Bible Commentaries

Zechariah 3:8 — Verse Zechariah 3:8. O Joshua - thou, and thy fellows — Thy countrymen, who have now returned from your captivity, in a very wonderful manner. אנשי מופת anshey mopheth, figurative men, men whose office and ministration prefigured the Lord Jesus Christ; and therefore

Matthew 13:2 — Verse Matthew 13:2. Into a ship — το πλοιον, THE vessel or boat. Mr. Wakefield supposes (which is very likely) that a particular vessel is uniformly specified, which seems to have been kept on the lake for the use of Christ and his apostles: it probably belonged

Matthew 19:14 — doctrine which must have sprung from Moloch, and can only be defended by a heart in which he dwells. A great part of God's kingdom is composed of such literally; and those only who resemble little children shall be received into it: see on Matthew 18:3. Christ loves little children because he loves simplicity and innocence; he has sanctified their very age by passing through it himself - the holy Jesus was once a little child.

Matthew 22:36 — Verse 36. Which is the great commandment — We see here three kinds of enemies and false accusers of Christ and his disciples; and three sorts of accusations brought against them.1. The Herodians, or politicians and courtiers, who form their questions

Matthew 23:3 — Verse Matthew 23:3. All therefore whatsoever — That is, all those things which they read out of the law and prophets, and all things which they teach consistently with them. This must be our Lord's meaning: he could not have desired them to do every thing, without

Matthew 24:50 — answers to his infidelity and forgetfulness. He shall come in a day in which he looked not for him.2. A separation from the communion of saints, and from all the gifts which he has abused: this answers to the abuse of his authority in the Church of Christ.3. He shall have tears and eternal pains, in company with all such hypocrites as himself: and this answers to his voluptuous life, pampering the flesh at the expense of his soul.

Matthew 25:2 — is thus defined, μη ὁρᾶ το δεον, he who sees not what is proper or necessary. These did not see that it was necessary to have oil in their vessels, (the salvation of God in their souls,) as well as a burning lamp of religious profession, Matthew 25:3; Matthew 25:4.

Luke 1:26 — it seems as if the family residence should have been in that city, and not in Nazareth; for we find that, even after the return from the captivity, the several families went to reside in those cities to which they originally belonged. See Nehemiah 11:3. But it is probable that the holy family removed to Galilee for fear of exciting the jealousy of Herod, who had usurped that throne to which they had an indisputable right. See on Luke 2:39. Thus, by keeping out of the way, they avoided the effects

Luke 17:1 — CHAPTER XVII. Christ teaches the necessity of avoiding offences, 1, 2. How to treat an offending brother, 3, 4. The efficacy of faith, 5, 6. No man by his services or obedience can profit his Maker, 7-10. He cleanses ten lepers, 11-19. The Pharisees inquire when the kingdom of God shall commence; Christ answers them, and corrects their improper views of the

Luke 23:11 — Verse Luke 23:11. A gorgeous robe — εσθητα λαμπραν. It probably means a white robe, for it was the custom of the Jewish nobility to wear such. Hence, in Revelation 3:4, it is said of the saints, They shall walk with me in WHITE (garments,) because they are

Luke 24:49 — Verse 49. The promise of my Father — That is, the Holy Ghost, promised, John 15:26. See Acts 1:4; Acts 2:33.Until ye be endued with power — The energy of the Holy Ghost was to be communicated to them for three particular purposes.1. That he might be in them, a sanctifying comforter, fortifying their souls and bringing to their remembrance whatever

Luke 3:36 — Verse Luke 3:36. Of Cainan — This Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, and father of Sala, is not found in any other Scripture genealogy. See Genesis 10:24; Genesis 11:12; 1 Chronicles 1:18; 1 Chronicles 1:24, where Arphaxad is made the father of Sala, and no mention

Luke 7:19 — Verse Luke 7:19. Art thou he that should come? — That is, to save. Art thou the promised Messiah? Matthew 11:3.Some have thought that this character of our Lord, ο ερχομενος, he who cometh, refers to the prophecy of Jacob, Genesis 49:10, where he is called שילה Shiloh, which Grotius and others derive from שלה shalach, he sent: hence, as the time of the fulfilment

John 11:45 — through a principle of kindness to others, without making it instrumental of good to themselves. He that watereth shall be watered also himself, Proverbs 11:25. Therefore, let no man withhold good, while it is in the power of his hand to do it. Proverbs 3:27.

John 6:46 — other outward voice than that of his word and messengers; but he teaches by his Spirit. This teaching from God implies:1. That they shall have proper instruction.2. That they shall comprehend it; for, when God teaches, there is no delay in learning. And,3. That this teaching should be by the influence of the Holy Ghost upon their minds.He which is of God — That is, Christ alone: neither Moses nor any of the prophets had ever seen God: Jesus, who lay in the bosom of the Father, HE saw and revealed

John 6:54 — eternal life — This can never be understood of the sacrament of the Lord's supper.1. Because this was not instituted till a year after; at the last Passover.2. It cannot be said that those who do not receive that sacrament must perish everlastingly.3. Nor can it be supposed that all those who do receive it are necessarily and eternally saved.On the contrary, St. Paul intimates that many who received it at Corinth perished, because they received it unworthily, not discerning the Lord's body: not

Acts 23:3 — Verse Acts 23:3. God shall smite thee, thou whited wall — Thou hypocrite! who sittest on the seat of judgment, pretending to hear and seriously weigh the defense of an accused person, who must in justice and equity be presumed to be innocent till he is proved

Acts 27:3 — Verse Acts 27:3. Touched at Sidon — For some account of this place, Matthew 11:21; Matthew 11:21; and Acts 12:20; Acts 12:20.Julius courteously entreated Paul — At the conclusion of the preceding chapter, it has been intimated that the kind treatment which

1 Corinthians 3:8 — Verse 1 Corinthians 3:8. He that planteth and he that watereth are one — Both Paul and Apollos have received the same doctrine, preach the same doctrine, and labour to promote the glory of God in the salvation of your souls. Why should you be divided with respect to

1 Corinthians 9:7 — οψωνιοις· Does a soldier provide his own victuals? οψωςιος is used to express the military pay or wages, by the Greek writers; for the Roman soldiers were paid not only in money but in victuals; and hence corn was usually distributed among them. Luke 3:14.