Bible Commentaries

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

Ver. 1. See Matthew 10:1; Mark 3:13; Mark 6:7.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Ver. 2. See Matthew 10:1; Mark 3:13; Mark 6:7.

3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

Ver. 3. Take nothing for your journey] But preach the gospel, and depend upon divine providence. Look you to your work, and God will take care for your wages. This the disciples might do, but this was no warrant to those maleferiati among us, who (if fame belie them not) pretending to an immediate call from God to go and preach the gospel in Galilee, sold their estates, set forward for that place, taking neither scrip nor scrap with them; resolving to trust God for their necessary sustentation. Is not this the efficacy of error? Are not these a diabolo dementatis, besotted by the devil?

4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Ver. 5. See Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:11; Acts 13:51.

6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Ver. 6. And healing everywhere] Those miracles of healing ascribed to Vespasian by heathen historians (Dio et alii), but falsely, do belong properly and alone to Christ’s disciples.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

Ver. 7. And he was perplexed] Pendebat, animi dubius. He stood amused and amazed: he stuck in the mud, as it were, and could find no way out. This is the import of the Greek word διηπορει. Thus the wicked in the fulness of his sufficiency is in straits, as Zophar hath it, Job 15:22.

8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

Ver. 8. See Matthew 14:1-2.

9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Ver. 9. And he desired to see him] With a faint and fruitless desire: for he never stirred out-of-doors to see Christ, though he believed that God had raised him from the dead. So true is that of Abraham, Luke 16:31. Perhaps he desired to see whether it were John or not.

10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

Ver. 10. See Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:30; Mark 6:32.

11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Ver. 11. And he received them] Weary though he were, yet never weary of well doing.

12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

Ver. 12. See Matthew 14:15; Mark 6:35; John 6:5.

13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

Ver. 13. Except we should go, &c.] Which is a thing not only improbable, but impossible. They held it an absurd notion.

14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

Ver. 14. {See Trapp on "Luke 9:13"}

15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

Ver. 15. {See Trapp on "Luke 9:13"}

16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

Ver. 16. {See Trapp on "Luke 9:13"}

17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

Ver. 17. {See Trapp on "Luke 9:13"}

18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

Ver. 18. As he was alone praying] Examinationi preces praemittendae. All our sacrifices should be salted with this salt.

19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

Ver. 19. But some say Elias] This Pythagorean transanimation is held by the Jews to this day, viz. ( ut singuli tertio renascantur) against so many clear testimonies of Scripture to the contrary.

20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

Ver. 20. See Matthew 16:13-14, Mark 8:28.

21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

Ver. 22. See Matthew 17:22.

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Ver. 23. See Matthew 10:38; Mark 8:34; Luke 14:27; Luke 17:33.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Ver. 24. See Matthew 10:38; Mark 8:35; Luke 14:27; Luke 17:33.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Ver. 25. See Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36.

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Ver. 26. See Matthew 10:33; Mark 8:38; Luke 12:9; 2 Timothy 2:12.

27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Ver. 27. See Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1.

28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

Ver. 28. About eight days] Putting the two utmost days also into the reckoning. {See Trapp on "Matthew 17:1"}

29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Ver. 29. And as he prayed] Dum ipsius mens tota Deo se immergeret, saith one (Luc. Burgens.). Christians, while they are praying, are often times carried out and beyond themselves. See Matthew 17:2-3. {See Trapp on "Matthew 17:2"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 17:3"}

30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

Ver. 31. And spake of his decease] Gr. of his exodus; in reference to that expedition or departure of Israel out of Egypt ( την εξοδον). It signifieth a translating from a condition and state of hardship; and is also used by St Peter, 2 Peter 1:15. Death to the saints is but an out going to heaven, Philippians 1:21, a loosing from the shore of life, and launching out into the main of immortality.

32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

Ver. 34. There came a cloud] {See Trapp on "Matthew 17:5"}

35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

Ver. 37. See Matthew 17:14; Mark 9:17; &c.

38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

Ver. 39. And bruising him] As in the falling sickness, it happens.

40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

Ver. 44. Let these sayings sink, &c.] Ponite, reponite, lay up ( θεσθε) the sayings of my sufferings, notwithstanding this people’s vain applauses. The best balm cast into water sinks to the bottom; the baser sort floats on the top.

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

Ver. 45. They understood not this saying] So besotted they were with that carnal conceit of an earthly kingdom, still retained by the Jews to this day.

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

Ver. 46. See Matthew 18:1; Mark 9:34.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

Ver. 49. See Mark 9:38.

50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

Ver. 51. That he should be received up] The word αναληψεως (Poly. Lyser.) implies a metaphor from fathers owning and acknowledging their children after long absence.

He set his face] He steeled his forehead against all discouragements, εστηριξε.

52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

Ver. 53. And they did not receive him] Such is the hatred that idolaters bear against all God’s true worshippers. Illam domum in qua inventus fuerit haereticus diruendam decernimus: It was a decree of the Council of Toulouse against the Albigenses.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

Ver. 54. And when his disciples] These two brethren, sons of thunder, how soon was their choler up! they had quick and hot spirits.

Wilt thou that we command] It were to be wished that we would first consult with Christ in his word, ere we stir hand or foot to revenge.

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Ver. 55. But he turned and rebuked them] He did it not slightly, and by-the-by, but seriously, and on set purpose; so must we rebuke and rebate our vindictive spirits, our unruly lusts, when like kine in a strait they rush and ride one upon the back of another.

Ye know not what manner of spirits ye are of] Not of Elias’s spirit, as ye imagine; this wildfire was never kindled on God’s hearth, as his zeal was; you are men of another mould than Elias. He was a minister of indignation, you of consolation; his actions fit not you, because your persons are not like his. It is a rare thing to be of a heroic spirit, saith the moralist, σπανιον το θειον ανδρα ειναι (Aristot.). Every man cannot be an Elias or a Phineas, Numbers 25:8. To that height of heat ordinary men’s tempers are not raised.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

Ver. 57. See Matthew 8:19.

58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Ver. 58. And Jesus said unto them] Christ had felt his pulse and found his temper, that he looked after outward things only; and therefore he lets him know what to trust unto.

But the Son of man] Ezekiel with the Septuagint is, υιος ανθρωπου, the son of man, but Christ is ο υιος του ανθρωπου, , that is, the son of that man, of that first man Adam. He was the next and only other common person.

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Ver. 59. See Matthew 8:21.

60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Ver. 62. No man having put his hand] Christ here happily alludeth to that which Elisha did, 1 Kings 19:19. Ploughmen that look back cannot but make baulks. {a}

{a} A ridge left in ploughing; a miss, slip. ŒD