_Then came the Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem_ They probably came on purpose to find occasion against him. For some of them followed him from place to place, looking on every thing he did, even on his most innocent, yea, and most benevolent and holy actions, with an evil and censuring eye. Acc... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the Pharisees, &c., except they wash their hands oft_ Greek, εαν μη πυγμη νιψωνται τας χειρας, _except they wash their hands with their fist:_ or, as some render it, _to the wrist._ Theophylact translates it, _unless they wash up to their elbows;_ affirming that πυγμη denotes the whole of the a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said, Full well_ Καλως, _fairly, wholly; ye reject,_ &c. Or, reading the word separately, _Finely_ done! How praiseworthy is your conduct! A strong irony. _Ye reject the commandment of God that ye may keep your own tradition_ The words, _your own_, are emphatical, distinguishing the commandm... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he had called all the people unto him_ See note on Matthew 15:10. _He said, Hearken unto me, every one of you_ As if he had said, Hear how absurd the precepts are which the scribes inculcate upon you, and understand the true differences of things. These hypocrites, anxious about trifles, negle... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he was entered into the house_ And was apart from the people; _his disciples asked him_ Namely, Peter, in the name of the rest, (Matthew 15:15,) _concerning the parable_ So they term the declaration which our Lord had just uttered, because it appeared to them to be mysterious and needing expla... [ Continue Reading ]
_From thence he arose, and went into the borders_ Εις τα μεθορια, into the parts which bordered upon, or rather lay between, Tyre and Sidon; _and entered into a house, and would have no man know it_ Namely, that he was there, or, _know him._ Jesus, knowing that the Pharisees were highly offended at... [ Continue Reading ]
_He came unto the sea of Galilee_, &c. See note on Matthew 15:29. _They bring unto him one that was deaf and had an impediment_, &c. Greek, Μογιλαλον : “He was not absolutely dumb, but stammered to such a degree, that few understood his speech, Mark 7:35. However, the circumstance of his being able... [ Continue Reading ]
_And were beyond measure astonished_ Both at what was done, and at the amiable spirit of him who did it. _And said, He hath done all things well_ Performed the most extraordinary cures in the most humble and graceful manner. _He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak_ And that, not only... [ Continue Reading ]