This narrative contains nothing more than a miracle which Christ performed, in order to correct the superstitious observance of the Sabbath. For he did not, intend, as some imagine, absolutely to abolish the Sabbath, but only to point out, that neither the works of God, nor the duties of charity, vi... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Is it lawful to cure on Sabbath? _The meaning of this question is, ought the _curing _of a man to be reckoned among the works which violate the Sabbath? If they had said that the observance of the Sabbath is violated in this way, the reply was obvious, that it is a work of God. Now the law of the... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Which of you shall have an ox or an ass? _Though they did not deserve that Christ should take pains to remove the offense, yet he shows that he did nothing inconsistent with the observance of the Sabbath. And this he undoubtedly does, not so much with the view of instructing them, as of protectin... [ Continue Reading ]
7._And he spoke a parable to those who were invited. _We know to what an extent ambition prevailed among the Pharisees and all the scribes. While they desired to exercise a haughty dominion over all other men, the superiority among themselves was likewise an object of emulation. It is constantly the... [ Continue Reading ]
11._For every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled. _This clause makes it evident that ambition was the subject of which Christ was speaking; for he does not state what usually happens in the ordinary life of men, but declares that God will be their Judge, who _resisteth the proud, _and humble... [ Continue Reading ]
12._When thou makest a dinner. _Those who think that this is an absolute condemnation of entertainments given by relatives and friends to each other, take away a part of civility from among men. It were not only unfeeling, but barbarous, to exclude relatives from the hospitable table, and to class t... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And thou shalt be blessed. _Christ pronounces those to be _blessed _who exercise liberality without any expectation of earthly reward; for they manifestly look to God. Those who constantly keep in view their own advantage, or who are driven by the gale of popularity, have no right to expect a re... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 14:23._Compel them to come in. _This expression means, that the master of the house would give orders to make use, as it were, of violence for compelling the attendance of the poor, and to leave out none of the lowest dregs of the people. By these words Christ declares that he would rake togeth... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 14:28._For which of you, etc , _That no one may think it hard to follow Christ on the condition of renouncing all his desires, a useful warning is here given. We must consider beforehand what the profession of the gospel demands. The reason why many persons yield to very slight temptations is,... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 14:33._So then every one of you _This clause shows what is meant by the _calculation of expenses, _with which Christ enjoins his followers to begin: it is to lead them to consider that they must _forsake all _In vain do persons who are delighted with an easy, indolent life, and with exemption f... [ Continue Reading ]