Chapter 2:
| 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 2
Concise Complete
The birth of Christ. (1-7) It is made known to the
shepherds. (8-20) Christ presented in the temple. (21-24) Simeon prophesies
concerning Jesus. (25-35) Anna prophesies concerning him. (36-40) Christ with
the learned men in the temple. (41-52)
Verses 1-7 The
fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a
woman, and made under the law. The circumstances of his birth were very mean.
Christ was born at an inn; he came into the world to sojourn here for awhile, as
at an inn, and to teach us to do likewise. We are become by sin like an outcast
infant, helpless and forlorn; and such a one was Christ. He well knew how
unwilling we are to be meanly lodged, clothed, or fed; how we desire to have our
children decorated and indulged; how apt the poor are to envy the rich, and how
prone the rich to disdain the poor. But when we by faith view the Son of God
being made man and lying in a manger, our vanity, ambition, and envy are
checked. We cannot, with this object rightly before us, seek great things for
ourselves or our children.
Verses 8-20 Angels
were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were only sent to some poor,
humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were in the business of their calling,
keeping watch over their flock. We are not out of the way of Divine visits, when
we are employed in an honest calling, and abide with God in it. Let God have the
honour of this work; Glory to God in the highest. God's good-will to men,
manifested in sending the Messiah, redounds to his praise. Other works of God
are for his glory, but the redemption of the world is for his glory in the
highest. God's goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this lower
world. Peace is here put for all that good which flows to us from Christ's
taking our nature upon him. This is a faithful saying, attested by an
innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the
good-will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the
earth. The shepherds lost no time, but came with haste to the place. They were
satisfied, and made known abroad concerning this child, that he was the Saviour,
even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and thought upon all these things,
which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We should be more delivered
from errors in judgment and practice, did we more fully ponder these things in
our hearts. It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Saviour,
Christ the Lord. These should be glad tidings to all.
Verses 21-24 Our
Lord Jesus was not born in sin, and did not need that mortification of a corrupt
nature, or that renewal unto holiness, which were signified by circumcision.
This ordinance was, in his case, a pledge of his future perfect obedience to the
whole law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even unto death for us.
At the end of forty days, Mary went up to the temple to offer the appointed
sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also presented the holy child Jesus,
because, as a first-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord, and redeemed
according to the law. Let us present our children to the Lord who gave them to
us, beseeching him to redeem them from sin and death, and make them holy to
himself.
Verses 25-35 The
same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon's hope, provided for his
joy. Those who would see Christ must go to his temple. Here is a confession of
his faith, that this Child in his arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself,
the salvation of God's appointing. He bids farewell to this world. How poor does
this world look to one that has Christ in his arms, and salvation in his view!
See here, how comfortable is the death of a good man; he departs in peace with
God, peace with his own conscience, in peace with death. Those that have
welcomed Christ, may welcome death. Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things
which were spoken of this Child. Simeon shows them likewise, what reason they
had to rejoice with trembling. And Jesus, his doctrine, and people, are still
spoken against; his truth and holiness are still denied and blasphemed; his
preached word is still the touchstone of men's characters. The secret good
affections in the minds of some, will be revealed by their embracing Christ; the
secret corruptions of others will be revealed by their enmity to Christ. Men
will be judged by the thoughts of their hearts concerning Christ. He shall be a
suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with him, because of the nearness of
her relation and affection.
Verses 36-40 There
was much evil then in the church, yet God left not himself without witness. Anna
always dwelt in, or at least attended at, the temple. She was always in a
praying spirit; gave herself to prayer, and in all things she served God. Those
to whom Christ is made known, have great reason to thank the Lord. She taught
others concerning him. Let the example of the venerable saints, Simeon and Anna,
give courage to those whose hoary heads are, like theirs, a crown of glory,
being found in the way of righteousness. The lips soon to be silent in the
grave, should be showing forth the praises of the Redeemer. In all things it
became Christ to be made like unto his brethren, therefore he passed through
infancy and childhood as other children, yet without sin, and with manifest
proofs of the Divine nature in him. By the Spirit of God all his faculties
performed their offices in a manner not seen in any one else. Other children
have foolishness bound in their hearts, which appears in what they say or do,
but he was filled with wisdom, by the influence of the Holy Ghost; every thing
he said and did, was wisely said and wisely done, above his years. Other
children show the corruption of their nature; nothing but the grace of God was
upon him.
Verses 41-52 It is
for the honour of Christ that children should attend on public worship. His
parents did not return till they had stayed all the seven days of the feast. It
is well to stay to the end of an ordinance, as becomes those who say, It is good
to be here. Those that have lost their comforts in Christ, and the evidences of
their having a part in him, must bethink themselves where, and when, and how
they lost them, and must turn back again. Those that would recover their lost
acquaintance with Christ, must go to the place in which he has put his name;
there they may hope to meet him. They found him in some part of the temple,
where the doctors of the law kept their schools; he was sitting there,
hearkening to their instructions, proposing questions, and answering inquiries,
with such wisdom, that those who heard were delighted with him. Young persons
should seek the knowledge of Divine truth, attend the ministry of the gospel,
and ask such questions of their elders and teachers as may tend to increase
their knowledge. Those who seek Christ in sorrow, shall find him with the
greater joy. Know ye not that I ought to be in my Father's house; at my Father's
work; I must be about my Father's business. Herein is an example; for it becomes
the children of God, in conformity to Christ, to attend their heavenly Father's
business, and make all other concerns give way to it. Though he was the Son of
God, yet he was subject to his earthly parents; how then will the foolish and
weak sons of men answer it, who are disobedient to their parents? However we may
neglect men's sayings, because they are obscure, yet we must not think so of
God's sayings. That which at first is dark, may afterwards become plain and
easy. The greatest and wisest, those most eminent, may learn of this admirable
and Divine Child, that it is the truest greatness of soul to know our own place
and office; to deny ourselves amusements and pleasures not consistent with our
state and calling.
Chapter 2:
| 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
