Bible Commentaries

Psalms 134 overview — appears in the psalm itself, it may have been composed originally to occupy the very place which it does occupy here. The psalm is a summons to praise, and it would seem not improbable that it was designed to be sung by alternate choirs - the first Psalms 134:1-2 representing the people approaching the sanctuary, calling on those who habitually serve God there - the ministers of religion - to lift up their hands in the sanctuary and to praise the Lord; the second Psalms 134:3, the response of the priests

Jeremiah 30:1 — had revealed to Jeremiah of happier import for the Jewish people. This subject is “the New covenant.” In contrast then with the rolls of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, we here have one containing the nation’s hope. A considerable portion was written in the 10th year of Zedekiah, when famine and pestilence were busy in the city, its capture daily more imminent, and the prophet himself in prison. Yet in this sad pressure of earthly troubles Jeremiah could bid his countrymen look courageously onward to the

Ezekiel 14:9 — employing it to test the sincerity of men, and thus making it ultimately contribute to the purification of His people, to the confirmation of the righteous, to the increase of their glory and felicity. The case of the false prophets who deceived Ahab 1 Kings 22:0 is a striking representation of this principle. The Lord sends forth an evil spirit to persuade Ahab to his ruin. Toward the close of the kingdom of Judah false prophets were especially rife. The thoughts of men’s hearts were revealed, the

Ezekiel 40:17-19 — The “outward” or outer “court” (o, Plan II) corresponds to what was in Herod’s temple the court of Women, into which all Jews, but not Gentiles were admitted.Ezekiel 40:17Chambers - (I) See Jeremiah 35:2.A pavement - (H) Of mosaic work 2 Chronicles 7:3; Esther 1:6 which formed a border of forty-four cubits. On each side of the court in which there were gates, i. e., on east, north, and south. It was called the “lower

Daniel 5:4 — They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, ... - Compare the note at Daniel 5:1. Idols were made among the pagan of all the materials here mentioned. The word praised here means that they spake in praise of these gods; of their history, of their attributes, of what they had done. Nothing can well be conceived more senseless and

Zechariah 11:2 — imagery, by ascribing to them the feelings of people. The more glorious and stately, “the cedars,” were destroyed. Woe then to the rest, “the cypress;” as our Lord says, “If they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done, in the dry?” Luke 23:31, and Peter, “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Peter 4:18.For the defensed forest is come down - That which was closed and inaccessible to the enemy. All which was high and lifted up was brought low,

Matthew 21:3 — The Lord hath need of them - This means no more than the “master” has need of them. The word “Lord” often means no more than “master” as opposed to servant, Matthew 10:24; Eph 6:5; 1 Peter 3:5-6. The word is sometimes used in the Bible as applied to God, or as a translation of the name Yahweh. Its common use is a mere title of respect given by an inferior to a superior, by a servant to a master, by a disciple to

Matthew 25:24 — The one talent - The design of this part of the parable is to show that no one is excused for neglecting his duty because he has few talents. God will require of him only according to his ability, 1 Corinthians 4:2; Luke 12:48; 2 Corinthians 8:12.A hard man - Of a sordid, griping disposition; taking advantage of the poor, and oppressing them.Reaping ... - This is indicative of an avaricious and overbearing disposition; compelling the poor to sow

Matthew 28:8 — And they departed quickly - Joyful at the “news,” and wishing to impart it to all, they fled to find the disciples, and to tell them that the Lord was risen.With fear and great joy - Fear because of: 1.The wonderful scenes which they had witnessed the stone rolled away, and the presence of an angel; 2.A confused state of mind, apprehensive, perhaps, that it might not, after all, be true.The news was too good to be credited at once, yet they had sufficient

Matthew 4:12 — John was cast into prison - For an account of the imprisonment of John see Matthew 14:1-13.He departed into Galilee - See Matthew 2:22. The reasons why Jesus then went into Galilee were probably:Because the attention of the people had been much excited by John’s preaching, and things seemed to be favorable for success in his own ministry.

Matthew 9:30 — no one “should” know it, for there were witnesses of it, and it would be made known; but they were not to make it a point to proclaim to the world what was done to them. This was in accordance with the usual habit of the Saviour Matthew 8:4; Matthew 12:16, and also with his own precepts to others Matthew 6:1-4.

Luke 19:3 — “what sort of person,” he was, or how he appeared. He had that curiosity which is natural to people to see one of whom they have heard much. It would seem, also, that in this case mere “curiosity” led to his conversion and that of his family. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:23-25. God makes use of every principle - of curiosity, or sympathy, or affection, or hope, or fear - to lead people in the way of salvation, and to impress truth on the minds of sinners.The press - The crowd; the multitude that surrounded

Luke 21:5 — Goodly stones - Beautiful stones. Either referring to the large, square, and well-finished stones of which the eastern wall was built, or to the precious stones which might have been used in decorating the temple itself. See the notes at Mark 13:1.Gifts - This word properly denotes anything devoted or dedicated to God. Anciently warriors dedicated to their gods the spoils of war - the shields, and helmets, and armor, and garments of those slain in battle. These were suspended in the temples.

John 2:13 — The Jews’ passover - The feast among the Jews called the Passover. See the notes at Matthew 26:2-17.And Jesus went up to Jerusalem - Every male among the Jews was required to appear at this feast. Jesus, in obedience to the law, went up to observe it. This is the first Passover on which he attended after he entered on the work of the ministry. It

John 21:19 — By what death ... - In these words two things are implied: 1.That Peter would die a violent death; and, 2.That his death would be such as to honor God.The ancients say that Peter was crucified at Rome, about 34 years after this, with his head downward. Clemens says that he was led to the crucifixion with his

Acts 12:5 — the prison, and out of the custody of sixteen men, by prayer. But the prayer of faith Was prevalent with God.Without ceasing - Intense, steady, ardent prayer. The word used here ἐκτενής ektenēs is found in only one other place in the New Testament, 1 Peter 4:8, “Have fervent charity among yourselves.” The word has rather the idea that their prayer was earnest and fervent than that it was constant.Of the church - By the church.

Acts 17:31 — Because he hath appointed a day - This is given as a reason why God commands people to repent. They must be judged; and if they are not penitent and pardoned, they must be condemned. See the notes on Romans 2:16.Judge the world - The whole world - Jews and Gentiles.In righteousness - According to the principles of strict justice.Whom he hath ordained - Or whom he has constituted or appointed as judge. See the Acts 10:42 notes; John 5:25 notes.Hath given assurance

Acts 21:15 — prepared for the journey. The English word carriage was formerly used in the sense of what is carried, baggage, burden, vessels, furniture, etc. Thus, it was used in the time that our translation was made; and in this sense it is to be understood in 1 Samuel 17:22, “And David left his carriage (baggage) in the hand of the keeper of the carriage,” etc. See Acts 21:20, margin; Isaiah 10:28, “At Michmash he hath laid up his carriages” (his baggage, etc.).

1 Corinthians 10:26 — For the earth is the Lord’s - This is quoted from Psalms 24:1. The same sentiment is also found in Psalms 50:11, and in Deuteronomy 10:14. It is here urged as a reason why it; is right to partake of the meat offered in the market. It all belongs to the Lord. It does not really belong to the idol, even though it

Galatians 5:5 — the Christian hope of eternal life, and to recall them from dependence on their conformity to the Law.The hope of righteousness - The hope of justification. They had no other hope of justification than by faith in the Redeemer; see the note at Romans 1:17.