_CHRIST SENDETH OUT AT ONCE SEVENTY DISCIPLES TO WORK MIRACLES AND TO PREACH; ADMONISHETH THEM TO BE HUMBLE, AND WHEREIN TO REJOICE; THANKETH HIS FATHER FOR HIS GRACE: MAGNIFIETH THE HAPPY ESTATE OF HIS CHURCH: TEACHETH THE LAWYER HOW TO OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE, AND TO ESTEEM EVERY ONE AS HIS NEIGHBOR,... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THESE THINGS THE LORD APPOINTED— The scene of Christ's ministry being from this time forth to lie in Judea, and the country beyond Jordan, it was expedient that his way should be prepared in every city and village of those countries whither he was to come: he therefore sent out seventy of his... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SALUTE NO MAN BY THE WAY.— The instructions given to the seventy on this occasion, were nearly the same with those delivered to the twelve; concerning which, see the notes on Matthew 13. Only he ordered the seventy to spend no time in saluting such persons as they met on the road, the time assig... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE SON OF PEACE BE THERE,— That is, "If the master of the house be a virtuous well-disposed person, and receive you kindly, _your peace shall rest upon it:_ your blessing, which ye gave at your entrance, shall, by my power, be made effectual to that purpose." See Matthew 10:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
SUCH THINGS AS THEY GIVE:— _As they have._... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE UNTO THEE, CHORAZIN!— Having mentioned the punishment of those cities which shouldreject his ministers, it naturally introduced the state and punishment of the cities where he himself had preached most frequently, namely, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum; for, notwithstanding he had often resi... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, EVEN THE DEVILS WERE SUBJECT UNTO US— From the manner in which the seventy speak of this latter exertion of their power, it would appear to have been what they did not expect when they set out; for though Jesus had given them power to _heal diseases,_ Luke 10:9 he had said nothing of their _ca... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I GIVE UNTO YOU POWER, &C.— _To tread on serpents_ is a proverbial expression, which signifies victory over enemies; accordingly, it is added, _and over all the power of the enemy._ Though these words, in the primary sense, imply, that the apostles should be preserved from these noxious crea... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN.— Not by an absolute decree, but approved and accepted of God, on account of their faith and sincerity. Many are of opinion, that this is an allusion to the enrolment of the citizens' names in a register, by which their right to the privileges of citizenship... [ Continue Reading ]
AND, BEHOLD, A CERTAIN LAWYER— If the connection with which St. Luke introduces the subsequent transaction implies that it happened immediately after what goes before in the history, it took its rise in the followingmanner: A doctor of the law, who it seems made one of the multitude which attended J... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE, WILLING TO JUSTIFY HIMSELF, &C.— Interpreters are not agreed in the meaning of these words; for it does not appear what occasion he had for any justification of himself: no accusation had been brought against him; nobody had charged him with any neglect or contempt of the law; so far otherwi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESUS, ANSWERING, SAID, A CERTAIN MAN, &C.— Our Lord, who well knew how to convince and persuade, answered the scribe in such a manner as to make the feelings of his heart overcome the prejudices of his understanding. He convinced him of the mistake that he had imbibed, by a _parable;_ an ancien... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BY CHANCE— Κατα συγκυριαν. Dr. Gill says, this word may as well be derived from the word συν and Κυριος _the Lord,_ as from συγκυρειν, _to happen;_ and so we may render the words, _by divine Providence._ The propriety of the circumstance of the_priest_ and _Levite_ coming that way, will become m... [ Continue Reading ]
CAME, AND LOOKED ON HIM,— Came nearer and took a leisurely and attentive survey of the case; which seems to be the import of the words Ελθων και ιδων.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT A CERTAIN SAMARITAN,— Though the _priest_ and _Levite_ had passed by their distressed brother, a Samaritan, who happened to come by that way, shewed a different example: seeing a fellow-creature lying on the road, naked and wounded, he went up to him; and though he found it was one of a differen... [ Continue Reading ]
BROUGHT HIM TO AN INN,— In ancient times travellers used to carry their provisions along with them, because there were no inns for the entertainment of strangers, but only houses for lodging them; such as the _khanes,_ or karavanseras in the eastern countries are to this day. These, as travellers te... [ Continue Reading ]
AND—HE TOOK OUT TWO PENCE,— The value of two _denarii_ was about fifteen pence sterling; and from the smallness of the sum, it is reasonable to conclude that this charitable man was but poor: if so, this circumstance greatly enhances his kindness to the Jew. It is a very probable circumstance, that... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH NOW OF THESE THREE, &C.— Great pains have been taken by some, so to adjust this case, as that it might yield a proper answer to the lawyer's question. He asked, _Who is my neighbour?_ That is, "Who am I obliged to love as myself?" So that our Lord, say they, ought to have determined the extent... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID JESUS UNTO HIM, GO, &C.— What a lively picture have we in this parable, of the most disinterested and active benevolence!—A benevolence, which excludes no person, not even strangers or enemies, from its tender regards! which disdains no condescension, grudges no cost, in its labours of lov... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IT CAME TO PASS, &C.— _Now,_ &c. _As they journied._ Our Lord in his way to Jerusalem, whither he was going to celebrate the feast of dedication, spent a night at Bethany, the village of Martha and Mary, two religious women, sisters of Lazarus. See John 11:1. On this occasion Martha expressed he... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT MARTHA WAS CUMBERED— The word περιεσπατο properly signifies "to be drawn as it were different ways at the same time," and admirably expresses the situation of a mind surrounded by so many objectsof care, that it hardly knows which to attend to first. She had probably servants, to whom she might... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TROUBLED— The word τυρβαζη is no where else used in the New Testament. It seems to express the situation ofa person in a tumultuous crowd, where so many are pressing upon him, that he can scarcely stand his ground;—or, of water in great agitation. See Mintert and Stockius on the word.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ONE THING IS NEEDFUL:— _"There is one thing_ absolutely _necessary,_ and of infinitely greater importance than any of those domestic and secular affairs; even the care to have the soul instructed in the saving knowledge of the way that leads to eternal life, and to secure a title to it. _And Mar... [ Continue Reading ]