Chapter 9:
| 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 9
Concise Complete
The apostles sent forth. (1-9) The multitude miraculously
fed. (10-17) Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial enjoined. (18-27) The
transfiguration. (28-36) An evil spirit cast out. (37-42) Christ checks the
ambition of his disciples. (43-50) He reproves their mistaken zeal. (51-56)
Every thing to be given up for Christ. (57-62)
Verses 1-9 Christ
sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were able to teach others
what they had received from the Lord. They must not be anxious to commend
themselves to people's esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were.
The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all creatures
must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he goes with the word of his
ministers in power, to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure
that he will care for their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet
the message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without excuse, and
turns to a testimony against them. Herod's guilty conscience was ready to
conclude that John was risen from the dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did
he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he
wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now, his heart was
hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was as much prejudiced against him as
others,
luke 23:11 .
Verses 10-17 The
people followed Jesus, and though they came unseasonably, yet he gave them what
they came for. He spake unto them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had
need of healing. And with five loaves of bread and two fishes, Christ fed five
thousand men. He will not see those that fear him, and serve him faithfully,
want any good thing. When we receive creature-comforts, we must acknowledge that
we receive them from God, and that we are unworthy to receive them; that we owe
them all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of Christ, by
whom the curse is taken away. The blessing of Christ will make a little go a
great way. He fills every hungry soul, abundantly satisfies it with the goodness
of his house. Here were fragments taken up: in our Father's house there is bread
enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, nor stinted in Christ.
Verses 18-27 It is
an unspeakable comfort that our Lord Jesus is God's Anointed; this signifies
that he was both appointed to be the Messiah, and qualified for it. Jesus
discourses concerning his own sufferings and death. And so far must his
disciples be from thinking how to prevent his sufferings, that they must prepare
for their own. We often meet with crosses in the way of duty; and though we must
not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when they are laid for us, we must take
them up, and carry them after Christ. It is well or ill with us, according as it
is well or ill with our souls. The body cannot be happy, if the soul be
miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy, though the body is
greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world. We must never be ashamed of
Christ and his gospel.
Verses 28-36
Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in which he will come to
judge the world; and was an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him.
Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. Our
Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to speak concerning his
death and sufferings. In our greatest glories on earth, let us remember that in
this world we have no continuing city. What need we have to pray to God for
quickening grace, to make us lively! Yet that the disciples might be witnesses
of this sign from heaven, after awhile they became awake, so that they were able
to give a full account of what passed. But those know not what they say, that
talk of making tabernacles on earth for glorified saints in heaven.
Verses 37-42 How
deplorable the case of this child! He was under the power of an evil spirit.
Disease of that nature are more frightful than such as arise merely from natural
causes. What mischief Satan does where he gets possession! But happy those that
have access to Christ! He can do that for us which his disciples cannot. A word
from Christ healed the child; and when our children recover from sickness, it is
comfortable to receive them as healed by the hand of Christ.
Verses 43-50 This
prediction of Christ's sufferings was plain enough, but the disciples would not
understand it, because it agreed not with their notions. A little child is the
emblem by which Christ teaches us simplicity and humility. What greater honour
can any man attain to in this world, than to be received by men as a messenger
of God and Christ; and to have God and Christ own themselves received and
welcomed in him! If ever any society of Christians in this world, had reason to
silence those not of their own communion, the twelve disciples at this time had;
yet Christ warned them not to do the like again. Those may be found faithful
followers of Christ, and may be accepted of him, who do not follow with us.
Verses 51-56 The
disciples did not consider that the conduct of the Samaritans was rather the
effect of national prejudices and bigotry, than of enmity to the word and
worship of God; and through they refused to receive Christ and his disciples,
they did not ill use or injure them, so that the case was widely different from
that of Ahaziah and Elijah. Nor were they aware that the gospel dispensation was
to be marked by miracles of mercy. But above all, they were ignorant of the
prevailing motives of their own hearts, which were pride and carnal ambition. Of
this our Lord warned them. It is easy for us to say, Come, see our zeal for the
Lord! and to think we are very faithful in his cause, when we are seeking our
own objects, and even doing harm instead of good to others.
Verses 57-62 Here
is one that is forward to follow Christ, but seems to have been hasty and rash,
and not to have counted the cost. If we mean to follow Christ, we must lay aside
the thoughts of great things in the world. Let us not try to join the profession
of Christianity, with seeking after worldly advantages. Here is another that
seems resolved to follow Christ, but he begs a short delay. To this man Christ
first gave the call; he said to him, Follow me. Religion teaches us to be kind
and good, to show piety at home, and to requite our parents; but we must not
make these an excuse for neglecting our duty to God. Here is another that is
willing to follow Christ, but he must have a little time to talk with his
friends about it, and to set in order his household affairs, and give directions
concerning them. He seemed to have worldly concerns more upon his heart than he
ought to have, and he was willing to enter into a temptation leading him from
his purpose of following Christ. No one can do any business in a proper manner,
if he is attending to other things. Those who begin with the work of God, must
resolve to go on, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back, leads to
drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. He only that endures to the end
shall be saved.
Chapter 9:
| 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
