The disciples observe that the fig-tree is withered away. 183 cl. desire therefore to escape an abode in eternal darkness, and to see SECT. light everlasting, let us faithfully follow him: otherwise we are condemned already, and that word which he spake will become to us Ver. a savour of death unto death (2 Cor. ii. 16), and will judge us in 48 the last solemn and dreadful day, when it shall sentence those who would not be saved by it. Let us now make that word the rule of our life which shall then be the rule of our judgment. We may most comfortably venture our eternal all on the exact veracity of it. Christ has per- 49, fectly fulfilled the commission he received from his Father, as one that was faithful to him that appointed him; and stands so completely approved in his sight, that our only hope is that we also may be accepted in him, and find mercy and grace for his sake. SECT. CLI. Jesus returning to the city in the morning, his disciples observe that the fig tree was withered away: being come into the temple, he confounds the members of the sanhedrim, who questioned his authority, and reproves them by the parable of the complaisant but disobedient son. Mat. XXI. 20-32. Mark XI. 20, to the end; XII. 1.- Luke XX. 1—9.— MARK XI. 20. AND in the morning, MARK XI. 20. di. 50 Mark as they passed by, NOW Jesus, having spent the night with his SECT. [when the disciples] cli. disciples in a retired place without the city, saw the fig-tree dried returned again to Jerusalem on the third day of up from the roots, [they the week in which he suffered and in the morn- XI. 20. marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig- ing, as they were passing by the spot of ground tree withered away!] where he had cursed the barren fig-tree on the [MA1. XXI. 20.] day before, when the disciples saw the fig-tree dried up from the very roots, and so entirely stripped of its leaves that, though it stood at some distance from the road, they easily discerned the change, they were greatly struck at the sight, and wondered, saying, How soon is the figtree that stands yonder withered away, though 21 yesterday it seemed so flourishing! And Peter recollecting what had passed, took notice of it to Jesus, and said unto him, Rabbi, behold, the tree, which thou curs- fig-tree which thou cursedst but yesterday, is edst, is withered away. now quite withered away. 21 And Peter, call ing to remembrance, ter, behold, the fig saith unto him, Mas a When the disciples saw the fig-tree.] Matthew relates this story of the fig-tree, as if the notice that the disciples took of it, and the account that Jesus gave them of the power of faith, followed immediately upon his cursing it. But Mark has so expressly referred the circumstances to the And 184 cli. Mark Jesus exhorts them to have faith in God. swering, 21.-] saith unto 23 For verily I say unto you, That [if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig-tree; but also] whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and SECT. And Jesus answering, says unto them, See that 22 And Jesus anyou have a stedfast faith in God, and a full con- them, Have faith in fidence in his power and fidelity, when you feel God: [MAT. XXI. XI.22. him secretly moving on your spirits, to stir you 23 up to any miraculous operation b. For I assuredly say unto you, That if you have such a firm and stedfast faith, and do not doubt of God's being ready to stand by you, you shall not only do such miracles as this of the fig-tree, but also shall perform far greater things; yea, whosoever, under such an impulse, and with such a believing temper, shall attempt any thing as difficult and sea; and shall not extraordinary, as if he were to say to this moun- doubt in his heart, tain which we are now crossing, Be thou removed but shall believe that from hence, and thrown into the distant sea; saith shall come to and shall not at all doubt in his mind, but sted- pass: [it shall be done, fastly believe that what he says shall come to pass, and he shall have it shall accordingly be done, [and, shall be to 24 him just as he says. And for this reason, to 25 encourage you boldly to act as God shall direct you be thou cast into the those things which he whatsoever he saith. [MAY. XXI.-21.] 24 [And] therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire [and shall ask in prayer] believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them, [MAT. XXI.22.] 25 And when ye if But still I would subjoin one caution; that if you expect your prayers should prevail with stand praying, forgive, God, you must take care to offer them in love as well as in faith; and when you stand praying, b Have faith in God, &c.] It is certain that the attempt of performing miracles in public was a remarkable instance of faith in the Divine power and fidelity; for they were generally introduced by some solemn declaration of what was intended, which was in effect a prediction of immediate success: (so Peter says, Acts iii. 6. In the name of Jesus Christ, Rise up and walk; ix. 34. Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; and again, ver. 40, Tabitha, Arise.) And in pronouncing this the person speaking pawned all his cre it as a messenger from God, and consequently all the honour and usefulness of his future life, on the immediate miraculous energy to attend his words, and to be visibly exerted on his uttering them. And hence it is that such a firm courageous faith is so often urged on those to whom such miraculous powers were given.-But what kind of intimation of God's intended in miraculous interposition the apostles in such cases felt on their minds, it is impossible for any, without having experienced it, to know. It is therefore an instance of their wisdom, that they never pretend to describe it, since no words could have conveyed the idea. c. When you stand praying.] There is no room to doubt that standing was their usual posture when they prayed; as Dr. Lightfoot observes with respect to the Jews (Hor. Heb. on Mat. vi. 5.) and the learn ed author of the Inquiry into the Worship of the Primitive Church (chap. ii. § 1.) has shewn it to be the practice of the first ages of the Christian church. (Compare Mat. vi. 5. and Luke xviii. 11.) But as the word [stand] has no particular significancy here, I might have omitted it in the translation as the Prussian editors have frequently done, but that I do not choose to multiply expletives in the sacred writings. The priests come to him, and question his authority. any; that your Father trespasses. have 185 cli. Mark if ye have ought against in the presence of that Majesty of heaven whom SECT. also which is in heaven you have offended by so many provocations, you may forgive you your should forgive, if you any matter of complaint against any; that your Father in heaven XI. 25. 26 But if ye do not may also forgive you your trespasses. forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 27 And they come walking, [LUKE, as he But if 26 you do not forgive even your most cruel enemies, And after Jesus had been thus discoursing with 27 LUKE XX. 2 And and they spake to him in such a manner, as to Luke spake unto him, saying, express their high displeasure at what had lately XX. 2. passed, Tell It came to pass, that as he was walking.] Luke, who tells this, as he does several other stories, in a less circumstantial manner, says it was on one of those days: but the insertion of that clause here would have been improper, considering how particularly the date of this fact is fixed by Mark. If the reader should happen elsewhere to meet with the omission of a word or two in any of the evangelists (which he very seldom will), I hope he will not condemn it till he reflect whether it may not be accounted for in the same manner. e The chief priests—and the elders of the people.] These are titles that frequently occur, but it is not easy to fix a determinate idea to them.-By the chief priests, I think we may understand any peculiar distinction in the Aaronic family: so that it may include the high priest, his deputy or sagan, any of the heads of the twenty-four courses of priests who might happen to be in waiting, and likewise any of those whom the Talmudists called Catholicin, Amarca lin and Memunnim, who (if their testi- 186 cli. Luke He confounds them by asking what they thought of John. SECT. passed, saying, Thou hast here taken upon thee Tell us by what authoto reform the temple, which is our province rity dost thou these things? or who is he alone, and hast in a tumultuous manner driven that gave thee this XX. 2. out those who had our permission to traffic in authority [MARK, to do these things?]the outer court; we insist upon it, therefore, [MAT. XXI.-23. that thou tell us roundly and plainly by what MARK XI. 28.] authority thou dost all these extraordinary things? and who he is that gave thee this authority on which thou presumest to do them? 3 3 And [Jesus] answered and said unto you [MARK, one question], and answer me; even one thing, which wise will tell you by what authority 1 do them, I will also ask if ye tell me, I in like And Jesus, that he might at once reprove the impropriety of the question in those circumstances, and in effect return an unexceptionable, though oblique, answer to it, said to them in reply, I will also ask you one plain question on this occasion; and pray answer me this one thing, which if you tell me, I will likewise give you all the satisfaction you can desire, and directly tell these things.] [MAT. you, if you do vet indeed need to be told, by 29.1 You all re4 what authority I do these things. XXI. 24. MARK XI. 30.] 4 The baptism of member the baptism of John, which was attended John, [whence was it?] from heaven, or by such multitudes of people, and even by of men? [MARK, anmany of your leading men: (compare Mat. iii. swer me.] [MAT. 7, sect. xvi.) Now I would gladly know what XXI. 25.-MARK XI. you think of its original; From whence was it that he had his commission? was it from heaven, as he openly professed? or was it merely a contrivance of men? Answer me this, and then I will immediately resolve your question. 5 And they reasoned 5 And they were perfectly confounded at so unexpected a demand, and reasoned among them- with themselves, saying, If we shall say, selves, as it was natural to do, after this manner, From heaven; he will saying, If we shall say, That John's baptism was say [unto us], Why from heaven, he will say to us, Why therefore did ye not believe him, and yield to his well-known 6 and repeated testimony of me? But if we shall say, That his baptism had no Divine warrant, but was merely the device of some wicked and designing men, who by that grave solemnity endeavoured to introduce their own ambitious John was schemes, we have reason to fear that all the populace who are here assembled will rise up and stone us; for they are all firmly persuaded that John was really a prophet sent of God; and as vast numbers of them were baptised by him, they will never bear to hear him vilified, either as an 7 enthusiast or impostor. And therefore they then believed ye him not? [MAT.XXI.-25. MARK XI. 31.] 6 But and if we [shall] say, Of men; we fear] all the people be [all] persuaded that will stone us: for they a prophet [MARK, indeed.] — [MAT.XXI. 26. MARK XI. 32.] 7 And they answered [MARK, and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell] whence it was. [MAT declined to tell him what were their real senti- drim, 33.-] He confounds them by asking what they thought of John. 187 8 And Jesus [MARK, answering,] said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. [MA T. XXI.-27. MARK XI. 33.] MARK XII. 1.— And he began to speak unto them [and to the people] by parables.[LUKE XX. 9.-] MAT. XXI. 28. certain man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in my drim, and which they have not yet expressly SECT. determined. cli. And Jesus immediately replied and said unto Luke them, Neither do I think it at all necessary to tell XX. 8. you by what authority I do these things; for the other question naturally requires to be determined first f, and when you think proper to decide that, you may easily perceive that the same answer will serve for both 8. And having thus silenced the members of the Mark great council, who had taken upon them to XII. 1. examine him for his late proceedings, he began to speak unto them, [and] to the people who were now assembled, by several parables, of which we shall give a more particular account. XXI. 28. And first, he said to the scribes and Pharisees, Mat. But what think ye? A with whom he had been discoursing, You have evaded a direct answer to my question, but what think you, of your own conduct in these circumstances, and of all the high professions you make of an extraordinary reverence for God, and zeal in his service? I will plainly tell you my thoughts of it, which are very naturally connected with the present subject. vineyard. and went. There was a man who had two sons; and coming to the first he said, Son, go directly away and work to day in my vineyard, where thou knowest there is business to do that requires 29 He answered and thine attendance. And he answered in a very 29 said, I will not but rude and undutiful manner, and said, I will not: afterwards he repented, but afterwards considering better of it,he repented that he had used his father so ill; and, to make the best amends he could, he went into the vineyard, and laboured diligently there. And 30 when the first had given so undutiful an answer to his father, he came to the second and said to him in the same manner as he had done to his brother and he, being a smooth plausible lad, answered, with great submission and readiness, and said, Sir, [I am going] this moment to obey 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he an swered and said, I go Sir, and went not. : f The other question naturally requires to be determined first.] That singular turn which the reader will observe to be given to this answer of our Lord in the paraphrase by which I think the propriety of it to be much illustrated, I owe to that very accurate and learned friend who suggested the substance of note g on John vii. 22. Vol. VI. p. 515. The same answer will serve for both.] This was plainly the case; for as, on the VOL. VII. A a one hand, the express testimony which Sir, |