CHAPTER XII. _Jesus and his disciples go through the cornfields on the_ _Sabbath, and the latter pluck and eat some of the ears, at_ _which the Pharisees take offence_, 1, 2. _Our Lord vindicates them_, 3-8. _The man with the withered hand cured_, 9-13. _The Pharisees seek his destruction_, 14... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:2. _THY DISCIPLES DO THAT WHICH IS NOT LAWFUL TO DO_] The Jews were so superstitious, concerning the observance of the Sabbath, that in their wars with _Antiochus Epiphanes_, and the _Romans_, they thought it a crime even to attempt to defend themselves on the Sabbath: when their en... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:3. _HAVE YE NOT READ WHAT DAVID DID_] The original history is in 1 Samuel 21:1. _WHEN HE WAS AN HUNGERED_] Here hearken to _Kimchi_, producing the opinion of the ancients concerning this story in these words: _"Our_ _rabbins of blessed memory say, that he gave him the shew-bread,_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:4. Matthew 12:3, Matthew 12:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:5. _THE PRIESTS - PROFANE THE SABBATH_] _Profane_, i.e. put it to what might be called a _common use_, by _slaying_ and _offering_ up sacrifices, and by doing the _services_ of the temple, as on _common_ days, Exodus 29:38; Numbers 28:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:6. _IN THIS PLACE IS ONE GREATER THAN THE TEMPLE._] Does not our Lord refer here to Malachi 3:1? Compare this with Hebrews 3:3. The Jews esteemed nothing greater than the temple, except that God who was worshipped in it. Christ, by asserting he was _greater_ _than the temple_, asser... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:7. _I WILL HAVE MERCY, C._] See this explained, Matthew 9:13. There are _four_ ways in which _positive laws_ may cease to oblige. First, by the natural law of _necessity_. Secondly, by a _particular law_, which is _superior_. Thirdly, by the _law_ of _charity_ and _mercy_. Fourt... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:8. _THE SON OF MAN IS LORD EVEN OF THE SABBATH-DAY._] The change of the Jewish into the Christian Sabbath, called the _Lord's_ _day_, Revelation 1:10, shows that Christ is not only the _Lord_, but also the _truth_ and _completion_ of it. For it seems to have been by an especial prov... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:10. _A MAN WHICH HAD_ HIS _HAND WITHERED._] Probably through a partial _paralysis_. The man's hand was withered; but God's mercy had still preserved to him the use of his feet: He uses them to bring him to the public worship of God, and Jesus meets and heals him there. How true is t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:11. _IF IT FALL INTO A PIT ON THE SABBATH-DAY_, c.] It was a canon among the Jews: "We must take a tender care of the goods of an Israelite." Hence: - "If a beast fall into a ditch, or into a pool of water, let (the owner) bring him food in that place if he can but, if he cannot, l... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:12. _HOW MUCH THEN IS A MAN BETTER THAN A SHEEP?_] Our Lord's argument is what is called _argumentum ad hominem_; they are taken on their own ground, and confuted on their own maxims and conduct. There are many persons who call themselves _Christians_, who do more for a _beast_ of b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:13. _STRETCH FORTH THINE HAND._] The bare command of God is a sufficient reason of obedience. This man might have reasoned thus: "Lord, my hand is _withered_; how then can I stretch it out? Make it whole first, and afterwards I will do as thou commandest." This may appear _reasonabl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:14. _HELD A COUNCIL AGAINST HIM_] Nothing sooner leads to utter blindness, and hardness of heart, than _envy_. There are many who abandon themselves to _pleasure-taking_ and _debauchery_ on the Sabbath, who condemn a poor man whom necessity obliges to _work_ on what is termed a _hol... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:15. _JESUS - WITHDREW HIMSELF FROM THENCE_] It is the part of prudence and Christian charity not to provoke, if possible, the blind and the hardened; and to take from them the occasion of sin. A man of God is not afraid of persecution; but, as his aim is only to do good, by proclaim... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:16. _CHARGED THEM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE HIM KNOWN_] See Matthew 8:4. Jesus Christ, as GOD, could have easily concealed himself, but he chooses to do it as _man_, and to use no other than human means, as these were quite sufficient for the purpose, to teach us not to neglect them... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:18. _BEHOLD MY SERVANT_] This title was given to our blessed Lord in several prophecies. See Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 53:2. Christ assumes it, Psalms 40:7. Compare these with John 17:4, and Philippians 2:7. God required an _acceptable_ and _perfect service_ from man; but man, being _sin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:19. _HE SHALL NOT STRIVE, NOR CRY_] The spirit of Christ is not a spirit of contention, murmuring, clamour, or litigiousness. He who loves these does not belong to him. Christ therefore fulfilled a prophecy by withdrawing from this place, on account of the rage of the Pharisees.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:20. _A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK_] A _reed_ is, in Scripture, the emblem of _weakness_, Ezekiel 29:6; and a _bruised_ reed must signify that state of weakness that borders on dissolution and death. _AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH_] λινον τυφομενον. λινος means the _wic... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:21. _AND IN HIS NAME SHALL THE GENTILES TRUST._] ελπιουσι, _they shall hope_. Jesus Christ is the sole _hope_ and _trust_ of mankind; _to trust_ and _hope in his name_, JESUS, is to expect salvation and all things necessary from _him alone_, to despise, comparatively, all earthly pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:22. _ONE POSSESSED WITH A DEVIL, BLIND AND DUMB_] A person from whom the indwelling demon took away both _sight_ and _hearing_. Satan makes himself master of the _heart_, the _eyes_, and the _tongue_ of the sinner. His _heart_ he fills with the love of sin; his _eyes_ he blinds that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:23. _IS NOT THIS THE SON OF DAVID?_] Is not this the true Messiah? Do not these miracles sufficiently prove it? See Isaiah 35:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:24. _BEELZEBUB_] See Matthew 10:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:25. _EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF IS BROUGHT TO_ _DESOLATION_] Our Lord's argument was thus:-"The welfare of any _kingdom, city_, or _family_, depends on its _concord_ and _unanimity;_ Satan, like every other potentate, must wish to rule his empire in _peace_ and _security_;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:26. _IF SATAN CAST OUT SATAN_] A good cause will produce a good effect, and an evil cause an evil effect. Were I on Satan's side, I would act for his interest and confirm his influence among you; but I oppose his maxims by my _doctrine_, and his _influence_ by my _power_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:27. _BY WHOM DO YOUR CHILDREN CAST_ THEM _OUT?_] _Children_, or _sons of the prophets_, means the _disciples_ of the prophets; and _children_ or sons of the Pharisees, _disciples_ of the _Pharisees_. From Acts 19:13; Acts 19:14, it is evident there were _exorcists_ among the Jews,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:28. _BUT IF I CAST OUT DEVILS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD_] Perhaps the _Spirit of God_ is here mentioned by way of opposition to the _magical incantations_ of the Jews; for it is well known that by fumigations and magical washings, they professed to cast out devils. See a case mentioned b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 29. _ELSE HOW CAN ONE ENTER INTO A STRONG MAN'S HOUSE_] Men, through sin, are become the very _house_ and dwelling place of Satan, having of their own accord surrendered themselves to this unjust possessor; for whoever gives up his soul to sin gives it up to the devil. It is Jesus, and Jesus _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 30. _HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME_] In vain do men seek for methods to reconcile God and mammon. There is no medium between loving the Lord and being his enemy - between belonging to Christ or to Satan. If we be on the side of the devil, we must expect to go to the devil's hell; if we... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 31. _ALL MANNER OF SIN AND BLASPHEMY_] βλασφημια, injurious or impious speaking. [Anglo-Saxon], mocking and deriding speech, Anglo-Saxon. See Matthew 9:3. _BUT THE BLASPHEMY_ AGAINST _THE_ HOLY _GHOST_] Even personal reproaches, revilings, persecutions against Christ, were remissible; but bl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 32. _NEITHER IN THIS WORLD, NEITHER IN THE_ WORLD _TO COME._] Though I follow the common translation, yet I am fully satisfied the meaning of the words is, neither in this dispensation, (viz. the Jewish,) nor in that which is to come, viz. the Christian. עולם הבא _olam ha-ba_, the world to co... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 33. _EITHER MAKE THE TREE GOOD_] That is, the _effect_ will be always similar to the _cause_; a _bad tree_ will produce _bad fruit,_ and a _good tree, good fruit_. The works will resemble the heart: nothing good can proceed from an evil spirit; no good fruit can proceed from a corrupt heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 34. _O GENERATION OF VIPERS_] These are apparently severe words; but they were extremely proper in reference to that execrable people to whom they were addressed: the whole verse is an inference from what was spoken before. _OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE_ (περισσευματος, _the overflowings_) _OF THE_ _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 35. _A GOOD MAN OUT OF THE GOOD TREASURE OF THE HEART_] της καρδιας, _of the heart_, is omitted by upwards of one hundred MSS., many of them of the greatest antiquity and authority; by all the _Syriac, Arabic_, and _Persic_; by the _Slavonic, Saxon, Vulgate_, and _Itala_, (except four,) and by... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 36. _EVERY IDLE WORD_] ρημα αργον, a word that _does_ _nothing_, that neither ministers _grace_ nor _instruction_ to them who hear it. The word αργον corresponds to the Hebrew שוא _shave_, which signifies not only _vain_ or _empty_, but also _wicked_ and _injurious_, such as _a false testimon... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 37. _BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE JUSTIFIED_] That is, the whole tenor of thy _conversation_ will be an evidence _for_ or _against_ thee, in the great day. How many are there who count _words_ for nothing! and yet eternity often depends on them. _Lord, put a_ _watch before the door of my lips_!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 38. _WE WOULD SEE A SIGN FROM THEE._] That is, we wish now to see thee work a miracle. Pride, vain curiosity, and incredulity, have never proof sufficient of the truth: for they _will not_ be _satisfied_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 39. _AN EVIL AND ADULTEROUS GENERATION_] Or, _race of_ _people_; for so γενεα should be translated here, and in most other places in the Gospels; for our Lord, in general, uses it to point out the _Jewish people_. This translation is a key to unlock some very obscure passages in the evangelist... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 40. _THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS_] Our Lord rose from the grave on the day but _one_ after his crucifixion: so that, in the computation in this verse, the part of the day on which he was crucified, and the part of that on which he rose again, are severally estimated as an _entire day_; and th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 41. _THE MEN OF NINEVEH SHELL RISE IN JUDGMENT_] The voice of God, threatening temporal judgments, caused a whole people to repent, who had neither Moses nor Christ, neither the law nor the prophets; and who perhaps never had but this one preacher among them. What judgment may not we expect, i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 42. _THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH_] In 1 Kings 10:1, this queen is said to be of _Saba_, which was a city and province of Arabia Felix, to the _south_, or _south-east_, of Judea. _UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH_] περατων της γης - a form of speech which merely signifies, _a great distance_. See Deute... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 43. _WHEN THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT_] If there had been no reality in demoniacal possessions, our Lord would have scarcely appealed to a case of this kind here, to point out the real state of the Jewish people, and the desolation which was coming upon them. Had this been only a vulgar error, of the n... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 44. _INTO MY HOUSE_] The soul of that person from whom he had been expelled by the power of Christ, and out of which he was to have been kept by continual prayer, faith, and watchfulness. _HE FINDETH_ IT _EMPTY_] _Unoccupied_, σχολαζοντα, _empty_ of the former inhabitant, and _ready_ to recei... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 45. _SEVEN OTHER SPIRITS MORE WICKED_] _Seven_ was a favourite number with the Jews, implying frequently, with them, something _perfect, completed, filled up_, for such is the proper import of the Hebrew word _sheva_ or _shevang_: nearly allied in sound to our _seven_. And perhaps this meaning... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:46. HIS _MOTHER AND HIS BRETHREN_] These are supposed to have been the _cousins_ of our Lord, as the word _brother_ is frequently used among the Hebrews in this sense. But there are others who believe Mary had other children beside our Lord and that these were literally his _brother... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:48. _WHO IS MY MOTHER? AND WHO ARE MY BRETHREN?_] The reason of this seeming disregard of his relatives was this: _they_ _came to seize upon him_, for _they thought he was distracted_. See Mark 3:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 12:50. _WHOSOEVER SHALL DO THE WILL OF MY FATHER_, c.] Those are the best acknowledged relatives of Christ who are united to him by spiritual ties, and who are become _one_ with him by the indwelling of his Spirit. We generally suppose that Christ's relatives must have shared much of h... [ Continue Reading ]