For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an (1)
householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers
into his vineyard.
(1) God is bound to no man, and therefore he calls whoever and
whenever he desires. This only every man ought to take heed of, and
upon this bestow his... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had (a) agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he
sent them into his vineyard.
(a) Literally, "fell in time": it is a kind of speech taken from
poetry.... [ Continue Reading ]
And about the (b) eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing
idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
(b) The last hour: for the day was twelve hours long, and the first
hour began at sunrise.... [ Continue Reading ]
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye
(c) evil, because I am good?
(c) Naught, that is to say, do you envy at my goodness towards them?
For by an "evil eye" the Hebrews mean "envy", because such
dispositions appear chiefly in the eyes, as above in (Matthew 6:23).
It... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in
the way, and said unto them,
(2) Christ goes to the cross necessarily, and yet willingly.... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be
betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall
condemn him to death,
(3) They that should be persecuting him the least, are the greatest
persecutors of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and
to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.
(4) The shame of the cross is the sure way to the glory of everlasting
life.... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons,
worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him.
(5) The manner of the heavenly kingdom is quite contrary to the
earthly kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to
(d) drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with
the (e) baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are
able.
(d) "Taking the cup" is figurative speech for that which is contained
in the cup. And aga... [ Continue Reading ]
And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be
baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my
right hand, and on my left, is (f) not mine to give, but [it shall be
given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.
(f) The almightiness of Christ's divinity is... [ Continue Reading ]
But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes
of the Gentiles exercise (g) dominion over them, and they that are
great exercise authority upon them.
(g) Somewhat sharply and roughly.... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
(6) Christ by healing these blind men with only one touch, shows that
he is the only light of the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus stood still, and (h) called them, and said, What will ye
that I shall do unto you?
(h) Himself, not by the means of other men.... [ Continue Reading ]