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.

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.

a 2 Ki.1.10,12. b Jno.3.17. 12.47.

apt to reject it. 3d. That if a religious teacher or a doctrine favors a rival sect, it is commonly rejected without examination. And 4th. That men, from a regard to their own views and selfishness, often reject religion, as the Samaritans did the Son of God, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

54. James and John. They were called Boanerges, sons of thunder, probably on account of their energy and power in preaching the gospel; or of their vehement and rash zeal-a remarkable example of which we have in this instance. Mark iii. 17. Wilt thou, &c. The insult had been offered to Jesus, their friend, and they felt it. But the zeal was rash, and their spirit bad. Vengeance belongs to God. It was not theirs to attempt it. ¶ Fire from heaven. Lightning, to consume them. As Elias did. By this they wished to justify their rash zeal. Perhaps, while they were speaking, they saw Jesus look at them with disapprobation, and to vindicate themselves they referred to the case of Elijah. The case is recorded in 2 Kings i. 10 -12

55 Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. You suppose that you are actuated by a proper love for me. But you know not yourselves. It is rather a love of revenge; rather improper feelings towards the Samaritans, than proper feelings towards me. We learn here, 1st. That apparent zeal for God may be only improper opposition towards our fellow men. 2d. That men,

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 d 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 d 1 Ki.19,20.

c Matt.8.19,&c.

when they wish to honor God, should examine their spirit, and see if there be not improper feeling manifested. 3d. That the highest opposition which Jesus meets with is not inconsistent with his loving those who oppose him, and seeking to do them good.

56. For the Son of man, &c. You should imitate, in your spirit, the Son of man. He came not to destroy. If he had, he would have destroyed these Samaritans. But he came to save. He is not soon angry. He bears patiently opposition to himself, and you should bear opposition to him. You should catch his spirit; temper your zeal like his; seek to do good to those who injure you and him; and be mild, kind. patient and forgiving.

57-60. See Matt. viii. 19-22.

61. Bid them farewell. To take leave, inform them of the design, and set things at home in order. Jesus did not suffer this because he probably saw that he would be influenced by a love of his friends, or by their persuasions, not to return to him. The purpose to be a Christian requires decision. Men should not tamper with the world. They should not consult earthly friends about it. They should not even allow worldly friends to give them advice whether to be Christians or not. God is to be obeyed rather than man, and they should come forth boldly, and resolve at once to give themselves to Jesus.

62. No man having put his hand, &c. To put one's hand to a plough is a pro

man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

CHAPTER X.

b Matt.9.

verbial expression, to signify undertaking any business. In order that a ploughman may accomplish his work, it is necessary to look onward-to be intent on his employment-not to be looking back with regret that he undertook it. So in religion. He that enters on it must do it with his whole heart. He must give up the world. He that comes still loving the world-still looking with regret on its pleasures, its wealth, and its honorsthat has not wholly forsaken them as his portion, cannot be a Christian, and is not fit for the kingdom of God. How searching is this test to those who profess to be Christians! And how solemn the duty of all men to renounce all earthly objects, and to be not only almost, but altogether, followers of the Son of God! It is perilous to tamper with the world -to look at its pleasures, or to seek its society. He that would enter heaven must come with a heart full of love to God-giving all into his hands, and prepared always to give up all his property, his health, his friends, his body, his soul to God, when he demands them, or he cannot be a Christian. Religion is every thing, or nothing. He that is not willing to sacrifice every thing for the cause of God, is really willing to sacrifice nothing.

CHAPTER X.

1. After these things. After the appointment of the twelve apostles, and the transactions_recorded in the previous chapters. Other seventy. Seventy others besides the apostles. They were appointed for a different purpose from the apostles. The apostles were to be with him-to hear his instructions-to be witnesses of his miracles-his sufferings-his death, his resurrection and ascension that they might then go and

3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry & neither purse, nor scrip nor shoes and salute no man by the way.

c 1 Cor.3.9. 1 Ti.5.17. d c.9.3,&c. 24.33,56. 2 Ki.4.29. Pr.4.25.

e Ge

proclaim all these things to the world
The seventy were sent out to preach
immediately, and chiefly where he him-
self was about to come. They were
appointed for a temporary object. They
were to go into the villages and towns
and prepare the way for his coming. The
number seventy was a favorite number
among the Jews. Thus the family of
Jacob that came into Egypt consisted of
seventy. Gen. xlvi. 27. The number
of elders that Moses appointed to aid
Num. xi. 16, 25.
him was the same.
The number which composed the great
Sanhedrim, or council of the nation,
was the same. It is not improbable that
our Saviour appointed this number with
reference to the fact that it so often oc-
curred among the Jews, or after the ex-
ample of Moses who appointed seventy
to aid him in his work. But it is evident
that the office was temporary-that it
had a specific design-and of course,
that it would be improper to attempt to
find now a continuation of it, or a paral.
lel to it in the Christian ministry. Two
and two. There was much wisdom in
It was
sending them in this manner.
done, doubtless, that they might aid one
another by mutual counsel; that they
might sustain and comfort one another
in their persecutions and trials. Our Lord
in this, showed the propriety of having
a religious friend, who would be a con-
fidant and help. Every Christian, and es-
pecially every Christian minister, needs
such a friend; and should seek some
one to whom he can unbosom himself,
and with whom he can mingle his feel.
ings and prayers.

2. See Matt. ix. 36, 37.
3. See Matt. x. 16.

4. Purse scrip-shoes. See Matt. x. 10. Salute no man by the way. Salu tations among the Orientals did not con

a

20 Notwithstanding, in this reJoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in

Ac.28.5. b Ex.32.32. Ps.
Da.12.1. Ph.4.3. He.12.23.

a Mar.16.18. 69.28. Is.4.3. Re.13.8. 20.12. 21.27.

66

denotes evidently the prince of the devils who had been cast out by the se venty disciples-for the discourse was respecting their power over evil spirits. Lightning is an image of rapidity, or quickness. I saw Satan fall quickly, or rapidly as quick as lightning.-The phrase from heaven," is to be referred to the lightning, and does not mean that he saw Satan fall from heaven, bu that he fell as quick as lightning from heaven, or from the clouds. The whole expression then may mean, I saw at your command devils immediately depart, as quick as the flash of lightning. I gave you this power-I saw it put forth and I gave also the power to tread on serpents,' &c.

19. To tread on serpents. Preservation from danger. If you tread on a poisonous reptile that would otherwise injure you, I will keep you from danger. If you go among bitter and malignant enemies that would seek your life, I will preserve you. Scorpions.

The scorpion is an animal with eight feet, eight eyes, and a long jointed tail, ending in a pointed weapon or sting. It is found in tropical climates, and seldom exceeds four inches in length. Its sting is extremely poisonous, and it is

1

с

d

22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but 1 Many ancient copies add, And turning to his disciples, he said. c Matt.28.18. Jno.3. 35. d. Jno.6.44,46.

sometimes fatal to life. It is in scrip ture the emblem of malicious and crafty men. When rolled up, it has some resemblance to an egg. Luke xi. 12. Ezek. ii. 6. The annexed cut will give an idea of its asual form and appearance. The enemy. Satan. The meaning of this verse is, that Jesus would preserve them from the power of Satan and all his emissaries-from all wicked and crafty men; and this shows that he had divine power. He that can con trol Satan and his hosts-that can be present to guard from all their machinations see all their plans, and destroy all their designs, must be clothed with no less than Almighty power.

20. Rather rejoice, &c. Though it was an honor to work miracles-though it is an honor to be endowed with talents, and influence, and learning, yet it is a subject of chief joy that we are numbered among the people of God, and have a title to everlasting life.

Names are written in heaven. The names of citizens of a city or state were accustomed to be written in a book, or register, from which they were blotted out when they became unworthy, or forfeited the favor of their country. Compare Ps. lxix. 28. Ex. xxxii. 32 Deut. ix. 14. Rev. iii. 5. That their names were written in heaven, means that they were citizens of heaven: that they were friends of God, and approved by him, and would be permitted to dwell with him. This was of far more value than all earthly honor, power, or wealth; and in this, men should rejoice more than in eminent endowments of influence, learning, talents or posses sions.

21, 22. See Matt. xi. 25-97

the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

24 Fer I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

a 1 Pe.1.10.

d De.6.5.

b

b Ac.16.30,31. c Ga.3.18. e Le.19.18.

23, 24. See Matt. xiii. 16, 17. 25. A certain lawyer. One who professed to be well skilled in the laws of Moses, and whose business it was to explain them. Stood up. Rose-appeared to address him. Tempted him. Feigned a desire to be instructed, but did it to perplex him, or to lead him, if possible, to contradict some of the maxims of the law. ¶ Inherit eternal life. Be saved. This was the common inquiry among the Jews. They had said that man must keep the commandments -the written and oral law.

26. What is written, &c. Jesus referred him to the law as a safe rule, and asked him what was said there. The lawyer was doubtless endeavoring to justify himself by obeying the law. He trusted to his own works. To bring him off from that ground, to make him feel that it was an unsafe foundation, Jesus showed him what the law required, and thus would have showed him that he needed a better righteousness than his own.-This is the proper use of the law. By comparing ourselves with that, we see our own defects, and are thus prepared to welcome a better righteousness than our own-that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the law becores a school-master to lead us to him. Gal. iii. 24.

27, 28. See this subject explained in Matt. xxii. 37-40.

29. To justify himself. Desirous to Appear blameless, or to vindicate himself, and show that he had kept the law. VOL. II.-7

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and ƒ thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify « himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

h

30 And Jesus answering said, A

f Le.18.5. Ne.9.29. Eze.20.11,21. Ro.10.5. Ga.3.12. g Job 32.2. c.16.15. Ro.4.2. Ga. 3.11. Ja.2.24. h Matt.5.43,44. Jesus wished to lead him to a view of his own sinfulness, and his real departure from the law. The man was desirous of showing that he had kept the law; or perhaps he was desirous of justifying himself for asking the question; of showing that it could not be so easily settled; that a mere reference to the words of the law did not determine it. It was still a question what was meant by neighbor. The Pliarisees held that the Jews only were to be regarded as such, and that the obligation did not extend at all to the Gen. tiles. The lawyer was probably ready to affirm that he had discharged faithfully his duty to his countrymen, and had thus kept the law, and could justify himself.-Every sinner is desirous of justifying himself. He seeks to do it by his own works. For this purpose he perverts the meaning of the law; destroys its spirituality; and brings down the law to his standard rather than attempt to frame his life by its require ments.

30. Jesus answering. Jesus answered him in a very different manner from what he expected. By one of the most tender and affecting narratives to be found any where, he made the lawyer his own judge in the case, and constrained him to admit what at first he would probably have denied. He com. pelled him to acknowledge that a Samaritan-of a race most hated of all people by the Jews-had shown the kindness of a neighbor, while a priest