20 James and John were the sons of Zebedee (Mar_:10:35). Our Lord called them “sons of thunder” (Mar_3:17), to indicate their tempestuous and violent disposition. The gentleness and love of John's writings are not the reflection of his character, but of the restraint of the inspiring Spirit. They ce... [ Continue Reading ]
12 His first act as King was to cleanse the temple of idolatry, for covetousness is nothing less (Col_3:5). The temple tax, or double drachma (Mat_17:24) had to be paid by even the poorest of the people. Collectors were in each city and in the sanctuary. They began a few weeks before the Passover. T... [ Continue Reading ]
31 See Luk_7:29-30. 32 See Mat_3:1; Luk_3:12. 32 The Lord now proceeds to show them His authority and to expose their abuse of the privileges entrusted to them. They were mere tenants of God's vineyard; He was the Owner's Son. Their predecessors had claimed such authority as they were arrogating t... [ Continue Reading ]