OCCASIONS OF OFFENCE. THE TEN LEPERS. THE SECOND ADVENT
1, 2. On causing others to sin. See on Matthew 18:6; Matthew 18:7.
2, ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES] An affectionate designation of the
disciples, especially such as were beginners and easily led astray.
Perhaps the converted publicans and sinners... [ Continue Reading ]
TRESPASS AGAINST THEE] RV 'sin.'
5, 6. ON FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. See on Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
INCREASE OUR FAITH] Others render, 'Give us faith in addition,' i.e.
add it to the gifts already promised. Whether the 'faith' mentioned is
faith in general, or the faith which enables to forgive a brother
seven times, is not clear.... [ Continue Reading ]
SYCAMINE] This word means sometimes the 'mulberry tree,' sometimes the
'sycomore,'... [ Continue Reading ]
A SERVANT]lit. 'aslave.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WORKS DO NOT JUSTIFY. 'Our Lord having exhorted His disciples to
good works, now proceeds to rebuke the vainglory which so often
accompanies them, showing that as a master is under no obligation to a
slave who performs his appointed tasks, so neither is God to us. But
since God is gracious, He... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH THE MIDST OF (or, rather, 'between') SAMARIA AND GALILEE] 'The
caravans of Galilee took either the Samaritan route or the Peræan.
Jesus follows neither, but travels along the boundary between Samaria
and Galilee. He directed His steps from W. to E. towards the Jordan,
which He must cross to... [ Continue Reading ]
TEN LEPERS CLEANSED (peculiar to Lk). For leprosy see on Matthew 8:1.
The healing of a Samaritan, and the stress laid upon his greater
gratitude, is in keeping with the character of this Gentile Gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THE PRIESTS] The Jews probably went to Jerusalem, because of the
necessary sacrifices; the Samaritan to Mt. Gerizim, unless we are to
suppose that he became a Jewish proselyte. AS THEY WENT] The healing
was delayed to test their faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE (or, 'saved thee')] i.e. not only has
it healed thy body, but also thy soul. It was otherwise with the other
nine lepers. Their ingratitude imperilled their continuance in that
state of Salvation in which their faith had placed them.
20, 21. WHEN AND HOW THE KINGDOM O... [ Continue Reading ]
COMETH NOT WITH OBSERVATION] i.e. cannot be observed by the senses, is
not manifested by outward signs or political changes.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS WITHIN YOU] i.e. within your hearts. But since Jesus would hardly
say that the Kingdom of God is within the hearts of the Pharisees, the
better translation is, 'The Kingdom of God is among you,' but ye do
not perceive it.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SEE ONE OF THE DAYS] i.e. 'In your future tribulations and
persecutions you will desire to see one of the days of bliss and
glory, which will follow the Second Coming of the Son of man. You will
desire a glimpse of heaven to comfort you in your calamities.' Plummer
ingeniously translates: 'You wi... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN. The Pharisees having now withdrawn,
Jesus proceeds to speak more unreservedly to the disciples of the
final and glorious coming of His Kingdom, which will be heralded by
visible signs, which yet will be hard to interpret, so that in the end
the Son of man will appear... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Matthew 24:23. SEE HERE] is the Son of man, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Matthew 24:27. IN HIS DAY] Westcott and Hort (but not RV) omit
these words.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Mark 8:31.
26, 27. See on Matthew 24:37.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO IN THE DAYS] i.e. in the days when the Son of man will return. We
should have expected 'in the _day_ of the Son of man,' as in Luke
17:30.
28-30. Peculiar to Lk. See Genesis 19.... [ Continue Reading ]
In Matthew 24:17, q.v., these words are advice to the Christians of
Jerusalem with regard to their hasty flight from the city just before
its fall. Here they refer to Christ's Second Coming, and warn
Christians, when that day is imminent, to be completely detached from
worldly affairs and worldly in... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE] who was not detached from worldly things, but
looked back with longing towards Sodom, and the wealth and luxury
which she had left there.... [ Continue Reading ]
In Matthew 10:39; Matthew 16:25, where the same words occur, the
reference is to willingness to suffer martyrdom. Here the idea is more
general: 'He who sets too much value on his earthly life, shall lose
his eternal life.'
34, 35. See on Matthew 24:40; Matthew 24:41.... [ Continue Reading ]
Omitted by RV and the best authorities.... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Matthew 24:28; (first interpretation).... [ Continue Reading ]