And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. Ver. 1. _Shall not taste of death_] Saints only taste of death; sinners are swallowed up of it, they are "killed with dea... [ Continue Reading ]
And after six days Jesus taketh _with him_ Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. Ver. 2. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. Ver. 3. _Became shining_] στιλβοντα, glistering and sparkling as stars, which twinkle and beckon to us as it were to remember their and our Creator.... [ Continue Reading ]
And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. Ver. 4. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:3 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. Ver. 5. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:4 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. Ver. 6. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:6 _"_ They were sore afraid] εκφοβοι. And even ready to run away, as unworthy, Deuteronomy 9:19 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. Ver. 7. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:5 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. Ver. 8. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:8 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. Ver. 9. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:9 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. Ver. 10. _And they kept that saying_] With much ado they kept it (as the word εκρατησαν imports), for the rest of the disciples were very inquisitive, likely, what was said and done in... [ Continue Reading ]
And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? Ver. 11. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:10 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. Ver. 12. _Set at nought_] Vilified and nullified mean ουτιδανος, or one that had nothing in him, εξουθενωθη. _Vermis su... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 13. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:12 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:13 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he came to _his_ disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. Ver. 14. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:14 _"_ And the scribes questioning with them] Purposely to put them to shame in their Master's absence: Marcian the heretic, for his arroding the good n... [ Continue Reading ]
And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to _him_ saluted him. Ver. 15. _Were greatly amazed_] To see him come in so opportunely, in the very nick, which is his usual time. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 17:14 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy... [ Continue Reading ]
He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. Ver. 19. _Bring him unto me_] Thus man's perverseness doth not interrupt the course of Christ's goodness.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. Ver. 20. _The spirit tare him_] Thus things often go backward ere they come forward; as the corn grows downward before it comes upward. _Duplicantur lateres, venit M... [ Continue Reading ]
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. Ver. 21. _Of a child_] παιδιοθεν. Neither yet is there any injustice with God, that little ones thus suffer: they are not innocents, but "estranged from the womb, they go astray as soon as they be born,"P... [ Continue Reading ]
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Ver. 22. _It hath cast him into the fire, &c._] So doth blind zeal deal by them in whom it is.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things _are_ possible to him that believeth. Ver. 23. _All things are possible, &c._] Questionless (saith a reverend man, Mr. S. Ward) justifying faith is not beneath miraculous in the sphere of its own activity, and where it hath warrant of God's wor... [ Continue Reading ]
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Ver. 24. _I believe_] This act of his in putting forth his faith to believe as he could, was the way to believe as he would. _ Help thou mine unbelief_] That is, my weak faith, which h... [ Continue Reading ]
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, _Thou_ dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. Ver. 25. _I charge thee_] _Cum emphasi dictum et magna authoritate, _ saith one, when the Lion of the tribe of... [ Continue Reading ]
And _the spirit_ cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. Ver. 26. _And rent him sore_] The nearer any is to help and comfort, the more Satan roareth and rageth.... [ Continue Reading ]
But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. Ver. 27. _But Jesus took him by the hand_] Christ ever reserveth his holy hand for a deadlift.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? Ver. 28. See Matthew 17:19,21. The history of the dispossession of the devil out of many persons together in a room in Lancashire, at the prayer of some godly ministers, is very famous. Read the b... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Ver. 29. _But by prayer and fasting_] The cause why they could not cure the child, was unbelief; the cure of unbelief is sought and wrought by fasting and prayer.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know _it_. Ver. 30. _And they departed thence_] _Clam et celeriter, _ privily and hastily, as the Greek παρεπορευαντο imports; and why they did so, seeLuke 9:53 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. Ver. 31. _For he taught his disciples and said_] _i.e._ He said it often, that they might remember it once; which th... [ Continue Reading ]
But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him. Ver. 32. _They understood not that saying_] They could not conceive that the Saviour of the world should suffer as a malefactor.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? Ver. 33. _And being in the house_] _sc._ That he had hired there, _See Trapp on "_ Mat 18:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who _should be_ the greatest. Ver. 34. _Who should be the greatest_] viz. In Christ's earthly kingdom, in the which they vainly dreamt of a distribution of honours and offices, as once in the days of David and Solomon.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, _the same_ shall be last of all, and servant of all. Ver. 35. _He sat down_] _Tanquam serii quicquam traditurus:_ the teacher sat, the learners lay at his feet. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 5:2 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Ver. 36. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 18:2 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Mat 18:3 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. Ver. 37. _Receiveth not me_] _Non removet sed corrigit, _ saith Erasmus. He receiveth not me only, but him that sent me.... [ Continue Reading ]
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. Ver. 38. _And John answered him_] John was soon sated with that sad discourse of our Saviour, and begins a relation of another business, little... [ Continue Reading ]
But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. Ver. 39. _Forbid him not_] It is probable that this man would not forbear, unless Christ himself should forbid him; which here he refuseth to do, and shows reason for it.... [ Continue Reading ]
For he that is not against us is on our part. Ver. 40. _Is on our part_] Is to be esteemed among such as favour me in this furious age.... [ Continue Reading ]
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Ver. 41. _For whosoever shall give, &c._] Much more he that shall cast out devils in my name, and out of love to me.... [ Continue Reading ]
And whosoever shall offend one of _these_ little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. Ver. 42. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 18:6 _"_ He shall not rose his reward] For his cup of cold water he shall have a torrent of pleas... [ Continue Reading ]
And if thy hand 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: Ver. 43. _It is better for thee to enter_] The Trojans, after long debate, concluded it better to part with Helen, though a la... [ Continue Reading ]
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Ver. 44. _Where their worm_] As out of the corruption of our bodies worms breed, which consume the flesh; so out of the corruption of our souls this never dying worm. This worm (say divines) is only a continual remorse and furious reflection... [ Continue Reading ]
And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Ver. 45. _It is better for thee_] καλον εστι. It is a goodly thing to go, though maimed, to heaven. _ To be cast into hell,... [ Continue Reading ]
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Ver. 46. _Where their worm dieth not_] _i.e._ Where there is eternity of extremity. Of all outward torments none more insufferable than that by fire; as of all inward, none like that of having worms ever grubbing and gnawing upon the entrail... [ Continue Reading ]
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Ver. 47. _And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out_] Out with it, away with that earthly idol, that image of jealousy, Ezekiel 8:3, thou... [ Continue Reading ]
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Ver. 48. _Where the worm never dies_] This is three different times repeated, that it may the better be observed. _Utinam de Gehenna ubique dissereretur, _ saith a father. Oh that word _never_ (said a poor despairing creature on his death be... [ Continue Reading ]
For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Ver. 49. _For every one shall be salted with fire_] The spirit, as salt, must dry up those bad humours in us that breed the never dying worm; and as fire, must waste our corruptions, which else will carry us on... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 50. _Salt is good_] Nature hath prudently mingled salt with all things, that they may not easily putrefy. _Greges enim pecorum urinam salsissimam effun... [ Continue Reading ]