148

cxliv.

Reflections on the improvement we should make of our stock.

SECT. Sword in my presence, that others may learn a ther, and slay them bemore dutiful submission by the execution of fore me. these rebels.

Luke

XIX. 27 Now all this was as if our Lord had said, Thus shall I at length appear, not as a temporal sovereign, but as the Great Eternal Judge and victorious Ruler over all, when, having received power and dominion from my Father, I shall bring all to their final account; and with infinite ease triumph over those who reject and affront my authority take heed therefore that you be not found in their wretched number, as many will be who pretend most eagerly to desire the Messiah's appearance.

28

And when he had spoken these things, he con-
tinued his journey, and, leading the
way, went
on before his disciples, ascending to Jerusalem,
being determined to appear there at the ap-
proaching passover, though he well knew that
he was to encounter persecution and death there.
(Compare Mark x. 32, sect. cxlii.)

28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

Ver.

IMPROVEMENT.

LET us also hear and fear. Our Lord is gone, and has received 12 his kingdom. He has delivered to us our stock, to be improved 13 in his service: let us be animated to diligence in it; for propor

tionable to that diligence will be our reward. Let us remember 17, 19 we labour for ourselves while we labour for him; as all the progress we make in wisdom and in goodness renders our own souls so much the happier, and will render them so to all eternity. Blessed servants that have the applause of such a Master, and share a reward as liberal as that conferred on a faithful steward, who should be made governor of a province containing ten cities.

19, 21

14

Let us beware of a slothful neglect of our stock let us beware of those hard thoughts of God which would discourage us from pursuing his service. Above all, let us take heed, that we do not proudly and insolently reject the government of his anointed Son, and either say with our tongues, or declare by our actions, We will not have this man to reign over us: for if we do, we speak a word against our own lives. He will be glorified by us, or upon us.

i Slay them with the sword in my presence.] This is the exact import of the word κατασφαξανε. It does indeed properly express the dreadful slaughter of the impenitent Jews, by the sword of each other, and of the Romans; but that does

And

not seem the chief design of the passage, which plainly relates to the far more terrible execution which shall be done on all impenitent sinners in the great day, when the faithful servants of Christ shall be rewarded.

a When

cxliv.

And oh, what shall we do, if in that dreadful day he should bring SECT.
us forth as the helpless prisoners of his justice, and command
us to be slain in his presence!
How can we withstand his Ver.
power! or to the horns of what altar shall we flee for sanctuary? 27
O Lord, our flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and we are afraid of
thy judgments; (Psal. cxix. 120.) May we never be the miserable
objects of them; but having faithfully served thee here, may that
be to us a day of honour, reward, and triumph, which shall
be to every presumptuous rebel a day of shame and terror, of
dreadful execution and eternal destruction!

SECT. CXLV.

Christ is entertained at Bethany and his feet anointed by Mary. The Jewish rulers contrive to kill Lazarus. Mat. XXVI. 613. Mark XIV. 3---9. John XII. 1---11.

JOHN XII. 1. THEN Jesus, six days before the

passover, came to Be

thany, where Lazarus was, which had been

dead, whom he raised from the dead.

MAT. XXVI. 6. Now when Jesus was in

Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

[MARK XIV. 3.-]

JOHN XII. 1.

John

THEN Jesus came, six days before the passover, SECT.
to Bethany, which was a village (as was said cxlv.
before, John xi. 18, sect. cxl.) that lay in the
neighbourhood of Jerusalem, where the abode of XII. 1.
Lazarus was, who had been dead and buried,
[and] whom he lately by an amazing miracle had
raised from the dead.

Now at this time, when Jesus was in Mat.
Bethany, where, by his frequently resorting XXVI.6
thither, he was well known, and had many
friends that very much rejoiced to see him ;
as he was in the house of Simon the leper.

a When Jesus was in Bethany.] Few passages in the Harmony have perplexed me more than this. I was long of opinion with Origen and Theophylact, defended by Le Clerc and Dr. Whitby, and especially by Dr. Lightfoot (Harm. N. Test. §71, 80), and Mr. Whiston (in his View of Harmony, p. 128, 129), that the story recorded by Matthew (chap xxvi. 6—13.) and Mark (chap. xiv. 5-9.) was different from that in John: but, on maturer consideration, it appears to me more probable, that Matthew and Mark should have introduced this story a little out of its place, -that Lazarus, if he made this entertainment (which is not expressly said by John) should have made use of Simon's house, as more convenient for it,-and that Mary should have poured this ointment on Christ's head and body, as well as on his feel-than that within the compass of four days Christ should have been twice

In

anointed with so costly a perfume; and that
the same fault should be found with the
action, and the same value set on the oint-
ment, and the same words used in defence
of the woman; and all this in the presence
of many of the same persons: all which im-
probable particulars must be admitted, if
the stories be considered as different.-But,
after all, I can assert nothing confidently;
for there is no impossibility in the thing
taken either way.

b In the house of Simon the leper.] It is
not to be thought that he was now a leper;
for in this case he would not have been
suffered to live in a town, nor would the
Jews have come to an entertainment at his
house: but either he was once a leper,
and had been cured by Jesus, or else the
name was given to the family, as some
considerable person in it had been formerly
a leper.

< When

150

Mary annoints him with a costly ointment.

SECT. In testimony of their high respect and great af

cxlv.

JOHN XII. 2. There they made him a sup

fection for him, they made a handsome supper per, and Martha servJohn for him there, and treated him in the evening; ed: but Lazarus was XII. 2. which was the usual time for entertainments with one of them that sat at the Jews, especially on the evening of their the table with him. sabbath-days, which was the season when this feast was made: and Martha, who had formerly distinguished her care on a like occasion (Luke x. 40, sect. cviii.), having seen that all things should be rightly ordered, waited on Christ at supper; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

3 Then took Mary

taining] a pound of

head.] [as he sat at meat, and anointed the fect of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her filled with the odour of the ointment. [MAT.

hair: and the house was

3 Then Mary, the other sister of Lazarus, be-
ing deeply affected with the many instances that [an alabaster-box con-
Christ had given her of his love, and especially ointment of spikenard,
with his late mercy to her family, in recovering very costly; [MARK,
so dear a brother from the grave, was solicitous and she brake the box,
to give some uncommon token of her gratitude
and poured it on his
and respect to so excellent a guest; she there
fore took an elegant alabaster pot, or vase, [con-
taining] about a pound weight of unadulterated
ointment of spikenard, [which was] exceeding
valuable; and, having broke the top of the vessel,
or shook the perfumed balsam which was in it,
that it might be the better liquefied, and flow
forth the easier, she came behind him, and
poured out the greater part of it on his head, as
he sate at meat, and anointed the feet of Jesus with
the remainder; and, when she had done this,
she, like the humble penitent mentioned above
(Luke vii. 38, Vol. VI. p. 314), wiped his feet
with the long flowing tresses of her hair; and
the whole house was filled with the fragrant and
delicious odour of the ointment.

c When this feast was made.] Though Matthew and Mark relate this story, where they are speaking of what happened but two days before the passover, it is more probable (as we have just now shewn) that it is placed by John in its due order; and as the following days appear to be sufficiently distinguished, and Christ's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, which John has fixed to the next day (John xii. 12, sect. cxlvi.) must have been on the first day of the week, this entertainment therefore was on the evening of the day before, when the Jewish sabbath was over.

d Unadulterated ointment of spikenard.] I cannot take upon me absolutely to determine whether the word wiçin; signifies that the ointment was quite genuine and pure [as Casaubon and L. Capellus assert), or

But

XXVI. 7. MARK
XIV.-3.

whether (as Grotius and Erasmus think) it be put for axing, and refers to the particular part of the fragrant shrub nardus, of which the ointment was made. (See Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. xii. cap. 12.)-If the latter be the meaning of it, what is said of its great value must justify our calling it unadulterated.

e Having broke the top of the vessel, or shook the perfumed balsam, &c.] Sir Norton Knatchbull and Dr. Hammond maintain that opfaca does not signify that she brake the vessel, which they think an improbable circumstance; but only that she shook it so as to break the coagulated parts of the rich balsam, and bring it to such a liquidity that it might be fit to pour out. Yet I must own that the original does not so naturally express this.

f And

Judas condemns it as an unreasonable waste.

151

cxlv.

MAT. XXVI. 8. But when his disciples observed it, there were SECT. But when his disciples some that were moved with inward displeasure at saw it, [there were some that had indig- what appeared to them so great an extravagance; Mat. nation within them- and said with a low voice to each other, Why XXVI.3 selves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made, and such a was this waste of the ointment made? And quantity of this rich balsam poured out to so they murmured against little purpose? And they secretly murmured her.] [MARK XIV. against her, and could hardly refrain from re

4-5.]

should betray him,

5 Why was not this ointment sold [for much, even for [MARK, more than] three hun dred pence, and given to the poor? MAT

XXVI. 9. MARK XIV. 5.-]

JOHN XII. 4. Then buking her for it. One of his disciples there- John sith one of his disci- fore [even] Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, that XII. 4. ples, Judas Iscariot, wretched person who was about to betray him, Simon's son, which as if he knew not how to bear such waste, expressed a peculiar emotion, and said aloud, Why was not this fine ointment sold for a great 5 deal of money; for it must have been worth [even] more than three hundred pences; and thus it might have served for the relief of many, if the price of it had been given to the poor? This would surely have been approved of by our Master, as a much wiser and better way of disposing of it, than thus to lavish it away on the luxurious entertainment of a few minutes. Now 6. this he said, not because he at all regarded the poor, but because he was, notwithstanding all his pretended piety and zeal, a subtile thief; and as he kept the bag which contained their little stock, and carried what was put into it, he thought if so large a sum had come in just before he went off with it (which he was now preparing to do), he should thus have had a fine opportunity of enriching himself.

6 This he said, not that he cared for the was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what

poor; but because he

was put therein.

MAT. XXVI. 10.

But Jesus knowing the design of Judas, and Mat. When perceiving that others were secretly joining with

f And they murmured against her.] Whether this relates to more than Judas cannot certainly be said; since it is well known that the plural number is sometimes put for the singular. See Gen. viii. 4; xix. 29; Judg. xii, 7; and Mat. xxvii. 44.-Some have thought Judas Iscariot was the son of that Simon in whose house the feast was made; but the name was so common that it cannot be concluded with any certainty.

g More than three hundred pence.] It is to be remembered that these were Roman pence, and consequently amounted to nine pounds seven shillings and six-pence: the expression only intimates a general guess at the value by a round sum (for such three hundred denarii were, though the correspondent value with us is not so); as if we should say, on a like occasion, it must have been worth above ten pounds.

him

h Carried what was put into it.] The learned Elsner (I suppose to avoid the seeming tautology) would render Casa, he took away, or carried off, that is, for his own use, what was put into the purse or bag. He refers to John xx. 15, and Mat. iii. 11, viii. 17, as instances of such a use of it; to which he adds others from Polybius, Athenæus, and other good authors. (Elsn. Observ. Vol. I. p. 333.) But the meaning here may be, that he had not only the keeping of the bag at that time, but that it was his stated office to take care of it and manage its stock; and therefore I choose not to follow Elsner's version since 6a,ali never signifies to carry off a part privately, which would have been expressed by tropical, as it is Acts v. 2.

i She

XXVI10

152

Mat.

Jesus justifies and commends her conduct.

some

11 For ye have the poor always with you,

[and whensoever ye will, ye may do them good:] but me ye have not always. [MARK

XIV. 7. JOHN XII.

8.]

JOHN XII. - 7.

SECT. him in this severe and uncharitable censure, When Jesus undercxlv. without taking any notice of that vile principle them, Why trouble ye stood it, he said unto from which he knew [it] proceeded in him, the woman? [let her xxvi. 10. directed his discourse to his disciples, and said to alone;] for she hath them, Why do you give such trouble and uneasi- wrought a good work upon me. [MARK ness to the good woman, of whose piety and xiv. 6. JOHN XII. friendship we have had so long an experience? 7.-] Let her alone in what she is about; for what she has now performed is a good work, and she deserves to be commended for the great respect 11 she has been shewing towards me. For as to what has been suggested now in favour of the poor, you have them always with you; and providence will continually so order it, that compassionable objects shall be still among you, that whenever you please you may have an opportunity to do them good: but me you have not always with you; for I am soon to leave you, and to be placed beyond the reach of your kindJohn ness. And indeed my departure out of the XII. 7. world is so near, that, with respect to this action Against the day of my burying hath she kept of our friend Mary, which you are ready to con- this. demn, I may say, that she has reserved this ointment for the day of my burial: And, not know- MARK XIV. 8. She XIV. 8. ing whether she may have an opportunity of hath done what she assisting in those last offices, she has now done hath poured this ointwhat she could; for in that she has poured out ment on my body,] this ointment on my body, she has in a manner she is come afore-hand come before the time thus to anoint and to em- the burying. [MAT. balm my body for the burial; so that you may XXVI. 12.] almost look upon it as a work of piety and love to a dead friend, where a generous heart will not 9 be sparing. And, on the whole, though you have such hard thoughts of what she has been doing, it shall not finally turn to her reproach ed or damage; but as I graciously accept it, so I whole world, this also assuredly say unto you, That wheresoever this that [this woman] gospel of mine is preached, and it in time shall spoken of for a mehave its triumph over the whole world, this very morial of her. [MAT. action XXVI. 13.]

Mark

i She has reserved this for the day of my burial.] Mr. Whiston (in his View of the Harmony, p. 129) thinks this is as if our Lord had said, "She has spent but a little of this ointment now; but has reserved the main part of it to pour upon my head some days hence, which shall be so near my death, that it may be considered as a kind of embalming." But besides the general reasons against believing the action repeated, which have been mentioned in mote a, it is unnatural to suppose that, in

could: [for in that she

to anoint my body to

9 Verily I say unto

you, Wheresoever this

gospel shall be preachthroughout the

hath done, shall be

the transport of her love and gratitude, she would use this little management of keeping back most that was in the vessel; or that if she had, John would have mentioned the quantity she took, which was no way to his purpose, or have taken notice of the 'room's being filled with the odour of it: not to say, that the prediction which Mr. Whiston supposes our Lord to utter, is quite trifling, and would seem to bespeak its own accomplishment in a manner which he never would have stooped to.

Who