Matthew 11:1
In their cities — The other cities of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
In their cities — The other cities of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
He sent two of his disciples — Not because he doubted himself; but to confirm their faith. Luke 7:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that is to come — The Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Go and tell John the things that ye hear and see — Which are a stronger proof of my being the Messiah, than any bare assertion can be.... [ Continue Reading ]
The poor have the Gospel preached to them — The greatest mercy of all. Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Happy is he who shall not be offended at me — Notwithstanding all these proofs that I am the Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
As they departed, he said concerning John — Of whom probably he would not have said so much when they were present. A reed shaken by the wind? — No; nothing could ever shake John in the testimony he gave to the truth. The expression is proverbial.... [ Continue Reading ]
A man clothed in soft, delicate raiment — An effeminate courtier, accustomed to fawning and flattery? You may expect to find persons of such a character in palaces; not in a wilderness.... [ Continue Reading ]
More than a prophet — For the prophets only pointed me out afar off; but John was my immediate forerunner.... [ Continue Reading ]
Malachi 3:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he — Which an ancient author explains thus: — "One perfect in the law, as John was, is inferior to one who is baptized into the death of Christ. For this is the kingdom of heaven, even to be buried with Christ, and to be raised up togeth... [ Continue Reading ]
And from the days of John — That is, from the time that John had fulfilled his ministry, men rush into my kingdom with a violence like that of those who are taking a city by storm.... [ Continue Reading ]
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John — For all that is written in the law and the prophets only foretold as distant what is now fulfilled. In John the old dispensation expired, and the new began. Luke 16:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Malachi 4:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear — A kind of proverbial expression; requiring the deepest attention to what is spoken.... [ Continue Reading ]
This generation — That is, the men of this age. They are like those froward children of whom their fellows complain, that they will be pleased no way.... [ Continue Reading ]
John came neither eating nor drinking — In a rigorous austere way, like Elijah. And they say, He hath a devil — Is melancholy, from the influence of an evil spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Son of man came eating and drinking — Conversing in a free, familiar way. Wisdom is justified by her children — That is, my wisdom herein is acknowledged by those who are truly wise.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then began he to upbraid the cities — It is observable he had never upbraided them before. Indeed at first they received him with all gladness, Capernaum in particular.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wo to thee, Chorazin — That is, miserable art thou. For these are not curses or imprecations, as has been commonly supposed; but a solemn, compassionate declaration of the misery they were bringing on themselves. Chorazin and Bethsaida were cities of Galilee, standing by the lake Gennesareth. Tyre a... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover I say unto you — Beside the general denunciation of wo to those stubborn unbelievers, the degree of their misery will be greater than even that of Tyre and Sidon, yea, of Sodom.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou Capernaum, who hast been exalted to heaven — That is, highly honoured by my presence and miracles.... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover I say unto you — Beside the general denunciation of wo to those stubborn unbelievers, the degree of their misery will be greater than even that of Tyre and Sidon, yea, of Sodom.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answering — This word does not always imply, that something had been spoken, to which an answer is now made. It often means no more than the speaking in reference to some action or circumstance preceding. The following words Christ speaks in reference to the case of the cities above mentioned:... [ Continue Reading ]
All things are delivered to me — Our Lord, here addressing himself to his disciples, shows why men, wise in other things, do not know this: namely, because none can know it by natural reason: none but those to whom he revealeth it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Come to me — Here he shows to whom he is pleased to reveal these things to the weary and heavy laden; ye that labour — After rest in God: and are heavy laden — With the guilt and power of sin: and I will give you rest — I alone (for none else can) will freely give you (what ye cannot purchase) rest... [ Continue Reading ]
Take my yoke upon you — Believe in me: receive me as your prophet, priest, and king. For I am meek and lowly in heart — Meek toward all men, lowly toward God: and ye shall find rest — Whoever therefore does not find rest of soul, is not meek and lowly. The fault is not in the yoke of Christ: but in... [ Continue Reading ]
For my yoke is easy — Or rather gracious, sweet, benign, delightful: and my burden — Contrary to those of men, is ease, liberty, and honour.... [ Continue Reading ]