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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>M A T T H E W.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the two main hinges upon
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which the door of salvation turns. He came into the world on purpose to
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give his life a ransom; so he had lately said,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+20:28"><I>ch.</I> xx. 28</A>.
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And therefore the history of his sufferings, even unto death, and his
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rising again, is more particularly recorded by all the evangelists than
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any other part of his story; and to that this evangelist now hastens
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apace. For at this chapter begins that which is called the
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passion-week. He had said to his disciples more than once, Behold, we
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go up to Jerusalem, and there the Son of man must be betrayed. A great
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deal of good work he did by the way, and now at length he is come up to
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Jerusalem; and here we have,
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I. The public entry which he made into Jerusalem, upon the first day of
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the passion-week,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:1-11">ver. 1-11</A>.
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II. The authority he exercised there, in cleansing the temple, and
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driving out of it the buyers and sellers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:12-16">ver. 12-16</A>.
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III. The barren fig-tree, and his discourse with his disciples
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thereupon,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:17-22">ver. 17-22</A>.
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IV. His justifying his own authority, by appealing to the baptism of
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John,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:23-27">ver. 23-27</A>.
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V. His shaming the infidelity and obstinacy of the chief priests and
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elders, with the repentance of the publicans, illustrated by the
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parable of the two sons,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:29-32">ver. 29-32</A>.
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VI. His reading the doom of the Jewish church for its unfruitfulness,
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in the parable of the vineyard let out to unthankful husbandmen,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:33-46">ver. 33-46</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Mt21_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt21_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ's Entrance into Jerusalem.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to
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Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two
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disciples,
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2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and
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straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose
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<I>them,</I> and bring <I>them</I> unto me.
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3 And if any <I>man</I> say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord
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hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
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4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
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spoken by the prophet, saying,
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5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto
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thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an
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ass.
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6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
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7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their
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clothes, and they set <I>him</I> thereon.
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8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way;
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others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed <I>them</I> in
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the way.
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9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed,
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cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed <I>is</I> he that
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cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
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10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved,
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saying, Who is this?
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11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of
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Nazareth of Galilee.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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All the four evangelists take notice of this passage of Christ's
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<I>riding in triumph into Jerusalem,</I> five days before his death.
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The passover was on the fourteenth day of the month, and this was the
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tenth; on which day the law appointed that the paschal lamb should be
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taken up
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:3">Exod. xii. 3</A>),
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and set apart for that service; on that day therefore Christ our
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Passover, who was to be sacrificed for us, was publicly showed. So that
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this was the prelude to his passion. He had lodged at Bethany, a
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village not far from Jerusalem, for some time; at a supper there the
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night before Mary had <I>anointed his feet,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:3">John xii. 3</A>.
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But, as usual with ambassadors, he deferred his public entry till some
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time after his arrival. Our Lord Jesus travelled much, and his custom
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was to travel on foot from Galilee to Jerusalem, some scores of miles,
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which was both humbling and toilsome; many a dirty weary step he had
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when <I>he went about doing good.</I> How ill does it become Christians
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to be inordinately solicitous about their own ease and state, when
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their Master had so little of either! Yet once in his life he rode in
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triumph; and it was now when he went into Jerusalem, to suffer and die,
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as if that were the pleasure and preferment he courted; and then he
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thought himself begin to look great.</P>
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<P>
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Now here we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The provision that was made for this solemnity; and it was very poor
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and ordinary, and such as bespoke his <I>kingdom</I> to be <I>not of
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this world.</I> Here were no heralds at arms provided, no trumpet
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sounded before him, no chariots of state, no liveries; such things as
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these were not agreeable to his present state of humiliation, but will
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be far outdone at his second coming, to which his magnificent
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appearance is reserved, when the last trumpet shall sound, the glorious
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angels shall be his heralds and attendants, and the clouds his
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chariots. But in this public appearance,</P>
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<P>
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1. The preparation was sudden and offhand. For his glory in the other
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world, and ours with him, preparation was made before the foundation of
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the world, for that was the glory his heart was upon; his glory in this
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world he was dead to, and therefore, though he had it in prospect, did
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not forecast for it, but took what came next. They were come to
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Bethphage, which was the suburb of Jerusalem, and was accounted (say
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the Jewish doctors) in all things, as Jerusalem, a long scattering
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street that lay toward the mount of Olives; when he entered upon that,
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<I>he sent two of his disciples,</I> some think Peter and John, to
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fetch him an ass, for he had none ready for him.</P>
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<P>
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2. It was very mean. He sent only for an ass and her colt,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Asses were much used in that country for travel; horses were kept only
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by great men, and for war. Christ could have summoned a cherub to carry
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him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:10">Ps. xviii. 10</A>);
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but though <I>by his name Jah,</I> which speaks him God, <I>he rides
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upon the heavens,</I> yet now by his name Jesus, <I>Immanuel, God with
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us,</I> in his state of humiliation, he <I>rides upon an ass.</I> Yet
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some think that he had herein an eye to the custom in Israel for the
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judges to ride upon white asses
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:10">Judg. v. 10</A>),
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and their sons on ass-colts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+12:14">Judg. xii. 14</A>.
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And Christ would thus enter, not as a Conqueror, but as the Judge of
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Israel, <I>who for judgment came into this world.</I></P>
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<P>
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3. It was not his own, but borrowed. Though he had not a house of his
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own, yet, one would think, like some wayfaring men that live upon their
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friends, he might have had an ass of his own, to carry him about; but
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for our sakes he became in all respects poor,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+8:9">2 Cor. viii. 9</A>.
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It is commonly said, "They that live on borrowing, live on sorrowing;"
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in this therefore, as in other things, Christ <I>was a man of
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sorrows</I>--that he had nothing of this world's goods but what was
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given him or lent him.</P>
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<P>
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The disciples who were sent to borrow this ass are directed to say,
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<I>The Lord has need of him.</I> Those that are in need, must not be
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ashamed to own their need, nor say, as the unjust steward, <I>To beg I
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am ashamed,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:3">Luke xvi. 3</A>.
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On the other hand, none ought to impose upon the kindness of their
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friends, by going to beg or borrow when they have not need. In the
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borrowing of this ass,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) We have an instance of Christ's knowledge. Though the thing was
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altogether contingent, yet Christ could tell his disciples where they
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should find an ass tied, and a colt with her. His omniscience extends
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itself to the meanest of his creatures; asses and their colts, and
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their being bound or loosed. <I>Doth God take care for oxen?</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:9">1 Cor. ix. 9.</A>)
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No doubt he doth, and would not see Balaam's ass abused. He knows all
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the creatures, so as to make them serve his own purpose.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) We have an instance of his power over the spirits of men. The
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hearts of the meanest subjects, as well as of kings, <I>are in the hand
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of the Lord.</I> Christ asserts his right to use the ass, in bidding
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them bring it to him; the fulness of the earth is the Lord Christ's;
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but he foresees some hindrance which disciples might meet with in this
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service; they must not take them <I>clam et secreto--privily,</I> but in
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the sight of the owner, much less <I>vi et armis--with force and
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arms,</I> but with the consent of the owner, which he undertakes they
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shall have; <I>If any man say aught to you, ye shall say, The Lord hath
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need of him.</I> Note, What Christ sets us to do, he will bear us out
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in the doing of, and furnish us with answers tot he objections we may
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be assaulted with, and make them prevalent; as here, <I>Straightway he
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will send them.</I> Christ, in commanding the ass into his service,
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showed that he is Lord of hosts; and, in inclining the owner to send
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him without further security, showed that he is the <I>God of the
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spirits of all flesh,</I> and can bow men's hearts.</P>
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<P>
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(3.) We have an example of justice and honesty, in not using the ass,
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though for so small a piece of service as riding the length of a street
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or two, without the owner's consent. As some read the latter clause, it
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gives us a further rule of justice; <I>"You shall say the Lord hath
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need of them, and he</I>" (that is, <I>the Lord) "will presently send
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them back,</I> and take care that they be safely delivered to the
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owner, as soon as he has done with them." Note, What we borrow we must
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restore in due time and in good order; for <I>the wicked borrows and
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pays not again.</I> Care must be taken of borrowed goods, that they be
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not damaged. <I>Alas, Master, for it was borrowed!</I></P>
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<P>
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II. The prediction that was fulfilled in this,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>.
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Our Lord Jesus, in all that he did and suffered, had very much his eye
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upon this, <I>That the scriptures might be fulfilled.</I> As the
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prophets looked forward to him (to him they all bare witness), so he
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looked upon them, that all things which were written of the Messiah,
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might be punctually accomplished in him. This particularly which was
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written of him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+9:9">Zech. ix. 9</A>,
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where it ushers in a large prediction of the kingdom of the Messiah,
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<I>Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh,</I> must be
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accomplished. Now observe here,</P>
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<P>
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1. How the coming of Christ is foretold; <I>Tell ye the daughter of
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Sion,</I> the church, the holy mountain, <I>Behold, thy King cometh
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unto thee.</I> Note,
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(1.) Jesus Christ is the church's King, one of our brethren like unto
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us, according to the law of the kingdom,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+17:15">Deut. xvii. 15</A>.
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He is appointed King over the church,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:6">Ps. ii. 6</A>.
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He is accepted King by the church; the daughter of Sion swears
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allegiance to him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+1:11">Hos. i. 11</A>.
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(2.) Christ, the King of his church, came to his church, even in this
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lower world; he comes to thee, to rule thee, to rule in thee, to rule
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for thee; he is <I>Head over all things to the church. He came to
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Sion</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:26">Rom. xi. 26</A>),
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that out of Sion the law might go forth; for the church and its
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interests were all in all with the Redeemer.
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(3.) Notice was given to the church beforehand of the coming of her
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King; <I>Tell the daughter of Sion.</I> Note, Christ will have his
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coming looked for, and waited for, and his subjects big with
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expectation of it; <I>Tell the daughters of Sion,</I> that they may
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<I>go forth, and behold King Solomon,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+3:11">Cant. iii. 11</A>.
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Notices of Christ's coming are usually ushered in with a <I>Behold!</I>
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A note commanding both attention and admiration; <I>Behold thy King
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cometh;</I> behold, and wonder at him, behold, and welcome him. Here is
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a royal progress truly admirable. Pilate, like Caiaphas, said he knew
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not what, in that great word
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+19:14">John xix. 14</A>),
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<I>Behold your King.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. How his coming is described. When a king comes, something great and
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magnificent is expected, especially when he comes to take possession of
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his kingdom. The King, the Lord of hosts, was seen <I>upon a throne,
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high and lifted up</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+6:1">Isa. vi. 1</A>);
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but there is nothing of that here; <I>Behold, he cometh to thee, meek,
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and sitting upon an ass.</I> When Christ would appear in his glory, it
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is in his meekness, not in his majesty.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) His temper is very mild. He comes not in wrath to take vengeance,
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but in mercy to work salvation. He is meek to suffer the greatest
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injuries and indignities for Sion's cause, meek to bear with the
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follies and unkindness of Sion's own children. He is easy of access,
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easy to be entreated. He is meek not only as a Teacher, but as a Ruler;
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he rules by love. His government is mild and gentle, and his laws not
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written in the blood of his subjects, but in his own. His yoke is
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easy.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) As an evidence of this, his appearance is very mean, sitting upon
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an ass, as creature made not for state, but service, not for battles,
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but for burthens; slow in its motions, but sure, and safe, and
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constant. The foretelling of this so long before, and the care taken
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that it should be exactly fulfilled, intimate it to have a peculiar
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significancy, for the encouragement of poor souls to apply themselves
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to Christ. Sion's King comes riding, not on a prancing horse, which the
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timorous petitioner dares not come near, or a running horse, which the
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slow-footed petitioner cannot keep pace with, but on a quiet ass, that
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the poorest of his subjects may not be discouraged in their access to
|
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him. Mention is made in the prophecy of <I>a colt, the foal of an
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ass;</I> and <I>therefore</I> Christ sent for the colt with the ass,
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that the scripture might be fulfilled.</P>
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<P>
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III. The procession itself, which was answerable to the preparation,
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both being destitute of worldly pomp, and yet both accompanied with a
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spiritual power.</P>
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<P>
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|
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
|
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the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner,</I>
|
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illustrates the preceding parable, especially that part of it which
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refers to Christ.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) The builders' rejecting of the stone is the same with the
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husbandmen's abusing of the son that was sent to them. The chief
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priests and the elders were the builders, had the oversight of the
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Jewish church, which was God's building: and they would not allow
|
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Christ a place in their building, would not admit his doctrine or laws
|
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into their constitution; they threw him aside as a despised broken
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vessel, a stone that would serve only for a stepping-stone, to be
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trampled upon.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) The advancing of this stone to be the head of the corner is the
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same with <I>letting out the vineyard to other husbandmen.</I> He who
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was rejected by the Jews was embraced by the Gentiles; and to that
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church where there is no difference of circumcision or uncircumcision,
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<I>Christ is all, and in all.</I> His authority over the gospel church,
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and influence upon it, his ruling it as the Head, and uniting it as the
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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
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the great,</I> and received <I>his kingdom,</I> though they would not
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have him to reign over them.</P>
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<P>
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(3.) The hand of God was in all this; <I>This is the Lord's doing.</I>
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Even the rejecting of him by the Jewish builders was by the determinate
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counsel and foreknowledge of God; he permitted and overruled it; much
|
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more was his advancement to the Head of the corner; his right hand and
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his holy arm brought it about; it was God himself that <I>highly
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|
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
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+29:9,10,14">Isa. xxix. 9, 10, 14</A>.
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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!
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:7">Isa. xlix. 7</A>.
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But <I>it is the Lord's doing.</I></P>
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<P>
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|
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2. He applies it to them, and application is the life of preaching.</P>
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|
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<P>
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|
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(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>.
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|
|
To the Jews had long pertained <I>the adoption and the glory</I>
|
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|
|
(<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>
|
|
|
|
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