CHAPTER XVIII. _The disciples inquiring who should be greatest in Christ's_ _kingdom_, 1. _He takes occasion to recommend humility, simplicity, and_ _disinterestedness_, 2-6. _Warns them against offences_, 7. _Recommends mortification and self-denial_. 8, 9. _Charges them to avoid giving offe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:2. _A LITTLE CHILD_] But this child could _walk_, for he called _him to him_. _Nicephorus_ says, this was _Ignatius_, who was afterwards bishop of _Antioch_, and suffered martyrdom under, and by command of, the Roman Emperor _Trojan_, in the 107th year of our Lord. But this good fat... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:3. _EXCEPT YE BE CONVERTED_] Unless ye be saved from those prejudices which are at present so baneful to your nation, (seeking a temporal and not a spiritual kingdom,) unless ye be clothed with the spirit of humility, ye cannot enter into the spirit, design, and privileges of my spi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:4. _WHOSOEVER THEREFORE SHALL HUMBLE HIMSELF_] So great is the disparity between the kingdom of Christ and the kingdoms of this world, that there is no way of rising to honours in the former, but by humility of mind, and continual self-abasement. _THE SAME IS GREATEST_] Thus our Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:5. _ONE SUCH LITTLE CHILD_] As our Lord in the preceding verses considers a little child an emblem of a genuine disciple, so by the term in this verse he means a disciple only. "Whosoever will receive, _i.e._ show unto such a child-like, unambitious disciple of mine, any act of kind... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:6. _BUT WHOSO SHALL OFFEND ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES_] But, on the contrary, whosoever shall cause one of the least of those who believe in me to be stumbled-to go into the spirit of the world, or give way to sin - such a one shall meet with the most exemplary punishment. Let those... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:7. _WO!_] Or, _alas_! ουαι. It is the opinion of some eminent critics, that this word is ever used by our Lord to express _sympathy_ and _concern_. _BECAUSE OF OFFENCES_] Scandals, stumbling-blocks, persecutions, c. _FOR IT MUST NEEDS BE THAT OFFENCES COME_] Αναγκε γαρ εϚιν ελθειν... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:8. _IF THY HAND_, c.] See the notes on Matthew 5:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:9. Matthew 18:8, Matthew 18:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:10. _ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES_] One of my simple, loving, humble disciples. _THEIR ANGELS - ALWAYS BEHOLD_] Our Lord here not only alludes to, but, in my opinion, establishes the notion received by almost all nations, viz. That every person has a _guardian angel_; and that these ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:11. _FOR THE SON OF MAN_, c.] This is added as a second reason, why no injury should be done to his followers. "The Son of man has so loved them as to come into the world to lay down his life for them." _THAT WHICH WAS LOST._] απολωλος. In Revelation 9:11, Satan is called απολλυων... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:12. _DOTH HE NOT LEAVE THE NINETY AND NINE, AND GOETH INTO_ _THE MOUNTAINS_] So our common translation reads the verse; others, _Doth he not leave the ninety and nine_ UPON THE MOUNTAINS, _and go_, c. This latter reading appears to me to be the best because, in Luke 15:4, it is said... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:13. _HE REJOICETH MORE_] It is justly observed by one, on this verse, that it is natural for a person to express unusual joy at the _fortunate accomplishment_ of an _unexpected event_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:14. _IT IS NOT THE WILL OF YOUR FATHER_] If any soul be finally lost, it is not because God's _will_ or _counsel_ was against its salvation, or that a proper provision had not been made for it; but that, though light came into the world, it preferred darkness to light, because of it... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:15. _IF THY BROTHER_] Any who is a member of the same religious society, _sin against thee_, 1. _Go and reprove him_ _alone_, - it may be in person; if that cannot be so well done, by thy messenger, or in writing, (which in many cases is likely to be the most effectual.) Observe, ou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 16:2. _TAKE WITH THEE ONE OR TWO MORE_] Men whom he esteems, who may then confirm and enforce what thou sayest; and afterwards, if need require, bear witness of what was spoken. If even this do not succeed, then, and not before,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 17:3. _TELL_ IT _UNTO THE CHURCH_] Lay the whole matter before the congregation of Christian believers, in that place of which he is a member, or before the _minister_ and _elders_, as the _representatives_ of the Church or assembly. If all this avail not, then, _LET HIM BE UNTO THEE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:18. _WHATSOEVER YE SHALL BIND_, c.] Whatever determinations ye make, in conformity to these directions for your conduct to an offending brother, will be accounted just, and ratified by the Lord. See on Matthew 16:19 and, to what is there said, the following observations may be profi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:19. _AGAIN I SAY UNTO YOU_] The word αμην, _verily_, is _added_ here, in ninety-eight MSS., (many of which are of the greatest antiquity and importance,) seven editions, all the Arabic, the Slavonic, and several of the _Itala_. The taking in or leaving out such a word may appear to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:20. _FOR WHERE TWO - ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN THY NAME_] There are many sayings among the Jews almost exactly similar to this, such as, _Wherever even two persons are sitting in discourse_ _concerning the law, the Divine presence is among them_. See much more in _Schoettgen_. And t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:21. _TILL SEVEN TIMES?_] Though _seven_ was a number of perfection among the Hebrews, and often meant much more than the units in it imply, yet it is evident that Peter uses it here in its plain literal sense, as our Lord's words sufficiently testify. It was a maxim among the Jews n... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:22. _SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN._] There is something very remarkable in these words, especially if collated with Genesis 4:24, where the very same words are used-"If any man kill LAMECH, he shall be avenged _seventy times seven_." The just God punishes sin in an exemplary manner. _Sinful... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:23. _THEREFORE IS THE KINGDOM_] In respect to _sin,_ _cruelty_, and _oppression_, God will proceed in the kingdom of heaven (the dispensation of the Gospel) as he did in former times; and every person shall give an account of himself to God. Every sin is a _debt_ contracted with the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:24. _TEN THOUSAND TALENTS_] μυριων ταλαντων, a myriad of talents, the highest number known in Greek arithmetical notation. An immense sum, which, if the _silver_ talent be designed, amounts to 4,500,000 sterling; but if the gold talent be meant which is by far the most likely, then... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:25. _HE HAD NOT TO PAY_] That is _not being able to pay_. As there could not be the smallest probability that a servant, wholly _dependent_ on his master, who was now absolutely insolvent, could ever pay a debt he had contracted of more than 67 millions! - so is it impossible for a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:26. _FELL DOWN AND WORSHIPPED HIM_] προσεκυνει αυτω, _crouched as a dog before him_, with the greatest deference, submission, and anxiety. _HAVE PATIENCE WITH ME_] μακροθυμησον επ' εμοι, _be long-minded_ _towards me _- give me longer space. The means which a sinner should use to b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:27. _MOVED WITH COMPASSION_] Or with _tender pity_. This is the _source_ of salvation to a lost world, the tender pity, the eternal mercy of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:28. _A HUNDRED PENCE_] Rather _denarii_. The _denarius_ was a Roman coin, worth about _seven-pence halfpenny_ English. The original word should be retained, as our word _penny_ does not convey the _seventh part_ of the meaning. A hundred denarii would amount to about 3_l_. 2_s_. 6_d... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 29. _FELL DOWN AT HIS FEET_] This clause is wanting in several ancient MSS., versions, and fathers. Several printed editions also have omitted it; Griesbach has left it out of the text. _PAY THEE ALL._] παντα, _all_, is omitted by a multitude of MSS., versions, and fathers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:30. _AND HE WOULD NOT_, c.] To the _unmerciful_, God will show _no mercy_ this is an eternal purpose of the Lord, which never can be changed. God teaches us what to do to a _fellow-sinner_, by what HE does to us. Our fellow-servant's debt to us, and ours to God, are as one hundred d... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:31. _HIS FELLOW-SERVANTS SAW WHAT WAS DONE_] An act of this kind is so dishonourable to all the followers of Christ, and to the spirit of his Gospel, that through the respect they owe to their Lord and Master, and through the concern they feel for the prosperity of his cause, they a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:32. _HIS LORD, AFTER THAT HE HAD CALLED HIM_] Alas! how shall he appear! _Confounded_. What shall he answer? He is _speechless_!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:33. _SHOULDEST NOT THOU ALSO HAVE HAD COMPASSION_] ουκ εδει και σε, _Did it not become thee also_? What a cutting reproach! It became ME to show mercy, when thou didst earnestly entreat me, because _I am_ MERCIFUL, It became thee also to have _shown mercy_, because thou wert so deep... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:34. _DELIVERED HIM TO THE TORMENTORS_] Not only continued captivity is here intended, but the tortures to be endured in it. If a person was suspected of fraud, as there was reason for in such a case as that mentioned here, he was put to very cruel tortures among the Asiatics, to in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 18:35. _SO LIKEWISE SHALL MY HEAVENLY FATHER DO ALSO UNTO_ _YOU_] The goodness and indulgence of God towards us is the pattern we should follow in our dealings with others. If we take man for our exemplar we shall err, because our copy is a bad one; and our lives are not likely to be... [ Continue Reading ]