_And when he had called his twelve disciples_ From the evangelist's naming them _the twelve_, it appears that he considered them as elected before this, though he has given no account of it in his gospel. The number seems to have relation to the twelve patriarchs and the twelve tribes of Israel. _He... [ Continue Reading ]
_The first, Simon_ The first who was called to a constant attendance on Christ: although Andrew had seen him before Simon, John 1:41. _James the son of Zebedee_ The fisherman, _and John his brother_ The beloved disciple; who were also called at the same time with the two former, as they were fishing... [ Continue Reading ]
_These twelve Jesus sent forth_ Namely, to preach the gospel and to work miracles; exercising therein his supreme authority over his Church. _And commanded, Go not into the way of the Gentiles_ That is, into their country. Their commission was thus confined now, because the calling of the Gentiles w... [ Continue Reading ]
_And as ye go, preach_ Κηρυσσετε, _proclaim_, namely, with ardour and zeal, as becomes my heralds. The word is derived from κηρυξ, _a herald._ “Probably,” says Doddridge, “they were to make this proclamation with a loud voice, as they passed through the streets of the towns they went to, as Jonah de... [ Continue Reading ]
_Provide neither gold_ As if he said, Though I forbid you to take money for the miraculous cures which you shall perform, I do not mean that you should beforehand lay up money for your support during your journey. You are not even to provide the clothes and shoes which you may have occasion for befo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Into whatsoever city, &c., ye shall enter, inquire who is worthy_ That you should abide with him, that is, who is of a good character, and disposed to receive the gospel. _And there abide_ In that house, till ye leave the town. It is of much consequence that a preacher of the gospel should not enda... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whosoever shall not receive you_ That is, entertain you kindly; nor, in an obedient manner, hearken to your words, _when you depart, &c., shake off the dust of your feet_ The Jews thought the _land_ of Israel so peculiarly holy, that when they came home from any heathen country they stopped at the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves_ I now send you forth weak and defenceless among a wicked, cruel, and persecuting people. “Considering the nature of the tidings which the apostles were now sent out to publish, namely, that _the kingdom of heaven was at hand_ considering, al... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beware of men_ That is, be on your guard against the men of the world with whom you converse, that you do not, by any inadvertency, give them advantage against you: and think not that all your innocence and all your wisdom united can screen you from persecution. _For they will deliver you up to the... [ Continue Reading ]
_But take no thought how or what ye shall speak_ When you are compelled to appear before such personages be not anxiously careful about your defence there, or how you shall answer for yourselves, but cheerfully confide in the divine direction, which shall certainly be given you, and shall be abundan... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the brother_, who believeth not, _shall deliver up the_ believing _brother to death, and the father the child_, &c. As if he had said, All the wisdom and justice of your apologies, though divinely inspired, will not disarm the malice of your unreasonable enemies, which shall prevail to such a d... [ Continue Reading ]
_But_, &c. As if he had said, I do not say this with a view to encourage you to rush upon martyrdom before you have a plain and lawful call to it; on the other hand, it will rather be your duty to prolong your useful lives to the utmost limits you lawfully may. Therefore, _when they persecute you in... [ Continue Reading ]
_The disciple is not above his master_ As if he had said, As for the unkind usage I have warned you to expect, you have no reason to be surprised at it, considering what I have intimated respecting the persecutions awaiting my disciples _for righteousness' sake._ See Matthew 5:10. And, that you may... [ Continue Reading ]
_What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light_ The doctrines of the gospel which I deliver to you in private, and in obscure parables, preach plainly and openly, without the fear of man, in the audience of all. _And what ye hear_, as it were whispered, _in the ear, preach ye_ Proclaim publicl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing_ As if he had said, The particular providence of God is another reason for your not fearing man. For this extends to the very smallest things, even to sparrows and the hairs of your heads, which are all numbered. In other words, the meanest of God's creature... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whosoever_, &c. As a further encouragement to you to cast off all unnecessary cares and fears, to trust in God, and arm yourselves with courage to encounter, and resolution to endure whatever persecutions, injuries, or other trials he in his providence may permit to befall you, be assured, whatever... [ Continue Reading ]
_Think not that I am come_, &c. As if he had said, Because the prophets have spoken glorious things of the peace and happiness of the world under the reign of the Messiah, whom they have named, for that reason, _the Prince of peace_, you may imagine that I am come to put the world into that happy st... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that loveth father or mother more than me_ He that is not ready to give up all these when they stand in competition with his duty; _is not worthy of me_ Nor shall have any interest in my saving benefits. _And he that taketh not his cross_, &c. Every one condemned to crucifixion by the Romans was... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that findeth his life shall lose it_ He that saves his life by denying me shall lose it eternally; and he that loses his life by confessing me shall save it eternally. Or, as Macknight expresses it, “He that makes shipwreck of faith and a good conscience to save his life, shall lose that which i... [ Continue Reading ]