IN THE MEAN TIME; while he was delivering his discourse to the Pharisees. THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES; hypocrisy, the great sin of the Pharisees, which, like leaven, mingled itself with and corrupted all their religious services. Men should be especially careful to be at heart in all things honest,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THERE IS NOTHING COVERED; the Saviour shows the folly of hypocrisy from the consideration that every thing will at last be made known.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT AFRAID; a very common form of hypocrisy has always been dissimulation and the denial of Christ through fear of man. Compare John 12:42-43. The Saviour, therefore, next warns his disciples against this sin, because, first, men can do us no real harm, while God can destroy both soul and body in... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAK TO MY BROTHER; he wished to make use of the Saviour's authority and influence to increase his own estate, as some men now value religion simply from its worldly advantages.... [ Continue Reading ]
COVETOUSNESS; over-anxiety and selfish greediness for earthly things. CONSISTETH NOT; neither the length, usefulness, and happiness of a man's life in this world, nor his eternal life hereafter, depend upon the amount of his earthly possessions.... [ Continue Reading ]
In providing for happiness, men should act, not for time merely, but for eternity, that, at whatever moment they may be called from earth, they may go to, and not from, their treasures.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY SOUL SHALL BE REQUIRED; thou shalt die, and thy soul shall be required to go to judgment and give an account of its deeds while in the body. In trusting to riches for that happiness which can come only from God; in depending upon long life, when death may come this night; and in laying up treasu... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT LAYETH UP TREASURE FOR HIMSELF; lives supremely for himself, not for God, which was the great sin charged upon this man.... [ Continue Reading ]
Those who have that fear of God which leads them to avoid what displeases him, have no reason to fear any thing else. In him they may trust for whatever they need, and he has promised that, in the best way and time, he will supply them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Taking thought for the morrow. Matthew 6:25-34.... [ Continue Reading ]
ADD TO HIS STATURE ONE CUBIT; see note on Matthew 6:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KINGDOM; of heavenly glory. Matthew 3:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE ALMS; use your wealth in doing good, and then you make it impossible that it should be lost; for the treasure which is given to the poor in Christ's name, is given to Christ, and he will lay it up for us in heaven. BAGS WHICH WAX NOT OLD; heavenly purses to contain heavenly treasures. Let that... [ Continue Reading ]
The faithful servant. Matthew 24:42-51.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET YOUR LOINS BE GIRDED; the girding up of the loins was a preparation for action. Be ready for duty. YOUR LIGHTS BURNING; be always watchful.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE WILL RETURN FROM THE WEDDING; either his own wedding, in which he is the bridegroom, or the wedding of a friend. Weddings were attended in the night; and servants were accustomed to sit up and wait for their master's coming, that on his arrival they might immediately open the doors. So our L... [ Continue Reading ]
COME FORTH AND SERVE THEM; he will greatly honor and bless them.... [ Continue Reading ]
SECOND WATCH; from nine in the evening to twelve. THIRD WATCH; from twelve to three in the morning.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOOD MAN OF THE HOUSE; master of the house.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO US, OR EVEN TO ALL? is it meant for us, as thine apostles, or for all men? Our Lord, in his answer, speaks of a steward set over his master's household, thus intimating that the parable has its highest reference to the ministers and rulers of his church; but shows at the close, verse Luke 12:48... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SEND FIRE; in the same sense in which he came to send a sword. Matthew 10:34. Fire and sword are emblems of contention, distress, and ruin: not that this was the object of Christ's coming, or the tendency and proper effect of his gospel, but it would be the effect of the opposition which wicked m... [ Continue Reading ]
A BAPTISM; extreme suffering which he must pass through before the gospel could be fully published. STRAITENED; oppressed in spirit, in view of the sufferings which were before him.... [ Continue Reading ]
RATHER DIVISION; Christ came to send divisions in the same sense in which he came to send fire and sword. His gospel would not produce divisions, but men's opposition to it would. Luke 12:19; MATTHEW 10:34-36... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE WEST; from the Mediterranean sea, which lay west of Judea. Were men as quick to discern, and as wise to judge, in spiritual as they are in temporal things, and did they as earnestly and perserveringly pursue them, they might all, through grace, become rich for eternity. But while they kno... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SOUTH WIND; from the hot and sultry deserts of Arabia and Eqypt.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS TIME; the indications of the presence of the Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN OF YOURSELVES; under the guidance of your own consciences enlightened by God's word. JUDGE-WHAT IS RIGHT; make a true judgment respecting the signs of the times and my claims to be the Messiah. Why not do this before you are summoned to God's judgment-seat to have him decide the question again... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THOU GOEST WITH THINE ADVERSARY; literally, For when thou goest with thine adversary; the word "for" connecting this verse immediately with the preceding. Under the figure of a man summoned by his adversary to appear before the magistrate, our Lord, in concluding this series of addresses, solem... [ Continue Reading ]