_On the second sabbath after the first_ The original expression here, εν Σαββατω δευτεροπρωτω, says Dr. Whitby, “should have been rendered, _In the first sabbath after the second day_, namely, of unleavened bread; for, after the first day of the passover, (which was a sabbath, Exodus 12:16,) ye shal... [ Continue Reading ]
_And on another sabbath he entered into the synagogue_ The service of which he and his disciples seem to have generally attended: _and there was a man whose right hand was withered_ Of the miracle here recorded, see notes on Matthew 12:9; and Mark 3:1; where all the circumstances of it are noticed.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it came to pass in those days_ Namely, of his teaching near the sea of Galilee; _that he went out into a mountain to pray_ Jesus, seeing the general notice which was taken of his appearance, and the desire which multitudes manifested of being further informed concerning the design of his coming... [ Continue Reading ]
_Simon, whom he also named Peter_ Matthew, Mark, and Luke have all given us a catalogue of the names of the apostles; and their exactness in this particular is greatly to be praised. For as the apostleship clothed the person on whom it was conferred with the high authority of directing the religious... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he came down with them_, &c. After he had acquainted these twelve persons with his design, and had given them such private instructions as he judged necessary to render their attendance on him subservient to the execution of their important office, he _came down_ from the mountain with them, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples_ The multitude that pressed to touch Jesus, in order to be healed, being at length rendered still and quiet, he turned to his disciples, and in their audience, and that of the multitude, repeated, _standing on the plain_, many remarkable passages of the se... [ Continue Reading ]
_But wo_, &c. Here we see that this discourse differs very materially from the sermon on the mount; there our Lord pronounced _blessings_ only, here he denounces _curses;_ or, to speak more properly, he compassionately bewails the condition of persons of a contrary character to that of those pronoun... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wo unto you_ Miserable are you; _when all men speak well of you_ Because such universal applause is not to be gained without sinful compliances. “For,” as Dr. Whitby observes, “he that will be pleasing to all must speak things grateful to all, and do what they like; now that cannot be good which is... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I say unto you which hear_ You who hear me now, and you who in future ages shall hear my gospel. Hitherto our Lord had spoken only to particular sorts of persons; now he begins speaking to all in general. _Love your enemies_, &c. The disposition which my gospel cherishes in its votaries, is tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:29 ; LUKE 6:31. _To him_, &c. You who hear my gospel ought to be patient under injuries, as well as benevolent toward the unthankful. _To him that smiteth thee on thy cheek that taketh away thy cloak_ These seem to be proverbial expressions, to signify an invasion of the tenderest points of h... [ Continue Reading ]
_If ye love them which love you, what thank have ye_ What great thanks are due to you on that account? For there are some sentiments of gratitude common even to the worst of men, which incline the most scandalous _sinners_ to _love those that love them_, and to profess an affectionate regard for tho... [ Continue Reading ]
_Judge not_, &c. See notes on Matthew 7:1; Matthew 6:14. _Give_ Liberally to those that need your assistance; _and it shall be given unto you_ For your kindness and liberality will naturally gain you love and respect; and God also, by his supernatural grace, will influence men's hearts in your favou... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he spake a parable_, &c. Our Lord sometimes used parables, when he know plain and open declarations would too much inflame the passions of his hearers. It is for this reason that he uses this parable. _Can the blind lead the blind_ Can the scribes teach this way, which they know not themselves?... [ Continue Reading ]
_And why beholdest thou the mote_ See notes on Matthew 7:3. Be not ye like the disciples of the Pharisees, censuring others, and not amending yourselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit_, &c. See notes on Matthew 7:16; Matthew 12:33. _For of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh_ The meaning of this whole passage is, as a tree is known to be either good or bad by its fruit, so a man is known to be either good or bad by his w... [ Continue Reading ]
_And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?_ What will fair professions avail, without a life answerable thereto? Our Lord's words may also refer to what he had just spoken in praise of good words. As if he had said, Though I have thus spoken, you must take notice, that it is... [ Continue Reading ]