Bible Commentaries

Matthew 1:16 — that the descent of Jesus Himself from David should never be questioned. See on Matthew 1:20. who is called Christ—signifying "anointed." It is applied in the Old Testament to the kings (1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel 24:10); to the priests (Leviticus 4:5; Leviticus 4:16, c.) and to the prophets (Leviticus 4:16- :) —these all being anointed with oil, the symbol of the needful spiritual gifts to consecrate them to their respective offices; and it was applied, in its most sublime and comprehensive sense,

Matthew 10:10 — "food" or "maintenance"; a principle which, being universally recognized in secular affairs, is here authoritatively applied to the services of the Lord's workmen, and by Paul repeatedly and touchingly employed in his appeals to the churches (Romans 15:27; 1 Corinthians 9:11; Galatians 6:6), and once as "scripture" (1 Timothy 5:18).

Matthew 12:40 — in the grave is here expressed in round numbers, according to the Jewish way of speaking, which was to regard any part of a day, however small, included within a period of days, as a full day. (See 1 Samuel 30:12; 1 Samuel 30:13; Esther 4:16; Esther 5:1; Matthew 27:63; Matthew 27:64, &c.).

Mark 14:5 — 5. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence—between nine and ten pounds sterling. and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her—"This he said," remarks John (John 12:6), and the remark is of exceeding importance,

Luke 13:1 — 1-3. Galileans—possibly the followers of Judas of Galilee, who, some twenty years before this, taught that Jews should not pay tribute to the Romans, and of whom we learn, from Acts 5:37, that he drew after him a multitude of followers, who on his being slain were all dispersed. About this time that party would be at its height, and if Pilate caused this detachment of them to be waylaid and put to death as they were offering their

John 6:19 — 19. they see Jesus—"about the fourth watch of the night" (Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48), or between three and six in the morning. walking on the sea—What Job (Job 9:8) celebrates as the distinguishing prerogative of GOD, "WHO ALONE spreadeth out the heavens, and TREADETH UPON THE WAVES OF THE SEA"—What AGUR challenges as

Acts 13:4 — 4, 5. departed unto Seleucia—the seaport of Antioch, from which it lay nearly due west fifteen miles, and five from the Mediterranean shore, on the river Orontes. thence sailed to Cyprus—whose high mountain summits are easily seen in clear weather from

Acts 9:5 — 5. Who art thou, Lord?—"Jesus knew Saul ere Saul knew Jesus" [BENGEL]. The term "Lord" here is an indefinite term of respect for some unknown but august speaker. That Saul saw as well as heard this glorious Speaker, is expressly said by Ananias (Acts

1 Corinthians 12:3 — 3. The negative and positive criteria of inspiration by the Spirit—the rejection or confession of Jesus as Lord [ALFORD] (1 John 4:2; 1 John 5:1). Paul gives a test of truth against the Gentiles; John, against the false prophets. by the Spirit—rather, as Greek, "IN the Spirit"; that being the power pervading him, and the element in which he speaks [ALFORD], (Matthew 16:17; John 15:26). of

1 Corinthians 6:20 — 20. bought with a price—Therefore Christ's blood is strictly a ransom paid to God's justice by the love of God in Christ for our redemption (Matthew 20:28; Acts 20:28; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18; 1 Peter 1:19; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 5:9). While He thus took off our obligation to punishment, He laid upon us a new obligation to obedience (1 Corinthians 7:22; 1 Corinthians 7:23). If we accept Him as our Prophet to reveal God to us, and our Priest to atone for us, we must also accept

2 Corinthians 2:15 — 15. The order is in Greek, "For (it is) of Christ (that) we are a sweet savor unto God"; thus, the "for" justifies his previous words ( :-), "the savor of HIS (Christ's) knowledge." We not only scatter the savor; but "we are the sweet savor" itself ( :-;

Galatians 5:24 — cruelly with the body of sin, which has caused the acting of all cruelties on Christ's body. with the affections—Translate, "with its passions." Thus they are dead to the law's condemning power, which is only for the fleshly, and their lusts (Galatians 5:23).

Ephesians 1:18 — 18. understanding—The oldest manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, read "heart." Compare the contrary state of unbelieving, the heart being in fault (Ephesians 4:18; Matthew 13:15). Translate, "Having the eyes of your heart enlightened" (Ephesians 5:14; Matthew 4:16). The first effect of the Spirit moving in the new creation, as in the original physical creation (Genesis 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6). So THEOPHILUS to AUTOLYCUS (1.3),

1 Thessalonians 3:2 — Corinthians 4:17, "my son." He speaks thus highly of one so lately ordained, both to impress the Thessalonians with a high respect for the delegate sent to them, and to encourage Timothy, who seems to have been of a timid character (1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 5:23). "Gospel ministers do the work of God with Him, for Him, and under Him" [EDMUNDS]. establish—Greek, "confirm." In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, GOD is said to "stablish": He is the true establisher: ministers are His "instruments." concerning—Greek, "in

1 Timothy 3:6 — This proves the Church of Ephesus was established now for some time. The absence of this rule in the Epistle to Titus, accords with the recent planting of the Church at Crete. Greek, "neophyte," literally, "a young plant"; luxuriantly verdant (Romans 6:5; Romans 11:17; 1 Corinthians 3:6). The young convert has not yet been disciplined and matured by afflictions and temptations. Contrast 1 Corinthians 3:6- :, "an old disciple." lifted up with pride—Greek, literally, "wrapt in smoke," so that, inflated

Hebrews 5:11 — Hebrews 6:20- :, where James and the elders expressly say of the "thousands of Jews which believe," that "they are all zealous of the law"; this was at Paul's last visit to Jerusalem, after which this Epistle seems to have been written (see on Hebrews 5:12, on "for the time").

1 Peter 5:3 — "Not that we have dominion over your faith." God's heritage—Greek, "the inheritances," that is, the portions of the Church committed severally to your pastoral charge [BENGEL]. It is explained by "the flock" in the next clause. However, in 1 Peter 5:2, "flock of God which is among you," answering to "(God's) heritages" (plural to express the sheep who are God's portion and inheritance, Deuteronomy 32:9) committed to you, favors English Version. The flock, as one whole, is God's heritage, or flock

1 John 1:5 — 5. First division of the body of the Epistle (compare :-). declare—Greek, "announce"; report in turn; a different Greek word from 1 John 1:3. As the Son announced the message heard from the Father as His apostle, so the Son's apostles announce what

Revelation 12:5 — 5. man-child—Greek, "a son, a male." On the deep significance of this term, see on :-. rule—Greek, "poimainein," "tend as a shepherd"; (see on Revelation 2:27). rod of iron—A rod is for long-continued obstinacy until they submit themselves to obedience

Revelation 14:10 — 10. The same—Greek, "he also," as the just and inevitable retribution. wine of . . . wrath of God— (Psalms 75:8). without mixture—whereas wine was so commonly mixed with water that to mix wine is used in Greek for to pour out wine; this wine of God's wrath is undiluted; there is no drop of water to cool its heat. Naught of grace or hope is blended with it.