IT CAME TO PASS - It so happened or occurred. AS HE WENT ... - It is probable that he was invited to go, being in the neighborhood Luke 14:12; and it is also probable that the Pharisee invited him for the purpose of getting him to say something that would involve him in difficulty. ONE OF THE CHIE... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN MAN BEFORE HIM - In what way he came there we know not. He might have been one of the Pharisee’s family, or might have been placed there by the Pharisees to see whether he would heal him. This last supposition is not improbable, since it is said in Luke 14:1 that they watched him. THE DRO... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS, ANSWERING - To “answer,” in the Scriptures, does not always imply, as among us, that anything had been said before. It means often merely to “begin” or to take up a subject, or, as here, to remark on the case that was present. IS IT LAWFUL ... - He knew that they were watching him. If he hea... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HELD THEIR PEACE - They were silent. They “could” not say it was not lawful, for the law did not forbid it. If it had they would have said it. Here was the time for them to make objections if they had any, and not after the man was healed; and as they “made” no objection “then,” they could not... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 12:11. WHICH OF YOU ... - In this way Jesus refuted the notion of the Pharisees. If it was lawful to save an ox on the Sabbath, it was also to save the life of a man. To this the Jews had nothing to answer.... [ Continue Reading ]
A PARABLE - The word parable, here, means rather a “precept, an injunction.” He gave a “rule or precept” about the proper manner of attending a feast, or about the humility which ought to be manifested on such occasions. THAT WERE BIDDEN - That were invited by the Pharisee. It seems that he had inv... [ Continue Reading ]
ART BIDDEN - Are invited. TO A WEDDING - A wedding was commonly attended with a feast or banquet. THE HIGHEST ROOM - The seat at the table nearest the head. A MORE HONOURABLE MAN - A more aged man, or a man of higher rank. It is to be remarked that our Saviour did not consider the courtesies of li... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LOWEST ROOM - The lowest seat at the table; showing that you are not desirous of distinctions, or greedy of that honor which may properly belong to you. SHALT HAVE WORSHIP - The word “worship” here means “honor.” They who are sitting with you shall treat you with respect. They will learn your r... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER EXALTETH ... - This is universal among people, and it is also the way in which God will deal with people. “Men” will perpetually endeavor to bring down those who endeavor to exalt themselves; and it is a part of God’s regular plan to abase the proud, to bring down the lofty, to raise up th... [ Continue Reading ]
CALL NOT THY FRIENDS ... - This is not to be understood as commanding us not to entertain “at all” our relatives and friends; but we are to remember the “design” with which our Lord spoke. He intended, doubtless, to reprove those who sought the society of the wealthy, and particularly rich relatives... [ Continue Reading ]
THE POOR - Those who are destitute of comfortable food. THE MAIMED - Those who are deprived of any member of their body, as an arm or a leg or who have not the use of them so that they can labor for their own support.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALT BE BLESSED - Blessed in the “act” of doing good, which furnishes more “happiness” than riches can give, and blessed or rewarded “by God” in the day of judgment. THEY CANNOT RECOMPENSE THEE - They cannot invite you again, and thus pay you; and by inviting “them” you show that you have a “dispo... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED IS HE THAT SHALL EAT BREAD IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD - The kingdom of God here means the kingdom which the Messiah was to set up. See the notes at Matthew 3:2. The Jews supposed that he would be a temporal prince, and that his reign would be one of great magnificence and splendor. They supposed... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT SUPPER - Or great feast. It is said to be “great” on account of the number who were invited. BADE MANY - Invited many beforehand. There is little difficulty in understanding this parable. The man who made the supper is, without doubt, designed to represent God; the supper, the provisions wh... [ Continue Reading ]
SENT HIS SERVANT - An invitation had been sent before, but this servant was sent at the time that the supper was ready. From this it would seem that it was the custom to announce to those invited just the time when the feast was prepared. The custom here referred to still prevails in Palestine. Dr.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE BOUGHT A PIECE OF GROUND - Perhaps he had purchased it on condition that he found it as good as it had been represented to him. I MUST NEEDS GO - I have necessity, or am obliged to go and see it; possibly pleading a contract or an agreement that he would go soon and examine it. However, we m... [ Continue Reading ]
I GO TO PROVE THEM - To try them, to see if he had made a good bargain. It is worthy of remark that this excuse was very trifling. He could as easily have tried them at any other time as then, and his whole conduct shows that he was more disposed to gratify “himself” than to accept the invitation of... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE MARRIED A WIFE ... - Our Saviour here doubtless intends to teach us that the love of earthly relatives and friends often takes off the affections from God, and prevents our accepting the blessings which he would bestow on us. This was the most trifling excuse of all; and we cannot but be amaz... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOWED HIS LORD - Told his master of the excuses of those who had been invited. Their conduct was remarkable, and it was his duty to acquaint him with the manner in which his invitation had been received. BEING ANGRY - Being angry at the people who had slighted his invitation; who had so insulted h... [ Continue Reading ]
YET THERE IS ROOM - He went out and invited all he found in the lanes, and yet the table was not full. This he also reported to his master. “There is room!” What a glorious declaration is this in regard to the gospel! There yet is room. Millions have been saved, but there yet is room. Millions have... [ Continue Reading ]
GO OUT INTO THE HIGHWAYS - Since enough had not been found in the lanes and streets, he commands the servant to go into the roads - the public highways out of the city, as well as to the streets “in” it - and invite them also. HEDGES - A hedge is the inclosure around a field or vineyard. It was comm... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I SAY UNTO YOU - These may be considered as the words of Jesus, making an application of the parable to the Pharisees before him. NONE OF THOSE MEN - This cannot be understood as meaning that no “Jews” would be saved, but that none of those who had “treated him, in that manner” - none who had so... [ Continue Reading ]
See notes on Matthew 10:37.... [ Continue Reading ]
INTENDING TO BUILD A TOWER - See Matthew 21:33. A tower was a place of defense or observation, erected on high places or in vineyards, to guard against enemies. It was made “high,” so as to enable one to see an enemy when he approached; and “strong,” so that it could not be easily taken. COUNTETH T... [ Continue Reading ]
HAPLY - Perhaps. TO MOCK HIM - To ridicule him. To laugh at him.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH TEN THOUSAND TO MEET ... - Whether he will be able, with the forces which he “has,” to meet his enemy. Christ here perhaps intends to denote that the enemies which we have to encounter in following him are many and strong, and that “our” strength is comparatively feeble. “To meet him.” To conte... [ Continue Reading ]
OR ELSE - If he is not able. If he is satisfied that he would be defeated. AN AMBASSAGE - Persons to treat with an enemy and propose terms of peace. These expressions are not to be improperly pressed in order to obtain from them a spiritual signification. The general scope of the parable is to be l... [ Continue Reading ]
See the Matthew 5:13 note; Mark 9:49 notes. SALT IS GOOD - It is useful. It is good to preserve life and health, and to keep from putrefaction. HIS SAVOUR - Its saltness. It becomes tasteless or insipid. BE SEASONED - Be salted again. FIT FOR THE LAND - Rather, it is not fit “for land,” that is,... [ Continue Reading ]