Luke 19:1
AND JESUS ENTERED ... - See the notes at Matthew 20:29. This means, perhaps, “he was passing” through Jericho when Zacchaeus saw him. His house was “in” Jericho.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESUS ENTERED ... - See the notes at Matthew 20:29. This means, perhaps, “he was passing” through Jericho when Zacchaeus saw him. His house was “in” Jericho.... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN NAMED ZACCHAEUS - The name Zacchaeus is Hebrew, and shows that this man was a “Jew.” The Hebrew name properly means “pure,” and is the same as Zacchai in Ezra 2:9; Nehemiah 7:14. The publicans, therefore, were not all foreigners. CHIEF AMONG THE PUBLICANS - Who presided over other tax-gathere... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HE WAS - Rather “what sort of person,” he was, or how he appeared. He had that curiosity which is natural to people to see one of whom they have heard much. It would seem, also, that in this case mere “curiosity” led to his conversion and that of his family. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:23. God make... [ Continue Reading ]
A SYCAMORE TREE - See this described in the notes at Luke 17:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
ABIDE AT THY HOUSE - Remain there, or put up with him. This was an honor which Zacchaeus did not expect. The utmost, it seems, which he aimed at was to see Jesus; but, instead of that, Jesus proposed to remain with him, and to give him the benefit of his personal instruction. It is but one among a t... [ Continue Reading ]
MURMURED - Found fault, complained. TO BE A GUEST - To remain with, or to be entertained by. A MAN THAT IS A SINNER - All publicans they regarded as great sinners, and the “chief” of the publicans, therefore, they regarded as especially wicked. It would appear also from Zacchaeus’ confession that... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HALF OF MY GOODS I GIVE TO THE POOR - It is not necessary to understand this as affirming that this “had” been his practice, or that he said this in the way of proclaiming his own righteousness. It maybe understood rather as a purpose which he “then” formed under the teaching of Christ. He seems... [ Continue Reading ]
SALVATION IS COME TO THIS HOUSE - This family. They have this day received the blessings of the gospel, and become interested in the Messiah’s kingdom. Salvation “commences” when people truly receive Christ and their sins are pardoned; it is “completed” when the soul is sanctified and received up in... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 18:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SPAKE A PARABLE - This parable has in some respects a resemblance to the parable of the “talents” in Matthew 25:14, but it is not the same. They differ in the following respects: That was spoken “after” he had entered Jerusalem; this, while on his way there. That was delivered on the Mount of Oli... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN NOBLEMAN - A prince; a man descended from kings, and having a title, therefore, to succeed in the kingdom. WENT INTO A FAR COUNTRY ... - This expression is derived from the state of things in Judea in the time of the Saviour. Judea was subject to the Romans, having been conquered by Pompey... [ Continue Reading ]
TEN SERVANTS - Nothing in particular is denoted by the number “ten.” It is a circumstance intended to keep up the narrative. In general, by these servants our Saviour denotes his disciples, and intends to teach us that talents are given us to be improved, for which we must give an account at his ret... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HIS CITIZENS - His “subjects,” or the people whom he was desirous of ruling. HATED HIM - On account of his character, and their fear of oppression. This was, in fact, the case with regard to Archelaus, the Jewish prince, who went to Rome to be confirmed in his kingdom. SENT A MESSAGE, SAYING ..... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 25:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 25:20. TEN CITIES - We are not to suppose that this will be “literally” fulfilled in heaven. Christ teaches here that our reward in heaven will be “in proportion” to our faithfulness in improving our talents on earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
A NAPKIN - A towel. He means by it that he had not wasted it nor thrown it by carelessly, but had been “very careful” of it; so much so as to be at the pains to tie it up in a towel and put it in a safe place, as if he had been “very faithful” to his trust. So many people employ their talents, their... [ Continue Reading ]
AN AUSTERE MAN - Hard, severe, oppressive. The word is commonly applied to unripe fruit, and means “sour,” unpleasant; harsh. In this case it means that the man was taking every advantage, and, while “he” lived in idleness, was making his living out of the toils of others. THOU TAKEST UP ... - Thou... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THINE OWN MOUTH - By your own statement, or your own views of my character. If you “knew” that this was my character, and “knew” that I would be rigid, firm, and even severe, it would have been the part of wisdom in you to have made the best use of the money in your power; but as you “knew” m... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BANK - The treasury, or the place of exchange. Why did you not loan it out, that it might be increased? USURY - Interest.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SAID UNTO HIM - Those standing around him said. HE HATH ... - This was probably an observation made by some of the bystanders, as if surprised at such a decision. “He has already ten pounds. Why take away this one, and add to what he already possesses? Why should his property be increased... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I SAY ... - These are the words of the “nobleman” declaring the principles on which he would distribute the rewards of his kingdom. BUT THOSE MINE ENEMIES - By the punishment of those who would not that he should reign over them is denoted the ruin that was to come upon the Jewish nation for re... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 21:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STONES WOULD ...CRY OUT - It is “proper” that they should celebrate my coming. Their acclamations “ought” not to be suppressed. So joyful is the event which they celebrate - the coming of the Messiah - that it is not fit that I should attempt to impose silence on them. The expression here seems... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WEPT OVER IT - Showing his compassion for the guilty city, and his strong sense of the evils that were about to come upon it. See the notes at Matthew 23:37. As he entered the city he passed over the Mount of Olives. From that mountain there was a full and magnificent view of the city. See the no... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 21:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
DAILY IN THE TEMPLE - That is, for five or six days before his crucifixion.... [ Continue Reading ]
COULD NOT FIND ... - Were not able to accomplish their purpose; they did not know “how” to bring it about. VERY ATTENTIVE - literally, “hung upon him” to hear him. The word denotes an anxious desire, a fixed attention, a cleaving to him, and an unwillingness to “leave” him, so that they might hear... [ Continue Reading ]