In those days — that is, while Jesus dwelt there. In the wilderness of Judea — This was a wilderness properly so called, a wild, barren, desolate place as was that also where our Lord was tempted. But, generally speaking, a wilderness in the New Testament means only a common, or less cultivated plac... [ Continue Reading ]
The kingdom of heaven, and the kingdom of God, are but two phrases for the same thing. They mean, not barely a future happy state, in heaven, but a state to be enjoyed on earth: the proper disposition for the glory of heaven, rather than the possession of it. Is at hand — As if he had said, God is a... [ Continue Reading ]
The way of the Lord — Of Christ. Make his paths straight — By removing every thing which might prove a hinderance to his gracious appearance. Isaiah 40:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
John had his raiment of camels' hair — Coarse and rough, suiting his character and doctrine. A leathern girdle — Like Elijah, in whose spirit and power he came. His food was locusts and wild honey — Locusts are ranked among clean meats, Leviticus 11:22. But these were not always to be had. So in def... [ Continue Reading ]
Confessing their sins — Of their own accord; freely and openly. Such prodigious numbers could hardly be baptized by immerging their whole bodies under water: nor can we think they were provided with change of raiment for it, which was scarcely practicable for such vast multitudes. And yet they could... [ Continue Reading ]
The Pharisees were a very ancient sect among the Jews. They took their name from a Hebrew word, which signifies to separate, because they separated themselves from all other men. They were outwardly strict observers of the law, fasted often, made long prayers, rigorously kept the Sabbath, and paid a... [ Continue Reading ]
Repentance is of two sorts; that which is termed legal, and that which is styled evangelical repentance. The former (which is the same that is spoken of here) is a thorough conviction of sin. The latter is a change of heart (and consequently of life) from all sin to all holiness.... [ Continue Reading ]
And say not confidently — The word in the original, vulgarly rendered, Think not, seems here, and in many places, not to diminish, but rather add to the force of the word with which it is joined. We have Abraham to our father — It is almost incredible, how great the presumption of the Jews was on th... [ Continue Reading ]
But the axe also already lieth — That is, there is no room for such idle pretences. Speedy execution is determined against all that do not repent. The comparison seems to be taken from a woodman that has laid down his axe to put off his coat, and then immediately goes to work to cut down the tree. T... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire — He shall fill you with the Holy Ghost, inflaming your hearts with that fire of love, which many waters cannot quench. And this was done, even with a visible appearance as of fire, on the day of pentecost.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whose fan — That is, the word of the Gospel. His floor — That is, his Church, which is now covered with a mixture of wheat and chaff. He will gather the wheat into the garner — Will lay up those who are truly good in heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21... [ Continue Reading ]
It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness — It becometh every messenger of God to observe all his righteous ordinances. But the particular meaning of our Lord seems to be, that it becometh us to do (me to receive baptism, and you to administer it) in order to fulfil, that is, that I may fully perfo... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus being baptized — Let our Lord's submitting to baptism teach us a holy exactness in the observance of those institutions which owe their obligation merely to a Divine command. Surely thus it becometh all his followers to fulfil all righteousness. Jesus had no sin to wash away. And yet he wa... [ Continue Reading ]
And lo, a voice — We have here a glorious manifestation of the ever — blessed Trinity: the Father speaking from heaven, the Son spoken to, the Holy Ghost descending upon him. In whom I delight — What an encomium is this! How poor to this are all other kinds of praise! To he the pleasure, the delight... [ Continue Reading ]