1Christ alleged scripture in defence of his disciples' plucking the ears of corn on the sabbath day: 6he appealeth to reason, and healeth the withered hand on the sabbath. 12He spendeth the night in prayer, and chooseth the twelve apostles: 17he healeth various diseased people: 20pronounceth blessings and woes: 27teacheth to return good for evil, and other lessons of moral duty: 46and admonisheth to be his disciples in practice, and not in profession only.
1AND ita came to pass on the 1second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
a Deut. 23:25; Mat. 12:1; Mark 2:23.
1 This sabbath is called the second first, because, as learned men think it was the first sabbath after the second day of the passover, from which seven sabbaths were to be reckoned into the feast of Pentecost, Lev. 23:15, of which seven sabbaths this was the first, which the Jews yet at this day call the first sabbath after the second day. For, that even about that time in Judea the ears of corn were large, appears Lev. 23:10; Deut. 16:9. Others think that it was the last day of the feast of the passover, which was a special day of rest as well as the first, Num. 28:25, as the last day of that feast of tabernacles, is called the great day of that feast, John 7:37. But others think that it is so called, because it was the sabbath in the second great feast, namely, of Pentecost, on which the first ripe fruits were offered up, Exod. 34:22.
2And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye thatb which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
b Exod. 20:10.
3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what Davidc did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
c 1 Sam. 21:6.
4How he went into the 2house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but ford the priests alone?
2 See concerning the house of God and concerning the showbread the annotations at Mat. 12 on verse 4.
d Lev. 24:9.
5And he said unto them, That thee Son of man is 3Lord also of the sabbath.
e Mat. 12:8; Mark 2:28.
3 See the exposition hereof, Mat. 12 on verse 8.
6Andf it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
f Mat. 12:9; Mark 3:1.
7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an 4accusation against him.
4 Gr. His accusation, that is, any matter or occasion of accusation thereby to make Him suspect by the people as a transgressor of the law.
8But he knew their 5thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
5 Or. reasonings.
9Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save 6life, or to destroy it?
6 Gr. a soul, that is, a person. A manner of speaking, whereby a part is taken for the whole. For, if a man does not help when he is able, he is guilty to his destruction.
10And 7looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: andg his hand was restored whole as the other.
7 Namely, with anger. See Mark 3:5.
g 1 Kings 13:6.
11And they were filled with 8madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
8 That is, with a raging hatred.
12Andh it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night 9in prayer to God.
h Mat. 14:23.
9 Gr. in the prayer of God, namely, to prepare Himself by prayer for the selection of His apostles; as the apostles also did after this example. Acts 13:3.
13¶Andi when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named 10apostles;
i Mat. 10:1; Mark 3:13; 6:7; Luke 9:1.
10 That is, delegates, or ambassadors, because they were to be sent out by Him to preach the Gospel, first through the land of Judea, Mat. 10:6, and afterwards into the world.
14Simon, (whom he also named 11Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
11 Wherefore he was thus surnamed, see Mat. 3:16. This surname served also to distinguish him from the second Simon, who is therefore also surnamed here Zelotes, verse 15. See Mat. 10:4.
15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called 12Zelotes,
12 That is, zealot. See Mat. 10:4.
16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
17¶Andj he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
j Mat. 4:25; Mark 3:7.
18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: fork there went 13virtuel out of him, and healed them all.
k Mark 5:30.
13 That is, He showed His Divine power on them, whereby He healed them. See Mark 5:30.
l power*
20¶Andm he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye 14poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
m Mat. 5:2.
14 Namely, in spirit. See Mat. 5:3.
21Blessednare ye that 15hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessedoare ye that 16weep now: for ye shall laugh.
n Isa. 65:13.
15 Namely, after righteousness, Mat. 5:6.
o Isa. 61:3; 66:10.
16 Namely, suffering for Christ’s and His Gospel’s sake, as appears out of the following verse.
22Blessedp are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall 17separate you from their company, and shall 18reproach you, and 19cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
p Mat. 5:11; 1 Peter 2:19; 3:14; 4:14.
17 Or, cut you off, namely, from their assemblies and companies. See John 16:2.
18 Namely, as ungodly or heretics.
19 Or, put out. Gr. cast out.
2320Rejoiceq ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your 21reward is 22great in heaven: forr in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
20 Or, be cheerful, namely, for joy.
q Acts 5:41.
21 Of this reward, see Mat. 5 on verse 12.
22 Gr. much.
r Acts 7:51.
24Buts woe unto you that are 23rich! for ye have received your consolation.
s Amos 6:1, 8.
23 That is, who put confidence in your riches, and seek your comfort therein. Mark 10:24.
25Woet unto you that are 24full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that 25laugh now! foru ye shall 26mourn and weep.
t Isa. 65:13.
24 Gr. filled, that is, who take your delight in filling up your body with meat and drink. See James 5:5.
25 That is, who have your recreation in all manner of worldly joys, John 16:20, and in the oppression of the upright, Rev. 11:10.
u James 4:9; 5:1.
26 Namely, eternally, James 5:1.
26Woe unto you, when 27all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27 Namely, worldly men, John 15:19, when you shall seek to please them, and be like unto them, Gal. 1:10.
27¶But I say unto you which hear, Lovev your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
v Exod. 23:4; Prov. 25:11; Mat. 5:44; Rom. 12:20; 1 Cor. 4:12.
28Bless them that curse you, and prayw for them which despitefully 28use you.
w Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60.
28 Or, slander; as 1 Peter 3:16.
29Andx unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek 29offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
x 1 Cor. 6:7.
29 Namely, rather than that you would revenge yourself, or recompense evil for evil.
30Givey to 30every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods 31ask them not again.
y Deut. 15:7; Mat. 5:42.
30 This must be understood of the true poor who suffer want, to whom we must also give according to our power. See hereof the rule of Paul, 2 Cor. 8:12, 13, 14.
31 Namely, if thereby the love of our neighbor would be violated, or offense given to others. 1 Cor. 6:7.
31Andz as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
z Mat. 7:12.
32Foraa if ye love them which love you, what 32thank have ye? for 33sinners also love those that love them.
aa Mat. 5:46.
32 Or, grace, that is, gracious benefit or recompense from God.
33 That is, notorious and great sinners, such as the publicans were accounted, who are put instead of them, Mat. 5:46, 47.
33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34Andab if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to 34receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
ab Deut. 15:8; Mat. 5:42.
34 Namely, the money lent, or the like friendship, when you would have need thereof, as appears from the following words in the end of the verse.
35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping 35for nothing again; and your reward shall be 36great, and ye shall 37be the childrenac of the Highest: for he is 38kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
35 Or, without hoping for anything from it, that is, not only to them, whom you hope will give it you again, and you do the like courtesy again, but also to them of whom you have not this hope, as He here also commands to love not only your friends but also our enemies.
36 Gr. much.
37 That is, show really that you are.
ac Mat. 5:45.
38 Or, benevolent.
36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
3739Judgead not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: 40forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
39 Namely, rashly or perversely, as Mat. 7:1.
ad Mat. 7:1; Rom. 2:1; 1 Cor. 4:5.
40 Or, release, and ye shall be released.
38Give,ae and it shall be given unto you; good 41measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into 42your bosom. Foraf with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
ae Prov. 10:22; 19:17.
41 A similitude taken from measuring dry wares, when one is ready to give everyone his full measure.
42 A phrase taken from the manner of the people in the Orient, who wore long, wide garments wherein they could receive that which was given them. Psalm 79:12; Jer. 32:18.
af Mat. 7:2; Mark 4:24.
39And he spake a parable unto them, Canag the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
ag Isa. 42:19; Mat. 15:14.
40Theah disciple is not above his 43master: but every one that is 44perfect shall be as his master.
ah Mat. 10:24; John 13:16; 15:20.
43 Gr. teacher, or, tutor.
44 That is, a right, true and faithful disciple.
41Andai why beholdest thou the 45mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
ai Mat. 7:3.
45 What is understood by the mote and beam, see Mat. 7 on verse 3.
42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me 46pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, castaj out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
46 Or, put out. Gr. cast out.
aj Prov. 18:17.
43Forak a good tree 47bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a 48corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
ak Mat. 7:17; 12:33.
47 Gr. maketh.
48 Or, evil.
44For every tree is known by his own fruit. Foral of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
al Mat. 7:16.
45 Aam good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart 49bringeth forth that which is evil: foran of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
am Mat. 12:35.
49 Namely, commonly, or for the most part. For, otherwise the hypocrites often speak that which they do not mean, although their hypocrisy comes to light many times.
an Mat. 12:34.
46¶Andao why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
ao Mal. 1:6; Mat. 7:21; 25:11; Luke 13:25; Rom. 2:13; James 1:22.
47Whosoeverap cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
ap Mat. 7:24.
48He is like a man which built an house, and digged 50deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the 51flood arose, the stream 52beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
50 That is, dug deep, namely, to lay a more firm foundation.
51 Gr. the full flood, whereby, as also by the streams, are understood seductions, temptations, afflictions and persecutions, Mat. 13:21.
52 Gr. broke.
49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the 53ruin of that house was great.
53 Gr. the breach, or rent.