_When there were gathered together an innumerable multitude_ Επισυναχθεισων των μυριαδων, literally, _myriads_ (that is, tens of thousands, how many is not said) _being gathered together._ By this it appears, that though the scribes and Pharisees thought to accuse him, and bring him into disrepute,... [ Continue Reading ]
_For there is nothing covered_, &c. All your actions shall be brought to light, either in this world or in the next. Wherefore take great care never to do any thing which cannot bear the light, but let the whole of your behaviour be fair, honest, and good. This argument against hypocrisy he proceede... [ Continue Reading ]
_Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings_ Ασσαριων δυο, _two pence_, as Dr. Campbell translates it, or “three half-pence sterling;” _and not one of them is forgotten before God_ As if he had said, But trust in as well as fear him, for remember, he is an infinitely more kind, as well as more pow... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also I say unto you_ It will be necessary, however, in order that you may keep your minds unshaken, that you should often look forward unto the final judgment, at which I will own you as my servants, if, by your constant and cheerful obedience to my commands, you now acknowledge me as your Master.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And whosoever_, &c. Nothing, therefore, can be more dangerous and fatal than to oppose my cause: and yet the denying me in some degree, may, upon true repentance, be forgiven: _for whosoever shall speak a word_ Expressive of unbelief and disregard, or even of opposition and enmity; _against the Son... [ Continue Reading ]
_When they bring you unto the synagogues_ Let me add, however others may be affected by this testimony of the Spirit, one happy effect of its operation shall be to furnish you, my apostles, for a proper and honourable discharge of your office in its most difficult parts: and therefore when, in the o... [ Continue Reading ]
_One said, Master, speak to my brother_, &c. While Jesus was discoursing, as above related, to his disciple, one of the crowd, that was then collected about Jesus, requested that he would speak to his brother, and persuade him to divide their paternal inheritance, and give him his share. But, becaus... [ Continue Reading ]
To illustrate his admonition, and give it the greater weight, our Lord here delivers an important parable. _The ground of a rich man brought forth plentifully_ This man, it appears, became rich, not by unjust gains, but by the produce of his own land, the most innocent method possible of making or i... [ Continue Reading ]
_So_ Such a fool, _is he_, in the divine account; _that layeth up treasure for himself_ Here on earth: _and is not rich toward God_ In acts of piety and charity, which would secure a fund of celestial treasures, lodged in his almighty hand, and therefore inviolably safe from such calamitous accident... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said unto his disciples_ Having delivered the preceding instructive and awakening parable, whereby he intended to caution the contending brothers and the multitude against covetousness, sensuality, and the love of pleasure, he now proceeds to address his disciples, and caution them against t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear not, little flock_ You, my dear property and charge, however feeble you may seem; fear not, I say, that you shall be left destitute of those common blessings of providence, _for it is your Father's good pleasure_, &c. Ευδοκησεν, he takes delight, or joyfully acquiesces, in giving _you the king... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let your loins_, &c. Our Lord, having recommended to his disciples disengagement of affection from the things of this world, and a due moderation as to their esteem for, and cares about, earthly possessions, proceeds now to exhort them to be in constant readiness for the proper discharge of their d... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed are those servants_, &c. And blessed also will you be, if this shall be your case: _verily, he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat_ The master of such servants, pleased with their care, would perhaps order them a refreshment, after having watched and fasted so long; and if he... [ Continue Reading ]
_And if he shall come in the second or third watch_, &c. This included all the time from nine in the evening to three in the morning; and was as if he had said, whether he come early or late. Here our Lord enforces “this constant watchfulness and habitual preparation for his coming, from the conside... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Peter said, Lord, speakest thou this parable to us_ Who are thy constant followers, to us who are ministers; _or even to all_ That come to be taught by thee, to all the hearers, and, in them, to all Christians? Peter, it appears, had been giving close attention to the whole of Christ's discour... [ Continue Reading ]
_But and if that servant_, &c. On the other hand, consider attentively the character and punishment of a bad servant, that you may avoid both. If any steward, who has the care of his lord's family committed to him, yielding to the evil of his own disposition, shall take occasion from his lord's long... [ Continue Reading ]
_And that servant which knew his lord's will_, &c. Lest the consideration of the strictness of the account, and the greatness of the punishment, described in the parable, might terrify men of honest dispositions, who are liable to err merely through weakness, Jesus showed them, that as offences diff... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am come to send fire on earth_ Our Lord concludes his charge to his disciples with foretelling the divisions that should be occasioned by his gospel. See on Matthew 10:34. As if he had said, After all that I have done and spoken to promote peace and love, so opposite is my doctrine to the prejudi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said to the people_ Namely, to the unbelieving multitude, which on this occasion was gathered together, and stood around him: _When ye see a cloud_, &c. As if he had said, The perverseness which I have spoken of, as about to take place when my gospel is more fully and universally preached, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why even of yourselves_ Without any external sign; _judge ye not what is right?_ Why do ye not discern and acknowledge the intrinsic excellence of my doctrine, and gather from such obvious promises how you ought to receive it, and behave toward me? The prediction of the coming of the Son of man, to... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thou goest with thine adversary_, &c. The evils which befall obstinate sinners, he here illustrates by the punishment which, in ordinary cases, is inflicted upon the man who obstinately refuses to make compensation for the injuries he has done; but, even while his adversary is haling him to th... [ Continue Reading ]