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Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
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Matthew Henry |
M A T T H E W.
CHAP. XII.
In this chapter, we have,
I. Christ’s clearing of the law of the fourth commandment concerning
the sabbath-day, and vindicating it from some superstitious notions
advanced by the Jewish teachers; showing that works of necessity and
mercy are to be done on that day,
II. The prudence, humility, and self-denial of our Lord Jesus in
working his miracles,
III. Christ’s answer to the blasphemous cavils and calumnies of the
scribes and Pharisees, who imputed his casting out devils to a compact
with the devil,
IV. Christ’s reply to a tempting demand of the scribes and Pharisees,
challenging him to show them a sign from heaven,
V. Christ’s judgment about his kindred and relations,
| Christ Vindicates His Disciples. |
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1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn;
and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of
corn, and to eat.
2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold,
thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath
day.
3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when
he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the
showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them
which were with him, but only for the priests?
5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days
the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than
the temple.
7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy,
and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their
synagogue:
10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered.
And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath
days? that they might accuse him.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you,
that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the
sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is
lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he
stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the
other.
The Jewish teachers had corrupted many of the commandments, by
interpreting them more loosely than they were intended; a mistake which
Christ discovered and rectified
(ch. v.)
in his sermon on the mount: but concerning the fourth commandment, they
had erred in the other extreme, and interpreted it too strictly. Note,
it is common for men of corrupt minds, by their zeal in rituals, and
the external services of religion, to think to atone for the looseness
of their morals. But they are cursed who add to, as well as they
who take from, the words of this book,
Rev. xxii. 16, 19; Prov. xxx. 6.
Now that which our Lord Jesus here lays down is, that the works of
necessity and mercy are lawful on the sabbath day, which the Jews in
many instances were taught to make a scruple of. Christ’s industrious
explanation of the fourth commandment, intimates its perpetual
obligation to the religious observation of one day in seven, as
a holy sabbath. He would not expound a law that was immediately
to expire, but doubtless intended hereby to settle a point which would
be of use to his church in all ages; and so it is to teach us, that our
Christian sabbath, though under the direction of the fourth
commandment, is not under the injunctions of the Jewish elders.
It is usual to settle the meaning of a law by judgments given upon
cases that happen in fact, and in like manner is the meaning of this
law settled. Here are two passages of story put together for this
purpose, happening at some distance of time from each other, and of a
different nature, but both answering this intention.
I. Christ, by justifying his disciples in plucking the ears of corn on
the sabbath-day, shows that works of necessity are lawful
on that day. Now here observe,
1. What it was that the disciples did. They were following their Master
one sabbath day through a corn-field; it is likely they were going to
the synagogue
(v. 9),
for it becomes not Christ’s disciples to take idle walks on that
day, and they were hungry; let it be no disparagement to our
Master’s house-keeping. But we will suppose they were so intent upon
the sabbath work, that they forgot to eat bread; had spent so much time
in their morning worship, that they had no time for their morning meal,
but came out fasting, because they would not come late to the
synagogue. Providence ordered it that they went through the
corn, and there they were supplied. Note, God has many ways of
bringing suitable provision to his people when they need it, and will
take particular care of them when they are going to the synagogue, as
of old for them that went up to Jerusalem to worship
for whose use the rain filled the pools: while we are in the way of
duty, Jehovah-jireh, let God alone to provide for us. Being in
the corn-fields, they began to pluck the ears of corn; the law
of God allowed this
to teach people to be neighbourly, and not to insist upon property in a
small matter, whereby another may be benefited. This was but slender
provision for Christ and his disciples, but it was the best they had,
and they were content with it. The famous Mr. Ball, of Whitmore, used
to say he had two dishes of meat to his sabbath dinner, a dish of hot
milk, and a dish of cold, and he had enough and enough.
2. What was the offence that the Pharisees took at this. It was but a
dry breakfast, yet the Pharisees would not let them eat that in
quietness. They did not quarrel with them for taking another man’s corn
(they were no great zealots for justice), but for doing it on the
sabbath day; for plucking and rubbing the ears of corn of that day
was expressly forbidden by the tradition of the elders, for this
reason, because it was a kind of reaping.
Note, It is no new thing for the most harmless and innocent actions of
Christ’s disciples to be evil spoken of, and reflected upon as
unlawful, especially by those who are zealous for their own inventions
and impositions. The Pharisees complained of them to their Master for
doing that which it was not lawful to do. Note, Those are no
friends to Christ and his disciples, who make that to be unlawful which
God has not made to be so.
3. What was Christ’s answer to this cavil of the Pharisees. The
disciples could say little for themselves, especially because those who
quarrelled with them seemed to have the strictness of the sabbath
sanctification on their side; and it is safest to err on that hand: but
Christ came to free his followers, not only from the corruptions of the
Pharisees, but from their unscriptural impositions, and therefore has
something to say for them, and justifies what they did, though it was a
transgression of the canon.
(1.) He justifies them by precedents, which were allowed to be good by
the Pharisees themselves.
[1.] He urges an ancient instance of David, who in a case of necessity
did that which otherwise he ought not to have done
(v. 3, 4);
“Have ye not read the story
of David’s eating the show-bread, which by the law was appropriated to
the priest?”
It is most holy to Aaron and his sons; and
a stranger shall not eat of it; yet the priest gave it to David
and his men; for though the exception of a case of necessity was not
expressed, yet it was implied in that and all other ritual
institutions. That which bore out David in eating the show-bread was
not his dignity (Uzziah, that invaded the priest’s office in the pride
of his heart, though a king, was struck with a leprosy for it,
&c.), but his hunger. The greatest shall not have their lusts
indulged, but the meanest shall have their wants considered. Hunger is
a natural desire which cannot be mortified, but must be gratified, and
cannot be put off with any thing but meat; therefore we say, It will
break through stone walls. Now the Lord is for the body,
and allowed his own appointment to be dispensed with in a case of
distress; much more might the tradition of the elders be dispensed
with. Note, That may be done in a case of necessity which may not be
done at another time; there are laws which necessity has not, but it is
a law to itself. Men do not despise, but pity, a thief that
steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry,
Prov. vi. 30.
[2.] He urges a daily instance of the priests, which they likewise
read in the law, and according to which was the constant usage,
v. 5.
The priests in the temple did a great deal of servile work on
the sabbath day; killing, flaying, burning the sacrificed beasts, which
in a common case would have been profaning the sabbath; and yet
it was never reckoned any transgression of the fourth commandment,
because the temple-service required and justified it. This intimates,
that those labours are lawful on the sabbath day which are necessary,
not only to the support of life, but to the service of the
day; as tolling a bell to call the congregation together,
travelling to church, and the like. Sabbath rest is to promote, not to
hinder, sabbath worship.
(2.) He justifies them by arguments, three cogent ones.
[1.] In this place is one greater than the temple,
v. 6.
If the temple-service would justify what the priests did in their
ministration, the service of Christ would much more justify the
disciples in what they did in their attendance upon him. The Jews had
an extreme veneration for the temple: it sanctified the gold;
Stephen was accused for blaspheming that holy place
(Acts vi. 13);
but Christ, in a corn-field, was greater than the temple, for in
him dwelt not the presence of God symbolically, but all the
fulness of the Godhead bodily. Note, If whatever we do, we do it
in the name of Christ, and as unto him, it shall be
graciously accepted of God, however it may be censured and cavilled at
by men.
[2.] God will have mercy and not sacrifice,
v. 7.
Ceremonial duties must give way to moral, and the natural, royal law of
love and self-preservation must take place of ritual observances. This
is quoted from
It was used before,
in vindication of mercy to the souls of men; here, of mercy to their
bodies. The rest of the sabbath was ordained for man’s good, in favour
of the body,
Now no law must be construed so as to contradict its own end. If you
had known what this means, had known what it is to be of a merciful
disposition, you would have been sorry that they were forced to do this
to satisfy their hunger, and would not have condemned the
guiltless. Note, First, Ignorance is the cause of our rash
and uncharitable censures of our brethren. Secondly, It is not
enough for us to know the scriptures, but we must labour to know the
meaning of them. Let him that readeth understand. Thirdly,
Ignorance of the meaning of the scripture is especially shameful in
those who take upon them to teach others.
[3.] The Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day,
v. 8.
That law, as all the rest, is put into the hand of Christ, to be
altered, enforced, or dispensed with, as he sees good. It was by the
Son that God made the world, and by him he instituted the
sabbath in innocency; by him he gave the ten commandments at mount
Sinai, and as Mediator he is entrusted with the institution of
ordinances, and to make what changes he thought fit; and particularly,
as being Lord of the sabbath, he was authorized to make such an
alteration of that day, as that it should become the Lord’s day, the
Lord Christ’s day. And if Christ be the Lord of the sabbath, it
is fit the day and all the work of it should be dedicated to him. By
virtue of this power Christ here enacts, that works of necessity, if
they be really such, and not a pretended and self-created necessity,
are lawful on the sabbath day; and this explication of the law plainly
shows that it was to be perpetual. Exceptio firmat regulam–The
exception confirms the rule.
Christ having thus silenced the Pharisees, and got clear of them
(v. 9),
departed, and went into their synagogue, the synagogue of
these Pharisees, in which they presided, and toward which he was going,
when they picked this quarrel with him. Note, First, We must
take heed lest any thing that occurs in our way to holy ordinances
unfit us for, or divert us from, our due attendance on them. Let us
proceed in the way of our duty, notwithstanding the artifices of Satan,
who endeavours, by the perverse disputings of men of corrupt
minds, and many other ways, to ruffle and discompose us.
Secondly, We must not, for the sake of private feuds and
personal piques, draw back from public worship. Though the Pharisees
had thus maliciously cavilled at Christ, yet he went into their
synagogue. Satan gains this point, if, by sowing discord among
brethren, he prevail to drive them, or any of them, from the synagogue,
and the communion of the faithful.
II. Christ, by healing the man that had the withered hand on the
sabbath day, shows that works of mercy are lawful and proper to be
done on that day. The work of necessity was done by the disciples, and
justified by him; the work of mercy was done by himself; the works of
mercy were his works of necessity; it was his meat and drink to do
good. I must preach, says he,
This cure is recorded for the sake of the time when it was wrought, on
the sabbath.
Here is,
1. The affliction that this poor man was in; his hand was withered so
that he was utterly disabled to get his living by working with his
hands. St. Jerome says, that the gospel of Matthew in Hebrew, used
by the Nazarenes and Ebionites, adds this circumstance to this story of
the man with the withered hand, that he was Cæmentarius–a
bricklayer, and applied himself to Christ thus; “Lord, I am a
bricklayer, and have got my living by my labour (manibus victum
quæritans); I beseech thee, O Jesus, restore me the use of my
hand, that I may not be obliged to beg my bread” (ne turpiter
mendicem cibos). Hieron. in loc. This poor man was in the
synagogue. Note, Those who can do but little, or have but little to do
for the world, must do so much the more for their souls; as the rich,
the aged, and the infirm.
2. A spiteful question which the Pharisees put to Christ upon the sight
of this man. They asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal? We
read not here of any address this poor man made to Christ for a cure,
but they observed Christ began to take notice of him, and knew it was
usual for him to be found of those that sought him not, and
therefore with their badness they anticipated his goodness, and started
this case as a stumbling-block in the way of doing good; Is it
lawful to heal on the sabbath-day? Whether it was lawful for
physicians to heal on that day or not, which was the thing
disputed in their books, one would think it past dispute, that it is
lawful for prophets to heal, for him to heal who discovered a
divine power and goodness in all he did of this kind, and manifested
himself to be sent of God. Did ever any ask, whether it is
lawful for God to heal, to send his word and heal? It is true, Christ
was now made under the law, by a voluntary submission to it, but
he was never made under the precepts of the elders. Is it lawful to
heal? To enquire into the lawfulness and unlawfulness of actions is
very good, and we cannot apply ourselves to any with such enquiries
more fitly than to Christ; but they asked here, not that they might be
instructed by him, but that they might accuse him. If he should
say that it was lawful to heal on the sabbath day, they would accuse
him of a contradiction to the fourth commandment; to so great a degree
of superstition had the Pharisees brought the sabbath rest, that,
unless in peril of life, they allowed not any medicinal operations on
the sabbath day. If he should say that it was not lawful, they would
accuse him of partiality, having lately justified his disciples in
plucking the ears of corn on that day.
3. Christ’s answer to this question, by way of appeal to themselves,
and their own opinion and practice,
In case a sheep (though but one, of which the loss would not be
very great) should fall into a pit on the sabbath day, would they
not lift it out? No doubt they might do it, the fourth commandment
allows it; they must do it, for a merciful man regardeth the life of
his beast, and for their parts they would do it, rather than lose a
sheep; does Christ take care for sheep? Yes, he does; he preserves and
provides for both man and beast. But here he says it for our sakes
and hence argues, How much then is a man better than a sheep?
Sheep are not only harmless but useful creatures, and are prized and
tended accordingly; yet a man is here preferred far before them. Note,
Man, in respect of his being, is a great deal better, and more
valuable, than the best of the brute creatures: man is a reasonable
creature, capable of knowing, loving, and glorifying God, and therefore
is better than a sheep. The sacrifice of a sheep could therefore not
atone for the sin of a soul. They do not consider this, who are more
solicitous for the education, preservation, and supply of their horses
and dogs than of God’s poor, or perhaps their own household.
Hence Christ infers a truth, which, even at first sight, appears very
reasonable and good-natured; that it is lawful to do well on the
sabbath days; they had asked, Is it lawful to hear? Christ
proves it is lawful to do well, and let any one judge whether
healing, as Christ healed, was not doing well. Note, There are
more ways of doing well upon sabbath days, than by the duties of
God’s immediate worship; attending the sick, relieving the poor,
helping those who are fallen into sudden distress, and call for speedy
relief; this is doing good: and this must be done from a
principle of love and charity, with humility and self-denial, and a
heavenly frame of spirit, and this is doing well, and it
shall be accepted,
Gen. iv. 7.
4. Christ’s curing of the man, notwithstanding the offence which he
foresaw the Pharisees would take at it,
Though they could not answer Christ’s arguments, they were resolved to
persist in their prejudice and enmity; but Christ went on with his work
notwithstanding. Note, Duty is not to be left undone, nor
opportunities of doing good neglected, for fear of giving offence. Now
the manner of the cure is observable; he said to the man, “Stretch
forth thy hand, exert thyself as well as thou canst;” and he did
so, and it was restored whole. This, as other cures Christ
wrought, had a spiritual significancy.
(1.) By nature our hands are withered, we are utterly unable of
ourselves to doing any thing that is good.
(2.) It is Christ only, by the power of his grace, that cures us; he
heals the withered hand by putting life into the dead soul, works in us
both to will and to do.
(3.) In order to our cure, he commands us to stretch forth our
hands, to improve our natural powers, and do as well as we can; to
stretch them out in prayer to God, to stretch them out to lay hold on
Christ by faith, to stretch them out in holy endeavours. Now this man
could not stretch forth his withered hand of himself, any more than the
impotent man could arise and carry his bed, or Lazarus come forth out
of his grave; yet Christ bid him do it. God’s commands to us to do the
duty which of ourselves we are not able to do are no more absurd or
unjust, than this command to the man with the withered hand, to
stretch it forth; for with the command, there is a promise of grace
which is given by the word. Turn ye at my reproof, and I will pour
out my Spirit,
Prov. i. 23.
Those who perish are as inexcusable as this man would have been, if he
had not attempted to stretch forth his hand, and so had not been
healed. But those who are saved have no more to boast of than this man
had of contributing to his own cure, by stretching forth his hand, but
are as much indebted to the power and grace of Christ as he was.
| The Malice of the Pharisees; Christ Withdraws Himself. |
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14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him,
how they might destroy him.
15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence:
and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the
prophet, saying,
18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom
my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he
shall show judgment to the Gentiles.
19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his
voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he
not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
As in the midst of Christ’s greatest humiliations, there were proofs of
his dignity, so in the midst of his greatest honours, he gave proofs of
his humility; and when the mighty works he did gave him an opportunity
of making a figure, yet he made it appear that he emptied
himself, and made himself of no reputation. Here we
have,
I. The cursed malice of the Pharisees against Christ
(v. 14);
being enraged at the convincing evidence of his miracles, they went
out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
That which vexed them was, not only that by his miracles his honour
eclipsed theirs, but that the doctrine he preached was directly
opposite to their pride, and hypocrisy, and worldly interest; but they
pretended to be displeased at his breaking the sabbath day, which was
by the law a capital crime,
Note, it is no new thing to see the vilest practices cloaked with the
most specious pretences. Observe their policy; they took counsel about
it, considered with themselves which way to do it effectually; they
took counsel together in a close cabal about it, that they might both
animate and assist one another. Observe their cruelty; they took
counsel, not to imprison or banish him, but to destroy him, to be the
death of him who came that we might have life. What an indignity
was hereby put upon our Lord Jesus, to run him down as an outlaw
(qui caput gerit lupinum–carries a wolf’s head), and the plague
of his country, who was the greatest blessing of it, the Glory of his
people Israel!
II. Christ’s absconding upon this occasion, and the privacy he chose,
to decline, not his work, but his danger; because his hour was not
yet come
(v. 15),
he withdrew himself from thence. He could have secured himself
by miracle, but chose to do it in the ordinary way of flight and
retirement; because in this, as in other things, he would submit to the
sinless infirmities of our nature. Herein he humbled himself, that he
was driven to the common shift of those who are most helpless; thus
also he would give an example to his own rule, When they persecute
you in one city, flee to another. Christ had said and done enough
to convince those Pharisees, if reason or miracles would have done it;
but instead of yielding to the conviction, they were hardened and
enraged, and therefore he left them as incurable,
Christ did not retire for his own ease, nor seek an excuse to leave off
his work; no, his retirements were filled up with business, and he was
even then doing good, when he was forced to flee for the same. Thus he
gave an example to his ministers, to do what they can, when they cannot
do what they would, and to continue teaching, even when they are
removed into corners. When the Pharisees, the great dons and doctors of
the nation, drove Christ from then, and forced him to withdraw himself,
yet the common people crowded after him; great multitudes followed
him and found him out. This some would turn to his reproach, and
call him the ring-leader of the mob; but it was really his honour, that
all who were unbiased and unprejudiced, and not blinded by the pomp of
the world, were so hearty, so zealous for him, that they would follow
him whithersoever he went, and whatever hazards they ran with him; as
it was also the honour of his grace, that the poor were evangelized;
that when they received him, he received them and healed them all.
Christ came into the world to be a Physician-general, as the sun to the
lower world, with healing under his wings. Though the Pharisees
persecuted Christ for doing good, yet he went on in it, and did not let
the people fare the worse for the wickedness of their rulers. Note,
Though some are unkind to us, we must not on that account be unkind to
others.
Christ studied to reconcile usefulness and privacy; he healed them
all, and yet
(v. 16),
charged them that they should not make him known; which may be
looked upon,
1. As an act of prudence; it was not so much the miracles themselves,
as the public discourse concerning them, that enraged the Pharisees
(v. 23, 24);
therefore Christ, though he would not omit doing good, yet would do it
with as little noise as possible, to avoid offence to them and peril to
himself. Note, Wise and good men, though they covet to do good, yet are
far from coveting to have it talked of when it is done; because it is
God’s acceptance, not men’s applause, that they aim at. And in
suffering times, though we must boldly go on in the way of duty, yet we
must contrive the circumstances of it so as not to exasperate, more
than is necessary, those who seek occasion against us; Be ye wise as
serpents,
ch. x. 16.
2. It may be looked upon as an act of righteous judgment upon the
Pharisees, who were unworthy to hear of any more of his miracles,
having made so light of those they had seen. By shutting their eyes
against the light, they had forfeited the benefit of it.
3. As an act of humility and self-denial. Though Christ’s intention in
his miracles was to prove himself the Messiah, and so to bring men to
believe on him, in order to which it was requisite that they should be
known, yet sometimes he charged the people to conceal them, to set us
an example of humility, and to teach us not to proclaim our own
goodness or usefulness, or to desire to have it proclaimed. Christ
would have his disciples to be the reverse of those who did all their
works to be seen of men.
III. The fulfilling of the scriptures in all this,
Christ retired into privacy and obscurity, that though he was eclipsed,
the word of God might be fulfilled, and so illustrated and glorified,
which was the thing his heart was upon. The scripture here said to be
fulfilled is
which is quoted at large,
The scope of it is to show how mild and quiet, and yet how successful,
our Lord Jesus should be in his undertaking; instances of both which we
have in the foregoing passages. Observe here,
1. The pleasure of the Father in Christ
(v. 18);
Behold, my Servant whom I have chosen, my Beloved in whom my soul is
well pleased. Hence we may learn,
(1.) That our Saviour was God’s Servant in the great work of our
redemption. He therein submitted himself to the Father’s will
(Heb. x. 7),
and set himself to serve the design of his grace and the interests of
his glory, in repairing the breaches that had been made by man’s
apostasy. As a Servant, he had a great work appointed him, and a
great trust reposed in him. This was a part of his humiliation, that
though he thought it not robbery to be equal with God, yet that
in the work of our salvation he took upon him the form of a servant,
received a law, and came into bonds. Though he were a son, yet
learned he this obedience,
Heb. v. 8.
The motto of this Prince is, Ich dien–I serve.
(2.) That Jesus Christ was chosen of God, as the only fit and proper
person for the management of the great work of our redemption. He is
my Servant whom I have chosen, as par negotio–equal to the
undertaking. None but he was able to do the Redeemer’s work, or fit
to wear the Redeemer’s crown. He was one chosen out of the
people
chosen by Infinite Wisdom to that post of service and honour, for which
neither man nor angel was qualified; none but Christ, that he might in
all things have the pre-eminence. Christ did not thrust himself upon
this work, but was duly chosen into it; Christ was so God’s Chosen as
to be the head of election, and of all other the Elect, for we are
chosen in him,
Eph. i. 4.
(3.) That Jesus Christ is God’s Beloved, his beloved Son; as God, he
lay from eternity in his bosom
(John i. 18);
he was daily his delight,
Between the Father and the Son there was before all time an eternal and
inconceivable intercourse and interchanging of love, and thus the
Lord possessed him in the beginning of his way,
Prov. viii. 22.
As Mediator, the Father loved him; then when it pleased the Lord to
bruise him, and he submitted to it, therefore did the Father love
him,
John x. 17.
(4.) That Jesus Christ is one in whom the Father is well pleased, in
whom his soul is pleased; which denotes the highest complacency
imaginable. God declared, by a voice from heaven, that he was his
beloved Son in whom he is well pleased; well pleased in him,
because he was the ready and cheerful Undertaker of that work of wonder
which God’s heart was so much upon, and he is well pleased with us in
him; for he had made us accepted in the Beloved,
Eph. i. 6.
All the interest which fallen man has or can have in God is grounded
upon and owing to God’s well-pleasedness in Jesus Christ; for
there is no coming to the Father but by him,
John xiv. 6.
2. The promise of the Father to him in two things.
(1.) That he should be every way well qualified for his undertaking;
I will put my Spirit upon him, as a Spirit of wisdom and
counsel,
Isa. xi. 2, 3.
Those whom God calls to any service, he will be sure to fit and qualify
for it; and by that it will appear that he called them to it, as Moses,
Christ, as God, was equal in power and glory with the Father; as
Mediator, he received from the Father power and glory, and received
that he might give: and all that the Father gave him, to qualify him
for his undertaking, was summed up in this, he put his Spirit upon
him: this was that oil of gladness with which he was
anointed above his fellows,
Heb. i. 9.
He received the Spirit, not by measure, but without measure,
John iii. 34.
Note, Whoever they be that God has chosen, and in whim he is well
pleased, he will be sure to put his Spirit upon them. Wherever
he confers his love, he confers somewhat of his likeness.
(2.) That he should be abundantly successful in his understanding.
Those whom God sends he will certainly own. It was long since secured
by promise to our Lord Jesus, that the good pleasure of the Lord
should prosper in his hand,
Isa. liii. 10.
And here we have an account of that prospering good pleasure.
[1.] He shall show judgment to the Gentiles. Christ in his own
person preached to those who bordered upon the heathen nations (see
and by his apostle showed his gospel, called here his judgment,
to the Gentile world. The way and method of salvation, the
judgment which is committed to the Son, is not only
wrought out by him as our great High Priest, but showed and published
by him as our great Prophet. The gospel, as it is a rule of practice
and conversation, which has a direct tendency to the reforming and
bettering of men’s hearts and lives, shall be showed to the Gentiles.
God’s judgments had been the Jews’ peculiar
but it was often foretold, by the Old-Testament prophets, that they
should be showed to the Gentiles, which therefore ought not to
have been such a surprise as it was to the unbelieving Jews, much less
a vexation.
[2.] In his name shall the Gentiles trust,
v. 21.
He shall so show judgment to them, that they shall heed and observe
what he shows them, and be influenced by it to depend upon him, to
devote themselves to him, and conform to that judgment. Note, The
great design of the gospel, is to bring people to trust in the name of
Jesus Christ; his name Jesus, a Saviour, that precious name whereby he
is called, and which is as ointment poured forth; The Lord our
Righteousness. The evangelist here follows the Septuagint (or
perhaps the latter editions of the Septuagint follow the evangelist);
the Hebrew
is, The isles shall wait for his law. The isles of the Gentiles
are spoken of
(Gen. x. 5),
as peopled by the sons of Japhet, of whom it was said
(Gen. ix. 27),
God shall persuade Japhet to dwell in the tents of Shem; which
was now to be fulfilled, when the isles (says the prophet),
the Gentiles (says the evangelist), shall wait for his
law, and trust in his name: compare these together, and
observe, that they, and they only, can with confidence trust in
Christ’s name, that wait for his law with a resolution to be
ruled by it. Observe also, that the law we wait for is the law of
faith, the law of trusting in his name. This is now his great
commandment, that we believe in Christ,
1 John iii. 23.
3. The prediction concerning him, and his mild and quiet management of
his undertaking,
It is chiefly for the sake of this that it is here quoted, upon
occasion of Christ’s affected privacy and concealment.
(1.) That he should carry on his undertaking without noise or
ostentation. He shall not strive, or make an outcry. Christ and
his kingdom come not with observation,
Luke xvii. 20, 21.
When the First-begotten was brought into the world, it was not with
state and ceremony; he made no public entry, had no harbingers to
proclaim him King. He was in the world and the world knew him
not. Those were mistaken who fed themselves with hopes of a pompous
Saviour. His voice was not heard in the streets; “Lo, here is
Christ;” or, “Lo, he is there:” he spake in a still small voice, which
was alluring to all, but terrifying to none; he did not affect to make
a noise, but came down silently like the dew. What he spake and did was
with the greatest possible humility and self-denial. His kingdom was
spiritual, and therefore not to be advanced by force or violence, or by
high pretensions. No, the kingdom of God is not in word, but in
power.
(2.) That he should carry on his undertaking without severity and
rigour
(v. 20).
A bruised reed shall he not break. Some understand this of his
patience in bearing with the wicked; he could as easily have broken
these Pharisees as a bruised reed, and have quenched them as soon as
smoking flax; but he will not do it till the judgment-day, when all his
enemies shall be made his footstool. Others rather understand it of his
power and grace in bearing up the weak. In general, the design of his
gospel is to establish such a method of salvation as encourages
sincerity, though there be much infirmity; it does not insist upon a
sinless obedience, but accepts an upright, willing mind. As to
particular persons, that follow Christ in meekness, and in fear, and in
much trembling, observe,
[1.] How their case is here described–they are like a bruised
reed, and smoking flax. Young beginners in religion are weak
as a bruised reed, and their weakness offensive like smoking flax; some
little life they have, but it is like that of a bruised reed; some
little heat, but like that of smoking flax. Christ’s disciples were as
yet but weak, and many are so that have a place in his family. The
grace and goodness in them are as a bruised reed, the corruption and
badness in them are as smoking flax, as the wick of a candle when it is
put out and is yet smoking.
[2.] What is the compassion of our Lord Jesus toward them? He will not
discourage them, much less reject them or cast them off; the reed that
is bruised shall not be broken and trodden down, but shall be
supported, and made as strong as a cedar or flourishing palm-tree. The
candle newly lighted, though it only smokes and does not flame, shall
not be blown out, but blown up. The day of small things is the
day of precious things, and therefore he will not despise it,
but make it the day of great things,
Zech. iv. 10.
Note, Our Lord Jesus deals very tenderly with those who have true
grace, though they be weak in it,
He remembers not only that we are dust, but that we are flesh.
[3.] The good issue and success of this, intimated in that, till he
send forth judgment unto victory. That judgment which he showed to
the Gentiles shall be victorious, he will go on conquering and to
conquer,
Both the preaching of the gospel in the world, and the power of the
gospel in the heart, shall prevail. Grace shall get the upper hand of
corruption, and shall at length be perfected in glory. Christ’s
judgment will be brought forth to victory, for when he judges he will
overcome. He shall bring forth judgment unto truth; so it is,
Truth and victory are much the same, for great is the truth, and
will prevail.
| The Sin against the Holy Ghost. |
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22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind,
and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb
both spake and saw.
23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the
son of David?
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow
doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the
devils.
25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every
kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and
every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself;
how shall then his kingdom stand?
27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your
children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the
kingdom of God is come unto you.
29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and
spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he
will spoil his house.
30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth
not with me scattereth abroad.
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy
shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the
Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it
shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy
Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world,
neither in the world to come.
33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make
the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by
his fruit.
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good
things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth
forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall
speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words
thou shalt be condemned.
In these verses we have,
I. Christ’s glorious conquest of Satan, in the gracious cure of one
who, by the divine permission, was under his power, and in his
possession,
Here observe,
1. The man’s case was very sad; he was possessed with a devil.
More cases of this kind occurred in Christ’s time than usual, that
Christ’s power might be the more magnified, and his purpose the more
manifested, in opposing and dispossessing Satan; and that it might the
more evidently appear, that he came to destroy the works of the
devil. This poor man that was possessed was blind and dumb; a
miserable case! he could neither see to help himself, nor speak to
others to help him. A soul under Satan’s power, and led captive by him,
is blind in the things of God, and dumb at the throne of grace; sees
nothing, and says nothing to the purpose. Satan blinds the eye of
faith, and seals up the lips of prayer.
2. His cure was very strange, and the more so, because sudden; he
healed him. Note, The conquering and dispossessing of Satan is the
healing of souls. And the cause being removed, immediately the effect
ceased; the blind and dumb both spake and saw. Note, Christ’s
mercy is directly opposite to Satan’s malice; his favours, to the
devil’s mischiefs. When Satan’s power is broken in the soul, the eyes
are opened to see God’s glory, and the lips opened to speak his
praise.
II. The conviction which this gave to the people to all the
people: they were amazed. Christ had wrought divers miracles
of this kind before; but his works are not the less wonderful, nor the
less to be wondered at, for their being often repeated. They inferred
from it, “Is not this the Son of David? The Messiah promised,
that was to spring from the loins of David? Is not this he that should
come?” We may take this,
1. As an enquiring question; they asked, Is not this the Son
of David? But they did not stay for an answer: the impressions were
cogent, but they were transient. It was a good question that they
started; but, it should seem, it was soon lost, and was not prosecuted.
Such convictions as these should be brought to a head, and then they
are likely to be brought to the heart. Or,
2. as an affirming question; Is not this the Son of
David? “Yes, certainly it is, it can be no other; such miracles as
these plainly evince that the kingdom of the Messiah is now setting
up.” And they were the people, the vulgar sort of the spectators, that
drew this inference from Christ’s miracles. Atheists will say, “That
was because they were less prying than the Pharisees;” no, the matter
of fact was obvious, and required not much search: but it was because
they were less prejudiced and biassed by worldly interest. So plain and
easy was the way made to this great truth of Christ being the Messiah
and Saviour of the world, that the common people could not miss it; the
wayfaring men, though fools, could not err therein. See
It was found of them that sought it. It is an instance of the
condescensions of divine grace, that the things that were hid from
the wise and prudent were revealed unto babes. The world by
wisdom knew not God, and by the foolish things the wise were
confounded.
III. The blasphemous cavil of the Pharisees,
The Pharisees were a sort of men that pretended to more knowledge in,
and zeal for, the divine law, than other people; yet they were the most
inveterate enemies to Christ and his doctrine. They were proud of the
reputation they had among the people; that fed their pride,
supported their power, and filled their purses; and when they heard the
people say, Is not this the Son of David? they were extremely
irritated, more at that than at the miracle itself; this made them
jealous of our Lord Jesus, and apprehensive, that as his
interest in the people’s esteem increased, theirs must of course
be eclipsed and diminished; therefore they envied him, as Saul did his
father David, because of what the women sang of him,
Note, Those who bind up their happiness in the praise and applause of
men, expose themselves to a perpetual uneasiness upon every favourable
word that they hear said of any other. The shadow of honour followed
Christ, who fled from it, and fled from the Pharisees, who were eager
in the pursuit of it. They said, “This fellow does not cast out
devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils, and therefore is
not the Son of David.” Observe,
1. How scornfully they speak of Christ, this fellow; as if that
precious name of his, which is as ointment poured forth, were
not worthy to be taken into their lips. It is an instance of their
pride and superciliousness, and their diabolical envy, that the more
people magnified Christ, the more industrious they were to vilify him.
It is a bad thing to speak of good men with disdain because they are
poor.
2. How blasphemously they speak of his miracles; they could not deny
the matter of fact; it was as plain as the sun, that devils were cast
out by the word of Christ; nor could they deny that it was an
extraordinary thing, and supernatural. Being thus forced to grant the
premises, they had no other way to avoid the conclusion, that this
is the Son of David, than by suggesting that Christ cast out
devils by Beelzebub; that there was a compact between Christ and
the devil; pursuant to that, the devil was not cast out, but did
voluntarily retire, and give back by consent and with design: or as if,
by an agreement with the ruling devil, he had power to cast out the
inferior devils. No surmise could be more palpably false and vile than
this; that he, who is Truth itself, should be in combination with the
father of lies, to cheat the world. This was the last refuge, or
subterfuge rather, or an obstinate infidelity, that was resolved to
stand it out against the clearest conviction. Observe, Among the devils
there is a prince, the ringleader of the apostasy from God and
rebellion against him; but this prince is Beelzebub–the god of a fly,
or a dunghill god. How art thou fallen, O Lucifer! from an anger of
light, to be a lord of flies! Yet this is the prince of the devils too,
the chief of the gang of infernal spirits.
IV. Christ’s reply to this base insinuation,
Jesus knew their thoughts. Note, Jesus Christ knows what we are
thinking at any time, knows what is in man; he understands our
thoughts afar off. It should seem that the Pharisees could not for
shame speak it out, but kept it in their minds; they could not expect
to satisfy the people with it; they therefore reserved it for the
silencing of the convictions of their own consciences. Note, Many are
kept off from their duty by that which they are ashamed to own, but
which they cannot hide from Jesus Christ: yet it is probable that the
Pharisees had whispered what they thought among themselves, to help to
harden one another; but Christ’s reply is said to be to their thoughts,
because he knew with what mind, and from what principle, they said it;
that they did not say it in their haste, but that it was the product of
a rooted malignity.
Christ’s reply to this imputation is copious and cogent, that every
mouth may be stopped with sense and reason, before it be stopped
with fire and brimstone. Here are three arguments by which he
demonstrates the unreasonableness of this suggestion.
1. It would be very strange, and highly improbably, that Satan should
be cast out by such a compact, because then Satan’s kingdom would be
divided against itself; which, considering his subtlety, is not a
thing to be imagined,
(1.) Here is a known rule laid down, that in all societies a common
ruin is the consequence of mutual quarrels: Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation; and every family too:
Quæ enim domus tam stabilis est, quæ tam firma civitas,
quæ non odiis atque dissidiis funditus everti possit?–For what
family is so strong, what community so firm, as not to be overturned by
enmity and dissension? Cic. Læl. 7. Divisions commonly
end in desolations; if we clash, we break; if we divide one from
another, we become an easy prey to a common enemy; much more if we
bite and devour one another, shall we be consumed one of
another,
Gal. v. 15.
Churches and nations have known this by sad experience.
(2.) The application of it to the case in hand
(v. 26),
If Satan cast out Satan; if the prince of the devils should be
at variance with the inferior devils, the whole kingdom and interest
would soon be broken; nay, if Satan should come into a compact with
Christ, it must be to his own ruin; for the manifest design and
tendency of Christ’s preaching and miracles was to overthrow the
kingdom of Satan, as a kingdom of darkness, wickedness, and enmity to
God; and to set up, upon the ruins of it, a kingdom of light, holiness,
and love. The works of the devil, as a rebel against God, and a
tyrant over the souls of men, were destroyed by Christ; and therefore
it was the most absurd thing imaginable, to think that Beelzebub should
at all countenance such a design, or come into it: if he should fall in
with Christ, how should then his kingdom stand? He would himself
contribute to the overthrow of it. Note, The devil has a kingdom, a
common interest, in opposition to God and Christ, which, to the utmost
of his power, he will make to stand, and he will never come into
Christ’s interests; he must be conquered and broken by Christ, and
therefore cannot submit and bend to him. What concord or communion
can there be between light and darkness, Christ and Belial, Christ and
Beelzebub? Christ will destroy the devil’s kingdom, but he needs
not do it by any such little arts and projects as that of a secret
compact with Beelzebub; no, this victory must be obtained by nobler
methods. Let the prince of the devils muster up all his forces, let him
make use of all his powers and politics, and keep his interests in the
closest confederacy, yet Christ will be too hard for his united force,
and his kingdom shall not stand.
2. It was not at all strange, or improbable, that devils should be cast
out by the Spirit of God; for,
(1.) How otherwise do your children cast them out? There
were those among the Jews who, by invocation of the name of the most
high God, or the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, did sometimes cast
out devils. Josephus speaks of some in his time that did it; we read of
Jewish exorcists
(Acts xix. 13),
and of some that in Christ’s name cast out devils, though they
did not follow him
(Mark ix. 38),
or were not faithful to him,
These the Pharisees condemned not, but imputed what they did to the
Spirit of God, and valued themselves and their nation upon it. It was
therefore merely from spite and envy to Christ, that they would own
that others cast out devils by the Spirit of God, but suggest that he
did it by compact with Beelzebub. Note, It is the way of malicious
people, especially the malicious persecutors of Christ and
Christianity, to condemn the same thing in those they hate, which they
approve of and applaud in those they have a kindness for: the judgments
of envy are made, not by things, but persons; not by reason, but
prejudice. But those were very unfit to sit in Moses’s seat, who knew
faces, and knew nothing else in judgment: Therefore they shall be
your judges; “This contradicting of yourselves will rise up in
judgment against you at the last great day, and will condemn you.”
Note, In the last judgment, not only every sin, but every aggravation
of it, will be brought into the account, and some of our notions that
were right and good will be brought in evidence against us, to convict
us of partiality.
(2.) This casting out of devils was a certain token and indication of
the approach and appearance of the kingdom of God
(v. 28);
“But if it be indeed that I cast out devils by the Spirit of
God, as certainly I do, then you must conclude, that though you are
unwilling to receive it, yet the kingdom of the Messiah is now about to
be set up among you.” Other miracles that Christ wrought proved him
sent of God, but this proved him sent of God to destroy the
devil’s kingdom and his works. Now that great promise was evidently
fulfilled, that the seed of the woman should break the serpent’s
head,
Gen. iii. 15.
“Therefore that glorious dispensation of the kingdom of God, which has
been long expected, is now commenced; slight it at your peril.” Note,
[1.] The destruction of the devil’s power is wrought by the Spirit of
God; that Spirit who works to the obedience of faith, overthrows the
interest of that spirit who works in the children of unbelief
and disobedience.
[2.] The casting out of devils is a certain introduction to the kingdom
of God. If the devil’s interest in a soul be not only checked by custom
or external restraints, but sunk and broken by the Spirit of God, as a
Sanctifier, no doubt but the kingdom of God is come to that
soul, the kingdom of grace, a blessed earnest of the kingdom of the
glory.
3. The comparing of Christ’s miracles, particularly this of casting out
devils, with his doctrine, and the design and tendency of his holy
religion, evidenced that he was so far from being in league with Satan,
that he was at open enmity and hostility against him
(v. 29);
How can one enter into a strong man’s house, and plunder his
goods, and carry them away, except he first bind the strong man?
And then he may do what he pleases with his goods. The world, that
sat in darkness, and lay in wickedness, was in Satan’s possession, and
under his power, as a house in the possession and under the power of a
strong man; so is every unregenerate soul; there Satan resides, there
he rules. Now,
(1.) The design of Christ’s gospel was to spoil the devil’s house,
which, as a strong man, he kept in the world; to turn the people
from darkness to light, from sin to holiness, from this world to a
better, from the power of Satan unto God
to alter the property of souls.
(2.) Pursuant to this design, he bound the strong man, when he cast out
unclean spirits by his word: thus he wrested the sword out of
the devil’s hand, that he might wrest the sceptre out of it. The
doctrine of Christ teaches us how to construe his miracles, and when he
showed how easily and effectually he could cast the devil out of
people’s bodies, he encouraged all believers to hope that, whatever
power Satan might usurp and exercise in the souls of men, Christ by his
grace would break it: he will spoil him, for it appears that he can
bind him. When nations were turned from the service of idols to
serve the living God, when some of the worst of sinners were
sanctified and justified, and became the best of saints, then Christ
spoiled the devil’s house, and will spoil it more and more.
4. It is here intimated, that this holy war, which Christ was carrying
on with vigour against the devil and his kingdom, was such as would not
admit of a neutrality
(v. 30),
He that is not with me is against me. In the little differences
that may arise between the disciples of Christ among themselves, we are
taught to lessen the matters in variance, and to seek peace, by
accounting those who are not against us, to be with us
(Luke ix. 50);
but in the great quarrel between Christ and the devil, no peace is to
be sought, nor any such favourable construction to be made of any
indifference in the matter; he that is not hearty for Christ,
will be reckoned with as really against him: he that is cold in
the cause, is looked upon as an enemy. When the dispute is between God
and Baal, there is no halting between two
there is no trimming between Christ and Belial; for the kingdom of
Christ, as it is eternally opposite to, so it will be eternally
victorious over, the devil’s kingdom; and therefore in this cause there
is no sitting still with Gilead beyond Jordan, or Asher on the
sea-shore,
we must be entirely, faithfully, and immovably, on Christ’s side; it is
the right side, and will at last be the rising side. See
The latter clause is to the same purport: He that gathereth not with
me scattereth. Note,
(1.) Christ’s errand into the world was to gather, to gather in his
harvest, to gather in those whom the Father had given him,
(2.) Christ expects and requires from those who are with him, that they
gather with him; that they not only gather to him themselves, but do
all they can in their places to gather others to him, and so to
strengthen his interest.
(3.) Those who will not appear, and act, as furtherers of Christ’s
kingdom, will be looked upon, and dealt with, as hinderers of it; if we
gather not with Christ, we scatter; it is not enough, not to do
hurt, but we must do good. Thus is the breach widened between Christ
and Satan, to show that there was no such compact between them as the
Pharisees whispered.
V. Here is a discourse of Christ’s upon this occasion, concerning
tongue-sins; Wherefore I say unto you. He seems to turn from the
Pharisees to the people, from disputing to instructing; and from the
sin of the Pharisees he warns the people concerning three sorts of
tongue-sins; for others’ harms are admonitions to us.
1. Blasphemous words against the Holy Ghost are the worst kind of
tongue-sins, and unpardonable,
(1.) Here is a gracious assurance of the pardon of all sin upon gospel
terms: this Christ says to us, and it is a comfortable saying, that the
greatness of sin shall be no bar to our acceptance with God, if we
truly repent and believe the gospel: All manner of sin and blasphemy
shall be forgiven unto men. Though the sin has been as scarlet
and crimson
(Isa. i. 18),
though ever so heinous in its nature, ever so much aggravated by its
circumstances, and ever so often repeated, though it reach up to the
heavens, yet with the Lord there is mercy, that reacheth beyond
the heavens; mercy will be extended even to blasphemy, a sin
immediately touching God’s name and honour. Paul obtained mercy, who
had been a blasphemer,
1 Tim. i. 13.
Well may we say, Who is a God like unto thee, pardoning
iniquity?
Micah vii. 18.
Even words spoken against the Son of man shall be forgiven; as
theirs were who reviled him at his death, many of whom repented and
found mercy. Christ here in has set an example to all the sons of men,
to be ready to forgive words spoken against them: I, as a deaf man,
heard not. Observe, They shall be forgiven unto men, not to
devils; this is love to the whole world of mankind, above the world of
fallen angels, that all sin is pardonable to them.
(2.) Here is an exception of the blasphemy against the Holy
Ghost, which is here declared to be the only unpardonable sin. See
here,
[1.] What this sin; it is speaking against the Holy Ghost. See
what malignity there is in tongue-sins, when the only unpardonable sin
is so. But Jesus knew their thoughts,
v. 25.
It is not all speaking against the person or essence of the Holy Ghost,
or some of his more private operations, or merely the resisting of his
internal working in the sinner himself, that is here meant; for who
then should be saved? It is adjudged in our law, that an act of
indemnity shall always be construed in favour of that grace and
clemency which is the intention of the act; and therefore the
exceptions in the act are not to be extended further than needs must.
The gospel is an act of indemnity; none are excepted by name, nor any
by description, but those only that blaspheme the Holy Ghost;
which therefore must be construed in the narrowest sense: all presuming
sinners are effectually cut off by the conditions of the indemnity,
faith and repentance; and therefore the other exceptions must not be
stretched far: and this blasphemy is excepted, not for any defect of
mercy in God or merit in Christ, but because it inevitably leaves the
sinner in infidelity and impenitency. We have reason to think that none
are guilty of this sin, who believe that Christ is the Son of
God, and sincerely desire to have part in his merit and mercy: and
those who fear they have committed this sin, give a good sign that they
have not. The learned Dr. Whitby very well observes, that Christ speaks
not of what should be
Whosoever shall blaspheme. As for those who blasphemed Christ
when he was here upon earth, and called him a Winebibber, a Deceiver, a
Blasphemer, and the like, they had some colour of excuse, because of
the meanness of his appearance, and the prejudices of the nation
against him; and the proof of his divine mission was not perfected till
after his ascension; and therefore, upon their repentance, they shall
be pardoned: and it is hoped that they may be convinced by the pouring
out of the Spirit, as many of them were, who had been his betrayers and
murderers. But if, when the Holy Ghost is given, in his inward gifts of
revelation, speaking with tongues, and the like, such as were the
distributions of the Spirit among the apostles, if they continue to
blaspheme the Spirit likewise, as an evil spirit, there is no hope of
them that they will ever be brought to believe in Christ; for
First, Those gifts of the Holy Ghost in the apostles were the
last proof that God designed to make use of for the confirming of the
gospel, and were still kept in reserve, when other methods preceded.
Secondly, This was the most powerful evidence, and more apt to
convince than miracles themselves. Thirdly, Those therefore who
blaspheme this dispensation of the Spirit, cannot possibly be brought
to believe in Christ; those who shall impute them to a collusion with
Satan, as the Pharisees did the miracles, what can convince them? This
is such a strong hold of infidelity as a man can never be beaten out
of, and is therefore unpardonable, because hereby repentance is hid
from the sinner’s eyes.
[2.] What the sentence is that is passed upon it; It shall not be
forgiven, neither in this world, nor in the world to come. As in
the then present state of the Jewish church, there was no sacrifice of
expiation for the soul that sinned presumptuously; so neither
under the dispensation of gospel grace, which is often in scripture
called the world to come, shall there be any pardon to such
as tread underfoot the blood of the covenant, and do despite to the
Spirit of grace: there is no cure for a sin so directly against the
remedy. It was a rule in our old law, No sanctuary for sacrilege. Or,
It shall be forgiven neither now, in the sinner’s own
conscience, nor in the great day, when the pardon shall be
published. Or, this is a sin that exposes the sinner both to temporal
and eternal punishment, both to present wrath and the wrath to
come.
2. Christ speaks here concerning other wicked words, the products of
corruption reigning in the heart, and breaking out thence,
It was said
(v. 25)
that Jesus knew their thoughts, and here he spoke with an eye to
them, showing that it was not strange that they should speak so ill,
when their hearts were so full of enmity and malice; which yet they
often endeavoured to cloak and cover, by feigning themselves just men.
Our Lord Jesus therefore points to the springs and heals them; let the
heart be sanctified and it will appear in our words.
(1.) The heart is the root, the language is the fruit
(v. 33);
if the nature of the tree be good, it will bring forth fruit
accordingly. Where grace is the reigning principle in the heart, the
language will be the language of Canaan; and, on the contrary, whatever
lust reigns in the heart it will break out; diseased lungs make an
offensive breath: men’s language discovers what country they are of, so
likewise what manner of spirit they are of: “Either make the tree
good, and then the fruit will be good; get pure hearts and then you
will have pure lips and pure lives; or else the tree will be
corrupt, and the fruit accordingly. You may make a crab-stock to
become a good tree, by grafting into it a shoot from a good tree, and
then the fruit will be good; but if the tree be still the same, plant
it where you will, and water it how you will, the fruit will be still
corrupt.” Note, Unless the heart be transformed, the life will
never be thoroughly reformed. These Pharisees were shy of
speaking out their wicked thoughts of Jesus Christ; but Christ here
intimates, how vain it was for them to seek to hide that root of
bitterness in them, that bore this gall and wormwood, when they never
sought to mortify it. Note, It should be more our care to be good
really, than to seem good outwardly.
(2.) The heart is the fountain, the words are the streams
(v. 34);
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, as the
streams are the overflowings of the spring. A wicked heart is said to
send forth wickedness, as a fountain casts forth her waters,
Jer. vi. 7.
A troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring, such as
Solomon speaks of
must needs send forth muddy and unpleasant streams. Evil words
are the natural, genuine product of an evil heart. Nothing but the
salt of grace, cast into the spring, will heal the waters, season
the speech, and purify the corrupt communications. This they
wanted, they were evil; and how can ye, being evil, speak good
things? They were a generation of vipers; John Baptist had
called them so
(ch. iii. 7),
and they were still the same; for can the Ethiopian change his
skin? The people looked upon the Pharisees as a generation of
saints, but Christ calls them a generation of vipers, the seed of
the serpent, that had an enmity to Christ and his gospel. Now what
could be expected from a generation of vipers, but that which is
poisonous and malignant? Can the viper be otherwise than venomous?
Note, Bad things may be expected from bad people, as said the proverb
of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked,
1 Sam. xxiv. 13.
The vile person will speak villany,
Isa. xxxii. 6.
Those who are themselves evil, have neither skill nor will to speak
good things, as they should be spoken. Christ would have his disciples
know what sort of men they were to live among, that they might know
what to look for. They are as Ezekiel among scorpions
(Ezek. ii. 6),
and must not think it strange if they be stung and bitten.
(3.) The heart is the treasury, the words are the things brought
out of that treasury
(v. 35);
and from hence men’s characters may be drawn, and may be judged of.
[1.] It is the character of a good man, that he has a good
treasure in his heart, and from thence brings forth good
things, as there is occasion. Graces, comforts, experiences, good
knowledge, good affections, good resolutions, these are a good
treasure in the heart; the word of God hidden there, the law of God
written there, divine truths dwelling and ruling thee, are a treasure
there, valuable and suitable, kept safe and kept secret, as the stores
of the good householder, but ready for use upon all occasions. A
good man, thus furnished, will bring forth, as Joseph out of
his stores; will be speaking and doing that which is good, for God’s
glory, and the edification of others. See
Prov. x. 11, 13, 14, 20, 21, 31, 32.
This is bringing forth good things. Some pretend to good
expenses that have not a good treasure–such will soon be
bankrupts: some pretend to have a good treasure within, but give no
proof of it: they hope they have it in them, and thank God, whatever
their words and actions are, they have good hearts; but faith
without works is dead: and some have a good treasure of
wisdom and knowledge, but they are not communicative, they do not
bring forth out of it: they have a talent, but know not how to
trade with it. The complete Christian in this bears the image of
God, that he both is good, and does good.
[2.] It is the character of an evil man, that he has an evil
treasure in his heart, and out of it bringeth forth evil
things. Lusts and corruptions dwelling and reigning in the heart
are an evil treasure, out of which the sinner brings forth bad words
and actions, to the dishonour of God, and the hurt of others. See
Matt. xv. 18-20; Jam. i. 15.
But treasures of wickedness
will be treasures of wrath.
3. Christ speaks here concerning idle words, and shows what evil
there is in them
(v. 36, 37);
much more is there in such wicked words as the Pharisees spoke. It
concerns us to think much of the day of judgment, that that may
be a check upon our tongues; and let us consider,
(1.) How particular the account will be of tongue-sins in that day:
even for every idle words, or discourse, that men speak, they
shall give account. This intimates,
[1.] That God takes notice of every word we say, even that which we
ourselves do not notice. See
Not a word in my tongue but thou knowest it: though spoken
without regard or design, God takes cognizance of it.
[2.] That vain, idle, impertinent talk is displeasing to God, which
tends not to any good purpose, is not good to any use of edifying; it
is the product of a vain and trifling heart. These idle words
are the same with that foolish talking and jesting which is
forbidden,
This is that sin which is seldom wanting in the multitude of words,
unprofitable talk,
Job xv. 3.
[3.] We must shortly account for these idle words; they will be
produced in evidence against us, to prove us unprofitable servants,
that have not improved the faculties of reason and speech, which are
part of the talents we are entrusted with. If we repent not of our idle
words, and our account for them be not balanced by the blood of Christ,
we are undone.
(2.) How strict the judgment will be upon that account
(v. 37);
By thy words thou shall be justified or condemned; a common rule
in men’s judgments, and here applied to God’s. Note, The constant
tenour of our discourse, according as it is gracious or not gracious,
will be an evidence for us, or against us, at the great day. Those who
seemed to be religious, but bridled not their tongue, will then be
found to have put a cheat upon themselves with a vain religion,
Some think that Christ here refers to that of Eliphaz
(Job xv. 6),
Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; or, rather, to that
of Solomon
Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
| The Pharisees Ask a Sign. |
|
|
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered,
saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous
generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given
to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s
belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in
the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the
preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with
this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the
uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and,
behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh
through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I
came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and
garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits
more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and
the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so
shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
It is probable that these Pharisees with whom Christ is here in
discourse were not the same that cavilled at him
(v. 24),
and would not credit the signs he gave; but another set of them, who
saw that there was no reason to discredit them, but would not content
themselves with the signs he gave, nor admit the evidence of them,
unless he would give them such further proof as they should demand.
Here is,
I. Their address to him,
They compliment him with the title of Master, pretending respect
for him, when they intended to abuse him; all are not indeed Christ’s
servants, who call him Master. Their request is, We would see
a sign from thee. It was highly reasonable that they should see a
sign, that he should by miracles prove his divine mission: see
He came to take down a model of religion that was set up by miracles,
and therefore it was requisite he should produce the same credentials;
but it was highly unreasonable to demand a sign now, when he had given
so many signs already, that did abundantly prove him sent of
God. Note, It is natural to proud men to prescribe to God,
and then to make that an excuse for not subscribing to him; but
a man’s offence will never be his defence.
II. His answer to this address, this insolent demand,
1. He condemns the demand, as the language of an evil and adulterous
generation,
v. 39.
He fastens the charge, not only on the scribes and Pharisees,
but the whole nation of the Jews; they were all like their leaders, a
seed and succession of evil-doers: they were an evil generation indeed,
that not only hardened themselves against the conviction of Christ’s
miracles, but set themselves to abuse him, and put contempt on his
miracles. They were an adulterous generation,
(1.) As an adulterous brood; so miserably degenerated from the faith
and obedience of their ancestors, that Abraham and Israel acknowledged
them not. See
Or,
(2.) As an adulterous wife; they departed from that God, to whom by
covenant they had been espoused: they were not guilty of the whoredom
of idolatry, as they had been before the captivity, but they were
guilty of infidelity, and all iniquity, and that is whoredom too: they
did not look after gods of their own making, but they looked for signs
of their own devising; and that was adultery.
2. He refuses to give them any other sign than he has already given
them, but that of the prophet Jonas. Note, Though Christ is
always ready to hear and answer holy desires and prayers, yet he will
not gratify corrupt lusts and humours. Those who ask amiss, ask, and
have not. Signs were granted to those who desired them for the
confirmation of their faith, as to Abraham and Gideon; but were denied
to those who demanded them for the excuse of their unbelief.
Justly might Christ have said, They shall never see another miracle:
but see his wonderful goodness;
(1.) They shall have the same signs still repeated, for their further
benefit, and more abundant conviction.
(2.) They shall have one sign of a different kind from all these, and
that is, the resurrection of Christ from the dead by his own
power, called here the sign of the prophet Jonas this was
yet reserved for their conviction, and was intended to be the great
proof of Christ’s being the Messiah; for by that he was declared to
be the Son of God with power,
Rom. i. 4.
That was such a sign as surpassed all the rest, completed and crowned
them. “If they will not believe the former signs, they will
believe this
(Exod. iv. 9),
and if this will not convince them, nothing will.” And yet the unbelief
of the Jews found out an evasion to shift off that too, by saying,
His disciples came and stole him away; for none are so incurably
blind as those who are resolved they will not see.
Now this sign of the prophet Jonas he further explains here;
(v. 40)
As Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly,
and then came out again safe and well, thus Christ shall be so long in
the grave, and then shall rise again.
[1.] The grave was to Christ as the belly of the fish was to Jonah;
thither he was thrown, as a Ransom for lives ready to be lost in a
storm; there he lay, as in the belly of hell
(Jonah ii. 2),
and seemed to be cast out of God’s sight.
[2.] He continued in the grave just as long as Jonah continued in the
fish’s belly, three days and three nights; not three whole days
and nights: it is probable, Jonah did not lie so long in the whale’s
belly, but part of three natural days (nychthemerai, the
Greeks called them); he was buried in the afternoon of the sixth day of
the week, and rose again in the morning of the first day; it is a
manner of speech very usual; see
Esth. iv. 16; v. 1; Luke ii. 21.
So long Jonah was a prisoner for his own sins, so long Christ was a
Prisoner for ours.
[3.] As Jonah in the whale’s belly comforted himself with an assurance
that yet he should look again toward God’s holy temple
(Jonah ii. 4),
so Christ when he lay in the grave, is expressly said to rest in
hope, as one assured he should not see corruption,
Acts ii. 26, 27.
[4.] As Jonah on the third day was discharged from his prison, and came
to the land of the living again, from the congregation of the
dead (for dead things are said to be formed from under the
waters,
Job xxvi. 5),
so Christ on the third day should return to life, and rise out of his
grave to send abroad the gospel to the Gentiles.
3. Christ takes this occasion to represent the sad character and
condition of that generation in which he lived, a generation that would
not be reformed, and therefore could not but be ruined; and he gives
them their character, as it would stand in the day of judgment, under
the full discoveries and final sentences of that day. Persons and
things now appear under false colours; characters and conditions are
here changeable: if therefore we would make a right estimate, we must
take our measures from the last judgment; things are really, what they
are eternally.
Now Christ represents the people of the Jews,
(1.) As a generation that would be condemned by the men of
Nineveh, whose repenting at the preaching of Jonas would
rise up in judgment against them,
Christ’s resurrection will be the sign of the prophet Jonas to them:
but it will not have so happy an effect upon them, as that of Jonas had
upon the Ninevites, for they were by it brought to such a repentance as
prevented their ruin; but the Jews will be hardened in an unbelief that
shall hasten their ruin; and in the day of judgment, the repentance of
the Ninevites will be mentioned as an aggravation of the sin, and
consequently the condemnation of those to whom Christ preached then,
and of those to whom Christ is preached now; for this reason, because
Christ is greater than Jonah.
[1.] Jonah was but a man, subject to like passions, to like sinful
passions, as we are; but Christ is the Son of God.
[2.] Jonah was a stranger in Nineveh, he came among the strangers that
were prejudiced against his country; but Christ came to his own, when
he preached to the Jews, and much more when he is preached among
professing Christians, that are called by his name.
[3.] Jonah preached but one short sermon, and that with no great
solemnity, but as he passed along the streets; Christ renews his calls,
sat and taught, taught in the synagogues.
[4.] Jonah preached nothing but wrath and ruin within forty days, gave
no instructions, directions, or encouragements, to repent: but Christ,
besides the warning given us of our danger, has shown wherein we must
repent, and assured us of acceptance upon our repentance, because
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
[5.] Jonah wrought no miracle to confirm his doctrine, showed no good
will to the Ninevites; but Christ wrought abundance of miracles, and
all miracles of mercy: yet the Ninevites repented at the preaching
of Jonas, but the Jews were not wrought upon by Christ’s preaching.
Note, The goodness of some, who have less helps and advantages for
their souls, will aggravate the badness of those who have much greater.
Those who by the twilight discover the things that belong to their
peace, will shame those who grope at noon-day.
(2.) As a generation that would be condemned by the queen of the south,
the queen of Sheba,
The Ninevites would shame them for not repenting, the queen of Sheba
for not believing in Christ. She came from a far country to hear the
wisdom of Solomon; yet people will not be persuaded to come and hear
the wisdom of Christ, though he is in every thing greater than Solomon.
[1.] The queen of Sheba had no invitation to come to Solomon, nor any
promise of being welcome; but we are invited to Christ, to sit at his
feet and hear his word.
[2.] Solomon was but a wise man, but Christ is wisdom itself, in
whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom.
[3.] The queen of Sheba had many difficulties to break through; she was
a woman, unfit for travel, the journey long and perilous; she was a
queen, and what would become of her own country in her absence? We have
no such cares to hinder us.
[4.] She could not be sure that it would be worth her while to go so
far on this errand; fame uses to flatter men, and perhaps she might
have in her own country or court wise men sufficient to instruct her;
yet, having heard of Solomon’s fame, she would see him; but we come not
to Christ upon such uncertainties.
[5.] She came from the uttermost parts of the earth, but we have
Christ among us, and his word nigh us: Behold he stands at the door,
and knocks.
[6.] It should seem the wisdom the queen of Sheba came for was only
philosophy and politics; but the wisdom that is to be had with Christ
is wisdom to salvation.
[7.] She could only hear Solomon’s wisdom; he could not
give her wisdom: but Christ will give wisdom to those who come
to him; nay, he will himself be made of God to them Wisdom; so
that, upon all these accounts, if we do not hear the wisdom of Christ,
the forwardness of the queen of Sheba to come and hear the wisdom of
Solomon will rise up in judgment against us and condemn us; for Jesus
Christ is greater than Solomon.
(3.) As a generation that were resolved to continue in the possession,
and under the power, of Satan, notwithstanding all the methods that
were used to dispossess him and rescue them. They are compared to one
out of whom the devil is gone, but returns with double force,
The devil is here called the unclean spirit, for he has lost all
his purity, and delights in and promotes all manner of impurity among
men. Now,
[1.] The parable represents his possessing men’s bodies: Christ having
lately cast out a devil, and they having said he had a devil,
gave occasion to show how much they were under the power of Satan. This
is a further proof that Christ did not cast out devils by compact with
the devil, for then he would soon have returned again; but Christ’s
ejectment of him was final, and such as barred a re-entry: we find him
charging the evil spirit to go out, and enter no more,
Mark ix. 25.
Probably the devil was wont sometimes thus to sport with those he had
possession of; he would go out, and then return again with more fury;
hence the lucid intervals of those in that condition were commonly
followed with the more violent fits. When the devil is gone out, he is
uneasy, for he sleeps not except he have done mischief
(Prov. iv. 16);
he walks in dry places, like one that is very melancholy; he
seeks rest but finds none, till he returns again. When Christ
cast the legion out of the man, they begged leave to enter into the
swine, where they went not long in dry places, but into the lake
presently.
[2.] The application of the parable makes it to represent the case of
the body of the Jewish church and nation: So shall it be with this
wicked generation, that now resist, and will finally reject, the
gospel of Christ. The devil, who by the labours of Christ and his
disciples had been cast out of many of the Jews, sought for rest among
the heathen, from whose persons and temples the Christians would every
where expel him: so Dr. Whitby: or finding no where else in the heathen
world such pleasant, desirable habitations, to his satisfaction, as
here in the heart of the Jews: so Dr. Hammond: he shall therefore enter
again into them, for Christ had not found admission among them, and
they, by their prodigious wickedness and obstinate unbelief, were still
more ready than ever to receive him; and then he shall take a durable
possession here, and the state of this people is likely to be more
desperately damnable (so Dr. Hammond) than it was before Christ came
among them, or would have been if Satan had never been cast out.
The body of that nation is here represented, First, As an
apostate people. After the captivity in Babylon, they began to reform,
left their idols, and appeared with some face of religion; but they
soon corrupted themselves again: though they never relapsed into
idolatry, they fell into all manner of impiety and profaneness, grew
worse and worse, and added to all the rest of their wickedness a wilful
contempt of, and opposition to, Christ and his gospel. Secondly,
As a people marked for ruin. A new commission was passing the seals
against that hypocritical nation, the people of God’s wrath (like that,
and their destruction by the Romans was likely to be greater than any
other, as their sins had been more flagrant: then it was that wrath
came upon them to the uttermost,
1 Thess. ii. 15, 16.
Let this be a warning to all nations and churches, to take heed of
leaving their first love, of letting fall a good work of reformation
begun among them, and returning to that wickedness which they seemed to
have forsaken; for the last state of such will be worse than the
first.
| Who Are Christ’s Relations. |
|
|
46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and
his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren
stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my
mother? and who are my brethren?
49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and
said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in
heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Many excellent, useful sayings came from the mouth of our Lord Jesus
upon particular occasions; even his digressions were instructive, as
well as his set discourses: as here,
Observe,
I. How Christ was interrupted in his preaching by his mother and his
brethren, that stood without, desiring to speak with him
(v. 40, 47);
which desire of theirs was conveyed to him through the crowd. It is
needless to enquire which of his brethren they were that came along
with his mother (perhaps they were those who did not believe in
him,
John vii. 5);
or what their business was; perhaps it was only designed to oblige him
to break off, for fear he should fatigue himself, or to caution him to
take heed of giving offence by his discourse to the Pharisees, and or
involving himself in a difficulty; as if they could teach him
wisdom.
1. He was as yet talking to the people. Note, Christ’s preaching was
talking; it was plain, easy, and familiar, and suited to their capacity
and case. What Christ had delivered had been cavilled at, and yet he
went on. Note, The opposition we meet within our work, must not drive
us from it. He left off talking with the Pharisees, for he saw he could
do no good with them; but continued to talk to the common people, who,
not having such a conceit of their knowledge as the Pharisees had, were
willing to learn.
2. His mother and brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him,
when they should have been standing within, desiring to hear him. They
had the advantage of his daily converse in private, and therefore were
less mindful to attend upon his public preaching. Note, Frequently
those who are nearest to the means of knowledge and grace, are most
negligent. Familiarity and easiness of access breed some degree of
contempt. We are apt to neglect that this day, which we think we
may have any day, for getting that it is only the present time we can
be sure of; tomorrow is none of ours. There is too much truth in that
common proverb, “The nearer the church, the further from God;” it is
pity it should be so.
3. They not only would not hear him themselves, but they interrupted
others that heard him gladly. The devil was a sworn enemy to our
Saviour’s preaching. He had sought to baffle his discourse by the
unreasonable cavils of the scribes and Pharisees, and when he could not
gain his point that way, he endeavoured to break it off by the
unseasonable visits of relations. Note, We often meet with hindrances
and obstructions in our work, by our friends that are about us, and are
taken off by civil respects from our spiritual concerns. Those who
really wish well to us and to our work, may sometimes, by their
indiscretion, prove our back-friends, and impediments to us in our
duty; as Peter was offensive to Christ, with his, “Master,
spare thyself,” when he thought himself very officious. The mother
of our Lord desired to speak with him; it seemed she had not then
learned to command her Son, as the iniquity and idolatry of the church
of Rome has since pretended to teach her: nor was she so free from
fault and folly as they would make her. It was Christ’s prerogative,
and not his mother’s, to do every thing wisely, and well, and in its
season. Christ once said to his mother, How is it that ye sought me?
Wist he not, that I must be about my Father’s business? And it was
then said, she laid up that saying in her heart
(Luke ii. 49);
but if she had remembered it now, she would not have given him this
interruption when he was about his Father’s business. Note, There is
many a good truth that we thought was well laid up when we heard it,
which yet is out of the way when we have occasion to use it.
II. How he resented this interruption,
1. He would not hearken to it; he was so intent upon his work, that no
natural or civil respects should take him off from it. Who is my
mother and who are my brethren? Not that natural affection is to be
put off, or that, under pretence of religion, we may be disrespectful
to parents, or unkind to other relations; but every thing is
beautiful in its season, and the less duty must stand by, while the
greater is done. When our regard to our relations comes in competition
with the service of God, and the improving of an opportunity to do
good, in such a case, we must say to our Father, I have not seen
him, as Levi did,
The nearest relations must be comparatively hated, that is, we must
love them less than Christ
(Luke xiv. 26),
and our duty to God must have the preference. This Christ has here
given us an example of; the zeal of God’s house did so far
eat him up, that it made him not only forget himself, but forget
his dearest relations. And we must not take it ill of our friends, nor
put it upon the score of their wickedness, if they prefer the pleasing
of God before the pleasing of us; but we must readily forgive those
neglects which may be easily imputed to a pious zeal for God’s glory
and others’ good. Nay, we must deny ourselves and our own
satisfaction, rather than do that which may any way divert our friends
from, or distract them in, their duty to God.
2. He took that occasion to prefer his disciples, who were his
spiritual kindred, before his natural relations as such: which was a
good reason why he would not leave preaching to speak with his
brethren. He would rather be profiting his disciples, than pleasing his
relations. Observe,
(1.) The description of Christ’s disciples. They are such as do the
will of his Father; not only hear it, and know it, and talk of it,
but do it; for doing the will of God is the best preparative for
discipleship
(John vii. 17),
and the best proof of it
(ch. vii. 21);
that denominates us his disciples indeed. Christ does not say,
“Whosoever shall do my will,” for he came not to seek or do his own
will distinct from his Father’s: his will and his Father’s are the
same; but he refers us to his Father’s will, because now in his present
state and work he referred himself to it,
(2.) The dignity of Christ’s disciples: The same is my brother, and
sister, and mother. His disciples, that had left all to follow him,
and embraced his doctrine, were dearer to him than any that were akin
to him according to the flesh. They had preferred Christ before their
relations; they left their father
and now to make them amends, and to show that there was no love lost,
he preferred them before his relations. Did not they hereby receive, in
point of honour, a hundred fold?
ch. xix. 29.
It was very endearing and very encouraging for Christ to say, Behold
my mother and my brethren; yet it was not their privilege
alone, this honour have all the saints. Note, All obedient
believers are near akin to Jesus Christ. They wear his name, bear his
image, have his nature, are of his family. He loves them, converses
freely with them as his relations. He bids them welcome to his table,
takes care of them, provides for them, sees that they want nothing that
is fit for them: when he died he left them rich legacies, now he is in
heaven he keeps up a correspondence with them, and will have them all
with him at last, and will in nothing fail to do the kinsman’s
part
(Ruth iii. 13),
nor will ever be ashamed of his poor relations, but will confess them
before men, before the angels, and before his Father.
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