do this requires more knowledge of Scripture and Providence than we possess; but He sends them to their own conscience, as enough to show them who He was, and -svin them to immediate discipleship. when thou goest, &c.— See on M. 5. 25, 26. Tlie urgency of the case with them, and the necessity, Jor tlieir oun safety, of immediate decision, was the object of these striking words. CHAPl'ER xm. Ver. 1-9. The Lesson, ' Eepent- or Perish,' Suggested by Two Becent Incidents, and Illustrated by the Parable of the Barren Fig-Tree. 1-3 Galileans— possibly the followers of Judas of Galilee who, some 20 years belore this, taught that Jews should not pay tribute to the Bomans, and of whom we learn, from A. 5. 37, that he drew after him a multitude of followers who on his being slain were all dispersed. About th s time that party v ould be at its height, and if Pilate can peri tLig cletachinent of them to be waylaid and put Christ lamentefh over Jerusalem. LUKE, XIV. Parable of the grea^ supper. eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But " he shall say, i tell you, I know you not whence ye are: ""depart from me, all t/e workers of iniquity. '28 There * shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, y when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. ay And " they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, audrrom the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And, " behold, there are last which Bhall be first, and there are liist which Bhidl be last. 31 H The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him. Get thee oat, jtnd depart hence; for Herod will kill thee. 3-' And he said unto them. Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and 1 do cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third dai/ * 1 shall be perfected. 33 Nevertheless I must walk to-day, and to-morrow, and the dai/ follo^ring: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. 31 O '^Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would 1 have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 35 Beheld, £i. 23 5. Deu. 22. 4. ch. 13. 16. • Pro. 16. 33. Pro. Pro. 25.6,7. d Job 22. 29. Pa. 18. 37. Pro. 29. 23. Mat. 23 12. eh. 18. 14. Jam. 4. C. 1 Pet. 5. 6. e Neh. 8. 10, Job 31. 14- 20. Pro. 3 9,28. / Dan. 12. 2. iVUt. 25. 30. John 5. 29. Acu 24.15. g Roy. 19. 9. ?. Mat. 22. 2. i Pro. 9. 2, 5. ) Mat. 6. 24. Mat. 13. 22. Lu. 8. 14. John 5. 40. ITi. 6.9,10. 2 Ti. 4. 10. k Mat. 28.18, 19. Acts 13.40. I Pro. 1 20. 2 Cor. 5.20. •» Mat. 8. 11, 12. >Ut.21.43. Mat. :;2. 8. Acts 13. 46. Heb. 3 19. »» Deu. 13. 0. Deu. 33 9. Mat. 10.37. o Kom. 9. 13. P Rev. 12 U. 8 ilat. 16.24. Wirk 8. 34. eh. 9. 23. r Pro. 24. 27. 1 Pot. 2. 6. thee. Friend, go up higher: then shalt thoa have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For <* whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 12 H Then said he also to him that bade him. When thou mukest a diimer or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor t/iy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, ' call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt bo recompensed at /the resurrection of the just. 15 H And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God, 16 Then f^ said he unto him, A certain man made a gi-eat supper, and bade many: 17 And • sent his sen'ant at supper time to say to them that were bidden. Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The tu-st said unto hhii, i I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have mo excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and 1 go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore i cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant. Go * out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the manned, and the halt, ana the blind. 22 And the servant said. Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, * and compel them to come in, that my house may be tilled. 24 For 1 say unto you, "* that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. 25 H And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 2G if "any man come to me, "and hate not his lather, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, ^ yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And 'whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come alter me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For ''which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and count- eth the cost, whether he have sujicienc to finish il? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it be'4n to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down liist, and cousulteth whether he be able Wo man of Infirm ity Hea led. LUKE, XIIL Miscellaneous Teachings. to death as tliev were offering their sacri- 1 in consideration of the sadness an-ear ! | probably, Herod wanted to get rid of Him. his ox. (fee- see on M. 12. 9-13; and ch 6. 9. i , see on Mk. 6. I4,j and seems, from our Lord's onght not, > sinners for to hear him. 2 And the I'harisees and scribes murmur- ed, saying, Tiiis man receiveth sinners, and " eateth with them. " 3 IT And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 Wliat rfman of you, ha^^ng an hundred sheep, if he 'li>se one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after tnat which is lost, until he find it? ' 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neiglibours, saving nrito them, Rejoice with me; for I liave found my sheep /which was lost. 7 I say unto you, That likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repent- eth, " more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 H Either what woman, having ten 1 pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, .and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? y And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours togetlier. Baying, Rejoice with me; for 1 have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, 1 say unto you. There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenttth. 11 H And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father. Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth lo nie. And ne divided unto them '' his living. 13 And not many days after, the younger Bon gathered all together, and took his journey into « a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that laud; and he be- gan to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country ; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. IG And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said. How many hired 8ei-\ant8 of my father's have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 1 will 3 arise and go to my father, and will say unto him. Father, * I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, I li) And am iio more worthy to be called 50 CHAP. 14. » Job 22. 21. Mat. 5. 25. CHAP. 15. a Mat. 9. 10. b Eze. 18. 23. 1 Ti. 1. 15. c Acts 11. 3. Gal 2. 12. d M.^t. 18.12. « 1 Pet. 2.25. / 1 Pet. 2.10, 26. g Pro. 3.0. 12. ch. 5. 32. 1 Drachma, here trao- elated a AUt.'l8.« ft ALtr. VIA t Itora. 1. £ Gal. 3. 27, Rev. 19. 8, Eph. 2. 1. £ph 5. 14, Col. 13. P l3. 35. 10. 9 Acts 11 2. r Mat. 20. 11, 12. « Ko.15.9-12. CHAP. 16. Ps. 24. 1. 6 Mat. 12.36. Rom. 14.12, 1 The word Batua in the original nine gal- £ze 45.10, 11, 14. The word here iuter- preteJ a Mua. of thy stewardship; lor thou mavest be no longer steward. 3 then the steward said withm himself. What shall I do* for my lord taketh away from me the stewai-dship: I cannot dig; to beg 1 am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do. that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. 5 So he called every one of his lord s debtors unto him, and s.oid unto the first. How much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said. An hundred i measures of oil. And he said unto him. Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and \n'\te fifty. 7 Then siiid he to another. And how much owest thou? And he said. An hundred 2 measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. 8 And the ford commended the unjust Healing of a Dropsiml Man. L UKK, X TV. Te achings at a Sabbath Feasi^ that the sooner lie got beyond nero-iU come. So it certainly •showing that His design was not so much to , is in the case intended, for the last words inciUcate mere politeness or good manners; clearly imply that the refusers will one day as underneath this to teach something deeper liecome petitioiurs. came and told, &c.— say- {v. 11.) chief rooms— ' principal seats,' in the iing as in Is. 53. 1. ' It is the part of ministers middle part of the couch on which they re- to report to the Lord in their prayers the clined at meals, esteemed the most honour- compliance or refusal of their hearers. ' m one sense a gracious low sincere he was in issuing (Ez. 33. 11.) But it is the light put upon him, the sense of which is not a intended to be marked by this word, streets able.— wedding— and seating thy.self at the [Beng.3 wedding-/ea.s^. Our Lord avoids the appear- word, showin; ance of personality by this delicate allusion , his invitations. to a different kind of entertainment than thisof his host.— IBeng.] the lowest lov:er merely. [Beng.1 with shame—' To be and lanes— /it-storicaf/y. those within the same lowest is oaly ignominious to him who affects pale of " the city of God as the former class, the highest. [Beng.] friend — said to the but the despised and outcasts of the nation, modest guest only, not the proud one, v. 9. the "publicans and sinners," [Trench]; [Beng.1 worship — honour. The whole of generally, all similar classes, usually over- this is but a reproduction of Pr. 25. 6, 7. But looked in the first provision for supplying it was reserved for the matchless Teacher to the means of grace" to a community, half _plv\ of the minutest features of social life, such , in every sense miserable. yet there is utter articulately, and apply to th^ regulation heathen in the midst of revealed inity, light, and great lavs of the Kingdom of God an that of room— irh plying that these classes had em V. 11, " Whosoever," &c.— couching them braced the invitation, M. 21. 32; Mk. 12, 37, in a chaste simplicity and proverbial terse- last cl.; J. 7. 48, 49;) and beautifully express- ness of style which makes them " apples of ing the longing that should fill the hearts of gold in a setting of .silver;" See on ch. 18. 14. ministers to see their Master's table filled. 12-14. call not thy friends — Jesus certainly highways and hedees— outside the city alto- did not mean us to dispense with the duties gether: historically, the heathen, sunk in the of ordinary fellowship, but, remitting these lowest depths of spiritual wretchedness, as to their proper place, inculcates what is being beyond the pale of all that is revealed better. [Beng.] lest..a recompense be given and saving, " without Christ, strangers from thee -a fear tho world is not afllicted with. . the covenant of promise ■ • - 69 havins iio hope. Address to Great Multitudes. liUKE, XV. PulMcansaiul Sinners Welcomed, and without God in the world:" (Eph. 2. 12;) generally, all such still. Thus, this parable vropheticallu contemplates the extension of the kingdom of God to the whole world; and spiritually, directs the Gospel invitations to be carried to the lowest strata, and be brought in contact with the outermost circles, of human society, compel them to come in— not as if they would make the " ex- cuses" of the first class, but because it would be hard to get them over two difficulties: (1.; ' V/e are not fit company for such a feast,' (2.) 'We have no proper dress and are ill in order for such a presence.' How fitly does this represent the difficulties and fears of the sincere! How is this met? ' Take no excuse —make them come as they are— bring them along with you.' What a directory for min- isters of Chi-ist ! that my house may be filled— * Grace no more than nature will endure a vacuum.' PjEng.] I say unto you, that none — OurLordhere appears to throw off the veil of the parable, and proclaim tlie Supper His Own, intimating that when transferred and transformed into its final glorious form, and the refusers themselves would give all for another opportunity. He will not allow one of them to taste of it. (n.b. This pai-able must not be confounded with that of Pr. 1. 24-33, The Marringe Supper, M. 22. 2-14.) 25-35. ADDBES3 TO GREAT MULTI- TUDES Travelling with Him. 25. great multitudes with htm— on his final journey to Jerusalem. The "great multitudes" were doubtless people going to the Passover, who moved along in clusters, (oh. 2. 44,) and who on this occasion falling in with our Lord had formed themselves into one mass about Him. 26, 27. If any man, &c.— See on M. 10. 34-36; and jNIk. 8. 34, 35. 28-33. which of you, &c.— Common sense teaches men not to begin any costly work witliout first seeing that they have wherewithal to finii^h. And he who docs otherwise exposes himself to general ridicule. Nor will any wise potentate en- ter on a war with any hostile power with- out first seeing to it that, despite formidable jdds (two to one), he be able to stand his iTound, and if he has no hope of this, he wiU feel that nothing remains for him but to make the best terms he can. '"Even so," says our Lord, ' in the warfare you will each have to wage as my disciples, despise not your enemy's strength, for the odds are all against you; and you had better see to it that, despite every disadvantage, you still have wherewithal to hold out and win the day, or else not begin at aU and make the best you can in such awful circumstances.' In this simple sense of the parable— Stier., Alf., &c., go wide of the mark here in making the enemy to be God, because of the " condi- tions of peace," v. 32, —two things are taught: (1.) Better not begin (Re. 3. 15.) than begin and not finish. (2.) Though the contest for salvation be on our part an awfully unequal one, the human will, in the exercise of that " faith which overcometh the world," (1 J. 5. 4.) and nerved by power from above, which ' out of weatnessmakes it strong, (He. 11. 34; 1 Pe. 1. 5,) becomes heroical and will come off *' more than conqueror. " But without al- solute surrender of self, the contest is hcipe- less, V. 33. 34, 35. salt, &o. See on M. 6. 13-16; and Mk. 9. .50. CHAPTER. XV. Ver. 1-32. Publicans and Sinners Wel- 60^ coMED BY Christ- Three Parables to Explain This. 1. drew near all the publi- cans and sinners, &c.— drawn around Him hy the extraordinary adajitation of His teach- ing to iheir case, who, till He ai^peared— at least His forerunner— might well say, "No man careth for my soul." 2. murmured, say- ing &c.— took it ill, were scandalized at Him, and insinuated on the principle that a man is known by the company he keeps that He must have some secret sympathy with their character. But O what a truth of unspeak- able preciousness do their lips, as on other occasions, unconsciously utter! Now follow three parables representing the sinner (I.) in his stupidity; (2.) as all-unconscious of his lost condition; (3.) knov;ingly and vnllingly estrariged from God. IBeng.] The first two set forth the seeking love of God; the last. His receiving love. [Trench.] 3-7. I. The Lost Sheep— occurring again, M. 18. 12-14; but there to show how precious one of his sheep is to the good Shepherd, here, to show tliat the shepherd, though it stray never so widely, will seek it out, and when he hath found will rejoice over it. leave the ninety- nine— bend all liis attention and care, as it were, to the one object of recovering the lost sheep ; not saying, ' 'Tis but one; let it go; enough remain. ' go after . . . until, (fcc— pointing to all the diversified means which God sets in operation for recovering sinners. 6. Rejoice with me, &c. — The principle here is, that one feels exuberant joy to be almost too much for liimself to bear alone, and is posi- tively relieved by having others to share it with him. (See on v. 10.) ninety-nine just, needing no repentance — not angels, whose place in these parables is very difi"erent from this; but those represented by the prodigaVs well-behaved hroflier, who have " served their Father many years " and not at any time transgressed His commandment" (in the outrageous sense of the prodigal.^ See on V. 29, 31. In other words, such as have groivn up from childhood in the fear of God and as the sheep of His pasture. Our Lord does not say "the Pharisees and scribes" were such; but as there was undoubtedly such a class, while "the publicans and sinners'* M'ere confessedly the strayed sheep and the prodigal children. He leaves them to fill up the place of the other class, ■;/ they coukl. 8-10. II. The Lost Coin, sweep the house— 'not done v/ithout dust on man's part.' [Beng.] Likewise— on the same principle, joy, (fee- Note carefully the language here:— not "joy on the part,' but "joy in the presence of the angels of God." True to the idea ot the par- ables. The Great Shepherd, The Great Owner Himself, is He whose the joypropcrij is over His own recovered property; but so vast and exuberant is it, (Ze. 3. 17,) that as if He could not keep it to Himself, He"cal]eth His friends and neighbours together"— His whole celestial family — " saying. Rejoice with Me, for I have found My sheep— My piece" &c. In this sublime sense it is "joy," before " or in the presence of the angels;" they only ' catch the flying joy,' sharing it with Him ! The application of this to the recei)- tion of those publicans and sinners that stood around our Lord is grand in the ex- treme: 'Ye turn from these lost ones with disdain, and because I do not the same, ya murmur at it: but a very different leeling is cherished iu heaven: There, the recovery of Parable of iM LUKE. XV. Prodigal Son. even one such outcast is watched with inte rest and hail'^d with joy; nor are they left to come home of themselves or perish ; for lo even now the great iShepherd is going after His lost sheep, and the Owner is making diligent search for the lost property; and He is finding it too. and bringing it back with joy, and all heaven is full of it.' (Let the reader mark what sublime claims for Himself our Lord covertly puts in here— as if in Him they beheld, all unknown to themselves, nothing less than Heaven in the habiliments of earth, the Great bhepherd above, clothed in a garment of flesh, come "to seek and to save that which was lost!") 11-32. HI. The Prodigal Son. 12. the your.ger— as the more thoughtless, said, &c.— weary of re- straint, panting for independence, unable longer to abide the check of a father's eye. TJt,is is man, impatient of divine control, desiring to be independent of God, seeking to be his own master; that ' sin of sins, in which all subsequent sins are included as in their germ, for they are but the unfolding of this one.' [Tkench.] he divided, &c.— Thus * God, when His service no longer appears a perfect freedom, and man promises himself something far better elsewnere, allows him to make the trial: and he shall discover, if need be by saddest proof, that to depart from Him is not to throw off the yoke, but to exchange a light yoke for a heavy one. and one gracious Master for a thousand imperi- ous tyrants am I lords.' [Trench.] 13. not many days— intoxicated with his new-found resour- ces, and eager for the luxury of using them at will, a far country— beyond all danger of inter- ference from home, wasted, (tc— So long as it lasted, the inward monitor (Is. 55. 2,) would be silenced. (Is, 9. 10; .'.7. 10; Am. 4. c-10.) riotous livine— ^. 30, " with harlots." Ah ! but this reaclies farther than the sensualist: for ' in the deep symbolical language of Scripture fornication is the standing image of idolatry; they are in fact ever spoken of as one and tlie same sin, considered now in its fleshly, now in its spiritual aspect (Je. 3. ; Ez. IC. and 17. .' [Trench.] 14. when he had spent all. .a mighty famine- a mysterious pro- vidence holding back the famine till he was in circumstances to feel it in all its rigour. Thus, like Jonah, whom the storm did not overtake till on the mighty deep at the mercy his rags ? Yes. of the waves, does the sinner feel as it " the j wretchedness stars in their courses were fighting against "in heaven, " is this Thy portraiture? It is him. (Ju. 5. 20.) m want— the first stage of I even so. (Je. 31. 20.) And becau.se it is so Lis bitter experience, and preparation for a 1 1 wonder not that such incomparable teach- change. 15. joined himself, 6:c.— his pride [ ing hath made the world new. 21. Father I not yet humbled, unable to brook the shan.e have sinned, (fcc— ' This confession is uttered of a return, to feed swine— Glad to keep life after the Jciss of reconcviation.' (Ez. 16. 6i.) in any how, behold the son sunk into a swine- 1 [Trench.] 22. but the Father said, .in. 4. 27. Mat. 6. 19, Mat. 19.21. ch. 11. 41, 1 Ti, 6. 17. » Mat. 25. 2l'. ch. 19. 17. 4 Or, riclies. / Eph. 3. 8. Rav. 3.18. g Mat. 6. 24 h Mat. 23 14. » ch. 10. 29. } Pa. 7. 9. Jer. 17. 10. Bev. 2, 23. * I Sa. 16. 7. Jam. 4. 4. J Mat, 11.12. *» Fs. 102. 26,27. » 1 Cor. 7.10. Heb. 11,37, P Heb. 1. 14 Jam. 2. 5. q Mat. 8. 11. r ZcTh 14.12. « Is. 06. 24. Mark 9. 44. t Job 21. 13. ch. 6. 24. w 2 Thcs.l.g. V Is. 8. 20. Is. 34. 16. John 5. 39, 45. Acts 1521. Acts 17.11. 2 Ti, 3. 16. il2. 10. CHAP. 17. Mat. 18. 6.7. Mark 9.42. 1 Cor. 11. 19. 6 2 Thes, 1.6. c Mat. 1S,15. d Lev, 19 17. Pro. 17. 10. Jam. 5. 19 « 1 Cor. 13.4. Col. 3. 12. /Mat. 17.20. Mat. 21.21. Mar. 9. 23. Mar. 11.23. g ch. 12. 37. h Job 22, 3. Job 35. 7. P». 16. 2. Kom. 3. 12. Ro. 11.35. 1 Cor. 9.16. Phil. 11. i Lu. 9. 51. John 4. 4. ;• Lev, 13.46. k Lev. 13. 2. Lev. 14. 2. Mat. 8, 4. 1 Ps. 103. 1. m 2 K.i. 17. John 1.48. 29 Abraham saith unto him. " They hava Moses and the Prophets; let them heal them. ; 30 And he said. Nay, father Abraham' but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him. If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, "" neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead. CHAPTER XYIL 1 Christ teacheth to avoid occasions of offence, 3 to forgive one another. 6 The power of faith. 1 1 He heuleth ten lepers, 'ii Of the kingdom of Ood, and the coming of the Son of man, etc. 'PHEN said he unto the disciples, " It is "^ impossible but that offences will come: but *woe unto him through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 H Take heed to yourselves: ' If thy brother trespass against thee, <* rebuke him; and if he repent, * forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and sevtn times in a day turn again to thee, saying, 1 repent ; thou shalt forgive him. 5 IT And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And/ the Lord said. If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Pe thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it siiould obey you. 7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field. Go and sit down to meat? 8 Aud will not rather say unto him. Make ready wherewith 1 may sup, and gird thy. self, "and serve me, till I have eaten and dimikeu; aud afterward thou shalt eat and diuik? y Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded liimi 1 trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say. We are i^ unprofitable servants: we have done that whith was our duty to do. 11 H And it came to pass, «as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed thi-ough the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which > stood afar oh': 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, * Go show yom-selves unto the priests. Aud it came to pass, ihat, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice ' glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving hhu thanks: and he was "' a Sa- maritan. . , „, 17 And Jesus answenng said. Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine! 18 Tliere are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And "he said unto him. Arise, go thy way: tliy liiith hath made thee whole. 20 il And when he was demanded of the ' 37ic Prodigal Son» LTJKE, XVL T7ie Uvjust Steward. festive occasions. 21. my son— now twice his son. dead . . . lost— to me ; to himself— to my service, my satisfaction; to his own dignity, peace, profit, alive again . . found— to all these, merry- see on v. 10. 25. in the field— engaged in his fauiefs business: cf. 20, " These many years do I serve thee." 28. came his father out and entreated him—" Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." (Ps. 103. 13.) As it is the elder brother who now errs, so it is the same pa- ternal compassion which had fallen on the neck of the younger that comes forth and pleads with the elder. 29. these many years ..neither transgressed at any time, &c.— The words are not to be pressed too far. He is merely contrasting his constancy of love and service with the conduct of his brothers; just as Job, resenting the charge of hypocrisy by his friends, speaks as if nothing could be laid to his charge (Job 23. 10-12), and David too (Ps. 18. 20-24.). The father attests the truth of all he says, never a kid — I say not a calf, but not even a kid. that I might make merry with my friends— Here lay his misapprehen- sion. It was no entertainment for the grati- fication of the prodigal: it was a fathers ex- pression of the joy he felt at his recovery, thy son.. thy living— How unworthy a reflec- tion on the common father of both, for the one not only to disown the other but fling him over upon his father, as if he should say. Take him. and have joy of him! 31. Son, &c. — ITie father resents not the insult — how could he, after the largeness of heart which had kissed the returning prodigal? He calmly expostulates with nim. ' Son, listen to reason. What need for special, exuberant joy over thee? Didst thou say, Lo, these many years do I serve thee ?" In that saidst thou truly; but just for that reason do I not set the whole household a rejoicing over thee. For thee is reserved what is hiahcr still —a tranquil life-long satisfaction in thee, as a true-hearted faitlifiU son in thy father's house, nor cl the inheritance reserved for thee is aught alienated by this festive and fitting joy over the once foolish but now wise and newly recovered one.' 32. it was meet— * Was it possible he should simply take his long-vacant place in the family, without one special sign of wonder and delight at the chanee^ would that have been nature?' But this being the meaning of the festi\'ity, it would for that very reason be temporary. In time, the dutifulness of even the younger son would become the law and not the ex- ception: he too at length might venture to say, " Lo, these manyyears do I serve thee;" , and of him the father would say, "Son, thou ''■ art ever with me. " In that case, therefore, it would not be " meet that they should ; make merry and be glad." The lessons are ! obvious, but how beautiful! (1.) The deeper I sunk and the longer estranged any sinner is, the more exuberant is the joy which his re- : covery occasions. (2.) Such joy is not the portion of those whose whole lives have been spent in the service of their Father in hea- ven. 3.) Instead of grudging the want of this, they should deem it the highest testi- mony to their lifelong fidelity, that some- thing better is reserved for them— the deep, abiding complacency of their Father in heaven. CHAPTER XVI. \ei:. 1-31. Parables of the Unjust 6j Steward A>rD of the Etch Man ano Lazarus, or. The Eight Use of Money". 1. steward— manager of his estate, accused— informed upon, had wasted— rather, 'was wasting.' 3. cannot dig . . . to beg, ashamed— therefore, when dismissed, shaU be in utter want. 4. may receive me, &c.— Observe hia one object— it'/iejt cast out of one home to secure another. This is the key to the par- able, on which there have been many differing views. 5-7. fifty . . . fourscore— deducting a half from the debt of the one, and a fifth from that of the other. 8. the lord— evidently the steward's lord, so called in v. 3, 5. com- mended, &c. — not for his "injustice" but " because he had done wisely," or prudently; with commendable /orcsif/Zi^ undskilful adap- tation of means to end. children of this world —so ch. 20. 34 ; cf. Ps. 17. 14, ("their portion in this life"); Ph. 3. 19. ("mind earthly things") ; Ps. 4. 6, 7. in (or for) their generation —i.e. for the purposes of the "world" they are "of." The greater wisdom (or shrewdness of the one, in adaptation of means to ends^ and in energetic, determined prosecution of them, is none of it for God and eternity— li region they were never in, an atmosphere they never breathed, an undiscovered world, animborn existence to them— but all for the purposes of their o'wn grovelling and fleeting generation, children of light— so J. 12. 36; Eph. 6. 8- 1 Th. 5. 5. Yet this is only 'as night-birds see better in the dark than those of the day— owls than eagles. [Ca jetan and Trench.] But we may learn lessons from them, as our Lord now shows, and be "wise as serpents." 9. make friends of— turn to your own advantage; i.e. as the steward did, " by show- ing mercy to the poor" (Da. 4. 27.) : cf. 12. 33; 14. 13, 14. manimon of unrighteousness- treacherous, precarious. (See on M. 6. 24.) ye fail— in respect of life, they may receive yoa —not generally, ' ye may be received' ( as ch. 6. 38, 'shall men give'), but 'those ye have relieved may rise up as witnesses for you' at the great day. 'llien, like the steward, when turned out of one home shaU ye secure another; but better than he, a heavenly for an earthly, an everlasting for a temporary habitation.' Money is not here made the key to heaven, more than " the deeds done in the body in general, according to which, as a test of character— but not by the merit of which— men are to be judged, (2 Co. 5. 10,) and see M. 25. 34-40. 10. He, &c.— a maxim of great pregnancy and value ; rising from the prudence which the steward had to the fidelity which he had not, the " harmlessness of the dove, to which the serpent" with aU his '"wisdom" is a total stranger. Fidehty depends not on the amount entr^isted, but on the sense of responsibility. He that feels this in little will feel it in much, and conversely, 11, 12. unrighteous mammon— To the whole or this He applies the disparaging term "what is least," in contrast with " the true riches." another man's . . . your own— an important turn to the subject. Here all we have is on trust as stewards, who have an account to ren- der, Hereafter, what the faithful have will be their own property, being no longer on pro- bation but in secure, undisturbed, rightful, everlasting possession and enjoyment of all that is graciously bestowed on us. Thus money is neither to be idolised nor despised; we must sit loose to it and use it for God's glory. 13. can serve— be entirely at the comr Clirist fordeUftli his deafJi. LUKE. XVITI. He ble?seth tittle children. Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should como, he answered tliem and said, The kiiiadorn of God cometh not i with obser- vation: -1 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, • the longdora of God is 8 within you. 2J % And he said nnto the disciples, P The days will come, when ye sliall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye eball not see it, 23 And ' tliey shall say to you. See here! or, see there! go *■ not after them, nor follow them. 24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also * the Son of man be in his day. 25 Hut ' first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 2t! And " as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of 01 an. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in maniage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise " also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they buililed; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 3U Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man "* is revealed. 31 In that day, he * which shall be upon the house-top, and his >tuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is iu the field, let him likewise not return back. 3J Kemember ^ Lot's wife. 33 Whosoever * shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall presen'e it. 34 I " tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed ; the oue shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two loomen shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 a Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, * Where, Lord? And he said unto them. Wheresoever the body is, thither Mill the eagles be gathered together. ClIAPTEll XVIIL I Thf importunate widow. 9 The Pharisee and.^ publican. 15 ChiUiren brought to Christ, 'ii All to be Uft for the Gospel' s'sake. 31 Ht fore- thorveth his death. A ND he spake a parable unto them to "*■*- this end, that men ought "always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was i in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for awhile: but after- ward he said within himself. Though I fear not God, nor regard man ; 6 Vet 'because Uiis widow troubleth me, I V. ill avf nge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said. Hear what the un- just jud^je saith Jam. a. 5. r Jer. 32. 17. Zech. 8. 6. » Mat 19 'll. t Da 1. ;«. 9. «» Job 42. 10. 7 And '^bhall not God avenge his own! iiuv!s.2i. a John 1. 26. Gal. 6. 13. P Mat. 9. 15. Jnhn 17.12. ? Mat 24 aj, r 1 John 4.1. « 1 Ti. 6 16. t ch. t. 22. W Gen. 7. 1. Mxt. 24.a7. » Gen. 19. 1. «'2Thos.l7. * Mar. 13.15. V Gen. 19.-.». « Mat. 16, 'Jo. John 12.i;6. o 1 Tbees. 1. 17. 8 Tliis rerte 18 wanting nany Greek elect, which cry day and night unto himj though he bear long with them? 8 1 tell you <* that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 9 H And he spake this parable onto certain 'which trusted in themselves 2 that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into tiie temple to pray ; the one a Thaiisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee / stood and prayed thus with himself, » God, I thank thee, that I Mar! 13.21! i am not as other men are, extoi tioueis, ■ "■ " 'unjust, adulterers, or even as this pub- lican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that 1 possess. 13 And tlie publican, '» standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: » for every one that exalteth himself shall he abased ; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 15 H And >they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, * Suffer little children to come unto me. and forbid them not: for * of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Verily 1 say unto you. Whosoever shall not receive the kin^'dom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. 18 H And "* a certain ruler asked him, say- ing. Good Master, what shall 1 do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him. Why callest thou me good? none is good, save oue, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, " Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness, " Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said. All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him. Yet lackest thou one thing: sell ' all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure iu heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, ' How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go throuch a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kmgdom of God. ■2G And they that heard it said. Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, '"The things which are impossible with men are pos.sible with God. 28 ^ Then « Feter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29 And he said unto them, "Verily I say mito you, * There is no man that hath iett house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of iiod's sake, 30 Who "shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and "in the world to come life evcrlastiug. CHAP. 18. ch. II. 5. ch.21. 36. Ko. 12. 12. EpK. 6. 18. Col. 4. 2. 1 Thesa. 5. 17. 1 in a cer- tain city. 6ch. U.S. C2TI.es. 1.6. 2 ret.3 8,9. « ch. 10. 29. ch. 16. 15. 2 Or. as being righteous. f Pa. 135 2. fl'Is. 1 15. Is. 68. 2. Rev. 3. 17. h Ps. 40. 12. i Job 22. 29. 1 Pet 6 5,6. y Mat. 19.13. Mar. 10.13. k Pro 8. 7. I 1 Cor. 14. 20. ♦» Mat.19.16. « Ex. 20. 12. Deu. 6. 16. Rom. 13 9. o Eph. 6. 2. Col. 3. 20. p Mat. 6. 19. Mat 19,21. The Rich Man and Lazarus. LtTKE, XVn. Offences— Failh^Rumility.' mand of; and this is true even where the into the present life, drove him to seek, and find, consolation in a life beyond the grave, is by death released from all evil ana services are not opposed, hate . . . love showing that the two here inUnckd are in . uncompromisinghostility to each other:— an ushered into umnixed and unintemipted awfully searching principle! 14-18. covetous j good (ch. 6. 21.) (2.) It is impossible, besides all . . . derided Mm— sneered at him; their mas- this— ' independently of this consideration.' ter-sin being too plainly struck at for them [a great gulf fixed— ?)-!/ an irrevocable decree to relish. But it was easier to run dawn tliere has been placed a vast impassable than to refute such teaching, justify your- 1 abyss between the two states, and the occu- selves— make a show of righteousness, highly i pants of each. 27-31. Then he said— now esteemed among men— generally carried away ; abandoning all hope for himself, send him to by plausible appearances. (See 1 Sa. 16. 7 andch. 14. 11.) The Law, &c.— See on M. 11. 13, every man presseth, &c. :— Publicans and sin- ners, all indiscriminately, are eairerly pres- sing into it; and ye, interested adherents of the mere forms of an economy which is pas my father's house, etc.— no waking up of good in the heart of the lost, but bitter reproach against God and the old economy, as not warning him sutiiciently.' [Trench.] The answer of Abraham is. They are sufficiently warned, nay— giving the lie to Abraham. If. sing away, " discerning not the signs of this (fee— a principle "'" --"-^ ^^..j- — j time," will allow the tide to go past jou and | importance. The le of awful magnitude and J go past you and i importance. The greatest miracle will have be found a stranded monument of blindness i no effect on those who are determined not to and obstinacy.' it is easier, &c.— See on M, 5. 17, 18. putteth away his wife,