_JESUS IS TRANSFIGURED: HE INSTRUCTETH HIS DISCIPLES CONCERNING THE COMING OF ELIAS: CASTETH FORTH A DUMB AND DEAF SPIRIT: FORETELLETH HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION: EXHORTETH HIS DISCIPLES TO HUMILITY: BIDDING THEM NOT TO PROHIBIT SUCH AS ARE NOT AGAINST THEM, NOR TO GIVE OFFENCE TO ANY OF THE FAITHFU... [ Continue Reading ]
COME WITH POWER.— This was in some degree verified in the transfiguration which follows; but see the last note of the preceding chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE:— _To stay here._ Heylin. Who observes, "I understand it of _staying,_ from the proposal which Peter makes of setting up tents for their continuance there.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WIST NOT— _He knew not._... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THEMSELVES,— _To themselves. And they kept the matter secret; yet they questioned,_ or _debated,_ &c. Heylin. Dr. Doddridge renders it, _And they laid hold on that word, disputing among themselves,_ &c. See Matthew 9:25; Matthew 14:3. Mark 12:12 and Revelation 20:2. Sir David Dalrymple observes... [ Continue Reading ]
QUESTIONING WITH THEM.— Συζητουντας, "Disputing by asking questions in the Socratic way." See the former chapter, Mark 9:11. The Scribes had taken the opportunity of their Master's absence to interrogate and confound the disciples... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE GREATLY AMAZED,— When the people looked on him as he was coming, they were struck into astonishment at those unusual rays of majesty and glory which yet remained on his countenance. It seems, that as Moses's face shone several hours after he had been with God on the mount, so something of the g... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ONE OF THE MULTITUDE ANSWERED AND SAID,— From the man's narrative before us, in answer to what Jesus said to the scribes, _What question ye with them?_ it appears that the scribes had been disputing with the disciples about the cure of this youth, which they had unsuccessfully attempted. Perhaps... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT TARE HIM— _Cast him into convulsions._ Doubtless Jesus could easily have prevented this attack; but he wisely permitted it, that the minds of the spectators might be impressed with a more lively notion of the young man's distress. It was for the same reason also that he asked his father h... [ Continue Reading ]
PASSED THROUGH— _Travelled about through._... [ Continue Reading ]
MASTER, WE SAW ONE, &C.— Some commentators have supposed, that this was one of the Baptist's disciples, who, though he did not follow Christ with the rest, had been taught by his Master to acknowledge him as the Messiah, and entertained so great a veneration for him, that he attempted to cast out de... [ Continue Reading ]
LIGHTLY— _Readily._ Campbell.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE THAT IS NOT AGAINST US, &C.— This is one of those maxims which take different senses, as they are applied to different subjects. The circumstances determine the signification. Our Lord had formerly said, Matthew 12:30. _He that is not with me, is against me;_ thereby giving his hearers a just... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER SHALL OFFEND.— _Whosoever shall insnare._ Campbell.... [ Continue Reading ]
OFFEND THEE,— _Make thee offend._... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE THEIR WORM DIETH NOT,— These expressions seem to be borrowed from Isaiah 66:24. _And they shall go forth and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh._... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS BETTER, &C.— From what has been said, Mark 9:42 our Saviour infers, that it is better to deny oneself the greatest earthly satisfactions, and to part with every thing most precious,—represented by the figures of a _hand,_ a _foot,_ an _eye,_ than by these things to cause the weakest of his fri... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVERY ONE SHALL BE SALTED— This difficult text has been interpreted very variously: I shall lay before the reader only such explanations of it as appear to me most reasonable. I. The proper translation of this passage, says Dr. Macknight, is, _Every one shall be salted for the fire,_ πας πυρι αλ... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE SALT HAVE LOST, &C.— _But if the salt is become insipid._ See on Matthew 5:13 and on Leviticus 2:13. The ancients looked upon salt, as the symbol of _friendship and peace;_ in reference to which Eschines speaks of the _salt of the city,_ meaning thereby the public _peace_ and _prosperity;... [ Continue Reading ]