THERE WERE PRESENT - That is, some persons who were present, and who had heard his discourse recorded in the previous chapter. There was probably a pause in his discourse, when they mentioned what had been done by Pilate to the Galileans. AT THAT SEASON - At that time - that is the time mentioned i... [ Continue Reading ]
SUPPOSE YE ... - From this answer it would appear that they supposed that the fact that these men had been slain in this manner proved that they were very great sinners. I TELL YOU, NAY - Jesus assured them that it was not right to draw such a conclusion respecting these men. The fact that men come... [ Continue Reading ]
OR THOSE EIGHTEEN - Jesus himself adds another similar case, to warn them - a case which had probably occurred not long before, and which it is likely they judged in the same manner. UPON WHOM THE TOWER IN SILOAM FELL - The name Siloah or Siloam is found only three times in the Bible as applied to w... [ Continue Reading ]
I TELL YOU, NAY - It is improper to suppose that those on whom heavy judgments fall in this world are the worst of people. This is not a world of retribution. Often the most wicked are suffered to prosper here, and their punishment is reserved for another world; while the righteous are called to suf... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS PARABLE - See the notes at Matthew 13:3. VINEYARD - A place where vines were planted. It was not common to plant fig-trees in them, but our Lord represents it as having been sometimes done.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DRESSER OF HIS VINEYARD - The man whose duty it was to trim the vines and take care of his vineyard. THESE THREE YEARS - These words are not to be referred to the time which Christ had been preaching the gospel, as if he meant to specify the exact period. They mean, as applicable to the vineyar... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS A WOMAN WHICH HAD A SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY - Was infirm, or was weak and afflicted. This was produced by Satan, Luke 13:16. EIGHTEEN YEARS - This affliction had continued a long time. This shows that the miracle was real; that the disease was not feigned. Though thus afflicted, yet it seems... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART LOOSED FROM THINE INFIRMITY - This was a remarkable declaration. It does not appear that the woman “applied” to him for a cure; yet Jesus addressed her, and the disease departed. How clear would be the proofs from such a case that he was the Messiah! And how mighty the power of him that by... [ Continue Reading ]
GLORIFIED GOD - Praised God. Gave thanks to him for healing her. They who are restored to health from sickness owe it to God; and they should devote their lives to his service, as expressive of their sense of gratitude to him who has spared them.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANSWERED WITH INDIGNATION, BECAUSE ... - He considered this a violation of the Sabbath, doing work contrary to the fourth commandment. If he had reasoned aright, he would have seen that he who could perform such a miracle could not be a violator of the law of God. From this conduct of the ruler we l... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HYPOCRITE! - You condemn “me” for an action, and yet you perform one exactly similar. You condemn “me” for doing to a woman what you do to a beast. To her I have done good on the Sabbath; you provide for your cattle, and yet blame me for working a miracle to relieve a sufferer on that day. STA... [ Continue Reading ]
A DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM - A descendant of Abraham. See the notes at Matthew 1:1. She was therefore a Jewess; and the ruler of the synagogue, professing a special regard for the Jewish people, considering them as especially favored of God, should have rejoiced that she was loosed from this infirmity. W... [ Continue Reading ]
ADVERSARIES - The ruler of the synagogue, and those who felt as he did. ALL THE PEOPLE - The persons who attended the synagogue, and who had witnessed the miracle. It is to be remarked: * That those who opposed Christ were chiefly the “rulers.” They had an “interest” in doing it. Their popularity... [ Continue Reading ]
See these parables explained in the notes at Matthew 13:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
CITIES AND VILLAGES - Chiefly of Galilee, and those which were between Galilee and Jerusalem. TEACHING AND JOURNEYING - This evinces the diligence of our Lord. Though on a journey, yet he remembered his work. He did not excuse himself on the plea that he was in haste. Christians and Christian minis... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID ONE - Who this was does not appear. It is probable that he was not one of the disciples, but one of the Jews, who came either to perplex him, or to involve him in a controversy with the Pharisees. ARE THERE FEW THAT BE SAVED? - It was the prevalent opinion among the Jews that few would en... [ Continue Reading ]
STRIVE - Literally, “agonize.” The word is taken from the Grecian games. In their races, and wrestlings, and various athletic exercises, they “strove or agonized,” or put forth all their powers to gain the victory. Thousands witnessed them. They were long trained for the conflict, and the honor of v... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN ONCE THE MASTER ... - The figure here used is taken from the conduct of a housekeeper, who is willing to see his friends, and who at the proper time keeps his doors open. But there is a proper time for closing them, when he will not see his guests. At night it would be improper and vain to seek... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVE EATEN ... - Compare Matthew 7:22. To have eaten with one is evidence of acquaintanceship or friendship. So the sinner may allege that he was a professed follower of Jesus, and had some evidence that Jesus was his friend. There is no allusion here, however, to the sacrament. The figure is tak... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 7:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 8:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAME CERTAIN OF THEE PHARISEES - Their coming to him in this manner would have the appearance of friendship, as if they had conjectured or secretly learned that it was Herod’s intention to kill him. Their suggestion had much appearance of probability. Herod had killed John. He knew that Jesus made m... [ Continue Reading ]
TELL THAT FOX - A fox is an emblem of slyness, of cunning, and of artful mischief. The word is also used to denote a dissembler. Herod was a wicked man, but the “particular thing” to which Jesus here alludes is not his “vices,” but his “cunning, his artifice,” in endeavoring to remove him out of his... [ Continue Reading ]
I MUST WALK ... - I must remain here this short time. These three days I must do cures here, and then I shall depart, though not for fear of Herod. It will be because my time will have come, and I shall go up to Jerusalem to die. FOR IT CANNOT BE THAT A PROPHET SHOULD PERISH OUT OF JERUSALEM - I ha... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 23:37. From the message which Jesus sent to Herod we may learn: * That our lives are safe in the hands of God, and that wicked people can do no more to injure us than he shall permit. Compare John 19:11. * That we “should” go on fearlessly in doing our duty, and especia... [ Continue Reading ]