they could not tell whence it was. 8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. 9-19. See Matt. 21: 33-46. 11. Entreated; that is treated 17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Show me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cesar's. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which be Cesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. 26 And they could not take 20-40. See Matt. 22: 15-34. hold of his words before the people and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. 27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees (which deny that there is any resurrection), and they asked him, 28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brethren and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 34. The children of this world marry, &c. Marriage is intended and is proper for those who live in this world. 35. That world; the world to come. Those who shall be admitted into the world to come, will have no occasion for marriage. 36. Equal unto the angels; like the angels, in being immortal, not liable to death. Children of God; similar to God, in being not liable to death. || Children of the resurrection; having attained to the resurrection, the future blessed state of the righteous. The thought which our Lord presented is this: Marriage is intended for this mortal state, where “one generation goeth and another cometh;" but it is not intended for the future state, that state being a deathless one. 38. All live unto him. They all, 33 Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. 34 And Jesus, answering, said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage : 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. all those just spoken of, the ancient patriarchs, are alive to him, though to us they are dead. Hence he calls himself still their God; for he is now, as well as formerly, their God, the Being whom they still adore and serve. To be the God of any persons is, to be the one whom they worship. Since Jehovah is, not merely was, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, these patriarchs are still alive in respect to him; because he is not a God of dead, lifeless things, but a God of living beings, who only can adore and serve him. Another view may be presented. The word translated unto him, may be translated by him. The passage would then be rendered, for all live by him. And since it is by the power of God that human life is continued from day to day, by that same power 39 Then certain of the scribes, answering, said, Master, thou hast well said. 40 And after that, they durst not ask him any question at all. 41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, CHAPTER XXI. AND he looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow, casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. 4 For all these have of their 43 Till I make thine enemies abundance cast in unto the offerthy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth him Lord; how is he then his son? 45 Then in the audience of all the people, he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. life can be continued in another world as well as in this. The Saviour had said (see Matt. 22: 29), that the Sadducees had erred through not considering the power of God. To this remark he perhaps referred in the expression now under consideration. 39-44. See Matt. 22: 41-46. 45-47. See Matt. 23: 5-7, 14. Mark 12: 38, 39. Desire to walk; love to walk. Long robes; a long, flowing article of dress, worn by persons of distinction, and adapted to attract notice by making a venerable appearance. CHAPTER XXI. 1-4. Compare Mark 12: 41-44. 5, 6. See on Matt. 24: 1,2. Gifts. 10 VOL. II. ings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones, and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? Donations to the temple, and offerings of splendid quality, were suspended in various parts of the temple. Heathen temples were frequently adorned with spoils captured from enemies, and with voluntary donations in token of gratitude. The same practice was adopted by the Jews. 7-11. Compare Matt. 24: 3—8. Fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Josephus, the Jewish historian, describes very particularly several uncommon appearances in the heavens, and other singular events, which occurred before the destruction of Jerusalem, and which were considered by the Jews as portending some remarkable changes. 8 And he said, Take heed | that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars, and commotions, be not terrified for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences: and fearful sights, and great signs Ishall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. These were explained, by some persons, in a manner favorable to the Jews, and by others, unfavorably. Josephus expresses his surprise that such signs were not properly attended to; and represents the Jews as "infatuated, as if they were without eyes to see or minds to consider, so regardless were they of the denunciations that God made to them." That the strange sights observed in the heavens, and the strange voices said to have been heard, and other singular events, were much exaggerated, is very credible; for the people were in a very feverish state of excitement, tossed about by hope and fear. But that God permitted certain things to take place which had all the effect of portents from heaven, cannot well be doubted. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer. 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not a hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21, Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 12-19. See Matthew 24:9-13. Compare also Matt. 10: 17-22. 13. It shall turn to you for a testimony. Your being brought to trial before the magistrates shall prove to you an occasion of bearing testimony for the Messiah, and vindicating his cause. 18. See note on p. 128. 19. In your patience possess ye your souls. Patience, in the Scriptures, often means perseverance, continuance. It was by a persevering attachment to the cause of their Master that the disciples would secure the salvation of their souls. See Matt. 24: 13. 20-24. See Matt. 24: 15-22. midst of it; in the city 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations and Jerusalem shall be 27 And then shall they see trodden down of the Gentiles, the Son of man coming in a until the times of the Gentiles cloud, with power and great be fulfilled. 22. All things which are written. Compare Matt. 24: 15. 24. Trodden down; laid waste and profaned; as it were, trampled on; despoiled of its glory, and in the hands of Gentiles. Until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled; until the time when God will punish the Gentiles, that is, the nations which should have sway over Jerusalem. For the meaning of this expression, compare Jer. 277. 50: 31; also Ps. 37: 13. Is. 13: 22. The Saviour thus foretold that the Gentiles, who should trample down Jerusalem, would themselves be visited by the judgments of a holy God for their sins. But when this would take place he said not, as such information would rather gratify useless curiosity than contribute to any practical benefit. There seems also to have been another important reason for his using an indefinite expression, and not saying definitely when the punishment of the Gentiles would come, whether speedily or after a long time, whether in this world or in another. Some of the Jews entertained the opinion that the Messiah's reign would be ushered in by dreadful calamities, in the midst of which he would suddenly come forth for the protection and deliverance of the nation. Among these calamities they reckoned the devastation of the city and temple. But glory. they cherished the belief that, under the protection of the Messiah, a more glorious city and temple would arise, worthy of the nation that was to be so highly distinguished as they expected to become. This opinion Jesus would not encourage; he therefore used a general expression, which would be applicable to any righteous retribution with which God might, at any time, visit the Gentiles. From the time of Jerusalem's being destroyed down to the present time, it has been under the dominion of nations other than Jews, and has never acquired its former splendor. It is now under the dominion of the Turks, and Mohammedan worship is maintained on ground once esteemed so holy. 25, 26. Signs in the sun, &c. A highly-wrought description of the distress which would immediately precede the taking of the city. Compare Matt. 24: 29. || Upon the earth; more strictly, the land, namely, Judea. See the note on Matt. 27: 45. In Luke 4: 25, the original word translated land is the same as the word here used. Nations; the tribes and people in Palestine. || The sea and the waves roaring. The noise of waves is a figure expressing distress and agitation of mind. See Ps. 42: 7. 88: 7. 27. See Matt. 24: 30. |