Bible Commentaries

Genesis 10:4 — Verse Genesis 10:4. Elishah — As Javan peopled a considerable part of Greece, it is in that region that we must seek for the settlements of his descendants; Elishah probably was the first who settled at Elis, in Peloponnesus.Tarshish — He first inhabited Cilicia,

Genesis 23:4 — Verse Genesis 23:4. I am a stranger and a sojourner — It appears from Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11, that these words refer more to the state of his mind than of his body. He felt that he had no certain dwelling place, and was seeking by faith a city that had foundations.Give

Zechariah 5:1 — CHAPTER V The vision of the large flying roll, with the angel's explanation, 1-4. The vision of the ephah, and of the woman sitting on it, with the signification, 5-11. NOTES ON CHAP. VVerse Zechariah 5:1. Behold a flying roll. — This was twenty cubits long, and ten cubits broad; the prophet saw it expanded, and flying. Itself

Matthew 9:4 — Verse Matthew 9:4. Jesus knowing (ιδων seeing) their thoughts — In telling them what the thoughts of their hearts were, (for they had expressed nothing publicly,) he gave them the fullest proof of his power to forgive sins; because God only can forgive sins, and

Mark 1:15 — Verse Mark 1:15. The time is fulfilled — That is, the time appointed for sending the Messiah; and particularly the time specified by Daniel, Daniel 9:24-27. Here are four points worthy of deep attention, in the preaching of the Son of God.1. Every thing that is done is according to a plan laid by the Divine wisdom, and never performed till the time appointed was filled up.2. That the kingdom and reign

Mark 2:1 — pronounced forgiven, 3-5. The scribes accuse him of blasphemy, 6, 7. He vindicates himself, and proves his power to forgive sins, by healing the man's disease, 8-11. The people are astonished and edified, 12. He calls Levi from the receipt of custom, 13, 14. Eats in his house with publicans and sinners, at which the Pharisees murmur, 15, 16. He vindicates his conduct, 17. Vindicates his disciples, who are accused of not fasting, 18-22; and for plucking the ears of corn on the Sabbath day, 23-26; and teaches

Luke 12:37 — says, Sat. b. vi. l. 107: Veluti SUCCINCTUS cursitat HOSPES, He runs about like a girded waiter. The host himself often performed this office. And ibid. viii. 10: Puer alle cinctus: and that the game custom prevailed among the Jews appears from John 13:4-5, and Luke 17:8. From this verse we may gather likewise, that it was the custom of those days, as it was, not long since, among us, for the bridegroom, at the wedding supper, to wait as a servant upon the company. See Bishop PEARCE.

Luke 9:53 — going up to Jerusalem to keep the feast; (it was the feast of tabernacles, John 7:2); and knowing him thereby to be a Jew, they would afford nothing for his entertainment; for, in religious matters, the Samaritans and Jews had no dealings: see John 4:9. The Samaritans were a kind of mongrel heathens; they feared Jehovah, and served other gods, 2 Kings 17:34. They apostatized from the true religion, and persecuted those who were attached to it. See an account of them, Matthew 16:1. Those only who

John 10:32 — times, without expense, with patience; and is this my reward?To show good works or good things is a Hebraism, which signifies to do them really, to give good things liberally. The phrase is similar to the following: Who will SHOW us any good? Psalms 4:6; i.e. who shall give us good things. SHOW us thy mercy, Psalms 85:7; i.e. give us to feel the effects of thy mercy. Thou hast SHOWED thy people hard things, Psalms 60:3; i.e. thou hast treated them with rigour. Thou hast SHOWED me great and sore troubles,

John 15:7 — -1. Be united to Christ - if ye abide in me.2. That in order to be preserved in this union, we must have our lives regulated by the doctrine of Christ-and my words abide in you.3. That to profit by this union and doctrine, we must pray - ye shall ask.4. That every heavenly blessing shall be given to those who continue in this union, with a loving, obedient, praying spirit: - ye shall ask what ye will, &c.

John 5:21 — Verse John 5:21. As the Father raised up the dead — This he did in the case of the widow's son at Sarepta, 1 Kings 17:22, by the ministry of the Prophet Elijah. And again, in the case of the Shunamite's son, 2 Kings 4:32-35, by the ministry of the Prophet Elisha.The Son quickeneth whom he will. — He raiseth from death to life whomsoever he pleases. So he did, for he raised the ruler's daughter, Mark 5:35-42; the widow's son at Nain, Luke 7:11-15; and Lazarus,

Acts 1:23 — been most intimately acquainted with our Lord, or in being better qualified for the work than any of the rest; but they knew not which to prefer.Joseph called Barsabas — Some MSS. read Joses Barnabas, making him the same with Joses Barnabas, Acts 4:36. But the person here is distinguished from the person there, by being called Justus.

Acts 2:36 — Gentiles, angels and men. In the preceding discourse, Peter assumes a fact which none would attempt to deny, viz. that Jesus had been lately crucified by them. He then,1. Proves his resurrection.2. His ascension.3. His exaltation to the right hand of God.4. The effusion of the Holy Spirit, which was the fruit of his glorification, and which had not only been promised by himself, but foretold by their own prophets: in consequence of which,5. It was indisputably proved that this same Jesus, whom they had

Acts 5:28 — — ου παραγγελια παρηγγειλαμεν, With commanding did we not command you; a Hebraism-another proof of the accuracy and fidelity of St. Luke, who seems always to give every man's speech as he delivered it; not the substance, but the very words. See Acts 4:17.Not teach in this name? — That is, of JESUS as the Christ or Messiah. His saving name, and the doctrines connected with it, were the only theme and substance of their discourses.Intend to bring this men's blood upon us. — You speak in

Acts 7:38 — Greek word λογιον, which we translate oracle, signifies a Divine revelation, a communication from God himself, and is here applied to the Mosaic law; to the Old Testament in general, Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12; and to Divine revelation in general, 1 Peter 4:11.

Romans 4:15 — Verse Romans 4:15. Because the law worketh wrath — For law νομος, any law, or rule of duty. No law makes provision for the exercise of mercy, for it worketh wrath, οργην, punishment, for the disobedient. Law necessarily subjects the transgressor to punishment;

1 Corinthians 10:6 — inflicted on them furnish us with evidences of what God will inflict upon us, if we sin after the similitude of those transgressors.We should not lust after evil things — It is most evident that the apostle refers here to the history in Numbers 11:4, c.: And the mixed multitude fell a lusting, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? Into the same spirit the Corinthians had most evidently fallen they lusted after the flesh in the idol feasts, and therefore frequented them to the great scandal

Galatians 3:6 — Verse Galatians 3:6. Abraham believed God — This is quoted from Genesis 15:6, where see the note; and St. Paul produces it, Romans 4:3-5, where also see the notes. Abraham, while even uncircumcised, believed in God, and his faith was reckoned to him for justification; and Abraham is called the father of the faithful, or, of believers. If, then, he was justified without the deeds

2 Timothy 1:6 — not continued to be a daily worker with God, he would have received the grace of God in vain. The Latins have a similar metaphor, excitare igniculos ingenii, to stir up the sparks of genius.By the putting on of my hands. — See note on 1 Timothy 4:14.

Revelation 21:2 — Verse Revelation 21:2. And I John — The writer of this book; whether the evangelist and apostle, or John the Ephesian presbyter, has been long doubted in the Church.New Jerusalem — See Clarke's notes on Galatians 4:24-27. This doubtless means the Christian Church in a state of great prosperity and purity; but some think eternal blessedness is intended.Coming down from God — It is a maxim of the ancient Jews that both the tabernacle, and the temple, and Jerusalem