The former part of this chapter gives us an account of our Saviour's solemn and triumphant riding into the city of Jerusalem. Where observe, That in all our Saviour's journies and travels from place to place, he constantly went like. poor man, on foot, without noise, and without train; now he goes... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the reason is assigned why Christ rode upon the ass into Jerusalem; it was to fulfil an ancient prophecy, that the Messiah, or King of the Jews, should come riding upon that beast into Jerusalem. There was not any prophecy of Christ more plainly fulfilled than this. The prophecy alluded to, is... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The obedience of his disciples, and the motions of the multitude; the disciples never dispute their Lord's commands, nor raise objections, nor are afraid of dangers, but speedily execute their Lord's pleasure, and find every thing according to their Lord's predictions. When our call... [ Continue Reading ]
This is not the first or only time that Jerusalem was moved and troubled at the appearance of Christ; at his birth, Matthew 2:3 we read ALL JERUSALEM WAS TROUBLED, together with Herod; and now that he rides into Jerusalem, though in so mean. port, yet there is. new commotion. Jerusalem, instead of b... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed Saviour having entered Jerusalem, Observe, his first walk was not to the palace, but to the temple, and his work there was to purge and reform: all reformation of manners must begin first at the house of God. Our Lord's business was to reform the temple, not to ruin it. Places dedicated... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That our blessed Saviour works his miracles not secretly in. corner, but openly in the temple, and submits them to the examination of all persons senses.. miracle is. supernatural action, which is obvious to sense. Popish miracles are talked of by many, but seen by none. Observe, 2... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed Saviour having driven the buyers and sellers out of the temple, lodges not that night in Jerusalem, but withdraws to Bethany,. place of retirement from the noise and tumult of the city. Where, note, Our Lord's love of solitude and retiredness. How delightful it is to. good man, to dwell... [ Continue Reading ]
The disciples being filled with admiration at the sudden withering of the fig-tree, thereupon our Saviour exhorts them to have FAITH IN GOD; that is, firmly to rely upon the power of God whereby he is able, upon the goodness of God whereby he is willing, to perform his promises to us. Learn, 1. Tha... [ Continue Reading ]
The Pharisees having often questioned our Saviour's doctrine before, they call in question his mission and authority now: although they might easily have understood his divine mission by his divine miracles. Almighty God never empowered any to work miracles that were not sent by him. When the advers... [ Continue Reading ]
The design and scope of this parable is to show, That PUBLICANS AND HARLOTS, that is, the vilest, the profanes, and worst of sinners, who, upon the hearing of Christ's doctrine and miracles, did repent and believe, were in. much better condition than the proud Pharisees, who, though they pretended t... [ Continue Reading ]
In this parable, God compares the Jewish church to. VINEYARD; himself to an house holder: his planting, pruning and fencing his vineyard, denotes his care to furnish his church with all needful helps and means to make it spiritually fruitful. His LETTING IT OUT TO husbandmen, SIGNIFIES HIS COMMITIIN... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, At the first mentioning of the parable, the Pharisees express. bitter indignation against such wicked servants, not considering what. dreadful sentence they passed upon themselves and their own nation. Little did they think, that thereby they condemned their temple to be burnt, their c... [ Continue Reading ]
Which words are the application that our Saviour makes of the foregoing parable concerning the vineyard; which the chief priests and Pharisees did not apprehend themselves to be concerned in, till he brought the application of it home unto them. THERFORE, SAY. UNTO YOU, THE KINGDOM OF GOD SHALL BE T... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are taken out of Psalms 118:22, which the Jews understood to be. prophecy of the Messiah, and accordingly Christ appliest them to himself. The church is the BUILDING INTENDED, CHRIST HIMSELF THE STONE rejected; the REJECTERS, or the BUILDERS REJECTING, were the heads of the Jewish church... [ Continue Reading ]
When the chief priests came to understand that these parable were all applied to them, that they were the MURDERERS OF THE KING'S SON, that they were the BUILDERS THAT REJECTED THE CHIEF CORNER-STONE, they are enraged at the close application made to themselves; and had not fear restrained them, the... [ Continue Reading ]