through a dark umbrage (or shadow] some glimmerings of that excellent majesty which both his sonship and mediatorship entitled him unto: a very modest specimen of.... his kingly state. Such as might rather intimate than plainly declare it, and rather afford an after instruction to teachable minds, than beget a present conviction and dread in the obstinate and unteachable. And this effect we find it had, as is observed by another evangelical historian, who, relating the same matter, how, in his passage to Jerusalem, the people met him with branches of palm trees and joyful hosannas; he riding upon an ass's colt, as princes or judges (to signify meekness as well as state) were wont to do (Judges v. 10), tells us, 'These things his disciples understood not at the first; but, when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him.' (John xii. 26.) .... How little he was taken with this piece of state is sufficiently to be seen in this paragraph of the chapter. His mind is much more taken up in the foresight of Jerusalem's sad case; and, therefore, being come within view of it (which he might com. modiously have in the descent of the opposite hill, Mount Olivet), 'He beheld the city, it is said, and wept over it." (Howe's Redeemer's Tears, &c. pages 51, 52.)

Two things concurred, according to Mr. Howe, to cause this sorrow and these tears, as respected Jerusalem and the Jews. 1. The greatness of the calamity as respected the city and nation, of which some particulars have been stated in our exposition of Matt. xxiv. : and, 2. The lost opportunity of preventing this; "If thou hadst known," &c.; implying that they had, through their perverseness, and the wickedness of their rulers, lost an opportunity of mercy which could never be recovered.

But it has been objected, if Jesus were that divine person whom we represent him, could he not have prevented the calamities which he lamented? and, if so, Why thus passionately lament them? To this we reply, 1. That our Lord Jesus must here be considered in his mediatorial capacity, and his inferior nature, in which he could have no control over the divine decrees. His office was not to alter, but to fulfil them. And, 2. That, however, as a man, he might

weep, yet, as a sinless man, he could have no will nor desire in opposition to the will of his heavenly Father: "Not my will (said he) but thine be done." And thus hath he taught us also to pray, "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven," where no consideration of creature happiness can for a moment be put in competition with the divine glory. Hence we find in "the fall of Babylon," so pathetically described by St. John (Rev. xviii. xix.), the elders, the mystic animals, and the whole company of the redeemed say, "Amen, Hallelujah.' It is certainly our duty to lament over the sins and miseries of our friends and of mankind; and yet when we see the divine judgments fall upon them, to be silent, as Aaron was, at the death of Nadab and Abihu (Levit. x. 3); or to say with the Church (in Acts xxi. 14), "the will of the

Lord be done."

The circumstances here predicted were certainly, in a most remarkable manner, fulfilled. It is predicted (ver. 43), "Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee,' &c.; and Josephus says, though it was thought impracticable, yet Titus so animated his soldiers, that, in the course of three days he surrounded the city with a wall 39 furlongs in circumference, with 13 castles in its circuit; and by this means all hope was cut off that any Jews within the city should escape. When Titus also had taken the city, and when the temple was burnt, contrary to his wishes, he caused the foundations both of the city and temple to be dug up, and levelled with the ground; and afterwards, as Socrates re lates, the whole was so entirely destroyed, that "not one stone was left upon another." (Doddr. Harm. § 147, and Jos. Jew. Wars, bk. viii. ch. 1.)

What follows of Jesus casting out buyers and sellers from the temple, is evidently parallel to the relation of Matt. (xxi. 12, &c.), and need not be re-considered; but it is here added, "He taught daily in the temple," at which times also

it appears, by the former evangelist," that the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them." This, however, only enraged his bitter enemies, the chie priests and scribes, who sought means for his destruction, but feared the people, who hung upon his lips with the utmost attention and admiratiou.

The Parable]

thing; and answer me :

4 The baptism

of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. 8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbaudmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13 Then

said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be our's. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard! and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid ! 17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

19 And the Chief Priests and the Scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou

[of the Vineyard.

sayest and teachest rightly; neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly : 22 Is it lawful

for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cesar's. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which be Cesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. 34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage. 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. 36 Neither can they die any more for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

39 Then certain of the Scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all. 41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right haud, 43 Till I make

CHAP. XX. Ver. 1-8. And it came to pass, &c. -The text of Matthew parallel to this will be found ebap. xxi. 23-27.

Ver. 9-19. Then began he to speak, &c.-Here follows the parable of the vineyard, already considered on Matt. xxi. 33-46.

Ver. 18. Whosoever shall fall, &c.-Dr. Whitby thinks here is an allusion to two different ways of stoning among the Jews; the former by throwing a

The widow's]

thine enemies thy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son ?

45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the Scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers. the same shall receive greater damnation.

CHAP. XXI.

AND he looked up, and saw the rich

men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she bad.

5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and perse

[two mites. cute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give

you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay, nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed, both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an bair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. 20 And when

ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea andthe waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of hea ven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption drawetli nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When

Ver. 41-44. And he said unto them, &c.-The parallel verses in Matthew are chap. xxii. 41-45.

Ver. 45--47. Then in the audience of all the people, &c.-See the parallel text in Matt. xxiii. 1-14.

CHAP. XXI. Ver. 1-4. And he looked up and san, &c.The parallel verses to these will be found in Mark xii. 41-44, and are there expounded,

Ver. 5-36. And as some spake, &c.-The text of Matthew parallel to this is to be seen chap. xxiv. 1-36.

Ver. 5. How it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts.-The gifts here referred to were consecrated and votive gifts, in which Tacitus speaks of the temple as immensely rich. See Orient. Lit. No. 457.

Ver. 8. And the time draweth near-namely, when some of these impostors shall appear,

Ver. 9. Not by and by.-Matt. xxiv. 6. “ Not yet.” Camp. "Will not immediately follow."

Ver. 20. Jerusalem compassed with armiesnamely, of the Romans. See Dan. ix. 26, and Matthew's reference thereto, ch. xxiv. 15.

Ver. 24. Until the times of the Gentiles be ful filled-Some refer this to the end of the time when the Gentiles shall be allowed to oppress the Jews; others to the time when all the nations of the then known world shall be converted to true Christianity, which St. Paul seems to call "the fulness of the Gentiles," Rom. xi. 25, 26. Probably these events may coincide, or nearly so, for nations truly Christian will not oppress the Jews.

Ver. 25. Signs in the sun, &c.-So Matt. xxiv. 8. Josephus mentions several things of this nature in his Jewish wars, Bk. vi. ch. 5; and comp. Bp. Newton on the Proph. Diss. xviii. pt. 1.

The Passover]

they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

unawares.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

CHAP. XXII.

NOW the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Pass2 And the Chief Priests and

over.

Scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the Chief Priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10 And he

eat.

Ver. 32. Till all be fulfilled.-See Matt. xxiv. 34. But we suppose the term all, here, as in many other cases, must not be taken too rigidly. All these things certainly received a partial fulfilment in the destruction of Jerusalem; but we cannot but think many of them have a farther aspect, and will receive their full and final accomplishment only at the day of judgment.

Ver. 34. Overcharged.-Doddr. “ Overloaded by gluttony and drunkenness."

Ver. 37. At night he went out and abode .... in the mount of Olives. Both Bethany and Gethsemane lay in this neighbourhood.-Doddr.

CHAP. XXII. Ver. 1, 2.-Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh-i. e. within two days. Matt. xxvi. 2-5.

Ver. 3-6. Then entered Satan, &c.-See the paradel texts, Matt. xxvi. 14-16; and Mark xiv. 10,11. Ver. 6. In the absence of the multitude-Doubtless

[and Lord's Supper.

said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11 And ye shall say unto the good man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished there make ready, 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover.

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer:

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

gave

19 And he took bread, and thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

rightly judging, that if he committed such an act of villany, while all the people were hanging with attention on his lips, he should be torn to pieces.

Ver. 7-14. Then came the day-i, e. the first day; as in Matt. xxvi. 17-20.

Ver. 10. Bearing a pitcher.-This little incident is not mentioned by Matthew, but in Mark xiv. 18.

Ver. 13. And found as he had said.-The divine knowledge of Jesus is in nothing more strikingly apparent than in the prediction of such minute circumstances, which could never have been conjectured.

Ver. 15. With desire have I desired.-Marg. "I have heartily desired."

Ver. 21. The hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.-The verb (is) being wanting in the text, has led many to supply the past tense (was), supposing that Judas had now left the table. Mr. Wesley says, "It is evident Christ spake these words before he instituted the Lord's Supper, for

But

22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater, he that

CHAP. XXII.

[humility.

sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath apppointed

unto me;

30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (R)

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

(R) Ver. 14-30. Our Lord's last Passover, and the institution of his Supper.The preceding verses inform us, that our Lord sent two of his disciples, Peter and John, to prepare for him the Passover-the last Passover which he was to eat on earth -according to certain directions which he had given. The appointed hour being come, he now sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, "With desire have I desired;" that is, I have most ardently desired "to eat this passover with you before I suffer. For I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God;" that is, says Dr. Doddridge, "till the institutions of the Gospel shall have perfected those of the law; and the ordinances of both are superseded by the enjoyments of the heavenly world."

During the Paschal Supper, it was customary for the master of the family to take a cup of wine, and after having blessed it, or rather implored the blessing of God upon it, to distribute it among his family : so our Lord distributed this cup of wine

among his disciples: but this was not the sacramental cup; for after the passover was closed, he took both bread and wine, and instituted the solemn ordinance of his Supper. On this new institution we refer to Matthew (ch. xxvi. 26-29), and shall offer some farther observations hereafter. At present we shall confine our remarks to some parts of this conversation, not before noticed.

Supposing Judas to have left the room (as seems very probable, see Note, ver. 21), Jesus was now addressing the faithful eleven only; and might with great propriety say, "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations," and trials, throughout my ministry: and your fidelity shall not go unrewarded. But be not anxious for temporal honours or distinctions, nor dispute who shall be the greatest; but rather imitate me, your Master, who am ever ready to serve and to assist the poorest and the meanest of my followers. Thus, however you may be despised here, when I take possession of my kingdom, thrones also shall be set for you, and ye

all the other Evangelists mention the sop, immediately after receiving which he went out. John xiii. 30. (Nor did he return any more till he came into the garden to betray his Master.) Now this could not be dipped, or given, but while the meat was on the table: but this was all removed before that cup and bread were brought."

Ver. 22. Goeth as it was determined.-See Acts ii. 23.

Ver. 24-27. There was-Camp. "had been," namely, a few days before-also a contention which of them should be accounted greatest. Comp. Matt. XX. 24-28.

Ver. 25. Are called benefactors.-Some think this refers to the title Euergetai, or "benefactors,” conferred on the Ptolemies and Seleucide: the object is to guard the disciples of Christ against flattering, or being flattered.

Ver. 29. I appoint unto you a kingdom." The word properly signifies to covenant, or to bestow in virtue of a covenant; and therefore the last clause may properly refer to what divines call the covenant of redemption. (See Ps. ii. 6-8; Heb. vii. 6.)

Ver. 30. That ye may eat and drink at my table, &c.-See chap. xiv. 15; 1 Sam. xx. 29, 34; 2 Sam. ix. 7; 1 Kings ii. 7, &c.