AFTER THESE THINGS - After the appointment of the twelve apostles, and the transactions recorded in the previous chapters. OTHER SEVENTY - Seventy others besides the apostles. They were appointed for a different purpose from the apostles. The apostles were to be with him; to hear his instructions; t... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 9:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 10:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
PURSE ...SCRIP ...SHOES - See the notes at Matthew 10:10. SALUTE NO MAN BY THE WAY - Salutations among the Orientals did not consist, as among us, of a slight bow or an extension of the hand, but was performed by many embraces and inclinations, and even prostrations of the body on the ground. All th... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 10:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SON OF PEACE - That is, if the “house” or “family” be “worthy,” or be disposed to receive you in “peace” and kindness. See Matthew 10:13. “The son of peace” means one “disposed” to peace, or peaceful and kind in his disposition. Compare Matthew 1:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 10:11. On this passage Dr. Thomson (“The Land and the Book,” vol. i. p. 534) remarks: “The reason (for the command, ‘Go not from house to house’) is very obvious to one acquainted with Oriental customs. When a stranger arrives in a village or an encampment, the neighbors, on... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 10:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 11:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 10:40.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DEVILS ARE SUBJECT UNTO US - The devils obey us. We have been able to cast them out. THROUGH THY NAME - When commanded in thy name to come out of those who are possessed.... [ Continue Reading ]
I BEHELD SATAN ... - “Satan” here denotes evidently the prince of the devils who had been cast out by the seventy disciples, for the discourse was respecting their power over evil spirits. “Lightning” is an image of “rapidity” or “quickness.” I saw Satan fall “quickly” or rapidly - as quick as light... [ Continue Reading ]
TO TREAD ON SERPENTS - Preservation from danger. If you tread on a poisonous reptile that would otherwise injure you, I will keep you from danger. If you go among bitter and malignant enemies that would seek your life, I will preserve you. See the notes at Mark 16:18. SCORPIONS - The scorpion is an... [ Continue Reading ]
RATHER REJOICE ... - Though it was an honor to work miracles, though it is an honor to be endowed with talents, and influence, and learning, yet it is a subject of “chief” joy that we are numbered among the people of God, and have a title to everlasting life. NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN - The names... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 11:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 13:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN LAWYER - One who professed to be well skilled in the laws of Moses, and whose business it was to explain them. STOOD UP - Rose - came forward to address him. TEMPTED HIM - Feigned a desire to be instructed, but did it to perplex him, or to lead him, if possible, to contradict some of the... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS WRITTEN ... - Jesus referred him to the “law” as a safe rule, and asked him what was said there. The lawyer was doubtless endeavoring to justify himself by obeying the law. He trusted to his own works. To bring him off from that ground - to make him feel that it was an unsafe foundation, Jes... [ Continue Reading ]
See this subject explained in the notes at Matthew 22:37.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO JUSTIFY HIMSELF - Desirous to appear blameless, or to vindicate himself, and show that he had kept the law. Jesus wished to lead him to a proper view of his own sinfulness, and his real departure from the law. The man was desirous of showing that he had kept the law; or perhaps he was desirous of... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS ANSWERING - Jesus answered him in a very different manner from what he expected. By one of the most tender and affecting narratives to be found anywhere, he made the lawyer his own judge in the case, and constrained him to admit what at first he would probably have denied. He compelled him to... [ Continue Reading ]
BY CHANCE - Accidentally, or as it happened. It means that he did not do it with a “design” to aid the man that was wounded. A CERTAIN PRIEST - It is said that not less than 12,000 priests and Levites dwelt at Jericho; and as their business was at Jerusalem, of course there would be many of them co... [ Continue Reading ]
A LEVITE - The Levites, as well as the priests, were of the tribe of Levi, and were set apart to the duties of religion. The special duty of the priest was “to offer sacrifice” at the temple; to present incense; to conduct the morning and evening services of the temple, etc. The office or duty of th... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN SAMARITAN - The Samaritans were the most inveterate foes of the Jews. They had no dealings with each other. See the notes at Matthew 10:5. It was this fact which rendered the conduct of this good man so striking, and which was thus set in strong contrast with the conduct of the priest and... [ Continue Reading ]
POURING IN OIL AND WINE - These were often used in medicine to heal wounds. Probably they were mingled together, and had a highly sanative quality. How strikingly is his conduct contrasted with the priest and Levite! And, how particularly as well as beautifully by this does our Saviour show what we... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO PENCE - About 27 cents, or 1 shilling, 2d. This may seem a small sum, but we are to remember that that sum was probably ten times as valuable then as now - that is, that it would purchase ten times as much food and the common necessaries of life as the same sum would now. Besides, it is probable... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS NEIGHBOUR - Showed the kindness of a neighbor, or evinced the proper feelings of a neighbor. The lawyer had asked him who was his neighbor? Jesus in this beautiful narrative showed him who and what a neighbor was, and he did this in a way that disarmed his prejudice, deeply affected him in regar... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT SHOWED MERCY - His “Jewish” prejudice would not permit him “to name” the Samaritan, but there was no impropriety, even in his view, in saying that the man who showed so much mercy was really the neighbor to the afflicted, and not he who “professed” to be his neighbor, but who would “do nothi... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN VILLAGE - Bethany. See John 11:1. It was on the eastern declivity of the Mount of Olives. See the notes at Matthew 21:1. RECEIVED HIM - Received him kindly and hospitably. From this it would seem that “Martha” was properly the mistress of the house. Possibly she was a widow, and her broth... [ Continue Reading ]
SAT AT JESUS’ FEET - This was the ancient posture of disciples or learners. They sat at the “feet” of their teachers - that is, beneath them, in a humble place. Hence, Paul is represented as having been brought up at the “feet” of Gamaliel, Acts 22:3. When it is said that Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, it... [ Continue Reading ]
MARTHA WAS CUMBERED ABOUT MUCH SERVING - Was much distracted with the cares of the family, and providing suitably to entertain the Saviour. It should be said here that there is no evidence that Martha had a worldly or covetous disposition. Her anxiety was to provide suitable entertainment for the Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART CAREFUL - Thou art anxious. TROUBLED - Disturbed, distracted, very solicitous. MANY THINGS - The many objects which excite your attention in the family. This was probably designed as a slight reproof, or a tender hint that she was improperly anxious about those things, and that she should... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ONE THING IS NEEDFUL - That is, religion, or piety. This is eminently and especially needful. Other things are of little importance. This should be secured first, and then all other things will be added. See 1 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 6:33. THAT GOOD PART - The portion of the gospel; the love of Go... [ Continue Reading ]