Matthew 12:43-45

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man ... On this important parable, in connection with the corresponding one - Matthew 12:29 - see the notes at Luke 11:21.

A charming little incident, given only in Luke 11:27, seems to have its proper place here. "And it came to pass, as He spake these things, a certain woman of the company" [ ek (G1537) tou (G3588) ochlou (G3793)] - 'out of the crowd,' "lifted up her voice and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which Thou hast sucked." With true womanly feeling, she envies the mother of such a wonderful Teacher. And a higher and better than she had said as much before her (see the note at Luke 1:28).

How does our Lord, then, treat it? He is far from condemning it. He only holds up as "blessed rather" another class: "But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it" - in other words, the humblest real saint of God. How utterly alien is this sentiment from the teaching of the Church of Rome, which would doubtless excommunicate any one of its members that dared to talk in such a strain!