within himself, saying, This man, to pay he frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most? if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner. b 40 And Jesus, answering, said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred 1 pence, and the other fifty: 42 And when they had nothing a Jno.9.24. bc.15.2. 1 See Matt.18.28. Ps.49.7,8. Ro.5.6. Because Jesus did not rebuke her, and drive her from his presence, he inferred that he could not be acquainted with her character. The Pharisees consider ed it improper to hold communion with those who were notorious sinners. They judged our Saviour by their own rules, and supposed he would act in the same way; and Simon therefore concluded that he did not know her character, and could not be a prophet. Jesus did not refuse the society of the guilty. He came to save the lost. And no person ever came to him so sure of finding him a friend, as those who came conscious that they were deeply depraved, and mourning on account of their crimes. That toucheth him. The touch of a Gentile, or a person singularly wicked, they supposed to be polluting, and the Pharisees avoided it. See Matt. ix. 11. 41. A certain creditor. A man who had lent money, or sold property, the payment for which was yet due. Five hundred pence. About $69 26. ¶ Fifty. Abou $7. 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. d 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head." d Ps.116.16-18. 1 Cor.15.9. 2 Cor.5.14. 1 Ti.1.13-16. garding his character as a parent, the truth of his threatenings, the good order of his house, and the maintenance of his authority. So our sins against God, though they are called debts, are called so figuratively. It is not an affair of money-and God cannot forgive us, without maintaining his word, the honor of his government, and law-in other words, without an atonement. It is clear that by the creditor here, our Saviour meant to designate GOD-and by the debtors, sinners, and the woman present. Simon, whose life had been comparatively upright, was denoted by the one that owed fifty pence-the woman, who had been an open and shameless sinner, was represented by the one that owed five hundred. Yet neither could pay. Both must be forgiven, or perish. So, however much difference there is among men, yet all need the pardoning mercy of God, and all, without that, must perish. 43. I suppose, &c. He saw not the point of our Lord's parable. By thus saying, therefore, he condemned himself, and prepared the way for our Lord's reproof. 42. Frankly forgave. Freely forgave, or forgave entirely, without any compensation. This is not designed to express any thing about the way in 44. Seest thou this woman? You see which God forgives sinners. He for- what this woman has done to me, comgives-forgives freely, but it is in con-pared with what you have done. She nexion with the atonement made by the Lord Jesus. If it was a mere debt which we owed to God, he might forgive as this creditor did, without any equivalent. But it is crime which he forgives. He pardons as a moral gover lor. A parent might forgive a debt without any equivalent; but he cannot pardon an offending child without re has shown to me expressions of regard, which you, in your own house, have not shown. TI entered into thine house I came at your invitation, where I might expect all the usual rites of hospitality. Thou gavest me no water, &c. Among eastern people it was customary, before eating, to wash the feet, and to do this, or to bring water for it, was one of the rites of hospitality. See Gen. xviii. 4. Judges xix. 21. The reasons for this were, that they wore sandals which covered only the bottom of the feet, and that when they ate they reclined on couches or sofas. It became therefore necessary that the feet should be often washed. 45. No kiss. The kiss was a token of affection, or a very common mode of salutation, and Simon had even neglected this mark of welcoming him to his house. It was often used among men as a sign of salutation. Compare Gen. xxxiii. 4. Ex. xviii. 7. Matt. xxvi. 49. ¶ Hath not ceased to kiss my feet. How striking the difference between the conduct of Simon and this woman! Simon, with all the richness of a splendid preparation, had omitted the common marks of regard and affection. She, in humility, had bowed at his feet-had watered them with tears --and had not ceased to kiss them. The most splendid entertainments do not always express the most welcome. There may be much insincerity-much seeking of popularity, or some other motive-but no such motive could have operated in inducing a broken-hearted sinner to wash the Saviour's feet with not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee. Her sins, which are many, are for 47. Wherefore, I say unto thee. As the result of this, or because she has done this meaning by this, that she had given evidence that her sins had been forgiven. The inquiry with Simon was whether it was proper for Je sus to touch her, or to allow her to touch him, because she was such a sinner, (ver. 39). Jesus said, in substance, to Simon, 'grant that she has been as great a sinner as you affirm, and even grant that if she had continued so it might be improper to suffer her to touch me, yet her conduct shows that her sing have been forgiven. She has evinced much love for me, which is an evidence that she is no longer such a sinner as you suppose, and it is not therefore im proper that she should be suffered to come near me.' For she loved much. In our translation this would seem to be given as a reason why her sins had been forgiven-that she had loved much before they were pardoned. But this is clearly not the meaning. This would be contrary to the whole New Testa ment, which supposes that love succeeds, not precedes forgiveness; and which nowhere supposes that sins are forgiven because we love God. It would be also contrary to the design of the Saviour here. It was not to show why 46. Mine head with oil. The custom her sins had been forgiven, but to show of pouring oil upon the head was uni- that she had given evidence that they versal among the Jews. The oil used actually had been, and that it was pro was sweet oil, or oil of olives, prepared per therefore that she should come near in such a way as to give an agreeable to him, and manifest this love. The smell. It was also used to render the meaning may be thus expressed. That hair more smooth and elegant. See her sins, so many, and aggravated, have Ruth iii. 3. 2 Sam. xii. 20; xiv. 2. Ps. been forgiven; that she is no longer xxiii. 5. Vith ointment. This oint- such a sinner as you suppose, is maniment was a mixture of various aromat-fest from her conduct. She loves much. ics, and was therefore far more costly and precious than the oil commonly used for anointing the head. Her conduct compared with that of Simon, was therefore more striking. He did not give even the common oil for his head, used on such occasions. She had applied to his feet a far more precious and valuable unguent. He, therefore, showed comparatively little love. She howed much. tears. She shows deep gratitude, penitence, love. Her conduct is the proper expression of that love. While you have shown comparatively little evidence that you felt that your sins were great, and comparatively little love at their being forgiven, she has shown that she felt hers to be great, and has loved much.' To whom little is forgiven. He who feels that little has been forgiven-that his sins were not as great The ¶ Mary as those of others. A man's love to about to come, or his reign in the gos God will be in proportion to the obliga-pel about to be set up over men. tion he feels to Him for forgiveness. twelve. The twelve apostles. God is to be loved for his perfections, apart from what he has done for us. But still it is proper that our love should be increased by a consideration of his goodness; and they who feel-as Christians do that they are the chief of sinners, will feel under infinite obligation to love God and their Redeemer, and that no expression of love to him can be beyond wha is due. 2. Infirmities. Sickness. called Magdalene. So called from Mag dala, the place of her residence. It was situated on the sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum. To this place Jesus retired after feeding the four thousand. See Matt. xv. 39. ¶ Out of whom went. By the power of Jesus. Seven devils. The word seven is often used for an indefinite number, and may signify merely 18. Thy sins are forgiven. What a many devils. The expression is used gracious assurance to the weeping, to signify that she was grievously torloving, penitent! How that voice, spo-mented, and rendered, doubtless, inken to the troubled sinner, stills his anguish, allays his troubled feelings, and produces peace to the soul! And how manifest is it, that he that could say thus, must be God! No man has a right to forgive sin. No man can speak peace to the soul, and give assurance that its transgressions are pardoned. Here, then, Jesus gave indubitable proof that he was God, as well as man that he was Lord of the conscience, as well as the pitying friend; and that he was as able to read the heart and give peace there, as to witness the external expression of sorrow for him. 49. Who is this, &c. A very pertinent question. Who could he be but God? Man could not do it, and there no wonder that they were amazed. 50. Thy faith hath suved thee, go in jare See Mark v. 34. CHAPTER VIII. But sane by the power of evil spirits. See 1. Every city and village. Of Galilee. 3. Herod's steward. Herod Antipas VOL. II.-6 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way-side are they that hear; then cometh the devi', and taketh away the word a 2 Cor.8.9. b Matt.13.3,&c. Mar.4.3, &c. Ps.119.118. Matt.5.13. d Jer.5.3. e Jer. 4.3. ƒ Ge.26.12. g Pr.20.12. Je.13.15. 25. 4. h Is.6.9. i Matt.13.18. Mar.4.14,&c. j 1 Pe.1.23. k Pr.4.5. Is.65.11. Ja.1.23,24. 7 Ps. 106.12,13. Is.58.2. Ga.3.1,4. 4.15. m Pr. 12.3. Hos.6.4. steward, here, means one who has charge of the domestic affairs of a family, to orovide for it. This office was generally held by a slave who was esteemed the most faithful, and was often conferred as a reward of fidelity. Ministered. Imparted for his support. Of their substance. Their property; their possessions. Christians then believed, when they professed to follow Christ, out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive ' the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with" cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with 9 patience. 16 No' man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is ecret that shall not be made man st; neither any thing hid that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for " whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth' to have. 19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. 20 And it was told him by certain, which said, Thy mother and thy n 1 Ti.6.9,10. 2 Ti.4.10. 1 Jno.2.15-17. o Jno.15.6. p Jer.32.39. q He.10.36. Ja.1. 4. r Matt.5.15. Mar.4.21. c.11.33. 8 Ec. 12.14. Matt.10.26. c.12.2. 1 Cor.4.5. t Ja. 1.21-25. u Matt.13.12. 25.29. c.19.26. 1or,. thinketh that he hath. v Matt.12.46,&c. Mar. 3.32,&c. that it was proper to give all up to him their property, as well as their hearts. And the same thing is still requiredthat is, to commit all that we have to his disposal; to be willing to part with it for the promotion of his glory; and to leave it when he calls us away from it. 4-15. See the Parable of the Sowc explained in Matt. xiii. 1-23. 16-18 See Mark iv. 21-25. brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the ake. And they launched forth. : 23 But as they sailed, he fell asleep and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish! Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they, being afraid, wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. 26 And c they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment & me not. man. For oftentimes it had caught him and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion because many devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep." 32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them and he suffered them. 33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. 34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, f and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them, for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. 38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed, besought him that he might be with him. but Jesus sent him away, saying, 29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the 39 Return to thine own house, a Matt.8.23,&c. Mar.4.35,&c. b Ps.44.23. e Re.20.3. ƒ Ac.19.16,17. g Ps.51.10 Is.51.9,10. c Matt.8.28, &c. Mar.5.1,&c. h Ac.16.39. i De.10.20,21. Ps.116.12,16. j1 Is.27.1. Ja.2.19. Re.20.10. 19-21. See Matt. xii. 46-50. Ti.5.8. in Matt viii. 23-34; and Mark v. 1-- 22-39. See this passage explained | 20. |