Bible Commentaries

Jeremiah 19:1 — purchase) a potter’s earthen bottle - The “bottle” was a flask with a long neck, and took its name from the noise made by liquids in running out.The ancients - These “elders” were the regularly constituted representatives of the people (see Jeremiah 29:1; Numbers 11:16), and the organization lasted down to our Saviour’s time Matthew 26:47. Similarly the priests had also their representatives 2 Kings 19:2. Accompanied thus by the representatives of Church and State, the prophet was to carry the earthen

Jeremiah 23:6 — This is his name whereby he shall be called - From remote antiquity the person here spoken of has been understood to be “the righteous germ,” and this alone is in accordance with the grammar and the sense. Nevertheless, because Jeremiah Jeremiah 33:15-16 applies the name also to Jerusalem, some understand it of Israel.the Lord OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS - Messiah is here called:(1) Yahweh, and(2) our righteousness, because He justifies us by His merits.Some render, He by whom Yahweh works righteousness.

Jeremiah 47:5 — Baldness - Extreme mourning (see Jeremiah 16:6).Is cut off - Others render, is speechless through grief.With the remnant of their valley - Others, O remnant of their valley, how long wilt thou cut thyself? Their valley is that of Gaza and Ashkelon, the low-lying plain, usually called the Shefelah,

Ezekiel 14:7 — The stranger - They who sojourned among Israel, though they were not of Israel, were bound to abstain from idol-worship Leviticus 17:10; Leviticus 20:2.By myself - Or, as in Ezekiel 14:4, “according to” Myself. He who comes to inquire with a heart full of idolatry shall have his answer, (1) “according to the multitude of his idols” - in delusion, (2) “according to the holiness of

Ezekiel 38:17 — Gog - is not mentioned by name in any existing prophecy before Ezekiel’s time. The reference here shows (1) that the conflict with Gog does not represent a particular event, but one of which the prophets in general had to speak; (2) that in the interpretation of Old Testament prophecy we are to look beyond special fulfillments.Events in the world’s history

Zechariah 1:5 — Your fathers, where are they? - The abrupt solemnity of the question seems to imply an unexpected close of life which cut short their hopes, plans, promises to self. “When they said, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them” 1 Thessalonians 5:3. Yet not they only but the prophets too, who ministered God’s Word to them, these also being human beings, passed away, some of them before their time as people, by the martyr’s death. Many of them saw not their own words fulfilled.

Matthew 22:4 — evening, it refers here to a meal taken at that time.Fatlings - This word does not refer to any particular species of animals. It denotes any fat animals. As oxen are also mentioned, however, it refers here, probably, to lambs or calves, 2 Samuel 6:13; 1 Chronicles 15:26.

Matthew 24:36 — But of that day and hour - Of the precise time of the fulfillment. The “general signs” of its approach have been given, as the budding of the fig-tree is a certain indication that summer is near; but “the precise time” is not indicated by these things. One part of their inquiry was Matthew 24:3 when those things should be. He now replies to them by saying that the precise time would not be foretold. Compare the notes at Acts 1:7.Knoweth no man, no, not the angels - See the notes at Mark 13:32.

Mark 2:1 — Into Capernaum - See the notes at Matthew 4:13.After some days - The number of days is not known. Jesus probably remained long enough in the desert to heal the sick who were brought to him, and to give instructions to the multitudes who attended his preaching. Capernaum was not “the city” mentioned

Mark 4:24 — make of your opportunities of learning. If you consider it well, and make a good improvement of what you hear, you shall be well rewarded. If not, your reward shall be small. This is a proverbial expression. See it explained in the notes at Matthew 7:1-2.Mete - Measure. With what measure ye measure.Unto you that hear - To you who are “attentive,” and who improve what you hear.

Luke 11:40 — Ye fools - How unwise and wicked is your conduct! The word denotes not only “want of wisdom,” but also wickedness. Compare Psalms 14:1; Proverbs 13:19; Proverbs 14:9. Your conduct is not merely “foolish,” but it is a cloak for sin - designed to countenance wickedness.Did not he ... - Did not God, who made the “body,” make also the “soul?” You Pharisees take great pains to cleanse

Luke 18:2 — things go together. He that has no regard for God can be expected to have none for man; and our Lord has here indirectly taught us what ought to be the character of a judge that he “should” fear God and regard the rights of man. Compare Deuteronomy 1:16-17.Regarded man - cared not for man. Had no respect for the opinions or the rights of man.

Luke 24:38 — Why are ye troubled? - Why are you alarmed or frightened?And why do thoughts ... - The word “thoughts” here means “doubts” or suspicions. It is used in this sense also in 1 Timothy 2:8. The doubts which they had were whether he was the Christ. He reproves them for doubting this; for,The Scriptures had foretold his death; He had himself repeatedly done it; and, They had now the testimony of Peter that he had seen Jesus

John 1:45 — Moses, in the law - Moses, in that part of the Old Testament which he wrote, called by the Jews “the law.” See Deuteronomy 18:15, Deuteronomy 18:18; Genesis 49:10; Genesis 3:15.And the prophets - Isaiah 53:1-12; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 9:24-27; Jeremiah 23:5-6; etc.Jesus of Nazareth ... - They spoke according to common apprehension. They spoke of him as the son of Joseph because

John 4:3 — malice of the Pharisees he might have known were growing so rapidly as to endanger his life. As his time to die had not yet come, he retired to Galilee, a country farther from Jerusalem, and much less under their control than Judea. See Mark 2:22; Luke 3:1. Though he feared not death and did not shrink from suffering, yet he did not needlessly throw himself into danger or provoke opposition. He could do as much good in Galilee, probably, as in Judea, and he therefore withdrew himself from immediate danger.

Acts 1:5 — For John truly baptized ... - These are the words of Jesus to his apostles, and he evidently has reference to what was said of John’s baptism compared with his own in Matthew 3:11; John 1:33. In those verses John is represented as baptizing with water, but the Messiah who was to come, as baptizing with the Holy Spirit and with fire. This promise was now about to be fulfilled in a remarkable manner. See Acts 2:0.Not many days

Acts 14:14 — Which, when the apostles - Barnabas is called an apostle because he was sent forth by the church on a particular message (Acts 13:3; compare Acts 14:26), not because he had been chosen to the special work of the apostleship - to Dear witness to the life and resurrection of Christ. See the notes on Acts 1:22.They rent their clothes - As an expression of their abhorrence of what

Acts 14:9 — Who stedfastly beholding him - Fixing his eyes intently on him. See the notes on Acts 1:10.And perceiving - How he perceived this is not said. Perhaps it was indicated by the ardor, humility, and strong desire depicted in his countenance. He had heard Paul, and perhaps the apostle had dwelt particularly on the miracles with which the gospel

Acts 5:21 — Early in the morning - Greek: at the break of day. Compare Luke 24:1; John 8:2.Called the council together - The Sanhedrin, or the Great Council of the nation. This was clearly for the purpose of “trying” the apostles for disregarding their commandments.And all the senate - Greek: “eldership.” Probably these were not

Acts 7:39 — Would not obey ... - This refers to what they said of him when he was in the mount, Exodus 32:1, Exodus 32:23.In their hearts turned ... - They wished to return to Egypt. They regretted that they had come out of Egypt, and desired again the things which they had there, as preferable to what they had in the desert, Numbers 11:5. Perhaps, however,