A leper came — Leprosies in those countries were seldom curable by natural means, any more than palsies or lunacy. Probably this leper, though he might not mix with the people, had heard our Lord at a distance. Mark 1:40; Luke 5:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
See thou tell no man — Perhaps our Lord only meant here, Not till thou hast showed thyself to the priest — who was appointed to inquire into the case of leprosy. But many others he commanded, absolutely, to tell none of tho miracles he had wrought upon them. And this he seems to have done, chiefly f... [ Continue Reading ]
There came to him a centurion — A captain of a hundred Roman soldiers. Probably he came a little way toward him, and then went back. He thought himself not worthy to come in person, and therefore spoke the words that follow by his messengers. As it is not unusual in all languages, so in the Hebrew i... [ Continue Reading ]
The centurion answered — By his second messengers.... [ Continue Reading ]
For I am a man under authority — I am only an inferior officer: and what I command, is done even in my absence: how much more what thou commandest, who art Lord of all!... [ Continue Reading ]
I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel — For the centurion was not an Israelite.... [ Continue Reading ]
Many from the farthest parts of the earth shall embrace the terms and enjoy the rewards of the Gospel covenant established with Abraham. But the Jews, who have the first title to them, shall be shut out from the feast; from grace here, and hereafter from glory. Luke 13:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
The outer darkness — Our Lord here alludes to the custom the ancients had of making their feast in the night time. Probably while he was speaking this, the centurion came in person. Matthew 13:42, Matthew 13:50; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter's wife's mother — St. Peter was then a young man, as were all the apostles. Mark 1:29; Luke 4:38.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:32; Luke 4:40.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereby was fulfilled what was spoken by the Prophet Isaiah — He spoke it in a more exalted sense. The evangelist here only alludes to those words, as being capable of this lower meaning also. Such instances are frequent in the sacred writings, and are elegancies rather than imperfections. He fulfil... [ Continue Reading ]
He commanded to go to the other side — That both himself and the people might have a little rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 9:57.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Son of man — The expression is borrowed from Daniel 7:13, and is the appellation which Christ generally gives himself: which he seems to do out of humility, as having some relation to his mean appearance in this world. Hath not where to lay his head — Therefore do not follow me from any view of... [ Continue Reading ]
Another said — I will follow thee without any such view; but I must mind my business first. It is not certain that his father was already dead. Perhaps his son desired to stay with him, being very old, till his death.... [ Continue Reading ]
But Jesus said — When God calls, leave the business of the world to them who are dead to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 4:35; Luke 8:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
The ship was covered — So man's extremity is God's opportunity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Why are ye fearful — Then he rebuked the winds — First, he composed their spirits, and then the sea.... [ Continue Reading ]
The country of the Gergesenes — Or of the Gadarenes — Gergesa and Gadara were towns near each other. Hence the country between them took its name, sometimes from the one, sometimes from the other. There met him two demoniacs — St. Mark and St. Luke mention only one, who was probably the fiercer of t... [ Continue Reading ]
What have we to do with thee — This is a Hebrew phrase, which signifies. Why do you concern yourself about us? 2 Samuel 16:10. Before the time — The great day.... [ Continue Reading ]
There was a herd of many swine — Which it was not lawful for the Jews to keep. Therefore our Lord both justly and mercifully permitted them to be destroyed.... [ Continue Reading ]
He said, Go — A word of permission only, not command.... [ Continue Reading ]
They besought him to depart out of their coasts — They loved their swine so much better than their souls! How many are of the same mind!... [ Continue Reading ]