mh_parser/vol_split/42 - Luke/Chapter 2.xml

<div2 id="Luke.iii" n="iii" next="Luke.iv" prev="Luke.ii" progress="48.34%" title="Chapter II">
<h2 id="Luke.iii-p0.1">L U K E.</h2>
<h3 id="Luke.iii-p0.2">CHAP. II.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Luke.iii-p1">In this chapter, we have an account of the birth
and infancy of our Lord Jesus: having had notice of his conception,
and of the birth and infancy of his forerunner, in the former
chapter. The First-begotten is here brought into the world; let us
go meet him with our hosannas, blessed is he that cometh. Here is,
I. The place and other circumstances of his birth, which proved him
to be the true Messiah, and such a one as we needed, but not such a
one as the Jews expected, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.1-Luke.2.7" parsed="|Luke|2|1|2|7" passage="Lu 2:1-7">ver.
1-7</scripRef>. II. The notifying of his birth to the shepherds in
that neighbourhood by an angel, the song of praise which the angels
sung upon that occasion, and the spreading of the report of it by
the shepherds, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.8-Luke.2.20" parsed="|Luke|2|8|2|20" passage="Lu 2:8-20">ver. 8-20</scripRef>.
III. The circumcision of Christ, and the naming of him, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.21" parsed="|Luke|2|21|0|0" passage="Lu 2:21">ver. 21</scripRef>. IV. The presenting of him in
the temple, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.22-Luke.2.24" parsed="|Luke|2|22|2|24" passage="Lu 2:22-24">ver. 22-24</scripRef>.
V. The testimonies of Simeon, and Anna the prophetess, concerning
him, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.25-Luke.2.39" parsed="|Luke|2|25|2|39" passage="Lu 2:25-39">ver. 25-39</scripRef>. VI.
Christ's growth and capacity, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.40-Luke.2.52" parsed="|Luke|2|40|2|52" passage="Lu 2:40-52">ver.
40-52</scripRef>. VIII. His observing the passover at twelve years
old, and his disputing with the doctors in the temple, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.41-Luke.2.51" parsed="|Luke|2|41|2|51" passage="Lu 2:41-51">ver. 41-51</scripRef>. And this, with what we
have met with (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Matt.1.1-Matt.2.23" parsed="|Matt|1|1|2|23" passage="Mt 1:1-2:23">Matt. i. and
ii.</scripRef>), is all we have concerning our Lord Jesus, till he
entered upon his public work in the thirtieth year of his age.</p>
<scripCom id="Luke.iii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2" parsed="|Luke|2|0|0|0" passage="Lu 2" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Luke.iii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.1-Luke.2.7" parsed="|Luke|2|1|2|7" passage="Lu 2:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.2.1-Luke.2.7">
<h4 id="Luke.iii-p1.11">The Birth of Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.iii-p2">1 And it came to pass in those days, that there
went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be
taxed.   2 (<i>And</i> this taxing was first made when
Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)   3 And all went to be taxed,
every one into his own city.   4 And Joseph also went up from
Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and
lineage of David:)   5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child.   6 And so it was, that, while
they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be
delivered.   7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the inn.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p3">The <i>fulness of time</i> was now come,
when God would send forth his Son, <i>made of a woman,</i> and
<i>made under the law;</i> and it was foretold that he should be
born at Bethlehem. Now here we have an account of the time, place,
and manner of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p4">I. The time when our Lord Jesus was born.
Several things may be gathered out of these verses which intimate
to us that it was the <i>proper time.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p5">1. He was born at the time when the
<i>fourth monarchy</i> was in its height, just when it was become,
more than any of the three before it, a <i>universal monarchy.</i>
He was born <i>in the days</i> of Augustus Cæsar, when the Roman
empire extended itself further than ever before or since, including
Parthia one way, and Britain another way; so that it was then
called <i>Terraram orbis imperium—The empire of the whole
earth;</i> and here that empire is called <i>all the world</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.1" parsed="|Luke|2|1|0|0" passage="Lu 2:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), for there was
scarcely any part of the civilized world, but what was dependent on
it. Now this was the time when the Messiah was to be born,
according to Daniel's prophecy (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Dan.2.44" parsed="|Dan|2|44|0|0" passage="Da 2:44">Dan.
ii. 44</scripRef>): <i>In the days of these kings,</i> the kings of
the fourth monarchy, <i>shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom
which shall never be destroyed.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p6">2. He was born when Judea was become a
province of the empire, and tributary to it; as appears evidently
by this, that when all the Roman empire was taxed, the Jews were
taxed among the rest. Jerusalem was taken by Pompey the Roman
general, about sixty years before this, who granted the government
of the church to Hyrcanus, but not the government of the state; by
degrees it was more and more reduced, till now at length it was
quite subdued; for Judea was ruled by Cyrenius the Roman governor
of Syria (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.2" parsed="|Luke|2|2|0|0" passage="Lu 2:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>): the
Roman writers call him <i>Sulpitius Quirinus.</i> Now just at this
juncture, the Messiah was to be born, for so was dying Jacob's
prophecy, that Shiloh should come when the <i>sceptre was departed
from Judah,</i> and the <i>lawgiver from between his feet,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.49.10" parsed="|Gen|49|10|0|0" passage="Ge 49:10">Gen. xlix. 10</scripRef>. This was the
<i>first taxing</i> that was made in Judea, the first badge of
their servitude; therefore now Shiloh must come, to set up his
kingdom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p7">3. There is another circumstance, as to the
time, implied in this general enrolment of all the subjects of the
empire, which is, that there was now universal peace in the empire.
The temple of Janus was now shut, which it never used to be if any
wars were on foot; and now it was fit for the Prince of peace to be
born, in whose days <i>swords should be beaten into
plough-shares.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p8">II. The place where our Lord Jesus was born
is very observable. He was born at <i>Bethlehem;</i> so it was
foretold (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Mic.5.2" parsed="|Mic|5|2|0|0" passage="Mic 5:2">Mic. v. 2</scripRef>), the
scribes so understood it (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.2.5-Matt.2.6" parsed="|Matt|2|5|2|6" passage="Mt 2:5,6">Matt. ii. 5,
6</scripRef>), so did the common people, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:John.7.42" parsed="|John|7|42|0|0" passage="Joh 7:42">John vii. 42</scripRef>. The name of the place was
significant. Bethlehem signifies <i>the house of bread;</i> a
proper place for him to be born in who is the Bread of life, the
Bread that <i>came down from heaven.</i> But that was not all;
Bethlehem was the city of David, where he was born, and therefore
there <i>he</i> must be born who was the <i>Son of David.</i> Zion
was also called <i>the city of David</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.5.7" parsed="|2Sam|5|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 5:7">2 Sam. v. 7</scripRef>), yet Christ was not born there;
for Bethlehem was that city of David where he was born in meanness,
to be a <i>shepherd;</i> and this our Saviour, when he humbled
himself, chose for the place of his birth; not Zion, where he ruled
in power and prosperity, that was to be a type of the church of
Christ, <i>that mount Zion.</i> Now when the virgin Mary was with
child, and near her time, Providence so ordered it that, by order
from the emperor, all the subjects of the <i>Roman empire</i> were
to be <i>taxed;</i> that is, they were to <i>give in their
names</i> to the proper officers, and they were to be
<i>registered</i> and <i>enrolled,</i> according to their families,
which is the proper signification of the word here used; their
being <i>taxed</i> was but secondary. It is supposed that they made
profession of subjection to the Roman empire, either by some set
form of words, or at least by payment of some small tribute, a
penny suppose, in token of their allegiance, like a man's
<i>atturning</i> tenant. Thus are they vassals upon record, and may
thank themselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p9">According to this <i>decree,</i> the Jews
(who were now nice in distinguishing their tribes and families)
provided that in their enrolments particular care should be had to
preserve the memory of them. Thus foolishly are they solicitous to
save the <i>shadow,</i> when they had lost the
<i>substance.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p10">That which Augustus designed was either to
gratify his <i>pride</i> in knowing the numbers of his people, and
proclaiming it to the world, or he did it in <i>policy,</i> to
strengthen his interest, and make his government appear the more
formidable; but Providence had another reach in it. All the world
shall be at the trouble of being <i>enrolled,</i> only that Joseph
and Mary may. This brought them up from Nazareth in Galilee to
Bethlehem in Judea, because they were <i>of the stock and lineage
of David</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.4-Luke.2.5" parsed="|Luke|2|4|2|5" passage="Lu 2:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4,
5</scripRef>); and perhaps, being poor and low, they thought the
royalty of their extraction rather than a burden and expense to
them than a matter of pride. Because it is difficult to suppose
that every Jew (women as well as men) was obliged to repair to the
city of which their ancestors were, and there be enrolled, now, at
a time when they kept not to the bounds of their tribes, as
formerly, it may be offered as a conjecture that this great
exactness was used only with the <i>family of David,</i> concerning
which, it is probable, the emperor gave particular orders, it
having been the royal family, and still talked of as designed to be
so, that he might know its number and strength. Divers ends of
Providence were served by this.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p11">1. Hereby the virgin Mary was brought,
<i>great with child,</i> to Bethlehem, to be <i>delivered</i>
there, according to the prediction; whereas she had designed to lie
in at Nazareth. See how <i>man purposes and God disposes;</i> and
how Providence orders all things for the fulfilling of the
scripture, and makes use of the projects men have for serving their
own purposes, quite beyond their intention, to serve his.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p12">2. Hereby it appeared that Jesus Christ was
of the <i>seed</i> of David; for what brings his mother to
Bethlehem now, but because she <i>was of the stock and lineage of
David?</i> This was a material thing to be proved, and required
such an authentic proof as this. Justin Martyr and Tertullian, two
of the earliest advocates for the Christian religion, appeal to
these <i>rolls</i> or <i>records</i> of the <i>Roman empire,</i>
for the proof of Christ's being born of the house of David.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p13">3. Hereby it appeared that he was <i>made
under the law;</i> for he became a subject of the Roman empire as
soon as he was born, a <i>servant of rulers,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.49.7" parsed="|Isa|49|7|0|0" passage="Isa 49:7">Isa. xlix. 7</scripRef>. Many suppose that, being born
during the time of the taxing, he was enrolled as well as his
father and mother, that it might appear how <i>he made himself of
no reputation,</i> and <i>took upon him the form of a servant.</i>
Instead of having kings tributaries to him, when he came into the
world he was himself a tributary.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p14">III. The circumstances of his birth, which
were very mean, and under all possible marks of contempt. He was
indeed a <i>first-born son;</i> but it was a poor honour to be the
first-born of such a poor woman as Mary was, who had no inheritance
to which he might be entitled as first-born, but what was <i>in
nativity.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p15">1. He was under some abasements in common
with other children; he was <i>wrapped in swaddling clothes,</i> as
other children are when they are new-born, as if he could be bound,
or needed to be kept straight. He that makes darkness a
<i>swaddling band for the sea</i> was himself wrapped in
<i>swaddling bands,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.38.9" parsed="|Job|38|9|0|0" passage="Job 38:9">Job xxxviii.
9</scripRef>. The everlasting Father became a child of time, and
men said to him whose out-goings were of old from everlasting,
<i>We know this man, whence he is,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:John.7.27" parsed="|John|7|27|0|0" passage="Joh 7:27">John vii. 27</scripRef>. The Ancient of days became an
infant of a span long.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p16">2. He was under some abasements peculiar to
himself.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p17">(1.) He was born <i>at an inn.</i> That son
of David that was the glory of his father's house had no
inheritance that he could command, no not in the city of David, no
nor a friend that would accommodate his mother in distress with
lodgings to be brought to bed in. Christ was born <i>in an inn,</i>
to intimate that he came into the world but to sojourn here for
awhile, as in an inn, and to teach us to do likewise. An inn
receives all comers, and so does Christ. He hangs out the banner of
love for his sign, and whoever comes to him, he will in no wise
cast out; only, unlike other inns, he welcomes those that come
<i>without money and without price.</i> All is on free cost.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p18">(2.) He was born <i>in a stable;</i> so
some think the word signifies which we translate <i>a manger,</i> a
place for cattle to stand to be fed in. Because there was <i>no
room in the inn,</i> and for want of conveniences, nay for want of
necessaries, he was laid <i>in a manger,</i> instead of a cradle.
The word which we render <i>swaddling clothes</i> some derive from
a word that signifies to <i>rend,</i> or <i>tear,</i> and these
infer that he was so far from having a good suit of child-bed
linen, that his very swaddles were ragged and torn. His being born
in a stable and laid in a manger was an instance, [1.] Of the
poverty of his parents. Had they been rich, room would have been
made for them; but, being poor, they must <i>shift</i> as they
<i>could.</i> [2.] Of the corruption and degeneracy of manners in
that age; that a woman in reputation for virtue and honour should
be used so barbarously. If there had been any common humanity among
them, they would not have turned a woman in travail into a stable.
[3.] It was an instance of the humiliation of our Lord Jesus. We
were become by sin like an out-cast infant, helpless and forlorn;
and such a one Christ was. Thus he would answer the type of Moses,
the great prophet and lawgiver of the Old Testament, who was in his
infancy cast out in an ark of bulrushes, as Christ <i>in a
manger.</i> Christ would hereby put a contempt upon all worldly
glory, and teach us to slight it. Since <i>his own received him
not,</i> let us not think it strange if they <i>receive us
not.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.iii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.8-Luke.2.20" parsed="|Luke|2|8|2|20" passage="Lu 2:8-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.2.8-Luke.2.20">
<h4 id="Luke.iii-p18.2">Angels Appear to the Shepherds; Visit of the
Shepherds to Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.iii-p19">8 And there were in the same country shepherds
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid.   10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for,
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to
all people.   11 For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   12 And this
<i>shall be</i> a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.   13 And suddenly there
was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying,   14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men.   15 And it came to pass, as the
angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one
to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing
which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
  16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and
the babe lying in a manger.   17 And when they had seen
<i>it,</i> they made known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child.   18 And all they that heard <i>it</i>
wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
  19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered <i>them</i>
in her heart.   20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it
was told unto them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p20">The meanest circumstances of Christ's
humiliation were all along attended with some discoveries of his
glory, to balance them, and take off the offence of them; for even
when he humbled himself God did in some measure exalt him and give
him earnests of his future exaltation. When we saw him <i>wrapped
in swaddling clothes</i> and <i>laid in a manger,</i> we were
tempted to say, "Surely this cannot be the <i>Son of God.</i>" But
see his birth attended, as it is here, with a choir of angels, and
we shall say, "Surely this cannot be the <i>Son of God.</i>" But
see his birth attended, as it is here, with a choir of angels, and
we shall say, "Surely it can be no other than the <i>Son of
God,</i> concerning whom it was said, when he was <i>brought into
the world, Let all the angels of God worship him,</i>" <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.6" parsed="|Heb|1|6|0|0" passage="Heb 1:6">Heb. i. 6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p21">We had in Matthew an account of the notice
given of the arrival of this ambassador, this prince from heaven,
to the wise men, who were Gentiles, by a star; here we are told of
the notice given of it to the shepherds, who were Jews, by an
angel: to each God chose to speak in the language they were most
conversant with.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p22">I. See here how the shepherds were
employed; they were <i>abiding in the fields</i> adjoining to
Bethlehem, and <i>keeping watch over their flocks by night,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.8" parsed="|Luke|2|8|0|0" passage="Lu 2:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. The angel was
not sent to the chief priests or the elders (they were not prepared
to receive these tidings), but to a company of poor shepherds, who
were like Jacob, <i>plain men dwelling in tents,</i> not like Esau,
<i>cunning hunters.</i> The patriarchs were shepherds. Moses and
David particularly were called from keeping sheep to rule God's
people; and by this instance God would show that he had still a
favour for those of that innocent employment. Tidings were brought
to Moses of the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, when he was
keeping sheep, and to these shepherds, who, it is probable, were
devout pious men, the tidings were brought of a <i>greater
salvation.</i> Observe, 1. They were not <i>sleeping</i> in their
beds, when this news was brought them (though many had very
acceptable intelligence from heaven in <i>slumbering upon the
bed</i>), but <i>abiding in the fields,</i> and <i>watching.</i>
Those that would hear from God must <i>stir up themselves.</i> They
were broad awake, and therefore could not be deceived in what they
saw and heard, so as those may be who are half asleep. 2. They were
employed now, not in acts of devotion, but in the business of their
calling; they were <i>keeping watch over their flock,</i> to secure
them from thieves and beasts of prey, it being probably in the
summer time, when they kept their cattle out all night, as we do
now, and did not house them. Note, We are not out of the way of
divine visits when we are sensibly employed in an honest calling,
and abide with God in it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p23">II. How they were surprised with the
appearance of the angel (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.9" parsed="|Luke|2|9|0|0" passage="Lu 2:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>): <i>Behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them,</i>
of a sudden, <b><i>epeste</i></b>—<i>stood over them;</i> most
probably, in the air over their heads, as coming immediately from
heaven. We read it, <i>the angel,</i> as if it were the same that
appeared once and again in the chapter before, <i>the angel
Gabriel,</i> that was caused to fly swiftly; but that is not
certain. The angel's <i>coming upon them</i> intimates that they
little thought of such a thing, or expected it; for it is in a
<i>preventing</i> way that gracious visits are made us from heaven,
<i>or ever we are aware.</i> That they might be sure it was an
angel from heaven, they saw and heard the <i>glory of the Lord
round about them;</i> such as made the night as bright as day, such
a glory as used to attend God's appearance, a <i>heavenly</i>
glory, or an <i>exceedingly great glory,</i> such as they could not
bear the dazzling lustre of. This made them <i>sore afraid,</i> put
them into great consternation, as fearing some evil tidings. While
we are conscious to ourselves of so much guilt, we have reason to
fear lest every express from heaven should be a messenger of
wrath.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p24">III. What the message was which the angel
had to deliver to the shepherds, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.10-Luke.2.12" parsed="|Luke|2|10|2|12" passage="Lu 2:10-12"><i>v.</i> 10-12</scripRef>. 1. He gives a
<i>supersedeas</i> to their <i>fears:</i> "<i>Fear not,</i> for we
have nothing to say to you that needs be a terror to you; you
<i>need not</i> fear your enemies, and <i>should not</i> fear your
friends." 2. He furnishes them with abundant matter for joy:
"Behold, I <i>evangelize to you great joy;</i> I solemnly declare
it, and you have reason to bid it welcome, for it shall bring
<i>joy to all people,</i> and not to the people of the Jews only;
that <i>unto you is born this day,</i> at this time, <i>a
Saviour,</i> the Saviour that has been so long expected, <i>which
is Christ the Lord, in the city of David,</i>" <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.11" parsed="|Luke|2|11|0|0" passage="Lu 2:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. Jesus is the Christ, the
Messiah, the Anointed; he is <i>the Lord,</i> Lord of all; he is a
sovereign prince; nay, he is God, for <i>the Lord,</i> in the Old
Testament, answers to <i>Jehovah.</i> He is a Saviour, and he will
be a Saviour to those only that accept him for their Lord. "The
Saviour <i>is born,</i> he is born <i>this day;</i> and, since it
is matter of <i>great joy to all people,</i> it is not to be kept
secret, you may proclaim it, may tell it to whom you please. He is
born in the place where it was foretold he should be born, in the
<i>city of David;</i> and he is born <i>to you;</i> to you Jews he
is sent in the first place, to <i>bless you,</i> to you
<i>shepherds,</i> though poor and mean in the world." This refers
to <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.9.6" parsed="|Isa|9|6|0|0" passage="Isa 9:6">Isa. ix. 6</scripRef>, <i>Unto us a
child is born, unto us a son is given.</i> To <i>you</i> men, not
to <i>us</i> angels; he took not on him the nature of angels. This
is matter of <i>joy</i> indeed to all people, great joy.
Long-looked for is come at last. Let heaven and earth rejoice
before this Lord, <i>for he cometh.</i> 3. He gives them a sign for
the confirming of their faith in this matter. "How shall we find
out this child in Bethlehem, which is now full of the descendants
from David?" "You will find him by this token: he is lying in a
<i>manger,</i> where surely never any new-born infant was laid
before." They expected to be told, "You shall find him, though a
babe, dressed up in robes, and lying in the best house in the town,
lying in state, with a numerous train of attendants in rich
liveries." "No, you will find him wrapped in <i>swaddling
clothes,</i> and <i>laid in a manger.</i>" When Christ was here
upon earth, he <i>distinguished</i> himself, and made himself
remarkable, by nothing so much as the instances of his
<i>humiliation.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p25">IV. The angels' <i>doxology</i> to God, and
<i>congratulations</i> of men, upon this solemn occasion, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.13-Luke.2.14" parsed="|Luke|2|13|2|14" passage="Lu 2:13,14"><i>v.</i> 13, 14</scripRef>. The message was
no sooner delivered by one angel (that was sufficient to go
express) than suddenly there was with that angel <i>a multitude of
the heavenly hosts;</i> sufficient, we may be sure, to make a
<i>chorus,</i> that were heard by the shepherds, <i>praising
God;</i> and certainly their song was not like that (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.14.3" parsed="|Rev|14|3|0|0" passage="Re 14:3">Rev. xiv. 3</scripRef>) which <i>no man could
learn,</i> for it was designed that we should all learn it. 1. Let
God have the honour of this work: <i>Glory to God in the
highest.</i> God's good-will to men, manifested in sending the
Messiah, redounds very much to his praise; and angels in the
highest heavens, though not immediately interested in it
themselves, will celebrate it to his honour, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.11-Rev.5.12" parsed="|Rev|5|11|5|12" passage="Re 5:11,12">Rev. v. 11, 12</scripRef>. <i>Glory to God,</i> whose
kindness and love designed this favour, and whose wisdom contrived
it in such a way as that one divine attribute should not be
glorified at the expense of another, but the honour of all
effectually secured and advanced. Other works of God are for his
glory, but the redemption of the world is for his <i>glory in the
highest.</i> 2. Let men have the joy of it: <i>On earth peace,
good-will toward men.</i> God's <i>good-will</i> in sending the
Messiah introduced peace in this lower world, slew the enmity that
sin had raised between God and man, and resettled a peaceable
correspondence. If God be at peace with us, all peace results from
it: peace of conscience, peace with angels, peace between Jew and
Gentile. Peace is here put for <i>all good,</i> all that good which
flows to us from the incarnation of Christ. All the <i>good</i> we
have, or hope, is owing to God's <i>good-will;</i> and, if we have
the comfort of it, he must have the glory of it. Nor must any
<i>peace,</i> and <i>good,</i> be expected in a way inconsistent
with the glory of God; therefore not in any way of sin, nor in any
way but by <i>a Mediator.</i> Here was the <i>peace proclaimed</i>
with great solemnity; whoever will, let them come and take the
benefit of it. It is on earth peace, to <i>men of good-will</i> (so
some copies read it), <b><i>en anthropois eudokias</i></b>; to men
who have a <i>good-will to God,</i> and are willing to be
reconciled; or to men whom God has a <i>good-will to,</i> though
vessels of his mercy. See how well affected the angels are to man,
and to his welfare and happiness; how well pleased they were in the
incarnation of the Son of God, though he passed by their nature;
and ought not we much more to be affected with it? This is a
<i>faithful saying,</i> attested by an innumerable company of
angels, and well <i>worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will
of God toward men is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the
earth.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p26">V. The visit which the shepherds made to
the new-born Saviour. 1. They consulted about it, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.15" parsed="|Luke|2|15|0|0" passage="Lu 2:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. While the angels were
singing their hymn, they could attend to that only; but, <i>when
they were gone away from them into heaven</i> (for angels, when
they appeared, never made any long stay, but returned as soon as
they had despatched their business), <i>the shepherds said one to
another, Let us go to Bethlehem.</i> Note, When extraordinary
messages from the upper world are no more to be expected, we must
set ourselves to improve the advantages we have for the confirming
of our faith, and the keeping up of our communion with God in this
lower world. And it is no reflection upon the testimony of angels,
no nor upon a divine testimony itself, to get it corroborated by
observation and experience. But observe, These shepherds do not
speak doubtfully, "Let us go see whether it be so or no;" but with
assurance, <i>Let us go see this thing which is come to pass;</i>
for what room was left to doubt of it, when <i>the Lord had</i>
thus <i>made it known to them?</i> The <i>word spoken by angels was
stedfast</i> and unquestionably true. 2. They immediately made the
visit, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.16" parsed="|Luke|2|16|0|0" passage="Lu 2:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. They
lost no time, but <i>came with haste</i> to the place, which,
probably, the angel directed them to more particularly than is
recorded ("Go to the stable of such an inn"); and there <i>they
found Mary and Joseph,</i> and <i>the babe lying in the manger.</i>
The poverty and meanness in which they found <i>Christ the Lord</i>
were no shock to their faith, who themselves knew what it was to
live a life of comfortable communion with God in very poor and mean
circumstances. We have reason to think that the shepherds told
Joseph and Mary of the vision of the angels they had seen, and the
song of the angels they had heard, which was a great encouragement
to them, more than if a visit had been made them by the best ladies
in the town. And it is probable that Joseph and Mary told the
shepherds what visions they had had concerning the child; and so,
by communicating their experiences to each other, they greatly
strengthened one another's faith.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p27">VI. The care which the shepherds took to
spread the report of this (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.17" parsed="|Luke|2|17|0|0" passage="Lu 2:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>): <i>When they had seen it,</i> though they saw
nothing in the child that should induce them to believe that he was
<i>Christ the Lord,</i> yet the circumstances, how mean soever they
were, agreeing with the sign that the angel had given them, they
were abundantly satisfied; and as the lepers argued (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.12.9" parsed="|2Kgs|12|9|0|0" passage="2Ki 12:9">2 Kings xii. 9</scripRef>, This being <i>a day
of good tidings,</i> we dare not <i>hold our peace</i>), so they
made <i>known abroad</i> the whole story of what was <i>told
them,</i> both by the <i>angels,</i> and by Joseph and Mary,
<i>concerning this child,</i> that he was the Saviour, even
<i>Christ the Lord,</i> that in him there is <i>peace on earth,</i>
and that he was <i>conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost,</i>
and <i>born of a virgin.</i> This they told every body, and agreed
in their testimony concerning it. And now if, when he <i>is in the
world,</i> the world knows him not, it is <i>their own fault,</i>
for they have sufficient notice given them. What impression did it
make upon people? Why truly, <i>All they that heard it wondered at
those things which were told them by the shepherds,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p27.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.18" parsed="|Luke|2|18|0|0" passage="Lu 2:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. The shepherds were
plain, downright, <i>honest men,</i> and they could not suspect
them guilty of any design to impose upon them; what they had said
therefore was likely to be true, and, if true, they could not but
wonder at it, that the Messiah should be born <i>in a stable</i>
and not in a palace, that angels should bring news of it to <i>poor
shepherds</i> and not to the chief priests. They wondered, but
never <i>enquired any further</i> about the Saviour, their duty to
him, or advantages by him, but let the thing drop as a <i>nine
days' wonder.</i> O the amazing stupidity of the men of that
generation! Justly were the things which belonged to their peace
<i>hid from their eyes,</i> when they thus wilfully <i>shut their
eyes</i> against them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p28">VII. The use which those made of these
things, who did believe them. 1. The virgin Mary made them the
matter of her <i>private meditation.</i> She said little, but
<i>kept all these things,</i> and <i>pondered them in her
heart,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.19" parsed="|Luke|2|19|0|0" passage="Lu 2:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. She
laid the evidences together, and kept them in reserve, to be
compared with the discoveries that should afterwards be made her.
As she had silently left it to God to clear up her virtue, when
that was suspected, so she silently leaves it to him to publish her
honour, now when it was veiled; and it is satisfaction enough to
find that, if no one else takes notice of the birth of her child,
angels do. Note, The truths of Christ are worth keeping; and the
way to keep them safe is to <i>ponder them.</i> Meditation is the
best help to memory. 2. The shepherds made them the matter of their
more <i>public praises.</i> If others were not affected with those
things, yet they themselves were (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.20" parsed="|Luke|2|20|0|0" passage="Lu 2:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): They <i>returned, glorifying
and praising God,</i> in concurrence with the holy angels. If
others would not regard the report they made to them, God would
accept the thanksgivings they offered to him. They praised God for
what <i>they had heard</i> from the angel, and for what <i>they had
seen,</i> the babe <i>in the manger,</i> and just then <i>in the
swaddling,</i> when they came in, as it had been spoken to them.
They thanked God that they had seen Christ, though in the depth of
his humiliation. As afterwards the cross of Christ, so now his
<i>manger,</i> was to some <i>foolishness</i> and a
<i>stumbling-block,</i> but others saw in it, and admired, and
praised, the wisdom <i>of God</i> and the <i>power of God.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.iii-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.21-Luke.2.24" parsed="|Luke|2|21|2|24" passage="Lu 2:21-24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.2.21-Luke.2.24">
<h4 id="Luke.iii-p28.4">Christ Presented in the
Temple.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.iii-p29">21 And when eight days were accomplished for the
circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so
named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.   22
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses
were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present
<i>him</i> to the Lord;   23 (As it is written in the law of
the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to
the Lord;)   24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that
which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two
young pigeons.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p30">Our Lord Jesus, being <i>made of a
woman,</i> was <i>made under the law,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Gal.4.4" parsed="|Gal|4|4|0|0" passage="Ga 4:4">Gal. iv. 4</scripRef>. He was not only, as the son of a
daughter of Adam, made under the law of <i>nature,</i> but as the
son of a daughter of Abraham was made under the law of
<i>Moses;</i> he put his neck under that yoke, though it was a
heavy yoke, and a <i>shadow of good things to come.</i> Though its
institutions were <i>beggarly elements,</i> and <i>rudiments of
this world,</i> as the apostle calls them, Christ submitted to it,
that he might with the better grace cancel it, and set it aside for
us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p31">Now here we have two instances of his being
<i>made under</i> that <i>law,</i> and submitting to it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p32">I. He was <i>circumcised</i> on the very
day that the law appointed (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.21" parsed="|Luke|2|21|0|0" passage="Lu 2:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>): <i>When eight days were accomplished,</i> that day
seven-night that he was born, they <i>circumcised</i> him. 1.
Though it was a <i>painful</i> operation (<i>Surely a bloody
husband thou has been,</i> said Zipporah to Moses, <i>because of
the circumcision,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.4.25" parsed="|Exod|4|25|0|0" passage="Ex 4:25">Exod. iv.
25</scripRef>), yet Christ would undergo it for us; nay,
<i>therefore</i> he submitted to it, to give an instance of his
early obedience, his obedience unto blood. Then he shed his blood
by drops, which afterwards he poured out in purple streams. 2.
Though it supposed him a <i>stranger,</i> that was by that ceremony
to be admitted into covenant with God, whereas he had always been
his <i>beloved Son;</i> nay, though it supposed him a
<i>sinner,</i> that needed to have his filthiness taken away,
whereas he had no impurity or superfluity of naughtiness to be cut
off, <i>yet</i> he submitted to it; nay, <i>therefore</i> he
submitted to it, because he would be made in the likeness, not only
of <i>flesh,</i> but of <i>sinful flesh,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p32.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.3" parsed="|Rom|8|3|0|0" passage="Ro 8:3">Rom. viii. 3</scripRef>. 3. Though thereby he made himself
a <i>debtor to the whole law</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p32.4" osisRef="Bible:Gal.5.3" parsed="|Gal|5|3|0|0" passage="Ga 5:3">Gal.
v. 3</scripRef>), yet he submitted to it; nay, <i>therefore</i> he
submitted to it, because he would take upon him the form of a
servant, though he was free-born. Christ was circumcised, (1.) That
he might own himself of the seed of Abraham, and of that nation
<i>of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came,</i> and who was
to <i>take on him the seed of Abraham,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p32.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.2.16" parsed="|Heb|2|16|0|0" passage="Heb 2:16">Heb. ii. 16</scripRef>. (2.) That he might own himself a
surety for our sins, and an undertaker for our safety. Circumcision
(saith Dr. Goodwin) was our <i>bond,</i> whereby we acknowledged
ourselves <i>debtors to the law;</i> and Christ, by being
circumcised, did as it were set his hand to it, being <i>made sin
for us.</i> The ceremonial law consisted much in sacrifices; Christ
hereby obliged himself to offer, not the blood of bulls or goats,
but his own blood, which none that ever were circumcised before
could oblige themselves to. (3.) That he might justify, and put an
honour upon, the dedication of the infant seed of the church to
God, by that ordinance which is the instituted seal of the
covenant, and of the righteousness which is by faith, as
circumcision was (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p32.6" osisRef="Bible:Rom.4.11" parsed="|Rom|4|11|0|0" passage="Ro 4:11">Rom. iv.
11</scripRef>), and baptism is. And certainly his being circumcised
at eight days old doth make much more for the dedicating of the
seed of the faithful by baptism in their infancy than his being
baptized at thirty years old doth for the deferring of it till they
are grown up. The change of the ceremony alters not the
substance.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p33">At his circumcision, according to the
custom, he had his name given him; he was called <i>Jesus</i> or
<i>Joshua,</i> for he was <i>so named of the angel</i> to his
mother Mary <i>before he was conceived in the womb</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.31" parsed="|Luke|1|31|0|0" passage="Lu 1:31">Luke i. 31</scripRef>), and to his supposed
father Joseph after, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.1.21" parsed="|Matt|1|21|0|0" passage="Mt 1:21">Matt. i.
21</scripRef>. [1.] It was a <i>common name</i> among the Jews, as
John was (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p33.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.11" parsed="|Col|4|11|0|0" passage="Col 4:11">Col. iv. 11</scripRef>), and
in this he would be made <i>like unto his brethren.</i> [2.] It was
the name of two eminent types of him in the Old Testament, Joshua,
the success or of Moses, who was commander of Israel, and conqueror
of Canaan; and Joshua, the high priest, who was therefore purposely
crowned, that he might prefigure Christ as a <i>priest upon his
throne,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p33.4" osisRef="Bible:Zech.6.11 Bible:Zech.6.13" parsed="|Zech|6|11|0|0;|Zech|6|13|0|0" passage="Zec 6:11,13">Zech. vi. 11,
13</scripRef>. [3.] It was very significant of his undertaking.
Jesus signifies a <i>Saviour.</i> He would be denominated, not from
the glories of his divine nature, but from his gracious designs as
Mediator; he <i>brings salvation.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p34">II. He was <i>presented</i> in the temple.
This was done with an eye to the law, and at the time appointed by
the law, when he was forty days old, <i>when the days of her
purification were accomplished,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.22" parsed="|Luke|2|22|0|0" passage="Lu 2:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. Many copies, and authentic ones,
read <b><i>auton</i></b> for <b><i>autes</i></b>, <i>the days of
their purification,</i> the purification both of the mother and of
the child, for so it was intended to be by the law; and our Lord
Jesus, though he had no impurity to be cleansed from, yet submitted
to it, as he did to circumcision, because he was made <i>sin for
us;</i> and that, as by the <i>circumcision of Christ</i> we might
be <i>circumcised,</i> in the virtue of our union and communion
with him, with a spiritual circumcision <i>made without hands</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p34.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.2.11" parsed="|Col|2|11|0|0" passage="Col 2:11">Col. ii. 11</scripRef>), so in the
<i>purification</i> of Christ we might be <i>spiritually
purified</i> from the filthiness and corruption which we brought
into the world with us. Now, according to the law,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p35">1. The child Jesus, being a first-born son,
was <i>presented to the Lord,</i> in one of the courts of the
temple. The law is here recited (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.23" parsed="|Luke|2|23|0|0" passage="Lu 2:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>): <i>Every male that opens the
womb shall be called holy to the Lord,</i> because by a special
writ of protection the first-born of the Egyptians were slain by
the destroying angel; so that Christ, as first-born, was a priest
by a title surer than that of Aaron's house. Christ was the
<i>first-born</i> among many brethren, and was <i>called holy to
the Lord,</i> so as never any other was; yet he was <i>presented to
the Lord</i> as other first-born were, and no otherwise. Though he
was newly come out of the bosom of the Father, yet he was
<i>presented</i> to him by the hands of a priest, as if he had been
a stranger, that needed one to introduce him. His being
<i>presented to the Lord</i> now signified his <i>presenting
himself</i> to the Lord as Mediator, when he was caused to <i>draw
near</i> and <i>approach unto him,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p35.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.30.21" parsed="|Jer|30|21|0|0" passage="Jer 30:21">Jer. xxx. 21</scripRef>. But, according to the law, he
was <i>redeemed,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p35.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.15" parsed="|Num|18|15|0|0" passage="Nu 18:15">Num. xviii.
15</scripRef>. <i>The first-born of many shalt thou redeem,</i> and
<i>five shekels</i> was the value, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p35.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.27.6 Bible:Num.18.16" parsed="|Lev|27|6|0|0;|Num|18|16|0|0" passage="Le 27:6,Nu 18:16">Lev. xxvii. 6; Num. xviii. 16</scripRef>. But
probably in case of poverty the priest was allowed to take less, or
perhaps nothing; for no mention is made of it here. Christ was
<i>presented to the Lord,</i> not to be <i>brought back,</i> for
his <i>ear was bored</i> to God's <i>door-post</i> to serve him for
ever; and though he is not left in the temple as Samuel was, to
minister there, yet like him he is given to the Lord <i>as long as
he lives,</i> and ministers to him in the true temple <i>not made
with hands.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p36">2. The mother brought her offering,
<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.24" parsed="|Luke|2|24|0|0" passage="Lu 2:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. When she had
presented that son of hers unto the Lord who was to be the great
sacrifice, she might have been excused from offering any other; but
so <i>it is said in the law of the Lord,</i> that law which was yet
in force, and therefore so it must be done, she must offer <i>a
pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons;</i> had she been of
ability, she must have brought a <i>lamb for a burnt-offering,</i>
and a <i>dove for a sin-offering;</i> but, being poor, and not able
to reach the price of a lamb, she brings <i>two doves,</i> one for
<i>a burnt-offering and the other for a sin-offering</i> (see
<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p36.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.12.6 Bible:Lev.12.8" parsed="|Lev|12|6|0|0;|Lev|12|8|0|0" passage="Le 12:6,8">Lev. xii. 6, 8</scripRef>), to teach
us in every address to God, and particularly in those upon special
occasions, both to give thanks to God for his mercies to us and to
acknowledge with sorrow and shame our sins against him; in both we
must give glory to him, nor do we ever want matter for both. Christ
was not <i>conceived</i> and <i>born</i> in sin, as others are, so
that there was not that occasion in his case which there is in
others; yet, because he was made under the law, he complied with
it. <i>Thus it became him to fulfil all righteousness.</i> Much
more doth it become the best of men to join in confessions of sin;
for <i>who can say, I have made my heart clean?</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.iii-p36.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.25-Luke.2.40" parsed="|Luke|2|25|2|40" passage="Lu 2:25-40" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.2.25-Luke.2.40">
<h4 id="Luke.iii-p36.4">Christ and Simeon in the Temple; Anna in the
Temple.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.iii-p37">25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem,
whose name <i>was</i> Simeon; and the same man <i>was</i> just and
devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost
was upon him.   26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy
Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's
Christ.   27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and
when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after
the custom of the law,   28 Then took he him up in his arms,
and blessed God, and said,   29 Lord, now lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace, according to thy word:   30 For mine
eyes have seen thy salvation,   31 Which thou hast prepared
before the face of all people;   32 A light to lighten the
Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.   33 And Joseph
and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
  34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother,
Behold, this <i>child</i> is set for the fall and rising again of
many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
  35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,)
that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.   36 And
there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the
tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband
seven years from her virginity;   37 And she <i>was</i> a
widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from
the temple, but served <i>God</i> with fastings and prayers night
and day.   38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks
likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked
for redemption in Jerusalem.   39 And when they had performed
all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into
Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.   40 And the child grew,
and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of
God was upon him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p38">Even when he humbles himself, still Christ
has honour done him to balance the offence of it. That we might not
be stumbled at the <i>meanness of his birth, angels</i> then did
him honour; and now, that we may not be offended at his being
presented in the temple, like other children born in sin, and
without any manner of solemnity peculiar to him, but silently, and
in the crowd of other children, Simeon and Anna now do him honour,
by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p39">I. A very honourable testimony is borne to
him by Simeon, which was both a reputation to the child and an
encouragement to the parents, and might have been a happy
introduction of the priests into an acquaintance with the Saviour,
if those <i>watchmen</i> had not been <i>blind.</i> Now observe
here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p40">1. The account that is given us concerning
this Simeon, or Simon. He dwelt now in Jerusalem, and was eminent
for his piety and communion with God. Some learned men, who have
been conversant with the Jewish writers, find that there was at
this time one Simeon, a man of great note in Jerusalem, the son of
Hillel, and the first to whom they gave the title of <i>Rabban,</i>
the highest title that they gave to their doctors, and which was
never given but to seven of them. He succeeded his father Hillel,
as president of the college which his father founded, and of the
great Sanhedrim. The Jews say that he was endued with a
<i>prophetical</i> spirit, and that he was turned out of his place
because he witnessed against the common opinion of the Jews
concerning the temporal kingdom of the Messiah; and they likewise
observe that there is no mention of him in their Mishna, or book of
traditions, which intimates that he was no patron of those
fooleries. One thing objected against this conjecture is that at
this time his father Hillel was living, and that he himself lived
many years after this, as appears by the Jewish histories; but, as
to that, he is not here said to be old; and his saying, <i>Now let
thy servant depart</i> intimates that he was willing to die
<i>now,</i> but does not conclude that therefore he did die
quickly. St. Paul lived many years after he had spoken of his death
as <i>near,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.25" parsed="|Acts|20|25|0|0" passage="Ac 20:25">Acts xx.
25</scripRef>. Another thing objected is that the son of Simeon was
Gamaliel, a Pharisee, and an enemy to Christianity; but, as to
that, it is no new thing for a faithful lover of Christ to have a
son a bigoted Pharisee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p41">The account given of him here is, (1.) That
he was <i>just</i> and <i>devout, just</i> towards men and
<i>devout</i> towards God; these two must always go together, and
each will befriend the other, but neither will atone for the defect
of the other. (2.) That he <i>waited for the consolation of
Israel,</i> that is, for the coming of the Messiah, in whom alone
the nation of Israel, that was now miserably harassed and
oppressed, would find <i>consolation.</i> Christ is not only the
author of his people's comfort, but the matter and ground of it,
the <i>consolation of Israel.</i> He was long a coming, and they
who believed he would come continued <i>waiting, desiring</i> his
coming, and <i>hoping</i> for it with <i>patience;</i> I had almost
said, with some degree of <i>impatience</i> waiting till it came.
He <i>understood by books,</i> as Daniel, that the time was at
hand, and therefore was now more than ever big with expectation of
it. The unbelieving Jews, who still expect that which is already
come, use it as an oath, or solemn protestation, <i>As ever I hope
to see the consolation of Israel,</i> so and so it is. Note, The
consolation of Israel is to be waited for, and it is worth waiting
for, and it will be very welcome to those who have <i>waited</i>
for it, and continue waiting. (3.) The <i>Holy Ghost</i> was upon
him, not only as a Spirit of holiness, but as a Spirit of prophecy;
he was <i>filled with the Holy Ghost,</i> and enabled to speak
things above himself. (4.) He had a gracious promise made him, that
before he died he should have a sight of the Messiah, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p41.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.26" parsed="|Luke|2|26|0|0" passage="Lu 2:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. He was searching <i>what
manner of time</i> the Spirit of Christ in the Old-Testament
prophets did signify, and whether it were not now at hand; and he
received <i>this oracle</i> (for so the word signifies), <i>that he
should not see death before he had seen</i> the Messiah, <i>the
Lord's Anointed.</i> Note, Those, and those only, can with courage
<i>see death,</i> and look it in the face without terror, that have
had by faith a sight of Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p42">2. The seasonable coming of Simeon into the
temple, at the time when Christ was presented there, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p42.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.27" parsed="|Luke|2|27|0|0" passage="Lu 2:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. Just then, when Joseph
and Mary brought in the child, to be registered as it were in the
church-book, among the first-born, Simeon came, by direction of
<i>the Spirit,</i> into the temple. The same Spirit that had
provided for the support of his hope now provided for the transport
of his joy. It was whispered in his ear, "Go to the temple now, and
you shall see what you have longed to see." Note, Those that would
see Christ must go to his temple; for there <i>The Lord, whom ye
seek,</i> shall suddenly come to <i>meet you,</i> and there you
must be ready to <i>meet him.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p43">3. The abundant satisfaction wherewith he
welcomed this sight: <i>He took him up in his arms</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.28" parsed="|Luke|2|28|0|0" passage="Lu 2:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>), he <i>embraced</i> him
with the greatest affection imaginable, laid him in his bosom, as
near his heart as he could, which was as full of joy as it could
hold. He <i>took him up in his arms,</i> to present him to the Lord
(so some think), to do either the parent's part or the priest's
part; for divers of the ancients say that he was himself a priest.
When we receive the record which the gospel gives us of Christ with
a lively faith, and the offer it makes us of Christ with love and
resignation, then we <i>take Christ in our arms.</i> It was
promised him that he should have a sight of Christ; but more is
<i>performed</i> than was <i>promised:</i> he has him in his
arms.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p44">4. The solemn declaration he made hereupon:
<i>He blessed God,</i> and said, <i>Lord, now let thou thy servant
depart in peace,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p44.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.29-Luke.2.32" parsed="|Luke|2|29|2|32" passage="Lu 2:29-32"><i>v.</i>
29-32</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p45">(1.) He has a pleasant prospect
<i>concerning himself,</i> and (which is a great attainment) is got
quite above the love of life and fear of death; nay, he is arrived
at a holy contempt of life, and desire of death: "<i>Lord, now let
thou thy servant depart,</i> for mine eyes have seen the salvation
I was promised a sight of before I died." Here is, [1.] An
acknowledgment that God had been <i>as good as his word;</i> there
has not failed one tittle of his good promises, as Solomon owns,
<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p45.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.8.56" parsed="|1Kgs|8|56|0|0" passage="1Ki 8:56">1 Kings viii. 56</scripRef>. Note,
Never any that hoped in God's word were made ashamed of their hope.
[2.] A thanksgiving for it. He <i>blessed God</i> that he saw that
salvation in his arms which many prophets and kings desired to see,
and might not. [3.] A confession of his faith, that the child in
his arms was the <i>saviour,</i> the <i>Salvation</i> itself;
<i>thy salvation,</i> the salvation of thine appointing, the
salvation <i>which thou has prepared</i> with a great deal of
contrivance. And, while it has been thus long <i>in the coming,</i>
it hath still been <i>in the preparing.</i> [4.] It is a farewell
to this world: "<i>Now let thy servant depart;</i> now mine eyes
have been blessed with this sight, let them be closed, and see no
more in this world." The eye is not satisfied with seeing
(<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p45.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.1.8" parsed="|Eccl|1|8|0|0" passage="Ec 1:8">Eccl. i. 8</scripRef>), till it hath
<i>seen Christ,</i> and then it is. What a poor thing doth this
world look to one that hath Christ in his arms and salvation in his
eye! Now adieu to all my friends and relations, all my enjoyments
and employments here, even the temple itself. [5.] It is a welcome
to death: <i>Now let thy servant depart.</i> Note, Death is a
departure, the soul's departure out of the body, from the world of
sense to the world of spirits. We must not depart till God give us
our discharge, for we are his <i>servants</i> and must not quit his
service till we have accomplished our time. Moses was promised that
he should see Canaan, and then <i>die;</i> but he prayed that this
word might be altered, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p45.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.3.24-Deut.3.25" parsed="|Deut|3|24|3|25" passage="De 3:24,25">Deut. iii.
24, 25</scripRef>. Simeon is promised that he should not <i>see
death</i> till he had <i>seen Christ;</i> and he is willing to
construe that beyond what was expressed, as an intimation that,
when he had seen Christ, he should die: <i>Lord, be it so,</i>
saith he, <i>now let me depart.</i> See here, <i>First,</i> How
<i>comfortable</i> the death of a good man is; he departs <i>as
God's servant</i> from the place of his toil to that of his rest.
He departs <i>in peace,</i> peace with God, peace with his own
conscience; in <i>peace</i> with death, well-reconciled to it,
well-acquainted with it. He departs <i>according to God's word,</i>
as Moses at the <i>word of the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p45.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.34.5" parsed="|Deut|34|5|0|0" passage="De 34:5">Deut. xxxiv. 5</scripRef>): the word of precept, <i>Go up
and die;</i> the word of promise, <i>I will come again and receive
you to myself. Secondly,</i> What is the ground of this comfort?
<i>For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.</i> This bespeaks more
than a great complacency in the sight, like that of Jacob
(<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p45.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.30" parsed="|Gen|46|30|0|0" passage="Ge 46:30">Gen. xlvi. 30</scripRef>), <i>Now let
me die, since I have seen thy face.</i> It bespeaks a believing
expectation of a happy state on the other side death, through this
salvation he now had a sight of, which not only takes off the
terror of death, but makes it <i>gain,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p45.6" osisRef="Bible:Phil.1.21" parsed="|Phil|1|21|0|0" passage="Php 1:21">Phil. i. 21</scripRef>. Note, Those that have welcomed
Christ may welcome death.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p46">(2.) He has a pleasant prospect concerning
the world, and concerning the church. This salvation shall be,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p47">[1.] A blessing to the world. It is
<i>prepared before the face of all people,</i> not to be hid in a
corner, but to be made known; to be a <i>light to lighten the
Gentiles</i> that now sit in darkness: they shall have the
knowledge of him, and of God, and another world through him. This
has reference to <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p47.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.49.6" parsed="|Isa|49|6|0|0" passage="Isa 49:6">Isa. xlix.
6</scripRef>, <i>I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles;</i>
for Christ came to be the light of the world, not a candle in the
Jewish candlestick, but the <i>Sun of righteousness.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p48">[2.] A blessing to the church: <i>the glory
of thy people Israel.</i> It was an honour to the Jewish nation
that the Messiah sprang out of one of their tribes, and was born,
and lived, and died, among them. And of those who were Israelites
indeed of the spiritual Israel, he was indeed <i>the glory,</i> and
will be so to eternity, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p48.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.60.19" parsed="|Isa|60|19|0|0" passage="Isa 60:19">Isa. lx.
19</scripRef>. They shall <i>glory</i> in him. <i>In the Lord shall
all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p48.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.45.25" parsed="|Isa|45|25|0|0" passage="Isa 45:25">Isa. xlv. 25</scripRef>. When Christ ordered
his apostles to preach the gospel to all nations, therein he made
himself a <i>light to lighten the Gentiles;</i> and when he added,
<i>beginning at Jerusalem,</i> he made himself <i>the glory of
his</i> people Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p49">5. The prediction concerning this child,
which he delivered, with his blessing, to Joseph and Mary. They
<i>marvelled at those things</i> which were still more and more
fully and plainly spoken concerning this child, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p49.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.33" parsed="|Luke|2|33|0|0" passage="Lu 2:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. And because they were affected
with, and had their faith strengthened by, that which was said to
them, here is more said to them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p50">(1.) Simeon shows them what reason they had
to <i>rejoice;</i> for he <i>blessed them</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p50.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.34" parsed="|Luke|2|34|0|0" passage="Lu 2:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>), he pronounced them blessed who
had the honour to be related to this child, and were entrusted with
the bringing him up. He <i>prayed</i> for them, that God would
<i>bless</i> them, and would have others do so too. They had reason
to rejoice, for this child should be, not only a comfort and honour
to them, but a public blessing. He is set <i>for the rising again
of many in Israel,</i> that is, for the conversion of many to God
that are dead and buried in sin, and for the consolation of many in
God that are sunk and lost in sorrow and despair. Those whom he is
set <i>for the fall of</i> may be the same with those whom he is
set for the <i>rising again of.</i> He is set <b><i>eis ptosin kai
anastasin</i></b>—<i>for their fall, in order to their rising
again;</i> to humble and abase them, and bring them off from all
confidence in themselves, that they may be exalted by relying on
Christ; he wounds and then heals, Paul <i>falls,</i> and rises
again.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p51">(2.) He shows them likewise what reason
they had to <i>rejoice with trembling,</i> according to the advice
given of old, with reference to the Messiah's kingdom, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p51.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.11" parsed="|Ps|2|11|0|0" passage="Ps 2:11">Ps. ii. 11</scripRef>. Lest Joseph, and Mary
especially, should be <i>lifted up</i> with the abundance of the
revelations, here is a <i>thorn in the flesh</i> for them, an allay
to their joy; and it is what we sometimes need.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p52">[1.] It is true, Christ shall be a blessing
to Israel; but there are those in Israel whom he is <i>set for the
fall of,</i> whose corruptions will be provoked, who will be
prejudiced and enraged against him, and offended, and whose sin and
ruin will be aggravated by the revelation of Jesus Christ; many who
will extract poison to themselves out of the balm of Gilead, and
split their souls on the Rock of salvation, to whom this precious
Foundation-stone will be a <i>stone of stumbling.</i> This refers
to that prophecy (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p52.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.8.14-Isa.8.15" parsed="|Isa|8|14|8|15" passage="Isa 8:14,15">Isa. viii. 14,
15</scripRef>), He shall be <i>for a sanctuary</i> to some, and yet
for a <i>snare</i> to others, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p52.2" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.7-1Pet.2.8" parsed="|1Pet|2|7|2|8" passage="1Pe 2:7,8">1 Pet.
ii. 7, 8</scripRef>. Note, As it is pleasant to think how many
there are to whom Christ and his gospel are a savour of life unto
life, so it is sad to think how many there are to whom it is a
savour of death unto death. He is set for <i>a sign,</i> to be
admired by some, but by others, by many, spoken against. He had
many <i>eyes upon him,</i> during the time of his public ministry,
he was a <i>sign,</i> but he had many <i>tongues against</i> him,
the contradiction and reproach of sinners, he was continually
cavilled at and abused; and the effects of this will be that the
<i>thoughts of many hearts will be revealed</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p52.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.35" parsed="|Luke|2|35|0|0" passage="Lu 2:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>), that is, upon this occasion,
men will <i>show themselves,</i> will discover, and so distinguish,
themselves. The secret good affections and dispositions in the
minds of some will be revealed by their embracing Christ, and
closing with him; the secret corruptions and vicious dispositions
of others, that otherwise would never have appeared so bad, will be
revealed by their enmity to Christ and their rage against him. Men
will be judged of by the thoughts of their hearts, their thoughts
concerning Christ; are they for <i>him,</i> or are they for his
<i>adversaries?</i> The <i>word of God</i> is a discerner of the
<i>thoughts</i> and <i>intents of the heart,</i> and by it we are
discovered to ourselves, and shall be judged hereafter.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p53">[2.] It is true, Christ shall be a comfort
to his mother; but be not thou too proud of it, for <i>a sword
shall pass through thine own soul also.</i> He shall be a suffering
Jesus; and, <i>First,</i> "Thou <i>shalt suffer with him,</i> by
sympathy, more than any other of his friends, because of the
nearness of thy relation, and strength of affection, to him." When
he was abused, it was <i>a sword in her bones.</i> When she stood
by his cross, and saw him dying, we may well think her inward grief
was such that it might truly be said, <i>A sword pierced through
her soul,</i> it cut her to the heart. <i>Secondly,</i> Thou shalt
<i>suffer for him.</i> Many understand it as a prediction of her
martyrdom; and some of the ancients say that it had its
accomplishment in that. Note, In the midst of our greatest delights
and advancements in this world, it is good for us to know that
bonds and afflictions abide us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p54">II. He is taken notice of by one
<i>Anna,</i> or <i>Ann, a prophetess,</i> that one of each sex
might bear witness to him in whom both <i>men</i> and <i>women</i>
are invited to believe, that they may be saved. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p55">1. The account here given of this Anna, who
she was. She was, (1.) <i>A prophetess;</i> the Spirit of prophecy
now began to revive, which had ceased in Israel above three hundred
years. Perhaps no more is meant than that she was one who had
understanding in the scriptures above other women, and made it her
business to instruct the <i>younger women</i> in the things of God.
Though it was a very degenerate age of the church, yet God <i>left
not himself without witness.</i> (2.) She was <i>the daughter of
Phanuel;</i> her father's name (says Grotius) is mentioned, to put
us in mind of Jacob's <i>Phanuel,</i> or <i>Penuel</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p55.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.32.30" parsed="|Gen|32|30|0|0" passage="Ge 32:30">Gen. xxxii. 30</scripRef>), that now the mystery
of that should be unfolded, when in Christ we should as it were see
God face to face, and our lives be preserved; and her name
signifies <i>gracious.</i> (3.) She was of <i>the tribe of
Asher,</i> which was in Galilee; this, some think, is taken notice
of to refute those who said, <i>Out of Galilee ariseth no
prophet,</i> when no sooner did prophecy revive but it appeared
from Galilee. (4.) She was of <i>a great age,</i> a widow of about
eighty-four years; some think she had now been eighty-four years a
widow, and then she must be considerably above a hundred years old;
others, rather than suppose that a woman so very old should be
capable of fasting and praying as she did, suppose that she was
only eighty-four years of age, and had been long a widow. Though
she was a young widow, and had lived with her husband but seven
years, yet she never married again, but continued a widow to her
dying day, which is mentioned to her praise. (5.) She was a
constant resident <i>in</i> or at least attendant <i>on</i> the
temple. Some think she had lodgings in the courts of the temple,
either in an alms-house, being maintained by the temple charities;
or, as a prophetess, she was lodged there, as in a proper place to
be consulted and advised with by those that desired to know the
mind of God; others think her not <i>departing from the temple</i>
means no more, than that she was constantly there at the time of
divine service: when any good work was to be done, she was ready to
join in it. It is most probable she had an apartment of her own
among the out-buildings of the temple; and, besides her constant
attendance on the public worship, abounded in private devotions,
for she <i>served God with fastings and prayers night and day:</i>
having no secular business to employ herself in, or being past it,
she gave up herself wholly to her devotions, and not only <i>fasted
twice in the week,</i> but always lived a mortified life, and spent
that time in religious exercises which others spent in eating and
drinking and sleeping; she not only observed the <i>hours of
prayer,</i> but prayed <i>night and day;</i> was always in a
praying frame, lived a life of prayer, gave herself to prayer, was
frequent in ejaculations, large in solemn prayers, and very
particular in her intercessions. And in these she <i>served</i>
God; that was it that put a value upon them and an excellency in to
them. The Pharisees <i>fasted often,</i> and made <i>long
prayers,</i> but they served themselves, and their own pride and
covetousness, in their fastings and prayers; but this good woman
not only did that which was good, but did it from a good principle,
and with a good end; she <i>served God,</i> and aimed at his
honour, in <i>fasting and praying.</i> Note, [1.] Devotion is a
thing we ought to be constant in; other duties are in season now
and then, but we must <i>pray always.</i> [2.] It is a pleasant
sight to see aged Christians abounding in acts of devotion, as
those that are not <i>weary of well-doing,</i> that do not think
themselves <i>above</i> these exercises, or <i>past</i> them, but
that take more and more pleasure in them, and see more and more
need of them, till they come to heaven. [3.] Those that are
diligent and faithful in improving the light and means they have
shall have further discoveries made them. Anna is now at length
abundantly recompensed for her attendance so many years in the
temple.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p56">2. The testimony she bore to our Lord Jesus
(<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p56.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.38" parsed="|Luke|2|38|0|0" passage="Lu 2:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>): <i>She came
in at that instant</i> when the child was presented, and Simeon
discoursed concerning him; she, who was so <i>constant</i> to the
temple, could not miss the opportunity.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p57">Now, (1.) She <i>gave thanks likewise to
the Lord,</i> just as Simeon, perhaps like him, wishing now to
depart in peace. Note, Those to whom Christ is <i>made known</i>
have reason enough to <i>give thanks to the Lord</i> for so great a
favour; and we should be excited to that duty by the praises and
thanksgivings of others; why should not we <i>give thanks
likewise,</i> as well as they? Anna concurred with Simeon, and
helped to make up the harmony. <i>She confessed unto the Lord</i>
(so it may be read); she made an open profession of her faith
concerning this child.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p58">(2.) She, as a prophetess, instructed
others concerning him: She <i>spoke of him to all them</i> that
believed the Messiah would come, and with him <i>looked for
redemption in Jerusalem.</i> Redemption was the thing wanted,
waited for, and wished for; redemption <i>in Jerusalem,</i> for
thence the <i>word of the Lord was to go forth,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p58.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.2.3" parsed="|Isa|2|3|0|0" passage="Isa 2:3">Isa. ii. 3</scripRef>. Some there were in
Jerusalem that <i>looked for redemption;</i> yet but a few, for
Anna, it should seem, had acquaintance with all them that were
joint-expectants with her of the Messiah; she knew where to find
them, or they where to find her, and she told them all the good
news, that she had seen the Lord; and it was great news, this of
his birth now, as afterwards that of his resurrection. Note, Those
that have an acquaintance with Christ <i>themselves</i> should do
all they can to bring <i>others</i> acquainted with him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p59"><i>Lastly,</i> Here is a short account of
the infancy and childhood of our Lord Jesus.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p60">1. <i>Where</i> he spent it, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p60.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.39" parsed="|Luke|2|39|0|0" passage="Lu 2:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>. When the ceremony of
presenting the child, and purifying the mother, was all over, they
<i>returned into Galilee.</i> Luke relates no more concerning them,
till they were returned into Galilee; but it appears by St.
Matthew's gospel (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p60.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.2.1-Matt.2.23" parsed="|Matt|2|1|2|23" passage="Mt 2:1-23"><i>ch.</i>
ii.</scripRef>) that from Jerusalem they returned to Bethlehem,
where the wise men of the east found them, and there they continued
till they were directed to flee into Egypt, to escape the malice
and rage of Herod; and, returning thence when Herod was dead, they
were directed to go to their old quarters in Nazareth, whence they
had been perhaps some years absent. It is here called <i>their own
city,</i> because there they had lived a great while, and their
relations were there. He was ordered further from Jerusalem,
because his kingdom and priesthood were to have no affinity with
the present government of the Jewish church or state. He is sent
into a place of obscurity and reproach; for in this, as in other
things, he must humble himself and <i>make himself of no
reputation.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p61">2. <i>How</i> he spent it, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p61.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.40" parsed="|Luke|2|40|0|0" passage="Lu 2:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>. In all things <i>it
behoved him to be made like unto his brethren,</i> and therefore he
passed through infancy and childhood as other children did, yet
without sin; nay, with manifest indications of a divine nature in
him. As other children, he <i>grew</i> in stature of body, and the
improvement of understanding in his human soul, that his
<i>natural</i> body might be a figure of his <i>mystical</i> body,
which, though animated by a perfect spirit, yet <i>maketh increase
of itself</i> till it comes to the <i>perfect man,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p61.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.13 Bible:Eph.4.16" parsed="|Eph|4|13|0|0;|Eph|4|16|0|0" passage="Eph 4:13,16">Eph. iv. 13, 16</scripRef>. But, (1.) Whereas
other children are weak in understanding and resolution, he was
<i>strong in spirit.</i> By the Spirit of God his human soul was
endued with extraordinary vigour, and all his faculties performed
their offices in an extraordinary manner. He reasoned strongly, and
his judgment was penetrating. (2.) Whereas other children have
<i>foolishness bound in their hearts,</i> which appears in what
they say or do, he was <i>filled with wisdom,</i> not by any
advantages of instruction and education, but by the operation of
the Holy Ghost; every thing he said and did was wisely said, and
wisely done, above his years. (3.) Whereas other children show that
the corruption of nature is in them, and <i>the tares of sin</i>
grow up with the <i>wheat of reason,</i> he made it appear that
nothing but <i>the grace of God was upon him</i> (the wheat sprang
up without tares), and that, whereas other children are by nature
children of wrath, he was <i>greatly beloved,</i> and high in the
favour of God; that God loved him, and cherished him, and took a
particular care of him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.iii-p61.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.41-Luke.2.52" parsed="|Luke|2|41|2|52" passage="Lu 2:41-52" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.2.41-Luke.2.52">
<h4 id="Luke.iii-p61.4">Christ Sitting with the
Doctors.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.iii-p62">41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year
at the feast of the passover.   42 And when he was twelve
years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
  43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned,
the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his
mother knew not <i>of it.</i>   44 But they, supposing him to
have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him
among <i>their</i> kinsfolk and acquaintance.   45 And when
they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking
him.   46 And it came to pass, that after three days they
found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both
hearing them, and asking them questions.   47 And all that
heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.  
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said
unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father
and I have sought thee sorrowing.   49 And he said unto them,
How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my
Father's business?   50 And they understood not the saying
which he spake unto them.   51 And he went down with them, and
came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept
all these sayings in her heart.   52 And Jesus increased in
wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p63">We have here the only passage of story
recorded concerning our blessed Saviour, from his infancy to the
day of his showing to Israel at twenty-nine years old, and
therefore we are concerned to make much of this, for it is in vain
to wish we had more. Here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p64">I. Christ's <i>going up with his
parents</i> to Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p64.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.41-Luke.2.42" parsed="|Luke|2|41|2|42" passage="Lu 2:41,42"><i>v.</i> 41, 42</scripRef>. 1. It was their
constant practice to attend there, according to the law, though it
was a long journey, and they were poor, and perhaps not well able,
without straitening themselves, to bear the expenses of it. Note,
Public ordinances must be frequented, and we must <i>not forsake
the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.</i>
Worldly business must give way to spiritual concerns. Joseph and
Mary had a son in the house with them, that was able to teach them
better than all the rabbin at Jerusalem; yet they <i>went up</i>
thither, <i>after the custom of the feast. The Lord loves the gates
of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob,</i> and so should we.
We have reason to suppose that Joseph went up likewise at the
feasts of <i>pentecost</i> and <i>tabernacles;</i> for all the
males were to appear there <i>thrice a year,</i> but Mary only at
the <i>passover,</i> which was the greatest of the three feasts,
and had most gospel in it. 2. The child Jesus, at <i>twelve years
old,</i> went up with them. The Jewish doctors say that at twelve
years old children must begin to fast from time to time, that they
may learn to fast on the day of atonement; and that at thirteen
years old a child begins to be <i>a son of the commandment,</i>
that is, obliged to the duties of adult church-membership, having
been from his infancy, by virtue of his circumcision, <i>a son of
the covenant.</i> It is not said that this was the <i>first
time</i> that Jesus went up to Jerusalem to worship at the feast:
probably he had done it for some years before, having spirit and
wisdom above his years; and all should attend on public worship
that can <i>hear with understanding,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p64.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.2" parsed="|Neh|8|2|0|0" passage="Ne 8:2">Neh. viii. 2</scripRef>. Those children that are forward
in other things should be put forward in religion. It is for the
honour of Christ that children should attend on public worship, and
he is pleased with their hosannas; and those children that were in
their infancy dedicated to God should be called upon, when they are
grown up, to come to the <i>gospel passover,</i> to the Lord's
supper, that they make it their own act and deed to join themselves
to the Lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p65">II. Christ's <i>tarrying behind his parents
at Jerusalem,</i> unknown to them, in which he designed to give an
early specimen of what he was reserved for.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p66">1. His parents did not return till they had
<i>fulfilled the days;</i> they had staid there all the seven days
at the feast, though it was not absolutely necessary that they
should stay longer than the two first days, after which many went
home. Note, It is good to stay to the conclusion of an ordinance,
as becomes those who say, <i>It is good to be here,</i> and not to
hasten away, as if we were like Doeg, <i>detained before the
Lord.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p67">2. The child <i>tarried behind in
Jerusalem,</i> not because he was loth to go home, or shy of his
parents' company, but because he had business to do there, and
would let his parents know that he had a <i>Father in heaven,</i>
whom he was to be <i>observant</i> of more than of <i>them;</i> and
respect to <i>him</i> must not be construed disrespect <i>to
them.</i> Some conjecture that he tarried behind in the temple, for
it was the custom of the pious Jews, on the morning that they were
to go home, to go first to the temple, to worship God; there he
<i>staid behind,</i> and found entertainment there till they found
him again. Or, perhaps, he staid at the house where they lodged, or
some other friend's house (and such a child as he was could not but
be the darling of all that knew him, and every one would court his
company), and went up to the temple only at church-time; but so it
was that he staid behind. It is good to see young people willing to
<i>dwell in the house of the Lord;</i> they are then like
Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p68">3. His parents went the <i>first day's
journey</i> without any suspicion that he was left behind, for they
<i>supposed him to have been in the company,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p68.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.44" parsed="|Luke|2|44|0|0" passage="Lu 2:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>. On these occasions, the crowd
was very great, especially the first day's journey, and the roads
full of people; and they concluded that he came along with some of
their neighbours, and they <i>sought him among their kindred and
acquaintance,</i> that were upon the road, going down. Pray did
<i>you</i> see our Son? or, Did <i>you</i> see him? Like the
spouses's inquiry, <i>Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?</i> This was
a jewel worth seeking after. They knew that every one would be
desirous of his company, and that he would be willing to do good
among <i>his kinsfolk and acquaintance,</i> but among them they
<i>found him not,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p68.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.45" parsed="|Luke|2|45|0|0" passage="Lu 2:45"><i>v.</i>
45</scripRef>. There are many, too many, who are our kinsfolk and
acquaintance, that we cannot avoid conversing with, among whom we
find little or nothing of Christ. When they could not hear of him
in this and the other company upon the road, yet they hoped they
should meet with him at the place where they lodged that night; but
<i>there</i> they could learn no tidings of him. Compare this with
<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p68.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.23.8-Job.23.9" parsed="|Job|23|8|23|9" passage="Job 23:8,9">Job xxiii. 8, 9</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p69">4. When they found him not at their
quarters at night, they <i>turned back again,</i> next morning,
<i>to Jerusalem, seeking him.</i> Note, Those that would find
Christ must <i>seek till they find;</i> for he will at length be
found of those that seek him, and will be found their bountiful
rewarder. Those that have lost their comforts in Christ, and the
evidences of their interest in him, must bethink themselves where,
and when, and how, they lost them, and must <i>turn back again</i>
to the place where they last had them; must <i>remember whence they
are fallen, and repent, and do their first works,</i> and <i>return
to their first love,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p69.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.2.4-Rev.2.5" parsed="|Rev|2|4|2|5" passage="Re 2:4,5">Rev. ii. 4,
5</scripRef>. Those that would recover their lost acquaintance with
Christ must go to Jerusalem, the <i>city of our solemnities,</i>
the place which he has <i>chosen to put his name there;</i> must
attend upon him in his ordinances, in the gospel-passover, there
they may hope to meet him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p70">5. The <i>third day</i> they found him
<i>in the temple,</i> in some of the apartments belonging to the
temple, where the doctors of the law kept, not their courts, but
their conferences rather, or their schools for disputation; and
there they found him <i>sitting in the midst of them</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p70.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.46" parsed="|Luke|2|46|0|0" passage="Lu 2:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>), not standing as a
<i>catechumen</i> to be examined or instructed by them, for he had
discovered such measures of knowledge and wisdom that they admitted
him to sit among them as a fellow or member of their society. This
is an instance, not only that he was <i>filled with wisdom</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p70.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.40" parsed="|Luke|2|40|0|0" passage="Lu 2:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>), but that he
had both a desire to increase it and a readiness to communicate it;
and herein he is an example to children and young people, who
should learn of Christ to delight in the company of those they may
get good by, and choose to <i>sit in the midst of</i> the doctors
rather than in the midst of the players. Let them begin at
<i>twelve years old,</i> and sooner, to enquire after knowledge,
and to associate with those that are able to instruct them; it is a
hopeful and promising presage in youth to be desirous of
instruction. Many a youth at Christ's age now would have been
playing with the <i>children in the temple,</i> but he was sitting
with the <i>doctors in the temple.</i> (1.) He <i>heard</i> them.
Those that would <i>learn</i> must be <i>swift to hear.</i> (2.) He
<i>asked them questions;</i> whether, as a teacher (he had
authority so to ask) or as a learner (he had humility so to ask) I
know not, or whether as an associate, or joint-searcher after
truth, which must be found out by mutual amicable disquisitions.
(3.) He returned <i>answers</i> to them, which were very surprising
and satisfactory, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p70.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.47" parsed="|Luke|2|47|0|0" passage="Lu 2:47"><i>v.</i>
47</scripRef>. And his wisdom and <i>understanding</i> appeared as
much in the questions he asked as in the answers he gave, so that
all who heard him <i>were astonished:</i> they never heard one so
young, no indeed any of their greatest doctors, talk sense at the
rate that he did; like David, he had <i>more understanding than all
his teachers,</i> yea, <i>than the ancients,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p70.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.99-Ps.119.100" parsed="|Ps|119|99|119|100" passage="Ps 119:99,100">Ps. cxix. 99, 100</scripRef>. Now Christ showed
forth some rays of his glory, which were presently drawn in again.
He <i>gave them a taste</i> (says Calvin) of his divine wisdom and
knowledge. Methinks this public appearance of Christ in the temple,
as a teacher, was like Moses's early attempt to deliver Israel,
which Stephen put this construction upon, that <i>he supposed his
brethren would have understood,</i> by that, <i>how God by his hand
would deliver them,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p70.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.7.24-Acts.7.25" parsed="|Acts|7|24|7|25" passage="Ac 7:24,25">Acts vii.
24, 25</scripRef>. They might have taken the hint, and been
delivered then, but <i>they understood not;</i> so they here might
have had Christ (for aught I know) to enter upon his work now, but
they were only <i>astonished,</i> and <i>understood not</i> the
indication; and therefore, like Moses, he retires into obscurity
again, and they hear no more of him for many years after.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p71">6. His mother talked with him privately
about it. When the company broke up, she took him aside, and
examined him about it with a deal of tenderness and affection,
<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p71.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.48" parsed="|Luke|2|48|0|0" passage="Lu 2:48"><i>v.</i> 48</scripRef>. Joseph and
Mary were both <i>amazed</i> to find him there, and to find that he
had so much respect showed him as to be admitted to <i>sit among
the doctors,</i> and to be taken notice of. His father knew he had
only the name of a father, and therefore said nothing. But, (1.)
His mother told him how ill they took it: "<i>Son, why hast thou
thus dealt with us?</i> Why didst thou put us into such a fright?"
They were ready to say, as Jacob of Joseph, "<i>A wild beast has
devoured him;</i> or, He is fallen into the hands of some more
cruel enemy, who has at length found out that he was the young
child whose life Herod had sought some years ago." A thousand
imaginations, we may suppose, they had concerning him, each more
frightful than another. "Now, why hast thou given us occasion for
these fears? <i>Thy father and I have sought thee, sorrowing;</i>
not only troubled that we lost thee, but vexed at ourselves that we
did not take more care of thee, to bring thee along with us." Note,
Those may have leave to complain of their losses that think they
have lost Christ. But their <i>weeping</i> did not hinder
<i>sowing;</i> they did not sorrow and sit down in despair, but
sorrowed and <i>sought.</i> Note, If we would find Christ, we must
seek him <i>sorrowing,</i> sorrowing that we have lost him, that we
have provoked him to withdraw, and that we have sought him no
sooner. They that thus seek him in sorrow shall find him, at
length, with so much the greater joy. (2.) He gently reproved their
inordinate solicitude about him (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p71.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.49" parsed="|Luke|2|49|0|0" passage="Lu 2:49"><i>v.</i> 49</scripRef>): "<i>How is it that you sought
me?</i> You might have depended upon it, I would have followed you
home when I had done the business I had to do here. I could not be
lost in Jerusalem. Wist ye not that I <i>ought to be,</i> <b><i>en
tois tou patros mou</i></b>;—<i>in my Father's house?"</i> so some
read it; "where else should the Son be, who <i>abideth in the house
for ever?</i> I ought to be," [1.] "<i>Under my Father's care</i>
and protection; and therefore you should have cast the care of me
upon him, and not have burdened yourselves with it." Christ is a
shaft hid in his Father's quiver, <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p71.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.49.2" parsed="|Isa|49|2|0|0" passage="Isa 49:2">Isa.
xlix. 2</scripRef>. He takes care of his church likewise, and
therefore let us never despair of its safety. [2.] "<i>At my
Father's work</i>" (so we take it): "I must be <i>about my Father's
business,</i> and therefore could not go home as soon as you might.
<i>Wist ye not?</i> Have you not already perceived that concerning
me, that I have devoted myself to the service of religion, and
therefore must employ myself in the affairs of it?" Herein he hath
left us an example; for it becomes the children of God, in
conformity to Christ, to attend their heavenly Father's business,
and to make all other business give way to it. This word of Christ
we now think we understand very well, for he hath explained it in
what he hath done and said. It was his errand into the world, and
his meat and drink in the world, to do his Father's will, and
finish his work: and yet at that time his parents <i>understood not
this saying,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p71.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.50" parsed="|Luke|2|50|0|0" passage="Lu 2:50"><i>v.</i>
50</scripRef>. They did not understand what business he had to do
then in the temple for his Father. They believed him to be the
Messiah, that should have the throne of his father David; but they
thought that should rather bring him to the royal palace than to
the temple. They <i>understood not</i> his prophetical office; and
he was to do much of his work in that.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p72"><i>Lastly,</i> Here is their return to
Nazareth. This glimpse of his glory was to be short. It was now
over, and he did not urge his parents either to come and settle at
Jerusalem or to settle him there (though that was the place of
improvement and preferment, and where he might have the best
opportunities of showing his wisdom), but very willingly retired
into his obscurity at Nazareth, where for many years he was, as it
were, buried alive. Doubtless, he came up to Jerusalem, to worship
at the feast, three times a year, but whether he ever went again
into the temple, to dispute with the doctors there, we are not
told; it is not improbable but he might. But here we are told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p73">1. That he was <i>subject to his
parents.</i> Though once, to show that he was <i>more than a
man,</i> he withdrew himself from his parents, to attend his
heavenly Father's business, yet he did not, as yet, make that his
constant practice, nor for many years after, but was <i>subject to
them,</i> observed their order, and went and came as they directed,
and, as it should seem, worked with his father at the trade of a
carpenter. Herein he hath given an example to children to be
dutiful and obedient to their parents in the Lord. Being <i>made of
a woman,</i> he was made under the law of the fifth commandment, to
teach the <i>seed</i> of the faithful thus to approve themselves to
him a faithful seed. Though his parents were poor and mean, though
his father was only his <i>supposed</i> father, yet he was
<i>subject to them;</i> though he was <i>strong in spirit,</i> and
<i>filled with wisdom</i> nay though he was the Son of God, yet he
was subject to his parents; how then will <i>they</i> answer it
who, though foolish and weak, yet are disobedient to their
parents?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p74">2. That his mother, though she did not
perfectly understand her son's sayings, yet <i>kept them in her
heart,</i> expecting that hereafter they would be explained to her,
and she should fully understand them, and know how to make use of
them. However we may neglect men's sayings because they are obscure
(<i>Si non vis intelligi debes negligi—If it be not intelligible,
it is not valuable</i>), yet we must not think so of God's sayings.
That which at first is dark, so that we know not what to make of
it, may afterwards become plain and easy; we should therefore
<i>lay it up</i> for hereafter. See <scripRef id="Luke.iii-p74.1" osisRef="Bible:John.2.22" parsed="|John|2|22|0|0" passage="Joh 2:22">John ii. 22</scripRef>. We may find use for that another
time which now we see not how to make useful to us. A
<i>scholar</i> keeps those grammar rules in memory which at present
he understands not the use of, because he is told that they will
hereafter be of use to him; so we must do by Christ's sayings.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.iii-p75">3. That he improved, and came on, to
admiration (<scripRef id="Luke.iii-p75.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.52" parsed="|Luke|2|52|0|0" passage="Lu 2:52"><i>v.</i> 52</scripRef>):
<i>He increased in wisdom and stature.</i> In the perfections of
his divine nature there could be no increase; but this is meant of
his human nature, his body increased in <i>stature</i> and bulk, he
grew in the growing age; and his soul increased <i>in wisdom,</i>
and in all the endowments of a human soul. Though the Eternal Word
was united to the human soul from his conception, yet the divinity
that dwelt in him manifested itself to his humanity by degrees,
<i>ad modum recipientis—in proportion to his capacity;</i> as the
faculties of his human soul grew more and more capable, the gifts
it received from the divine nature were more and more communicated.
And he increased in <i>favour with God and man,</i> that is, in all
those graces that rendered him acceptable to God and man. Herein
Christ accommodated himself to his estate of humiliation, that, as
he condescended to be an infant, a child, a youth, so the image of
God shone brighter in him, when he grew up to be a youth, than it
did, or could, while he was an <i>infant</i> and a <i>child.</i>
Note, Young people, as they grow in stature, should grow in wisdom,
and then, as they grow in wisdom, they will grow in favour <i>with
God and man.</i></p>
</div></div2>