TAKE HEED THAT YE DO NOT YOUR ALMS - The word “alms” here denotes liberality to the poor and needy. In the margin, as in the best editions of the Greek it is “righteousness;” either referring to almsgiving as eminently a righteous act, or more probably including all that is specified in this and the... [ Continue Reading ]
DO NOT SOUND A TRUMPET BEFORE THEE, AS THE HYPOCRITES DO - The word “hypocrite” is taken from “stage-players,” who act the part of others, or speak not their own sentiments, but the sentiments of others. It means here, and in the New Testament generally, those who “dissemble” or hide their real sent... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NOT THY LEFT HAND KNOW ... - This is a proverbial expression, signifying that the action should be done as secretly as possible. The Hebrews often attribute actions to members which properly belong to persons. The encouragement for performing our acts of charity in secret is that it will be plea... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THOU PRAYEST ... - Hypocrites manifested the same spirit about prayer as almsgiving; it was done in public places. The word “synagogues,” here, clearly means, not the place of worship of that name, but places where many were accustomed to assemble - near the markets or courts, where they co... [ Continue Reading ]
ENTER INTO THY CLOSET - Every Jewish house had a place for secret devotion. The roofs of their houses were flat places, well adapted for walking, conversation, and meditation. See the notes at Matthew 9:2. Professor Hackett (“_Illustrations of Scripture_,” p. 82) says: “On the roof of the house in w... [ Continue Reading ]
USE NOT VAIN REPETITIONS - The original word here is supposed to be derived from the name of a Greek poet, who made long and weary verses, declaring by many forms and endless repetitions the same sentiment. Hence, it means to repeat a thing often; to say the same thing in different words, or to repe... [ Continue Reading ]
This passage contains the Lord’s prayer, a composition unequalled for comprehensiveness and for beauty. It is supposed that some of these petitions were taken from those in common use among the Jews. Indeed some of them are still to be found in Jewish writings, but they did not exist in this beautif... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF YE FORGIVE MEN THEIR TRESPASSES - If ye forgive others when they offend or injure you. YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU - This is constantly required in the Bible. See the notes at Matthew 6:12. Our Saviour says we should forgive even if the offence be committed seventy times seven... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER, WHEN YE FAST - The word “fast” literally signifies to abstain from food and drink, whether from necessity or as a religious observance. It is, however, commonly applied in the Bible to the latter. It is, then, an expression of grief or sorrow. Such is the constitution of the body, that in... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOU WHEN THOU FASTEST, ANOINT ... - That is, appear as you do daily. Do not assume any new appearance, or change your visage or dress. The Jews and all neighboring nations were much in the habit of washing and anointing their bodies. This washing was performed at every meal; and where it could... [ Continue Reading ]
LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH - Treasures, or wealth, among the ancients, consisted in clothes or changes of raiment, as well as in gold, silver, gems, wine, lands, and oil. It meant an abundance of “anything” that was held to be conducive to the ornament or comfort of life. As the... [ Continue Reading ]
LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN - That is, have provision made for your eternal felicity. Do not exhaust your strength and spend your days in providing for the life here, but let your chief anxiety be to be prepared for eternity. Compare the notes at Isaiah 55:2. In heaven nothing corrupts... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIGHT OF THE BODY ... - The sentiment stated in the preceding verses - the duty of fixing the affections on heavenly things - Jesus proceeds to illustrate by a reference to the “eye.” When the eye is directed steadily toward an object, and is in health, or is single, everything is clear and plai... [ Continue Reading ]
NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS ... - Christ proceeds to illustrate the necessity of laying up treasures in heaven from a well-known fact, that a servant cannot serve two masters at the same time. His affections and obedience would be divided, and he would fail altogether in his duty to one or the othe... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I SAY UNTO YOU, TAKE NO THOUGHT ... - The general design of this paragraph, which closes the chapter, is to warn his disciples against avarice, and, at the same time, against anxiety about the supply of their needs. This he does by four arguments or considerations, expressing by unequalled... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD THE FOWLS OF THE AIR - The second argument for confidence in the providence of God is derived from a beautiful reference to the fowls or feathered tribes. See, said the Saviour, see the fowls of the air: they have no anxiety about the supply of their wants; they do not sow or reap; they fill... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH OF YOU, BY TAKING THOUGHT - The third argument is taken from their extreme weakness and helplessness. With all your care you cannot increase your stature a single cubit. God has ordered your height. Beyond his appointment your powers are of no avail, and you can do nothing. So of raiment. He,... [ Continue Reading ]
CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE FIELD - The fourth consideration is taken from the care which God bestows on lilies. Watch the growing of the lily. It toils not, and it spins not; yet night and day it grows. With a beauty with which the most splendid monarch of the East was never adorned. it expands its... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE, IF GOD SO CLOTHE THE GRASS OF THE FIELD - What grows up in the field, or grows wild and without culture. The word “grass,” applied here to the lily, denotes merely that it is a vegetable production, or that it is among the things which grow wild, and which are used for fuel. WHICH TODAY... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AFTER ALL THESE THINGS DO THE GENTILES SEEK - That is, those destitute of the true doctrines of religion, and unacquainted with proper dependence on Divine Providence, make it their chief anxiety thus to seek food and clothing. But you, who have a knowledge of your Father in heaven; who know tha... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE THEREFORE NO THOUGHT ... - That is, no anxiety. Commit your way to God. The evil, the trouble, the anxiety of each day as it comes, is sufficient without perplexing the mind with restless cares about another day. It is wholly uncertain whether you live to see another day. If you do, it will bri... [ Continue Reading ]