Matthew 21:1
Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29; John 12:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29; John 12:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
The daughter of Sion — That is, the inhabitants of Jerusalem: the first words of the passage are cited from Isaiah 62:11; the rest from Zechariah 9:9. The ancient Jewish doctors were wont to apply these prophecies to the Messiah. On an ass — The Prince of Peace did not take a horse, a warlike animal... [ Continue Reading ]
They set him thereon — That is, on the clothes.... [ Continue Reading ]
A great multitude spread their garments in the way — A custom which was usual at the creation of a king, 2 Kings 9:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
The multitudes cried, saying — Probably from a Divine impulse; for certainly most of them understood not the words they uttered. Hosanna — (Lord save us) was a solemn word in frequent use among the Jews. The meaning is, "We sing hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he, the Messiah, of the Lord. S... [ Continue Reading ]
This is Jesus from Nazareth — What a stumbling block was this! if he was of Nazareth, he could not be the Messiah. But they who earnestly desired to know the truth would not stumble thereat: for upon inquiry (which such would not fail to make) they would find, he was not of Nazareth, but Bethlehem.... [ Continue Reading ]
He cast out all that sold and bought — Doves and oxen for sacrifice. He had cast them out three years before, John 2:14; bidding them not make that house a house of merchandise. Upon the repetition of the offence, he used sharper words. In the temple — That is, in the outer court of it, where the Ge... [ Continue Reading ]
A den of thieves — A proverbial expression, for a harbour of wicked men. Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 8:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
The disciples seeing it — As they went by, the next day.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answering, said, If ye have faith — Whence we may learn, that one great end of our Lord in this miracle was to confirm and increase their faith: another was, to warn them against unfruitfulness. Matthew 17:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
When he was come into the temple, the chief priests came — Who thought he violated their right: and the elders of the people — Probably, members of the sanhedrim, to whom that title most properly belonged: which is the more probable, as they were the persons under whose cognizance the late action of... [ Continue Reading ]
I will ask you one thing — Who have asked me many: The baptism, that is, the whole ministry of John, was it from heaven or from men? — By what authority did he act and teach? Did man or God give him that authority? Was it not God? But if so, the consequence was clear. For John testified that Jesus w... [ Continue Reading ]
Why did ye not believe him — Testifying this.... [ Continue Reading ]
Neither tell I you — Not again, in express terms: he had often told them before, and they would not believe him.... [ Continue Reading ]
He answered, I go, sir: but went not — Just so did the scribes and Pharisees: they professed the greatest readiness and zeal in the service of God: but it was bare profession, contradicted by all their actions.... [ Continue Reading ]
John came in a way of righteousness — Walking in it, as well as teaching it. The publicans and harlots — The most notorious sinners were reformed, though at first they said, I will not. And ye seeing the amazing change which was wrought in them, though at first ye said, I go, sir, repented not after... [ Continue Reading ]
A certain householder planted a vineyard — God planted the Church in Canaan; and hedged it round about — First with the law, then with his peculiar providence: and digged a wine press — Perhaps it may mean Jerusalem: and built a tower — The temple: and went into a far country — That is, left the kee... [ Continue Reading ]
He sent his servants — His extraordinary messengers, the prophets: to the husbandmen — The ordinary preachers or ministers of the Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
They say — Perhaps some of the by — standers, not the chief priests or Pharisees; who, as St. Luke relates, said, God forbid, Luke 20:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
The builders — The scribes and priests, whose office it was to build up the Church. Is become the head of the corner — Or the chief corner stone: he is become the foundation of the Church, on which the whole building rests, and is the principal corner stone, for uniting the Gentiles to it, as the ch... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore — Because ye reject this corner stone. The kingdom of God — That is, the Gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken — Stumblers at Christ shall even then receive much hurt. He is said to fall on this stone, who hears the Gospel and does not believe. But on whomsoever it shall fall — In vengeance, it will utterly destroy him. It will fall on every unbeliever, when... [ Continue Reading ]