33 And if ye do good to them 38 Give, and it shall be given 5 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. 37-42. See Matt. vii. 1-5. 38. Good measure. They shall give you good measure, or full measure. Pressed down. want. unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For 7 with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can 8 the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The 9 disciple is not above. his master: but every one 10 that is perfect shall be as his master. 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? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, Prov. xix. 17. Matt. x. 42. Psa. lxxix. 12. 7 Matt. vii. 2. Mark iv. 24. Jas. ii. 13. Matt. xv. 14. 9 Matt. x. 24. John xiil. 16; XV. 20. 10 Or, shall be perfected as his master. 39. A parable. A proverb, or similitude. See Matt. xv. 14. 40. The disciple is not, &c. The learner is not above his teacher, does not know more, and must expect to fare no better. This seems to have been spoken to show them that they were not to expect that their disciples would go beyond them in attainments; that if they were blind, their As figs or grapes might be, and thus many more might be put into the measure. Shaken together. To make it be more compact, and thus to give more. Running over. So full that the measure would overflow. Shall men give. This is said to be the reward of giv-followers would be blind also ; and that, ing to the poor and needy. And the meaning is that the man who is liberal shall find others liberal to him in dealing with them, and when he is also in circumstances of A man who is himself kind to the poor, who has that character established, shall find many who are ready to help him abundantly when he is in want. He that is parsimonious, close, niggardly, shall find few, or none, who will aid him. In your bosom. That is, to you. The word bosom here has reference to a custom among oriental nations of making the bosom or front part of their garments large, so that articles could be carried in them, answering the purpose of our pockets. Compare 1 . iv. 6, 7. Ruth iii. 15. Prov. vi. 27. therefore, it was important for them to understand fully the doctrines of the gos pel, and not to be blind leaders of the blind. Every one that is perfect. The word rendered is perfect means sometimes to repair or mend, and is thus applied to mending nets. Matt. iv. 21. Mark i. 19. Hence it means to repair or amend in a moral sense, or to make whole or complete. Here it means evidently thoroughly instructed or reformed. The Christian shall be like his master, holy, harmless, and undefiled, and separate from sinners. He shall copy his example, and grow into the likeness of his Redeemer. Nor can any other be a Christian. 41, 42. See Matt. vii. 3-5. when thou thyself beholdest not | house, and 8 could not shake it: the beam that is in thine own eye? for it was founded upon a rock. 9 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. 2 43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For 3 every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble-bush gather they grapes. 4 45 A 5 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. 46¶ And why call ye me,6 Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He 7 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 49 But he 10 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. CHAPTER VII. The centurion's servant healed, 1-10. The widow's son at Nain raised, 11-17. John's inquiry from his prison, 18-23. Testimony of Jesus to John, 24-35. Simon's house, 36. The woman there, 37-39. Forgiveness and grateful love, 40-50. TOW 12 when he had ended all NOW his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear 13 unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth1 our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6 Then Jesus went with them. 82 Pet. i. 10. Jude 24. 9 Psa. xlvi 1-3; Ixii. 2. 10 Jas. i. 24-26. 18. Hos. v. 14. 12 Matt. viii, Prov. xxviii. 13 Job 5-13. 141 Kin. v. 1. 1. In the audience of the people. In the hearing of the people. 2. Who was dear unto him. That is, he was valuable, trusty, and honoured. 4. They besought him instantly. Urgently, or earnestly. He was worthy. The centurion. He had shown favour to the Jews, and it was not improper to show him a kindness. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, 5 not in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, re turning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. 2 Psa. cvii. 20. 3 Acts xxii. 4 This man. Psa. cxlvii. Rom. iii. 1-3; ix. 4 5. 1 Ch. viii. 49. 25, 26; xxiii. 23. 19, 20. Matt. ix. 33. 11. A city called Nain. This city was in Galilee, in the boundaries of the tribe of Issachar. It was about two miles south of Mount Tabor, and not far from Capernaum. It is now a small village inhabited by Jews, Mahometans, and Christians. 12. The gate of the city. Citics were surrounded by walls, to defend them from their enemies. They were entered through gates placed at convenient distances from each other. In most cities it was not allowed to bury the dead within the walls. Hence they were borne to some convenient burial place, in the vicinity of the city. A dead man carried out. funeral procession. Anciently no Jews were buried within the walls of the city, except the kings and distinguished persons. 1 Sam. xxviii. 3. 2 Kings xxi. 18. The custom of burying within cities, and especially within the walls of churches, or in their vicinity, had its origin among 11 ¶ And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the 6 bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, 7 Arise. 15 And he that was dead 8 sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet 9 is risen up among us; and, That 10 God hath visited his people. Christians very early. Yet perhaps few customs are more deleterious to health than burials within large cities, especially within the walls of frequented buildings. The effluvium from dead bodies is excessively unwholesome. Burial places should be in situations of retirement; far from the tread of the gay and busy world, where all the feelings may be still and calm, and where there can be no injury to health from the mouldering bodies of the dead. 16 Came a fear on all. An awe, or solemnity at the presence of one who had power to raise the dead, and at the miracle A which had been performed. ¶ Glorified God. Praised, or honoured God, that he had sent such a prophet. ¶ And that God hath visited his people. Some said one thing and some another, but all expressing their belief that God had showed peculiar favour to the people. ¶ Hath visited. See Luke i. 68. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about. 18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? 2 or look we for another? 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in the same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell 3 Matt. xi. 2. 2 Deut. xviii. 15-18. Psa. cx. 1-4. Isa. vii. 14. Zech. ix. 9. John i. 46. The raising of this young man was one of the most decisive and instructive of our Lord's miracles. There was no doubt that he was dead. There could be no delusion, and no agreement to impose on the people. He came near to the city with no reference to this young man, he met the funeral procession as it were by accident, and by a word he restored the young man to life. All those who had the best opportunity of judging the mother, the friends-believed him to be dead, and were about to bury him. The evidence that he came to life was decisive. He sat up, he spake, and all were impressed with the full assurance that God had raised him to life. Many witnesses were present, and none doubted that Jesus, by a word, had restored him to his weeping mother. The whole scene was affecting. Here was a widowed mother, who was following her only son, her stay, and hope, to the grave. He was borne along, one in the prime of life, and the only comfort of his parent, impressive proof that the young, the useful, the vigorous, and the lovely, may die. Jesus met them, appa John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor 5 the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. 7 26 But what went ye out for to A prophet?8 Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. see? 4 Isa. xxxv. 5, 6. Ch. iv. 18. Jas. ii. 5. Ch. ii. 34. Isa. viii. 14, 15. Matt. xi. 6; xiii. 57. John vi. 66. 1 Cor. i. 21-28. 72 Sam. xix. 35. Est. 1. 3, 11. 8 Ch. i. 76. rently a stranger. He approached the procession, as if he had something important to say, he touched the bier, and the procession stood still. He was full of compassion for the weeping parent; and, by a word, restored the youth, stretched upon the bier, to life. The youth sat up, and spake. Jesus therefore had power over the dead. He also has power to raise sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, to life. He can speak the word; and, though in their death of sin they are borne along towards ruin, he can open their eyes and raise them up, and restore them revived to real life, or to their friends. Often he raises up children in this manner, and gives them, converted to God, to their friends; imparting as real joy as he gave to the widow of Nain, by raising her son from the dead. And every child should remember, if he has pious parents, that there is no way in which he can give so much joy to them as by embracing him who is the resurrection and the life, and resolving to live to his glory. 19-35. See this passage explained in Matt. xi. 2—19. 29. The people. The common people. That heard him. That heard John. The publicans. The tax-gatherers, the worst kind of people, many of whom however were converted. Justified God. Considered God as just or right in the counsel which he gave by John, to wit, in calling men to repentance, and denouncing future wrath on the impenitent. Compare Matt. xi. 19. ¶ Being baptized, &c. They showed that they approved of the message of God, by submitting to the ordinance which he commanded, the ordinance of baptism. This verse and the following are not to be considered as the words of Luke, but the continuation of the discourse of our Lord. He is saying what took place in regard to John. Among the common people he was approved and obeyed, among the rich and learned he was despised. 30. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected, &c. It appears from Matt. iii. that some of the Pharisees came to John to be baptized; but still this is entirely consistent with the supposition that the great mass of Pharisees and lawyers rejected him. The counsel of God. The counsel of God towards them was the of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the market-place, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil 34 The 9 Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 35 But 10 wisdom is justified of all her children. 36 T And "one of the Pharisees of solemn admonition by John, to repent and be baptized, and be prepared to receive the Messiah. This was the command, or revealed will of God, in relation to them. When it is said that they rejected the counsel of God, it does not mean that they could frustrate his purposes, but merely that they violated his commands. Men cannot frustrate the real purposes God; but they can contemn his messages; violate his commands; and thus reject the counsel which he gives them, and despise the desire which he manifests for their welfare. Against themselves. To their own hurt, or detriment. The rejection of the counsel of God will deeply injure them. God is wise and good. He knows what is best for us. He, therefore, that rejects what God commands, rejects it to his own injury. It cannot be well for any mortal to despise what God commands him to do. 31-35. See this passage explained in Notes on Matt. xi. 16-19. And the Lord said. This clause is wanting in almost all the manuscripts, and is omitted by the best critics. 36. One of the Pharisees. His name was Simon, ver. 40. Nothing more is |