THE LABOURERS IN THE VINEYARD. THE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM 1-16, Parable of the labourers in the vineyard (peculiar to St. Matthew). This difficult parable is closely linked with what goes before, and can only be understood in connexion with it. It rebukes the spirit of Peter's enquiry (Matthew 19:27),... [ Continue Reading ]
IS THINE EYE EVIL?] i.e. Art thou jealous, because I am generous?... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MANY BE CALLED, BUT FEW CHOSEN] These words are omitted by the RV, probably rightly. If retained, they are very difficult to interpret in such a way as to harmonise with the parable.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER PREDICTION OF THE PASSION (Mark 10:32; Luke 18:31). A prophecy remarkable for its detailed character. It mentions Christ's delivery to the Bomans ('Gentiles'), His mocking, scourging, and crucifixion, and His resurrection on the third day. St. Luke adds, 'And they perceived not what was said... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOTHER] Her name was Salome (Matthew 27:56 compared with Mark 15:40), and it is generally supposed that she was sister to the Virgin, and therefore our Lord's aunt: see on John 19:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE AMBITION OF THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE (Mark 10:35). The special promise to Peter (Matthew 16:18) had aroused the jealousy of the other two most intimate disciples, who now came to claim the two most prominent of the twelve thrones promised in Matthew 19:28, making no mention whatever of Peter. The inc... [ Continue Reading ]
The right hand was the first place of honour, the left the second: cp. the saying of Rabbi Acha, 'The Holy and Blessed God will cause King Messiah to sit at his right hand, and Abraham at his left.'... [ Continue Reading ]
YE KNOW NOT WHAT YE ASK] The mere fact that you ask for such a thing, shows that you are at present worthy not of the highest but of the lowest place in the kingdom: see Matthew 20:16; Matthew 20:26. TO DRINK OF THE CUP] 'Cup,' a metaphor for 'lot in life,' is here used of Christ's rejection, persec... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL DRINK INDEED OF MY CUP. James was martyred (Acts 12:2). According to tradition, John had many strange experiences; such as, exile in Patmos, immersion in boiling oil, poison; but survived these ordeals, and died a natural death. IS NOT MINE TO GIVE] i.e. in this way, as a piece of favourit... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVANT] RM 'bond-servant.'... [ Continue Reading ]
A RANSOM FOR MANY] lit. 'a ransom instead of many.' An important doctrinal passage showing the importance which Jesus attached to His own death. He regards it as a redemption price, which, since men cannot pay it for themselves, He pays for them, and so releases them from the bondage of sin and deat... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO BLIND MEN AT JERICHO (Mark 10:46; Luke 18:35). Two apparent discrepancies call for notice: (1) St. Mark and St. Luke mention only one blind man; (2) St. Luke says that the map was healed as Jesus was entering Jericho, not as he was leaving it. Euthymius says, 'Some say that one of these blind me... [ Continue Reading ]
SON OF DAVID] i.e. the Messiah: see Matthew 9:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
REBUKED THEM] not because they disbelieved that Jesus was the Messiah, 'but out of honour to Jesus lest He should be disturbed.' THEY CRIED THE MORE] a lesson in persistence in prayer, and its answer.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOLLOWED HIM] not only in the way, but in the _Way_ (Acts 19:9).... [ Continue Reading ]