His twelve disciples — Hence it appears that he had already chosen out of his disciples, those whom he afterward termed apostles. The number seems to have relation to the twelve patriarchs, and the twelve tribes of Israel. Mark 3:14; Mark 6:7; Luke 6:13; Luke 9:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
The first, Simon — The first who was called to a constant attendance on Christ; although Andrew had seen him before Simon. Acts 1:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lebbeus — Commonly called Judas, the brother of James.... [ Continue Reading ]
Iscariot — So called from Iscarioth, (the place of his birth,) a town of the tribe of Ephraim, near the city of Samaria.... [ Continue Reading ]
These twelve Jesus sent forth — Herein exercising his supreme authority, as God over all. None but God can give men authority to preach his word. Go not — Their commission was thus confined now, because the calling of the Gentiles was deferred till after the more plentiful effusion of the Holy Ghost... [ Continue Reading ]
Cast out devils — It is a great relief to the spirits of an infidel, sinking under a dread, that possibly the Gospel may be true, to find it observed by a learned brother, that the diseases therein ascribed to the operation of the devil have the very same symptoms with the natural diseases of lunacy... [ Continue Reading ]
Provide not — The stress seems to lie on this word: they might use what they had ready; but they might not stay a moment to provide any thing more, neither take any thought about it. Nor indeed were they to take any thing with them, more than was strictly necessary. Lest it should retard them. Becau... [ Continue Reading ]
Neither scrip — That is, a wallet, or bag to hold provisions: Nor yet a staff — We read, Mark 6:8, Take nothing, save a staff only. He that had one might take it; they that had none, might not provide any. For the workman is worthy of his maintenance — The word includes all that is mentioned in Matt... [ Continue Reading ]
Inquire who is worthy — That you should abide with him: who is disposed to receive the Gospel. There abide — In that house, till ye leave the town. Mark 6:10; Luke 9:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Salute it — In the usual Jewish form, "Peace (that is, all blessings) be to this house.... [ Continue Reading ]
If the house be worthy — of it, God shall give them the peace you wish them. If not, he shall give you what they refuse. The same will be the case, when we pray for them that are not worthy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shake off the dust from your feet — The Jews thought the land of Israel so peculiarly holy, that when they came home from any heathen country, they stopped at the borders and shook or wiped off the dust of it from their feet, that the holy land might not be polluted with it. Therefore the action her... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 10:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
But think not that all your innocence and all your wisdom will screen you from persecution. They will scourge you in their synagogues — In these the Jews held their courts of judicature, about both civil and ecclesiastical affairs. Matthew 24:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Take no thought — Neither at this time, on any sudden call, need we be careful how or what to answer. Luke 12:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 21:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of all men — That know not God. Matthew 24:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel — Make what haste ye will; till the Son of man be come — To destroy their temple and nation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:30; John 15:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
How much more — This cannot refer to the quantity of reproach and persecution: (for in this the servant cannot be above his lord:) but only to the certainty of it. Matthew 12:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore fear them not — For ye have only the same usage with your Lord. There is nothing covered — So that however they may slander you now, your innocence will at length appear. Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17; Luke 12:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Even what I now tell you secretly is not to be kept secret long, but declared publicly. Therefore, What ye hear in the ear, publish on the house — top — Two customs of the Jews seem to be alluded to here. Their doctors used to whisper in the ear of their disciples what they were to pronounce aloud t... [ Continue Reading ]
And be not afraid — of any thing which ye may suffer for proclaiming it. Be afraid of him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell — It is remarkable, that our Lord commands those who love God, still to fear him, even on this account, under this notion.... [ Continue Reading ]
The particular providence of God is another reason for your not fearing man. For this extends to the very smallest things. And if he has such care over the most inconsiderable creatures, how much more will he take care of you, (provided you confess him before men, before powerful enemies of the trut... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever shall confess me — Publicly acknowledge me for the promised Messiah. But this confession implies the receiving his whole doctrine, Mark 8:38, and obeying all his commandments. Luke 9:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever shall deny me before men — To which ye will be strongly tempted. For Think not that I am come — That is, think not that universal peace will be the immediate consequence of my coming. Just the contrary. Both public and private divisions will follow, wheresoever my Gospel comes with power.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the foes of a man — That loves and follows me. Micah 7:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that loveth father or mother more than me — He that is not ready to give up all these, when they stand in competition with his duty.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that taketh not his cross — That is, whatever pain or inconvenience cannot be avoided, but by doing some evil, or omitting some good. Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that findeth his life shall lose it — He that saves his life by denying me, shall lose it eternally; and he that loseth his life by confessing me, shall save it eternally. And as you shall be thus rewarded, so in proportion shall they who entertain you for my sake. Matthew 16:25; John 12:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 18:5; Luke 10:16; John 13:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that entertaineth a prophet — That is, a preacher of the Gospel: In the name of a prophet — That is, because he is such, shall share in his reward.... [ Continue Reading ]
One of these little ones — The very least Christian. Mark 9:41.... [ Continue Reading ]