Commentary on Matthew Part 3 (No. F040iii)

Intent of the Chapters 11-14.

In Part 2 we saw the instruction of the Apostles and the development of the Beatitudes (No. 040). In Part 3 we go on to deal with the fact that Christ went on to teach in the cities of the apostles and that John heard of his actions and sent disciples to him to ascertain if he were indeed the promised Christ from Chapter 11. John’s role is discussed in the papers the Sign of Jonah and the History of the Reconstruction of the Temple (No. 013); Christ’s Age at Baptism and the Duration of His Ministry (No. 019); Genealogy of the Messiah (No. 119); Death of the Prophets and the Saints (No. 122C); and also Death of the Lamb (No. 242); and Timeline of the Churches of God (No. 030) (F044vii).

Matthew Chapters 11-14 (RSV)

Chapter 11

¹And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. ²Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples ³and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" ⁴And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶And blessed is he who takes no offense at me." ⁷As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. ⁹Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.' ¹¹Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹²From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force. ¹³For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John; ¹⁴and if you are willing to accept it, he is Eli'jah who is to come. ¹⁵He who has ears to hear, let him hear. ¹⁶"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates, ¹⁷'We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' ¹⁸For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; ¹⁹the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds." ²⁰Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. ²¹"Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²²But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. ²³And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you." ²⁵At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; ²⁶yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. ²⁷All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Intent of Chapter 11

vv. 11:2-12:50. Narratives concerning the authority claimed by Jesus as the Messiah.

vv. 11:2-19. Jesus and John (Lk. 7:18-35; 16:16)

vv. 2-3 Christ as the Messiah who is to come

vv. 4-5 Jesus performs the works of the predicted Messiah (Isa. 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 61:1; cf. Lk. 4:18-19. v. 6 Jesus then invites John to answer his own question based on his activities in comparison to what he has been told from the words of the prophet Isaiah (Lk. 4:17-21).

vv. 7-15 John was important in the manifestation of the coming and Eternal Kingdom of God (No. 144) and as determined in the Sign of Jonah etc (No. 013).

v. 10 from Mal. 3:1 compare. Mk. 1:2

v. 14 Mal. 4:5; Lk. 1:17; Mk. 9:11-13. Biblical prophecy depends on human acceptance of God’s terms for fulfilment. Had John’s message been accepted it is argued, by some scholars, that it would have completed the activity foretold in Elijah’s name. However, the prophecies never expected John to succeed and all prophecy show it was not to succeed as Christ had to die to save mankind and open the way for the Elect as Elohim (No. 001) in the Plan of Salvation (No. 001A). Some scholars hold that Christ did not seem to expect the literal return of Elijah (Oxf. Annot. RSV n. & 17:10-13 refers; Mk. 9:9-13).

v. 18 See Lk. 7:33 n.

v. 23 Isa. 14:13,15

vv. 25-30 Lk. 10:21-22

v. 25 9:14; 10:32; see 16:17 n. Lk. 10:21-22; 24:16. v. 27 Christ claimed a special relationship to God which he could share with others (Jn 3:35; 13:3).

v. 29 The rabbis spoke of the yoke of the law. Jesus is held to have regarded his work as more demanding, and more rewarding (5:17-20).

Chapter 12

¹At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. ²But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath." ³He said to them, "Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him: ⁴how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? ⁵Or have you not read in the law how on the sabbath the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless? ⁶I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. ⁷And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath." ⁹And he went on from there, and entered their synagogue. ¹⁰And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath?" so that they might accuse him. ¹¹He said to them, "What man of you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? ¹²Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath." ¹³Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, whole like the other. ¹⁴But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him. ¹⁵Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all, ¹⁶and ordered them not to make him known. ¹⁷This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ¹⁸"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. ¹⁹He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will any one hear his voice in the streets; ²⁰he will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, till he brings justice to victory; ²¹and in his name will the Gentiles hope." ²²Then a blind and dumb demoniac was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the dumb man spoke and saw. ²³And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" ²⁴But when the Pharisees heard it they said, "It is only by Be-el'zebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." ²⁵Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand; ²⁶and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? ²⁷And if I cast out demons by Be-el'zebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. ²⁸But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²⁹Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. ³⁰He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. ³¹Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³²And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. ³³"Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. ³⁴You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. ³⁶I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; ³⁷for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." ³⁸Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." ³⁹But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ⁴¹The men of Nin'eveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. ⁴²The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. ⁴³"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, but he finds none. ⁴⁴Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵Then he goes and brings with him seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. So shall it be also with this evil generation." ⁴⁶While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. ⁴⁷*[No text^g] ⁴⁸But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" ⁴⁹And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother."

[Footnote: ^g Other ancient authorities insert verse 47, Some one told him “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak to you.”]

Intent of Chapter 12

In chapter 12 we see that Christ made his first and major public statement, in both keeping The Sabbath (No. 031), and declaring himself as Lord of the Sabbath (No. 031B). Christ kept the Law and the Testimony as we saw from Part 1 and Part II and Christ and the Apostles and the entire Church of God from this time onwards kept the Law of God and the Testimony of the Prophets in accordance with the requirement of Isaiah (8:20) and the Messiah, and kept God’s Calendar (No. 156) in its entirety as did all of Judah, while the Temple stood until its destruction in 70 CE at the very least in accordance with the Sign of Jonah... (No. 013). It was Christ that gave the law to Moses as the Angel of the Presence at Sinai as we are told at 1Cor. 10:1-4 (F046ii) and at Acts 7:30-53 (F044ii). Here he declared himself as Lord of the Sabbath having ordered the Fourth Commandment to Israel as with the entire structure of the Law of God (L1). By this act he declared himself the Angel of YHVH (No. 024) and the Judge of the Resurrections at Revelation Ch. 20 (F066v). This Angel of the Presence that appeared to Moses was the Elohim of the forefathers of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He was the Angel of Redemption of Job 33:23 and the Angel that redeemed Jacob and who was the Elohim of Israel (Gen. 48:15-16). This elohim was one of the sons of God that Eloah had granted the nation of Israel (Deut. 32:8 RSV, LXX, DSS). This being was without doubt the Elohim of Psalm 45:6-7 (see Psalm 45 (No. 177)) who is clearly identified as Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:8-9). So also this explains exactly what Christ meant by his statement in John 17:3-5 and also what was meant in Genesis 48:15f; Deuteronomy 32:8; and also in 1Corinthians 10:1-4 (F046ii) (cf. Angel of YHVH (No. 024); and most importantly showing the Pre-existence of Jesus Christ (No. 243); and see Commentary on Hebrews (F058)). We see there that Messiah is made High Priest of the Order of Melchisdek as head of the elohim (see also Psalm 110 (No. 178)). It was for this claim that Christ was placed on trial in 30 CE to be executed for blasphemy by the Sanhedrin. This text is ignored by the Antinomian Gnostics and Binitarians/Trinitarians who wish to conceal his identity and pre-existence and of his declaring the Law of God (L1) to Israel at Sinai, and it was to stand forever.

Israel was sent into captivity ca 722 BCE by the Assyrians north of the Araxes as was detailed in Descendants of Abraham Part VI: Israel (No. 212F). Judah was left in place until the Babylonians conquered it so that they would be returned to Israel in order that the Messiah could be born in Israel and called back from Egypt in accordance with prophecy to live and establish the Church of God in the next phase of the Plan (cf. Elect as Elohim (No. 001); Plan of Salvation (No. 001A)), as we saw in F040i, and so that Judah might be judged and then disbanded until the Last Days as prophesied by Habbakuk (F035). This aspect of Judah’s existence and captivity has been explained in the text of Descendants of Abraham Part V: Judah (No. 212E). Judah was comprised, by the Second Century BCE, of many nations including the newly conquered Edomites incorporated into Judaism by the Maccabees along with the Phoenicians of North Africa and the Mediterranean ports who also joined the E1b North Africans and the E3b Egyptians and Canaanites and the R1b Hittites. The R1a Ashkenazim were still in the steppes as pagans of the Khazzar Scythian Horde until 730 CE. The Temple was under the control of the Sadducees. The Pharisees never had control, except for a brief nine day period under Queen Alexandra. God’s Calendar (No. 156) was never compromised under the Sadducees in the Temple system and was determined according to the New Moons as determined by the scholars in the astronomical schools, as we are informed historically. The Pharisees tried to alter things according to the so-called Oral Laws, but they were not successful until well after the fall of the Temple in 70 CE and the destruction of the aristocracy and the Sadducees. They then introduced the observation heresy, which also resulted in the Karaite Heresy (No. 156C), and then not fully as we see from the Mishnah (ca 200 CE), until 358 CE when the Babylonian Intercalations were issued under Rabbi Hillel II in the Post Temple Calendar of 358 CE and Judaism became completely apostate. The Jews and Judaisers have rarely kept a Holy Day on the correct days ever since 358 CE, and in many years, not even in the correct months or even correct years, to this day.

However, the Temple Calendar was always correct according to the New Moons as determined in advance from the conjunctions in the astronomical schools (Philo spec. leg. 39), while it stood, and the Churches of God were existent, until the mid Twentieth Century. The church continued on keeping the true Temple Calendar for centuries under persecution when the Sun and Mystery cults penetrated the Christian Church at Rome in the Second Century introducing Sunday worship and the Easter Cult system from the worship of the god Attis at Rome from 111 CE and then 154 CE and 192 CE (cf. Quartodeciman Disputes (No. 277)) with Easter and then the Christmas system from the fifth century CE (cf. Origins of Christmas and Easter (No. 235)). No Christian ever kept the day of worship as the First Day of the week, as Sunday, at all, ever, in the First century, anywhere on earth until it was introduced in 111 CE in Rome as a day of meeting side by side with the Sabbath. (Role of the Fourth Commandment in the Historical Sabbath-keeping Churches of God (No. 170); Timeline of the Churches of God (No. 030) (F044vii)).

vv. 12:1-14. (Christ and the Sabbath Laws Mk. 2:23-3:6; Lk. 6:1-11)

v. 1 (Deut. 23:25)

v. 2 The objection raised against Christ and the apostles rested on the traditional interpretation that plucking grain by hand was an activity forbidden by Ex. 20:8-11, which it was not (see v. 8 below).

vv. 3-4 1Sam. 21:1-6; Lev. 24:5-9

v. 5 Num. 28:9-10

v. 6 No penalty was exacted from those who set aside provisions of the Law for the sake of some human need or a more significant service to God, Jesus’ disciples eat and serve him who is allegedly greater than the institutions of the law (RSVn.) cf. vv. 41-42

v. 7 (Hos. 6:6; Mat. 9:13)

v. 8 The Messiah claims as Lord of the Sabbath authority to determine the matter under the Law and the Commandments and to decide judgment regarding the law. He is subject to God’s laws thus their interpretation or understanding was wrong (11:27; Jn. 5:1-18).

vv. 11-12 Priests agreed that accidental injury or danger should be attended to on the Sabbath, but they thought that chronic conditions should wait (Lk. 13:14). Christ thought it more important to restore a person to useful life. v. 12 (10:31)

12:15-21 Work of Healing (Mk. 3:7-12; Lk. 6:17-19; 4:40; vv. 17-21 (Isa. 42:1-4)

vv. 12:22-27 Sources of the power of the Messiah (Mk. 3:20-30; Lk. 11:14-23; 12:10).

vv. 22-24 The dumbness here said to be caused by demonic possession is said in Lk. 11:14 to be caused by the demon itself. The gospels speak of healing the person or casting out the demon (v. 24; 9:32-33; Lk. 11:14-15).

v. 23 Son of David – A title of the Messiah (21:9).

v. 24 The Pharisees attribute Christ’s power to the demons and hostile to mankind (Lk. 7:33 n.). Beelzebul (2Kgs. 1:2n); Mk. 3:22 n.

v. 27 Your sons – your disciples (Compare 1Pet. 5:13). Exorcising demons was not limited to Jesus and his followers (7:22-23; Mk. 9:38; Acts 19:13-19).

v. 28 (Lk. 4:18-20).

vv. 31-32 The unforgivable sin is attributed by some scholars as the utter rebellion against God that denies him as the doer of his own Acts (Lk. 12:10). The words indicate the denial of the activities of God through the Holy Spirit (No. 117) that prevents the operation of God in the individual. v. 32 (Mk. 3:28-30; vv. 33-36 (7:16-20; Mk. 7:14-23; Lk. 6:43-45). v. 33 make- Recognise that fruit and tree will be alike (Jas. 3:11-12 ). v. 36 careless – useless (Jas. 2:20).

v. 37 (compare Rom. 2:6).

12:38-42 Request for a Sign (Lk. 11:16, 29-32). The disciples requested a Sign of the Messiah but he referred to them as an evil and adulterous generation which was the traditional designation by the prophets of an Israel which had turned away from its God (Jer. 3:8; Ezek. 23:37; Hos. 2:2-10). (cf. v. 40; 16:1-4). The Sign of Jonah is a far reaching sign and the only one given to the Church of God over the 2000 years from the formation of the church in 27 CE and tied into the Seventy Weeks of Years (Commentary on Daniel (F027ix)) ending in 70-71 CE, after 40 years probation for Judah with the fall of Judea (War with Rome and the Fall of the Temple (No. 298)) and then ending in the last days after 40 jubilees probation for the demons and the nations of the world, with the jubilee of 2027 (cf. Sign of Jonah and the History of the Reconstruction of the Temple (No. 013); Commentary on Jonah (F032)). (See also Chapter 16:1-4.)

The explanation of the Completion of the Sign of Jonah (No. 013B) explains how God deals with the world over the Forty Jubilees from the Jubilee of 27 CE with the Declaration of the acceptable year of the Lord by Christ and the Forty jubilees for the probation of the nations and the final destruction by Christ and the Declaration by Christ of the Jubilee in Atonement 2027 and the preparation for the Millennium in the New Year of 2028. This is the only Sign we are given to understand the prophecies.

v. 40 Whale – Sea monster (cf. Jon. 1:17) v. 41 (Jon. 3:5; Mat. 11:20-24; 12:6). v. 42 (1Kgs. 10:1-10; 2Chron. 9:1-9).

12:43-45 The return of the unclean spirit (Lk. 11:24-26; see Mk. 1:23 n.). v. 43 Waterless places or deserts were supposed to be the abode of demons (compare Isa. 13:21-22; 34:14). v. 44 My house – The man himself. – Empty – Though evil had been temporarily expelled nothing good had been put in its place.

12:46-50 Jesus’ true family (Mk. 3:31-35; Lk. 8:19-21). See 13:55 n.

v. 47 other ancient authorities insert v. 47. Some one told him, “your mother and your brothers are standing outside asking to speak to you.”

Chapter 13

¹That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. ²And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. ³And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. ⁴And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. ⁵Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, ⁶but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. ⁷Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹He who has ears, let him hear." ¹⁰Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" ¹¹And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹²For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ¹³This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. ¹⁴With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: 'You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. ¹⁵For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.' ¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. ¹⁷Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. ¹⁸"Hear then the parable of the sower. ¹⁹When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. ²⁰As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; ²¹yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. ²²As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ²³As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." ²⁴Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; ²⁵but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. ²⁷And the servants of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?' ²⁸He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' ²⁹But he said, 'No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. ³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" ³¹Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; ³²it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." ³³He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." ³⁴All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable. ³⁵This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world." ³⁶Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." ³⁷He answered, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of man; ³⁸the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one, ³⁹and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. ⁴⁰Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. ⁴¹The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, ⁴²and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. ⁴³Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. ⁴⁴"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. ⁴⁵"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, ⁴⁶who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. ⁴⁷"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; ⁴⁸when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. ⁴⁹So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, ⁵⁰and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. ⁵¹"Have you understood all this?" They said to him, "Yes." ⁵²And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." ⁵³And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, ⁵⁴and coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? ⁵⁵Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" ⁵⁷And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." ⁵⁸And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Intent of Chapter 13

In this chapter Christ explains the use of parables of everyday life in speaking to the people. He used the Parable of the Sower. The process of the use of parables is actually the entire development of Predestination (No. 296) according to the Omniscience of God. The Parable of the Sower itself shows that the scattered seed are random. People are determined to be called and brought into the Kingdom of God when God determines they are to be called at their most opportune time. Some are called but not chosen meaning that they are exposed to the seed and are brought into the system but by accident and they were not meant to be called and will fail and fall by the wayside. The called and chosen are meant to come into the faith and then be destined for the First Resurrection (No. 143A) at the return of Messiah (Rev. Ch. 20 (F066v)).

Every other person who has ever lived of the Adamic Creation not destined for the First Resurrection will be resurrected by God in the Second or General Resurrection of the Dead and the Great White Throne Judgement (No. 143B).

The advantage of the First Resurrection is that the Second Death at the end of the Second Resurrection has no power over that resurrection and they are destined to be resurrected as Elohim or sons of God, and as replacement elohim for the Demons of the Fallen Host, who will be sent to Tartaros, at the return of the Messiah and the Loyal Host. They will be released from Tartaros at the end of the Millennium and then instigate the final rebellion against Christ and be killed, and then resurrected to the Second Resurrection and re-educated with the Human Host over that period and the Demons will be judged along with the humans of all ages and eras (cf. Judgment of the Demons (No. 080)).

The Elect as Elohim (No. 001) of the First Resurrection are given the Holy Spirit in accordance with the Plan of Salvation (No. 001A), either as patriarchs and prophets, or as Baptised members of the Body of Christ (cf. Repentance and Baptism (No. 052) and having hands laid on for the receipt of the Holy Spirit (No. 117).

Messiah makes the distinction known to the Disciples and how they are given to understand the details and the Calling and the Mysteries of God whereas those not called are spoken to in parables so that they will not understand as spoken by the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 6:9-13) and hence come under judgment before their scheduled calling and thus fail. The Holy Spirit works with the Called and Chosen until they are brought to baptism and then it is placed in the Called on baptism.

13:1-52 Teaching in parables (Mk. 4:1-34; Lk. 8:4-18; 13:18-21).

v. 1 The Sea of Galilee.

v. 3 Contrary to what has been taught by mainstream religions parables were used so that people would NOT see and understand the faith unless the Holy Spirit was to call them in their allotted time as the chosen of God. They were simple points of a type that could be related to normal life, but did not relate to the Plan of Salvation as Predestined by God. The claim that it reduced contention by hostile listeners may have some merit.

vv. 3b-8 The Sower is explained in vv. 18-23 (Mk. 4:1-9).

v. 9 other ancient authorities add to hear after ears as in v. 43.

v. 11 The disciples were part of the Called and Chosen and so they were given to understand the meaning and the spiritual implications of what was being taught (cf. Mk. 4:11n.).

v. 12 (25-29; Mk 4:24-25; Lk. 8:18; 19:26).

v. 13 Christ spoke in parables so that men hear the messages physically but do not comprehend the broader mysteries of God with the Holy Spirit working either with them, or in them from baptism in the faith (see 13:14-15). That was why it was so important for the demons to establish infant baptism in the churches as early as they did. The Saints of the First Resurrection (No. 143A) were those who keep the Commandments of God and the Testimony and Faith of Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:17; 14:12). That was why they had to be persecuted and killed by the false church of the Triune God (Rev. 6:9-11; (F066ii) (cf. No. 170) and the Temple Calendar, commanded by God (No. 156) under the Law, removed, as was done by the Roman and Greek systems, or altered as it was done by the Jewish adoption of the Babylonian Intercalations and postponements in 358 CE under Hillel II. All those activities and changes removed the participants from the First Resurrection. Those persecuted, who were the saints, were given reward and power from the First Resurrection. See:

Antinomian Attacks on the Covenant of God (No. 096D)

Antinomian Destruction of Christianity by Misuse of Scripture (No. 164C)

Antinomian Attacks on the Law of God (No. 164D)

Antinomian Denial of Baptism (No. 164E)

vv. 14-15 Isa. 6:9-10; Mk. 8:18; see Acts 28:26n.

vv. 16-17 (Lk. 10:23-24n.)

vv. 17 See...hear Jesus’ message about the kingdom of God.

vv. 18-23 The responses to Jesus’ message are affected by the daily circumstance in which the elect find themselves. That is why the demons, who know who the elect are, try so hard to make it as difficult as possible to complete the work and qualify and have dominion over them. v. 22 (19:23).

vv. 24-30 Weeds in the wheat God allows good and evil to exist together until the end of the Age and the Return of Messiah for the Millennium and the rule of Messiah and the elect (see vv. 36-43; see also Rev. Ch. 20; (F066v).

vv. 31-32 The Mustard Seed (Lk. 13:18-19). The Beginnings of God’s Kingdom begin with the implantation of a grain of truth through the Holy Spirit and then the individual is brought to baptism and the Holy Spirit is placed within them by the laying on of hands and grows to an outstanding result. v. 32 (Dan 4:12).

v. 33 Leaven (Lk. 13:20-21). The Holy Spirit as the Power of God, working in the elect, will transform the lives of the elect when called.

v. 35 The prophet i.e. Asaph the Seer (2Chron. 29:30), was the author of Ps. 78 from which the quotation in v. 2 was taken.

v. 42 Lk. 12:49 n. v. 43 (Dan. 12:3).

vv. 44-46 Hidden Treasure and the pearl of great value v. 44 Some men respond to the call in wholehearted dedication without any other thought to the fruits of the call. vv. 45-46 Some men dedicate themselves to God’s Kingdom, because they are able to see that it is of greater value than all alternatives.

vv. 47-50 The Dragnet

v. 52 Scribe Every person who has been trained as a scribe in the kingdom of heaven is able to take from the “Old” writings of the prophets and the Testimony and the “New“ teachings of Christ and as preserved and issued by the Apostles and Elders of the Church of God.

13:53-17:27 Events of decisive acceptance or rejection of the Messiah. 13:53-58 Rejection at Home. v. 53 Finished see 7:28 n. v. 54 His Own Country Nazareth (Lk. 4:16,23). v. 55 Brothers The text is regarded by non Catholics as children of Mariam and Joseph younger than Jesus, as indeed it appears as stated from the Bible record. Catholics, and those of the mother goddess cults, claim the text can refer to an extended family and hence are not Mariam’s children or else they are her step children from an elder wife, of which there is absolutely no record. The claims stem from the cult of the virgin goddess in the east and the Capitoline Virgin goddess Minerva at Rome with the unhewn oak Jupiter and his wife Juno as the Triune system (cf. also Mat. 12:46; Mk. 3:31-32; 6:3; Lk. 8:19-20; Jn. 2:12; 7:3,5; Acts 1:14; 1Cor. 9:5; Gal. 1:19) (cf. also Mat. 1:25n. Lk. 2:7n to Oxford Annot. RSV). v. 58 (see Mk. 6:5-6 n.)

For Christ’s brothers and sisters and his family see the work The Virgin Mariam and the Family of Jesus Christ (No. 232)).

Chapter 14

¹At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus; ²and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." ³For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, for the sake of Hero'di-as, his brother Philip's wife; ⁴because John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." ⁵And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. ⁶But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Hero'di-as danced before the company, and pleased Herod, ⁷so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. ⁸Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter." ⁹And the king was sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given; ¹⁰he sent and had John beheaded in the prison, ¹¹and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. ¹²And his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus. ¹³Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. ¹⁵When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." ¹⁶Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." ¹⁷They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." ¹⁸And he said, "Bring them here to me." ¹⁹Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. ²¹And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. ²²Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. ²⁵And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. ²⁷But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." ²⁸And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." ²⁹He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; ³⁰but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." ³¹Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" ³²And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." ³⁴And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. ³⁵And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent round to all that region and brought to him all that were sick, ³⁶and besought him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.

Intent of Chapter 14

The chapter begins with the account of Herod the Tetrach who hears of Jesus and thinks that it is actually John the Baptist who has been raised from the dead after he had him executed at the request of Solome his step daughter (Josephus, A of J xviii 5.4) after she was promised a reward by a befuddled Herod after she had danced for him. He had imprisoned John at the request of Herodias, his brother’s Philip wife, because John stated it was not lawful for Herod to have her as a wife. Herodias had Salome request John’s head on a platter. Thus Herod was placed in this position and had John killed; and so, he was guilt ridden for this crime.

14:13-21

Five Thousand were fed. (Mk. 6:30-44; Lk. 9:10-17; Jn. 6:1-13) v. 13 On John’s death Messiah faced the next phase in his life which followed on with the establishment of the church and the next two years of his ministry, and in accordance with the Sign of Jonah... (No. 013)(cf. also 16:1-4). (See also Mk. 1:14-15).v. 14 (20:25-28).

14:22-36 Jesus walks on water. (Mk. 6:45-52; Jn. 6:15-21). v. 24 a furlong about 220 yards or one eight of a mile. v. 25 The Fourth Watch (see Mk. 6:48n.) v. 26 (Lk. 24:37) v. 33 (Mk. 6:51-52). See also the paper The Bread and Wine (No. 100) re the feeding of the 5000.

Other Papers:

Sons of Shem: Part I (No. 212A)

Descendants of Abraham Part II: Lot, Moab, Ammon and Esau (No. 212B)

Descendants of Abraham Part III: Ishmael (No. 212C)

Descendants of Abraham Part IV: Sons of Keturah (No. 212D)

Descendants of Abraham Part V: Judah (No. 212E)

Descendants of Abraham Part VI: Israel (No. 212F)

Sons of Shem Part VII: Charts for P212A-212F (No. 212G)

Descendants of Abraham Part VIII: Thirteen Famines of Rebellion (No. 212H)

Descendants of Abraham Part IX: The Last Great Famine (No. 212i)

Sons of Ham: Part I (No. 045A)

Sons of Ham: Part II Cush (No. 045B)

Sons of Ham: Part IV Phut (No. 045D)

Sons of Ham: Part V Canaan (No. 045E)

Sons of Japheth: Part I (No. 046A)

Sons of Japheth Part 1A: The Sons of HN (No. 046A1)

Sons of Japheth Part II: Gomer (No. 046B)

Sons of Japheth: Part III Magog (No. 046C)

Sons of Japheth: Part V Javan (No. 046E)

Sons of Japheth: Part VI Tubal (No. 046F)

Sons of Japheth: Part VII Meshech (No. 046G)

Sons of Japheth: Part VIII Tiras (No. 046H)

The Holy Days of God (No. 097)

The Passover (No. 098)

The Harvests of God, the New Moon Sacrifices, and the 144,000 (No. 120)

The New Moons (No. 125)

The New Moons of Israel (No. 132)

The Moon and the New Year (No. 213)

The Sabbath and the Lunar Cycle (No. 156B)

The Origin and Basis of the Karaite Division (No. 156C)

God’s Calendar, Temple Worship and the Books of Enoch and Jubilees (No. 156D)

Connection re the Nature of God and the Temple Calendar (No. 156E)

Tishri in Relation to the Equinox (No. 175)

Passover and the Equinox (No. 175B)

Jeroboam and the Hillel Calendar (No. 191)

The Calendar and the Moon: Postponements or Festivals? (No. 195)

Distortion of God’s Calendar in Judah: Part I (No. 195B)

Hillel, Babylonian Intercalations and the Temple Calendar (No. 195C)

The Four Fasts of Judah (No. 195D)

The Original Doctrines of the Christian Faith (No. 088)

Heresy in the Apostolic Church (No. 089)

Antinomian Attacks on the Covenant of God (No. 096D)

Antinomian Destruction of Christianity by Misuse of Scripture (No. 164C)

Antinomian Attacks on the Law of God (No. 164D)

Antinomian Denial of Baptism (No. 164E)

Bullinger’s Notes on Matthew Chs. 11-14 (for KJV)

Chapter 11

Verse 1

Jesus. App-98.

preach = proclaim. App-121. Continuing His mission (Matthew 4:17).

Verse 2

heard in the prison. John"s arrest had been mentioned in Matthew 4:12.

Christ = the Messiah. See App-98.

he sent. Greek. pempo. Sent as envoys. See notes on Luke 7:3 and Luke 7:6. This is not the same mission as that in Luk 7.

(1) In this (the former) no number of those sent is given (see note on "two" below): in the latter there were "two" (Luke 7:19). The antecedents and consequents are different.

(2) In the former, the Twelve had just been appointed, which may have raised questions in John"s mind; in the latter, the antecedent was the raising of the widow"s son, before the calling of the Twelve.

(3) In the former case, the Lord called them to see and note what He was then doing, "which ye are hearing and seeing" (Matthew 11:4).

(NB., the tenses are all Present. See Matthew 11:5.) In the latter case, they are to te11 John "what ye have seen and heard" (Matthew 11:22). The consequents are repetitions suited to the different circumstances. See App-97.

two. All the texts read dia = by means of (App-104. Matthew 11:1), instead of duo = two, as in Luke 7:18.

Verse 3

He That should come = He Who cometh, or the corning One: i.e. He Who was expected to come. Compare Matthew 3:11; Matthew 21:9; Matthew 23:39. John 3:31. Psalms 118:26. Genesis 49:10. Isaiah 35:4. Ezekiel 21:27. Zechariah 9:9.

do we look for = are we to expect.

another = a different [one].

Verse 4

Jesus = And Jesus. App-98.

answered and said. A Hebraism. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41.

shew = report.

again. Not in the Greek. in .

Verse 5

The blind = Blind (no Art. in this verse, because only some of each kind are meant. Not all the blind, &c.) These were the miracles foretold of Him (Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 35:6; Isaiah 61:1). No others (qua, miracles) would have sufficed as His credentials.

the dead = dead (persons). No Art. See App-139.

raised up = raised to life.

have the gospel preached to them. This is one word in the Greek (euangelizo) = are told the good news or glad tidings (Isaiah 61:1).

Verse 6

blessed = happy. See note on Matthew 5:3.

not be offended = find nothing to stumble at.

Me: i.e. in My Person, My teachings, My grace, &c.; as many did. Compare Luke 4:22 with Luke 4:28.

Verse 7

departed = were going forward. See note on Matthew 11:1.

concerning. Greek. peri. App-104.

What . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis, and Anaphora. See verses: Matthew 8:9.

to see = to gaze on. Greek. theaomai. App-133.

with = by. Greek. hupo. App-104.

Verse 8

for to see = to see. Greek. eidon. App-133.

soft raiment = soft, or effeminate [raiment]. Mantles are meant, made of silk or linen, as worn by the effendis or gentry, in the East, to-day.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

Verse 9

prophet. See App-49.

more than = far more than.

Verse 10

of = concerning. Greek. peri, as in Matthew 11:7.

it is written = it standeth written.

I send, &c. Quoted from Malachi 3:1. See App-107 and App-117. Compare Mark 1:2. Luke 1:17, Luke 1:76; Luke 7:27.

messenger = angel. Greek. angelos.

Verse 11

Verily. See note on Matthew 5:18.

Among. Greek. en with plural

born of women = brought forth by women (see note on Matthew 1:2, Matthew 1:16, Matthew 1:18). A Hebraism (yelud "ishshah). See Job 14:1; Job 15:14; Job 25:4.

least = less: i.e. younger, meaning Himself.

the kingdom. John was only proclaiming it (but not "in" it). The kingdom was rejected both as announced by John (Matthew 3:2), by Christ (Matthew 4:17), and by Peter (Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19-26); and, since its final rejection in Acts 28:25, Acts 28:26, is postponed, and is now in abeyance. See Hebrews 2:8 ("not yet"). The possessor is greater than the proclaimer.

the kingdom of heaven. See App-114.

heaven = the heavens (plural)

he: i.e. John.

Verse 12

And = But.

suffereth violence = forceth itself upon men"s attention. Greek. biazomai. Occurs only here and Luke 16:16. Supposed to be only passive (as rendered here), but this agrees neither with the facts nor with the context. Deissmann (Bib. Stud., p. 258) tells of the discovery of an inscription of Xanthus the Lycian, found near Sunium (E. Attica), containing the regulations as to approaching the healing divinity of the sanctuary of Men Tyrannos: "If any one forces himself in, his offering was not acceptable. "Those who fulfilled the conditions had the founder"s good wishes. This last clause is conclusive and agrees with Luke 16:16.

the violent = forceful ones. No Art. Greek. biastes. Occurs only here.

take it by force = lay hold of it.

Verse 13

all the prophets. See Acts 3:21.

the law. See note on Matthew 5:17.

until John. And all would have been fulfilled then had the nation repented.

Verse 14

if, &c. Assuming it as a fact. See App-118., as in verses: Matthew 11:21, Matthew 11:23.

will = are willing. Greek. thelo.

receive = to receive. Compare Acts 2:41.

this is = he represents. Had the nation repented, John would have been reckoned as Elijah.

is = represents. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6.

Elias = Elijah.

was for to come = is about to come. See Malachi 4:5, and Luke 1:17.

Verse 15

He that hath ears to hear. A Hebraism. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6. Used only by the Lord, and marking a dispensational crisis (as this was) on fourteen different occasions. See App-142.

Verse 16

this generation? A significant expression, occurring sixteen times (Matthew 11:16; Matthew 12:41, Matthew 12:42; Matthew 23:36; Matthew 24:34. Mark 8:12, Mark 8:12; Mark 13:30. Luke 7:31; Luke 11:30, Luke 11:31, Luke 11:32, Luke 11:50, Luke 11:51; Luke 17:25; Luke 21:32). Characterized by other epithets, "evil" and "adulterous" (Matthew 12:39, Matthew 12:45; Matthew 16:4. Mark 8:38. Luke 11:29); "faithless and perverse" (Matthew 17:17. Mark 9:19. Luke 9:41); "untoward" (Acts 2:40). All this because it was the particular generation that rejected the Messiah.

children = little children. Dim. of pais. App-108.

fellows = companions. Greek. hetairos. Some of the texts read "others" (i.e. heteros for hetairos). Occurs only here; Matthew 20:13; Matthew 22:12; and Matthew 26:50 ("friend").

Verse 17

have not = did not. danced . . . lamented. Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6) in the Greek orchesasthe . . . ekopsasthe; but Figure of speech Parechesis, also in Ararnaic = rakkedton . . . arkkedton. In Eng. "ye did not leap . . . did not weep"; or "stept not . . . wept not". A common custom to this day; such response on the part of the audience being greatly appreciated.

Verse 18

came. In the Greek this is the Figure of speech Hyperbaton (put out of its place by commencing the verse), causing the Figure of speech Anaphora (App-6).

eating nor drinking. Supply the Ellipsis, eating nor drinking [with others].

devil = demon.

Verse 19

The Son of Man. See App-98.

winebibber = drinking to excess.

publicans and sinners. See notes on Matthew 5:46; Matthew 9:10.

But = And: i.e. And [for all that] Wisdom was [in each case] vindicated by her children; so with Messiah (the Wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. Compare Matthew 23:34 with Luke 11:49).

of = by. Greek. apo. App-104.

children. App-108. Tr. reads "work".

Verse 20

Then. Marking another stage of His rejection. Figure of speech Chronographia.

cities. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject) for their inhabitants. App-6.

wherein = in which. Greek. en, as in Matthew 11:1.

mighty works. Greek plural of dunamis (App-172.) See note on John 2:18.

were done = had taken place.

repented. Greek. metanoeo. App-111.

Verse 21

Woe, &c. Figure of speech Maledictio. App-6. A testimony as to His rejection.

Chorazin. Not named elsewhere, and no miracles recorded as performed there, or at Bethsaida. See App-169.

been done = taken place.

Tyre and Sidon. No mention of the Lord"s having been there.

Tyre. Now es Sur.

Sidon. The Zidon of the O.T.; now Saida, twenty-five miles south of Beirout.

Verse 22

at = in, as in Matthew 11:1.

the day, &c. Now drawing near. See note on Matthew 16:23.

Verse 23

Capernaum. See note on Matthew 4:13, and App-169.

art = wast.

heaven = the heaven. Sing, because in contrast with the earth. See note on Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10.

hell. Gr. Hades. See App-131.

Verse 25

that time. Of His rejection. Figure of speech Chronographia (App-6), emphasizing the lesson.

time = season.

answered and said = prayed and said. A Hebraism. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41.

I thank Thee = I openly confess to Thee.

Father. See App-98.

earth = the earth. App-129.

hast hid = didst hide.

the wise = wise ones (no Art.)

prudent = prudent ones: i.e. in their own eyes.

Verse 26

seemed good = became well-pleasing. Occurs with ginomai, only here and Luke 10:21.

Verse 27

are delivered = were [at some definite time] delivered.

of = by. Greek. hupo.

No man = no one. Greek. odes, or compound of. App-105.

knoweth = fully knoweth.

will reveal = intendeth (Greek. boulomai) to reveal.

reveal = unveil. Greek. apokalupto.

Verse 28

Come, &c. Here Christ refers, not to sins, but to service; not to guilt, but to labour; not to the conscience, but to the heart; not to repentance, but to learning; not to finding forgiveness, but to finding rest.

all. Here limited to those seeking "rest".

labour = toil.

heavy laden = burdened.

give. His rest is given. Ours must be found in His gift. We have none to give.

Verse 29

your souls = your own selves (emph.)

Chapter 12

Verse 1

time = season.

corn = cornfields.

Verse 2

the Pharisees. See App-120.

Verse 3

Have ye not read. ? This question was asked by the Lord on six different occasions, and referred to seven different books of the O.T., and to ten distinct passages. See App-143.

what David did. Reference to 1 Samuel 21:6. App-117.

Verse 4

into. Greek. eis. App-104.

the house of God: i.e. the tabernacle.

the shew bread. See Exodus 25:30. Leviticus 24:5-8.

which was . . . but only, &c. See Leviticus 24:9.

Verse 5

in the law. See note on Matthew 5:17. Compare Numbers 28:9, Numbers 28:10 and App-143.

the sabbath. (Numbers 28:9, Numbers 28:10. Compare Nehemiah 13:17. Ezekiel 24:21. John 7:22, John 7:23.) There were more sacrifices on the sabbath than on any other day.

profane. Our Eng. word "profane" = far from the temple. The Greek word here = to trample down and thus treat as common. Compare Acts 24:6.

blameless = guiltless, as in Matthew 12:7. Greek. anaitios. Occurs only here and Matthew 12:7.

Verse 6

in this place = here.

greater than the temple. Compare Matthew 12:41, a greater prophet; and Matthew 12:42, a greater king; who can be only God Himself.

Verse 7

if, &c. Implying that it was not the fact. See App-118. Not the same condition as in verses: Matthew 12:11, Matthew 12:26, Matthew 12:27, Matthew 11:28.

had known = were aware of. Gr. ginosko. .

meaneth = is.

I will = I desire. Greek. thelo. App-102. Quoted from Hosea 6:6.

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

guiltless. Greek. anaitios. See note on blameless, Matthew 12:5.

Verse 8

the Son of man. See App-98.

even. All the texts omit this word.

of the sabbath. As the Son of man. Compare Matthew 12:6, Lord of the Temple as the Son of God.

Verse 9

their. Probably inhabitants of Tiberias. For, in Mark 3:6, the Pharisees conferred with the Herodians, so that the Lord was in Herod"s jurisdiction.

synagogue. See App-120.

Verse 10

man. Greek. anthropos. App-123.

on the sabbath days. This was the first of seven miracles wrought on the sabbath. See . Luke 13:11; Luke 14:2. John 5:8, John 5:9; John 9:14.

that = in order that.

Verse 11

And = But.

among = of. Greek. ek.

if . . . ? The condition is hypothetical.

Verse 12

How much? Figure of speech Erotesis, for emphasis. App-6.

well: i.e. a good deed.

Verse 13

other. Greek. allos. App-124.

Verse 14

Then = But.

held a council. Occurs only in Matthew 22:15; Matthew 27:1, Matthew 27:7; Matthew 28:12. Mark 3:6; Mark 15:1.

Verse 15

from thence = thence, as in Matthew 12:9.

Verse 16

known = publicly known. Greek. phaneros. Compare App-106.

Verse 17

That = To the end that.

spoken. As well as written.

by = by means of. Greek. dia.

Esaias = Isaiah (App-79). Quoted from . See App-107. From the Hebrew direct; but the last clause differs, because the Holy Spirit is recording the act of fulfillment, and varying it by way of Divine comment.

Verse 18

Behold, &c. Quoted from Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 42:1. See App-107.

Servant. Greek. pais. See App-108.

Chosen. Greek. hairetizo. Occurs only here.

in. Greek. eis (App-104.); but L A WH omit. Tr. reads en (App-104.)

My soul = I (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh. App-9. Greek. psuche. App-110.

is well pleased = hath found delight.

spirit. See App-101.

upon. Greek. epi. App-104.

shew = declare.

Gentiles = nations.

Verse 19

strive = contend. Greek. erizo. Occurs only here.

Cry = make outcry or clamour.

Verse 20

O smoking. Greek. tuphoomai. Occurs only here. 1 Timothy 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:4. 2 Timothy 3:4.

send forth = bring forth (what was before hidden), as in Matthew 12:35 with Matthew 13:52. Compare Deuteronomy 32:34.

Verse 21

in. All texts omit this, and read "on".

His name. A Hebraism. See note on Psalms 20:1.

trust = hope. Compare Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 42:1. One of eighteen passages where "trust" should be thus rendered.

Verse 22

one possessed with a devil = a demoniac. Greek. daimonizomai.

insomuch that = so that.

Verse 23

people = multitude.

Is not This . . . ? The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads "Is This? " = May not This be? Since 1638 it reads "Is not This".

the son of David. The third of nine occurrences of this Messianic title in Matthew. See App-98.

Verse 24

Pharisees. See App-120.

This fellow = this [man]. Not emphatic.

devils = demons.

but = except.

by = in [the power of]. Greek. en.

Beelzebub. See note on Matthew 10:25.

Verse 25

Jesus = He. All texts omit "Jesus" here.

shall = will.

Verse 27

children = sons: i.e. disciples. The Pharisees believed in and practiced exorcism. See Josephus (Antiquities viii. 2-5), and compare Acts 19:13.

therefore = on account of this. Greek. dia touto. App-104.

Verse 28

the Spirit. There is no Art. Greek. pneuma. (App-101.) = by God"s pneuma, put for Divine power. In Luke 11:20 God"s "finger" put for the power exercised by it by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). So in Exodus 8:19.

then = it follows that.

the kingdom of God. The second of five occurrences in Matthew. See note on Matthew 6:33 and App-114.

Verse 29

strong man"s = the strong [one"s].

spoil = plunder.

Verse 31

Wherefore = On this account. Greek. dia touto, same as "therefore", Matthew 12:27.

blasphemy = impious or evil speaking.

against the Holy Ghost = [concerning] the Spirit. Greek. pneuma with Art. See App-101.

Verse 32

the Holy Ghost = the Spirit, the Holy [Spirit], emph. App-101.

world = age, age-time, or dispensation. Greek. aion. App-129. It must refer to one age-time in contradistinction to another, called "the coming age". Compare Hebrews 1:2 and see note on Hebrews 11:3.

the world to come = [the age] about to be. App-129.

Verse 33

his = its.

is known = getteth known. Greek. ginosko. App-132.

by = from. Greek. ek.

Verse 34

generation = offspring or brood. Compare Matthew 3:7; Matthew 23:33.

evil. See App-128.

out of. Greek. ek.

abundance: or overflow.

Verse 35

A = The.

treasure = treasury.

the heart. All the texts omit "the heart".

an = the.

Verse 36

idle = careless or useless. Compare Matthew 20:3. 1 Timothy 5:13. Titus 1:12.

word = saying. Not the same as in Matthew 12:37.

that = which.

give account thereof = suffer its consequences. A Hebraism.

thereof = concerning (App-104.) it.

Verse 37

words. Greek plural of logos. Not the same as in Matthew 12:36. See note on Mark 9:32. "Words" are reckoned as "deeds" (2 Corinthians 5:10). See App-121.

Verse 38

Master = Teacher. See App-98. Matthew 12:1.

would = desire. Greek. thelo. App-102.

see = to see. Greek. eidon.

a sign. The first of six "signs" asked for. Compare Matthew 16:1; Matthew 24:3. Luke 11:16. John 2:18; John 6:30.

from. Greek. apo.

Verse 39

adulterous. Spiritually. See Jeremiah 3:9. Ezekiel 23:37, &c

generation. Greek. genea. Not the same as in Matthew 12:34. See note on Matthew 11:16.

seeketh: or, is for ever seeking.

Jonas = Jonah. See App-117.

Verse 40

as = just as. The Lord was dead, therefore Jonah must have been. Nothing is said about his being "preserved alive". That "sign" would have had no relation to what is here signified. See notes on Jonah.

three nights. Apart from these words, "three days" might mean any portion of a day. But "three nights" forbids this interpretation. See App-144and App-156. Quoted from Jonah 1:17.

the whale"s. Greek. ketos. Occ only here. There is nothing about "a whale" either in the Hebrew of Jonah (Matthew 1:17) or in the Greek here. The "great fish" was specially "prepared" by its Creator. See Jonah 1:17.

the heart of the earth = in the earth: i.e. the sepulchre, or tomb, Matthew 27:60. Mark 15:46. Luke 23:53. John 19:40. Acts 13:29. It is the Figure of speech Pleonasm (a Hebraism), App-6, = the midst, or "in". See Exodus 15:8. Psalms 46:2. 2 Samuel 18:14. Deuteronomy 4:11. In any case it is not "the centre", any more than the heart is in the centre of the body, instead of near the top. We are to conclude that the Lord establishes "the literal validity of the history of Jonah", inasmuch as He spoke "not His own words but only words of the Father" (see John 7:16; John 8:28, John 8:46, John 8:47; John 12:49; John 14:10, John 14:24; John 17:8); so that the assertions of modern critics are perilously near blasphemy against God Himself

earth. Greek. ge. App-129.

Verse 41

men. Greek No Art., plural of aner. App-123.

rise = stand up. Not the same word as in Matthew 12:42.

judgment = the judgment, as in Matthew 12:42. Compare Psalms 1:5.

repented. The last reference to repentance in Matthew. See App-111.

preaching = proclamation. Compare App-121.

greater. See note on Matthew 12:6.

Verse 42

The queen = A queen.

rise up. In resurrection. Not the same word as "rise" in Matthew 12:41.

she came. See 1 Kings 10:1, &c.

from = Out of

Verse 43

When = But when. Introducing the allegory.

the = an. The Art. being inclusive and hypothetic as "a man", which also has the Art. and is rendered "a".

spirit. Greek. pneuma. See App-101.

is gone out. If of its own accord, it have gone out, it returns (Matthew 12:44). But not when it is "bound" and cast out, as in Matthew 12:29.

out of = away from (Greek. apo. App-104.) temporarily, as at the proclamation of John.

a = the.

he = it.

walketh. = roameth. Compare Acts 8:4.

dry = waterless: i.e. where no human beings. are.

findeth none = findeth [it] not; has no respite. Greek. ou, as in Matthew 12:2.

Verse 44

from whence = whence.

garnished = decorated.

Verse 45

himself = itself.

more wicked. Showing that there are degrees of wickedness among spirits and demons. See Matthew 17:21. Acts 16:16, Acts 16:17, &c.

the last state. See Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:21, Daniel 11:23, &c. Rev 13; and compare John 5:43.

is = becometh.

also . . . generation = generation also.

this = this [present].

wicked. Greek. poneros. App-128.

wicked generation. See notes on Matthew 11:16; Matthew 23:25; Matthew 24:34. Mark 13:30. Luke 21:32. Acts 2:40.

Verse 46

talked = was talking.

people = multitudes.

stood = were standing.

desiring to speak = seeking to speak. Their avowed purpose. But in Mark 3:21, Mark 3:31 their real purpose was to "lay hold on Him", and the reason is given: "for they said " He is beside Himself "". This accounts for the Lord"s answer.

Verse 47

stand without = are standing without. The reason for not going in is obvious.

Verse 49

stretched forth His hand toward = He pointed to.

Verse 50

whosoever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6, denned by obedience, and made an hypothesis by the particle "an".

do = have done.

heaven = [the] heavens. Plural, because there is no contrast with the "earth". See note on Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10.

the same = he.

Chapter 13

Verse 1

The same day. Greek. en The day referred to in .

Jesus. App-98.

out of the house. The teaching from verses: was public; from verses: Matthew 13:36-52 was within the house, in private, out of. Greek. apo, as in Matthew 12:43. But Tr. reads [ek] and apo in margin WH omit apo and read ek in margin L and T read ek (104. vii.) in text.

the house: or His house, at Capernaum (Matthew 9:28). App-169.

sat = was sitting.

by . . . side = beside. Greek. para.

Verse 2

gathered together. Not the same as in verses: Matthew 13:28, Matthew 13:29, Matthew 13:30, Matthew 28:40, Matthew 28:41, Matthew 28:48, but same as in verses: Matthew 13:30, Matthew 13:47.

into. Greek. eis.

a = the. See notes on Matthew 4:21; Matthew 8:23.

on. Greek. epi.

Verse 3

many things. Some of these parables were repeated (and varied) on other occasions. There are no "discrepancies".

in = by. Greek. en. App-104.

parables. Here, eight (not "seven" as sometimes alleged) are selected for the special purpose of the Holy Spirit in this Gospel. See App-96and App-145.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

a sower = the sower. As these eight parables relate to "the Kingdom of the Heavens" (App-114), the sowing must relate to the proclamation of it (Matthew 13:19): (1) by John, "the wayside", Matthew 3:2, Matthew 3:5, Matthew 3:6; (2) by Christ, the Twelve, and the Seventy, "the stony ground", Matthew 4:12, Matthew 4:26, Matthew 4:35; (3) by the Twelve in the land, and Paul in the synagogues of the Dispersion (the Acts); (4) still future (Matthew 24:14) and on "good", because prepared ground. See App-140., and 145.

Verse 4

when he sowed = in (as in Matthew 13:3): in his sowing.

some = some indeed.

way side. The part of the field beside the way.

fowls = birds.

Verse 5

Some = And some.

stony places = rocky or broken land.

not much earth. Not depth enough of earth.

forthwith = immediately.

because = through (Greek. dia.) not having depth of earth.

Verse 7

among = upon. Greek. epi. App-104.

Verse 8

into = upon. Greek. epi. App-104.

good ground = the ground, the good [ground]. Good, because prepared.

brought forth. All the verbs are in past tenses.

Verse 9

Who: i.e. Him who hears.

Verse 11

He = And He.

is given = hath been given: i.e. is permanently given.

to know = to get to know. Greek. ginosko. App-132.

the mysteries = the secrets; or the things hitherto kept secret.

of = belonging to. Genitive of Relation. App-17.

the kingdom of heaven. See App-114.

heaven = the heavens (plural) See notes on Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10.

it is not given = it hath not been given.

Verse 12

whosoever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus). whosoever hath, &c. Figure of speech Paroemia. Compare Matthew 25:29.

have more abundance = be made to abound.

Verse 13

Therefore = On this account. Greek. dia touto. See App-104. Matthew 13:2.

seeing see . . . hearing . . . hear. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.

Verse 14

in = upon. Greek. epi.

fulfilled = is fulfilling. See Isaiah 6:9. Compare John 12:40. Acts 28:26.

Esaias = Isaiah. Quoted from Isaiah 6:9, Isaiah 6:10. Compare the other two: John 12:39. Acts 28:25-27.

not = by no means. Gr. ou me. See App-105.

Verse 15

waxed gross = grown fat.

see. Greek. blepo. App-133.

be converted = be turned to [the Lord].

Verse 16

blessed = happy, as in Matthew 5:3, &c.

your eyes . . . your ears = ye. "Eyes" and "ears" being put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, for the persons themselves.

Verse 17

verily. See note on Matthew 5:18.

have desired = desired [earnestly].

to see = to

get a sight of. Greek. eidon. App-133.

ye see = ye are seeing. Greek. bllepo.

have not seen = never saw.

seen. Greek. eidon.

have not heard = never heard.

Verse 19

the word of the kingdom: i.e. the proclamation of its having drawn nigh, as in Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17. Acts 2:28; Acts 3:19-26.

word. Greek. logos.

the wicked one = the evil [one]. See App-128.

received. Compare Acts 2:41. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. Not the same word in Greek, but the same truth.

Verse 20

anon = immediately. The same word as "by and by" in Matthew 13:21.

Verse 21

but dureth for a while = but is temporary, or endureth but for a season.

by and by = immediately. Same word as "anon". Matthew 13:20. The offence is as immediate as the joy.

is offended = stumbles.

Verse 22

among. Greek. eis. App-104. Not the same word as in Matthew 13:5.

is he = this is he.

world = age. Greek. aion. See App-129.

he = it.

Verse 23

which also = who indeed.

and bringeth forth = produceth also.

some = some indeed.

some = but other.

Verse 24

Another. Greek. alos. App-124. The parables spoken outside (Matthew 13:1) are introduced thus; those within the house by the word "again" (Matthew 13:36): marking off the Structure p. 1336; and App-144.

The kingdom of heaven. See App-114.

heaven = the heavens. See note on Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10.

Verse 25

slept. App-171.

sowed = sowed upon [and therefore among]. Greek. epispeiro = sowed. Occurs only here. All the texts read "sowed over".

tares. Greek. zizania (Occurs only in this chapter, verses: Matthew 13:25, Matthew 13:36.) Not "darnel" (the Lolium temulentum of naturalists), but zewan as known to-day in Palestine. While growing it looks like wheat, but when full grown the ears are long and the grains almost black. Each grain of zewan must be removed before grinding wheat, or the bread is bitter and poisonous. Wheat is golden; but tares show their true colour as they ripen.

among = in (Greek. ana,) the midst.

went his way. He had no doubt as to the result. Nor should those have doubt who sow "the good seed" of the Word of God. They should have as much confidence in their sowing as the "enemy" had in his; and go their way, and sow more.

Verse 26

appeared. Greek. phaino. App-106.

Verse 27

servants = bondservants.

householder = master of the house. See App-98.

Sir. Greek. kurios.

Verse 28

He = And he.

An enemy = A man an enemy. Figure of speech Pleonasm (App-6), for emphasis.

hath done = did.

Wilt. Greek. thelo. See App-102.

gather them up? = collect them together?

Verse 29

Nay. Greek. ou. App-105.

ye gather up = [while] gathering them together.

Verse 30

grow together. Greek. sunauxanomai. Occurs only here.

reapers. Greek. theristes. Occurs only here, and in Matthew 13:39.

in = into. Greek. eis.

bundles. Greek. desme. Occurs only here, in this form.

to burn = in order to burn.

Verse 32

the least = less indeed.

of all seeds. Supply the Ellipsis from Matthew 13:31 = "than all the seeds [that a man sows in his field]".

it is grown = it shall or may have grown. This growth is contrary to nature: to show that it symbolizes an unnatural result, with its consequences.

the greatest among herbs = greater than [garden] herbs.

the air = the heaven (singular)

lodge = perch.

Verse 33

leaven = sour dough. Always used in a bad sense, as meal is in a good sense: therefore the common interpretation as to the Gospel"s improving the world is the exact contrary of the leaven corrupting the whole of the meal. The same is true of the symbol of the "woman", see below. The Lord mentions three kinds of leaven, all of which were evil in their working: the leaven (1) of the Pharisees = hypocrisy or formalism (Luke 12:1); (2) of the Pharisees and Sadducees = evil doctrine or teaching (Matthew 16:11, Matthew 16:12); (3) of Herod = political religion, or worldliness (Mark 8:15). Compare also Genesis 19:3. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. 1 Corinthians 23:14, 1 Corinthians 23:16, 1 Corinthians 23:23-28.

a woman. A common symbol of evil in the moral or religious spheres. See Zechariah 5:7, Zechariah 5:8. Revelation 2:20; Revelation 17:1-6.

hid. Compare Matthew 13:44, and see the Structure. App-145.

leavened = corrupted.

Verse 34

multitude = multitudes (plural).

spake He not = was He not speaking.

Verse 35

That = So that.

fulfilled. Quoted from Psalms 78:2. See App-107 and App-117.

by = by means of. Greek. dia. App-104. Matthew 13:1.

utter = pour forth. Greek. ereugomai. Occurs only here.

from the foundation of the world. Note the seven occurrences of this expression (here; Matthew 25:34. Luke 11:50. Hebrews 4:3; Hebrews 9:6. Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8). Contrast "before the overthrow", &c. (John 17:24. Ephesians 1:4. 1 Peter 1:20).

foundation = overthrow. See Genesis 1:2. App-146.

world. Greek. kosmos. App-129.

Verse 36

went into the house. This determines the Structure, on p. 1336.

the house. Peter"s house.

Declare = Expound. Greek. phrazo. Occurs only here, and in Matthew 15:15.

Verse 37

the Son of man. See App-98. Compare Matthew 8:20. Here the Lord is explaining the parable.

Verse 38

are = these are: i.e. represent. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6.

children = sons. App-108.

Verse 39

the end of the world = the end of the age, age-time, or dispensation. The expression occurs six times (here, verses: Matthew 13:40, Matthew 13:49, Matthew 13:3; Matthew 28:20. Hebrews 9:26), always in this sense.

end. Greek. sunteleia (not "telos") = closing time, denoting the joining of two age-times: i.e. the closing time of one leading on to the other. The sunteleia mark the closing period, while telos marks the actual and final end.

the angels = angels. In Matthew 13:41 "His angels".

Verse 40

this world = this [present] age-time (compare verses: Matthew 13:22, Matthew 13:39).

Verse 41

out of. Greek. ek.

offend = cause offence, or stumbling.

iniquity = lawlessness.

Verse 42

a furnace = the furnace, as in Matthew 13:50.

wailing and gnashing. See note on Matthew 8:12.

gnashing = the grinding.

Verse 43

shine forth. Greek. eklampo. Occurs only here.

the kingdom, &c. See App-112.

Who hath, &c. See note on Matthew 11:15. See App-142.

Verse 44

Again. This word marks and links together the last three parables. See the Structure, p. 1336 (App-145), and note on "another", Matthew 13:24.

hid = lying hidden. Compare Matthew 13:33 and Matthew 13:35.

for = from. Greek. apo.

buyeth. Not the word for "redeem". See note on 2 Peter 2:1.

Verse 45

a merchant man = a man, a merchant. Compare Matthew 13:28, "an enemy".

Verse 47

a net = a drag-net, or seine. Greek. sagene. Occurs only here.

of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104.

Verse 48

drew = drew up. Greek. anabibazo. Occurs only here.

to shore = upon (Greek. epi.) the shore.

the bad = the useless: i.e. the cat-fish, plentiful in the Sea of Galilee.

away = out.

Verse 49

at = in, as in Matthew 13:3.

come forth = go out. The Lord was speaking on earth.

sever = separate.

wicked = evil ones. Greek plural of poneros. App-128.

from among. Greek. ek

just = righteous ones.

Verse 51

Jesus saith unto them. All the texts omit this clause.

Lord. All the texts omit "Lord" here.

Verse 52

instructed = discipled, or initiated as a disciple.

unto. All the texts omit eis (App-104.), L reads en, reading "in the kingdom", for "unto the kingdom".

an householder = a man a householder. Figure of speech Pleonasm (App-6), for emphasis. See Matthew 13:27.

new = new (in character). Greek. kainos; not neos, which = new (in time). See notes on Matthew 9:17; Matthew 26:28, Matthew 26:29.

Verse 53

finished. Thus marking the end of this special collocation of parables, showing them to he one whole.

departed. Greek. metairo. Occurs only here and Matthew 19:1; referring probably to His going by water.

Verse 54

taught = was teaching

synagogue. See App-120.

this = this [fellow].

mighty works. Plural of dunamis. App-172.

Verse 55

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), emphasizing each one individually.

Verse 56

with Greek. pros.

Verse 57

offended = stumbled.

in = at. Greek. en.

his own house. His own family: "house" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the family dwelling within it.

Chapter 14

Verse 1

At = In. Greek. en.

time = season.

Herod = Herod Antipas. Son of Herod the Great by Malthace. See App-109.

tetrarch. The Greek word transliterated = a governor over the fourth part of any region; but the word subsequently lost its strict etymological meaning, and came to denote any petty prince not ruling over an entire country. So called from tetartos = fourth.

heard of the fame. Figure of speech Polyptoton. Greek. ekousen. . akoen.

fame = hearing, or report.

of = concerning. Genitive (of Relation). App-17.

Verse 2

servants = young men or courtiers. Greek. pais. App-108.

the dead. With Art. See App-139.

therefore = on this account. Greek. dia touto.

mighty works. See note on Matthew 13:54, above.

in. Greek. en.

Verse 3

Herod. One of eleven rulers offended with God"s reprovers. See note on Exodus 10:28.

put: i.e. had him put.

for . . . sake = on account of. Greek. dia.

Philip"s = Philip I, son of Herod the Great and Mariamne II. See App-109.

wife: i.e. widow.

Verse 4

said = used to say.

Verse 5

when he would have put him to death. = wishing (App-102.) to kill him.

counted = held. Compare Matthew 21:26, Matthew 21:46

Verse 6

kept = being celebrated.

the daughter. Salome (Josephus, Antiquities xviii. 5. 4).

Herodias. See App-109.

before them = in the midst of them: i.e. in public.

Verse 7

with. Greek. meta. App-104.

Verse 8

before instructed = prompted, or instigated.

of = by. Greek. hupo.

in = upon. Greek. epi.

charger = a wooden trencher, or dish. Greek. pinax;. Occ only here, Matthew 14:11. Mark 6:25, Mark 6:28 and Luke 11:39 ("platter"). The Eng. is from the French chargrer = to load. Then by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject) App-6, put for what is laden; hence, used of a horse, as well as a dish.

Verse 9

the oath"s = his great or solemn oath.

Verse 11

damsel. Greek. korasion. App-108.

Verse 12

body., Mark 6:29 reads ptoma = corpse.

Verse 13

departed = withdrew. by = in. Greek. en.

people = multitude.

out of = from. Greek. apo. App-104.

Verse 14

went forth. From His solitude, Matthew 14:13.

toward. Greek. epi.

Verse 15

time = hour.

now = already.

Verse 17

And = But.

have here but = have not (Greek. ou, as in Matthew 14:4) here [anything] except.

Verse 19

on = upon. Greek. epi.

to = into. Greek. eis.

heaven = the heaven (sing). See note on Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10. brake = after breaking. The bread was made in thin cakes, which had to be broken (not cut) before they could be eaten. Hence the idiom "to break bread" means to eat bread, as in Luke 24:35; Acts 27:35. See notes on Numbers 18:19, and Isaiah 58:7. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Adjunct). App-6.

to = [gave] to. The Ellipsis must be thus supplied from the preceding clause.

Verse 20

filled = satisfied.

baskets. Greek. kophinos. A small wicker hand-basket.

Verse 21

men = males. Greek plural of aner. See App-123.

Verse 22

straightway = immediately, as in Matthew 14:31.

a = the.

He sent, &c. This was a miracle in itself.

Verse 24

with = by. Greek. hupo. App-104.

waves = the waves.

Verse 25

the fourth watch. See App-51.

Verse 26

a spirit = a phantom. Greek. phantasma. Occurs only here and Mark 6:49.

for = from. Greek. apo. App-104.

Verse 27

it is I = I am [He].

Verse 28

Lord. Greek. Kurios. App-98.

if, &c. Assuming it as a fact.

Verse 29

to. Greek. pros. App-104.

Verse 30

he saw the wind boisterous. He looked at the circumstances instead of the Lord. This was the secret of his (and of our) failure.

sink = be overwhelmed in the sea. Greek. katapontizomai. Occurs only here and Matthew 18:6.

Verse 31

O thou of little faith. See note on Matthew 6:30.

wherefore = why, or for what. Greek. eis.

doubt = waver, or hesitate. Greek. distazo. Occurs only here and Matthew 28:17.

Verse 33

the Son of God = God"s Son (no Art.) App-98.

Verse 34

Gennesaret. It was at the northern end of the lake and to the west of the Jordan (App-169). The Talmud identifies it with Chinnereth of the O.T. Josephus says it was about four miles long by two and a half broad.

Verse 35

had knowledge of = having recognized.

Verse 36

hem = border, or fringes. Compare Matthew 9:20.

made perfectly whole = completely saved or healed. Greek. diasozo = to save throughout. Occurs eight times (Luke 7:3. Acts 23:24; Acts 27:43, Acts 27:44; Acts 28:1, Acts 28:4; 1 Peter 3:20). All are interesting and used of bodily saving.

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