Chapter 15:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| 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 25 26 27 28 Malachi Mark
Matthew 15
Concise Complete
Jesus discourses about human traditions. (1-9) He warns
against things which really defile. (10-20) He heals the daughter of a
Syrophenician woman. (21-28) Jesus heals the sick, and miraculously feeds four
thousand. (29-39)
Verses 1-9
Additions to God's laws reflect upon his wisdom, as if he had left out something
which was needed, and which man could supply; in one way or other they always
lead men to disobey God. How thankful ought we to be for the written word of
God! Never let us think that the religion of the Bible can be improved by any
human addition, either in doctrine or practice. Our blessed Lord spoke of their
traditions as inventions of their own, and pointed out one instance in which
this was very clear, that of their transgressing the fifth commandment. When a
parent's wants called for assistance, they pleaded, that they had devoted to the
temple all they could spare, even though they did not part with it, and
therefore their parents must expect nothing from them. This was making the
command of God of no effect. The doom of hypocrites is put in a little compass;
"In vain do they worship me." It will neither please God, nor profit themselves;
they trust in vanity, and vanity will be their recompence.
Verses 10-20
Christ shows that the defilement they ought to fear, was not from what entered
their mouths as food, but from what came out of their mouths, which showed the
wickedness of their hearts. Nothing will last in the soul but the regenerating
graces of the Holy Spirit; and nothing should be admitted into the church but
what is from above; therefore, whoever is offended by a plain, seasonable
declaration of the truth, we should not be troubled at it. The disciples ask to
be better taught as to this matter. Where a weak head doubts concerning any word
of Christ, an upright heart and a willing mind seek for instruction. It is the
heart that is desperately wicked, Jer 17:9, for there is no sin in word or deed,
which was not first in the heart. They all come out of the man, and are fruits
of that wickedness which is in the heart, and is wrought there. When Christ
teaches, he will show men the deceitfulness and wickedness of their own hearts;
he will teach them to humble themselves, and to seek to be cleansed in the
Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness.
Verses 21-28
The dark corners of the country, the most remote, shall share Christ's
influences; afterwards the ends of the earth shall see his salvation. The
distress and trouble of her family brought a woman to Christ; and though it is
need that drives us to Christ, yet we shall not therefore be driven from him.
She did not limit Christ to any particular instance of mercy, but mercy, mercy,
is what she begged for: she pleads not merit, but depends upon mercy. It is the
duty of parents to pray for their children, and to be earnest in prayer for
them, especially for their souls. Have you a son, a daughter, grievously vexed
with a proud devil, an unclean devil, a malicious devil, led captive by him at
his will? this is a case more deplorable than that of bodily possession, and you
must bring them by faith and prayer to Christ, who alone is able to heal them.
Many methods of Christ's providence, especially of his grace, in dealing with
his people, which are dark and perplexing, may be explained by this story, which
teaches that there may be love in Christ's heart while there are frowns in his
face; and it encourages us, though he seems ready to slay us, yet to trust in
him. Those whom Christ intends most to honour, he humbles to feel their own
unworthiness. A proud, unhumbled heart would not have borne this; but she turned
it into an argument to support her request. The state of this woman is an emblem
of the state of a sinner, deeply conscious of the misery of his soul. The least
of Christ is precious to a believer, even the very crumbs of the Bread of life.
Of all graces, faith honours Christ most; therefore of all graces Christ honours
faith most. He cured her daughter. He spake, and it was done. From hence let
such as seek help from the Lord, and receive no gracious answer, learn to turn
even their unworthiness and discouragements into pleas for mercy.
Verses 29-39
Whatever our case is, the only way to find ease and relief, is to lay it at
Christ's feet, to submit it to him, and refer it to his disposal. Those who
would have spiritual healing from Christ, must be ruled as he pleases. See what
work sin has made; what various diseases human bodies are subject to. Here were
such diseases as fancy could neither guess the cause nor the cure of, yet these
were subject to the command of Christ. The spiritual cures that Christ works are
wonderful. When blind souls are made to see by faith, the dumb to speak in
prayer, the maimed and the lame to walk in holy obedience, it is to be wondered
at. His power was also shown to the multitude, in the plentiful provision he
made for them: the manner is much the same as before. All did eat, and were
filled. Those whom Christ feeds, he fills. With Christ there is bread enough,
and to spare; supplies of grace for more than seek it, and for those that seek
for more. Christ sent away the people. Though he had fed them twice, they must
not look for miracles to find their daily bread. Let them go home to their
callings and their own tables. Lord, increase our faith, and pardon our
unbelief, teaching us to live upon thy fulness and bounty, for all things
pertaining to this life, and that which is to come.
Chapter 15:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| 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 25 26 27 28 Malachi Mark
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
