Here we have the disciples' question, and our Saviour's reply: their inquiry is concerning the sense and signification of the parable, they own their ignorance, and desire better information. It is no shame for the best of ministers, yes, for the best of men, to acknowledge their own ignorance of the mysteries of religion; and to attend upon the means of instruction, in order to their farther information. In our Saviour's answer, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, etc.

Observe, 1. That the doctrines of the gospel are great mysteries.

2. That it is an invaluable privilege rightly to understand and know gospel mysteries.

3. That this privilege all are not sharers in, and partakers of, but only those to whom it is given.

4. That it is. righteous thing with God to give such persons over to farther blindness and ignorance in spiritual things, who willfully reject the truth, and shut their eyes against the evidence of it.

The Pharisees had all along shut their eyes, and said, they would not see; and now Christ closes their eyes judicially, and says they shall not see.

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Old Testament