Luke 7:5._For he loveth our nation _This was, no doubt, a commendation given him by the Jews on account of his piety: (501) for his _love of a nation _universally hated could proceed only from zeal for the Law, and from reverence for God. By _building a synagogue, _he showed plainly that he favored... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 7:11._And it happened, that he went into a city. _In all the miracles of Christ, we must attend to the rule which Matthew lays down. We ought to know, therefore, that this young man, whom Christ raised from the dead, is an emblem of the spiritual life which he restores to us. The name of the ci... [ Continue Reading ]
12._The only son of his mother. _The reason which induced Christ to restore the young man to life was, that he saw the _widow _bereft of her _only son, _and had compassion on her: for he did not withhold his favor till some one requested it, as he did on other occasions; but anticipated the prayers... [ Continue Reading ]
14._Young man, I say to thee. _By this word Christ proved the truth of the saying of Paul, that _God calleth those things which are not, as they were, _(Romans 4:17.) He addresses the dead man, and makes himself be heard, so that death is suddenly changed into life. We have here, in the first place,... [ Continue Reading ]
16._And fear seized all _A sense of the divine presence must have brought _fear _along with it: but there is a difference between the kinds _of fear _Unbelievers either tremble and are dismayed; or, struck with alarm, murmur against God: while devout and godly persons, moved by reverence, willingly... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 7:29._And all the people hearing. _This part is left out by Matthew, though it throws no small light on the connection of the words; for it was this circumstance which gave rise to Christ’s expostulation, when he perceived that the scribes persisted so obstinately in despising God. The substanc... [ Continue Reading ]
30._Despised the counsel of God within themselves. The counsel of God _is mentioned by way of respect, as contrasted with the wicked pride of the scribes; for the term _counsel _carries along with it a dignity, which protects the doctrine of God against the contempt of men. Literally, Luke says, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
31._To what shall I compare? _He does not include all the men of his age, but speaks particularly of the scribes and their followers. He charges them with this reproach, that while the Lord endeavored, by various methods, to draw them to himself, they repelled his grace with incorrigible obstinacy.... [ Continue Reading ]
33._For John the Baptist came. _Leading an austere life, he thundered out repentance and severe reproofs, and sung, as it were, a plaintive song; while the Lord endeavored, by a cheerful and sprightly song, to draw them more gently to the Father. Neither of those methods had any success, and what re... [ Continue Reading ]
34._The Son of man came. _To _eat and drink _means here nothing more than to live in the customary way; as Christ says that John _came neither eating nor drinking, _because he confined himself to a peculiar diet, and even abstained from ordinary food. This is more fully expressed by the words of Luk... [ Continue Reading ]
35._And Wisdom is justified _This passage is variously explained by commentators. Some maintain that _Wisdom _was _acquitted _by the Jews, because, conscious of guilt, and judges of their own unbelief, they were compelled to acknowledge, that the doctrine which they rejected was good and holy. By _t... [ Continue Reading ]
36._And one of the Pharisees requested him. _This narrative shows the captious disposition, not only to take, but to seek out, offenses, which was manifested by those who did not know the office of Christ. A _Pharisee _invites Christ; from which we infer, that he was not one of those who furiously a... [ Continue Reading ]
37._A woman who was a sinner _The words stand literally as I have translated them,( ἥτις ἧν ἁμαζτωλὸς.) _Erasmus _has chosen to take the pluperfect tense, _who Had Been a sinner, _(241) lest any one should suppose that at that time she still _was a sinner _But by so doing, he departed from the natur... [ Continue Reading ]
40._And Jesus answering said. _By this reply Christ shows how egregiously Simon was mistaken. Exposing to public view his silent and concealed thought, he proves himself to possess something more excellent than what belonged to the _Prophets; _for he does not reply to his words, but refutes the sent... [ Continue Reading ]
41._A certain creditor had two debtors _The scope of this parable is to demonstrate, that Simon is wrong in condemning the woman who is acquitted by the heavenly judge. He proves that she is righteous, not because she pleased God, but because _her sins were forgiven; _for otherwise her case would no... [ Continue Reading ]
44._And turning to the woman. _The Lord appears to compare Simon with the woman, in such a manner as to make him chargeable with nothing more than light offenses. But this is spoken only in the way of concession. “Suppose now, Simon,” he says, “that the guilt from which God discharges thee was light... [ Continue Reading ]
47._Her many sins are forgiven _Some interpret the verb differently, _may her many sins be forgiven, _and bring out the following meaning: — “As this woman evinces by remarkable actions, that she is full of ardent love to Christ, it would be improper for the Church to act harshly and severely toward... [ Continue Reading ]
48._Thy sins are forgiven. _It may be asked, why does Christ now promise to her the pardon which she had obtained, and of which she had been assured? Some reply that these words were uttered, not so much on her own account, as for the sake of others. For my own part, I have no doubt that it was chie... [ Continue Reading ]
49._And those who sat at table with him began to say within themselves. _Hence we again learn, that ignorance of Christ’s office constantly leads men to conceive new grounds of offense. The root of the evil is, that no one examines his own wretched condition, which undoubtedly would arouse every man... [ Continue Reading ]
50._Thy faith hath saved thee. _To repress those murmurings, (251) and, at the same time, to confirm the woman, Christ commends her faith. Let others grumble as they may, but do thou adhere steadfastly to that faith which has brought thee an undoubted salvation. (252) At the same time, Christ claims... [ Continue Reading ]