_CHRIST HEALETH THE DROPSY ON THE SABBATH: TEACHETH HUMILITY: TO FEAST THE POOR: UNDER THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER, SHEWETH HOW WORLDLY-MINDED MEN, WHO CONTEMN THE WORD OF GOD, SHALL BE SHUT OUT OF HEAVEN. THOSE WHO WILL BE HIS DISCIPLES, TO BEAR THEIR CROSS, MUST MAKE THEIR ACCOUNTS AFORE-HAND,... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE OF THE CHIEF PHARISEES— A member of the great council, or _sanhedrim,_ who had a country-seat in Perea. The higher courts among the Jews allowed some recess to their members. This person's invitation to our Lordwas insidious; for we are told _that they watched him._... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS A CERTAIN MAN BEFORE HIM— He was either set before him by way of a snare, or had conveyed himself thither in hopes of a cure, which is the most probable; for it appears from Luke 14:4 that he was not one of the family, because Christ _dismissed_ or _let him go._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE TOOK HIM,— The original επιλαβομενος, signifies either his _taking hold of him,_ or _laying his hand upon him._ Doubtless our Lord could have accomplished this cure as well by a secret volition, and so might have cut off all manner of cavilling; but he chose rather to produce it by an action... [ Continue Reading ]
CHIEF ROOMS;— _Chief places:_— πρωτοκλισιας, _chief seats,_ and so where the word _room_ occurs: from this circumstance, and from what is said Luke 14:12 it appears that this was a great entertainment, to which many were invited. Very probably therefore the meeting was concerted, and the company cho... [ Continue Reading ]
GO, AND SIT DOWN IN THE LOWEST ROOM;— It is most probable that Christ himself, as illustrious a person as he was, had done thus, and sat down among them _in the lowest place_ at the table.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THOU MAKEST A DINNER, &C.— "By no means confine thy hospitality to thy rich relations, acquaintance and neighbours, or to them chiefly, lest the whole of thy reward be an invitation from them to a like entertainment;" for that the text here, as in some other instances, impliesthe addition of th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MAIMED,— 'Αναπηρους, the _disabled;_ the word takes in both the _lame_ and _the blind;_ and may also include those whom the infirmities of age have rendered helpless. See a fine parallel passage in Pliny's Epistles, lib. 9: epist.... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.— These words afford a strong and awakening intimation, that none who neglect works of charity, if they have ability to do them, shall have their final lot among the _righteous;_ which is evident from the many hundred scriptures, indispensably requiring mercy as well... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED IS HE THAT SHALL EAT BREAD, &C.— The phrase _to eat bread,_ signifies _making a meal,_ and this not only at a common table, but sometimes at a feast. See 2 Samuel 9:7; 2 Samuel 9:10; 2 Samuel 12:17; 2 Samuel 12:20. Proverbs 9:5. The Jews were accustomed to think of the felicity of good men i... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID HE UNTO HIM, &C.— "What you say is very true; my kingdom is full of blessings, though many despise and reject them; as may be represented in the followingparable: A certain man made a great feast, which, as usual in those countries and times, was at supper, and invited many guests. So Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH ONE CONSENT— The phrase, Απο μιας is all that is in the original. It seems the most natural to supply the ellipsis by the word νομης —_consent,_ as our translators have done. See commentary on Luke 14:16... [ Continue Reading ]
COMPEL THEM— _Press them._ "Use the most earnest intreaties with those who shew any unwillingness." The word αναγχασον, rendered _compel,_ does not imply that any _external violence_ was to be used with these persons; a single servant was sent out to them, who surely was not capable of _forcing_ so... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT NONE, &C.— See the interpretation of the parable, Matthew 22 to which nothing need be added, except the explication of a circumstance mentioned here, which is not in the parable as it was then delivered, namely, the two distinct calls; _first,_ to those in the streets and lanes... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HATE NOT HIS FATHER, &C.— Strictly speaking, to _hate_ our nearest _relations,_ and our own _lives,_ would be unnatural wickedness, and equally contrary to the dictates of humanity, and the genius of the gospel. But it is well known, that one thing is said to be _loved_ and another _hated_ in sc... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BUILD A TOWER,— We learn from eastern writers, that besides fortified towns and cities, they used to have _towers_ for the people of open towns to fly to in time of danger, as well as magnificent towers for pleasure in their gardens. Our Lord probably refers to a tower of this latter kind; for on... [ Continue Reading ]
OR, WHAT KING, &C.— According to Sir Isaac Newton's Chronology, these words were spoken at our Lord's last passover, and might possibly refer to Herod's leading his army through Judea against Aretas king of Arabia. The phrase representing the feebler person as begging a peace, supplies us with a pro... [ Continue Reading ]
SO LIKEWISE,— "Whoever engages to be my disciple without counting the cost, and resolving to part with all that he hath, will certainly be disheartened by the unexpected difficulties which he shall meet with; and, abandoning my service, will expose himself to utter shame and loss." It would be very... [ Continue Reading ]