AS HE WAS PRAYING - Luke has taken notice of our Saviour’s praying often. Thus, at his baptism Luke 3:21; in the wilderness Luke 5:16; before the appointment of the apostles, he continued all night in prayer Luke 6:12; he was alone praying Luke 9:18; his transfiguration also took place when he went... [ Continue Reading ]
See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 6:9. Luke 11:4 FOR WE ALSO FORGIVE ... - This is somewhat different from the expression in Matthew, though the sense is the same. The idea is, that unless we forgive others, God will not forgive us; and unless we come to him “really” forgiving all... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO THEM ... - Jesus proceeds to show that, in order to obtain the blessing, it was necessary to “persevere” in asking for it. For this purpose he introduces the case of a friend’s asking bread of another for one who had come to him unexpectedly. His design is solely to show the necessi... [ Continue Reading ]
I TELL YOU - The Latin Vulgate here adds, “if he shall continue knocking.” Though this is not in the Greek, yet it is indispensable that it should be understood in order to the sense. Knocking “once” would not denote “importunity,” but it was because he “continued” knocking. HIS IMPORTUNITY - His tr... [ Continue Reading ]
See this explained in the notes at Matthew 7:7. Luke 11:12 “A scorpion” See the notes at Luke 10:19. Dr. Thomson (_The Land and the Book_, vol. i. p. 379) says: “There is no imaginable likeness between an egg and the ordinary black scorpion of this country, neither in color nor size, nor, when the... [ Continue Reading ]
See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 12:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 12:43.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN WOMAN - One of the crowd. BLESSED IS THE WOMB ... - She thought that the “mother” of such a person must be especially happy in having such a son. YEA, RATHER BLESSED ... - Jesus admits that she was happy - that it was an honor to be his mother, but he says that the chief happiness, the h... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 12:38.... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses are found in Matthew, but in a different connection. See the notes at Matthew 5:15; Matthew 6:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS HE SPAKE - While he was addressing the people, and particularly while he was reproving that generation and declaring its crimes. A CERTAIN PHARISEE - The Pharisees had been particularly referred to in the discourse of the Saviour recorded in the previous verses. This one, perhaps, having fel... [ Continue Reading ]
SAW IT - Saw that he sat immediately down without washing. MARVELLED - Wondered. Was amazed. It was so unusual, and in his view so improper. HAD NOT FIRST WASHED - He wondered particularly, as he had been among a mixed multitude, and they esteemed the “touch” of such persons polluting. They never a... [ Continue Reading ]
See Matthew 23:25. “Ravening.” Robbery, plunder. Here the sense is that the cup and platter were filled with what had been unjustly taken from others. That is, they lived by their wickedness; their food was procured by dishonesty and extortion. This was a most terrible charge; and as it was applied,... [ Continue Reading ]
YE FOOLS - How unwise and wicked is your conduct! The word denotes not only “want of wisdom,” but also wickedness. Compare Psalms 14:1; Proverbs 13:19; Proverbs 14:9. Your conduct is not merely “foolish,” but it is a cloak for sin - designed to countenance wickedness. DID NOT HE ... - Did not God,... [ Continue Reading ]
ALMS - Charity. Benefactions to the poor. SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE - Your property; though it has been gained unjustly: though you have lived by rapine, and have amassed wealth in an improper manner, yet, since “you have it,” it is your duty to make the best of it and do good. By giving to the poor, y... [ Continue Reading ]
See Matthew 23:23. RUE - This is a small garden plant, and is used as a medicine. It has a rosy flower, a bitter, penetrating taste, and a strong smell.... [ Continue Reading ]
See Matthew 23:6, Matthew 23:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
LAWYERS - Men learned in the law; but it is not known in what way the lawyers differed from the “scribes,” or whether they were Pharisees or Sadducees. THUS SAYING, THOU ... - He felt that the remarks of Jesus about loving the chief seats, etc., applied to them as well as to the Pharisees. His cons... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 23:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 23:29. Luke 11:49 THE WISDOM OF GOD - By the “wisdom of God,” here, is undoubtedly meant the Saviour himself. What he immediately says is not written in the Old Testament. Jesus is called “the word of God” John 1:1, because he is the medium by which God “speaks” or makes hi... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE UNTO YOU, LAWYERS! - See the notes at Matthew 23:13. THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE - A key is made to open a lock or door. By their false interpretation of the Old Testament they had taken away the true key or method of understanding it. They had hindered the people from understanding it aright. “You en... [ Continue Reading ]
TO URGE HIM VEHEMENTLY - To press upon him “violently.” They were enraged against him. They therefore pressed upon him; asked him many questions; sought to entrap him, that they might accuse him. PROVOKE HIM ... - This means that they put many questions to him about various matters, without giving... [ Continue Reading ]
LAYING WAIT FOR HIM - Or, rather, laying “snares” for him It means that they endeavored to entangle him in his talk; that they did as men do who catch birds - who lay snares, and deceive them, and take them unawares. THAT THEY MIGHT ACCUSE HIM - Before the Sanhedrin, or great council of the nation,... [ Continue Reading ]