Bible Commentaries

Zechariah 8:10 — payment of tribute, as in the Turkish Empire now, or in the weak government of Greece. At the rebuilding of the walls, after this time, the Samaritans, “Arabians, Ammonites, Ashdodites conspired to fight against Jerusalem,” and to “slay them” Nehemiah 4:7-11. They are summed up here in the general title used here, “our adversaries”.For I set - Literally, “and I set.” Domestic confusions and strife were added to hostility from without. Nehemiah’s reformation was, in part, to stop the grinding usury in time

Matthew 10:24-25 — The disciple is not above his master ... - That is, you must expect the same treatment which I have received. They have called me, your Master and Teacher, Beelzebub, the prince of the devils (see Matthew 12:24; Luke 11:15; John 8:48), and you must expect that they will call all of the family by the same name. “Beelzebub” was a god of the Ekronites. See 2 Kings 1:2. The word literally means “the god of flies,” so called because this idol was supposed to

Matthew 17:1 — Matthew 17:1-9. See also Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36.And after six days - That is, six days from the conversation recorded in the last chapter.Luke Luke 9:28 says, about an eight days after. Matthew mentions the six days that intervened between the day of the conversation

Matthew 19:13 — Then were brought little children - See also Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17. Probably these were brought by some of his followers, who desired not only to devote themselves to Jesus, but all that they had - their children as well as themselves. All the Jews were accustomed to devote their children to God

Matthew 24:10 — Many shall stumble, fall, apostatize from a profession of religion. Many who “professed” to love me will then show that they had no “real” attachment to me; and in those trying times it will be seen that they knew nothing of genuine Christian love. See 1 John 2:19.Shall betray one another - Those who thus apostatize from professed attachment to me will betray others who really love me. This they would do to secure their own safety, by revealing the names, habitations, or places of concealment of others.Shall

Matthew 24:15 — The abomination of desolation - This is a Hebrew expression, meaning an abominable or hateful destroyer. The Gentiles were all held in abomination by the Jews, Acts 10:28. The abomination of desolation means the Roman army, and is so explained by Luke 21:20. The Roman army is further called the “abomination” on account of the images of the emperor, and the eagles, carried in front of the legions, and regarded by

Matthew 26:20 — When the even was come - The lamb was killed “between the evenings,” Exodus 12:6 (Hebrew) - that is between three o’clock, p. m., and nine in the evening. The Jews reckoned two evenings - one from three o’clock p. m. to sunset, the other from sunset to the close of the first watch in the night, or nine o’clock p. m. The paschal

Mark 4:30 — gospel. At the same time that the instructions of the pulpit should be dignified as our Saviour’s always were they should be adapted to the capacity of the audience and easily understood. To do this the following things are necessary in a minister: 1.“Humility.” A freedom from a desire to shine, and to astonish the world by the splendor of his talents, and by his learning and eloquence.“Good sense.” A satisfaction in being understood. Acquaintance with the habits of thought and manner of speaking

Mark 8:11-21 — See this passage explained in Matthew 16:1-12.Mark 8:12Sighed deeply in his spirit - His heart was deeply affected at their wickedness and hypocrisy. The word “spirit” here is taken as the seat of the emotions, passions, affections. He drew groans deeply from his breast.No sign be given -

Luke 5:3 — Which was Simon’s - Simon Peter’s.Prayed him - Asked him.He sat down - This was the common posture of Jewish teachers. They seldom or never spoke to the people “standing.” Compare Matthew 5:1. It may be somewhat difficult to conceive why Jesus should go into a boat and put off from the shore in order to speak to the multitude; but it is probable that this was a small bay or cove, and that when he was “in” the boat, the people on the shore

John 12:35 — that the light would be with them a little while, and that they ought to improve the opportunity while they had it to listen to his instructions, to require with candor, and thus to forsake their false notions respecting the Messiah.The light - John 1:4. It is probable that they understood this as denoting the Messiah. See John 8:12; “I am the light of the world;” John 9:4.Walk ... - John 11:9. Whatever you have to do, do it while you enjoy this light. Make good use of your privileges before they

John 13:23 — his spirit and without loving him. It is an honor which cannot be won by wealth or learning, by beauty or accomplishments, by rank or earthly honors, but only by the possession of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price, 1 Peter 3:4; compare Romans 8:9.

John 13:9 — Christ. A true Christian is desirous of being cleansed from all sin. He has no reserve. He wishes not merely that one evil propensity should be removed, but all; that every thought should be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5; and that his whole body, soul, and spirit should be sanctified wholly and be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:23. His intellect, his will, his affections, his fancy, memory, judgment, he desires should

John 19:7 — We have a law - The law respecting blasphemy, Leviticus 24:16; Deuteronomy 13:1-5. They had arraigned Jesus on that charge before the Sanhedrin, and condemned him for it, Matthew 26:63-65. But this was not the charge on which they had arraigned him before Pilate. They had accused him of sedition, Luke 23:2. On

John 8:19 — peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,” 2 Timothy 2:25. The way to know God is to know Jesus Christ. “No man hath seen God at any time. The only-begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him,” John 1:18. No sinner can have just views of God but in Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 4:6.

Acts 14:16 — Who in times past - Previous to the gospel; in past ages.Suffered all nations - Permitted all nations; that is, all Gentiles, Acts 17:30. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at.”To walk in their own ways - To conduct themselves without the restraints and instructions of a written law. They were permitted to follow their own reason and passions, and their own system of religion.

Acts 17:24 — God that made the world - The main object of this discourse of Paul is to convince them of the folly of idolatry Acts 17:29, and thus to lead them to repentance. For this purpose he commences with a statement of the true doctrine respecting God as the Creator of all things. We may observe here:(1) That he speaks here of God as the Creator of the world, thus opposing

Acts 20:38 — Sorrowing most of all ... - This was a most tender and affectionate parting scene. It can be more easily imagined than described. We may learn from it:(1) That the parting of ministers and people is a most solemn event, and should be one of much tenderness and affection.(2) The effect of true religion is to make the heart more tender; to make friendship more affectionate and sacred; and to unite more

Acts 5:26 — violation of the laws. Besides, their going before the council would give them another noble opportunity to bear witness to the truth of the gospel. Christians, when charged with a violation of the laws of the land, should not refuse to answer, Acts 25:11, “If I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die.” It is a part of our religion to yield obedience to all the just laws of the land, and to evince respect for all that are in authority, Romans 13:1-7.For they feared

Acts 7:29 — Then fled Moses ... - Moses fled because he now ascertained that what he had done was known. He supposed that it had been unobserved, Exodus 2:12. But he now thought that the knowledge of it might reach Pharaoh, and that his life might thus be endangered. Nor did he judge incorrectly; for as soon as Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to take his life, Exodus 2:15.Was a stranger - Or became a sojourner