Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The Lord Jesus is here sending forth his Apostles. An Account of Herod. Jesus feedeth the Multitude in the Wilderness. Peter's blessed Confession of Christ. The Transfiguration. The Lunatic healed. Jesus going through Samaria.

(1) Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. (2) And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (3) And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money, neither have two coats apiece. (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. (6) And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

The two former Evangelists have given us an account of our Lord's ordination of his apostles; Matthew 10:1, etc. Mark 3:14; Mar_6:7; and there is somewhat truly interesting in the relation of it. But certainly the commission, at this time, must have been very limited. For the apostles themselves, had but imperfect notions of their Lord's kingdom of grace, leading to his kingdom of glory. So strongly were their minds rivetted in the Jewish nation of a temporal kingdom, that not even the death of Christ had power to do away the impression. See, in proof, Acts 1:6; Act_1:8.

(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; (8) And of some, that Elias had appeared: and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. (9) And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this of whom I hear such things? and he desired to see him.

We have noticed this man before, Matthew 14:1, and Mark 6:14. Were it not for his connection with scripture history, how little would his name have been known in the present hour: but how little to be regarded now, but for the instruction his awful character holds forth? Oh how plain is it that purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every day, have nothing to do to make up happiness! A guilty conscience, and the fear of death, are enough to throw down all the props of such outside splendor.

(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. (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. (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. (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. (14) For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. (15) And they did so, and made them all sit down. (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. (17) And they did eat, and were all filled; and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

For shortness sake, I would refer the Reader to what hath been already offered, by way of improvement, on this miracle of Christ, Matthew 14:14, etc. and Mark 6:30-46.

(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? (19) They answering, said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. (20) He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering, said, The Christ of God. (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. (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. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (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. (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.

We have the whole of what Luke relates in those verses, Matthew 16:13, etc. and Mark 8:27. I refer the Reader to both.

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

Having largely considered the subject of these verses, Matthew 17:1, and Mark 9:1-13, I do not wish to trespass farther by enlarging upon it.

(37) And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him: (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 he teareth him, that he foameth again, and bruising him, hardly departeth from him. (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 everyone 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. (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. (46) Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. (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.

The Reader will meet my humble observations on these verses in the similiar ones, Mark 9:14, etc.

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

There is somewhat very singular in what is here said. Who this man was is not at all noticed, or even hinted at, by any of the Evangelists. Mark takes notice of him indeed; but leaves us wholly in the dark concerning him. See Mark 9:38. Some have supposed that he was one of John's disciples; and, therefore, in the expectation of Christ, from a lively apprehension of Christ's mission, went about preaching in his name, although he had not as yet come to Christ. But be this as it may, I beg the Reader not to overlook the Lord's gracious answer to John. Oh! who shall say how many there are of Christ's little ones hid away and unknown by the world, but yet well known and well regarded by Jesus Christ!

(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, (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. (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? (55) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. (56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

I apprehend, by the time being come that Jesus should be received up, is not meant that his public ministry in preaching was now nearly over; for, according to all calculation, the crucifixion of Christ was, at least, six months after. But, probably, it means, that it was now arrived when he should ascend from Galilee to Jerusalem; for after this, we do not find our Lord again in Galilee. The indisposition in the Samaritans to receive Jesus, it is possible, might arise from their discovering our Lord's wishes to go up to Jerusalem. And this they construed into a partiality for the temple, at the holy city, in preference to the mountain of Samaria, for worship, Reader! observe, I do not decide upon it: I only offer my conjecture. See John 4:9-29. But whether I am correct or not in this view of the subject, one point I beg the Reader not to overlook, the striking contrast of our Lord's mind to that of the apostles' James and John. They were for calling fire from Heaven to resent the insult offered to Jesus. But Jesus himself manifested nothing but meekness and love. Oh! how blessed, how very blessed is it to behold Jesus pre-eminent in mercy, as he is pre-eminent in greatness!

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

We have similar observations in Matthew 8:19, etc. But there we read Christ was in Capernaum; and here he is on his way to Jerusalem. Moreover that conversation which Jesus had, as Matthew relates it, was with a scribe soon after his descent from the mountain: but here our Lord had taken his farewell of Galilee, no more to return thither. However, the words are the same, and the observations arising from them the same.

REFLECTIONS

Think, my soul, of the vast honour, the high privilege, the distinguished dignity of the apostles of thy God and Savior! Sent forth, as his ambassadors, to call his redeemed Israel to the blessings of reconciliation and peace! Oh! ye servants of the Lord, what an honour was your's to cast out devils, to heal the sick, and preach the Gospel! But what an awful contrast in the character of Herod! And yet who that had seen the poverty of the poor fishermen of Galilee, and beheld the purpled luxuries of the Tetrarch, but would have connected everything blessed with the latter, and misery with the former? See, Reader, how Jesus instantly supplied a wilderness with food: and think, then, how soon the wilderness frames of his people he can make to blossom as the rose! Oh! my soul, what a view was that which the disciples Peter, John, and James, had of Jesus in the Mount of Transfiguration! But what was this, in point of glory, to that which all the church of God will see, and thou among the number, when he shall come in the mount Zion, to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe? Behold Christ's power in healing the lunatic. Behold how Jesus predicted his sufferings when he should be crucified in weakness. Oh! for grace, that all the precious sayings of Jesus may sink down into my ears! And grant, dearest Lord, that while Samaritans refuse to receive thee; and the dead, in trespasses and sins, are too busily employed in burying their dead, to find time or inclination to follow thee, I may be found with having put my hand to the gospel plough; and never to look back, but follow my Lord in the regeneration, and enter with him into his kingdom.