In the last verse of the foregoing chapter, the Gadarenes with one consent desire Christ to depart out of their coasts; here we find our Saviour, according tho their desire, departing from them into his own city, which was Capernaum; for Bethlehem brought him forth, Nazareth brought him up, and Cape... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. The patient, ONE SICK OF THE PALSY; which being. resolution of the nerves, weakens the joints, and confines the person to his bed or couch. As. demonstration of Christ's devine power, he was pleased to single out some incurable diseases (as the world accounts them) to work. cure upon, as... [ Continue Reading ]
See here, how the best of men are sometimes charged with saying and doing the worst of things; to do well and bear ill, was the portion of Christ himself, and may be the portion of the holiest of those that belong to Christ; the innocent Jesus was accused of blasphemy, of sorcery, and of the blackes... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour here gives the Pharisees. twofold demonstration of his godhead: first, By letting them understand that he knew their thoughts; for to search the hearts, and to know the thoughts, of the children of men, is not in the power either of angels or men, but the prerogative of God only. Second... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, The multitude marvelled, but not believed; they admire our Saviour for an extraordinary man, but did not believe in him as the Son of God: they praise God for giving such power to heal the bodies of men: but not for sending his Son into the world, to save the souls of men. Learn hence, T... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The number of our Lord's apostles not being filled up, what. strange election and choice he makes; Matthew,. grinding publican is the man. Learn, Such is the freeness of God's grace, that it chooses, and such is the efficacy of it, that it overpowers and brings in, the worst of SINNER... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, Christ invites Matthew to. discipleship, Matthew invites Christ to. feast; the servant invites his master,. sinner invited his Saviour. We do not find, wherever Christ was invited to any table, that he refused to go; if. Pharisee, if. publican invited, he constantly went; not for the p... [ Continue Reading ]
See here, what. grief it is to wicked men to find others brought in to Christ; the wicked pharisees murmur, repine, and envy, instead of admiring Christ's condescension, and adoring his divine goodness: they censure him for conversing with sinners; but Christ tells them in the following verses, that... [ Continue Reading ]
As if our Lord had said "With whom should the physician converse, but with his sick patients? Now. am come into the world to do the office of. kind physician unto men: surely then. am to take all opportunities to help and heal them: they that are sick need the physician: but for you Pharisees, who a... [ Continue Reading ]
The Pharisees themselves had. contention with our Saviour in the foregoing verses; here they set on the disciples of John, to contend with him about fasting, alleging that the disciples of John fasted often, Christ's disciples not at all. Our Saviour owns it, that his disciples did not fast at pres... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe the humble posture in which this man came unto Christ, namely, falling at his foot and worshipping him; which was not only. sign of tender affection towards his daughter, but an evidence of his faith in our blessed Saviour; yet his confining Christ's power to his bodily presence and to the t... [ Continue Reading ]
While Christ is on his way to the ruler's house,. diseased woman comes behind him, touched his garment, and is instantly healed; the virtue lay not in her finger, but in her faith; or rather in Christ, which her faith instrumentally drew forth. Observe here, how faith oft-times meets with. sweeter... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour being come to the ruler's house, finds the people very busy preparing for the interment of the dead corpse with music and other solemnities. This custom of having music at funerals came from the heathens; no mention is made thereof in the Old Testament: we read of tearing the flesh, shav... [ Continue Reading ]
The ruler, and others who came to Christ for cure and healing, believed him to be. man unto whom Almighty God had communicated divine power. But it is observable, that these poor blind men did believe him to be the Messiah, by their calling him the Son of David; and according to their faith, so was... [ Continue Reading ]
Still our Lord goes about doing good; before, he healed the diseased, here he helps the possessed. Learn, 1. That amongst the many calamities which sin has rendered human nature liable and obnoxious to, this is one, to be bodily possessed by Satan. This man's dumbness was caused by the devil's poss... [ Continue Reading ]
See here the dreadful and sad effects of blindness, obstinacy, and malice: the Pharisees charge Christ with making. contract with the devil, affirming that he derived his power from him; but how unlikely was this, that Satan should lend our Saviour. power against himself, and for the destruction of... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Our Saviour's great work and business in this world; it was doing good both to the bodies and souls of men; the most pleasant and delightful, the most happy and glorious work that. person can be employed about. 2. His unwearied diligence and industry, in this great and good work; H... [ Continue Reading ]
As if Christ had said, "There is. great number of people that are willing and prepared to receive instructions, but there are but few who are able to instruct these poor people in the ways of righteousness and truth; therefore pray and plead with God, that he world provide skilful and faithful minis... [ Continue Reading ]