_CHRIST HEALETH THE SICK; ANSWERETH THE PHARISEES CONCERNING DIVORCEMENT: SHEWETH MARRIAGE IS NECESSARY: RECEIVETH LITTLE CHILDREN: INSTRUCTETH THE YOUNG MAN HOW TO ATTAIN ETERNAL LIFE, AND HOW TO BE PERFECT: TELLETH HIS DISCIPLES HOW HARD IT IS FOR A RICH MAN TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD: AND P... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COASTS OF JUDEA, BEYOND JORDAN— Properly speaking, no part of Judea was on the further side of Jordan; for though, after the Jews returned from the captivity, the whole of their land was called Judea, especially by foreigners who happened to mention their affairs, it is certain, that in the Gosp... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PHARISEES ALSO CAME, &C.—_FOR EVERY CAUSE_— _Upon every pretence._ Campbell. _At discretion._ Version of 1729. Our Lord had delivered his sentiments on the subject twice; once in Galilee, ch. Matthew 5:32 and again in Perea, Luke 16:18. It is probable, therefore, that they knew his opinion, ands... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE ANSWERED, &C.— The accounts which St. Matthew and St. Mark have given of this matter, though they seem to clash upon the first view, are in reality perfectly consistent. The two historians, indeed, take notice of different particulars; but these, when joined together, mutually throw a light o... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF THE HARDNESS OF YOUR HEARTS— He meant their passionate, stubborn, perverse temper, which was such, that had they not been permitted to divorce their wives, some would not have scrupled to murder them; others would have got rid of them by suborning witnesses to prove the crime of adultery... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOEVER SHALL PUT AWAY HIS WIFE, &C.— From our Lord's answer it appears, that the school of _Sammai_ taught the best morality on the subject of divorce, but that the opinion of the school of _Hillel_ was more agreeable to the law of Moses on that point. See on ch. Matthew 5:31. The present verse see... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE CASE OF THE MAN BE SO, &C.— The disciples observed to their Lord, that since the law of marriage is so rigid, that, unless the woman breaks the bond by going astray, her husband cannot dismiss her, but must bear with her, whatever are her other vices, deformities, or defects,—a man had better... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WERE THERE BROUGHT UNTO HIM LITTLE CHILDREN— Grotius observes, that it was a custom with the Jews to bring their children to persons of remarkable sanctity, to receive their blessing, and to enjoy the benefit of their prayers; a custom which is preserved among them to this day. The imposition o... [ Continue Reading ]
SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN, &C.— _Let the little children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to me._ See Dr. Scott, Doddridge, &c. Christ's shewing his regard in such a manner for these children, must not only have been exceedingly pleasing to the parents, but the memory of this condescension mig... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE LAID HIS HANDS ON THEM, &C.— Though the little ones could not profit by our Saviour's instructions, yet being capable of his good wishes and blessings, St. Mark tells us, Mark 10:16. _He took them up in his arms, and,_ with his usual benevolence _blessed them._ The _imposition of hands_ being... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, ONE CAME AND SAID— For the explanation of this event see the notes on Mark 10:17. &c. where it is more circumstantially related.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NONE GOOD BUT ONE, THAT IS GOD— This passage has been produced and strongly argued by the Arians in favour of their system. They found their argument upon the Greek, which runs thus, Ουδεις εστιν αγαθος, ει μη εις, ο Θεος. _There is none good, but_ εις _one; and that_ (one) _is_ ο Θεος, _Go... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU WILT BE PERFECT, &C.— That is, "If thou wilt prove thyself a true disciple of mine; if thou wilt enter perfectly and unfeignedly under my banner, and enlist in my cause." It may not be improper to observe, that the terms ofsalvation here settled are not different from those mentioned elsewhe... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL HARDLY— _Will hardly._... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS EASIER FOR A CAMEL, &C.— Or, _a cable._ See Boch. tom. 1: p. 92. Vorst. Adag. p. 14. The rendering of the original word by _cable,_ undoubtedly coalesces more perfectly with the other metaphor of the _needle;_ but, as there is nothing in the proverbial expression, as it stands in the common ve... [ Continue Reading ]
YE WHICH HAVE FOLLOWED, &C.— _Ye who have followed me, shall in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit upon,_ &c. _sit also upon_, &c. See Doddridge, and the version of 1729. The latter has the passage thus: _In the new age, when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, that hav... [ Continue Reading ]
AND EVERY ONE THAT HATH FORSAKEN, &C.— Our Saviour speaks next of the rewards which his other disciples should receive, both in this life, and that which is to come. See Mark 10:30 where the promise is more fully expressed. Wetstein observes, that the event confirmed the prediction. For _one house,_... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT MANY THAT ARE FIRST, &C.— "Many, who in the eyes of their fellow-creatures are least in this life, by reason of their affliction, mortification, and self-denial, are really first, not only in point of future reward, but even in respect of present satisfaction." These words were spoken also with... [ Continue Reading ]