THE UNJUST JUDGE. THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN. THE RICH RULER 1-8. The Unjust Judge (peculiar to Lk). There is a close connexion with what precedes. The mention of the Second Advent leads Christ to speak of the need of prayer and watchfulness in view of it. The main lessons of the parable are: (1... [ Continue Reading ]
Perhaps this is our Lord's own comment on the parable. ALWAYS _to_ PRAY] On the other hand, the rabbis taught that God must not be fatigued by too frequent prayer. Three times a day was enough. 'If a man comes to address you every hour, you say that he holds you cheap: THE SAME IS TRUE of God, whom... [ Continue Reading ]
A JUDGE] Probably a heathen judge, because, (1) The local Jewish tribunals consisted of three judges, and (2) Jewish judges (at least in NT. times) had no such evil reputation. They were required to have this sevenfold qualification, 'prudence, gentleness, piety, hatred of mammon, love of truth, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
AVENGE ME] better, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' Her 'adversary' was probably a rich neighbour, who, taking advantage of the death of her husband, had stolen her land. The offence of violently appropriating the property of widows and orphans is often alluded to in the OT., and forbidden wi... [ Continue Reading ]
WEARY ME] lit. 'give me a black eye.'... [ Continue Reading ]
AVENGE HIS OWN ELECT] i.e. the members of His Church. Christ comforts His disciples who are discouraged by the persecutions which are even now threatening, by promising that God will visit their persecutors (the Jews and afterwards the heathen) with condign punishment. This was literally fulfilled i... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEEDILY] cp. Revelation 22:20; 2 Peter 3:8. Christ's coming, though it may seem to be long delayed, will be as speedy as the scheme of God's providence, which takes account of the needs of the whole world, will permit. It will not be delayed an instant longer than is necessary. NEVERTHELESS, etc.]... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN AT PRAYER (peculiar to Lk). This parable is apparently addressed not to the Pharisees themselves, but to certain of the disciples of Jesus who were proud of their spiritual attainments, and lacking in the virtues of humility and penitence.... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE TEMPLE] Probably into the second court, 'The Court of the Women,' at one of the stated hours of prayer. The Temple, like modern Christian churches, was used for private as well as public prayer. PUBLICAN] see on Matthew 5:46.... [ Continue Reading ]
STOOD] i.e. placed himself conspicuously in the attitude of prayer: see on Matthew 6:5. GOD, I THANK THEE] The words of the Pharisee can hardly be called a prayer. He asks for nothing, and feels his need of nothing. The Pharisee did, indeed, acknowledge that his virtues were derived from God, but he... [ Continue Reading ]
TWICE IN THE WEEK] viz. on Mondays and Thursdays: see on Matthew 6:16. OF ALL THAT I POSSESS] RV 'of all that I get.' The Pharisee prided himself on his works of supererogation, i.e. works done over and above what God required: see on Matthew 17:7. The Law commanded only one fast in the whole year ... [ Continue Reading ]
AFAR OFF] viz. from the Pharisee, whom, in his humility, he thought far more righteous than himself. WOULD NOT LIFT UP] Since the rabbis forbade the eyes to be raised to heaven during prayer (see Matthew 6:5), it is necessary to suppose that there was some special indication of humility in the publi... [ Continue Reading ]
JUSTIFIED] A favourite word of St. Paul's, employed in St. Paul's sense, as is natural in the Pauline Gospel. 'Justify' in the NT. means always 'to regard as just,' not 'to render just,' or 'sanctify.' _Rather_ than the other] This probably means that the publican was justified, and that the Pharise... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS AND THE CHILDREN (Matthew 19:13; Mark 10:13). See on Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RICH YOUNG RULER. THE REWARD OF THOSE WHO FORSAKE ALL (Matthew 19:16; Mark 10:17). See on Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PASSION AND RESURRECTION PREDICTED (Matthew 20:17; Mark 10:32). See on Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BLIND MAN AT JERICHO (Matthew 20:29; Mark 10:46). See on Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]