2686 lines
125 KiB
Plaintext
2686 lines
125 KiB
Plaintext
|
<HTML>
|
||
|
|
<HEAD>
|
||
|
|
<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Matthew XXI].</TITLE>
|
||
|
|
<meta name="aesop" content="information">
|
||
|
|
<meta name="description" content=
|
||
|
|
"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
|
||
|
|
<meta name="keywords" content=
|
||
|
|
"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
|
||
|
|
</HEAD>
|
||
|
|
<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
|
||
|
|
<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
|
||
|
|
on the Whole Bible</h1>
|
||
|
|
<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
|
||
|
|
</h3>
|
||
|
|
</center>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
||
|
|
<TR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC40020.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC40022.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
||
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
|
||
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!-- (Begin Body) -->
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<CENTER>
|
||
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>M A T T H E W.</B></FONT>
|
||
|
|
<BR>
|
||
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXI.</FONT>
|
||
|
|
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
|
||
|
|
</CENTER>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=-1>
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the two main hinges upon
|
||
|
|
which the door of salvation turns. He came into the world on purpose to
|
||
|
|
give his life a ransom; so he had lately said,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+20:28"><I>ch.</I> xx. 28</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And therefore the history of his sufferings, even unto death, and his
|
||
|
|
rising again, is more particularly recorded by all the evangelists than
|
||
|
|
any other part of his story; and to that this evangelist now hastens
|
||
|
|
apace. For at this chapter begins that which is called the
|
||
|
|
passion-week. He had said to his disciples more than once, Behold, we
|
||
|
|
go up to Jerusalem, and there the Son of man must be betrayed. A great
|
||
|
|
deal of good work he did by the way, and now at length he is come up to
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem; and here we have,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The public entry which he made into Jerusalem, upon the first day of
|
||
|
|
the passion-week,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:1-11">ver. 1-11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The authority he exercised there, in cleansing the temple, and
|
||
|
|
driving out of it the buyers and sellers,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:12-16">ver. 12-16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The barren fig-tree, and his discourse with his disciples
|
||
|
|
thereupon,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:17-22">ver. 17-22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. His justifying his own authority, by appealing to the baptism of
|
||
|
|
John,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:23-27">ver. 23-27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. His shaming the infidelity and obstinacy of the chief priests and
|
||
|
|
elders, with the repentance of the publicans, illustrated by the
|
||
|
|
parable of the two sons,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:29-32">ver. 29-32</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
VI. His reading the doom of the Jewish church for its unfruitfulness,
|
||
|
|
in the parable of the vineyard let out to unthankful husbandmen,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:33-46">ver. 33-46</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
</FONT>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_1"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_4"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_5"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_6"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_7"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_8"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_9"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_10"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_11"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ's Entrance into Jerusalem.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to
|
||
|
|
Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two
|
||
|
|
disciples,
|
||
|
|
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and
|
||
|
|
straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose
|
||
|
|
<I>them,</I> and bring <I>them</I> unto me.
|
||
|
|
3 And if any <I>man</I> say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord
|
||
|
|
hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
|
||
|
|
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
|
||
|
|
spoken by the prophet, saying,
|
||
|
|
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto
|
||
|
|
thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an
|
||
|
|
ass.
|
||
|
|
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
|
||
|
|
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their
|
||
|
|
clothes, and they set <I>him</I> thereon.
|
||
|
|
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way;
|
||
|
|
others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed <I>them</I> in
|
||
|
|
the way.
|
||
|
|
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed,
|
||
|
|
cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed <I>is</I> he that
|
||
|
|
cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
|
||
|
|
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved,
|
||
|
|
saying, Who is this?
|
||
|
|
11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of
|
||
|
|
Nazareth of Galilee.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
All the four evangelists take notice of this passage of Christ's
|
||
|
|
<I>riding in triumph into Jerusalem,</I> five days before his death.
|
||
|
|
The passover was on the fourteenth day of the month, and this was the
|
||
|
|
tenth; on which day the law appointed that the paschal lamb should be
|
||
|
|
taken up
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:3">Exod. xii. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and set apart for that service; on that day therefore Christ our
|
||
|
|
Passover, who was to be sacrificed for us, was publicly showed. So that
|
||
|
|
this was the prelude to his passion. He had lodged at Bethany, a
|
||
|
|
village not far from Jerusalem, for some time; at a supper there the
|
||
|
|
night before Mary had <I>anointed his feet,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:3">John xii. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But, as usual with ambassadors, he deferred his public entry till some
|
||
|
|
time after his arrival. Our Lord Jesus travelled much, and his custom
|
||
|
|
was to travel on foot from Galilee to Jerusalem, some scores of miles,
|
||
|
|
which was both humbling and toilsome; many a dirty weary step he had
|
||
|
|
when <I>he went about doing good.</I> How ill does it become Christians
|
||
|
|
to be inordinately solicitous about their own ease and state, when
|
||
|
|
their Master had so little of either! Yet once in his life he rode in
|
||
|
|
triumph; and it was now when he went into Jerusalem, to suffer and die,
|
||
|
|
as if that were the pleasure and preferment he courted; and then he
|
||
|
|
thought himself begin to look great.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now here we have,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The provision that was made for this solemnity; and it was very poor
|
||
|
|
and ordinary, and such as bespoke his <I>kingdom</I> to be <I>not of
|
||
|
|
this world.</I> Here were no heralds at arms provided, no trumpet
|
||
|
|
sounded before him, no chariots of state, no liveries; such things as
|
||
|
|
these were not agreeable to his present state of humiliation, but will
|
||
|
|
be far outdone at his second coming, to which his magnificent
|
||
|
|
appearance is reserved, when the last trumpet shall sound, the glorious
|
||
|
|
angels shall be his heralds and attendants, and the clouds his
|
||
|
|
chariots. But in this public appearance,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The preparation was sudden and offhand. For his glory in the other
|
||
|
|
world, and ours with him, preparation was made before the foundation of
|
||
|
|
the world, for that was the glory his heart was upon; his glory in this
|
||
|
|
world he was dead to, and therefore, though he had it in prospect, did
|
||
|
|
not forecast for it, but took what came next. They were come to
|
||
|
|
Bethphage, which was the suburb of Jerusalem, and was accounted (say
|
||
|
|
the Jewish doctors) in all things, as Jerusalem, a long scattering
|
||
|
|
street that lay toward the mount of Olives; when he entered upon that,
|
||
|
|
<I>he sent two of his disciples,</I> some think Peter and John, to
|
||
|
|
fetch him an ass, for he had none ready for him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. It was very mean. He sent only for an ass and her colt,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Asses were much used in that country for travel; horses were kept only
|
||
|
|
by great men, and for war. Christ could have summoned a cherub to carry
|
||
|
|
him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:10">Ps. xviii. 10</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but though <I>by his name Jah,</I> which speaks him God, <I>he rides
|
||
|
|
upon the heavens,</I> yet now by his name Jesus, <I>Immanuel, God with
|
||
|
|
us,</I> in his state of humiliation, he <I>rides upon an ass.</I> Yet
|
||
|
|
some think that he had herein an eye to the custom in Israel for the
|
||
|
|
judges to ride upon white asses
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:10">Judg. v. 10</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and their sons on ass-colts,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+12:14">Judg. xii. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And Christ would thus enter, not as a Conqueror, but as the Judge of
|
||
|
|
Israel, <I>who for judgment came into this world.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. It was not his own, but borrowed. Though he had not a house of his
|
||
|
|
own, yet, one would think, like some wayfaring men that live upon their
|
||
|
|
friends, he might have had an ass of his own, to carry him about; but
|
||
|
|
for our sakes he became in all respects poor,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+8:9">2 Cor. viii. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is commonly said, "They that live on borrowing, live on sorrowing;"
|
||
|
|
in this therefore, as in other things, Christ <I>was a man of
|
||
|
|
sorrows</I>--that he had nothing of this world's goods but what was
|
||
|
|
given him or lent him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The disciples who were sent to borrow this ass are directed to say,
|
||
|
|
<I>The Lord has need of him.</I> Those that are in need, must not be
|
||
|
|
ashamed to own their need, nor say, as the unjust steward, <I>To beg I
|
||
|
|
am ashamed,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:3">Luke xvi. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
On the other hand, none ought to impose upon the kindness of their
|
||
|
|
friends, by going to beg or borrow when they have not need. In the
|
||
|
|
borrowing of this ass,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) We have an instance of Christ's knowledge. Though the thing was
|
||
|
|
altogether contingent, yet Christ could tell his disciples where they
|
||
|
|
should find an ass tied, and a colt with her. His omniscience extends
|
||
|
|
itself to the meanest of his creatures; asses and their colts, and
|
||
|
|
their being bound or loosed. <I>Doth God take care for oxen?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:9">1 Cor. ix. 9.</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
No doubt he doth, and would not see Balaam's ass abused. He knows all
|
||
|
|
the creatures, so as to make them serve his own purpose.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) We have an instance of his power over the spirits of men. The
|
||
|
|
hearts of the meanest subjects, as well as of kings, <I>are in the hand
|
||
|
|
of the Lord.</I> Christ asserts his right to use the ass, in bidding
|
||
|
|
them bring it to him; the fulness of the earth is the Lord Christ's;
|
||
|
|
but he foresees some hindrance which disciples might meet with in this
|
||
|
|
service; they must not take them <I>clam et secreto--privily,</I> but in
|
||
|
|
the sight of the owner, much less <I>vi et armis--with force and
|
||
|
|
arms,</I> but with the consent of the owner, which he undertakes they
|
||
|
|
shall have; <I>If any man say aught to you, ye shall say, The Lord hath
|
||
|
|
need of him.</I> Note, What Christ sets us to do, he will bear us out
|
||
|
|
in the doing of, and furnish us with answers tot he objections we may
|
||
|
|
be assaulted with, and make them prevalent; as here, <I>Straightway he
|
||
|
|
will send them.</I> Christ, in commanding the ass into his service,
|
||
|
|
showed that he is Lord of hosts; and, in inclining the owner to send
|
||
|
|
him without further security, showed that he is the <I>God of the
|
||
|
|
spirits of all flesh,</I> and can bow men's hearts.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) We have an example of justice and honesty, in not using the ass,
|
||
|
|
though for so small a piece of service as riding the length of a street
|
||
|
|
or two, without the owner's consent. As some read the latter clause, it
|
||
|
|
gives us a further rule of justice; <I>"You shall say the Lord hath
|
||
|
|
need of them, and he</I>" (that is, <I>the Lord) "will presently send
|
||
|
|
them back,</I> and take care that they be safely delivered to the
|
||
|
|
owner, as soon as he has done with them." Note, What we borrow we must
|
||
|
|
restore in due time and in good order; for <I>the wicked borrows and
|
||
|
|
pays not again.</I> Care must be taken of borrowed goods, that they be
|
||
|
|
not damaged. <I>Alas, Master, for it was borrowed!</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The prediction that was fulfilled in this,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Our Lord Jesus, in all that he did and suffered, had very much his eye
|
||
|
|
upon this, <I>That the scriptures might be fulfilled.</I> As the
|
||
|
|
prophets looked forward to him (to him they all bare witness), so he
|
||
|
|
looked upon them, that all things which were written of the Messiah,
|
||
|
|
might be punctually accomplished in him. This particularly which was
|
||
|
|
written of him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+9:9">Zech. ix. 9</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
where it ushers in a large prediction of the kingdom of the Messiah,
|
||
|
|
<I>Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh,</I> must be
|
||
|
|
accomplished. Now observe here,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How the coming of Christ is foretold; <I>Tell ye the daughter of
|
||
|
|
Sion,</I> the church, the holy mountain, <I>Behold, thy King cometh
|
||
|
|
unto thee.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Jesus Christ is the church's King, one of our brethren like unto
|
||
|
|
us, according to the law of the kingdom,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+17:15">Deut. xvii. 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He is appointed King over the church,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:6">Ps. ii. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He is accepted King by the church; the daughter of Sion swears
|
||
|
|
allegiance to him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+1:11">Hos. i. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Christ, the King of his church, came to his church, even in this
|
||
|
|
lower world; he comes to thee, to rule thee, to rule in thee, to rule
|
||
|
|
for thee; he is <I>Head over all things to the church. He came to
|
||
|
|
Sion</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:26">Rom. xi. 26</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that out of Sion the law might go forth; for the church and its
|
||
|
|
interests were all in all with the Redeemer.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) Notice was given to the church beforehand of the coming of her
|
||
|
|
King; <I>Tell the daughter of Sion.</I> Note, Christ will have his
|
||
|
|
coming looked for, and waited for, and his subjects big with
|
||
|
|
expectation of it; <I>Tell the daughters of Sion,</I> that they may
|
||
|
|
<I>go forth, and behold King Solomon,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+3:11">Cant. iii. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Notices of Christ's coming are usually ushered in with a <I>Behold!</I>
|
||
|
|
A note commanding both attention and admiration; <I>Behold thy King
|
||
|
|
cometh;</I> behold, and wonder at him, behold, and welcome him. Here is
|
||
|
|
a royal progress truly admirable. Pilate, like Caiaphas, said he knew
|
||
|
|
not what, in that great word
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+19:14">John xix. 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Behold your King.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How his coming is described. When a king comes, something great and
|
||
|
|
magnificent is expected, especially when he comes to take possession of
|
||
|
|
his kingdom. The King, the Lord of hosts, was seen <I>upon a throne,
|
||
|
|
high and lifted up</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+6:1">Isa. vi. 1</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but there is nothing of that here; <I>Behold, he cometh to thee, meek,
|
||
|
|
and sitting upon an ass.</I> When Christ would appear in his glory, it
|
||
|
|
is in his meekness, not in his majesty.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) His temper is very mild. He comes not in wrath to take vengeance,
|
||
|
|
but in mercy to work salvation. He is meek to suffer the greatest
|
||
|
|
injuries and indignities for Sion's cause, meek to bear with the
|
||
|
|
follies and unkindness of Sion's own children. He is easy of access,
|
||
|
|
easy to be entreated. He is meek not only as a Teacher, but as a Ruler;
|
||
|
|
he rules by love. His government is mild and gentle, and his laws not
|
||
|
|
written in the blood of his subjects, but in his own. His yoke is
|
||
|
|
easy.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) As an evidence of this, his appearance is very mean, sitting upon
|
||
|
|
an ass, as creature made not for state, but service, not for battles,
|
||
|
|
but for burthens; slow in its motions, but sure, and safe, and
|
||
|
|
constant. The foretelling of this so long before, and the care taken
|
||
|
|
that it should be exactly fulfilled, intimate it to have a peculiar
|
||
|
|
significancy, for the encouragement of poor souls to apply themselves
|
||
|
|
to Christ. Sion's King comes riding, not on a prancing horse, which the
|
||
|
|
timorous petitioner dares not come near, or a running horse, which the
|
||
|
|
slow-footed petitioner cannot keep pace with, but on a quiet ass, that
|
||
|
|
the poorest of his subjects may not be discouraged in their access to
|
||
|
|
him. Mention is made in the prophecy of <I>a colt, the foal of an
|
||
|
|
ass;</I> and <I>therefore</I> Christ sent for the colt with the ass,
|
||
|
|
that the scripture might be fulfilled.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The procession itself, which was answerable to the preparation,
|
||
|
|
both being destitute of worldly pomp, and yet both accompanied with a
|
||
|
|
spiritual power.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. His equipage; <I>The disciples did as Jesus commanded them</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they went to fetch the ass and the colt, not doubting but to find them,
|
||
|
|
and to find the owner willing to lend them. Note, Christ's commands
|
||
|
|
must not be disputed, but obeyed; and those that sincerely obey them,
|
||
|
|
shall not be balked or baffled in it; <I>They brought the ass and the
|
||
|
|
colt.</I> The meanness and contemptibleness of the beast Christ rode
|
||
|
|
on, might have been made up with the richness of the trappings; but
|
||
|
|
those were, like all the rest, such as came next to hand; they had not
|
||
|
|
so much as a saddle for the ass, but the disciples threw some of their
|
||
|
|
clothes upon it, and that must serve for want of better accommodations.
|
||
|
|
Note, We ought not to be nice or curious, or to affect exactness, in
|
||
|
|
outward conveniences. A holy indifference or neglect well becomes us in
|
||
|
|
these things: it will evidence that our heart is not upon them, and
|
||
|
|
that we have learned the apostle's rule
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:16">Rom. xii. 16</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
margin), <I>to be content with mean things.</I> Any thing will serve
|
||
|
|
travellers; and there is a beauty in some sort of carelessness, a noble
|
||
|
|
negligence; yet the disciples furnished him with the best they had, and
|
||
|
|
did not object the spoiling of their clothes when <I>the Lord had need
|
||
|
|
of them.</I> Note, We must not think the clothes on our backs too dear
|
||
|
|
to part with for the service of Christ, for the clothing of his poor
|
||
|
|
destitute and afflicted members. <I>I was naked, and you clothed
|
||
|
|
me,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:36"><I>ch.</I> xxv. 36</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ stripped himself for us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His retinue; there was nothing in this stately or magnificent.
|
||
|
|
Sion's King comes to Sion, and the daughter of Sion was told of his
|
||
|
|
coming long before; yet he is not attended by the gentlemen of the
|
||
|
|
country, nor met by the magistrates of the city in their formalities as
|
||
|
|
one might have expected; he should have had the keys of the city
|
||
|
|
presented to him, and should have been conducted with all possible
|
||
|
|
convenience to <I>the thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of
|
||
|
|
David;</I> but here is nothing of all this; yet he has his attendants,
|
||
|
|
<I>a very great multitude;</I> they were only the common people, the
|
||
|
|
mob (the <I>rabble</I> we should have been apt to call them), that
|
||
|
|
graced the solemnity of Christ's triumph, and none but such. The chief
|
||
|
|
priests and the elders afterward herded themselves with the multitude
|
||
|
|
that abused him upon the cross; but we find none of them here joining
|
||
|
|
with the multitude that did him honour. Ye see here your calling,
|
||
|
|
brethren, <I>not many mighty, or noble,</I> attend on Christ, but
|
||
|
|
<I>the foolish things of this world and base things, which are
|
||
|
|
despised,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+1:26,28">1 Cor. i. 26, 28</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, Christ is honoured by the multitude, more than by the
|
||
|
|
magnificence, of his followers; for he values men by their souls, not
|
||
|
|
by their preferments, names, or titles of honour.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now, concerning this great multitude, we are here told,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) What they did; according to the best of their capacity, they
|
||
|
|
studied to do honour to Christ.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] <I>They spread their garments in the way,</I> that he might ride
|
||
|
|
upon them. When Jehu was proclaimed king, the captains put their
|
||
|
|
garments under him, in token of their subjection to him. Note, Those
|
||
|
|
that take Christ for their King must lay their all under his feet; the
|
||
|
|
clothes, in token of the heart; for when Christ comes, though not when
|
||
|
|
any one else comes, it must be <I>said to the soul, Bow down, that he
|
||
|
|
may go over.</I> Some think that these garments were spread, not upon
|
||
|
|
the ground, but on the hedges or walls, to adorn the roads; as, to
|
||
|
|
beautify a cavalcade, the balconies are hung with tapestry. This was
|
||
|
|
but a poor piece of state, yet Christ accepted their good-will; and we
|
||
|
|
are hereby taught to contrive how to make Christ welcome, Christ and
|
||
|
|
his grace, Christ and his gospel, into our hearts and houses. How shall
|
||
|
|
we express our respects to Christ? What honour and what dignity shall
|
||
|
|
be done to him?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] <I>Others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in
|
||
|
|
the way,</I> as they used to do at the feast of tabernacles, in token
|
||
|
|
of liberty, victory, and joy; for the mystery of that feast is
|
||
|
|
particularly spoken of as belonging to gospel times,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+14:16">Zech. xiv. 16</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) What they said; <I>They that went before, and they that
|
||
|
|
followed,</I> were in the same tune; both those that gave notice of his
|
||
|
|
coming, and those that attended him with their applauses, <I>cried,
|
||
|
|
saying, Hosanna to the Son of David,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When they carried branches about at the feast of tabernacles, they were
|
||
|
|
wont to cry <I>Hosanna,</I> and from thence to call their bundles of
|
||
|
|
branches their <I>hosannas. Hosanna</I> signifies, <I>Save now, we
|
||
|
|
beseech thee;</I> referring to
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+118:25,26">Ps. cxviii. 25, 26</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
where the Messiah is prophesied of as the <I>Head-stone of the
|
||
|
|
corner,</I> though <I>the builders refused him;</I> and all his loyal
|
||
|
|
subjects are brought in triumphing with him, and attending him with
|
||
|
|
hearty good wishes to the prosperity of all his enterprises. <I>Hosanna
|
||
|
|
to the Son of David</I> is, "This we do in honour of the Son of
|
||
|
|
David."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The hosannas with which Christ was attended bespeak two things:</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Their welcoming his kingdom. <I>Hosanna</I> bespeaks the same
|
||
|
|
with, <I>Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.</I> It was
|
||
|
|
foretold concerning this Son of David, that <I>all nations shall call
|
||
|
|
him blessed</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:17">Ps. lxxii. 17</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
these here began, and all true believers in all ages concur in it, and
|
||
|
|
call him blessed; it is the genuine language of faith. Note,
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> Jesus Christ <I>comes in the name of the Lord;</I> he is
|
||
|
|
sanctified, and sent into the world, as Mediator; <I>him hath God the
|
||
|
|
Father sealed. Secondly,</I> The coming of Christ in the name of the
|
||
|
|
Lord, is <I>worthy of all acceptation;</I> and we all ought to say,
|
||
|
|
<I>Blessed is he that cometh;</I> to praise him, and be pleased in him.
|
||
|
|
Let his coming in the name of the Lord be mentioned with strong
|
||
|
|
affections, to our comfort, and joyful acclamations, to his glory. Well
|
||
|
|
may we say, <I>Blessed is he;</I> for it is in him that we are blessed.
|
||
|
|
Well may we follow <I>him</I> with our blessings, who meets us with
|
||
|
|
his.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Their wishing well to his kingdom; intimated in their
|
||
|
|
<I>Hosanna;</I> earnestly desiring that prosperity and success may
|
||
|
|
attend it, and that it may be a victorious kingdom; "<I>Send now
|
||
|
|
prosperity</I> to that kingdom." If they understood it of a temporal
|
||
|
|
kingdom, and had their hearts carried out thus toward that, it was
|
||
|
|
their mistake, which a little time would rectify; however, their
|
||
|
|
good-will was accepted. Note, It is our duty earnestly to desire and
|
||
|
|
pray for the prosperity and success of Christ's kingdom in the world.
|
||
|
|
Thus <I>prayer must be made for him continually</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:15">Ps. lxxii. 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that all happiness may attend his interest in the world, and that,
|
||
|
|
though he may ride on an ass, yet in his majesty he may <I>ride
|
||
|
|
prosperously, because of</I> that <I>meekness,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+45:4">Ps. xlv. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This we mean when we pray, <I>Thy kingdom come.</I> They add,
|
||
|
|
<I>Hosanna in the highest:</I> Let prosperity in the highest degree
|
||
|
|
attend him, let him have a name above every name, a throne above every
|
||
|
|
throne; or, Let us praise him in the best manner for his church ascend
|
||
|
|
to heaven, to the highest heavens, and fetch in peace and salvation
|
||
|
|
from thence. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+20:6">Ps. xx. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The Lord saveth his Anointed, and will hear from his</I> high, his
|
||
|
|
<I>holy heaven.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. We have here his entertainment in Jerusalem
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>When he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved;</I> every
|
||
|
|
one took notice of him, some were moved with wonder at the novelty of
|
||
|
|
the thing, others with laughter at the meanness of it; some perhaps
|
||
|
|
were moved with joy, <I>who waited for the Consolation of Israel;</I>
|
||
|
|
others, of the Pharisaical class, were moved with envy and indignation.
|
||
|
|
So various are the motions in the minds of men upon the approach of
|
||
|
|
Christ's kingdom!</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Upon this commotion we are further told,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) What the citizens said; <I>Who is this?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] They were, it seems, ignorant concerning Christ. Though he was
|
||
|
|
<I>the Glory of his people Israel,</I> yet <I>Israel knew him not;</I>
|
||
|
|
though he had distinguished himself by the many miracles he wrought
|
||
|
|
among them, yet <I>the daughters of Jerusalem</I> knew him not <I>from
|
||
|
|
another beloved,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+5:9">Cant. v. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The Holy One unknown in the holy city! In places where the clearest
|
||
|
|
light shines, and the greatest profession of religion is made, there is
|
||
|
|
more ignorance than we are.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Yet they were inquisitive concerning him. Who is this that is thus
|
||
|
|
cried, and comes with so much observation? <I>Who is this King of
|
||
|
|
glory,</I> that demands admission into our hearts?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+24:8,Isa+63:1">Ps. xxiv. 8; Isa. lxiii. 1</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) How the multitude answered them; <I>This is Jesus,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The multitude were better acquainted with Christ than the great ones.
|
||
|
|
<I>Vox populi--The voice of the people,</I> is sometimes <I>Vox
|
||
|
|
Dei--the voice of God.</I> Now, in the account they give of him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] They were right in calling him <I>the Prophet, that great
|
||
|
|
Prophet.</I> Hitherto he had been known as a Prophet, teaching and
|
||
|
|
working miracles; now they attend him as a King; Christ's priestly
|
||
|
|
office was, of all the three, last discovered.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Yet they missed it, in saying he was <I>of Nazareth;</I> and it
|
||
|
|
helped to confirm some in their prejudices against him. Note, Some that
|
||
|
|
are willing to honour Christ, and bear their testimony to him, yet
|
||
|
|
labour under mistakes concerning him, which would be rectified if they
|
||
|
|
would take pains to inform themselves.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_12"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_13"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_14"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_15"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Profaners of the Temple Punished.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them
|
||
|
|
that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of
|
||
|
|
the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
|
||
|
|
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called
|
||
|
|
the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
|
||
|
|
14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he
|
||
|
|
healed them.
|
||
|
|
15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful
|
||
|
|
things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and
|
||
|
|
saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
|
||
|
|
16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus
|
||
|
|
saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of
|
||
|
|
babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
|
||
|
|
17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and
|
||
|
|
he lodged there.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When Christ came into Jerusalem, he did not go up to the court or the
|
||
|
|
palace, though he came in as a King, but <I>into the temple;</I> for
|
||
|
|
his kingdom is spiritual, and <I>not of this world;</I> it is in holy
|
||
|
|
things that he rules, in the temple of God that he exercises authority.
|
||
|
|
Now, what did he do there?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Thence he drove the buyers and sellers. Abuses must first be purged
|
||
|
|
out, and the plants not of God's planting be plucked up, before that
|
||
|
|
which is right can be established. The great Redeemer appear as a great
|
||
|
|
Reformer, that turns away ungodliness,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:26">Rom. xi. 26</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here we are told,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. What he did
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He cast out all them that sold and bought;</I> he had done this once
|
||
|
|
before
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:14,15">John ii. 14, 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but there was occasion to do it again. Note, Buyers and sellers driven
|
||
|
|
out of the temple, will return and nestle there again, if there be not
|
||
|
|
a continual care and oversight to prevent it, and if the blow be not
|
||
|
|
followed, and often repeated.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The abuse was, buying and selling, and changing money, in the
|
||
|
|
temple. Note, Lawful things, ill timed and ill placed, may become
|
||
|
|
sinful things. That which was decent enough in another place, and not
|
||
|
|
only lawful, but laudable, on another day, <I>defiles the
|
||
|
|
sanctuary,</I> and <I>profanes the sabbath.</I> This buying and
|
||
|
|
selling, and changing money, though secular employments, yet had the
|
||
|
|
pretence of being <I>in ordine ad spiritualia--for spiritual
|
||
|
|
purposes.</I> They sold beasts for sacrifice, for the convenience of
|
||
|
|
those that could more easily bring their money with them than their
|
||
|
|
beast; and they changed money for those that wanted the half shekel,
|
||
|
|
which was their yearly poll, or redemption-money; or, upon the bills of
|
||
|
|
return; so that this might pass for the outward business of the house
|
||
|
|
of God; and yet Christ will not allow of it. Note, Great corruptions
|
||
|
|
and abuses come into the church by the practices of those whose <I>gain
|
||
|
|
is godliness,</I> that is, who make worldly gain the end of their
|
||
|
|
godliness, and counterfeit godliness their way to worldly gain
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:5">1 Tim. vi. 5</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>from such withdraw thyself.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The purging out of this abuse. Christ <I>cast them out that
|
||
|
|
sold.</I> He did it before <I>with a scourge of small cords</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:15">John ii. 15</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
now he did it with a look, with a frown, with a word of command. Some
|
||
|
|
reckon this none of the least of Christ's miracles, that he should
|
||
|
|
himself thus clear the temple, and not be opposed in it by them who by
|
||
|
|
this craft got their living, and were backed in it by the priests and
|
||
|
|
elders. It is an instance of his power over the spirits of men, and the
|
||
|
|
hold he has of them by their own consciences. This was the only act of
|
||
|
|
regal authority and coercive power that Christ did in the days of his
|
||
|
|
flesh; he began with it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:12-25">John ii.</A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and here ended with it. Tradition says, that his face shone, and beams
|
||
|
|
of light darted from his blessed eyes, which astonished these
|
||
|
|
market-people, and compelled them to yield to his command; if so, the
|
||
|
|
scripture was fulfilled,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+20:8">Prov. xx. 8</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>A King that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all
|
||
|
|
evil with his eyes. He overthrew the tables of the money-changers;</I>
|
||
|
|
he did not take the money to himself, but scattered it, threw it to the
|
||
|
|
ground, the fittest place for it. The Jews, in Esther's time, <I>on the
|
||
|
|
spoil laid not their hand,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+9:10">Esther ix. 10</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. What he said, to justify himself, and to convict them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>It is written.</I> Note, In the reformation of the church, the eye
|
||
|
|
must be upon the scripture, and that must be adhered to as the rule,
|
||
|
|
the pattern in the mount; and we must go no further than we can justify
|
||
|
|
ourselves with, <I>It is written.</I> Reformation is <I>then</I> right,
|
||
|
|
when corrupted ordinances are reduced to their primitive
|
||
|
|
institution.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He shows, from a scripture prophecy, what the temple should be,
|
||
|
|
and was designed to be; <I>My house shall be called the house of
|
||
|
|
prayer;</I> which is quoted from
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+56:7">Isa. lvi. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, All the ceremonial institutions were intended to be subservient
|
||
|
|
to moral duties; the house of sacrifices was to be a house of prayer,
|
||
|
|
for that was the substance and soul of all those services; the temple
|
||
|
|
was in a special manner sanctified to be a house of prayer, for it was
|
||
|
|
not only the place of that worship, but the medium of it, so that the
|
||
|
|
prayers made in or toward that house had a particular promise of
|
||
|
|
acceptance
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+6:21">2 Chron. vi. 21</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as it was a type of Christ; therefore Daniel looked that way in prayer;
|
||
|
|
and in this sense no house or place is now, or can be, a house of
|
||
|
|
prayer, for Christ is our Temple; yet in some sense the appointed
|
||
|
|
places of our religious assemblies may be so called, as <I>places where
|
||
|
|
prayer is wont to be made,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+16:13">Acts xvi. 13</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He shows, from a scripture reproof, how they had abused the
|
||
|
|
temple, and perverted the intention of it; <I>Ye have made it a den of
|
||
|
|
thieves.</I> This is quoted from
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+7:11">Jer. vii. 11</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Is this house become a den of robbers in your eyes?</I> When
|
||
|
|
dissembled piety is made the cloak and cover of iniquity, it may be
|
||
|
|
said that <I>the house of prayer</I> is become <I>a den of thieves,</I>
|
||
|
|
in which they lurk, and shelter themselves. Markets are too often dens
|
||
|
|
of thieves, so many are the corrupt and cheating practices in buying
|
||
|
|
and selling; but markets in the temple are certainly so, for they rob
|
||
|
|
God of his honour, the worst of thieves,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:8">Mal. iii. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The priests lived, and lived plentifully, upon the altar; but, not
|
||
|
|
content with that, they found other ways and means to squeeze money out
|
||
|
|
of the people; and therefore Christ here calls them <I>thieves,</I> for
|
||
|
|
they exacted that which did not belong to them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. There, in the temple, <I>he healed the blind and the lame,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When he had driven the buyers and sellers out of the temple, he invited
|
||
|
|
the blind and lame into it; for <I>he fills the hungry with good
|
||
|
|
things, but the rich he sends empty away.</I> Christ, in the temple, by
|
||
|
|
his word there preached, and in answer to the prayers there made, heals
|
||
|
|
those that are spiritually blind and lame. It is good coming to the
|
||
|
|
temple, when Christ is there, who, as he shows himself jealous for the
|
||
|
|
honour of his temple, in expelling those who profane it, so he shows
|
||
|
|
himself gracious to those who humbly seek him. <I>The blind and the
|
||
|
|
lame</I> were debarred David's palace
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+5:8">2 Sam. v. 8</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but were admitted into God's house; for the state and honour of his
|
||
|
|
temple lie not in those things wherein the magnificence of princes'
|
||
|
|
palaces is supposed to consist; from them blind and lame must keep
|
||
|
|
their distance, but from God's temple only the wicked and profane. The
|
||
|
|
temple was profane and abused when it was made a market-place, but it
|
||
|
|
was graced and honoured when it was made an hospital; to be doing good
|
||
|
|
in God's, is more honourable, and better becomes it, than to be getting
|
||
|
|
money there. Christ's healing was a real answer to that question,
|
||
|
|
<I>Who is this</I>? His works testified of him more than the
|
||
|
|
<I>hosannas;</I> and his healing in the temple was the fulfilling of
|
||
|
|
the promise, that <I>the glory of the latter house should be greater
|
||
|
|
than the glory of the former.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
There also he silenced the offence which the chief priests and scribes
|
||
|
|
took at the acclamations with which he was attended,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They that should have been most forward to give him honour, were his
|
||
|
|
worst enemies.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They were inwardly vexed at the wonderful things that he did; they
|
||
|
|
could not deny them to be true miracles, and therefore were cut to the
|
||
|
|
heart with indignation at them, as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+4:16,5:33">Acts iv. 16; v. 33</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The works that Christ did, recommended themselves to every man's
|
||
|
|
conscience. If they had any sense, they could not but own the miracle
|
||
|
|
of them; and if any good nature, could not but be in love with the
|
||
|
|
mercy of them: yet, because they were resolved to oppose him, for these
|
||
|
|
they envied him, and bore him a grudge.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They openly quarrelled at the children's hosannas; they thought that
|
||
|
|
hereby an honour was given him, which did not belong to him, and that
|
||
|
|
it looked like ostentation. Proud men cannot bear that honour should be
|
||
|
|
done to any but to themselves, and are uneasy at nothing more than at
|
||
|
|
the just praises of deserving men. Thus Saul envied David the women's
|
||
|
|
songs; and "Who can stand before envy?" When Christ is most honoured,
|
||
|
|
his enemies are most displeased.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Just now we had Christ preferring the blind and the lame before the
|
||
|
|
buyers and sellers; now here we have him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
taking part with the children against priests and scribes.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The children were in the temple, perhaps playing there; no wonder,
|
||
|
|
when the rulers make it a <I>market-place,</I> that the children make
|
||
|
|
it a place of pastime; but we are willing to hope that many of them
|
||
|
|
were worshipping there. Note, It is good to bring children betimes to
|
||
|
|
the house of prayer, <I>for of such is the kingdom of heaven.</I> Let
|
||
|
|
children be taught to keep up the form of godliness, it will help to
|
||
|
|
lead them to the power of it. Christ has a tenderness for the lambs of
|
||
|
|
his flock.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) They were there <I>crying Hosanna to the Son of David.</I> This
|
||
|
|
they learned from those that were grown up. Little children say and do
|
||
|
|
as they hear others say, and see others do; so easily do they imitate;
|
||
|
|
and therefore great care must be taken to set them good examples, and
|
||
|
|
no bad ones. <I>Maxima debetur puero reverentia--Our intercourse with
|
||
|
|
the young should be conducted with the most scrupulous care.</I>
|
||
|
|
Children will learn of those that are with them, either to curse and
|
||
|
|
swear, or to pray and praise. The Jews did betimes teach their children
|
||
|
|
to carry branches at the feast of tabernacles, and to cry
|
||
|
|
<I>Hosanna;</I> but God taught them here to apply it to Christ. Note,
|
||
|
|
<I>Hosanna to the Son of David</I> well becomes the mouths of little
|
||
|
|
children, who should learn young the language of Canaan.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) Our Lord Jesus not only allowed it, but was very well pleased with
|
||
|
|
it, and quoted a scripture which was fulfilled in it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+8:2">Ps. viii. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
or, at least, may be accommodated to it; <I>Out of the mouth of babes
|
||
|
|
and sucklings thou hast perfected praise;</I> which, some think, refers
|
||
|
|
to the children's joining in the acclamations of the people, and the
|
||
|
|
women's songs with which David was honoured when he returned from the
|
||
|
|
slaughter of the Philistine, and therefore is very fitly applied here
|
||
|
|
to the hosannas with which the Son of David was saluted, now that he
|
||
|
|
was entering upon his conflict with Satan, that Goliath. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Christ is so far from being ashamed of the services of little
|
||
|
|
children, that he takes particular notice of them (and children love to
|
||
|
|
be taken notice of), and is well pleased with them. If God may be
|
||
|
|
honoured by babes and sucklings, who are made to hope at the best, much
|
||
|
|
more by children who are grown up to maturity and some capacity.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Praise is perfected out of the mouth of such; it has a peculiar
|
||
|
|
tendency to the honour and glory of God for little children to join in
|
||
|
|
his praises; the praise would be accounted defective and imperfect, if
|
||
|
|
they had not their share in it; which is an encouragement for children
|
||
|
|
to be good betimes, and to parents to teach them to be so; the labour
|
||
|
|
neither of the one nor of the other shall be in vain. In the psalm it
|
||
|
|
is, <I>Thou hast ordained strength.</I> Note, God <I>perfecteth
|
||
|
|
praise,</I> by <I>ordaining strength out of the mouths of babes and
|
||
|
|
sucklings.</I> When great things are brought about by weak and unlikely
|
||
|
|
instruments, God is thereby much honoured, for his <I>strength is
|
||
|
|
perfected in weakness,</I> and the infirmities of the babes and
|
||
|
|
sucklings serve for a foil to the divine power. That which follows in
|
||
|
|
the psalm, <I>That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger,</I>
|
||
|
|
was very applicable to the priests and scribes; but Christ did not
|
||
|
|
apply it to them, but left it to them to apply it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> Christ, having thus silenced them, forsook them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He left them,</I> in prudence, lest they should now have seized him
|
||
|
|
before his hour was come; in justice, because they had forfeited the
|
||
|
|
favour of his presence. By repining at Christ's praises we drive him
|
||
|
|
from us. <I>He left them</I> as incorrigible, and he <I>went out of the
|
||
|
|
city to Bethany,</I> which was a more quiet retired place; not so much
|
||
|
|
that he might <I>sleep</I> undisturbed as that he might <I>pray</I>
|
||
|
|
undisturbed. <I>Bethany was but two little miles from Jerusalem;</I>
|
||
|
|
thither he went on foot, to show that, when he rode, it was only to
|
||
|
|
<I>fulfil the scripture.</I> He was not lifted up with the hosannas of
|
||
|
|
the people; but, as having forgot them, soon returned to his mean and
|
||
|
|
toilsome way of travelling.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Barren Fig-Tree Cursed.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he
|
||
|
|
hungered.
|
||
|
|
19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and
|
||
|
|
found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no
|
||
|
|
fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig
|
||
|
|
tree withered away.
|
||
|
|
20 And when the disciples saw <I>it,</I> they marvelled, saying, How
|
||
|
|
soon is the fig tree withered away!
|
||
|
|
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If
|
||
|
|
ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this <I>which is
|
||
|
|
done</I> to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this
|
||
|
|
mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it
|
||
|
|
shall be done.
|
||
|
|
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
|
||
|
|
believing, ye shall receive.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Christ <I>returned in the morning to Jerusalem,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Some think that he went out of the city over-night, because none of his
|
||
|
|
friends there durst entertain him, for fear of the great men; yet,
|
||
|
|
having work to do there, he returned. Note, We must never be driven off
|
||
|
|
from our duty either by the malice of our foes, or the unkindness of
|
||
|
|
our friends. Though he knew that in this city <I>bonds and afflictions
|
||
|
|
did abide him, yet none of these things moved</I> him. Paul followed
|
||
|
|
him when he <I>went bound in the spirit to Jerusalem,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:22">Acts xx. 22</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. <I>As he went, he hungered.</I> He was a Man, and submitted to the
|
||
|
|
infirmities of nature; he was an active Man, and was so intent upon his
|
||
|
|
work, that he neglected his food, and came out, fasting; for <I>the
|
||
|
|
zeal of God's house</I> did even <I>eat him up,</I> and his <I>meat and
|
||
|
|
drink was to do his Father's will.</I> He was a poor Man, and had no
|
||
|
|
present supply; he was a Man that pleased not himself, for he would
|
||
|
|
willingly have taken up with green raw figs for his breakfast, when it
|
||
|
|
was fit that he should have had something warm.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ <I>therefore</I> hungered, that he might have occasion to work
|
||
|
|
this miracle, in cursing and so withering the barren fig-tree, and
|
||
|
|
therein might give us an instance of his justice and his power, and
|
||
|
|
both instructive.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. See his <I>justice,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He went to it, expecting fruit, because it had leaves; but, finding
|
||
|
|
none, he sentenced it to a perpetual barrenness. The miracle had its
|
||
|
|
significance, as well as others of his miracles. All Christ's miracles
|
||
|
|
hitherto were wrought for the good of men, and proved the power of his
|
||
|
|
grace and blessing (the sending the devils into the herd of swine was
|
||
|
|
but a permission); all he did was for the benefit and comfort of his
|
||
|
|
friends, none for the terror or punishment of his enemies; but now, at
|
||
|
|
last, to show that <I>all judgment is committed to him,</I> and that
|
||
|
|
<I>he is able</I> not only <I>to save, but to destroy,</I> he would
|
||
|
|
give a specimen of the power of his wrath and curse; yet this not on
|
||
|
|
any man, woman, or child, because <I>the great day of his wrath is not
|
||
|
|
yet come,</I> but on an inanimate tree; that is set forth for an
|
||
|
|
example; <I>Come, learn a parable of the fig-tree,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:32"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 32</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The scope of it is the same with <I>the parable of the fig-tree,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+13:6">Luke xiii. 6</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) This cursing of the barren fig-tree, represents the state of
|
||
|
|
hypocrites in general; and so it teaches us,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] That the fruit of fig-trees may justly be expected from those that
|
||
|
|
have the leaves. Christ looks for the power of religion from those
|
||
|
|
that make profession of it; the favour of it from those that have the
|
||
|
|
show of it; grapes from the vineyard that is planted in a fruitful
|
||
|
|
hill: he hungers after it, his soul <I>desires the first ripe
|
||
|
|
fruits.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Christ's just expectations from flourishing professors are often
|
||
|
|
frustrated and disappointed; he comes to many, seeking fruit, and finds
|
||
|
|
leaves only, and he discovers it. Many have a name to live, and are not
|
||
|
|
alive indeed; dote on the form of godliness, and yet deny the power of
|
||
|
|
it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] The sin of barrenness is justly punished with the curse and plague
|
||
|
|
of barrenness; <I>Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.</I>
|
||
|
|
As one of the chiefest blessings, and which was the first, is, <I>Be
|
||
|
|
fruitful;</I> so one of the saddest curses is, <I>Be no more
|
||
|
|
fruitful.</I> Thus the sin of hypocrites is made their punishment; they
|
||
|
|
<I>would</I> not do good, and therefore they <I>shall</I> do none; he
|
||
|
|
that is fruitless, let him be fruitless still, and lose his honour and
|
||
|
|
comfort.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] A false and hypocritical profession commonly withers in this
|
||
|
|
world, and it is the effect of Christ's curse; the fig-tree that had no
|
||
|
|
fruit, soon lost its leaves. Hypocrites may look plausible for a time,
|
||
|
|
but, having no principle, <I>no root in themselves,</I> their
|
||
|
|
profession will soon come to nothing; the gifts wither, common graces
|
||
|
|
decay, the credit of the profession declines and sinks, and the
|
||
|
|
falseness and folly of the pretender are manifested to all men.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It represents the state of the nation and people of the Jews in
|
||
|
|
particular; they were a fig-tree planted in Christ's way, as a church.
|
||
|
|
Now observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] The disappointment they gave to our Lord Jesus. He came among
|
||
|
|
them, expecting to find some fruit, something that would be pleasing to
|
||
|
|
him; he hungered after it; not that he <I>desired a gift,</I> he needed
|
||
|
|
it not, <I>but fruit that might abound to a good account.</I> But his
|
||
|
|
expectations were frustrated; he found nothing but leaves; they called
|
||
|
|
<I>Abraham their father, but did not do the works of Abraham;</I> they
|
||
|
|
professed themselves expectants of the promised Messiah, but, when he
|
||
|
|
came, they did not receive and entertain him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The doom he passed upon them, <I>that never any fruit should grow
|
||
|
|
upon them</I> or be gathered from them, as a church or as a people,
|
||
|
|
<I>from henceforward for ever.</I> Never any good came from them
|
||
|
|
(except the particular persons among them that believe), after they
|
||
|
|
rejected Christ; they became worse and worse; blindness and hardness
|
||
|
|
happened to them, and grew upon them, till they were unchurched,
|
||
|
|
unpeopled, and undone, and their place and nation rooted up; their
|
||
|
|
beauty was defaced, their privileges and ornaments, their temple, and
|
||
|
|
priesthood, and sacrifices, and festivals, and all the glories of their
|
||
|
|
church and state, fell like leaves in autumn. How soon did their
|
||
|
|
fig-tree wither away, after they said, <I>His blood be on us, and our
|
||
|
|
children!</I> And the Lord was righteous in it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. See the <I>power</I> of Christ; the former is wrapped up in the
|
||
|
|
figure, but this more fully discoursed of; Christ intending thereby to
|
||
|
|
direct his disciples in the use of their powers.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The disciples admired the effect of Christ's curse
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>They marvelled;</I> no power could do it but his, <I>who spake, and
|
||
|
|
it was done.</I> They marvelled at the suddenness of the thing; <I>How
|
||
|
|
soon is the fig-tree withered away!</I> There was no visible cause of
|
||
|
|
the fig-tree's withering, but it was a secret blast, a worm at the
|
||
|
|
root; it was not only the leaves of it that withered, but the body of
|
||
|
|
the tree; it withered away in an instant and became like a dry stick.
|
||
|
|
Gospel curses are, upon this account, the most dreadful--that they work
|
||
|
|
insensibly and silently, by a fire not blown, but effectually.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Christ empowered them by faith to do the like
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as he said
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:12">John xiv. 12</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Greater works than these shall ye do.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] The description of this wonder-working faith; <I>If ye have faith,
|
||
|
|
and doubt not.</I> Note, Doubting of the power and promise of God is
|
||
|
|
the great thing that spoils the efficacy and success of faith. "If you
|
||
|
|
have faith, and dispute not" (so some read it), "dispute not with
|
||
|
|
yourselves, dispute not with the promise of God; if you <I>stagger not
|
||
|
|
at the promise</I>"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+4:20">Rom. iv. 20</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
for, as far as we do so, our faith is deficient; as certain as the
|
||
|
|
promise is, so confident our faith should be.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The power and prevalence of it expressed figuratively; <I>If ye
|
||
|
|
shall say to this mountain,</I> meaning the mount of Olives, <I>Be thou
|
||
|
|
removed, it shall be done.</I> There might be a particular reason for
|
||
|
|
his saying so of this mountain, for there was a prophecy, that <I>the
|
||
|
|
mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem, should cleave in the midst,
|
||
|
|
and then remove,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+14:4">Zech. xiv. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Whatever was the intent of that word, the same must be the expectation
|
||
|
|
of faith, how impossible soever it might appear to sense. But this is a
|
||
|
|
proverbial expression; intimating that we are to believe that nothing
|
||
|
|
is impossible with God, and therefore that what he has promised shall
|
||
|
|
certainly be performed, though to us it seem impossible. It was among
|
||
|
|
the Jews a usual commendation of their learned Rabbin, that they were
|
||
|
|
removers of mountains, that is, could solve the greatest difficulties;
|
||
|
|
now this may be done by faith acted on the word of God, which will
|
||
|
|
bring great and strange things to pass.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] The way and means of exercising this faith, and of doing that
|
||
|
|
which is to be done by it; <I>All things whatsoever ye shall ask in
|
||
|
|
prayer, believing, ye shall receive.</I> Faith is the soul, prayer is
|
||
|
|
the body; both together make a complete man for any service. Faith, if
|
||
|
|
it be right, will excite prayer; and prayer is not right, if it do not
|
||
|
|
spring from faith. This is the condition of our receiving--we must
|
||
|
|
<I>ask in prayer, believing.</I> The requests of prayer shall not be
|
||
|
|
denied; the expectations of faith shall not be frustrated. We have many
|
||
|
|
promises to this purport from the mouth of our Lord Jesus, and all to
|
||
|
|
encourage faith, the principal grace, and prayer, the principal duty,
|
||
|
|
of a Christian. It is but ask and have, believe and receive; and what
|
||
|
|
would we more? Observe, How comprehensive the promise is--<I>all things
|
||
|
|
whatsoever ye shall ask;</I> this is like all and every the premises in
|
||
|
|
a conveyance. <I>All things,</I> in general; <I>whatsoever,</I> brings
|
||
|
|
it to particulars; though generals include particulars, yet such is the
|
||
|
|
folly of our unbelief, that, though we think we assent to promises in
|
||
|
|
the general, yet we fly off when it comes to particulars, and
|
||
|
|
therefore, <I>that we might have strong consolation,</I> it is thus
|
||
|
|
copiously expressed, <I>All things whatsoever.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_24"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_25"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_26"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_27"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ Questioned as to His Authority.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and
|
||
|
|
the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and
|
||
|
|
said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave
|
||
|
|
thee this authority?
|
||
|
|
24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you
|
||
|
|
one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by
|
||
|
|
what authority I do these things.
|
||
|
|
25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?
|
||
|
|
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From
|
||
|
|
heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
|
||
|
|
26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all
|
||
|
|
hold John as a prophet.
|
||
|
|
27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he
|
||
|
|
said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these
|
||
|
|
things.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Our Lord Jesus (like St. Paul after him) preached his gospel <I>with
|
||
|
|
much contention;</I> his first appearance was in a dispute with <I>the
|
||
|
|
doctors in the temple, when he was twelve years old;</I> and here, just
|
||
|
|
before he died, we have him engaged in controversy. In this sense, he
|
||
|
|
was like Jeremiah, <I>a man of contention; not striving, but striven
|
||
|
|
with.</I> The great contenders with him, were, <I>the chief priests and
|
||
|
|
the elders,</I> the judges of two distinct courts: the chief priests
|
||
|
|
presided in the ecclesiastical court, in all matters of the Lord, as
|
||
|
|
they are called; the elders of the people were judges of the civil
|
||
|
|
courts, in temporal matters. See an idea of both,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+19:5,8,11">2 Chron. xix. 5, 8, 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
These joined to attack Christ thinking they should find or make him
|
||
|
|
obnoxious either to the one or to the other. See how woefully
|
||
|
|
degenerate that generation was, when the governors both in church and
|
||
|
|
state, who should have been the great promoters of the Messiah's
|
||
|
|
kingdom, were the great opposers of it! Here we have them disturbing
|
||
|
|
him when he was preaching,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They would neither receive his instructions themselves, nor let others
|
||
|
|
receive them. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. As soon as he came into Jerusalem, he went to the temple, though he
|
||
|
|
had been affronted there the day before, was there in the midst of
|
||
|
|
enemies and in the mouth of danger; yet thither he went, for there he
|
||
|
|
had a fairer opportunity of doing good to souls than any where else in
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem. Though he came hungry to the city, and was disappointed of a
|
||
|
|
breakfast at the barren fig-tree, yet, for aught that appears, he went
|
||
|
|
straight to the temple, as one that <I>esteemed the words of God's
|
||
|
|
mouth,</I> the preaching of them, <I>more than his necessary
|
||
|
|
food.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. In the temple he was teaching; he had called it <I>a house of
|
||
|
|
prayer</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and here we have him preaching there. Note, In the solemn assemblies of
|
||
|
|
Christians, praying and preaching must go together, and neither must
|
||
|
|
encroach upon, or jostle out, the other. To make up communion with God,
|
||
|
|
we must not only speak to him in prayer, but hear what he has to say to
|
||
|
|
us by his word; ministers must <I>give themselves both to the word and
|
||
|
|
to prayer,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+6:4">Acts vi. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now that Christ <I>taught in the temple,</I> that scripture was
|
||
|
|
fulfilled
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+2:3">Isa. ii. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Let us go up to the house of the Lord, and he will teach us his
|
||
|
|
ways.</I> The priests of old often taught there <I>the good knowledge
|
||
|
|
of the Lord;</I> but they never had such a teacher as this.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. When Christ was teaching the people, the priests and elders came
|
||
|
|
upon him, and challenged him to produce his orders; the hand of Satan
|
||
|
|
was in this, to hinder him in his work. Note, It cannot but be a
|
||
|
|
trouble to a faithful minister, to be taken off, or diverted from,
|
||
|
|
plain and practical preaching, by an unavoidable necessity of engaging
|
||
|
|
in controversies, yet good was brought out of this evil, for hereby
|
||
|
|
occasion was given to Christ to dispel the objections that were
|
||
|
|
advanced against him, to the greater satisfaction of his followers;
|
||
|
|
and, while his adversaries thought by their power to have silenced him,
|
||
|
|
he by his wisdom silenced them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now, in this dispute with them, we may observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How he was assaulted by their insolent demand; <I>By what authority
|
||
|
|
doest thou these things, and who gave thee this authority?</I> Had they
|
||
|
|
duly considered his miracles, and the power by which he wrought them,
|
||
|
|
they needed not to have asked this question; but they must have
|
||
|
|
something to say for the shelter of an obstinate infidelity. "Thou
|
||
|
|
ridest in triumph into Jerusalem, receivest the hosannas of the people,
|
||
|
|
controllest in the temple, drivest out such as had license to be there,
|
||
|
|
from the rulers of the temple, and paid them rent; thou are here
|
||
|
|
preaching a new doctrine; whence hadst thou a commission to do all
|
||
|
|
this? Was it from Cæsar, or from the high priest, or from God? Produce
|
||
|
|
thy warrant, thy credentials. Dost not thou take too much upon thee?"
|
||
|
|
Note, It is good for all that take upon them to act with authority, to
|
||
|
|
put this question to themselves, "Who gave us that authority?" For,
|
||
|
|
unless a man be clear in his own conscience concerning that, he cannot
|
||
|
|
act with any comfort or hope of success. They who run before their
|
||
|
|
warrant, run without their blessing,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+23:21,22">Jer. xxiii. 21, 22</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ had often said it, and proved it beyond contradiction, and
|
||
|
|
Nicodemus, a master in Israel, had owned it, that he was <I>a teacher
|
||
|
|
sent of God</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:2">John iii. 2</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
yet, at this time of day, when that point had been so fully cleared and
|
||
|
|
settled, they come to him with this question.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) In the ostentation of their own power, as chief priests and
|
||
|
|
elders, which they thought authorized them to call him to an account in
|
||
|
|
this manner. How haughtily do they ask, <I>Who gave thee this
|
||
|
|
authority?</I> Intimating that he could have no authority, because he
|
||
|
|
had none from them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:24,Jer+20:1">1 Kings xxii. 24; Jer. xx. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, It is common for the greatest abusers of their power to be the
|
||
|
|
most rigorous assertors of it, and to take a pride and pleasure in any
|
||
|
|
thing that looks like the exercise of it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It was to ensnare and entangle him. Should he refuse to answer
|
||
|
|
this question, they would enter judgment against him upon <I>Nihil
|
||
|
|
dicit--He says nothing;</I> would condemn him as standing mute; and
|
||
|
|
would insinuate to the people, that his silence was a tacit confessing
|
||
|
|
of himself to be a usurper: should he plead an authority from God, they
|
||
|
|
would, as formerly, demand a sign from heaven, or make his
|
||
|
|
<I>de</I>fence his <I>of</I>fence, and accuse him of blasphemy for
|
||
|
|
it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How he answered this demand with another, which would help them to
|
||
|
|
answer it themselves
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:24,25"><I>v.</I> 24, 25</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I also will ask you one thing.</I> He declined giving them a direct
|
||
|
|
answer, lest they should take advantage against him; but answers them
|
||
|
|
with a question. Those that are <I>as sheep in the midst of wolves,</I>
|
||
|
|
have need to <I>be wise as serpents: the heart of the wise studieth to
|
||
|
|
answer.</I> We must <I>give a reason of the hope that is in us,</I> not
|
||
|
|
only <I>with meekness, but with fear</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:15">1 Pet. iii. 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
with prudent caution, lest truth be damaged, or ourselves
|
||
|
|
endangered.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now this question is concerning John's baptism, here put for his whole
|
||
|
|
ministry, preaching as well as baptizing; "Was this <I>from heaven, or
|
||
|
|
of men?</I> One of the two it must be; either what he did was of his
|
||
|
|
own head, or he was sent of God to do it." Gamaliel's argument turned
|
||
|
|
upon this hinge
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+5:38,39">Acts v. 38, 39</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
either <I>this counsel is of men or of God.</I> Though that which is
|
||
|
|
manifestly bad cannot be of God, yet that which is seemingly good may
|
||
|
|
be of men, nay of Satan, when <I>he transforms himself into an angel of
|
||
|
|
light.</I> This question was not at all shuffling, to evade theirs;
|
||
|
|
but,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) If they answered this question, it would answer theirs: should
|
||
|
|
they say, against their consciences, that John's baptism was of men,
|
||
|
|
yet it would be easy to answer, <I>John did no miracle</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:41">John x. 41</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ did many; but should they say, as they could not but own, that
|
||
|
|
John's baptism was from heaven (which was supposed in the questions
|
||
|
|
sent him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:21">John i. 21</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Art thou Elias, or that prophet?</I>) then their demand was
|
||
|
|
answered, for he bare testimony to Christ. Note, Truths appear in the
|
||
|
|
clearest light when they are taken in their due order; the resolving of
|
||
|
|
the <I>previous</I> questions will be a key to the <I>main</I>
|
||
|
|
question.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) If they refused to answer it, that would be a good reason why he
|
||
|
|
should not offer proofs of his authority to men that were obstinately
|
||
|
|
prejudiced against the strongest conviction; it was but to cast pearls
|
||
|
|
before swine. Thus <I>he taketh the wise in their own craftiness</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:19">1 Cor. iii. 19</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and those that would not be convinced of the plainest truths, shall be
|
||
|
|
convicted of the vilest malice, against John first, then against
|
||
|
|
Christ, and in both against God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. How they were hereby baffled and run aground; they knew the truth,
|
||
|
|
but would not own it, and so were taken in the snare they laid for our
|
||
|
|
Lord Jesus. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) How <I>they reasoned with themselves,</I> not concerning the
|
||
|
|
merits of the cause, what proofs there were of the divine original of
|
||
|
|
John's baptism; no, their care was, how to make their part good against
|
||
|
|
Christ. Two things they considered and consulted, in this reasoning
|
||
|
|
with themselves--their credit, and their safety; the same things which
|
||
|
|
<I>they</I> principally aim at, who <I>seek their own things.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] They consider their own credit, which they would endanger if they
|
||
|
|
should own John's baptism to be of God; for then Christ would ask them,
|
||
|
|
before all the people. <I>Why did ye not believe him?</I> And to
|
||
|
|
acknowledge that a doctrine is from God, and yet not to receive and
|
||
|
|
entertain it, is the greatest absurdity and iniquity that a man can be
|
||
|
|
charged with. Many that will not be kept by the fear of sin from
|
||
|
|
neglecting and opposing that which they know to be true and good are
|
||
|
|
kept by the fear of shame from owning that to be true and good which
|
||
|
|
they neglect and oppose. Thus they <I>reject the counsel of God against
|
||
|
|
themselves,</I> in not submitting to John's baptism, and are left
|
||
|
|
without excuse.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] They consider their own safety, that they would expose themselves
|
||
|
|
to the resentments of the people, if they should say that John's
|
||
|
|
baptism was of men; <I>We fear the people, for all hold John as a
|
||
|
|
prophet.</I> It seems, then, <I>First,</I> That the people had truer
|
||
|
|
sentiments of John than the chief priests and the elders had, or, at
|
||
|
|
least, were more free and faithful in declaring their sentiments. This
|
||
|
|
people, of whom they said in their pride that they <I>knew not the law,
|
||
|
|
and were cursed</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:49">John vii. 49</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
it seems, knew the gospel, and were blessed. <I>Secondly,</I> That the
|
||
|
|
chief priests and elders stood in awe of the common people, which is an
|
||
|
|
evidence that things were in disorder among them, and that mutual
|
||
|
|
jealousies were at a great height; that the government was become
|
||
|
|
obnoxious to the hatred and scorn of the people, and the scripture was
|
||
|
|
fulfilled, <I>I have made you contemptible and base,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+2:8,9">Mal. ii. 8, 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If they had kept their integrity, and done their duty, they had kept up
|
||
|
|
their authority, and needed not to fear the people. We find sometimes
|
||
|
|
that the people feared them, and it served them for a reason why they
|
||
|
|
did not confess Christ,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+9:22,12:42">John ix. 22, xii. 42</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, Those could not but fear the people, who studied only how to make
|
||
|
|
the people fear them. <I>Thirdly,</I> That it is usually the temper
|
||
|
|
even of common people to be zealous for the honour of that which they
|
||
|
|
account sacred and divine. If they <I>account John as a prophet,</I>
|
||
|
|
they will not endure that it should be said, <I>His baptism was of
|
||
|
|
men;</I> hence the hottest contests have been about holy things.
|
||
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> That the chief priests and elders were kept from an
|
||
|
|
open denial of the truth, even against the conviction of their own
|
||
|
|
minds, not by the fear of God, but purely by the fear of the people; as
|
||
|
|
the <I>fear of man</I> may <I>bring</I> good people into <I>a snare</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+29:25">Prov. xxix. 25</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so sometimes it may keep bad people from being <I>overmuch wicked, lest
|
||
|
|
they should die before their time,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+7:17">Eccl. vii. 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Many bad people would be much worse than they are, if they durst.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) How they replied to our Saviour, and so dropped the question. They
|
||
|
|
fairly confessed <I>We cannot tell;</I> that is, "We will not;"
|
||
|
|
<B><I>ouk oi damen</I></B>--<I>We never knew.</I> The more shame for
|
||
|
|
them, while they pretended to be leaders of the people, and by their
|
||
|
|
office were obliged to take cognizance of such things; when they would
|
||
|
|
not confess their knowledge, they were constrained to confess their
|
||
|
|
ignorance. And observe, by the way, when they said, <I>We cannot
|
||
|
|
tell,</I> they told a lie, for they knew that John's baptism was of
|
||
|
|
God. Note, There are many who are more afraid of the <I>shame</I> of
|
||
|
|
lying than of the <I>sin,</I> and therefore scruple not to speak that
|
||
|
|
which they know to be false concerning their own thoughts and
|
||
|
|
apprehensions, their affections and intentions, or their remembering or
|
||
|
|
forgetting of things, because in those things they know nobody can
|
||
|
|
disprove them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Thus Christ avoided the snare they laid for him, and justified himself
|
||
|
|
in refusing to gratify them; <I>Neither tell I you by what authority I
|
||
|
|
do these things.</I> If they be so wicked and base as either not to
|
||
|
|
believe, or not to confess, that the baptism of John was from heaven
|
||
|
|
(though it obliged to repentance, that great duty, and sealed the
|
||
|
|
kingdom of God at hand, that great promise), they were not fit to be
|
||
|
|
discoursed with concerning Christ's authority; for men of such a
|
||
|
|
disposition could not be convinced of the truth, nay, they could not
|
||
|
|
but be provoked by it, and therefore <I>he that is thus ignorant, let
|
||
|
|
him be ignorant still.</I> Note, Those that imprison the truths they
|
||
|
|
know, in unrighteousness (either by not professing them, or by not
|
||
|
|
practising according to them), are justly denied the further truths
|
||
|
|
they enquire after,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:18,19">Rom. i. 18, 19</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Take away the talent from him that buried it; those that <I>will
|
||
|
|
not</I> see, <I>shall not</I> see.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_28"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_29"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_30"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_31"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_32"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Parable of the Two Sons.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>28 But what think ye? A <I>certain</I> man had two sons; and he came
|
||
|
|
to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
|
||
|
|
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented,
|
||
|
|
and went.
|
||
|
|
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he
|
||
|
|
answered and said, I <I>go,</I> sir: and went not.
|
||
|
|
31 Whether of them twain did the will of <I>his</I> father? They say
|
||
|
|
unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto
|
||
|
|
you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of
|
||
|
|
God before you.
|
||
|
|
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye
|
||
|
|
believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him:
|
||
|
|
and ye, when ye had seen <I>it,</I> repented not afterward, that ye
|
||
|
|
might believe him.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
As Christ instructed his disciples by parables, which made the
|
||
|
|
instructions the more easy, so sometimes he convinced his adversaries
|
||
|
|
by parables, which bring reproofs more close, and make men, or ever
|
||
|
|
they are aware, to reprove themselves. Thus Nathan convinced David by a
|
||
|
|
parable
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+22:1">2 Sam. xxii. 1</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and the woman of Tekoa surprised him in like manner,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+14:2">2 Sam. xiv. 2</A>:
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Reproving parables are appeals to the offenders themselves, and judge
|
||
|
|
them out of their own mouths. This Christ designs here, as appears by
|
||
|
|
the first words
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>But what think you?</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In these verses we have the parable of the <I>two sons</I> sent to work
|
||
|
|
in the vineyard, the scope of which is to show that they who knew not
|
||
|
|
John's baptism to be of God, were shamed even by the publicans and
|
||
|
|
harlots, who knew it, and owned it. Here is,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The parable itself, which represents two sorts of persons; some that
|
||
|
|
prove better than they promise, represented by the first of those sons;
|
||
|
|
others that promise better than they prove represented by the
|
||
|
|
second.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They had both one and the same father, which signifies that God is a
|
||
|
|
common Father to all mankind. There are favours which all alike receive
|
||
|
|
from him, and obligations which all alike lie under to him; <I>Have we
|
||
|
|
not all one Father?</I> Yes, and yet there is a vast difference between
|
||
|
|
men's characters.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They had both the same command given them; <I>Son, go work to-day in
|
||
|
|
my vineyard.</I> Parents should not breed up their children in
|
||
|
|
idleness; nothing is more pleasing, and yet nothing more pernicious, to
|
||
|
|
youth than that.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+3:27">Lam. iii. 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
God sets his children to work, though they are all heirs. This command
|
||
|
|
is given to every one of us. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The work of religion, which we are called to engage in, is
|
||
|
|
vineyard work, creditable, profitable, and pleasant. By the sin of Adam
|
||
|
|
we were turned out to work upon the common, and to eat the herb of the
|
||
|
|
field; but by the grace of our Lord Jesus we are called to work again
|
||
|
|
in the vineyard.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The gospel call to work in the vineyard, requires present
|
||
|
|
obedience; <I>Son, go work</I> to-day, while it is called to-day,
|
||
|
|
because <I>the night comes when no man can work.</I> We were not sent
|
||
|
|
into the world to be idle, nor had we daylight given us to play by; and
|
||
|
|
therefore, if ever we mean to do any thing for God and our souls, why
|
||
|
|
not now? Why not to-day?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) The exhortation to go <I>work to-day in the vineyard,</I> speaketh
|
||
|
|
unto us <I>as unto children</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:5">Heb. xii. 5</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Son, go work.</I> It is the command of a Father, which carries with
|
||
|
|
it both authority and affection, a Father that pities his children, and
|
||
|
|
considers their frame, and will not overtask them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+103:13,14">Ps. ciii. 13, 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
a Father that is very tender of <I>his Son that serves him,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:17">Mal. iii. 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If we work in our Father's vineyard, we work for ourselves.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. Their conduct was very different.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) One of the sons did better than he said, proved better than he
|
||
|
|
promised. His answer was bad, but his actions were good.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Here is the untoward answer that he gave to his father; he said,
|
||
|
|
flat and plain <I>I will not.</I> See to what a degree of impudence the
|
||
|
|
corrupt nature of man rises, to say, <I>I will not,</I> to the command
|
||
|
|
of a Father; such a command of such a Father; they are impudent
|
||
|
|
children, and stiff-hearted. Those that will not bend, surely they
|
||
|
|
cannot blush; if they had any degree of modesty left them, they could
|
||
|
|
not say, <I>We will not.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+2:25">Jer. ii. 25</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Excuses are bad, but downright denials are worse; yet such peremptory
|
||
|
|
refusals do the calls of the gospel often meet with. <I>First,</I> Some
|
||
|
|
love their ease, and will not work; they would live in the world as
|
||
|
|
leviathan in the waters, to play therein
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:26">Ps. civ. 26</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they do not love working. <I>Secondly,</I> Their hearts are so much
|
||
|
|
upon their own fields, that they are not for working in God's vineyard.
|
||
|
|
They love the business of the world better than the business of their
|
||
|
|
religion. Thus some by the delights of sense, and others by the
|
||
|
|
employments of the world, are kept from doing that great work which
|
||
|
|
they were sent into the world about, and so <I>stand all the day
|
||
|
|
idle.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Here is the happy change of his mind, and of his way, upon second
|
||
|
|
thought; <I>Afterward he repented, and went.</I> Note, There are many
|
||
|
|
who in the beginning are wicked and wilful, and very unpromising, who
|
||
|
|
afterward repent and mend, and come to something. Some that God hath
|
||
|
|
chosen, are suffered for a great while to run to a great excess of
|
||
|
|
riot; <I>Such were some of you,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+6:11">1 Cor. vi. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
These are set forth for <I>patterns of long-suffering,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:16">1 Tim. i. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Afterward he repented.</I> Repentance is
|
||
|
|
<B><I>metanoia</I></B>--<I>an after-wit:</I> and
|
||
|
|
<B><I>metameleia</I></B>--<I>an after-care.</I> Better late than never.
|
||
|
|
Observe, When he repented he went; that was the <I>fruit meet for
|
||
|
|
repentance.</I> The only evidence of our repentance for our former
|
||
|
|
resistance, is, immediately to comply, and set to work; and then what
|
||
|
|
is past, shall be pardoned, and all shall be well. See what a kind
|
||
|
|
Father God is; he resents not the affront of our refusals, as justly he
|
||
|
|
might. He that told his father to his face, that he <I>would not</I> do
|
||
|
|
as he bid him, deserved to be turned out of doors, and disinherited;
|
||
|
|
but our God <I>waits to be gracious,</I> and, not withstanding our
|
||
|
|
former follies, if we repent and mend, will favourably accept of us;
|
||
|
|
blessed be God, we are under a covenant that leaves room for such a
|
||
|
|
repentance.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The other son said better than he did, promised better than he
|
||
|
|
proved; his answer was good but his actions bad. To him the father
|
||
|
|
<I>said likewise,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The gospel call, though very different, is, in effect, the same to all,
|
||
|
|
and is carried on with an even tenour. We have all the same commands,
|
||
|
|
engagements, encouragements, though to some they are a savour of life
|
||
|
|
unto life, to others of death unto death. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] How fairly this other son promised; <I>He said, I go, sir.</I> He
|
||
|
|
gives his father a title of respect, <I>sir.</I> Note, It becomes
|
||
|
|
children to speak respectfully to their parents. It is one branch of
|
||
|
|
that honour which the fifth commandment requires. He professes a ready
|
||
|
|
obedience, <I>I go;</I> not, "I will go by and by," but, "Ready, sir,
|
||
|
|
you may depend upon it, I go just now." This answer we should give from
|
||
|
|
the heart heartily to all the calls and commands of the word of God.
|
||
|
|
See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+3:22,Ps+27:8">Jer. iii. 22; Ps. xxvii. 8</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] How he failed in the performance; <I>He went not.</I> Note, There
|
||
|
|
are many that give good words, and make fair promises, in religion, and
|
||
|
|
those from some good motions for the present, that rest there, and go
|
||
|
|
no further, and so come to nothing. Saying and doing are two things;
|
||
|
|
and many there are that say, and do not; it is particularly charged
|
||
|
|
upon the Pharisees,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+23:3"><I>ch.</I> xxiii. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Many with their mouth show much love, but their heart goes another way.
|
||
|
|
They had a good mind to be religious, but they met with something to be
|
||
|
|
done, that was too hard, or something to be parted with, that was too
|
||
|
|
dear, and so their purposes are to no purpose. Buds and blossoms are
|
||
|
|
not fruit.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. A general appeal upon the parable; <I>Whether of them twain did the
|
||
|
|
will of his father?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They both had their faults, one was rude and the other was false, such
|
||
|
|
variety of exercises parents sometimes have in the different humours of
|
||
|
|
their children, and they have need of a great deal of wisdom and grace
|
||
|
|
to know what is the best way of managing them. But the question is,
|
||
|
|
Which was the better of the two, and the less faulty? And it was soon
|
||
|
|
resolved; the first, because his actions were better than his words,
|
||
|
|
and his latter end than his beginning. This they had learned from the
|
||
|
|
common sense of mankind, who would much rather deal with one that will
|
||
|
|
be better than his word, than with one that will be false to his word.
|
||
|
|
And, in the intention of it, they had learned from the account God
|
||
|
|
gives of the rule of his judgment
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+18:21-24">Ezek. xviii. 21-24</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that if <I>the sinner turn from his wickedness,</I> he shall be
|
||
|
|
pardoned; and<I>if the righteous man turn from his righteousness,</I>
|
||
|
|
he shall be rejected. The tenour of the whole scripture gives us to
|
||
|
|
understand that those are accepted as doing their Father's will, who,
|
||
|
|
wherein they have missed it, are sorry for it, and do better.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. A particular application of it to the matter in hand,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:31,32"><I>v.</I> 31, 32</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The primary scope of the parable is, to show how the publicans and
|
||
|
|
harlots, who never talked of the Messiah and his kingdom, yet
|
||
|
|
entertained the doctrine, and submitted to the discipline, of John the
|
||
|
|
Baptist, his forerunner, when the priests and elders, who were big with
|
||
|
|
expectations of the Messiah, and seemed very ready to go into his
|
||
|
|
measures, slighted John the Baptist, and ran counter to the designs of
|
||
|
|
his mission. But it has a further reach; the Gentiles were <I>sometimes
|
||
|
|
disobedient,</I> had been long so, children of disobedience, like the
|
||
|
|
elder son
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+3:3,4">Tit. iii. 3, 4</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
yet, when the gospel was preached to them, they became obedient to the
|
||
|
|
faith; whereas the Jews who said, <I>I go, sir,</I> promised fair
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:7,Jos+24:24">Exod. xxiv. 7; Josh. xxiv. 24</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
yet went not; they did but flatter God with their mouth.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+78:36">Ps. lxxviii. 36</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In Christ's application of this parable, observe.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How he proves that John's baptism was <I>from heaven, and not of
|
||
|
|
men.</I> "If you <I>cannot</I> tell," saith Christ, "you <I>might</I>
|
||
|
|
tell,"</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) By the scope of his ministry; <I>John came unto you in the way of
|
||
|
|
righteousness.</I> Would you know whether John had his commission from
|
||
|
|
heaven, remember the rule of trial, <I>By their fruits ye shall know
|
||
|
|
them;</I> the fruits of their doctrines, the fruits of their doings.
|
||
|
|
Observe but their way, and you may trace out both their rise and their
|
||
|
|
tendency. Now it was evident that John came <I>in the way of
|
||
|
|
righteousness.</I> In his ministry, he taught people to repent, and to
|
||
|
|
work the works of righteousness. In his conversation, he was a great
|
||
|
|
example of strictness, and seriousness, and contempt of the world,
|
||
|
|
denying himself, and doing good to every body else. Christ
|
||
|
|
<I>therefore</I> submitted to the baptism of John, because it <I>became
|
||
|
|
him to fulfil all righteousness.</I> Now, if John thus came in the way
|
||
|
|
of righteousness, could they be ignorant that his baptism was from
|
||
|
|
heaven, or make any doubt of it?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) By the success of his ministry; <I>The publicans and the harlots
|
||
|
|
believed him;</I> he did abundance of good among the worst sort of
|
||
|
|
people. St. Paul proves his apostleship by the seals of his ministry,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:2">1 Cor. ix. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If God had not sent John the Baptist, he would not have crowned his
|
||
|
|
labours with such wonderful success, nor have made him so instrumental
|
||
|
|
as he was for the conversion f souls. If publicans and harlots believe
|
||
|
|
his report, surely the arm of the Lord is with him. The people's
|
||
|
|
profiting is the minister's best testimonial.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How he reproves them for their contempt of John's baptism, which
|
||
|
|
yet, for fear of the people, they were not willing to own. To shame
|
||
|
|
them for it, he sets before them the faith, repentance, and obedience,
|
||
|
|
of the publicans and harlots, which aggravated their unbelief and
|
||
|
|
impenitence. As he shows,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+11:21"><I>ch.</I> xi. 21</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that the less likely would have repented, so here that the less likely
|
||
|
|
did repent.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The publicans and harlots were like the first son in the parable,
|
||
|
|
from whom little of religion was expected. They promised little good,
|
||
|
|
and those that knew them promised themselves little good from them.
|
||
|
|
Their disposition was generally rude, and their conversation profligate
|
||
|
|
and debauched; and yet many of them were wrought upon the by the
|
||
|
|
ministry of John, who came in the spirit and power of Elias. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+7:29">Luke vii. 29</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
These fitly represented the Gentile world; for, as Dr. Whitby observes,
|
||
|
|
the Jews generally ranked the publicans with the heathen; nay, and the
|
||
|
|
heathen were represented by the Jews as harlots, and born of harlots,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+8:41">John viii. 41</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The scribes and Pharisees, the chief priests and elders, and
|
||
|
|
indeed the Jewish nation in general, were like the other son that gave
|
||
|
|
good words; they made a specious profession of religion, and yet, when
|
||
|
|
the kingdom of the Messiah was brought among them by the baptism of
|
||
|
|
John, they slighted it, they turned their back upon it, nay they
|
||
|
|
<I>lifted up the heel against it.</I> A hypocrite is more hardly
|
||
|
|
convinced and converted than a gross sinner; the form of godliness, if
|
||
|
|
that be rested in, becomes one of Satan's strongholds, by which he
|
||
|
|
opposes the power of godliness. It was an aggravation of their
|
||
|
|
unbelief,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] That John was such an excellent person, that he came, and came to
|
||
|
|
them, in <I>the way of righteousness.</I> The better the means are, the
|
||
|
|
greater will the account be, if not improved.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] That, when they saw the publicans and harlots go before them into
|
||
|
|
the kingdom of heaven, they did not afterward repent and believe; were
|
||
|
|
not thereby provoked to a holy emulation,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:14">Rom. xi. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Shall publicans and harlots go away with grace and glory; and shall not
|
||
|
|
we put in for a share? Shall our inferiors be more holy and more happy
|
||
|
|
than we? They had not the wit and grace that Esau had, who was moved to
|
||
|
|
take other measures than he had done, by the example of his younger
|
||
|
|
brother,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+28:6">Gen. xxviii. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
These proud priests, that set up for leaders, scorned to follow, though
|
||
|
|
it were into the kingdom of heaven, especially to follow publicans;
|
||
|
|
through the pride of their countenance, they would not seek after God,
|
||
|
|
after Christ,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+10:4">Ps. x. 4</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_33"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_34"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_35"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_36"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_37"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_38"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_39"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_40"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_41"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_42"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_43"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_44"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_45"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt21_46"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec6"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which
|
||
|
|
planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a
|
||
|
|
winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen,
|
||
|
|
and went into a far country:
|
||
|
|
34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his
|
||
|
|
servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of
|
||
|
|
it.
|
||
|
|
35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and
|
||
|
|
killed another, and stoned another.
|
||
|
|
36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they
|
||
|
|
did unto them likewise.
|
||
|
|
37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will
|
||
|
|
reverence my son.
|
||
|
|
38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among
|
||
|
|
themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us
|
||
|
|
seize on his inheritance.
|
||
|
|
39 And they caught him, and cast <I>him</I> out of the vineyard, and
|
||
|
|
slew <I>him.</I>
|
||
|
|
40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he
|
||
|
|
do unto those husbandmen?
|
||
|
|
41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked
|
||
|
|
men, and will let out <I>his</I> vineyard unto other husbandmen, which
|
||
|
|
shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
|
||
|
|
42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures,
|
||
|
|
The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the
|
||
|
|
head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is
|
||
|
|
marvellous in our eyes?
|
||
|
|
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken
|
||
|
|
from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits
|
||
|
|
thereof.
|
||
|
|
44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but
|
||
|
|
on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
|
||
|
|
45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his
|
||
|
|
parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
|
||
|
|
46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the
|
||
|
|
multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This parable plainly sets forth the sin and ruin of the Jewish nation;
|
||
|
|
they and their leaders are the husbandmen here; and what is spoken for
|
||
|
|
conviction to them, is spoken for caution to all that enjoy the
|
||
|
|
privileges of the visible church, not to be high-minded, but fear.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. We have here the privileges of the Jewish church, represented by the
|
||
|
|
letting out of a vineyard to the husbandmen; they were as tenants
|
||
|
|
holding by, from, and under, God the great Householder. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How God established a church for himself in the world. The kingdom
|
||
|
|
of God upon earth is here compared to a vineyard, furnished with all
|
||
|
|
things requisite to an advantageous management and improvement of it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He planted this vineyard. The church is <I>the planting of the
|
||
|
|
Lord,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+61:3">Isa. lxi. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The forming of a church is a work by itself, like the planting of a
|
||
|
|
vineyard, which requires a great deal of cost and care. It is <I>the
|
||
|
|
vineyard which his right hand has planted</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+80:15">Ps. lxxx. 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
planted with the <I>choicest vine</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+5:2">Isa. v. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>a noble vine,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+2:21">Jer. ii. 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The earth of itself produces thorns and briars; but vines must be
|
||
|
|
planted. The being of a church is owing to God's distinguishing favour,
|
||
|
|
and his manifesting himself to some, and not to others.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He hedged it round about. Note, God's church in the world is taken
|
||
|
|
under his special protection. It is <I>a hedge round about,</I> like
|
||
|
|
that about Job on every side
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+1:10">Job i. 10</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
a wall of fire,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+2:5">Zech. ii. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Wherever God has a church, it is, and will always be, his peculiar
|
||
|
|
care. The covenant of circumcision and the ceremonial law were a hedge
|
||
|
|
or a wall of partition about the Jewish church, which is taken down by
|
||
|
|
Christ; who yet has appointed a gospel order and discipline to be the
|
||
|
|
hedge of his church. He will not have his vineyard to lie in common,
|
||
|
|
that those who are without, may thrust in at pleasure; not to lie at
|
||
|
|
large, that those who are within, may lash out at pleasure; but care is
|
||
|
|
taken to set bounds about this holy mountain.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) He <I>digged a wine-press and built a tower.</I> The altar of
|
||
|
|
burnt-offerings was the wine-press, to which all the offerings were
|
||
|
|
brought. God instituted ordinances in his church, for the due oversight
|
||
|
|
of it, and for the promoting of its fruitfulness. What could have been
|
||
|
|
done more to make it every way convenient?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How he entrusted these visible church-privileges with the nation and
|
||
|
|
people of the Jews, especially their chief priests and elders; he let
|
||
|
|
it out to them as husbandmen, not because he had need of them as
|
||
|
|
landlords have of their tenants, but because he would try them, and be
|
||
|
|
honoured by them. When in Judah God was known, and his name was great,
|
||
|
|
when they were taken to be to God <I>for a people, and for a name, and
|
||
|
|
for a praise</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+13:11">Jer. xiii. 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
when he <I>revealed his word unto Jacob</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+147:19">Ps. cxlvii. 19</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
when the <I>covenant of life and peace</I> was made with Levi
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+2:4,5">Mal. ii. 4, 5</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
then this vineyard was let out. See an abstract of the lease,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+8:11,12">Cant. viii. 11, 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The Lord of the vineyard was to have <I>a thousand pieces of silver</I>
|
||
|
|
(compare
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+7:13">Isa. vii. 13</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
the main profit was to be his, but the keepers were to have two
|
||
|
|
hundred, a competent and comfortable encouragement. And then he <I>went
|
||
|
|
into a far country.</I> When God had in a visible appearance settled
|
||
|
|
the Jewish church at mount Sinai, he did in a manner withdraw; they had
|
||
|
|
no more such open vision, but were left to the written word. Or, they
|
||
|
|
imagined that he was gone into a far country, as Israel, when they made
|
||
|
|
the calf, fancied that Moses was gone. They put far from them the evil
|
||
|
|
day.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. God's expectation of rent from these husbandmen,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It was a reasonable expectation; for <I>who plants a vineyard, and eats
|
||
|
|
not of the fruit thereof?</I> Note, From those that enjoy
|
||
|
|
church-privileges, both ministers and people, God looks for fruit
|
||
|
|
accordingly.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. His expectations were not hasty; he did not demand a fore-rent,
|
||
|
|
though he had been at such expense upon it; but staid <I>till the time
|
||
|
|
of the fruit drew near,</I> as it did now that John preached the
|
||
|
|
<I>kingdom of heaven is at hand.</I> God waits to be gracious, that he
|
||
|
|
may give us time.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They were not high; he did not require them to come at their peril,
|
||
|
|
upon penalty of forfeiting their lease if they ran behind-hand; but he
|
||
|
|
sent his <I>servants to them,</I> to remind them of their duty, and of
|
||
|
|
the rent-day, and to help them in gathering in the fruit, and making
|
||
|
|
return of it. These servants were the prophets of the Old Testament,
|
||
|
|
who were sent, and sometimes directly, to the people of the Jews, to
|
||
|
|
reprove and instruct them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. They were not hard; it was only to <I>receive the fruits.</I> He
|
||
|
|
did not demand more than they could make of it, but some fruit of that
|
||
|
|
which he himself planted--an observance of the laws and statutes he
|
||
|
|
gave them. What could have been done more reasonable? Israel was an
|
||
|
|
empty vine, nay it was become the degenerate plant of a strange vine,
|
||
|
|
and brought forth wild grapes.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The husbandmen's baseness in abusing the messengers that were sent
|
||
|
|
to them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. When he sent them his servants, they abused them, though they
|
||
|
|
represented the master himself, and spoke in his name. Note, The calls
|
||
|
|
and reproofs of the word, if they do not engage, will but exasperate.
|
||
|
|
See here what hath all along been the lot of God's faithful messengers,
|
||
|
|
more or less;
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) To suffer; <I>so persecuted they the prophets,</I> who were hated
|
||
|
|
with a cruel hatred. They not only despised and reproached them, but
|
||
|
|
treated them as the worst of malefactors--they beat them, and killed
|
||
|
|
them, and stoned them. They beat Jeremiah, killed Isaiah, stoned
|
||
|
|
Zechariah the son of Jehoiada in the temple. If they that <I>live godly
|
||
|
|
in Christ Jesus</I> themselves shall <I>suffer persecution,</I> much
|
||
|
|
more they that press others to it. This was God's old quarrel with the
|
||
|
|
Jews, misusing his prophets,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+36:16">2 Chron. xxxvi. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It has been their lot to suffer from their Master's own tenants;
|
||
|
|
they were the husbandmen that treated them thus, the chief priests and
|
||
|
|
elders that <I>sat in Moses's chair,</I> that professed religion and
|
||
|
|
relation to God; these were the most bitter enemies of the Lord's
|
||
|
|
prophets, that cast them out, and killed them, and said, <I>Let the
|
||
|
|
Lord be glorified,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:5">Isa. lxvi. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+20:1,2,26:11">Jer. xx. 1, 2; xxvi. 11</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now see,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] How God persevered in his goodness to them. He sent other
|
||
|
|
servants, more than the first; though the first sped not, but were
|
||
|
|
abused. He had sent them John the Baptist, and him they had beheaded;
|
||
|
|
and yet he sent them his disciples, to prepare his way. O the riches of
|
||
|
|
the patience and forbearance of God, in keeping up in his church a
|
||
|
|
despised, persecuted ministry!
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] How they persisted in their wickedness. They <I>did unto them
|
||
|
|
likewise.</I> One sin makes way for another of the same kind. They that
|
||
|
|
are drunk with the blood of the saints, add drunkenness to thirst, and
|
||
|
|
still cry, Give, give.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. At length, he sent them his Son; we have seen God's goodness in
|
||
|
|
sending, and their badness in abusing, the servants; but in the latter
|
||
|
|
instance both these exceed themselves.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Never did grace appear more gracious than in <I>sending the
|
||
|
|
Son.</I> This was done <I>last of all.</I> Note, All the prophets were
|
||
|
|
harbingers and forerunners to Christ. He was sent last; for if nothing
|
||
|
|
else would work upon them, surely this would; it was therefore served
|
||
|
|
for the <I>ratio ultima--the last expedient. Surely they will reverence
|
||
|
|
my Son,</I> and therefore I will send him. Note, It might reasonably be
|
||
|
|
expected that the Son of God, when he came to his own, should be
|
||
|
|
reverenced; and reverence to Christ would be a powerful and effectual
|
||
|
|
principle of fruitfulness and obedience, to the glory of God; if they
|
||
|
|
will but reverence the Son, the point is gained. <I>Surely they will
|
||
|
|
reverence my Son,</I> for he comes with more authority than the
|
||
|
|
servants could; judgment is committed to him, that <I>all men should
|
||
|
|
honour him.</I> There is greater danger in refusing him than in
|
||
|
|
despising Moses's law.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Never did sin appear more sinful than in the abusing of him, which
|
||
|
|
was now to be done in two or three days. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] How it was plotted
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>When they saw the Son:</I> when he came, whom the people owned and
|
||
|
|
followed as the Messiah, who would either have the rent paid, or
|
||
|
|
distrain for it; this touched their copyhold, and they were resolved to
|
||
|
|
make one bold push for it, and to preserve their wealth and grandeur by
|
||
|
|
taking <I>him</I> out of the way, who was the only hindrance to it, and
|
||
|
|
rival with them. <I>This is the heir, come, let us kill him.</I> Pilate
|
||
|
|
and Herod, the princes of this world, <I>knew not;</I> for <I>if they
|
||
|
|
had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:8">1 Cor. ii. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But the <I>chief priests and elders</I> knew that <I>this was the
|
||
|
|
heir,</I> at least some of them; and therefore <I>Come, let us kill
|
||
|
|
him.</I> Many are killed for what they have. The chief thing they
|
||
|
|
envied him, and for which they hated and feared him, was his interest
|
||
|
|
in the people, and their hosannas, which, if he was taken off, they
|
||
|
|
hope to engross securely to themselves. They pretended that he must
|
||
|
|
die, to save the people from the Romans
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+11:50">John xi. 50</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but really he must die, to save their hypocrisy and tyranny from that
|
||
|
|
reformation which the expected kingdom of the Messiah would certainly
|
||
|
|
bring along with it. He drives the buyers and sellers out of the
|
||
|
|
temple; and therefore <I>let us kill him;</I> and then, as if the
|
||
|
|
premises must of course go to the occupant, <I>let us seize on his
|
||
|
|
inheritance.</I> They thought, if they could but get rid of this Jesus,
|
||
|
|
they should carry all before them in the church without control, might
|
||
|
|
impose what traditions, and force the people to what submissions, they
|
||
|
|
pleased. Thus they <I>take counsel against the Lord and his
|
||
|
|
Anointed;</I> but he that <I>sits in heaven,</I> laughs to see them
|
||
|
|
<I>outshot in their own bow;</I> for, while they thought to kill him,
|
||
|
|
and so to seize on his inheritance, he went by his cross to his crown,
|
||
|
|
and they were broken pieces with a rod of iron, and their inheritance
|
||
|
|
seized.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:2,3,6,9">Ps. ii. 2, 3, 6, 9</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] How this plot was executed,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
While they were so set upon killing him, in pursuance of their design
|
||
|
|
to secure their own pomp and power, and while he was so set upon dying,
|
||
|
|
in pursuance of his design to subdue Satan, and save his chosen, no
|
||
|
|
wonder if they soon <I>caught him, and slew him,</I> when his hour was
|
||
|
|
come. Though the Roman power condemned him, yet it is still charged
|
||
|
|
upon the chief priests and elders; for they were not only the
|
||
|
|
prosecutors, but the principal agents, and had <I>the greater sin. Ye
|
||
|
|
have taken,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:23">Acts ii. 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Nay looking upon him to be as unworthy to live, as they were unwilling
|
||
|
|
he should, <I>they cast him out of the vineyard,</I> out of the holy
|
||
|
|
church, which they supposed themselves to have the key of, and out of
|
||
|
|
the holy city for he was crucified <I>without the gate,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+13:12">Heb. xiii. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
As if <I>He</I> had been the shame and reproach, who was the greatest
|
||
|
|
glory of his people Israel. Thus they who persecuted the servants,
|
||
|
|
persecuted the Son; as men treat God's ministers, they would treat
|
||
|
|
Christ himself, if he were with them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. Here is their doom read out of their own mouths,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:40,41"><I>v.</I> 40, 41</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He puts it to them, <I>When the Lord of the vineyard cometh, what will
|
||
|
|
he do unto these husbandmen?</I> He puts it to themselves, for their
|
||
|
|
stronger conviction, that <I>knowing the judgment of God</I> against
|
||
|
|
them which do such things, they might be the more inexcusable. Note,
|
||
|
|
God's proceedings are so unexceptionable, that there needs but an
|
||
|
|
appeal to sinners themselves concerning the equity of them. God will be
|
||
|
|
<I>justified when he speaks.</I> They could readily answer, <I>He will
|
||
|
|
miserably destroy those wicked men.</I> Note, Many can easily
|
||
|
|
prognosticate the dismal consequences of other people's sins, that see
|
||
|
|
not what will be the end of their own.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Our Saviour, in his question, supposes that <I>the lord of the
|
||
|
|
vineyard will come,</I> and reckon with them. God is the Lord of the
|
||
|
|
vineyard; the property is his, and he will make <I>them</I> know it,
|
||
|
|
who now <I>lord it over his heritage,</I> as if it were all their own.
|
||
|
|
The Lord of the vineyard will come. Persecutors say in their hearts, He
|
||
|
|
<I>delays his coming,</I> he <I>doth not see,</I> he <I>will not
|
||
|
|
require;</I> but they shall find, though he bear long with them, he
|
||
|
|
will not bear always. It is comfort to abused saints and ministers,
|
||
|
|
that <I>the Lord is at hand,</I> the <I>Judge stands before the
|
||
|
|
door.</I> When he comes, what will he do to carnal professors? What
|
||
|
|
will he do to cruel persecutors? They must be called to account, they
|
||
|
|
have their day now; but he <I>sees that his day is coming.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They, in their answer, suppose that it will be a terrible reckoning;
|
||
|
|
the crime appearing so very black, you may be sure,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That he will <I>miserably destroy those wicked men;</I> it is
|
||
|
|
destruction that is their doom. <B><I>Kakous kakos
|
||
|
|
apolesei</I></B>--<I>Malos male perdet.</I> Let men never expect to do
|
||
|
|
ill, and fare well. This was fulfilled upon the Jews, in that miserable
|
||
|
|
destruction which was brought upon them by the Romans, and was
|
||
|
|
completed about forty years after this; and unparalleled ruin, attended
|
||
|
|
with all the most dismal aggravating circumstances. It will be
|
||
|
|
fulfilled upon all that tread in the steps of their wickedness; hell is
|
||
|
|
everlasting destruction, and it will be the most miserable destruction
|
||
|
|
to them of all others, that have enjoyed the greatest share of church
|
||
|
|
privileges, and have not improved them. The hottest place in hell will
|
||
|
|
be the portion of hypocrites and persecutors.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That he will <I>let out his vineyard to other husbandmen.</I>
|
||
|
|
Note, God will have a church in the world, notwithstanding the
|
||
|
|
unworthiness and opposition of many that abuse the privileges of it.
|
||
|
|
The unbelief and frowardness of man shall not make the word of God of
|
||
|
|
no effect. If one will not, another will. The Jews' leavings were the
|
||
|
|
Gentiles' feast. Persecutors may destroy the ministers, but cannot
|
||
|
|
destroy the church. The Jews imagined that no doubt <I>they were the
|
||
|
|
people,</I> and wisdom and holiness must <I>die with them;</I> and if
|
||
|
|
they were cut off, what would God do for a church in the world? But
|
||
|
|
when God makes use of any to bear up his name, it is not because he
|
||
|
|
needs them, nor is he at all beholden to them. If we were made a
|
||
|
|
desolation and an astonishment, God could build a flourishing church
|
||
|
|
upon our ruins; for he is never at a loss what to do for his great
|
||
|
|
name, whatever becomes of us, and of our place and nation.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. The further illustration and application of this by Christ himself,
|
||
|
|
telling them, in effect, that they had rightly judged.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He illustrates it by referring to a scripture fulfilled in this
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Did ye never read in the scriptures?</I> Yes, no doubt, they had
|
||
|
|
often read and sung it, but had not considered it. We lose the benefit
|
||
|
|
of what we read for want of meditation. The scripture he quotes is
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+118:22,23">Ps. cxviii. 22, 23</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
the same context out of which the children fetched their hosannas. The
|
||
|
|
same word yields matter of praise and comfort to Christ's friends and
|
||
|
|
followers, which speaks conviction and terror to his enemies. Such a
|
||
|
|
two-edged sword is the word of God. That scripture, the <I>Stone which
|
||
|
|
the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner,</I>
|
||
|
|
illustrates the preceding parable, especially that part of it which
|
||
|
|
refers to Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The builders' rejecting of the stone is the same with the
|
||
|
|
husbandmen's abusing of the son that was sent to them. The chief
|
||
|
|
priests and the elders were the builders, had the oversight of the
|
||
|
|
Jewish church, which was God's building: and they would not allow
|
||
|
|
Christ a place in their building, would not admit his doctrine or laws
|
||
|
|
into their constitution; they threw him aside as a despised broken
|
||
|
|
vessel, a stone that would serve only for a stepping-stone, to be
|
||
|
|
trampled upon.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The advancing of this stone to be the head of the corner is the
|
||
|
|
same with <I>letting out the vineyard to other husbandmen.</I> He who
|
||
|
|
was rejected by the Jews was embraced by the Gentiles; and to that
|
||
|
|
church where there is no difference of circumcision or uncircumcision,
|
||
|
|
<I>Christ is all, and in all.</I> His authority over the gospel church,
|
||
|
|
and influence upon it, his ruling it as the Head, and uniting it as the
|
||
|
|
Corner-stone, are the great tokens of his exhaltation. Thus, in spite
|
||
|
|
of the malice of the priests and elders, he <I>divided a portion with
|
||
|
|
the great,</I> and received <I>his kingdom,</I> though they would not
|
||
|
|
have him to reign over them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) The hand of God was in all this; <I>This is the Lord's doing.</I>
|
||
|
|
Even the rejecting of him by the Jewish builders was by the determinate
|
||
|
|
counsel and foreknowledge of God; he permitted and overruled it; much
|
||
|
|
more was his advancement to the Head of the corner; his right hand and
|
||
|
|
his holy arm brought it about; it was God himself that <I>highly
|
||
|
|
exalted him,</I> and gave him <I>a name above every name; and it is
|
||
|
|
marvellous in our eyes.</I> The wickedness of the Jews that rejected
|
||
|
|
him is marvellous,; that men should be so prejudiced against their own
|
||
|
|
interest! See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+29:9,10,14">Isa. xxix. 9, 10, 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The honour done him by the Gentile world, notwithstanding the abuses
|
||
|
|
done him by his own people, is marvellous; that he whom men despised
|
||
|
|
and abhorred, should be adored by kings!
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:7">Isa. xlix. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But <I>it is the Lord's doing.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He applies it to them, and application is the life of preaching.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He applies the sentence which they had passed
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and turns it upon themselves; not the former part of it, concerning the
|
||
|
|
miserable destruction of the husbandmen (he could not bear to speak of
|
||
|
|
that), but the latter part, of <I>letting out the vineyard to
|
||
|
|
others;</I> because though it looked black upon the Jews, it spoke good
|
||
|
|
to the Gentiles. Know then,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] That the Jews shall be unchurched; <I>The kingdom of God shall be
|
||
|
|
taken from you.</I> This turning out of the husbandmen speaks the same
|
||
|
|
doom with that of dismantling the vineyard, and laying it common.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+5:5">Isa. v. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
To the Jews had long pertained <I>the adoption and the glory</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+9:4">Rom. ix. 4</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
to them were committed the <I>oracles of God</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+3:2">Rom. iii. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and the sacred trust of revealed religion, and bearing up of God's name
|
||
|
|
in the world
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+76:1,2">Ps. lxxvi. 1, 2</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but now it shall be so no longer. They were not only unfruitful in the
|
||
|
|
use of their privileges, but, under pretence of them, opposed the
|
||
|
|
gospel of Christ, and so forfeited them, and it was not long ere the
|
||
|
|
forfeiture was taken. Note, It is a righteous thing with God to remove
|
||
|
|
church privileges from those that not only sin against them, but sin
|
||
|
|
with them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:4,5">Rev. ii. 4, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The kingdom of God was taken from the Jews, not only by the temporal
|
||
|
|
judgments that befel them, but by the spiritual judgments they lay
|
||
|
|
under, their blindness of mind, hardness of heart, and indignation at
|
||
|
|
the gospel,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:8-10,1Th+2:15">Rom. xi. 8-10; 1 Thess. ii. 15</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] That the Gentiles shall be taken in. God needs not ask us leave
|
||
|
|
whether he shall have a church in the world; though his vine be plucked
|
||
|
|
up in one place, he will find another to plant it in. He will give it
|
||
|
|
<B><I>ethnei</I></B>--<I>to the Gentile world,</I> that will <I>bring
|
||
|
|
forth the fruit of it.</I> They who had been not a people, and had not
|
||
|
|
obtained mercy, became favourites of Heaven. This is the mystery which
|
||
|
|
blessed Paul was so much affected with
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:30,33">Rom. xi. 30, 33</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and which the Jews were so much affronted by,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:21,22">Acts xxii. 21, 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
At the first planting of Israel in Canaan, the <I>fall of the Gentiles
|
||
|
|
was the riches of Israel</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+135:10,11">Ps. cxxxv. 10, 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so, at their extirpation, the fall of Israel was the riches of the
|
||
|
|
Gentiles,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:12">Rom. xi. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It shall go to <I>a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
Christ knows beforehand who will bring forth gospel fruits in the use
|
||
|
|
of gospel means; because our fruitfulness is all the work of his own
|
||
|
|
hands, and <I>known unto God are all his works.</I> They shall bring
|
||
|
|
forth the fruits better than the Jews had done; God has had more glory
|
||
|
|
from the New Testament church than from that of the Old Testament; for,
|
||
|
|
when he changes, it shall not be to his loss.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He applies the scripture which he had quoted
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
to their terror,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This <I>Stone,</I> which the <I>builders refused, is set for the fall
|
||
|
|
of many in Israel;</I> and we have here the doom of two sorts of
|
||
|
|
people, for whose fall it proves that Christ is set.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Some, through ignorance, stumble at Christ in his estate of
|
||
|
|
humiliation; when this Stone lies on the earth, where the builders
|
||
|
|
threw it, they, through their blindness and carelessness, fall on it,
|
||
|
|
fall over it, and <I>they shall be broken.</I> The offence they take at
|
||
|
|
Christ, will not hurt him, any more than he that stumbles, hurts the
|
||
|
|
stone he stumbles at; but it will hurt themselves; they will fall, and
|
||
|
|
be broken, and snared,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:14,1Pe+2:7,8">Isa. viii. 14; 1 Pet. ii. 7, 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The unbelief of sinners will be their ruin.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Others, through malice, oppose Christ, and bid defiance to him in
|
||
|
|
his estate of exaltation, when this Stone is advanced to the head of
|
||
|
|
the corner; and on them <I>it shall fall,</I> for they pull it on their
|
||
|
|
own heads, as the Jews did by that challenge, <I>His blood be upon us
|
||
|
|
and upon our children,</I> and <I>it will grind them to powder.</I> The
|
||
|
|
former seems to bespeak the sin and ruin of all unbelievers; this is
|
||
|
|
the greater sin, and sorer ruin, of persecutors, that <I>kick against
|
||
|
|
the pricks,</I> and persist in it. Christ's kingdom will be a
|
||
|
|
burthensome stone to all those that attempt to overthrow it, or heave
|
||
|
|
it out of its place; see
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+12:3">Zech. xii. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This Stone cut out of the mountain without hands, will break in pieces
|
||
|
|
all opposing power,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+2:34,35">Dan. ii. 34, 35</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Some make this an allusion to the manner of stoning to death among the
|
||
|
|
Jews. The malefactors were first thrown down violently from a high
|
||
|
|
scaffold upon a great stone, which would much bruise them; but then
|
||
|
|
they threw another great stone upon them, which would crush them to
|
||
|
|
pieces: one way or other, Christ will utterly destroy all those that
|
||
|
|
fight against him. If they be so stout-hearted, that they are not
|
||
|
|
destroyed by falling on this stone, yet it shall fall on them, and so
|
||
|
|
destroy them. He will <I>strike through kings,</I> he will <I>fill the
|
||
|
|
places with dead bodies,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:5,6">Ps. cx. 5, 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
None ever hardened his heart against God and prospered.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> The entertainment which this discourse of Christ met
|
||
|
|
with among the chief priests and elders, that heard his parables.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. <I>They perceived that he spake of them</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:25"><I>v.</I> 45</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and that in what they said
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they had but read their own doom. Note, A guilty conscience needs no
|
||
|
|
accuser, and sometimes will save a minister the labour of saying,
|
||
|
|
<I>Thou art the man. Mutato nomine, de te fabula narratur--Change but
|
||
|
|
the name, the tale is told of the.</I> So quick and powerful is the
|
||
|
|
word of God, and such a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
|
||
|
|
heart, that it is easy for bad men (if conscience be not quite seared)
|
||
|
|
to perceive that it speaks of them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. <I>They sought to lay hands on him.</I> Note, When those who hear
|
||
|
|
the reproofs of the word, perceive that it speaks of them, if it do not
|
||
|
|
do them a great deal of good, it will certainly do them a great deal of
|
||
|
|
hurt. If they be not pricked to the heart with conviction and
|
||
|
|
contrition, as they were
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:37">Acts ii. 37</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they will be cut to the heart with rage and indignation, as they were
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+5:33">Acts v. 33</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. They durst not do it, <I>for fear of the multitude, who took him for
|
||
|
|
a prophet,</I> though not for the Messiah; this served to keep the
|
||
|
|
Pharisees in awe. The fear of the people restrained them from speaking
|
||
|
|
ill of John
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and here from doing ill to Christ. Note, God has many ways of
|
||
|
|
restraining the remainders of wrath, as he has of making that which
|
||
|
|
breaks out redound to his praise,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+76:10">Ps. lxxvi. 10</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
||
|
|
<TR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC40020.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
||
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC40022.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
||
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
||
|
|
<TR>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!--Matthew_Henry's_Commentary_on_the_Whole_Bible:_Matthew_XXI.--><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank"><b>Back to Bibles Net . Com - Online Christian Library </b></a><br>
|
||
|
|
<a href="http://biblesnet.com/download.html" target="_blank"><br>
|
||
|
|
<b>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Free Download</b></a><br>
|
||
|
|
<br>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://biblesnet.com/contactus.html" target="_blank"><strong>Contact Us </strong></A><br>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
||
|
|
<HR>
|
||
|
|
</BODY>
|
||
|
|
</HTML>
|