Observe here, The poor estate and low condition of Christ's own disciples in this world; they wanted bread, and are forced to pluck the ears of corn to satisfy their hunger. God sometimes suffers his dearest children in this world to fall in to straits, and to taste of want, for the trial of their f... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The persons finding fault with this action of the disciples, the Pharisees; many of whom accompanied our Saviour, not out of any good intentions, but only with. design to cavil at, and quarrel with, everything that either Christ or is disciples said or did. Observe, 2. The action w... [ Continue Reading ]
In these words our Saviour defends the action of his disciples in plucking the ears of corn in their necessity, by. double argument. 1. From David's example: necessity freed him from fault in eating the consecrated bread, which none but the priest might lawfully eat; for in cases of necessity,. cer... [ Continue Reading ]
Learn hence, That the law of mercy is much more excellent than the law of ceremonies; and where both cannot be observed, the less must give place to the greater. God never intended that the ceremonies of his service in the first table, should hinder works of mercy prescribed in the second table. All... [ Continue Reading ]
As if Christ had said, "I, who am Lord of the sabbath, declare to you, that. have. power to dispense with the observation of it: and it is my will that the sabbath, which was appointed for man, should yield to man's safety and welfare." Christ the Son of man was really the son of God; and as such ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have another dispute betwixt our Saviour and the Pharisees concerning the sabbath; whether it be. breach of that day, mercifully to heal. person having. withered hand? Christ confutes them from their own practice, telling the Pharisees, that they themselves judged it lawful to help out. shee... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. The merciful and miraculous cure wrought by our Saviour's power upon the impotent man: HE SAID UNTO HIM, STRETCH OUT THINE HAND, AND HIS HAND WAS RESTORED. Observe, 2. What. contrary effect this cure had upon the Pharisees; instead of convincing them, they conspire against him: Christ's... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, our blessed Saviour did those good acts before spoken of, that it might appear that he was the true Messias prophesied of by Isaias the prophet, Isaiah 42:1-2. Behold my servant whom. have set apart for accomplishing the work of salvation for. lost world; he by the fulness of my Spirit shal... [ Continue Reading ]
As. farther instance of Christ's miraculous power, he healeth one whom the devil had cast into. disease which deprived him both of speech and sight: at this miracle the multitude wonder, saying, IS NOT THIS THE SON OF DAVID? that is, the promised Messias. The Pharisees hearing this, with great bitte... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed Saviour, to clear his innocence, and to convince the Pharisees of the unreasonableness of this their calumny and false accusations, offers several arguments to their consideration. 1. That it was very unlikely that Satan should lend him this power to use it against himself. As Satan has... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. How our Saviour makes. difference betwixt speaking against the Son of man, and speaking against the Holy Ghost. By SPEAKING AGAINST THE SON OF MAN, is meant all those reproaches that were cast upon our Saviour's person as Man, without reflecting upon his divine power as God, which he tes... [ Continue Reading ]
These words may either refer to the Pharisees, or to Christ himself. If to the Pharisees, the sense is, You hypocritical Pharisees show yourselves what you are by our words and actions, even as the fruit showeth what the tree is. If they refer to Christ, then they are an appeal to the Pharisees th... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, 1. The fervency and zeal of our Saviour's spirit in the compellation given to the Pharisees: he calls them. GENERATION OF VIPERS: intimating that they were. venomous and dangerous sort of men. Learn hence, That it is not always railing and indiscreet zeal to call wicked men by such names... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here,. double treasure discovered in the heart of man. 1. An evil treasure of sin and corruption, both natural and acquired, from whence proceed evil things. Now this is called. TREASURE, not for the preciousness of it, but for the abundance of it;. little doth not make. treasure: and also... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAY UNTO YOU; I, that have always been in my Father's bosom, and fully know his mind; I, that am constituted Judge of quick and dead, and understand the rule of judgment; I, even I, do assure you that every word that has no tendency to promote the glory of God, or some way the good of others, will... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The argument which our Saviour uses to move us to watchfulness over our words: BY OUR WORDS WE SHALL BE JUSTIFIED; not meritoriously, but declaratively: good words declare goodness in ourselves, and we shall be declared good to others by our words, if our words and actions do correspon... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The request which the Pharisees make to Christ; MASTER, WE WOULD SEE. SIGN FROM THEE. But had not Christ showed them signs enough already? What were all the miracles wrought in their sight, but convincing signs that he was the true Messias? But infidelity mixed with obstinacy is nev... [ Continue Reading ]
The design and scope of this parable is to show that the Pharisees, by rejecting the gospel and refusing to believe in Christ, were in. seven-fold worse condition than if the gospel had never been preached to them, and. Saviour had never come among them; because by our Saviour's ministry Satan was i... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The verity of Christ's human nature; he had affinity and consanguinity with men, persons near in blood to him, called his brethren, that is, his cousin-germans. 2. That the holy virgin herself was not wholly free from failings and infirmities; for here she does untimely and unseaso... [ Continue Reading ]