THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES. THE RICH FOOL 1-12. Jesus warns His followers against Pharisaic hypocrisy, and exhorts them to be courageous in face of opposition. This speech is not unsuitable to the context in St. Luke, but the whole of the sayings are found also in St. Matthew's Gospel, generally i... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THERE WERE] RV 'when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together.' They were attracted by the dispute between our Lord and the Pharisees recorded in the last chapter Since our Lord begins by addressing His disciples, and warns them of coming persecutions, it may be inferred that... [ Continue Reading ]
Hypocrisy, like that of the Pharisees, is useless and foolish, for in the Judgment Day there will be a merciless exposure of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
For in that day the most secret words and thoughts of hypocrites will be proclaimed to the whole creation. THEREFORE (RV 'Where-fore')] is better translated 'for,' 'because '(cp. Luke 1:20; Luke 19:44; Acts 12:23). 10. See on Matthew 12:31; Matthew 12:32. 11, 12. See on Matthew 10:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
DIVIDE THE INHERITANCE] Such questions were decided by the 'bench of three 'of the local synagogues. Christ, as usual, refuses to be drawn into any political or semi-political action. The unseasonable request of the man (he appears to have interrupted our Lord's discourse to make it), showed that hi... [ Continue Reading ]
PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL (peculiar to Lk). The parable teaches that since death and judgment are inevitable, men ought to devote their attention to laying up treasure in heaven, not on earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO MADE ME?] Cp. Exodus 2:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR A MAN'S LIFE] The Gk. is difficult and the translation doubtful, but the sense seems to be that neither a man's physical nor his spiritual life is dependent upon great possessions. A healthy and happy human life can be lived in a state of comparative poverty, and spiritual life is rather hindere... [ Continue Reading ]
BROUGHT FORTH] The man's wealth was honestly and justly acquired. His fault was not injustice, but covetousness.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NO ROOM] 'Thou _hast_ barns, the mouths of the poor which can hold much; barns which can never be pulled down or destroyed, for they are heavenly and divine, if indeed it be true that he who feeds the poor, feeds God' (Theophylact).... [ Continue Reading ]
TO MY SOUL] The fool speaks as if earthly wealth could supply the needs of an immortal soul.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS NIGHT, etc.] lit. 'this night do they (i.e. the angels of vengeance) require thy soul of thee.' The righteous man willingly and joyfully commits his soul to God; but from the wicked man it is exacted with stern terror.... [ Continue Reading ]
RICH TOWARD GOD] On laying up treasure in heaven, which is here meant, see on Matthew 6:19. There is an interesting rabbinical parallel to this parable: 'Once Rabbi Simeon went to a certain circumcision and there feasted. The father gave them old wine, seven years old, to drink, saying, “With this w... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST ANXIETY ABOUT WEALTH AND WORLDLY THINGS. Almost the whole of this section occurs in St. Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. The present context, however, is very suitable, and is perhaps correct. 22-31. See on Matthew 6:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER BE YE OF DOUBTFUL MIND] or, 'neither be ye high-minded.'... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK] A beautiful and tender saying peculiar to Lk, intended to encourage the disciples who would be for so long in so hopeless a minority. The sense is, 'If God is willing to give you the kingdom, much more will He give you food and raiment, therefore you need not be afraid (Luke... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Matthew 19:21; Matthew 6:20. SELL THAT YE HAVE, etc.] Christ addresses not all the disciples, but those who, like the apostles, had received a call to leave all, and devote themselves to the work of the ministry. BAGS (RV 'purses') WHICH WAX NOT OLD] The purses which will keep your money saf... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Matthew 6:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
EXHORTATION TO VIGILANCE. The greater part of it appears also (and most appropriately) in Matthew 24. The apostles and other ministers of the word are chiefly addressed, though there is a lesson for all (Luke 12:41.). The question of Peter (Luke 12:41) is peculiar to Lk. 35, 36. A little parable pec... [ Continue Reading ]
(Peculiar to Lk.) Christ does not answer Peter's question directly, but His answer shows that He is speaking mainly of the apostles and those in authority. 42-46. See on Matthew 24:45.... [ Continue Reading ]
48. (Peculiar to Lk.) Christ here seems to assert (cp. Luke 10:12; Luke 10:14) that there will be degrees of future punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT KNEW NOT] 'The reference is to the future pastors of the Church. “He that knew not,” will still be punished, for he could have known; but not punished so much as the other, for the other was presumptuous, but this one was slothful; and presumption is a greater sin than sloth' (Euthymius). TH... [ Continue Reading ]
A PARADOX. The Prince of Peace comes to bring strife and bloodshed, fire and sword, into the world, because only through war can lasting peace be attained. Some, however, understand by fire, the fire of Christian love. WHAT WILL I, etc.] i.e. 'how much I wish that it were already kindled!' (Theophy... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STRIFE THAT THE GOSPEL WILL PRODUCE. In different connexions in Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Matthew 20:22 = Mark 10:38. A BAPTISM] i.e. Christ's Passion. STRAITENED] i.e. afflicted, oppressed. 51-53. See on Matthew 10:34.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ignorance of the signs of the times. 54-56. See on Matthew 16:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
PECULIAR TO LK. OF YOURSELVES] Why, even without signs, do you not judge rightly of Me and My doctrine by the natural light of reason and conscience? 58, 59. See on Matthew 5:25; Matthew 5:26.... [ Continue Reading ]