Chapter 13:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Mark John
Luke 13
Concise Complete
Christ exhorts to repentance from the case of the
Galileans and others. (1-5) Parable of the barren fig-tree. (6-9) The infirm
woman strengthened. (10-17) The parables of the mustard seed, and leaven.
(18-22) Exhortation to enter at the strait gate. (23-30) Christ's reproof to
Herod, and to the people of Jerusalem. (31-35)
Verses 1-5 Mention
was made to Christ of the death of some Galileans. This tragical story is
briefly related here, and is not met with in any historians. In Christ's reply
he spoke of another event, which, like it, gave an instance of people taken away
by sudden death. Towers, that are built for safety, often prove to be men's
destruction. He cautioned his hearers not to blame great sufferers, as if they
were therefore to be accounted great sinners. As no place or employment can
secure from the stroke of death, we should consider the sudden removals of
others as warnings to ourselves. On these accounts Christ founded a call to
repentance. The same Jesus that bids us repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand, bids us repent, for otherwise we shall perish.
Verses 6-9 This
parable of the barren fig-tree is intended to enforce the warning given just
before: the barren tree, except it brings forth fruit, will be cut down. This
parable in the first place refers to the nation and people of the Jews. Yet it
is, without doubt, for awakening all that enjoy the means of grace, and the
privileges of the visible church. When God has borne long, we may hope that he
will bear with us yet a little longer, but we cannot expect that he will bear
always.
Verses 10-17 Our
Lord Jesus attended upon public worship on the sabbaths. Even bodily
infirmities, unless very grievous, should not keep us from public worship on
sabbath days. This woman came to Christ to be taught, and to get good to her
soul, and then he relieved her bodily infirmity. This cure represents the work
of Christ's grace upon the soul. And when crooked souls are made straight, they
will show it by glorifying God. Christ knew that this ruler had a real enmity to
him and to his gospel, and that he did but cloak it with a pretended zeal for
the sabbath day; he really would not have them be healed any day; but if Jesus
speaks the word, and puts forth his healing power, sinners are set free. This
deliverance is often wrought on the Lord's day; and whatever labour tends to put
men in the way of receiving the blessing, agrees with the design of that day.
Verses 18-22 Here
is the progress of the gospel foretold in two parables, as in
matthew 13 . The kingdom of
the Messiah is the kingdom of God. May grace grow in our hearts; may our faith
and love grow exceedingly, so as to give undoubted evidence of their reality.
May the example of God's saints be blessed to those among whom they live; and
may his grace flow from heart to heart, until the little one becomes a thousand.
Verses 23-30 Our
Saviour came to guide men's consciences, not to gratify their curiosity. Ask
not, How many shall be saved? But, Shall I be one of them? Not, What shall
become of such and such? But, What shall I do, and what will become of me?
Strive to enter in at the strait gate. This is directed to each of us; it is,
Strive ye. All that will be saved, must enter in at the strait gate, must
undergo a change of the whole man. Those that would enter in, must strive to
enter. Here are awakening considerations, to enforce this exhortation. Oh that
we may be all awakened by them! They answer the question, Are there few that
shall be saved? But let none despond either as to themselves or others, for
there are last who shall be first, and first who shall be last. If we reach
heaven, we shall meet many there whom we little thought to meet, and miss many
whom we expected to find.
Verses 31-35
Christ, in calling Herod a fox, gave him his true character. The greatest of men
were accountable to God, therefore it became him to call this proud king by his
own name; but it is not an example for us. I know, said our Lord, that I must
die very shortly; when I die, I shall be perfected, I shall have completed my
undertaking. It is good for us to look upon the time we have before us as but
little, that we may thereby be quickened to do the work of the day in its day.
The wickedness of persons and places which more than others profess religion and
relation to God, especially displeases and grieves the Lord Jesus. The judgment
of the great day will convince unbelievers; but let us learn thankfully to
welcome, and to profit by all who come in the name of the Lord, to call us to
partake of his great salvation.
Chapter 13:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Mark John
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
