_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 ]