23. § 75. The Transfiguration. Our Lord's subsequent discourse
CH. XVII. 1-13.
AND after six days, Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart.
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
CH. IX. 2-13.
2 And after six days, Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them.
3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4 And there appeared unto them Elias, with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6 For he wist not what to say: for they were sore afraid.
Matth. xvii. 1, after six days.] It has been shown, § 71, that "after six days" may signify on the sixth day. But we are not hence to conclude that the phrase has always such a signification. Here it means six days complete, after the discourse recorded in § 71. The eight days mentioned by St Luke include that of Peter's reproof and of the transfiguration; which two days Matthew and Mark exclude. Macknight furnishes us with the following apposite reference to Tacitus: Hist. 1. 29. Piso
SEC. 74, 75.]
| and the trials of his followers. | Region of Cesarea Philippi. |
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| LUKE. CH. IX. 22-27. 24 For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away! 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God. | JOHN. |
| with the three disciples. | Region of Cesarea Philippi. |
| CH. IX. 28-36. 28 And it came to pass, about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter, and John, and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistening. 30 And behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto | | says, Sextus dies agitur-ex quo-Cæsar adscitus sum; and yet, § 48 of the same book, Tacitus speaks of Piso as quatriduo Cæsar.
Grotius on Matth. xvii. 1, has another solution: Quod Lucas dicit, tale est quale cum vulgo dicimus post septiminam circiter. Nam Judæos octo dies appellasse id quod ab uno sabbato est ad alterum apparet, Joan, 20 26, &c. NEWCOME.
§ 75. The Transfiguration. Our Lord's subsequent discourse
| MATTHEW. CH. XVII. 1-13. | MARK. CH. IX. 2-13. |
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| 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes, that Elias must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things: 12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed: likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. | 7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. 9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. 10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. 11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? 12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at naught. 13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. |
§ 76. The healing of a demoniac, whom the disciples
CH. XVII. 14-21.
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a
CH. IX. 14-29.
14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about
Luke ix. 36, told no man | It is remarkable that Luke assigns no reason for this extraordinary silence; leaving his narrative in this place imperfect and obscure, which
SEC. 75, 76.]
with the three disciples. Region of Cesarea Philippi.
CH. IX. 28-36.
Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here, and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
could not heal. Region of Cesarea Philippi.
CH. IX. 37-43.
37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come an impostor would not have done. It is explained by the command of Jesus, related only by Matthew and Mark.
§ 76. The healing of a demoniac, whom the disciples
| MATTHEW. CH. XVII. 14-21. certain man kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic, and sore vexed, for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you! how long shall I suffer you! Bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil, and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. | MARK. CH. IX. 14-29. them, and the scribes questioning with them. 15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and, running to him, saluted him. 16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth and guasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not. 19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you! how long shall I suffer you! Bring him unto me. 20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed, foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And oft-times it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead: insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. |
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SEC. 76.]
could not heal. Region of Cesarea Philippi.
CH. IX. 37-43.
down from the hill, much people met him.
38 And behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee look upon my son. for he is mine only child.
39 And lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and, bruising him, hardly departeth from him.
40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not.
41 And Jesus, answering, said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.
§ 76. The healing of a demoniac, whom the disciples
| MATTHEW. CH. XVII. 14-21. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out! 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit, this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting. | MARK. CH. IX. 14-29. 28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out! 29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. |
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§ 77. Jesus again foretells his own death and resurrection.
| CH. XVII. 22, 23. | CH. IX. 30-32. 30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. |
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| 22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. | 31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him. |
§ 78. The tribute-money
| CH. XVII. 24-27. 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute-money, came to Peter, and said, Doth not your Master pay tribute! 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon! of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute! of their own children, or of strangers! 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up: and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. | CH. IX. 33. 33 And he came to Capernaum: |
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SEC. 76, 77, 78.]
could not heal. Region of Cesarea Philippi.
[See § 74.] Galilee.
CH. IX. 43-45.
43 But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
miraculously provided. Capernaum.
§ 79. The disciples contend who should be the greatest. Jesus
CH. XVIII. 1-35.
AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Wo unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh:
8 Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell-fire.
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say
CH. IX. 33-50.
33 And being in the house, he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us; and we forbade him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us, is on our part.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Luke ix. 19, one casting out devils.] The twelve apostles and the seventy disciples were commissioned and sent forth at different times. Hence the person here alluded to may, for aught that appears, have been one of the seventy, not personally known to John and to those who were with him. Letters on Evil Spirits, p. 39.
Mark ix. 10. Luke ix. 50.] Here Jesus says, He that is not against us is for us;
SEC. 79.]
exports to humility, forbearance, and brotherly love. Capernaum.
| LUKE. CH. IX. 46-50. | JOHN. |
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| 46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. | |
| 47 And Jesus perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, | |
| 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. | |
| 49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. | |
| 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us, is for us. | | but in Matth. xii. 30, he says, He that is not with me is against me. Grotius regards both as proverbial sayings; — Proverbia in utramque partem usurpata, veritatem suam habent pro materia cui aptantur; — and alludes to similar forms in Prov. xxvi. 4, 5. NEWCOME.
§ 79. The disciples contend who should be the greatest. Jesus
CH. XVIII. 1-35.
unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
12 How think ye? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
15 Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king
CH. IX. 33-50.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into hell-fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
§ 79. The disciples contend who should be the greatest. Jesus
CH. XVIII. 1-35.
which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him a hundred pence, and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee!
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
§ 80. The Seventy instructed, and sent out.
SEC. 79, 80.]
| exports to humility, forbearance, and brotherly love. *Capernaum.* | |
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Capernaum.
CH. X. 1 - 16.
AFTER these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent
SEC. 80.]