Our blessed Saviour having sent forth his twelve apostles in the foregoing chapter, to plant and progagate the gospel, we find him, in this chapter, following them himself in that great and necessary work; HE DEPARTED TO TEACH AND TO PREACH IN THEIR CITIES. Christ, the great Bishop and Shepherd of s... [ Continue Reading ]
It was not for John's information that he sent his disciples to Jesus, but for their satisfaction; that he was the true and promised Messiah; John was assured of it himself by. sign from heaven at our Saviour's baptism, Matthew 3:17. But John's disciples out of great zeal to him their master, envied... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The way and means which our Saviour takes for the conviction and satisfaction of John's disciples, that he was the true Messias; he appeals to the miracles wrought by himself, and submits the miracles wrought by him to the judgment of their senses; GO AND SHEW JOHN THE MIRACLES WHIC... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour here, by pronouncing them BLESSED THAT ARE NOT OFFENDED IN HIM, doth intimate the misery of those who stumble at him, and to whom he is the rock of offence. Some are offended at the poverty of his person, others at the sublimity and sanctity of his doctrine. Some are offended at his cros... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour having given satisfaction to John's disciples, next enters upon. large commendation of John himself. Where observe, 1. The persons whom he commended him before; not John's own disciples, for they had too high an opinion of their master already, and were so much addicted to John that the... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour having highly commended John in the foregoing verses, here sets bounds to the honours of his ministry, adding, That though John was greater than all the prophets that went before him, seeing more of Christ than all of them, yet he saw less than them that came after him. The meanest evang... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour goes on commending John's ministry from the great success of it: it had that powerful influence upon the consciences of men, that no soldiers were ever more violent and eager in the storming and taking. strong hold, than John's hearers were in pursuing the kingdom of heaven. Never any mi... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is still. farther commendation of John. The law and the prophets till the coming of John, did foretell the Messiah, but not so determinately, not so nearly, not so clearly as John did: and accordingly, he was that Elias which Isaiah and Malachi foretold should be the barbinger and forerunner of... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour in these words describes the perverse humour of the Pharisees, whom nothing could allure to the embracing of the gospel, neither John's ministry nor Christ's. This our Saviour sets forth two ways. 1. ALLEGORICALLY, Matthew 11:16 to Matthew 17:2. PROPERLY, Matthew 11:18-19. By way of al... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour having gone through the cities of Galilee, preaching the doctrine of repentance, and confirming his doctrine with miracles, and finding multitudes, after all his endeavours, remain in their impenitence, he proceeds to upbraid them severely for their contempt of gospel-grace: THEN BEGAN H... [ Continue Reading ]
This city lying under greater guilt than the rest, Christ names it by itself, without the rest; nay he doth not only name it, but notify it, as being lifted up to heaven by signal favours and privileges, namely, Christ's presence, Christ's preaching and miracles. Observe, 1. Capernaum's privileges... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That there shall be. day of judgment. 2. That in the day of judgment some sinners shall fare worse than others. There are degrees of punishment among the damned. 3. That the worst of heathens, who never heard of. Saviour, nor ever had an offer of salvation by him, shall fare bette... [ Continue Reading ]
In these verses our Saviour glorifies his Father for the wise and free dispensation of his gospel-grace to the meanest and most ignorant; whilst the great and learned men of the world undervalued and despised it. By wise and PRUDENT, Christ means worldy-wise men, particularly scribes and pharisees... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse our Saviour opens his commission, and declares, 1. His authority; that all power is committed to him, as. Mediator from God the Father. 2. His office; to reveal his Father's mind and will to. lost world. NO MAN KNOWETH THE FATHER, BUT THE SON; that is the essence and nature of the Fat... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have. sweet invitation, backed with. gracious encouragement: Christ invites such as are weary of the burden of sin, of the slavery of Satan, of the yoke of the ceremonial law, to come unto him for rest and ease; and as an encouragement assures them, that upon their coming to him they shall f... [ Continue Reading ]
Here note, That the phrase of TAKE THE YOKE is judaical; the Jewish doctors spake frequently of the yoke of the law; the yoke of the commandments: and the ceremonies imposed upon the Jews are called. YOKE, Acts 15:10. Now as MOSES had. yoke, so had CHRIST. Accordingly, observe, 1. Christ's discipl... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Christ's authority and greatness; he has power to impose. yoke, and inflict. burden. MY YOKE; MY BURDEN. 2. His clemency and goodness, is imposing an easy yoke, and. light burden. MY YOKE IS EASY, MY BURDEN IS LIGHT: that is, my service is good and gainful, profitable and useful; n... [ Continue Reading ]