Bible Commentaries

Malachi 1:1 — THE BOOK PROPHET MALACHI Chronological Notes relative to this Book -Year from the Creation, according to Archbishop Usher, 3607. -Year from the vocation of Abram, 1524. -Year since the destruction of Troy, 787. -Year since the commencement of the kingdom of Israel by the Divine appointment of Saul to the regal dignity, 698. -Year from the division of Solomon's monarchy into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, 578. -Fourth

Matthew 12:3 — Verse Matthew 12:3-4. Have ye not read what David did — The original history is in 1 Samuel 21:1-6.When he was an hungered — Here hearken to Kimchi, producing the opinion of the ancients concerning this story in these words: "Our rabbins of blessed memory say,

Matthew 21:42 — Verse Matthew 21:42. The stone — R. Solom. Jarchi, on Micah 5:0., says, this stone means the Messiah, אכן משיח: Abarbanel is of the same opinion. This seems to have been originally spoken of David who was at first rejected by the Jewish rulers, but was afterwards

Mark 7:4 — Verse Mark 7:4. And when they come — This clause is added by our translators, to fill up the sense; but it was probably a part of the original: for εαν ελθωσι is the reading of the Codex Bezae, Vulgate, Armenian, and most of the Itala. The clause in my old MS.

Luke 13:1 — CHAPTER XIII. Christ preaches the necessity of repentance, from the punishment of the Galileans massacred by Pilate, 1-3. And by the death of those on whom the tower in Siloam fell, 4, 5. The parable of the barren fig tree, 6-29. Christ cures a woman who had been afflicted eighteen years, 10-13. The ruler of the synagogue is incensed and is reproved by our Lord, 14-17. The parable of the mustard seed, 18, 19; of the leaven, 20-21.

Luke 6:30 — who even sell the tools and bed of a poor man, it may be very truly said: - Tristius haud illis monstrum, nec saevior ulla Pestis et ira deum Stygiis sese extulit undis: - Diripiunt dapes, contactaque omnia faedant Immundo: - VIRG. AEn. iii. ver. 214 "Monsters more fierce offended heaven ne'er sent From hell's abyss, for human punishment: - They snatch the meat, defiling all they find." DRYDEN. However, it is probable that what is here spoken relates to requiring a thing speedily that had been

John 14:1 — CHAPTER XIV. Christ comforts his disciples, on the event of his removal from them, by the consideration of his going to prepare a place for them in heaven, 1-4. Thomas questions him concerning the way to the Father, and is answered, 5-7. Philip proposes a difficulty, and Christ shows that he and the Father are one; that he is Mediator between God and man; and that whatsoever is asked in his name shall be obtained,

John 14:12 — Verse John 14:12. And greater works than these — The miracles which I have wrought could not have been wrought but by the omnipotence of God; but that omnipotence can work greater. And those who believe on my name shall, through my almighty power, be enabled

John 19:1 — CHAPTER XIX. Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, and mocked by the soldiers, 1-3. He to brought forth by Pilate, wearing the purple robe; and the Jews clamour for his death, 4-8. Conversation between our Lord and Pilate, 9-11. Pilate expostulates with the Jews on their barbarous demands; but they become more inveterate, and he delivers Christ into their hands, 12-16. He, bearing his cross, is led to Golgotha, and crucified,

John 4:53 — Verse John 4:53. So the father knew — He had the fullest proof that his son's cure was supernatural, and that it was wrought by the Lord Jesus.Himself believed, and his whole house. — He and his whole family became true converts to the doctrine of the

John 5:35 — He was not το φως του κοσμου, the light of the world, i.e. the sun; but he was ο λυχνος, a lamp, to give a clear and steady light till the sun should arise. It is supposed that John had been cast into prison about four months before this time. John 4:35. As his light continued no longer to shine, our Lord says he WAS.The expression of lamp our Lord took from the ordinary custom of the Jews, who termed their eminent doctors the lamps of Israel. A lighted candle is a proper emblem of a minister of

John 6:1 — CHAPTER VI. Jesus passes the sea of Tiberias, and a great multitude follow him, 1-4. He feeds five thousand with five loaves, and two fishes, 5-13. They acknowledge him to be the prophet that should come into the world, 14. They purpose to force him to become their king; and he withdraws from the multitude, 15. The disciples take ship,

Acts 18:1 — CHAPTER XVIII. Paul, leaving Athens, comes to Corinth, meets with Aquila and Priscilla, and labours with them at tent-making, 1-3. He preaches, and proves that Jesus was the Christ, 4, 5. The Jews oppose and blaspheme; and he purposes to go to the Gentiles, 6. Justus, Crispus, and several of the Corinthians believe, 7, 8. Paul has a vision, by which he is greatly comforted, 9, 10. He continues there a year and six months, 11. Gallio

Acts 28:4 — Verse Acts 28:4. The venomous beast — το θηριον, The venomous animal; for θηρια is a general name among the Greek writers for serpents, vipers, scorpions, wasps, and such like creatures. Though the viper fastened on Paul's hand, it does not appear that it really

Romans 5:14 — Verse Romans 5:14. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses — This supposes, as Dr. Taylor very properly observes:-1. That sin was in the world from Adam to Moses.2. That law was not in the world from Adam to Moses during the space of about 2500 years; for,

Romans 5:7 — are they who accommodate each other, who borrow and lend.3. The third class is composed of those who say, "What is mine, is thine; and what is thine, let it be thine." These are the pious, or good, who give up all for the benefit of their neighbour.4. The fourth class are those who say, "What is mine, is mine; and what is thine, shall be mine." These are the impious, who take all, and give nothing. Now, for one of the first class, who would die? There is nothing amiable in his life or conduct that

Romans 7:4 — Verse Romans 7:4. Wherefore, my brethren — This is a parallel case. You were once under the law of Moses, and were bound by its injunctions; but now ye are become dead to that law - a modest, inoffensive mode of speech, for, The law, which was once your husband,

1 Corinthians 1:12 — seems from this expression that the whole Church at Corinth was in a state of dissension: they were all divided into the following sects1. Paulians, or followers of St. Paul;2. Apollonians, or followers of Apollos;3. Kephians, or followers of Kephas;4. Christians, or followers of Christ.See the introduction, sec. v.The converts at Corinth were partly Jews and partly Greeks. The Gentile part, as Dr. Lightfoot conjectures, might boast the names of Paul and Apollos; the Jewish, those of Kephas and Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:13 — Verse 1 Corinthians 4:13. Being defamed — βλασφημουμενοι, Being blasphemed. I have already remarked that βλασφημειν signifies to speak injuriously, and may have reference either to God or to man. GOD is blasphemed when his attributes, doctrines, providence, or grace,

1 Corinthians 9:5 — Verse 1 Corinthians 9:5. Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife — The word εξουσιαν is to be understood here, as above in 1 Corinthians 9:4, as implying authority or right; and authority, not merely derived from their office, but from Him who gave them that office; from the constitution of nature; and from universal propriety or the fitness of things.When the apostle speaks of leading about