Chapter 12:
| 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 Matthew Luke
Mark 12
Concise Complete
The parable of the vineyard and
husbandmen. (1-12) Question about tribute. (13-17) Concerning the
resurrection. (18-27) The great command of the law. (28-34)
Christ the Son and yet the Lord of David. (35-40) The poor widow
commended. (41-44)
Verses 1-12
Christ showed in parables, that he would lay aside the Jewish
church. It is sad to think what base usage God's faithful
ministers have met with in all ages, from those who have enjoyed
the privileges of the church, but have not brought forth fruit
answerable. God at length sent his Son, his Well-beloved; and it
might be expected that he whom their Master loved, they also
should respect and love; but instead of honouring him because he
was the Son and Heir, they therefore hated him. But the
exaltation of Christ was the Lord's doing; and it is his doing to
exalt him in our hearts, and to set up his throne there; and if
this be done, it cannot but be marvellous in our eyes. The
Scriptures, and faithful preachers, and the coming of Christ in
the flesh, call on us to render due praise to God in our lives.
Let sinners beware of a proud, carnal spirit; if they revile or
despise the preachers of Christ, they would have done so their
Master, had they lived when he was upon earth.
Verses
13-17 The enemies of Christ would be thought desirous to know
their duty, when really they hoped that which soever side he took
of the question, they might find occasion to accuse him. Nothing
is more likely to insnare the followers of Christ, than bringing
them to meddle with disputes about worldly politics. Jesus
avoided the snare, by referring to the submission they had
already made as a nation; and all that heard him, marvelled at
the great wisdom of his answer. Many will praise the words of a
sermon, who will not be commanded by the doctrines of it.
Verses
18-27 A right knowledge of the Scripture, as the fountain
whence all revealed religion now flows, and the foundation on
which it is built, is the best preservative against error. Christ
put aside the objection of the Sadducees, who were the scoffing
infidels of that day, by setting the doctrine of the future state
in a true light. The relation between husband and wife, though
appointed in the earthly paradise, will not be known in the
heavenly one. It is no wonder if we confuse ourselves with
foolish errors, when we form our ideas of the world of spirits by
the affairs of this world of sense. It is absurd to think that
the living God should be the portion and happiness of a man if he
is for ever dead; and therefore it is certain that Abraham's soul
exists and acts, though now for a time separate from the body.
Those that deny the resurrection greatly err, and ought to be
told so. Let us seek to pass through this dying world, with a
joyful hope of eternal happiness, and of a glorious resurrection.
Verses
28-34 Those who sincerely desire to be taught their duty,
Christ will guide in judgment, and teach his way. He tells the
scribe that the great commandment, which indeed includes all, is,
that of loving God with all our hearts. Wherever this is the
ruling principle in the soul, there is a disposition to every
other duty. Loving God with all our heart, will engage us to
every thing by which he will be pleased. The sacrifices only
represented the atonements for men's transgressions of the moral
law; they were of no power except as they expressed repentance
and faith in the promised Saviour, and as they led to moral
obedience. And because we have not thus loved God and man, but
the very reverse, therefore we are condemned sinners; we need
repentance, and we need mercy. Christ approved what the scribe
said, and encouraged him. He stood fair for further advance; for
this knowledge of the law leads to conviction of sin, to
repentance, to discovery of our need of mercy, and understanding
the way of justification by Christ.
Verses
35-40 When we attend to what the Scriptures declare, as to
the person and offices of Christ, we shall be led to confess him
as our Lord and God; to obey him as our exalted Redeemer. If the
common people hear these things gladly, while the learned and
distinguished oppose, the former are happy, and the latter to be
pitied. And as sin, disguised with a show of piety, is double
iniquity, so its doom will be doubly heavy.
Verses
41-44 Let us not forget that Jesus still sees the treasury.
He knows how much, and from what motives, men give to his cause.
He looks at the heart, and what our views are, in giving alms;
and whether we do it as unto the Lord, or only to be seen of men.
It is so rare to find any who would not blame this widow, that we
cannot expect to find many who will do like to her; and yet our
Saviour commends her, therefore we are sure that she did well and
wisely. The feeble efforts of the poor to honour their Saviour,
will be commended in that day, when the splendid actions of
unbelievers will be exposed to contempt.
Chapter 12:
| 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 Matthew Luke
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
