_Jesus entered and passed through Jericho_ Namely, after performing the miracle recorded at the close of the preceding chapter. He was now on his way from the other side Jordan to Bethany, near Jerusalem, to which place he hastened, with a view to be there eight or ten days before the passover, inte... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he sought to see Jesus_ The great things which he had heard of Jesus made such a powerful impression on his mind, that when he was informed he was coming that way, he diligently sought an opportunity to see what sort of a person he was; _and could not for the press_ Could not compass his design... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when Jesus came to the place he looked up_, into the tree, _and saw him_ Zaccheus came to look upon Christ, and resolved to take particular notice of him, but little thought of being noticed by Christ. That was an honour too great, and too far above his merit, for him to have any thought of. Ob... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus said unto him_ Or, _concerning him_, as Dr. Campbell translates the words, observing, “The thing said shows clearly that our Lord spake not to Zaccheus, but to the people concerning him: he being mentioned in the third person in the next clause.” _For so much as he also is a son of Abraham_ N... [ Continue Reading ]
_And as they heard these things_ Namely, that salvation was come to Zaccheus's family; _he added, and spake a parable_ From this we gather, that he spake the parable in Zaccheus's house; _because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and they thought_, &c. Because his followers were accompanying him to the roya... [ Continue Reading ]
_A certain nobleman_ Or, a certain king's son; _went into a far country to receive a kingdom_, &c. In order to be confirmed in his father's kingdom, he went into a distant country to do homage unto a more powerful potentate, of whom he held it as a vassal. There is supposed to be an allusion here to... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he called his ten servants_ This translation implies, he had neither more nor fewer than ten servants, and that they were all called: but Dr. Campbell thinks the original expression, καλεσας δε δεκα δουλους εαυτου, should rather be rendered, _having called ten of his servants_, and that if the... [ Continue Reading ]
_But his citizens hated him_ The natural subjects of this king's son, (see on Luke 19:12,) “hated him without a cause, as appears from the message which they sent to this potentate, from whom he sought what in latter times has been called _investiture._ For in that message they alleged no crime agai... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then came the first_ The modesty of these servants is remarkable. They do not say that they themselves had gained the ten or the five pounds; but that the pound which their lord had intrusted to their management had gained them, attributing their success, not to themselves, but to the gifts of his... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he saith, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee_, &c. When his lord heard him offer such a vile and groundless charge against him as an excuse for his own negligence, he was filled with indignation, and determined to punish him severely. _Thou knewest that I was an austere man_ This is not a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said to them that stood by_ To the officers of justice that waited on the king; _Take from him the pound_ Take what was intrusted with him from that idle, suspicious, unfaithful servant, who might otherwise have had that, and much more, allotted him for his own property; _and give it him tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_But those mine enemies_, &c. Having thus inquired into the conduct of his servants, and treated them according to the different use they made of what had been intrusted with them, he then proceeded to pass sentence on his rebellious citizens, who had refused to have him for their king; and with a j... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he had thus spoken_ When he had finished the preceding parable in Zaccheus's house; _he went before_ Continued his journey, and led the way as foremost of the company, thus showing his readiness to suffer; _ascending up to Jerusalem_ Being determined to appear there at the approaching passover... [ Continue Reading ]
_He beheld the city and wept over it_ As he drew nigh he looked on the city, and, notwithstanding he had already met with much ill usage from its inhabitants, and was at this very juncture to be put to death by them, yet, with a divine generosity and benevolence, which nothing can equal, he wept ove... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he went into the temple_ See notes on Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:11; Mark 11:18. _And he taught daily in the temple_ Jesus, being now to remain but a short time upon earth, employed himself without intermission in teaching as many people as possible, and in the most public places.... [ Continue Reading ]