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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>L U K E.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. III.</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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Nothing is related concerning our Lord Jesus from his twelfth year to
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his entrance on his thirtieth year. We often think it would have been a
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pleasure and advantage to us if we had journals, or at least annuls, of
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occurrences concerning him; but we have as much as Infinite Wisdom
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thought fit to communicate to us, and, if we improve not that, neither
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should we have improved more if we had had it. The great intention of
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the evangelists was to give us an account of the gospel of Christ,
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which we are to believe, and by which we hope for salvation: now that
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began in the ministry and baptism of John, and therefore they hasten to
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give us an account of that. We could wish, perhaps, that Luke had
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wholly passed by what was related by Matthew and Mark, and had written
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only what was new, as he has done in his two first chapters. But it was
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the will of the Spirit that some things should be established out of
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the mouth, not only of two, but of three witnesses; and we must not
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reckon it a needless repetition, nor shall we do so if we renew out
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meditations upon these things, with suitable affections. In this
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chapter we have,
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I. The beginning of John's baptism, and the scope and intention of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>.
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His exhortation to the multitude
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:7-9">ver. 7-9</A>),
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and the particular instructions he gave to those who desired to be told
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their duty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:10-14">ver. 10-14</A>.
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II. The notice he gave them of the approach of the Messiah
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:15-18">ver. 15-18</A>),
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to which is added (though it happened after what follows) the mention
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of his imprisonment,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:19-20">ver. 19-20</A>.
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III. Christ coming to be baptized of John, and his entrance therein
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upon the execution of his prophetical office,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:21,22">ver. 21, 22</A>.
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IV. His pedigree and genealogy recorded up to Adam,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:23-38">ver. 23-38</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Lu3_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu3_14"> </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>Ministry of John the Baptist.</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 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar,
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Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch
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of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituræa and of the
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region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
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2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God
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came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
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3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the
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baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
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4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the
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prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
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Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill
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shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and
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the rough ways <I>shall be</I> made smooth;
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6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
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7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized
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of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from
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the wrath to come?
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8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin
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not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to <I>our</I> father:
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for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up
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children unto Abraham.
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9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees:
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every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
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down, and cast into the fire.
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10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
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11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats,
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let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let
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him do likewise.
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12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him,
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Master, what shall we do?
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13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is
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appointed you.
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14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what
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shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man,
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neither accuse <I>any</I> falsely; and be content with your wages.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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John's baptism introducing a new dispensation, it was requisite that we
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should have a particular account of it. Glorious things were said of
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John, what a distinguished favourite of Heaven he should be, and what a
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great blessing to this earth
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:15,17"><I>ch.</I> i. 15, 17</A>);
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but we lost him in the deserts, and there he remains until <I>the day
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of his showing unto Israel,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:80"><I>ch.</I> i. 80</A>.
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And now at last that day dawns, and a welcome day it was to them that
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waited for it more than they that waited for the morning. Observe
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here,</P>
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<P>
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I. The date of the beginning of John's baptism, when it was that he
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appeared; this is here taken notice of, which was not by the other
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evangelists, that the truth of the thing might be confirmed by the
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exact fixing of the time. And it is dated,</P>
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<P>
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1. By the government of the heathen, which the Jews were under, to show
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that they were a conquered people, and therefore it was time for the
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Messiah to come to set up a spiritual kingdom, and an eternal one, upon
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the ruins of all the temporal dignity and dominion of David and
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Judah.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) It is dated by the reign of the Roman emperor; it was in the
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fifteenth year of Tiberius Cæsar, the third of the twelve
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Cæsars, a very bad man, given to covetousness, drunkenness, and
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cruelty; such a man is mentioned first (saith Dr. Lightfoot), as it
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were, to teach us what to look for from that cruel and abominable city
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wherein Satan reigned in all ages and successions. The people of the
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Jews, after a long struggle, were of late made a province of the
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empire, and were under the dominion of this Tiberius; and that country
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which once had made so great a figure, and had many nations tributaries
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to it, in the reigns of David and Solomon, is now itself an
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inconsiderable despicable part of the Roman empire, and rather trampled
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upon than triumphed in.</P>
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<CENTER>
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<TABLE BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><I>----En quo discordia cives,
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<BR>Perduxit miseros</I>----
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<BR>What dire effects from civil discord flow!</TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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</CENTER>
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<P>
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The lawgiver was now departed from between Judah's feet; and, as an
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evidence of that, their public acts are dated by the reign of the Roman
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emperor, and therefore now Shiloh must come.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) It is dated by the governments of the viceroys that ruled in the
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several parts of the Holy Land under the Roman emperor, which was
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another badge of their servitude, for they were all foreigners, which
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bespeaks a sad change with that people whose <I>governors</I> used to
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be <I>of themselves</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+30:21">Jer. xxx. 21</A>),
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and it was their glory. <I>How is the gold become dim!</I>
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[1.] Pilate is here said to be the governor, president, or procurator,
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of Judea. This character is given of him by some other writers, that he
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was a wicked man, and one that made no conscience of a lie. He reigned
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ill, and at last was displaced by Vitellius, president of Syria, and
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sent to Rome, to answer for his mal-administrations.
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[2.] The other three are called <I>tetrarchs,</I> some think from the
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countries which they had the command of, each of them being over a
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<I>fourth part</I> of that which had been entirely under the government
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of Herod the Great. Others think that they are so called from the post
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of honour they held in the government; they had the <I>fourth</I>
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place, or were <I>fourth-rate</I> governors: the emperor was the
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<I>first,</I> the <I>pro-consul,</I> who governed a province, the
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<I>second,</I> a <I>king</I> the <I>third,</I> and a <I>tetrarch</I>
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the <I>fourth.</I> So Dr. Lightfoot.</P>
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<P>
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2. By the government of the Jews among themselves, to show that they
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were a corrupt people, and that therefore it was time that the Messiah
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should come, to reform them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. God had appointed that there
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should be but one high priest at a time, but here were two, to serve
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some ill turn or other: one served one year and the other the other
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year; so some. One was the high priest, and the other the <I>sagan,</I>
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as the Jews called him, to officiate for him when he was disabled; or,
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as others say, one was high priest, and represented Aaron, and that was
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<I>Caiaphas;</I> Annas, the other, was <I>nasi,</I> or head of the
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sanhedrim, and represented Moses. But to us there is but one high
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priest, one Lord of all, to whom all judgment is committed.</P>
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<P>
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II. The origin and tendency of John's baptism.</P>
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<P>
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1. The origin of it was <I>from heaven: The word of God came unto
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John,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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He received full commission and full instructions from God to do what
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he did. It is the same expression that is used concerning the
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Old-Testament prophets
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+1:2">Jer. i. 2</A>);
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for John was a prophet, yea, more than a prophet, and in him prophecy
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revived, which had been long suspended. We are not told how <I>the word
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of the Lord came</I> to John, whether by an angel, as to his father, or
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by dream, or vision, or voice, but it was to his satisfaction, and
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ought to be to ours. John is here called <I>the son of Zacharias,</I>
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to refer us to what the angel said to his father, when he assured him
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that he should have this son. The word of the Lord came to him <I>in
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the wilderness;</I> for those whom God <I>fits</I> he will find out,
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wherever they are. As the word of the Lord is not <I>bound</I> in a
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<I>prison,</I> so it is not <I>lost</I> in a <I>wilderness.</I> The
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<I>word of the Lord</I> made its way to Ezekiel among the captives by
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the river of Chebar, and to John in the isle of Patmos. John was the
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<I>son of a priest,</I> now entering upon the thirtieth year of his
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age; and therefore, according to the custom of the temple, he was now
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to be admitted into the temple-service, where he should have attended
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as a candidate five years before. But God had called him to a more
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honourable ministry, and therefore the Holy Ghost enrols him here,
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since he was not enrolled in the archives of the temple: <I>John the
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son of Zacharias began his ministration such a time.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. The scope and design of it were to bring all the people of his
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country off from their sins and home to their God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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<I>He came</I> first <I>into all the country about Jordan,</I> the
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neighbourhood wherein he resided, that part of the country which Israel
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took possession of first, when they entered the land of promise under
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Joshua's conduct; there was the banner of the gospel first displayed.
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John resided in the most solitary part of the country: but, when the
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word of the Lord came to him, he quitted his deserts, and came into the
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inhabited country. Those that are <I>best pleased</I> in their
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retirements must cheerfully <I>exchange</I> them, when God calls them
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into places of concourse. <I>He came</I> out of the wilderness <I>into
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all the country,</I> with some marks of distinction, <I>preaching</I> a
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new <I>baptism;</I> not a sect, or party, but a <I>profession,</I> or
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distinguishing badge. The sign, or ceremony, was such as was ordinarily
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used among the Jews, <I>washing with water,</I> by which proselytes
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were sometimes admitted, or disciples to some great master; but the
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meaning of it was, <I>repentance for the remission of sins:</I> that
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is, all that submitted to his baptism,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) Were thereby obliged to <I>repent of their sins,</I> to be
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<I>sorry</I> for what they had done amiss, and to <I>do so no more.</I>
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The former they <I>professed,</I> and were concerned to be
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<I>sincere</I> in their professions; the latter they <I>promised,</I>
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and were concerned to <I>make good</I> what they promised. He bound
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them, not to such ceremonious observances as were imposed by the
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tradition of the elders, but to change their mind, and change their
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way, to <I>cast away from them all their transgressions,</I> and to
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<I>make them new hearts</I> and to live new lives. The design of the
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gospel, which now began, was to make men devout and pious, holy and
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heavenly, humble and meek, sober and chaste, just and honest,
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charitable and kind, and good in every relation, who had been much
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otherwise; and this is to <I>repent.</I></P>
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<P>
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(2.) They were thereby assured of the pardon of their sins, upon their
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repentance. As the baptism he administered bound them not to submit to
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the power of sin, so it sealed to them a gracious and pleadable
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discharge from the guilt of sin. <I>Turn yourselves from all your
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transgressions, so iniquity shall not be your ruin;</I> agreeing with
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the word of the Lord, by the Old-Testament prophets,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+18:30">Ezek. xviii. 30</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. The fulfilling of the scriptures in the ministry of John. The
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other evangelists had referred us to the same text that is here
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referred to, that of Esaias,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+40:3"><I>ch.</I> xl. 3</A>.
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It is <I>written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet,</I>
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which he heard from God, which he spoke for God, those words of his
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which were <I>written</I> for the generations to come. Among them it is
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found that there should be <I>the voice of one crying in the
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wilderness;</I> and John is that voice, a clear distinct voice, a loud
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voice, an articulate one; he cries, <I>Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
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and make his paths straight.</I> John's business is to <I>make way</I>
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for the entertainment of the gospel in the hearts of the people, to
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bring them into such a frame and temper as that Christ might be welcome
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to them, and they welcome to Christ. Luke goes further on with the
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quotation than Matthew and Mark had done, and applies the following
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words likewise to John's ministry
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>),
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<I>Every valley shall be filled.</I> Dr. Hammond understands this as a
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prediction of the desolation coming upon the people of the Jews for
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their infidelity: the land should be made plain by the pioneers for the
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Roman army, and should be laid waste by it, and there should then be a
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visible distinction made between the impenitent on the one side and the
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receivers of the gospel on the other side. But it seems rather to be
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meant of the gospel of Christ, of which that was the introduction.
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1. The humble shall by it be <I>enriched</I> with grace: <I>Every
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valley</I> that lies <I>low</I> and <I>moist</I> shall be <I>filled</I>
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and be <I>exalted.</I>
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2. The proud shall by it be humbled; the <I>self-confident</I> that
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stand upon <I>their own bottom,</I> and the <I>self-conceited</I> that
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lift up <I>their own top,</I> shall have contempt put upon them:
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<I>Every mountain and hill shall be brought low.</I> If they repent,
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they are brought to the dust; if not, to the lowest hell.
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3. Sinners shall be converted to God: <I>The crooked ways</I> and the
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<I>crooked</I> spirits shall be <I>made straight;</I> for, though
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<I>none can make that straight which God hath made crooked</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+7:13">Eccl. vii. 13</A>),
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yet God by his grace can make that straight which sin hath made
|
|
crooked.
|
|
|
|
4. Difficulties that were hindering and discouraging in the way to
|
|
heaven shall be removed: <I>The rough ways shall be made smooth;</I>
|
|
and they that love God's law shall have <I>great peace,</I> and
|
|
<I>nothing shall offend them.</I> The gospel has made the way to heaven
|
|
<I>plain</I> and easy to be <I>found, smooth</I> and easy to be
|
|
<I>walked in.</I>
|
|
|
|
5. The great salvation shall be more fully discovered than ever, and
|
|
the discovery of it shall spread further
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>All flesh shall see the salvation of God;</I> not the Jews only, but
|
|
the Gentiles. All shall <I>see</I> it; they shall have it set before
|
|
them and offered to them, and some of all sorts shall <I>see</I> it,
|
|
enjoy it, and have the benefit of it. When way is made for the gospel
|
|
into the heart, by the captivation of high thoughts and bringing them
|
|
into obedience to Christ, by the leveling of the soul and the removing
|
|
of all obstructions that stand in the way of Christ and his grace, then
|
|
prepare to bid the salvation of God welcome.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The general warnings and exhortations which he gave to those who
|
|
submitted to his baptism,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:7-9"><I>v.</I> 7-9</A>.
|
|
|
|
In Matthew he is said to have preached these same things to <I>many of
|
|
the Pharisees and Sadducees,</I> that <I>came to his baptism</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+3:7-10">Matt. iii. 7-10</A>);
|
|
|
|
but here he is said to have spoken them <I>to the multitude, that came
|
|
forth to be baptized of him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was the purport of his preaching to all that came to him, and he
|
|
did not alter it in compliment to the Pharisees and Sadducees, when
|
|
they came, but dealt as plainly with them as with any other of his
|
|
hearers. And as he did not flatter the <I>great,</I> so neither did he
|
|
compliment the <I>many,</I> or make his court to them, but gave the
|
|
same reproofs of sin and warnings of wrath to the <I>multitude</I> that
|
|
he did to the Sadducees and Pharisees; for, if they had not the same
|
|
faults, they had others as bad. Now observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That the guilty corrupted race of mankind is become a <I>generation
|
|
of vipers;</I> not only poisoned, but poisonous; hateful to God, hating
|
|
one another. This magnifies the patience of God, in continuing the race
|
|
of mankind upon the earth, and not destroying that <I>nest of
|
|
vipers.</I> He did it once by water, and will again by fire.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. This generation of vipers is fairly warned to <I>flee from the wrath
|
|
to come,</I> which is certainly before them if they continue such; and
|
|
their being a <I>multitude</I> will not be at all their security, for
|
|
it will be neither <I>reproach</I> nor <I>loss</I> to God to cut them
|
|
off. We are not only warned of this wrath, but are put into a way to
|
|
escape it, if we look about us in time.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. There is no way of <I>fleeing from the wrath to come,</I> but by
|
|
<I>repentance.</I> They that submitted to the baptism of repentance
|
|
thereby evidenced that they were <I>warned</I> to flee from the wrath
|
|
to come and <I>took</I> the warning; and we by our baptism profess to
|
|
have fled out of Sodom, for fear of what is coming upon it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. Those that profess repentance are highly concerned to live like
|
|
penitents
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,</I> else,
|
|
notwithstanding your professions of repentance, you cannot escape
|
|
<I>the wrath to come.</I>" By the fruits of repentance it will be known
|
|
whether it be sincere or no. By the change of our way must be evidenced
|
|
the change of our mind.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. If we be not really holy, both in heart and life, our profession of
|
|
religion and relation to God and his church will stand us in no stead
|
|
at all: <I>Begin not</I> now to frame excuses from this great duty of
|
|
repentance, by <I>saying within yourselves, We have Abraham to our
|
|
father.</I> What will it avail us to be the children of godly parents
|
|
if we be not godly, to be within the pale of the Church if we be not
|
|
brought into the bond of the covenant?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. We have therefore no reason to depend upon our external privileges
|
|
and professions of religion, because God has no need of us or of our
|
|
services, but can effectually secure by his own honour and interest
|
|
without us. If we were cut off and ruined, he could raise up to himself
|
|
a church out of the most unlikely,--<I>children to Abraham</I> even
|
|
<I>out of stones.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
7. The greater professions we make of repentance, and the greater
|
|
assistances and encouragements are given us to repentance, the nearer
|
|
and the sorer will our destruction be if we do not <I>bring forth
|
|
fruits meet for repentance.</I> Now that the gospel begins to be
|
|
preached, now that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, <I>now</I> that
|
|
the <I>axe is laid to the root of the tree,</I> threatenings to the
|
|
wicked and impenitent are now more terrible than before, as
|
|
encouragements to the penitent are now more comfortable. "Now that you
|
|
are upon your behaviour, look to yourselves."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
8. Barren trees will be cast into the fire at length; it is the fittest
|
|
place for them: <I>Every tree</I> that doth not bring forth fruit,
|
|
<I>good fruit,</I> is <I>hewn down,</I> and <I>cast into the fire.</I>
|
|
If it serve not for fruit, to the honour of God's grace, let it serve
|
|
for fuel, to the honour of his justice.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The particular instructions he gave to several sorts of persons,
|
|
that enquired of him concerning their duty: the <I>people,</I> the
|
|
<I>publicans,</I> and the <I>soldiers.</I> Some of the Pharisees and
|
|
Sadducees came to his baptism; but we do not find them asking, <I>What
|
|
shall we do?</I> They thought they knew what they had to do as well as
|
|
he could tell them, or were determined to do what they pleased,
|
|
whatever he told them. But the <I>people,</I> the <I>publicans,</I> and
|
|
the <I>soldiers,</I> who knew that they had done amiss, and that they
|
|
ought to do better, and were conscious to themselves of great ignorance
|
|
and unacquaintedness with the divine law, were particularly
|
|
inquisitive: <I>What shall we do?</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Those that are <I>baptized</I> must be <I>taught,</I> and those that
|
|
have baptized them are concerned, as they have opportunity, to teach
|
|
them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+28:19,20">Matt. xxviii. 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. Those that profess and promise repentance in general must evidence
|
|
it by particular instances of reformation, according as their place and
|
|
condition are.
|
|
|
|
3. They that would do their duty must desire to know their duty, and
|
|
enquire concerning it. The first good word Paul said, when he was
|
|
converted, was, <I>Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?</I> These here
|
|
enquire, not, <I>What shall this man do?</I> but, What shall <I>we</I>
|
|
do? What <I>fruits meet for repentance</I> shall we <I>bring forth?</I>
|
|
Now John gives answer to each, according to their place and
|
|
station.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He tells the <I>people</I> their duty, and that is to be
|
|
charitable
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
|
|
|
|
He <I>that has two coats,</I> and, consequently, one to spare, let him
|
|
<I>give,</I> or <I>lend</I> at least, <I>to him that has none,</I> to
|
|
keep him warm. Perhaps he saw among his hearers some that were
|
|
overloaded with clothes, while others were ready to perish in rags, and
|
|
he puts those who had superfluities upon contributing to the relief of
|
|
those that had not necessaries. The gospel requires <I>mercy,</I> and
|
|
not sacrifice; and the design of it is to engage us to do all the good
|
|
we can. <I>Food and raiment</I> are the two supports of life; he that
|
|
hath <I>meat</I> to spare, let him give to him that is destitute of
|
|
<I>daily food,</I> as well as he that hath clothes to spare: what we
|
|
have we are but stewards of, and must use it, accordingly, as our
|
|
Master directs.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He tells the <I>publicans</I> their duty, the collectors of the
|
|
emperor's revenue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Exact no more than that which is appointed you.</I> They must do
|
|
justice between the government and the merchant, and not oppress the
|
|
people in levying the taxes, nor any way make them heavier or more
|
|
burdensome than the law had made them. They must not think that because
|
|
it was their office to take care that the people did not defraud the
|
|
prince they might therefore, by the power they had, bear hard upon the
|
|
people; as those that have ever so little a branch of power are apt to
|
|
abuse it: "No, keep to your <I>book of rates,</I> and reckon it enough
|
|
that you collect for Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and
|
|
do not enrich yourselves by taking more." The public revenues must be
|
|
applied to the public service, and not to gratify the avarice of
|
|
private persons. Observe, He does not direct the publicans to quit
|
|
their places, and to go no more to the receipt of custom; the
|
|
employment is in itself lawful and necessary, but let them be just and
|
|
honest in it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) He tells the <I>soldiers</I> their duty,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some think that these soldiers were of the Jewish nation and religion:
|
|
others think that they were Romans; for it was not likely either that
|
|
the Jews would serve the Romans or that the Romans would trust the Jews
|
|
in their garrisons in their own nation; and then it is an early
|
|
instance of Gentiles embracing the gospel and submitting to it.
|
|
Military men seldom seem inclined to religion; yet these submitted even
|
|
to the Baptist's strict profession, and desired to receive the <I>word
|
|
of command</I> from him: <I>What must we do?</I> Those who more than
|
|
other men have their lives in their hands, and are in deaths often, are
|
|
concerned to enquire what they shall do that they may be <I>found in
|
|
peace.</I> In answer to this enquiry, John does not bid them lay down
|
|
their arms, and desert the service, but cautions them against the sins
|
|
that soldiers were commonly guilty of; for this is fruit meet for
|
|
repentance, to <I>keep ourselves from our iniquity.</I>
|
|
|
|
[1.] They must not be injurious to <I>the people</I> among whom they
|
|
were quartered, and over whom indeed they were set: "<I>Do violence to
|
|
no man.</I> Your business is to keep the peace, and prevent men's doing
|
|
violence to one another; but do not you <I>do violence</I> to any.
|
|
<I>Shake no man</I>" (so the word signifies); "do not put people into
|
|
fear; for the sword of war, as well as that of justice, is to be a
|
|
terror only to evil doers, but a protection to those that do well. Be
|
|
not rude in your quarters; force not money from people by frightening
|
|
them. Shed not the blood of war in peace; offer no incivility either to
|
|
man or woman, nor have any hand in the barbarous devastations that
|
|
armies sometimes make." Nor must they <I>accuse any falsely</I> to the
|
|
government, thereby to make themselves formidable, and get bribes.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They must not be injurious to their <I>fellow-soldiers;</I> for
|
|
some think that caution, not to <I>accuse falsely,</I> has special
|
|
reference to them: "Be not forward to complain one of another to your
|
|
superior officers, that you may be revenged on those whom you have a
|
|
pique against, or undermine those above you, and get into their
|
|
places." <I>Do not oppress any;</I> so some think the word here
|
|
signifies as used by the LXX. in several passages of the Old Testament.
|
|
|
|
[3.] They must not be given to mutiny, or contend with their generals
|
|
about their pay: "<I>Be content with your wages.</I> While you have
|
|
what you agreed for, do not murmur that it is not more." It is
|
|
discontent with what they have that makes men oppressive and injurious;
|
|
they that never think they have enough themselves will not scruple at
|
|
any the most irregular practices to make it more, by defrauding others.
|
|
It is a rule to all servants that they <I>be content with their
|
|
wages;</I> for they that indulge themselves in discontents expose
|
|
themselves to many temptations, and it is wisdom to make the best of
|
|
that which is.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_20"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Imprisonment of John the Baptist.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in
|
|
their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
|
|
16 John answered, saying unto <I>them</I> all, I indeed baptize you
|
|
with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose
|
|
shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the
|
|
Holy Ghost and with fire:
|
|
17 Whose fan <I>is</I> in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his
|
|
floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff
|
|
he will burn with fire unquenchable.
|
|
18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto
|
|
the people.
|
|
19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias
|
|
his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had
|
|
done,
|
|
20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We are now drawing near to the appearance of our Lord Jesus publicly;
|
|
the Sun will not be long after the morning-star. We are here told,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. How the people took occasion, from the ministry and baptism of John,
|
|
to think of the Messiah, and to think of him as at the door, as now
|
|
come. Thus the way of the Lord was <I>prepared,</I> and people were
|
|
prepared to bid Christ welcome; for, when men's expectations are
|
|
raised, that which they are in expectation of becomes doubly
|
|
acceptable. Now when they observed what an excellent doctrine John
|
|
Baptist preached, what a divine power went along with it, and what a
|
|
tendency it had to reform the world,
|
|
|
|
1. They began presently to consider that now was the time for the
|
|
Messiah to appear. The sceptre was departed from Judah, for they had no
|
|
king but Cæsar; nay, and the law-giver too was gone from between
|
|
his feet, for Herod had lately slain the sanhedrim. Daniel's seventy
|
|
weeks were now expiring; and therefore it was but three or four years
|
|
after this that they looked that the kingdom of heaven should appear
|
|
immediately,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+19:11">Luke xix. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Never did the corrupt state of the Jews more need a reformation, nor
|
|
their distressed state more need a deliverance, than now.
|
|
|
|
2. Their next thought was, "Is not his he that should come?" <I>All</I>
|
|
thinking <I>men mused,</I> or reasoned, <I>in their hearts,</I>
|
|
concerning John, <I>whether he were the Christ or not.</I> He had
|
|
indeed none of the external pomp and grandeur in which they generally
|
|
expected the Messiah to appear; but his life was holy and strict, his
|
|
preaching powerful and with authority, and therefore "why may we not
|
|
think that he is the Messiah, and that he will shortly throw off this
|
|
disguise, and appear in more glory?" Note, That which puts people upon
|
|
considering, reasoning with themselves, prepares the way for
|
|
Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. How John disowned all pretensions to the honour of being himself
|
|
the Messiah, but confirmed them in their expectations of him that
|
|
really was the Messiah,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
John's office, as a crier or herald, was to give notice that the
|
|
<I>kingdom of God</I> and the King of that kingdom were <I>at hand;</I>
|
|
and therefore, when he had told all manner of people severally what
|
|
they must do ("You must do this, and you must do that"), he tells them
|
|
one thing more which they must all do: they must expect the Messiah now
|
|
shortly to appear. And this serves as an <I>answer</I> to their
|
|
<I>musings</I> and debates concerning himself. Though he knew not
|
|
their thoughts, yet, in declaring this, he <I>answered</I> them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He declares that the utmost he could do was to <I>baptize</I> them
|
|
<I>with water.</I> He had no access to <I>the Spirit,</I> nor could
|
|
command <I>that</I> or work upon <I>that;</I> he could only exhort them
|
|
to <I>repent,</I> and assure them of forgiveness, upon repentance; he
|
|
could not work repentance in them, nor confer remission on them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He consigns them, and turns them over, as it were, to Jesus Christ,
|
|
for whom he was sent to <I>prepare the way,</I> and to whom he was
|
|
ready to transfer all the interest he had in the affections of the
|
|
people, and would have them no longer to <I>debate</I> whether John was
|
|
the Messiah or no, but to look for him that was really so.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) John owns the Messiah to have a greater <I>excellency</I> than he
|
|
had, and that he was in all things preferable to him; he is one the
|
|
<I>latchet of whose shoe</I> he does not think himself <I>worthy to
|
|
loose;</I> he does not think himself worthy to be the meanest of his
|
|
servants, to help him on and off with his shoes. John was <I>a
|
|
prophet,</I> yea <I>more than a prophet,</I> more so than any of the
|
|
Old-Testament prophets; but Christ was a prophet more than John, for it
|
|
was both <I>by the Spirit of Christ,</I> and <I>of the grace of
|
|
Christ,</I> that all the prophets prophesied, and John among the rest,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:10,11">1 Pet. i. 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was a great truth which John came to preach; but the manner of his
|
|
expressing it bespeaks his humility, and in it he not only <I>does
|
|
justice</I> to the Lord Jesus, but <I>does him honour</I> too: "He is
|
|
one whom I am not worthy to approach, or draw nigh to, no not as a
|
|
servant." Thus highly does it become us to speak of Christ, and thus
|
|
humbly of ourselves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He owns him to have a greater <I>energy</I> than he had: "He is
|
|
<I>mightier than I,</I> and does that which I cannot do, both for the
|
|
comfort of the faithful and for the terror of hypocrites and
|
|
dissemblers." They thought that a wonderful power went along with John;
|
|
but what was that compared with the power which Jesus would come
|
|
clothed with?
|
|
|
|
[1.] John can do no more than <I>baptize with water,</I> in token of
|
|
this, that they ought to purify and cleanse themselves; but Christ can,
|
|
and will, <I>baptize with the Holy Ghost;</I> he can give the Spirit to
|
|
cleanse and purify the heart, not only as <I>water</I> washes off the
|
|
<I>dirt</I> on the outside, but as <I>fire</I> purges out the
|
|
<I>dross</I> that is within, and <I>melts down</I> the metal, that it
|
|
may be cast into a <I>new mould.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] John can only preach a <I>distinguishing</I> doctrine, and by word
|
|
and sign <I>separate between the precious and the vile;</I> but Christ
|
|
hath his <I>fan in his hand,</I> with which he can, and will, perfectly
|
|
separate between the wheat and the chaff. He <I>will thoroughly purge
|
|
his floor;</I> it is <I>his own,</I> and therefore he will <I>purge</I>
|
|
it, and will cast out of his church the unbelieving impenitent Jews,
|
|
and confirm in his church all that faithfully follow him.
|
|
|
|
[3.] John can only <I>speak comfort</I> to those that receive the
|
|
gospel, and, like other prophets, <I>say to the righteous</I> that
|
|
<I>it shall be well with them;</I> but Jesus Christ will <I>give them
|
|
comfort.</I> John can only promise them that they shall be safe; but
|
|
Christ will make them so: he will <I>gather the wheat into his
|
|
garner;</I> good, serious, solid people he will gather now into his
|
|
church on earth, which shall be made up of such, and he will shortly
|
|
gather them into his church in heaven, where they shall be for ever
|
|
sheltered.
|
|
|
|
[4.] John can only <I>threaten</I> hypocrites, and tell the <I>barren
|
|
trees</I> that they shall be <I>hewn down</I> and <I>cast into the
|
|
fire;</I> but Christ can execute that threatening; those that are as
|
|
<I>chaff,</I> light, and vain, and worthless, <I>he will burn with fire
|
|
unquenchable.</I> John refers here to
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:18,4:1,2">Mal. iii. 18; iv. 1, 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Then,</I> when the <I>floor is purged, ye shall return, and discern
|
|
between the righteous and the wicked,</I> for <I>the day comes that
|
|
shall burn as an oven.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The evangelist concludes his account of John's preaching with an <I>et
|
|
cætera</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the
|
|
people,</I> which are not recorded. <I>First,</I> John was an
|
|
<I>affectionate</I> preacher. He was
|
|
<B><I>parakalon</I></B>--<I>exhorting,</I> beseeching; he pressed
|
|
things home upon his hearers, followed his doctrine close, as one in
|
|
earnest. <I>Secondly,</I> He was a <I>practical</I> preacher. Much of
|
|
his preaching was <I>exhortation,</I> quickening them to their duty,
|
|
directing them in it, and not amusing them with matters of nice
|
|
speculation. <I>Thirdly,</I> He was a <I>popular</I> preacher. Though
|
|
he had scribes and Pharisees, men of polite learning, attending his
|
|
ministry, and Sadducees, men of <I>free thought,</I> as they pretended,
|
|
yet he addressed himself <I>to the people,</I> <B><I>pros ton
|
|
laon</I></B>--<I>to the laity,</I> and accommodated himself to their
|
|
capacity, as promising himself best success among them.
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> He was an <I>evangelical</I> preacher, for so the word
|
|
here used signifies, <B><I>euengelizeto</I></B>--<I>he preached the
|
|
gospel</I> to the people; in all his <I>exhortations,</I> he directed
|
|
people to Christ, and excited and encouraged their expectations of
|
|
<I>him.</I> When we press duty upon people, we must direct them to
|
|
Christ, both for righteousness and strength. <I>Fifthly,</I> He was a
|
|
<I>copious</I> preacher: <I>Many other things he preached,</I>
|
|
<B><I>polla men kai hetera</I></B>--<I>many things, and different.</I>
|
|
He preached a great deal, shunned not to declare the whole counsel of
|
|
God; and he <I>varied</I> in his preaching, that those who were not
|
|
reached, and touched, and wrought upon, by one truth, might be by
|
|
another.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. How full a stop was put to John's preaching. When he was in the
|
|
midst of his usefulness, going on thus successfully, he was imprisoned
|
|
by the malice of Herod
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:19,20"><I>v.</I> 19, 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him,</I> not only for living in
|
|
incest with his brother Philip's wife, but for the many other <I>evils
|
|
which Herod had done</I> (for those that are wicked in one instance are
|
|
commonly so in many others), he could not <I>bear it,</I> but
|
|
contracted an antipathy to him for his plain dealing, and <I>added</I>
|
|
this wickedness to all the rest, which was indeed <I>above all,</I>
|
|
that he <I>shut up John in prison,</I> put that burning and shining
|
|
light under a bushel. Because he could not bear his reproofs, others
|
|
should be deprived of the benefit of his instructions and counsels.
|
|
Some little good he might do to those who had access to him, when he
|
|
was in prison; but nothing to what he might have done if he had had
|
|
liberty to go about all the country, as he had done. We cannot think of
|
|
Herod's doing this without the greatest compassion and lamentation, nor
|
|
of God's permitting it without admiring the depth of the divine
|
|
counsels, which we cannot account for. Must he be silenced who is the
|
|
<I>voice of one crying in the wilderness?</I> Must such a preacher be
|
|
shut up in prison who ought to have been set up in the courts of the
|
|
temple? But thus the faith of his disciples must be tried; thus the
|
|
unbelief of those who rejected him must be punished; thus he must be
|
|
Christ's forerunner in suffering as well as preaching; and thus, having
|
|
been for about a year and a half preparing people for Christ, he must
|
|
now give way to him, and, the Sun being risen, the morning-star must of
|
|
course disappear.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu3_38"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Genealogy of Christ.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that
|
|
Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
|
|
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove
|
|
upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my
|
|
beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
|
|
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age,
|
|
being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Heli,
|
|
24 Which was <I>the son</I> of Matthat, which was <I>the son</I> of Levi,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Melchi, which was <I>the son</I> of Janna,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Joseph,
|
|
25 Which was <I>the son</I> of Mattathias, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Amos, which was <I>the son</I> of Naum, which was <I>the son</I> of Esli,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Nagge,
|
|
26 Which was <I>the son</I> of Maath, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Mattathias, which was <I>the son</I> of Semei, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Joseph, which was <I>the son</I> of Juda,
|
|
27 Which was <I>the son</I> of Joanna, which was <I>the son</I> of Rhesa,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Zorobabel, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Salathiel, which was <I>the son</I> of Neri,
|
|
28 Which was <I>the son</I> of Melchi, which was <I>the son</I> of Addi,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Cosam, which was <I>the son</I> of Elmodam,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Er,
|
|
29 Which was <I>the son</I> of Jose, which was <I>the son</I> of Eliezer,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Jorim, which was <I>the son</I> of Matthat,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Levi,
|
|
30 Which was <I>the son</I> of Simeon, which was <I>the son</I> of Juda,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Joseph, which was <I>the son</I> of Jonan,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Eliakim,
|
|
31 Which was <I>the son</I> of Melea, which was <I>the son</I> of Menan,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Mattatha, which was <I>the son</I> of Nathan,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of David,
|
|
32 Which was <I>the son</I> of Jesse, which was <I>the son</I> of Obed,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Booz, which was <I>the son</I> of Salmon, which
|
|
was <I>the son</I> of Naasson,
|
|
33 Which was <I>the son</I> of Aminadab, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Aram, which was <I>the son</I> of Esrom, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Phares, which was <I>the son</I> of Juda,
|
|
34 Which was <I>the son</I> of Jacob, which was <I>the son</I> of Isaac,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Abraham, which was <I>the son</I> of Thara,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Nachor,
|
|
35 Which was <I>the son</I> of Saruch, which was <I>the son</I> of Ragau,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Phalec, which was <I>the son</I> of Heber,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Sala,
|
|
36 Which was <I>the son</I> of Cainan, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Arphaxad, which was <I>the son</I> of Sem, which was <I>the son</I> of Noe,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Lamech,
|
|
37 Which was <I>the son</I> of Mathusala, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Enoch, which was <I>the son</I> of Jared, which was <I>the son</I> of
|
|
Maleleel, which was <I>the son</I> of Cainan,
|
|
38 Which was <I>the son</I> of Enos, which was <I>the son</I> of Seth,
|
|
which was <I>the son</I> of Adam, which was <I>the son</I> of God.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The evangelist mentioned John's imprisonment before Christ's being
|
|
baptized, though it was nearly a year after it, because he would finish
|
|
the story of John's ministry, and then introduce that of Christ. Now
|
|
here we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. A short account of Christ's baptism, which had been more fully
|
|
related by St. Matthew. Jesus came, to be baptized of John, and he was
|
|
so,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It is here said that, <I>when all the people were baptized,</I> then
|
|
<I>Jesus was baptized:</I> all that were then present. Christ would be
|
|
baptized last, among the common people, and in the rear of them; thus
|
|
he humbled himself, and made himself of no reputation, as one of the
|
|
least, nay, as less than the least. He saw what multitudes were hereby
|
|
prepared to receive him, and then he appeared.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Notice is here taken of Christ's <I>praying</I> when he was
|
|
<I>baptized,</I> which was not in Matthew: being baptized, and
|
|
<I>praying.</I> He did not <I>confess sin,</I> as others did, for he
|
|
had none to confess; but he <I>prayed,</I> as others did, for he would
|
|
thus keep up communion with his Father. Note, The inward and spiritual
|
|
grace of which sacraments are the outward and visible signs must be
|
|
fetched in by prayer; and therefore prayer must always accompany them.
|
|
We have reason to think that Christ now prayed for this manifestation
|
|
of God's favour to him which immediately followed; he prayed for the
|
|
discovery of his Father's favour to him, and the descent of the Spirit.
|
|
What was promised to Christ, he must obtain by prayer: <I>Ask of me and
|
|
I will give thee, &c.</I> Thus he would put an honour upon prayer,
|
|
would tie us to it, and encourage us in it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. When he prayed, <I>the heaven was opened.</I> He that by his power
|
|
parted the waters, to make a way through them to Canaan, now by his
|
|
power parted the air, another fluid element, to open a correspondence
|
|
with the heavenly Canaan. Thus was there opened to Christ, and by him
|
|
to us, <I>a new and living way into the holiest;</I> sin had shut up
|
|
heaven, but Christ's prayer opened it again. Prayer is an ordinance
|
|
that <I>opens heaven: Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. <I>The Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon
|
|
him;</I> our Lord Jesus was now to receive greater measures of the
|
|
Spirit than before, to qualify him for his prophetical office,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+61:1">Isa. lxi. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
When he begins to preach, <I>the Spirit of the Lord is upon him.</I>
|
|
Now this is here expressed by a sensible evidence for his encouragement
|
|
in his work, and for the satisfaction of John the Baptist; for he was
|
|
told before that by this sign it should be notified to him which was
|
|
the Christ. Dr. Lightfoot suggests that the Holy Ghost descended in a
|
|
bodily shape, that he might be revealed to be a personal substance, and
|
|
not merely an operation of the Godhead: and thus (saith he) was made a
|
|
full, clear, and sensible demonstration of the Trinity, at the
|
|
beginning of the gospel; and very fitly is this done at Christ's
|
|
baptism, who was to make the ordinance of baptism a badge of the
|
|
profession of that faith in the doctrine of the Trinity, <I>Father,
|
|
Son, and Holy Ghost.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. There came <I>a voice from heaven,</I> from God the Father, from the
|
|
<I>excellent glory</I> (so it is expressed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:17">2 Pet. i. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou art my beloved Son.</I> Here, and in Mark, it is expressed as
|
|
spoken <I>to</I> Christ; in Matthew as spoken <I>of</I> him: <I>This is
|
|
my beloved Son.</I> It comes all to one; it was intended to be a
|
|
notification to John, and as such was properly expressed by, <I>This is
|
|
my beloved Son;</I> and likewise an answer to his prayer, and so it is
|
|
most fitly expressed by. <I>Thou art.</I> It was foretold concerning
|
|
the Messiah, <I>I will be his Father, and he shall be my Son,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:14">2 Sam. vii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>I will make him my First-born,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:27">Ps. lxxxix. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was also foretold that he should be God's <I>elect, in whom his soul
|
|
delighted</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+42:1">Isa. xlii. 1</A>);
|
|
|
|
and, accordingly, it is here declared, <I>Thou art my beloved Son, in
|
|
whom I am well pleased.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. A long account of Christ's pedigree, which had been more briefly
|
|
related by St. Matthew. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. His age: <I>He now began to be about thirty years of age.</I> So old
|
|
Joseph was when he stood before Pharaoh
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+41:46">Gen. xli. 46</A>),
|
|
|
|
David when he began to reign
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+5:4">2 Sam. v. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
and at this age the priests were to enter upon the full execution of
|
|
their office,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:3">Num. iv. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Dr. Lightfoot thinks that it is plain, by the manner of expression
|
|
here, that he was just twenty-nine years old complete, and entering
|
|
upon his thirtieth year, in the month <I>Tisri;</I> that, after this,
|
|
he lived three years and a half, and died when he was thirty-two years
|
|
and a half old. <I>Three years and a half,</I> the time of Christ's
|
|
ministry, is a period of time very remarkable in scripture. <I>Three
|
|
years and six months</I> the heavens were shut up in Elijah's time,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+4:25,Jam+5:17">Luke iv. 25; Jam. v. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was the half week in which the Messiah was to confirm the
|
|
covenant,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:27">Dan. ix. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
This period is expressed in the prophetical writings by a time, times,
|
|
and half a time
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:7,Re+12:14">Dan. xii. 7; Rev. xii. 14</A>);
|
|
|
|
and by forty-two months, and a thousand two hundred and threescore
|
|
days,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+11:2,3">Rev. xi. 2, 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is the time fixed for the witnesses' prophesying in sackcloth, in
|
|
conformity to Christ's preaching in his humiliation just so long.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. His pedigree,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. Matthew had given us somewhat of this. He goes no higher than
|
|
Abraham, but Luke brings it as high as Adam. Matthew designed to show
|
|
that Christ was the son of Abraham, in whom <I>all the families of the
|
|
earth are blessed,</I> and that he was heir to the throne of David; and
|
|
therefore he begins with Abraham, and brings the genealogy down to
|
|
Jacob, who was the father of Joseph, and heir-male of the house of
|
|
David: but Luke, designing to show that Christ was the <I>seed of the
|
|
woman,</I> that should break the serpent's head, traces his pedigree
|
|
upward as high as Adam, and begins it with Ei, or Heli, who was the
|
|
father, not of Joseph, but of the virgin Mary. And some suggest that
|
|
the supply which our translators all along insert here is not right,
|
|
and that it should not be read <I>which,</I> that is, which
|
|
<I>Joseph</I> was the son of Heli, but which <I>Jesus;</I> he was
|
|
<I>the son of Joseph, of Eli, of Matthat,</I> &c., and he, that is,
|
|
Jesus, was the son <I>of Seth, of Adam, of God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
The difference between the two evangelists in the genealogy of Christ
|
|
has been a stumbling-block to infidels that cavil at the word, but such
|
|
a one as has been removed by the labours of learned men, both in the
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early ages of the church and in latter times, to which we refer
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ourselves. Matthew draws the pedigree from Solomon, whose natural line
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ending in Jechonias, the legal right was transferred to Salathiel, who
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was of the house of Nathan, another son of David, which line Luke here
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|
pursues, and so leaves out all the kings of Judah. It is well for us
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|
that our salvation doth not depend upon our being able to solve all
|
|
these difficulties, nor is the divine authority of the gospels at all
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|
weakened by them; for the evangelists are not supposed to write these
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genealogies either of their own knowledge or by divine inspiration, but
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to have copied them out of the authentic records of the genealogies
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|
among the Jews, the heralds' books, which therefore they were obliged
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to follow; and in them they found the pedigree of Jacob, the father of
|
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Joseph, to be as it is set down in Matthew; and the pedigree of Heli,
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the father of Mary, to be as it is set down here in Luke. And this is
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the meaning of <B><I>hos enomizeto</I></B>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
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not, <I>as it was supposed,</I> referring only to Joseph, but <I>uti
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|
sancitum est lege--as it is entered into the books,</I> as we find it
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upon record; by which is appeared that Jesus was both by father and
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|
mother's side the Son of David, witness this extract out of their own
|
|
records, which any one might at that time have liberty to compare with
|
|
the original, and further the evangelists needed not to go; nay, had
|
|
they varied from that, they had not gained their point. Its not being
|
|
contradicted at that time is satisfaction enough to us now that it is a
|
|
true copy, as it is further worthy of observation, that, when those
|
|
records of the Jewish genealogies had continued thirty or forty years
|
|
after these extracts out of them, long enough to justify the
|
|
evangelists therein, they were all lost and destroyed with the Jewish
|
|
state and nation; for now there was no more occasion for them.</P>
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<P>
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One difficulty occurs between Abraham and Noah, which gives us some
|
|
perplexity,
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:35,36"><I>v.</I> 35, 36</A>.
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Sala is said to be the <I>son of Cainan,</I> and he <I>the son of
|
|
Arphaxad,</I> whereas Sala was the son of Arphaxad
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+10:24,11:12">Gen. x. 24; xi. 12</A>),
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|
|
|
and there is no such man as Cainan found there. But, as to that, it is
|
|
sufficient to say that the Seventy Interpreters, who, before our
|
|
Saviour's time, translated the Old Testament into Greek, for reasons
|
|
best known to themselves inserted that Cainan; and St. Luke, writing
|
|
among the <I>Hellenist Jews,</I> was obliged to make use of that
|
|
translation, and therefore to take it as he found it.</P>
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|
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<P>
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|
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|
The genealogy concludes with this, <I>who was the son of Adam, the son
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|
of God.</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Some refer it to Adam; he was in a peculiar manner the <I>son of
|
|
God,</I> being, more immediately than any of his offspring, the
|
|
offspring of God by creation.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Others refer it to Christ, and so make the last words of this
|
|
genealogy to denote his divine and human nature. He was both the <I>Son
|
|
of Adam</I> and the <I>Son of God</I> that he might be a proper
|
|
Mediator between God and the sons of Adam, and might bring the sons of
|
|
Adam to be, through him, the <I>sons of God.</I></P>
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