_CHRIST FINDETH A GREATER FAITH IN THE CENTURION, A GENTILE, THAN IN ANY OF THE JEWS; HEALETH HIS SERVANT BEING ABSENT; RAISETH FROM DEATH THE WIDOW'S SON AT NAIN; ANSWERETH JOHN'S MESSENGERS WITH THE DECLARATION OF HIS MIRACLES; DECLARETH TO THE PEOPLE WHAT OPINION HE HELD OF JOHN; TESTIFIETH AGAIN... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN CENTURION'S SERVANT,— In the notes on St. Matthew, we have spoken largely concerning this miracle, and have given, on Luke 7:13 of the eighth chapter, the arguments of there who think that the historians relate different transactions; at the same time harmonizing the accounts, and endeavou... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY IN A WORD,— _Say the word._... [ Continue Reading ]
CALLED NAIN:— Nain was situated a mile or two south of Tabor, and near Endor. The apostles most probably were of the number of the _disciples who went with our Lord;_ because it is not to be imagined, that he would suffer the chosen witnesses of his miracles to be absent, when so great a miracle was... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS A DEAD MAN CARRIED OUT,— It was customary for the Jews to bury out of the city, as appears from Matthew 27:60. This custom was likewise observed by other nations. The Jews might have introduced it to prevent their being polluted by touching the biers or dead bodies of their countrymen; but... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE LORD SAW HER, &C.— Jesus, whose tenderness made him susceptible of the strongest impressions from occurrences of this kind, knowing that the mother's affection was bitter, and the occasion of it real, was greatly moved at the sorrowful scene. Nor was his sympathy vain: he resolved to turn t... [ Continue Reading ]
SAYING,—THAT GOD HATH VISITED HIS PEOPLE,— This is the expression which Zacharias the father ofthe Baptist used, when he spoke of the coming of the Messiah, ch. Luke 1:68. Wherefore the meaning of the inhabitants of Nain was this, _God hath visited the people,_ by having _raised up_ among them _the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE GAVE SIGHT.— The original is emphatical, and seems to express in how general, how compassionate, and kind a manner our Lord performed these miracles: 'Εχαρισατο το βλεπειν, _he graciously bestowed sight._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL THE PEOPLE, &C.— See the note on Matthew 11:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
REJECTED THE COUNSEL OF GOD AGAINST THEMSELVES,— _Rejected the divine offers made to them,_—or, _despised within themselves the purpose of God._... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WISDOM, &C.— See the note on Matthew 11:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH WAS A SINNER—BOX OF OINTMENT,— _Who had been a sinner—box of perfume._ It is generally supposed, that the woman who anointed our Lord in Simon's house, was she who in the Gospel is called Mary Magdalene, for no other reason than because St. Luke, in the beginning of the following chapter, ment... [ Continue Reading ]
BEGAN TO WASH HIS FEET WITH TEARS,— _To water his feet with a shower of tears._ Doddridge; who observes that this is the proper signification of the word βρεχειν. See Matthew 5:45. We are not to imagine that this woman came on purpose thus to _wash_ and _wipe_ the feet of Christ; but probably, heari... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THE PHARISEE—SAW IT, &C.— Simon, perceiving what was done, immediately concluded that Jesus could not be a prophet; since in that case, instead of allowing her even to touch him, he would certainly have expelled her from his presence forthwith, as the tradition of the elders directed; for i... [ Continue Reading ]
FIVE HUNDRED PENCE,— Δηναρια, a Roman coin, in value about seven pence halfpenny of our money; so that _five hundred_ were nearly equivalent to _fifteen_ of our _guineas,_ and _fifty_ to _one guinea and a half._ There is no reason to believe that any mystery was intended by Christ in fixing on these... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH OF THEM WILL LOVE HIM MOST?— Neither of them will love him at all before he has forgiven them. An insolventdebtor, till he is forgiven, does not love but fly his creditor. See the note on Luke 7:47.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEST THOU THIS WOMAN?—— The kindness which this woman shewed to Jesus, was very extraordinary; therefore, as he had all the softer and finer passions of human nature in their utmost purity and perfection, he was greatly moved with the consciousness that she had of her guilt, the sincerity of her re... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU GAVEST ME NO KISS, &C.— Since it was customary for the master of the house to receive his guests with such a salutation, to provide them with water to wash their feet, &c. it is possible that Simon might have omitted some of these civilities, lest his brethren who sat at table with him should t... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE HEAD WITH OIL, &C.— The reader will observe the beautiful and elegant contrast in this verse, between _common oil_ and _precious ointment,_ as well as between anointing the _head_ and anointing the _feet;_ and indeed the same kind of contrast is observed in the two preceding verses. How common... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SHE LOVED MUCH:— _Wherefore she loved much._ That nobody might put a wrong construction upon this woman's behaviour, our Lord declared, that her regard to him proceeded purely from a sense of the favour he had done her, in bringing her to repentance, and in raising her to the hope of pardon. For... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS THIS, &C.?— "Who is this arrogant and presumptuous man, that not only transgresses our rules, by permitting a harlot to touch him, but even presumes to say that he forgiveth sins, which is the peculiar prerogative of God himself?" See Matthew 9:3 and ch. Luke 5:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY FAITH HATH SAVED THEE, &C.— Our Lord, contemning the malicious murmuring of the Pharisees, repeated his assurance, by telling the woman that her faith had saved her, and bidding her _depart in peace;_ that is, impressed with a strong sense of the love of God, and filled with the divine pleasure... [ Continue Reading ]