Observe here, 1. The persons demanding of our Saviour. sign, the Pharisees and Sadducees, person of contrary opinions and interests; yet both agree in tempting and opposing Christ. Learn hence, That wicked men, how opposite soever they are one to another, yet can agree together in opposing Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How dull the disciples of Christ were under Christ's own teaching, how apt to put. carnal sense upon his words; they apprehended he had spoken to them of the leaven of bread, what he intended of the leaven of the Pharisee's doctrine. Observe, 2. The smart and sharp reproof which Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Our Saviour's question, and the disciples answer, Our Saviour's question is twofold: 1. WHOM DO MEN SAY THAT. AM? Not that the Son of God was ignorant what men said of him; but he had an intention more firmly to settle and establish his disciples in the belief of his being the prom... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. As Peter confessed Christ, so Christ confesses him; Peter said, THOU ART CHRIST; Christ says, THOU ART PETER, alluding to his name, which signifies. ROCK; he having made good that title, by the strength, stability, and firmness of his faith. Observe, 2.. double promise made by Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The person to whom this promise is made, namely to Peter, with the rest of the apostles; the confession being made by him in the name of the rest. Elsewhere we find the same authority and power given to them all, which is here committed unto Peter; WHOSE SINS SOEVER YE REMIT, THEY A... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, till after his resurrection. It may seem strange, that our Saviour should charge his disciples to tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ, seeing the knowledge of it was so necessary. The reason is conceived to be: 1. Because the glory of his godhead was not to be fully manifested till af... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. The wisdom of our Saviour, in acquainting his disciples with the near approach of his death and sufferings. This he did for several reasons: 1. To let them understand that he was really God, (as they had just before confessed him to be) by his foreknowing, and foretelling things to come... [ Continue Reading ]
No doubt Peter spake all this out of. sincere intention, and with. singular affection towards our Saviour; but pious intentions and good affections will not justify unwarrantable actions. From this counsel of St. Peter to Christ we learn, 1. How ready flesh and blood is to oppose all that tends to... [ Continue Reading ]
Christ looked upon Peter with anger and displeasure, Christ heard Satan speaking in Peter. It was Peter's tongue, but Satan tuned it; therefore Christ calls Peter by Satan's name. They that will do the devil's work shall have the devil's name too. He that would hinder the redemption of mankind, is S... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How our Saviour recommends his religion to every man's choice; not attempting by force and violence to compel any to the profession of it. IF ANY MAN WILL COME AFTER ME, that is, if any man choose and resolve to be. Christian. 2. Our Saviour's terms propounded: 1. Self-denial LET... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That the love of this temporal life, is. great temptation to men to deny Christ, and renounce his holy religion. 2. That the surest way to attain eternal life, is cheerfully to lay down. mortal life, when the glory of Christ and his service calleth us thereunto.... [ Continue Reading ]
Learn, 1. That God has intrusted everyone of us with. soul of inestimable worth and preciousness, capable of being saved or lost, and that to all eternity. 2. That the gain of the whole world is not comparable with the loss of one precious soul. The soul's loss is an incomprehensible and irrecovera... [ Continue Reading ]
There is. twofold judgment spoken of by this evangelist St. Matthew, namely,. particular coming of Christ to execute vengeance on the Jews, at the destruction of Jerusalem; and. general coming at the day of judgment. If we understand this place of the latter, we have then, 1. The judge described, T... [ Continue Reading ]
A threefold sense and interpretation is given of these words. 1. Some will have them refer to our Saviour's transfiguration mentioned in the next chapter: as if he had said, "Some of you, as Peter, James, and John, shall shortly see me upon mount Tabor, in such glory as. will come into judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]