_CRITICAL NOTES_
The general heading of the chapter may be given as: JESUS JUDGING HIS
CONTEMPORARIES AND HIMSELF (_A. B. Bruce, D.D_.). Hitherto almost
everything has been hopeful and encouraging in our Evangelist’s
record of the Saviour’s ministry. But the path of the King is not to
be a triumpha... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Matthew 11:7. AND AS THEY DEPARTED, etc.—Dr. Plumptre holding that
the Baptist himself was really in doubt, and sent his disciples to
Christ for his own satisfaction, remarks on this verse: “There was
an obvious risk that those who heard the question of the Baptist, and
our Lord’s... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Matthew 11:19. WISDOM.—God regarded as the All-Wise.
JUSTIFIED.—Acquitted of folly. CHILDREN.—The Divinely wise. The
spiritual recognise the wisdom of God both in the austerity of John
and in the loving mercy of Jesus (_Carr_). But see R.V.
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Matt... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Matthew 11:21. SACKCLOTH AND ASHES.—In the East, it was common for
mourners to put on a black garment which resembled a sack, with holes
for the arms, and to strew ashes upon the head. The symbol of mourning
and of repentance (_Lange_).
Matthew 11:23. HELL.—_Hades_ (R.V.), denotes... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Matthew 11:25. ANSWERED AND SAID.—A Hebraism for “spake and
said” (_Carr_). But Dr. Monro Gibson observes: “As we read, first
of the doubts of John, then of the thoughtlessness of the multitudes,
and then of the impenitence of the favoured cities by the lake, is
there not a questio... [ Continue Reading ]