Bible Commentaries

1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

Ver. 1. On the second sabbath after the first] Jerome saith that he asked Nazianzen what this second sabbath after the first was. Nazianzen answered, I’ll tell you that when I come next into the pulpit, for there you cannot contradict me. Ita per iocum dixit (saith Melancthon) quod hodie serio multi imitantur. {See Trapp on "Matthew 12:1"}

2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

Ver. 2. That which is not lawful] Our Saviour grants that it had not been lawful indeed, but in case of hard hunger.

3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;

Ver. 3. Have ye not read] Yes, over and over, but either understood not, or, through malice, dissembled it. Quilibet nostrum de lege interrogatus facilius quam nomini suo respondet, saith Josephus. The Jews were all very well versed in the Scriptures.

4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

Ver. 4. See Matthew 12:3-4, Mark 2:24.

5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Ver. 5. See Matthew 12:3-4, Mark 2:24.

6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

Ver. 6. And it came to pass] {See Trapp on "Matthew 12:9"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 12:10"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 12:11"}

7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Ver. 11. They were filled with madness] That is, with extreme rage and anger, which is a short madness- Et rectam tollit de cardine mentem.

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Ver. 12. He went out into a mountain to pray] He premiseth prayer, being to make choice of the twelve. If Eliezer prayed when to seek a wife for Isaac, Genesis 24:12-14; if Solomon prayed for wisdom, ere he set upon the temple work; if Ezra fasted and prayed ere he committed the golden and silver vessels to them that kept them, Ezra 8:21; Ezra 8:30; should there not prayer be made for ministers ere they be set over God’s house and people?

13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

Ver. 13. And of them he chose] {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:1"}

14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,

Ver. 14. {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:2"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:3"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:4"} {See Trapp on "Mark 3:14"} {See Trapp on "Mark 6:7"}

15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

Ver. 15. {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:2"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:3"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:4"} {See Trapp on "Mark 3:14"} {See Trapp on "Mark 6:7"}

16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

Ver. 16. {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:2"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:3"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:4"} {See Trapp on "Mark 3:14"} {See Trapp on "Mark 6:7"}

17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

Ver. 17. And stood in the plain] And yet he delivered the same sermon (in effect) that he delivered at another time, sitting on the mount, Matthew 5:2, δις και τρις τα καλα.

18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.

Ver. 18. And they that were vexed] This was more uncomfortable and incurable than other natural diseases. Sed omnipotenti medico nullus insanabilis occurrit morbus, saith Isidore; to an Almighty physician no disease can be incurable.

19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

Ver. 20. Blessed be ye poor] Here we have a repetition of that famous sermon on the mount, Matthew 5:6-7. {See Trapp on "Matthew 5:6"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 5:7"}

21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Ver. 21. {See Trapp on "Matthew 5:4"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 5:6"}

22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

Ver. 22. And cast out your name] Ubicunque invenitur nomen Calvini, deleatur, saith the Index Expurgatorius. Persecutors proscribe true professors, tanquam nequissiraos et lucis huius usura indignos. After John Huss was burnt, his adversaries got his heart, which was left untouched by the fire, and beat it with their staves. A friar preaching to the people at Antwerp, wished that Luther were there, that he might bite out his throat with his teeth, as Erasmus testifieth. (Ep. xvi. ad obtrectat.)

23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Ver. 23. See Matthew 5:12. {See Trapp on "Matthew 5:12"}

24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Ver. 24. But woe unto you that are rich] sc. In this world only, and not to Godward. {See Trapp on "James 5:1"} {See Trapp on "James 5:3"} {See Trapp on "James 5:3"} Every grain of riches hath a vermin of pride and ambition in it.

25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Ver. 25. Woe unto you that laugh now] Worldlings’ jollity is but as a book fairly bound, which, when it is opened, is full of nothing but tragedies.

26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Ver. 26. When all men shall speak well] What evil have I done, said Aristides, when one told him he had every man’s good word. Male de me loquunlur, sed mali, saith Seneca. Malis displicere, laudari est. When Doeg blasted Darid, he thinks the better of himself, Psalms 52:8. Latimer says he was glad when any objected indiscretion against him in his sermons; for by that he knew the matter was good, else they would soon have condemned that.

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Ver. 27. See Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:20.

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Ver. 28. See Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:20.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

Ver. 29. That smiteth thee on the one cheek] Socrates, when one gave him a box on the ear in the market place, said, Quam molestum est nescire homines quando prodire debeant cam galea? What an odd thing it is to go abroad without a helmut.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

Ver. 30. Give to every man, &c.] General Norrice never thought he had that which he gave not away. It is not lack, but love of money, that maketh men churls. Men believe not that of Martial,

" Extra fortunam est quicquid donatur egenis;

Quas dederis solas semper habebis opes."

Ask them not again] Or if thou take the benefit of the law to recover them, do it without hate or heat; as tilters break their spears on each other’s breasts, yet without wrath or intention of hurt.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Ver. 31. And as ye would that men, &c.] The most part of the Turk’s civil justice is grounded upon this rule, as is above noted.

32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

Ver. 32. See Matthew 5:46. {See Trapp on "Matthew 5:46"}

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Ver. 34. See Matthew 5:42. {See Trapp on "Matthew 5:42"}

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Ver. 35. Lend, hoping for nothing] No, not the principal, in case thy brother be not able to repay it. Thomas Tomkins, martyr, a weaver, dwelling in Shoreditch, whensoever any had come to borrow money of him, would show them such money as he had in his purse, and bid them take it; and when they came to repay it again, so far was he from usury, that he would bid them keep it longer till they were better able. (Acts and Mon.) The usurer breeding money of money to the third and fourth generation, prove like the butler’s box (saith one), which at length draws all the counters to it. Our Saviour, in the former verse, maketh him worse than other sinners, who lend to receive the like; but he lends to receive the more.

To the unthankful and to the evil] An unthankful man is a naughty man; nay, he is an ugly man, Psalms 147:1.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Ver. 36. {See Trapp on "Matthew 5:48"}

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Ver. 37. See Matthew 7:1.

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Ver. 38. Into your bosom] The Jews wore large and loose garments, so that they could bear away much in their bosoms. Hence this expression.

39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Ver. 39. See Matthew 15:14.

40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Ver. 40. See Matthew 10:24.

41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Ver. 41. See Matthew 7:3.

42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Ver. 43. See Matthew 7:16.

44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

Ver. 44. See Matthew 12:33-35.

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Ver. 45. See Matthew 12:33-35.

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Ver. 46. See Matthew 7:21; Malachi 1:6.

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

Ver. 47. See Matthew 7:24.

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Ver. 48. When the flood arose] Every man is that in truth which he is in a temptation.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Ver. 49. And immediately it fell] Want of due humiliation, at first conversion, is the ground of apostasy; unless there be care to do it better afterwards, and to make up that which is yet lacking; to cast up the loose earth, ut in solido extruat, as Vitruvius adviseth his builder. (Architect, i. 5.)