1 The sign of Jonah. MATTHEW That for every pernicious word that men shall speak, they shall give an account in the day of 37 judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." 38 Then some of the Scribes and of the Pharisees spoke, saying, "Teacher, we desire to see a 39 sign from thee." But he answered and said to But he answered and said to them," An evil and an adulterous race seeketh after a sign; and a sign shall not be given it, 40 unless the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the 41 earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it; because they because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater 42 than Jonah is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generawith this generation, and will condemn it; because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. XII. Christ's love to his people. "Now when an unclean spirit is gone out of a 13 mau, he passeth through dry places, seeking rest, and he findeth none. Then he saith, I 44 will return to my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and set in order. Then goeth he, and 45 taketh with him 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.. Thus will it be also to this wicked generation." Now while he yet spoke to the people, be- 46 hold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said to 47 him, "Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee." But he answered and said unto him that told 48 him, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” brethren?" And he stretched forth his hand 49 towards his disciples, and said, "Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall 50 do the will of my Father who is in heaven, is my brother, and sister, and mother.” REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XII. ). We here see the zeal of our Lord's disciples. Anxious to hear his instructions, they exposed themselves to toil and hunger; and thus gave proof that they preferred their spiritual interests to any other considerations. Let us never forget that the cultivation of our understanding, and the improvement of our hearts and tempers, are of the highest importance to our present peace, and future happiness; and to attain these, we should deem no sacrifices too great to be made. 2. In reading or hearing the divine word, let us guard against a cavilling, captious spirit, as it will not only prevent improvement, but increase unto ungodliness. In the objections of the Pharisees, we see this temper. They strained out a gnat, but could swallow a camel; they scrupled to rub out a few grains of corn, but could, without remorse, devour widows' houses!" Under the pretence of sanctifying 6 the sabbath, they neglected the offices of humanity and kindness. From cavilling, they at length proceeded to form the design of murdering the Lord of glory. Thus sin hardens the heart and leads men on to the commission of the greatest crimes. 3. Let us admire the wisdom and the grace of our Lord. When his disciples are attacked, He becomes their apologist; and by asserting his own authority, as Lord of the Sabbath, and greater than the temple, he justifies them. The nature of his kingdom, his own gentleness and tenderness had been predicted; and we here see the predictions accomplished. O let us commit our souls to one so kind and so faithful, who will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Let us consider that he requires a meek forgiving spirit, in preference to ritual observances. 4. How strong and convincing the evidence our Lord gave that and that He meant to assure them the sin against the spirit, would never be forgiven. Comp. Mark ii. 19. and Luke xii. 10. but See also Pearce. 33. Make the tree good Grotius understands it, as if our Lord had said, "Since you cannot but allow that my life and the tendency of my doctrine are good, be not so inconsistent as to suppose I am a confederate with Beelzebub." What follows supports this sense. 36. Pernicious word. Several have shown that this is the sense of agyos when applied to things or words. It comprises all the vices of the tongue. 38. A sign. From heaven and that instantly. Perhaps they expected him to come in the clouds of heaven: Dan. vii. 13, Or, they asked such a sign as was given at his baptism. 39. Adulterous, &c. A race of men degenerated from the piety of their ancestors: Isa. i. 4. John viii. 39. 43-45. When an unclean, &c. This comparison is designed to illustrate the incorrigible state of the Jews. Some partial reform had been effected by the ministry of John; but they soon relapsed, and became more hardened in sin, and more ripe for ruin; and notwithstanding his instructions and miracles, they would persist till destruction fall on them. 47. Thy brethren. Nephews and Cousins were thus called by the Jews; Abraham called Lot his brother. Gen. xiii. 8. Laban called Jacob his brother, though only his Cousin: See Note, Chap. xiii. 55. CHAP. XIII. 3. In parables, The word παραβολη has all the Parable of the sower CHAPTER XIII. MATTHEW XIII. A. D. 31. The parable of the sower, and the explanation of it; those of the darnel, mustard seed, leaven, hidden treasure, pearl, and the draw net; Christ despised by his countrymen. and the meaning of it. shall be taken away even that which he hath.. THE same day Jesus went out of the house, 2 and sat by the side of the lake. And great multitudes were gathered together to him, so that he went into a ship, and sat down; but the 3 whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, 4" Behold a sower went forth to sow; And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and 5 the birds came and devoured them. Some fell upon rocky places, where they had not much earth; and they immediately sprang up, because 6 they had no depth of earth: But when the But when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because 7 they had not root, they withered. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up, 8 and choked them. But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hun-kingdom, and mindeth it not, the wicked one 9 dred-fold, some sixty, some thirty. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." 10 And the disciples came, and said to him, "Why 11 speakest thou to them in parables?" He answer-places, is he who heareth the word, and immeed and said to them, "Because it is given to you "Because it is given to you diately receiveth it with joy; Yet not having it 21 to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, rooted in himself, he endureth but for a short 12 but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath time; for when affliction or persecution ariseth much, to him shall be given, and he shall have because of the word, he immediately falleth more; but whosoever hath little, from him shall away. And that which was sown among thorns 22 he was the Christ, the promised Saviour! And how great the blindness, and awful the hardness of heart, which could resist all the force of this evidence, and ascribe miracles the most stupendous to an alliance with Satam! A sin of this kind seems so aggravated, that Jesus asserts it to be irremissible. 5. Let us be careful to improve our religious advantages, lest extent of signification of the Hebrew w mashal. It signifies a comparison of any kind, a proverb, figure, or any thing expressed in poetic diction. In some of the instances here recorded, parable is proper, in others it simply means comparison. 5. Rocky places. Not stony, as these may be, and are found in some rich grounds. What is meant here is evidently continued rock, with a very thin cover of earth. 8. A hundred-fold. Herodotus relates that a district in Lybia produced a hundred-fold; and Babylonia two or three hundred. 11. The mysteries. A mystery is a doctrine or fact unknown, or not made fully known: 1 Cor. xv. 51. Eph. iii. 3-6. Campbell renders, secrets, and observes that the moral truths here alluded to, are as far from being mysteries, that is, doctrines incomprehensible, as any thing in the world can be. "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 18 When one heareth the doctrine concerning the 19 cometh and snatcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the way side. And that which was sown on rocky 20 wrath should come upon us! The Ninevites repented on hearing Jonah. The Queen of Sheba came from a distance to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and we ought to repent, lest the conduct of these persons should condemn ours. For we have the privilege of hearing a greater than Jonah, and, one wiser than Solomon. How can we escape, if we refuse to hear him who speaketh to us from heaven! 12. Hath much-hath little. The original words must have the sense given, or otherwise, they would be absurd. 14, 15. I have followed the Hebrew idiom, and am satisfied I have given the sense. The prophet predicted the future obstinacy, unbelief and wickedness of the Jews. This prediction was evidently fulfilled in many who heard our Lord, and who saw his miracles. 16. Happy are. He addresses his own disciples who believed on him. 19. This is what, &c. With Hammond and others I consider arogan as the implied nominative. This explanation of the parable, is highly useful for explaining our Lord's other parables. 21. Falleth away. Newcome admits that the original term here, has this meaning. Such a hearer, when persecution arises, becomes an apostate. Parable of the field. MATTHEW XIII. is he, who heareth the word; but the anxious care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches 23 choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. But that which was sown on good ground is he who heareth the word, and mindeth it; who also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, one a hundred fold, one sixty, and one thirty." * 24 Another parable he put forth to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a 25 man who sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade sprang up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the darnel also. 27 So the servants of the householder came near and said to him, 'Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it darnel?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy hath done this.' The servants said to him, Wilt thou then that 29 we go and gather them up?' But he said, No; lest while ye gather up the darnel, ye 30 root up also the wheat with it. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest. I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the darnel, and bind it in bundles to burn; but gather the wheat into my barn." 31 Of the hidden treasure, &c. things spoke Jesus to the multitude in parables ; and without a parable spoke he not to them: So that it was fulfilled which was spoken by the 35 prophet, saying, "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things secret from the foundation of the world." Then Jesus sent away the multitude, and 36 went into a house; and his disciples came near to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel in the field." He 37 answered and said to them, "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The 38 field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; but the darnel are the sons of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed it is the 39 devil; the harvest is the end of this state, and the reapers are the angels. As, therefore, 40 the darnel is gathered and burned in the fire: so shall it be in the end of this state. The Son 41 of man will send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all who cause offence, and those who commit iniquity; And shall 42 cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the 43 righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let 66 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to 44 hidden treasure in a field; which when a man hath found, he keepeth it secret, and for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Another parable he put forth to them, say-him hear. ing, "The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took, and sowed 32 in his field; Which indeed is the smallest of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is the greatest of herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches." Another parable he spoke to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and mixed with three measures of 34 meal, till the whole was leavened." All these 33 66 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a 45 merchant, seeking goodly pearls; Who, when 46 he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 66 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a 47 With Campbell I have preferred the sense to the idiom, in the former part of this verse. 25. Darnel. Wakefield, after Castalio, renders, weeds; but there can be no doubt but darnel is intended. See Campbell's excellent Note. 32. Smallest of all seeds. One of the smallest of those which produce plants, whose stems grow into a woody substance. We learn from Chap. xvii. 20. that a grain of mustard seed was proverbial for expressing a very small quantity.Becometh a tree. Simon had a mustard tree capable of being ascended by climbing. Another had three branches, one of which furnished a shade for potters to work under. Jerusalem Talmud. Lightfoot has brought several testimonies from the Rabbies to the same purpose. See Pal. Syn. 33. Three measures. Three sata made an ephah, the quantity which the Jews were accustomed to mix. See Gen. xviii. 6. Jud. vi. 9. 35. The reference is to Ps. lxxviii. 2. and it is evident that the Evangelist accomodates the words to the present occasion, and renders the ambiguous word л to suit his purpose. See the Psalms. 40. Of this state. As there may be a reference to the awful destruction of Jerusalem, as well as the consummation of all things, I have again preferred this state to the world, or to age, as including both. 44. The design of this and the next parable is to represent the happiness which the gospel confers, and that we should deem no labour, no sacrifice too great, in order to enjoy its benefits. In the concealment of the treasure, we have a picture of human nature, not a recommendation of the fact. The hidden treasure means a valuable mine. Parable of the net, and MATTHEW XIV. Herod's opinion of Christ. net, cast into the sea, enclosing fish of every | James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas, his 48 kind: Which, when it was full, men drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into 49 vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of this state: the angels shall come forth, and separate the wicked from among the 50 righteous, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of 51 teeth." [Jesus saith to them,] "Did ye understand all these things?" They say to him, 52"Yes, Master." Then said he to them, "Every Scribe therefore instructed in the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven is like to a householder, who bringeth forth out of his store-house new things and old." brethren? And are not all his sisters with us? 56 Whence then hath this man all these things?" And they were offended at him. But Jesus 57 said to them, "A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and in his own family." And he did not many mighty works 58 there, because of their unbelief. REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XIII. 1. How various the success of the gospel! When preached with the greatest force of reason and eloquence, it frequently produces no saving effects, owing to the prejudices, hardness of heart, worldly mindedness, and unbelief of those who hear. Through the influence of these vices men hear indeed, but will not understand; and see indeed, but will not perceive. O, how needful the caution, which our blessed Lord so often repeated. 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” 2. A renewed heart, like the good ground, is the only soil in which the seed of divine truth will take root, and bring forth according to circumstances, various degrees of increase. Sometimes individuals hear the word, and from the mere influence of the passions, with joy appear to receive it; but they bring forth no fruit to perfection. They become cool and indifferent, and when persecution arises, they apostatize. Others pretend to unite with the spirit of religion, the spirit of the world; but ultimately the spirit of the world prevails, and either religion is wholly neglected, or the form is substituted for its power. CHAPTER XIV. A. D. 32. Herod's opinion of Christ; John the baptist beheaded; Jesus feedeth five thousand, walketh on the lake, and landing at Gennesaret, healeth the sick. AT that time Herod the tetrarch heard of 1 the fame of Jesus, And said to his servants, 2 "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works are wrought by him." For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound 3 him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had said 4 to him, "It is not lawful for thee to have her." And when Herod would have put him to death, 5 3. In the world, truth and error, virtue and vice, the righteous and the wicked exist together. It is not unfrequently difficult to detect one of these from the other; the darnel is for a time so like the wheat. There is, however, an essential difference between them; and when those who commit iniquity, shall be cast into a furnace of fire, when the enemy and his children shall suffer together, then the righteous shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. 4. How essentially valuable are the blessings of the gospel. They are treasures of wisdom and knowledge, of love and grace, which ought to engage and fix every heart. Here is the pearl of great price, and happy the merchant that makes it his own. Finally, our Lord gives us a foundation for the hope that his kingdom will greatly prevail, and its salutary influence like the leaven, shall be felt through the mass of mankind. the mass of mankind. O let this kingdom come; and may thy grace, blessed Redeemer, thus powerfully operate on our hearts, and sanctify them. Bless the pious exertions of thy people to spread the gospel, and the labours of thy ministers in dispensing it! Let thy saving health be known among all nations. denotes a carpenter. See Sept. 1 Kings xxii. 6. Isa. xli. 7. and Zech. i. 20. -Are not James, &c. From Chap. x. 3. we learn that James was the son of Alpheus, and is the person here meant, because James is called the Lord's brother, Gal. i. 19; and therefore it seems most probable, that the Mary here mentioned was the wife of Alpheus, and related to Joseph, the legal and supposed father of Jesus by marriage. CHAP. XIV. 2. This is John. Bishop Pearce renders here, and Mark vi. 14, interrogatively, as more agreeable to Luke ix. 7, 8. 25 he feared the multitude, because they account6 ed John as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced 7 before them, and pleased Herod. Upon which he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever 8 she should ask. And she, having been before instructed by her mother, said, "Give me here 9 the head of John the Baptist in a basin." And the king was grieved; yet because of his oath, and of his guests, he commanded it to be given 10 her. And he sent, and John was beheaded in 11 the prison. And his head was brought in a basin, and given to the damsel; and she brought it to 12 her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told 13 Jesus. When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert-place privately; and when the people had heard of it, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14 And Jesus went out, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion towards 15 them; and he healed their sick. And towards evening, his disciples came to him, saying, "This is a desert place, and the day is now advanced; send the multitudes away, that they 16 may go into the towns, and buy food." But Jesus said to them, "They need not go; give 17 them food to eat." And they say to him, "We 18 have here but five loaves, and two fishes." He 19 said, "Bring them hither to me." And he commanded the multitudes to place themselves on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke, and gave the loaves to his disciples, || XIV. Five thousand fed. And they 20 and the disciples to the multitudes. all ate, and were filled and they took up of the fragments, twelve large baskets full. And 21 those that had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. And immediately Jesus constrained his disci- 22 ples to get into a vessel, and to go before him to the other side, while be sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes 23 away, he went up a mountain privately to pray; and when the evening had come, he was there alone. But the vessel was now in the midst of 24 the lake, tossed by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the 25 night Jesus went to them, walking on the lake. And when the disciples saw him walking on the 26 lake, they were troubled, saying, "It is an apparition ;" and they cried out for fear. But Je- 27 sus immediately spoke to them, saying, "Take courage; it is I; be not afraid." And Peter 28 answered him and said, "Master, if it be thou, bid me come to thee on the water." And he 29 said, "Come." Then Peter went down from the vessel, and walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he found the wind boisterous, he was 30 afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, "Lord, save me." And immediately Jesus 31 stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and said to him, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" And when they had 32 come into the vessel, the wind ceased. Then 33 they who were in the vessel came and did him homage, saying, “ "Truly thou art the son of God." 4. To have her. That is, as his wife, her husband Philip being then alive, John acted faithfully in thus reproving vice, and maintaining the authority of the law. Levit. xviii. 16, and xx. 11. 6. Birth-day. Pearce supposes that this means the day of his accession to the throne, which in the Oriental style was denominated their birth-day.' Comp. Ps. ii. 6. and See Note there. 9. Because of his oath, &c. With what simplicity does Matthew relate this most atrocious deed! He even makes that allowance for him which all the circumstances of the case admitted. 13. And when Jesus had heard of it. That is, of what Herod had done to John, he withdrew thence. This is more natural than to include what is said concerning John, in a parenthesis. 15. A desert place, &c. From the circumstance mentioned, the reality of the miracle became more strikingly manifest. See Chap. xv. 33. I have rendered ofas yerμens toward evening, because from ver. 23, it is certain, according to our style, this is what is here meant. It was after three o'clock in the afternoon. Pearce conjectures Matthew wrote yoμERNS but the Jewish custom of reckoning two evenings, one from the time above mentioned, and the other from sun-set, supports the text. 19. He blessed, &c. The form of giving thanks to God among the Jews, was by using words, which began thus, Blessed be God,' &c. Hence the whole thanksgiving was called the blessing, from the first word used. 20. Large baskets. Newcome renders, panniers. I have preferred the version given, because xopivog seems to denote a vessel of larger capacity than Gugls and because it seems to have been carried by men, and not by beasts, 25. The fourth watch. See Introd. p. 50. Vol. 1.--Walking on the lake. The Egyptian hieroglyphic to denote an impossibility, was two feet walking on water. This action was miraculous. 31. Didst thou doubt. Peter was thus taught that when an individual doubted the divine power, a miracle could not be wrought. 33. The son of God. What idea those had of the person of our Lord, |