Part 15
28. Which is the first commandment? - The principal, and most necessary to be observed. Matt. xxii, 34; Luke x, 25.
29. The Lord our God is one Lord - This is the foundation of the first commandment, yea, of all the commandments. The Lord our God, the Lord, the God of all men, is one God, essentially, though three persons. From this unity of God it follows, that we owe all our love to him alone. Deut. vi, 4.
30. With all thy strength - That is, the whole strength and capacity of thy understanding, will, and affections.
31. The second is like unto it - Of a like comprehensive nature: comprising our whole duty to man. There is no other moral, much less ceremonial commandment, greater than these. Lev. xix, 18.
33. To love him with all the heart - To love and serve him, with all the united powers of the soul in their utmost vigour; and to love his neighbour as himself - To maintain the same equitable and charitable temper and behaviour toward all men, as we, in like circumstances, would wish for from them toward ourselves, is a more necessary and important duty, than the offering the most noble and costly sacrifices.
34. Jesus said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God - Reader, art not thou? then go on: be a real Christian: else it had been better for thee to have been afar off.
35. Matt. xxii, 41; Luke xx, 41. 36. Psalm cx, 1. 38. Beware of the scribes - There was an absolute necessity for these repeated cautions. For, considering their inveterate prejudices against Christ, it could never be supposed the common people would receive the Gospel till these incorrigible blasphemers of it were brought to just disgrace. Yet he delayed speaking in this manner till a little before his passion, as knowing what effect it would quickly produce. Nor is this any precedent for us: we are not invested with the same authority. Matt. xxiii, 5; Luke xx, 46.
41. He beheld how people cast money into the treasury - This treasury received the voluntary contributions of the worshippers who came up to the feast; which were given to buy wood for the altar, and other necessaries not provided for in any other way. Luke xxi, 1.
43. I say to you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all - See what judgement is cast on the most specious, outward actions by the Judge of all! And how acceptable to him is the smallest, which springs from self-denying love!
1. Matt. xxiv, 1; Luke xxi, 5. 4. Two questions are here asked; the one concerning the destruction of Jerusalem: the other concerning the end of the world.
9. Luke xxi, 12. 10. Matt. xxiv, 14. 11. The Holy Ghost will help you. But do not depend upon any other help For all the nearest ties will be broken.
14. Where it ought not - That place being set apart for sacred use. Matt. xxiv, 15; Luke xxi, 20; Dan. ix, 27.
19. In those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation - May it not be doubted, whether this be yet fully accomplished? Is not much of this affliction still to come?
20. The elect - The Christians: whom he hath chosen - That is, hath taken out of, or separated from, the world, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. He hath shortened - That is, will surely shorten.
21. Matt. xxiv, 23. 24. But in those days - Which immediately precede the end of the world: after that tribulation - Above described.
28. Matt. xxiv, 32; Luke xxi, 28. 29. He is nigh - The Son of man. 30. All these things - Relating to the temple and the city. 32. Of that day - The day of judgment is often in the Scriptures emphatically called that day. Neither the Son - Not as man: as man he was no more omniscient than omnipresent. But as God he knows all the circumstances of it.
33. Matt. xxiv, 42; Luke xxi, 34. 34. The Son of man is as a man taking a far journey - Being about to leave this world and go to the Father, he appoints the services that are to be performed by all his servants, in their several stations. This seems chiefly to respect ministers at the day of judgment: but it may be applied to all men, and to the time of death. Matt. xxv, 14; Luke xix, 12.
1. Matt. xxvi, 1; Luke xxii, 1. 3. Matt. xxvi, 6. 4. Some had indignation - Being incited thereto by Judas: and said - Probably to the women. 10. Judas went to the chief priests - Immediately after this reproof, having anger now added to his covetousness. Matt. xxvi, 14; Luke xxii, 3.
12. Matt. xxvi, 17; Luke xxii, 7. 13. Go into the city, and there shall meet you a man - It was highly seasonable for our Lord to give them this additional proof both of his knowing all things, and of his influence over the minds of men.
15. Furnished - The word properly means, spread with carpets. 17. Matt. xxvi, 20; Luke xxii, 14. 24. This is my blood of the New Testament - That is, this I appoint to be a perpetual sign and memorial of my blood, as shed for establishing the new covenant, that all who shall believe in me may receive all its gracious promises.
25. I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till I drink it new in the kingdom of God - That is, I shall drink no more before I die: the next wine I drink will not be earthly, but heavenly.
26. Matt. xxvi, 30; Luke xxii, 39; John xviii, 1. 27. This night - The Jews in reckoning their days began with the evening, according to the Mosaic computation, which called the evening and the morning the first day, Gen. i, 5. And so that which after sunset is here called this night is, ver. 30, called today. The expression there is peculiarly significant. Verily I say to thee, that thou thyself, confident as thou art, today, even within four and twenty hours; yea, this night, or ever the sun be risen, nay, before the cock crow twice, before three in the morning, wilt deny me thrice. Our Lord doubtless spoke so determinately, as knowing a cock would crow once before the usual time of cock crowing. By chap. xiii, 35, it appears, that the third watch of the night, ending at three in the morning, was commonly styled the cock crowing. Zech. xiii, 7.
32. Matt. xxvi, 36.
33. Sore amazed - The original word imports the most shocking amazement, mingled with grief: and that word in the next verse which we render sorrowful intimates, that he was surrounded with sorrow on every side, breaking in upon him with such violence, as was ready to separate his soul from his body.
36. Abba, Father - St. Mark seems to add the word Father, by way of explication. 37. Saith to Peter - The zealous, the confident Peter. 43. Matt. xxvi, 47; Luke xxii, 47; John xviii, 2. 44. Whomsoever I shall kiss - Probably our Lord, in great condescension, had used (according to the Jewish custom) to permit his disciples to do this, after they had been some time absent.
47. Matt. xxvi, 51; Luke xxii, 49; John xviii, 10. 51. A young man - It does not appear, that he was one of Christ's disciples. Probably hearing an unusual noise, he started up out of his bed, not far from the garden, and ran out with only the sheet about him, to see what was the matter. And the young men laid hold on him - Who was only suspected to be Christ's disciple: but could not touch them who really were so.
53. Matt. xxvi, 57; Luke xxii, 54; John xviii, 12. 55. All the council sought for witness and found none - What an amazing proof of the overruling providence of God, considering both their authority, and the rewards they could offer, that no two consistent witnesses could be procured, to charge him with any gross crime. Matt. xxvi, 59.
56. Their evidences were not sufficient - The Greek words literally rendered are, Were not equal: not equal to the charge of a capital crime: it is the same word in the 59th verse.
58. We heard him say - It is observable, that the words which they thus misrepresented, were spoken by Christ at least three years before, John ii, 19. Their going back so far to find matter for the charge, was a glorious, though silent attestation of the unexceptionable manner wherein he had behaved, through the whole course of his public ministry.
61. Matt. xxvi, 63; Luke xxii, 67. 66. Matt. xxvi, 69; Luke xxii, 56; John xviii, 25. 72. And he covered his head - Which was a usual custom with mourners, and was fitly expressive both of grief and shame.
1. Matt. xxvii, 1, 2; Luke xxii, 66; Luke xxiii, 1; John xviii, 28. 3. Matt. xxvii, 12. 7. Insurrection - A crime which the Roman governors, and Pilate in particular, were more especially concerned and careful to punish.
9. Will ye that I release to you the king of the Jews - Which does this wretched man discover most? Want of justice, or courage, or common sense? The poor coward sacrifices justice to popular clamour, and enrages those whom he seeks to appease, by so unseasonably repeating that title, The king of the Jews, which he could not but know was so highly offensive to them.
16. Praetorium - The inner hall, where the praetor, a Roman magistrate, used to give judgment. But St. John calls the whole palace by this name. Matt. xxvii, 27; John xix, 2.
17. Purple - As royal robes were usually purple and scarlet, St. Mark and John term this a purple robe, St. Matthew a scarlet one. The Tyrian purple is said not to have been very different from scarlet.
20. Matt. xxvii, 31; John xix, 16. 21. The father of Alexander and Rufus - These were afterward two eminent Christians, and must have been well known when St. Mark wrote.
22. Matt. xxvii, 33; Luke xxiii, 33; John xix, 17. 24, 25. St. Mark seems to intimate, that they first nailed him to the cross, then parted his garments, and afterward reared up the cross.
28. Isaiah liii, 12. 29. Matt. xxvii, 39. 33. Matt. xxvii, 45; Luke xxiii, 44. 34. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me - Thereby claiming God as his God; and yet lamenting his Father's withdrawing the tokens of his love, and treating him as an enemy, while he bare our sins.
37. Matt. xxvii, 50; Luke xxiii, 46; John xix, 30. 41. Who served him - Provided him with necessaries. 42. Because it was the day before the Sabbath - And the bodies might not hang on the Sabbath day: therefore they were in haste to have them taken down.
43. honourable - A man of character and reputation: A counsellor - A member of the sanhedrim. Who waited for the kingdom of God - Who expected to see it set up on earth. Matt. xxvii, 57; Luke xxiii, 50; John xix, 38.
46. He rolled a stone - By his servants. It was too large for him to roll himself.
1. Matt. xxviii, 1; Luke xxiv, 1; John xx, 1. 2. At the rising of the sun - They set out while it was yet dark, and came within sight of the sepulchre, for the first time, just as it grew light enough to discern that the stone was rolled away, Matt. xxviii, 1; Luke xxiv, 1; John xx, 1. But by the time Mary had called Peter and John, and they had viewed the sepulchre, the sun was rising.
3. Who shall roll us away the stone - This seems to have been the only difficulty they apprehended. So they knew nothing of Pilate's having sealed the stone, and placed a guard of soldiers there.
7. And Peter - Though he so oft denied his Lord. What amazing goodness was this! 9. John xx, 11. 10. Luke xxiv, 9; John xx, 18. 12. Luke xxiv, 13. 13. Neither believed they them - They were moved a little by the testimony of these, added to that of St. Peter, Luke xxiv, 34; but they did not yet fully believe it.
14. Luke xxiv, 36; John xx, 19.
15. Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature - Our Lord speaks without any limitation or restriction. If therefore every creature in every age hath not heard it, either those who should have preached, or those who should have heard it, or both, made void the counsel of God herein. Matt. xxviii, 19.
16. And is baptized - In token thereof. Every one that believed was baptized. But he that believeth not - Whether baptized or unbaptized, shall perish everlastingly.
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe - An eminent author sub-joins, "That believe with that very faith mentioned in the preceding verse." (Though it is certain that a man may work miracles, and not have saving faith, Matt. vii, 22, 23.) "It was not one faith by which St. Paul was saved, another by which he wrought miracles. Even at this day in every believer faith has a latent miraculous power; (every effect of prayer being really miraculous;) although in many, both because of their own littleness of faith, and because the world is unworthy, that power is not exerted. Miracles, in the beginning, were helps to faith; now also they are the object of it. At Leonberg, in the memory of our fathers, a cripple that could hardly move with crutches, while the dean was preaching on this very text, was in a moment made whole." Shall follow - The word and faith must go before. In my name - By my authority committed to them. Raising the dead is not mentioned. So our Lord performed even more than he promised.
18. If they drink any deadly thing - But not by their own choice. God never calls us to try any such experiments.
19. The Lord - How seasonable is he called by this title! After he had spoken to them - For forty days. Luke xxiv, 50.
20. They preached every where - At the time St. Mark wrote, the apostles had already gone into all the known world, Rom. x, 18; and each of them was there known where he preached: the name of Christ only was known throughout the world.
NOTES ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE
HEREIN WE MAY OBSERVE, I. The beginning: and therein.
1. The conception of John Chap. i, 5-25 2. The conception of Christ 26-56 3. The birth and circumcision of John; the hymn of Zacharias; the youth of John 57-80 4. Christ's birth ii, 1-20 Christ's circumcision and name 21 Presentation in the temple 22-38 Country and growth 39, 40 II. The middle, when he was twelve years old and upward 41-52 III. The course of the history.
A. The introduction, wherein are described John the Baptist; Christ's baptism, and
temptation iii, iv, 1-13 B. The acceptable year in Galilee,
a. Proposed at Nazareth 14-30 b. Actually exhibited,
I. At Capernaum and near it; here we may observe,
1. Actions not censured, while Jesus 1. Teaches with authority 31, 32 2. Casts out a devil 33-37 3. Heals many sick 38-41 4. Teaches every where 42-44 5. Calls Peter; then James and John Chap. v, 1-11 6. Cleanses the leper 12-16 2. Actions censured, more and more severally, here occur, 1. The healing the paralytic 17-26 2. The calling of Levi; eating with publicans and sinners. 27-32 3. The question concerning fasting 33-39 4. The plucking the ears of corn vi, 1-5 5. The withered hand restored; snares laid 6-11 3. Actions having various effects on various persons, 1. Upon the apostles 12-16 2. Upon other hearers 17-40 3. Upon the centurion vii, 1-10 4. Upon the disciples of John, The occasion: the young man raised 11-17 The message and answer 18-23 The reproof of them that believed not John 24-35 5. Upon Simon and the penitent sinner 36-50 6. Upon the woman who ministered to him viii, 1-3 7. Upon the people 4-18 Upon his mother and brethren 19-21 II. On the sea, and 22-26 Beyond it 27-39 III. On this side again.
1. Jairus and the flux of blood 40-55 2. The apostles sent ix, 1-6 3. Herod's doubting 7-9 4. The relation of the apostles 10 5. The earnestness of the people; our Lord's benignity; five thousand fed 11-17 C. The preparation for his passion,
a. A recapitulation of the doctrine concerning his person: his passion foretold 18-27 b. His transfiguration; the lunatic healed; his passion again foretold; humility enjoined
28-50 c. His last journey to Jerusalem, which we may divide into eighteen intervals,
1. The inhospitable Samaritans born with 51-57 2. In the way, improper followers repelled, Proper ones pressed forward 58-62 3. Afterward the seventy sent; and received again x, 1-24 And the scribe taught to love his neighbour, by the example of the good
Samaritan 25-37 4. In Bethany, Mary preferred before Martha 38-42
5. In a certain place the disciples taught to pray xi, 1-13 A devil cast out, and the action defended 14-26 The acclamation of the woman corrected 27, 28 Those who desire a sign reproved 29-36 6. In a certain house, the scribes and Pharisees censured. 37-54 7. Our Lord's discourse to his disciples xii, 1-12 To one that interrupts him 13-21 To his disciples again 22-40 To Peter 41-53 To the people 54-59 8. The necessity of repentance shown xiii, 1-9 A woman healed on the Sabbath 10-21 9. The fewness of them that are saved 22-30 10. Herod termed a fox: Jerusalem reproved 31-35 11. In the Pharisee's house, he cures the dropsy on the Sabbath; and xiv, 1-6 Teaches humility 7-11 Hoseapitality 12-14 The nature of the great supper 15-24 The necessity of self denial 25-35 12. Joy over repenting sinners defended, and xv, 1-10 Illustrated by the story of the prodigal son 11-32 The unjust steward, wise in his generation xvi, 1-13 The Pharisees reproved; and warned by the story of 14-18 the rich man and Lazarus 19-31 Cautions against scandals xvii, 1-4 The faith of the apostles increased 5-10 13. In the confines of Samaria and Galilee he heals ten lepers. 1119 14. Answers the question concerning the time when the kingdom of God should come 20-37 Commends constant prayer xviii, 1-8 Recommends humility by the story of the Pharisee and publican 9-14 15. Blesses little children 15-17 Answers the rich young man 18-27 And Peter, asking what he should have 28-30 16. Foretells his passion a third time 31-34 17. Near Jericho, cures a blind man 35-42 18. In Jericho, brings salvation to Zaccheus xix, 1-10 Answers touching the sudden appearance of his kingdom. 11-28 D. Transactions at Jerusalem,
a. The four first days of the great week,
1. His royal entry 29-44 2. The abuse of the temple corrected 45, 46 Its use restored, and 47, 48
Vindicated xx, 1-8 3. His discourses in the temple, 1. The parable of the husbandmen 9-19 2. The answer concerning paying tribute 20-26 And the resurrection 27-40 3. The question concerning the Son of David 41-44 4. The disciples admonished 45-47 5. The poor widow's offering commended xxi, 1-4 4. His prediction of the end of the temple, the city, and the world 5-38 5. Judas's agreement with the chief priests xxii, 1-6 b. Thursday,
1. Peter and John prepare the passover 7-13 2. The Lord's Supper: discourse after it 14-23 3. The dispute, which of them was greatest 24-30 4. Peter, and the other apostles warned 31-38 5. On the mount of Olives, 1. Jesus prays; is in an agony; strengthened by an angel; wakes his disciples 39-46 2. Is betrayed; unseasonably defended 47-53 3. Carried to the high priest's house 54 Denied by Peter 55-62 Mocked 63-65 c. Friday,
1. His passion and death: transactions, 1. In the council 66-71 2. With Pilate xxiii, 1-5 3. With Herod 6-12 4. With Pilate again 13-25 5. In the way 26-32 6. At Golgotha, where, The crucifixion itself, and Jesus's prayer 33, 34 His garments parted 34 Scoffs: the inscription on the cross 35-39 The penitent thief 40-43 The prodigies, and the death of Jesus 44-46 The beholders of it 47-49 2. His burial 50-53 d. Friday evening and Saturday 54-56 e. His resurrection made known,
1. To the women Chap. xxiv, 1-12 2. To the two going into the country, and to Peter 13-35 3. To the other apostles 36-45 f. The instructions given his apostles: his ascension 46-53
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
1, 2. This short, weighty, artless, candid dedication, belongs to the Acts, as well as the Gospel of St. Luke. Many have undertaken - He does not mean St. Matthew or Mark; and St. John did not write so early. For these were eye witnesses themselves and ministers of the word.
3. To write in order - St. Luke describes in order of time; first, The Acts of Christ; his conception, birth, childhood, baptism, miracles, preaching, passion, resurrection, ascension: then, The Acts of the Apostles. But in many smaller circumstances he does not observe the order of time. Most excellent Theophilus - This was the appellation usually given to Roman governors. Theophilus (as the ancients inform us) was a person of eminent quality at Alexandria. In Acts i, 1, St. Luke does not give him that title. He was then probably a private man. After the preface St. Luke gives us the history of Christ, from his coming into the world to his ascension into heaven.
5. The course of Abia - The priests were divided into twenty-four courses, of which that of Abia was the eighth, 1 Ch xxiv, 10. Each course ministered in its turn, for seven days, from Sabbath to Sabbath. And each priest of the course or set in waiting, had his part in the temple service assigned him by lot.
6. Walking in all the moral commandments, and ceremonial ordinances, blameless - How admirable a character! May our behaviour be thus unblamable, and our obedience thus sincere and universal!
10. The people were praying without, at the time of the incense - So the pious Jews constantly did. And this was the foundation of that elegant figure, by which prayer is in Scripture so often compared to incense. Perhaps one reason of ordaining incense might be, to intimate the acceptableness of the prayer that accompanied it; as well as to remind the worshippers of that sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour, which was once to be offered to God for them, and of that incense, which is continually offered with the prayers of the saints, upon the golden altar that is before the throne, Rev. viii, 3, 4.
12. Zacharias was troubled - Although he was accustomed to converse with God, yet we see he was thrown into a great consternation, at the appearance of his angelical messenger, nature not being able to sustain the sight. Is it not then an instance of the goodness is well as of the wisdom of God, that the services, which these heavenly spirits render us, are generally invisible?
13. Thy prayer is heard - Let us observe with pleasure, that the prayers of pious worshippers come up with acceptance before God; to whom no costly perfume is so sweet, as the fragrancy of an upright heart. An answer of peace was here returned, when the case seemed to be most helpless. Let us wait patiently for the Lord, and leave to his own wisdom the time and manner wherein he will appear for us. Thou shalt call his name John - John signifies the grace or favour of Jehovah. A name well suiting the person, who was afterward so highly in favour with God, and endued with abundance of grace; and who opened a way to the most glorious dispensation of grace in the Messiah's kingdom. And so Zacharias's former prayers for a child, and the prayer which he, as the
representative of the people, was probably offering at this very time, for the appearing of the Messiah, were remarkably answered in the birth of his forerunner.
15. He shall be great before the Lord - God the Father: of the Holy Ghost and the Son of God mention is made immediately after. And shall drink neither wine nor strong drink - Shall be exemplary for abstemiousness and self-denial; and so much the more filled with the Holy Ghost.
16. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn - None therefore need be ashamed of "preaching like John the Baptist." To the Lord their God - To Christ.
17. He shall go before him, Christ, in the power and spirit of Elijah - With the same integrity, courage, austerity, and fervour, and the same power attending his word: to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children - To reconcile those that are at variance, to put an end to the most bitter quarrels, such as are very frequently those between the nearest relations: and the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just - And the most obstinate sinners to true wisdom, which is only found among them that are righteous before God.
18. Zacharias said, Whereby shall I know this? - In how different a spirit did the blessed virgin say, How shall this be? Zacharias disbelieved the fact: Mary had no doubt of the thing; but only inquired concerning the manner of it.
19. I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God - Seven angels thus stand before God, Rev. vii, 2; who seem the highest of all. There seems to be a remarkable gradation in the words, enhancing the guilt of Zacharias's unbelief. As if he had said, I am Gabriel, a holy angel of God: yea, one of the highest order. Not only so, but am now peculiarly sent from God; and that with a message to thee in particular. Nay, and to show thee glad tidings, such as ought to be received with the greatest joy and readiness.
20. Thou shalt be dumb - The Greek word signifies deaf, as well as dumb: and it seems plain, that he was as unable to hear, as he was to speak; for his friends were obliged to make signs to him, that he might understand them, ver. 62.
21. The people were waiting - For him to come and dismiss them (as usual) with the blessing. 24. Hid herself - She retired from company, that she might have the more leisure to rejoice and bless God for his wonderful mercy.
25. He looked upon me to take away my reproach - Barrenness was a great reproach among the Jews. Because fruitfulness was promised to the righteous.
26. In the sixth month - After Elisabeth had conceived. 27. Espoused - It was customary among the Jews, for persons that married to contract before witnesses some time before. And as Christ was to be born of a pure virgin, so the wisdom of God ordered it to be of one espoused, that to prevent reproach he might have a reputed father, according to the flesh.
28. Hail, thou highly favoured; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women - Hail is the salutation used by our Lord to the women after his resurrection: thou art highly favoured, or hast found favour with God, ver. 30, is no more than was said of Noah, Moses, and David. The Lord is with thee, was said to Gideon, Judg. vi, 12; and blessed shall she be above women, of Jael, Judg. v, 24. This salutation gives no room for any pretense of paying adoration to the virgin; as having no appearance of a prayer, or of worship offered to her.
32. He shall be called the Son of the Highest - In this respect also: and that in a more eminent sense than any, either man or angel, can be called so. The Lord shall give him the throne of his father David - That is, the spiritual kingdom, of which David's was a type.
33. He shall reign over the house of Jacob - In which all true believers are included. 35. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee - The power of God was put forth by the Holy Ghost, as the immediate Divine agent in this work: and so he exerted the power of the Highest as his own power, who together with the Father and the Son is the most high God. Therefore also - Not only as he is God from eternity, but on this account likewise he shall be called the Son of God.
36. And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth - Though Elisabeth was of the house of Aaron, and Mary of the house of David, by the fathers side, they might be related by their mothers. For the law only forbad heiresses marrying into another tribe. And so other persons continually intermarried; particularly the families of David and of Levi.
38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord - It is not improbable, that this time of the virgin's humble faith, consent, and expectation, might be the very time of her conceiving.
39. A city of Judah - Probably Hebron, which was situated in the hill country of Judea, and belonged to the house of Aaron.
41. When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary - The discourse with which she saluted her, giving an account of what the angel had said, the joy of her soul so affected her body, that the very child in her womb was moved in an uncommon manner, as if it leaped for joy.
45. Happy is she that believed - Probably she had in her mind the unbelief of Zacharias. 46. And Mary said - Under a prophetic impulse, several things, which perhaps she herself did not then fully understand.
47. My spirit hath rejoiced in God my saviour - She seems to turn her thoughts here to Christ himself, who was to be born of her, as the angel had told her, he should be the Son of the Highest, whose name should be Jesus, the saviour. And she rejoiced in hope of salvation through faith in him, which is a blessing common to all true believers, more than in being his mother after the flesh, which was an honour peculiar to her. And certainly she had the same reason to rejoice in God her saviour hat we have: because he had regarded the low estate of his handmaid, in like manner as he regarded our low estate; and vouchsafed to come and save her and us, when we were reduced to the lowest estate of sin and misery.
51. He hath wrought strength with his arm - That is, he hath shown the exceeding greatness of his power. She speaks prophetically of those things as already done, which God was about to do by the Messiah. He hath scattered the proud - Visible and invisible.
52. He hath put down the mighty - Both angels and men. 54. He hath helped his servant Israel - By sending the Messiah. 55. To his seed - His spiritual seed: all true believers. 56. Mary returned to her own house - And thence soon after to Bethlehem. 60. His mother said - Doubtless by Revelation, or a particular impulse from God. 66. The hand of the Lord - The peculiar power and blessing of God. 67. And Zacharias prophesied - Of things immediately to follow. But it is observable, he speaks of Christ chiefly; of John only, as it were, incidentally.
69. A horn - Signifies honour, plenty, and strength. A horn of salvation - That is, a glorious and mighty saviour.
70. His prophets, who have been since the world began - For there were prophets from the very beginning.
74. To serve him without fear - Without any slavish fear. Here is the substance of the great promise. That we shall be always holy, always happy: that being delivered from Satan and sin, from every uneasy and unholy temper, we shall joyfully love and serve God, in every thought, word, and work.
76. And thou, child - He now speaks to John; yet not as a parent, but as a prophet. 77. To give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins - The knowledge of the remission of our sins being the grand instrument of present and eternal salvation, Heb. viii, 11, 12. But the immediate sense of the words seems to be, to preach to them the Gospel doctrine of salvation by the remission of their sins.
78. The day spring - Or the rising sun; that is, Christ.
1. That all the world should be enrolled - That all the inhabitants, male and female, of every town in the Roman empire, with their families and estates, should be registered.
2. When Cyrenius was governor of Syria - When Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria, in which Judea was then included.
6. And while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered - Mary seems not to have known that the child must have been born in Bethlehem, agreeably to the prophecy. But the providence of God took care for it.
7. She laid him in the manger - Perhaps it might rather be translated in the stall. They were lodged in the ox stall, fitted up on occasion of the great concourse, for poor guests. There was no room for them in the inn - Now also, there is seldom room for Christ in an inn. Matt. i, 25
11. To you - Shepherds; Israel; mankind. 14. Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace; good will toward men - The shouts of the multitude are generally broken into short sentences. This rejoicing acclamation strongly represents the piety and benevolence of these heavenly spirits: as if they had said, Glory be to God in the highest heavens: let all the angelic legions resound his praises. For with the Redeemer's birth, peace, and all kind of happiness, come down to dwell on earth: yea, the overflowings of Divine good will and favour are now exercised toward men.
20. For all the things that they had heard - From Mary; as it was told them - By the angels. 21. To circumcise the child - That he might visibly be made under the law by a sacred rite, which obliged him to keep the whole law; as also that he might be owned to be the seed of Abraham, and might put an honour on the solemn dedication of children to God.
22. The days - The forty days prescribed, Lev. xii, 2, 4. 23. Exod. xiii, 2. 24. A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons - This offering sufficed for the poor. Lev. xii, 8. 25. The consolation of Israel - A common phrase for the Messiah, who was to be the everlasting consolation of the Israel of God. The Holy Ghost was upon him - That is, he was a prophet.
27. By the Spirit - By a particular Revelation or impulse from him. 30. Thy salvation - Thy Christ, thy saviour.
32. And the glory of thy people Israel - For after the Gentiles are enlightened, all Israel shall be saved.
33. Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken - For they did not thoroughly understand them.
34. Simeon blessed them - Joseph and Mary. This child is set for the fall and rising again of many - That is, he will be a savour of death to some, to unbelievers: a savour of life to others, to believers: and for a sign which shall be spoken against - A sign from God, yet rejected of men: but the time for declaring this at large was not yet come: that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed - The event will be, that by means of that contradiction, the inmost thoughts of many, whether good or bad, will be made manifest.
35. A sword shall pierce through thy own soul - So it did, when he suffered: particularly at his crucifixion.
37. Fourscore and four years - These were the years of her life, not her widowhood only. Who departed not from the temple - Who attended there at all the stated hours of prayer. But served God with fastings and prayers - Even at that age. Night and day - That is, spending therein a considerable part of the night, as well as of the day.
38. To all that were waiting for redemption - The scepter now appeared to be departing from Judah, though it was not actually gone: Daniel's weeks were plainly near their period. And the revival of the spirit of prophecy, together with the memorable occurrences relating to the birth of John the Baptist, and of Jesus, could not but encourage and quicken the expectation of pious persons at this time. Let the example of these aged saints animate those, whose hoary heads, like theirs, are a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. Let those venerable lips, so soon to be silent in the grave, be now employed in the praises of their Redeemer. Let them labour to leave those behind, to whom Christ will be as precious as he has been to them; and who will be waiting for God's salvation, when they are gone to enjoy it.
40. And the child grew - In bodily strength and stature; and waxed strong in spirit - The powers of his human mind daily improved; filled with wisdom - By the light of the indwelling Spirit, which gradually opened itself in his soul; and the grace of God was upon him - That is, the peculiar favour of God rested upon him, even as man.
43. The child Jesus - St. Luke describes in order Jesus the fruit of the womb, chap. i, 42; an infant, chap. ii, 12; a little child, ver. 40; a child here, and afterward a man. So our Lord passed through and sanctified every stage of human life. Old age only did not become him.
44. Supposing him to have been in the company - As the men and women usually travelled in distinct companies.
46. After three days - The first day was spent in their journey, the second, in their return to Jerusalem: and the third, in searching for him there: they found him in the temple - In an apartment of it: sitting in the midst of the doctors - Not one word is said of his disputing with them, but only of his asking and answering questions, which was a very usual thing in these assemblies, and indeed the very end of them. And if he was, with others, at the feet of these teachers (where learners generally sat) he might be said to be in the midst of them, as they sat on benches of a semicircular form, raised above their hearers and disciples.
49. Why sought ye me? - He does not blame them for losing, but for thinking it needful to seek him: and intimates, that he could not be lost, nor found any where, but doing the will of a higher parent.
50. It is observable that Joseph is not mentioned after this time; whence it is probable, he did not live long after.
52. Jesus increased in wisdom - As to his human nature, and in favour with God - In proportion to that increase. It plainly follows, that though a man were pure, even as Christ was pure, still he would have room to increase in holiness, and in consequence thereof to increase in the favour, as well as in the love of God.
1. The fifteenth year of Tiberius - Reckoning from the time when Angustus made him his colleague in the empire. Herod being tetrarch of Galilee - The dominions of Herod the Great were, after his death, divided into four parts or tetrarchies. This Herod his son was tetrarch of Galilee, reigning over that fourth part of his dominions. His brother reigned over two other fourth parts, the region of Iturea, and that of Trachonitis (that tract of land on the other side Jordan, which had formerly belonged to the tribe of Manasseh.) And Lysanias (probably descended from a prince of that name, who was some years before governor of that country) was tetrarch of the remaining part of Abilene, which was a large city of Syria, whose territories reached to Lebanon and Damascus, and contained great numbers of Jews. Matt. iii, 1; Mark i, 1.
2. Annas being high priest, and Caiaphas - There could be but one high priest, strictly speaking, at once. Annas was the high priest at that time, and Caiaphas his sagan or deputy.
4. Isaiah xl, 3. 5. Every valley shall be filled, &c. - That is, every hindrance shall be removed. 6. The salvation of God - The saviour, the Messiah. 8. Say not within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father - That is, trust not in your being members of the visible Church, or in any external privileges whatsoever: for God now requires a change of heart; and that without delay.
10. He answereth - It is not properly John, but the Holy Ghost, who teaches us in the following answers, how to come ourselves, and how to instruct other penitent sinners to come to Christ, that he may give them rest. The sum of all this is, Cease to do evil, learn to do well. These are the fruits worthy of repentance.
20. He shut up John - This circumstance, though it happened after, is here mentioned before our Lord's baptism, that his history (that of John being concluded) may then follow without any interruption.
21. Jesus praying, the heaven was opened - It is observable, that the three voices from heaven, see chap. ix, 29, 35; John xii, 28; by which the Father bore witness to Christ, were pronounced either while he was praying, or quickly after it. Matt. iii, 13; Mark i, 9.
23. And Jesus was - John's beginning was computed by the years of princes: our saviour's by the years of his own life, as a more august era. About thirty years of age - He did not now enter upon his thirtieth year (as the common translation would induce one to think) but he now entered on his public ministry: being of such an age as the Mosaic law required. Our great Master attained not, as it seems, to the conclusion of his thirty-fourth year. Yet what glorious achievements did he accomplish within those narrow limits of time! Happy that servant, who, with any proportionable
zeal, despatches the great business of life; and so much the more happy, if his sun go down at noon. For the space that is taken from the labours of time, shall be added to the rewards of eternity. The son of Heli - That is, the son-in-law: for Heli was the father of Mary. So St. Matthew writes the genealogy of Joseph, descended from David by Solomon; St. Luke that of Mary, descended from David by Nathan. In the genealogy of Joseph (recited by St. Matthew) that of Mary is implied, the Jews being accustomed to marry into their own families.
38. Adam the son of God - That is, whatever the sons of Adam receive from their human parents, Adam received immediately from God, except sin and misery.
1. The wilderness - Supposed by some to have been in Judea; by others to have been that great desert of Horeb or Sinai, where the children of Israel were tried for forty years, and Moses and Elijah fasted forty days. Matt. iv, 1; Mark i, 12.
4. Deut. viii, 3. 6. I give it to whomsoever I will - Not so, Satan. It is God, not thou, that putteth down one, and setteth up another: although sometimes Satan, by God's permission, may occasion great revolutions in the world.
8. Deut. vi, 13. 10. Psalm xci, 11. 12. Deut. vi, 16. 13. A convenient season - In the garden of Gethsemane, chap. xxii, 53. 14. Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit - Being more abundantly strengthened after his conflict.
15. Being glorified of all - So God usually gives strong cordials after strong temptations. But neither their approbation continued long, nor the outward calm which he now enjoyed.
16. He stood up - Showing thereby that he had a desire to read the Scripture to the congregation: on which the book was given to him. It was the Jewish custom to read standing, but to preach sitting. Matt. xiii, 54; Mark vi, 1.
17. He found - It seems, opening upon it, by the particular providence of God. 18. He hath anointed me - With the Spirit. He hath by the power of his Spirit which dwelleth in me, set me apart for these offices. To preach the Gospel to the poor - Literally and spiritually. How is the doctrine of the ever-blessed trinity interwoven, even in those scriptures where one would least expect it? How clear a declaration of the great Three-One is there in those very words, The Spirit - of the Lord is upon me! To proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised - Here is a beautiful gradation, in comparing the spiritual state of men to the miserable state of those captives, who are not only cast into prison, but, like Zedekiah, had their eyes put out, and were laden and bruised with chains of iron. Isaiah lxi, 1.
19. The acceptable year - Plainly alluding to the year of jubilee, when all, both debtors and servants, were set free.
21. Today is this scripture fulfilled in your ears - By what you hear me speak.
22. The gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth - A person of spiritual discernment may find in all the discourses of our Lord a peculiar sweetness, gravity, and becomingness, such as is not to be found in the same degree, not even in those of the apostles.
23. Ye will surely say - That is, your approbation now outweighs your prejudices. But it will not be so long. You will soon ask, why my love does not begin at home? Why I do not work miracles here, rather than at Capernaum? It is because of your unbelief. Nor is it any new thing for me to be despised in my own country. So were both Elijah and Elisha, and thereby driven to work miracles among heathens, rather than in Israel.
24. No prophet is acceptable in his own country - That is, in his own neighbourhood. It generally holds, that a teacher sent from God is not so acceptable to his neighbours as he is to strangers. The meanness of his family, or lowness of his circumstances, bring his office into contempt: nor can they suffer that he, who was before equal with, or below themselves, should now bear a superior character.
25. When the heaven was shut up three years and six months - Such a proof had they that God had sent him. In 1 Kings xviii, 1, it is said, The word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year: namely, reckoning not from the beginning of the drought, but from the time when he began to sojourn with the widow of Sarepta. A year of drought had preceded this, while he dwelt at the brook Cherith. So that the whole time of the drought was (as St. James likewise observes) three years and six months. 1 Kings xvii, 19; xviii, 44.
27. 2 Kings v, 14. 28. And all in the synagogue were filled with fury - Perceiving the purport of his discourse, namely, that the blessing which they despised, would be offered to, and accepted by, the Gentiles. So changeable are the hearts of wicked men! So little are their starts of love to be depended on! So unable are they to bear the close application, even of a discourse which they most admire!
30. Passing through the midst of them - Perhaps invisibly; or perhaps they were overawed; so that though they saw, they could not touch him.
31. He came down to Capernaum - And dwelt there, entirely quitting his abode at Nazareth. Mark i, 21.
34. What have we to do with thee - Thy present business is with men, not with devils. I know thee who thou art - But surely he did not know a little before, that he was God over all, blessed for ever; or he would not have dared to tell him, All this power is delivered to me, and I give it to whomsoever I will. The Holy One of God - Either this confession was extorted from him by terror, (for the devils believe and tremble, ) or he made it with a design to render the character of Christ suspected. Possibly it was from hence the Pharisees took occasion to say, He casteth out devils by the prince of the devils.
38. Matt. viii, 14; Mark i, 29. 40. When the sun was set - And consequently the Sabbath ended, which they reckoned from sunset to sunset. Matt. viii, 16; Mark i, 32.
42. Mark i, 35.
1. Matt. iv, 18; Mark i, 16. 6. Their net brake - Began to tear. 8. Depart from me, for I am a sinful man - And therefore not worthy to be in thy presence. 11. They forsook all and followed him - They had followed him before, John i, 43, but not so as to forsake all. Till now, they wrought at their ordinary calling.
12. Matt. viii, 2; Mark i, 40. 14. Lev. xiv, 2. 16. He withdrew - The expression in the original implies, that he did so frequently. 17. Sitting by - As being more honourable than the bulk of the congregation, who stood. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them - To heal the sickness of their souls, as well as all bodily diseases.
18. Matt. ix, 2; Mark ii, 3. 19. Not being able to bring him in through the multitude, they went round about by a back passage, and going up the stairs on the outside, they came upon the flat-roofed house, and let him down through the trap door, such as was on the top of most of the Jewish houses: doubtless, with such circumspection as the circumstances plainly required.
26. We have seen strange things to. day - Sins forgiven, miracles wrought. 27. Matt. ix, 9; Mark ii, 14. 28. Leaving all - His business and gain. 29. And Levi made him a great entertainment - It was necessarily great, because of the great number of guests.
33. Make prayers - Long and solemn. Matt. ix, 14; Mark ii, 18. 34. Can ye make - That is, is it proper to make men fast and mourn, during a festival solemnity? 36. He spake also a parable - Taken from clothes and wine; therefore peculiarly proper at a feast.
39. And no man having drunk old wine - And beside, men are not wont to be immediately freed from old prejudices.
1. The first Sabbath - So the Jews reckoned their Sabbaths, from the passover to pentecost; the first, second, third, and so on, till the seventh Sabbath (after the second day.) This immediately preceded pentecost, which was the fiftieth day after the second day of unleavened bread. Matt. xii, 1; Mark ii, 23. 2. Why do ye - St. Matthew and Mark represent the Pharisees as proposing the question to our Lord himself. It was afterward, probably, they proposed it to his disciples.
4. 1 Sam. xxi, 6. 6. Matt. xii, 9; Mark iii, 1. 9. To save life or to kill - He just then probably saw the design to kill him rising in their hearts. 12. In the prayer of God - The phrase is singular and emphatical, to imply an extraordinary and sublime devotion. Mark iii, 13.
13. Matt. x, 2; Mark iii, 14; Acts i, 13.
15. Simon called Zelotes - Full of zeal; otherwise called Simon the Canaanite. 17. On a plain - At the foot of the mountain. 20. In the following verses our Lord, in the audience of his newlychosen disciples, and of the multitude, repeats, standing on the plain, many remarkable passages of the sermon he had before delivered, sitting on the mount. He here again pronounces the poor and the hungry, the mourners, and the persecuted, happy; and represents as miserable those who are rich, and full, and joyous, and applauded: because generally prosperity is a sweet poison, and affliction a healing, though bitter medicine. Let the thought reconcile us to adversity, and awaken our caution when the world smiles upon us; when a plentiful table is spread before us, and our cup is running over; when our spirits are gay; and we hear (what nature loves) our own praise from men. Happy are ye poor - The word seems here to be taken literally: ye who have left al] for me. Matt. v, 3.
24. Miserable are ye rich - If ye have received or sought your consolation or happiness therein. 25. Full - Of meat and drink, and worldly goods. That laugh - That are of a light trifling spirit. 26. Wo to you when all men shall speak well of you - But who will believe this? 27. But I say to you that hear - Hitherto our Lord had spoken only to particular sorts of persons: now he begins speaking to all in general. Matt. v, 44.
29. To him that smiteth thee on the cheek - Taketh away thy cloak - These seem to be proverbial expressions, to signify an invasion of the tenderest points of honour and property. Offer the other - Forbid not thy coat - That is, rather yield to his repeating the affront or injury, than gratify resentment in righting your self; in any method not becoming Christian love. Matt. v, 39.
30. Give to every one - Friend or enemy, what thou canst spare, and he really wants: and of him that taketh away thy goods - By borrowing, if he be insolvent, ask them not again. Matt. v, 42.
31. Matt. vii, 12. 32. It is greatly observable, our Lord has so little regard for one of the highest instances of natural virtue, namely, the returning love for love, that he does not account it even to deserve thanks. For even sinners, saith he, do the same: men who do not regard God at all. Therefore he may do this, who has not taken one step in Christianity.
37. Matt. vii, 1. 38. Into your bosom - Alluding to the mantles the Jews wore, into which a large quantity of corn might be received. With the same measure that ye mete with, it shall be measured to you again - Amazing goodness! So we are permitted even to carve for ourselves! We ourselves are, as it were, to tell God how much mercy he shall show us! And can we be content with less than the very largest measure? Give then to man, what thou designest to receive of God.
39. He spake a parable - Our Lord sometimes used parables when he knew plain and open declarations would too much inflame the passions of his hearers. It is for this reason he uses this parable, Can the blind lead the blind? - Can the scribes teach this way, which they know not themselves? Will not they and their scholars perish together? Can they make their disciples any better than themselves? But as for those who will be my disciples, they shall be all taught of God; who will enable them to come to the measure of the stature of the fulness of their Master. Be not ye like their disciples, censuring others, and not amending yourselves. Matt. xv, 14.
40. Matt. x, 24; John xv, 20. 41. Matt. vii, 3. 46. And why call ye me Lord, Lord - What will fair professions avail, without a life answerable thereto? Matt. vii, 21.
47. Matt. vii, 24.
1. Matt. viii, 5. 3. Hearing of Jesus - Of his miracles, and of his arrival at Capernaum. 18. Matt. xi, 2. 22. To the poor the Gospel is preached - Which is the greatest mercy, and the greatest miracle of all.
24. When the messengers were departed - He did not speak the following things in the hearing of John's disciples, lest he should seem to flatter John, or to compliment him into an adherence to his former testimony. To avoid all suspicion of this kind, he deferred his commendation of him, till the messengers were gone; and then delivered it to the people, to prevent all imaginations, as if John were wavering in his judgment, and had sent the two disciples for his own, rather than their satisfaction.
27. Mal. iii, 1. 28. There is not a greater prophet than John - A greater teacher. But he that is least in the kingdom of God - The least teacher whom I send forth.
29. And all the people - Our Lord continues his discourse: justified God - Owned his wisdom and mercy in thus calling them to repentance, and preparing them for Him that was to come.
30. But the Pharisees and scribes - The good, learned, honourable men: made void the counsel, the gracious design, of God toward them - They disappointed all these methods of his love, and would receive no benefit from them.
32. They are like children sitting in the market place - So froward and perverse, that no contrivance can be found to please them. It is plain our Lord means, that they were like the children complained of, not like those that made the complaint.
34. But wisdom is justified by all her children - The children of wisdom are those who are truly wise unto salvation. The wisdom of God in all these dispensations, these various methods of calling sinners to repentance, is owned and heartily approved by all these.
36. And one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him - Let the candour with which our Lord accepted this invitation, and his gentleness and prudence at this ensnaring entertainment, teach us to mingle the wisdom of the serpent, with the innocence and sweetness of the dove. Let us neither absolutely refuse all favours, nor resent all neglects, from those whose friendship is at best very doubtful, and their intimacy by no means safe.
37. A woman - Not the same with Mary of Bethany, who anointed him six days before his last passover.
40. And Jesus said, Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee - So tender and courteous am address does our Lord use even to a proud, censorious Pharisee!
43. Which of them will love him most? - Neither of them will love him at all, before he has forgiven them. An insolvent debtor, till he is forgiven, does not love, but fly his creditor.
44. Thou gavest me no water - It was customary with the Jews to show respect and kindness to their welcome guests, by saluting them with a kiss, by washing their feet, and anointing their heads with oil, or some fine ointment.
47. Those many sins of hers are forgiven; therefore she loveth much - The fruit of her having had much forgiven. It should carefully be observed here, that her love is mentioned as the effect and evidence, not the cause of her pardon. She knew that much had been forgiven her, and therefore she loved much.
50. Thy faith hath saved thee - Not thy love. Love is salvation.
2. Mary Magdalene - Or Mary of Magdala, a town in Galilee: probably the person mentioned in the last chapter.
4. Matt. xiii, 1; Mark iv, 1. 15. Who - keep it - Not like the highway side: And bring forth fruit - Not like the thorny ground: With perseverance - Not like the stony.
16. No man having lighted a candle - As if ho had said, And let your good fruit appear openly. Matt. v, 15; Mark iv, 21; Chap. xi, 33.
17. For nothing is hid - Strive not to conceal it at all; for you can conceal nothing long. Matt. x, 26; Mark iv, 22; Chap. xii, 2.
18. The word commonly translated seemeth, wherever it occurs, does not weaken, but greatly strengthens the sense. Matt. xiii, 12; Mark iv, 25; Luke xix, 26.
19. Matt. xii, 46; Mark iii, 31. 22. Matt. viii, 23; Mark iv, 35. 26. Matt. viii, 28; Mark v, 1. 29. For many times it had caught him - Therefore our compassionate Lord made the more haste to cast him out.
31. The abyss - That is, the bottomless pit. 32. To enter into the swine - Not that they were any easier in the swine than out of them. Had it been so, they would not so soon have dislodged themselves, by destroying the herd.
37. Matt. ix, 1; Mark v, 18. 40. Mark v, 21. 52. She is not dead but sleepeth - Her soul is not separated finally from the body; and this short separation is rather to be called sleep than death.
1. Matt. x, 1; Mark vi, 7. 4. There abide and thence depart - That is, stay in that house till ye leave the city. 7. It was said by some - And soon after by Herod himself. Matt. xiv, 1; Mark vi, 14.
8. That Elijah had appeared - He could not rise again, because he did not die. 10. Mark vi, 30. 12. Matt. xiv, 15; Mark vi, 35; John vi, 3. 18. Apart - From the multitude. And he asked them - When he had done praying, during which they probably stayed at a distance. Matt. xiv, 13; Mark viii, 27.
22. Saying - Ye must prepare for a scene far different from this. 23. Let him deny himself, and take up his cross - The necessity of this duty has been shown in many places: the extent of it is specified here, daily - Therefore that day is lost wherein no cross is taken up.
24. Matt. xvi, 25; Mark viii, 35; John xii, 25. 28. Matt. xvii, 1; Mark ix, 2. 31. In glory - Like Christ with whom they talked. 32. They saw his glory - The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John i, 14; and by St. Peter, 2 Pet. i, 16.
34. A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
37. Matt. xvii, 14; Mark ix, 14. 44. Let these sayings sink down into your ears - That is, consider them deeply. In joy remember the cross. So wisely does our Lord balance praise with sufferings. Matt. xvii, 22; Mark ix, 31.
46. And there arose a reasoning among them - This kind of reasoning always arose at the most improper times that could be imagined.
47. Matt. xviii, 2; Mark ix, 37. 48. And said to them - If ye would be truly great, humble yourselves to the meanest offices. He that is least in his own eyes shall be great indeed.
49. Mark ix, 38. 51. The days are fulfilled that he should be received up - That is, the time of his passion was now at hand. St. Luke looks through this, to the glory which was to follow. He steadfastly set his face - Without fear of his enemies, or shame of the cross, Heb. xii, 2.
52. He sent messengers to make ready - A lodging and needful entertainment for him and those with him.
53. His face was as though he would go to Jerusalem - It plainly appeared, he was going to worship at the temple, and thereby, in effect, to condemn the Samaritan worship at Mount Gerizim.
54. As Elisha did - At or near this very place, which might put it into the minds of the apostles to make the motion now, rather than at any other time or place, where Christ had received the like affront.
55. Ye know not what manner of spirit - The spirit of Christianity is. It is not a spirit of wrath and vengeance, but of peace, and gentleness, and love.
57. Matt. viii, 19. 58. But Jesus said to him - First understand the terms: consider on what conditions thou art to follow me.
61. Suffer me first to bid them farewell that are in my house - As Elisha did after Elijah had called him from the plough, 1 Kings xix, 19; to which our Lord's answer seems to allude.
62. Is fit for the kingdom of God - Either to propagate or to receive it.
2. Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he would thrust forth labourers - For God alone can do this: he alone can qualify and commission men for this work. Matt. ix, 37.
3. Matt. x, 16. 4. Salute no man by the way - The salutations usual among the Jews took up much time. But these had so much work to do in so short a space, that they had not a moment to spare.
6. A son of peace - That is, one worthy of it. 7. Matt. x, 11. 11. The kingdom of God is at hand - Though ye will not receive it. 13. Wo to thee, Chorazin - The same declaration Christ had made some time before. By repeating it now, he warns the seventy not to lose time by going to those cities. Matt. xi, 21.
16. Matt. x, 40; John xiii, 20. 18. I beheld Satan - That is, when ye went forth, I saw the kingdom of Satan, which was highly exalted, swiftly and suddenly cast down.
19. I give you power - That is, I continue it to you: and nothing shall hurt you - Neither the power, nor the subtilty of Satan.
20. Rejoice not so much that the devils are subject to you, as that your names are written in heaven - Reader, so is thine, if thou art a true, believer. God grant it may never be blotted out!
21. Lord of heaven and earth - In both of which thy kingdom stands, and that of Satan is destroyed. That thou hast hid these things - He rejoiced not in the destruction of the wise and prudent, but in the display of the riches of God's grace to others, in such a manner as reserves to Him the entire glory of our salvation, and hides pride from man. Matt. xi, 25.
22. Who the Son is - Essentially one with the Father: who the Father is - How great, how wise, how good!
23. Matt. xiii, 16. 25. Matt. xxii, 35; Mark xii, 28. 27. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God - That is, thou shalt unite all the faculties of thy soul to render him the most intelligent and sincere, the most affectionate and resolute service. We may safely rest in this general sense of these important words, if we are not able to fix the particular meaning of every single word. If we desire to do this, perhaps the heart, which is a general expression, may be explained by the three following, With all thy soul, with the warmest affection, with all thy strength, the most vigourous efforts of thy will, and with all thy mind or understanding, in the most wise and reasonable manner thou canst; thy understanding guiding thy will and affections. Deut. vi, 5; Lev. xix, 18.
28. Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live - Here is no irony, but a deep and weighty truth. He, and he alone, shall live for ever, who thus loves God and his neighbour in the present life.
29. To justify himself - That is, to show he had done this. Lev. xviii, 5. 30. From Jerusalem to Jericho - The road from Jerusalem to Jericho (about eighteen miles from it) lay through desert and rocky places: so many robberies and murders were committed therein, that it was called the bloody way. Jericho was situated in the valley: hence the phrase of going down to it. About twelve thousand priests and Levites dwelt there, who all attended the service of the temple.
31. The common translation is, by chance - Which is full of gross improprieties. For if we speak strictly, there is no such thing in the universe as either chance or fortune. A certain priest came down that way, and passed by on the other side - And both he and the Levite no doubt could find an excuse for passing over on the other side, and might perhaps gravely thank God for their own deliverance, while they left their brother bleeding to death. Is it not an emblem of many living characters, perhaps of some who bear the sacred office? O house of Levi and of Aaron, is not the day coming, when the virtues of heathens and Samaritans will rise up in judgment against you?
33. But a certain Samaritan came where he was - It was admirably well judged to represent the distress on the side of the Jew, and the mercy on that of the Samaritan. For the case being thus proposed, self interest would make the very scribe sensible, how amiable such a conduct was, and would lay him open to our Lord's inference. Had it been put the other way, prejudice might more easily have interposed, before the heart could have been affected.
34. Pouring in oil and wine - Which when well beaten together are one of the best balsams that can be applied to a fresh wound.
36. Which of these was the neighbour to him that fell among the robbers - Which acted the part of a neighbour?
37. And he said, He that showed mercy on him - He could not for shame say otherwise, though he thereby condemned himself and overthrew his own false notion of the neighbour to whom our love is due. Go and do thou in like manner - Let us go and do likewise, regarding every man as our neighbour who needs our assistance. Let us renounce that bigotry and party zeal which would contract our hearts into an insensibility for all the human race, but a small number whose sentiments and practices are so much our own, that our love to them is but self love reflected. With an honest openness of mind let us always remember that kindred between man and man, and cultivate that happy instinct whereby, in the original constitution of our nature, God has strongly bound us to each other.