Matthew 1

Chap. I. Ver. 1—15._ The baptism of John.—Mark, as well as John, (ch. i. 1.) begins his narrative of the Gospel history with asserting the dignity of his divine Master, as the Son of God; and this will appear the more clearly if we examine the prophetic announcement with which he is here introduced. Passages are quoted both from Isaiah and Malachi, announcing his approach in the name of the Lord, and clothed with his authority; and at the same time predicting the arrival of a prophet in the spirit and power of Elias (or Elijah) to prepare the way before him. ((Isaiah 40:3-4). (Malachi 1:1); iv. 5.) That John the Baptist was Elias we have the explicit testimony of Jesus Christ himself, ((Matthew 11:14);) and that Jesus was the august person whose way he was to prepare, we have the no less express declaration of the Baptist.

“This is he Chap. I. Ver. 2. In the prophets.—(Several MSS., the Syriac, Persic, Coptic, Armenian, Gothic, Vulgate, and Itala versions, and several of the fathers, have, “by Isaiah the prophet,” which should probably be adopted instead of the common text.]—Bagster. - Ver. 6. John was clothed, &c.—See note on (Matthew 3:4). must be acknowledged, is “the most singular in its composition, the most wonderful in its contents, and the most important in its object, that was ever exhibited to the notice of mankind. For simplicity of narrative, and an artless relation of facts, without any applause or censure, or digressive remarks, on the part of the historian, upon the characters introduced in it; without an intermixture of his own opinion, upon any subject whatsoever and for a multiplicity of internal marks of credibility, this Gospel certainly has no parallel among human productions.”

“‘ There is not,” as Dr. A. Clarke justly remarks, “one truth or doctrine, in the whole oracles of God, which is not taught in this Evangelist. The outlines of the whole spiritual system are here correctly laid down: even Paul himself has added nothing: he has amplified and illustrated the truths contained in this Gospel; but, even under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, neither he, nor any of the other Apostles, have brought to light one truth, the prototype of which has not been found in the words and acts of our blessed Lord as related by Matthew.” ]—Bagster. voice of antiquity, have represented it as an abridgment of that of St. Matthew. But, though he doubtless relates many of the same facts, and some of the parables and discourses, in common with St.

Matthew; yet he omits many important particulars, and adds others, dilates upon some facts but concisely mentioned by Matthew, not without considerable variation, and now and then departs from the order of time observed by that apostle. Hence there is no reason to suppose, that he intentionally took any thing from Matthew, but that he wrote such as were especially brought to his knowledge, and impressed on his mind; and the coincidence seems to have arisen, rather from the circumstance of their writing the history of the same grand and interesting events, than from any design in the one deducing his materials from the other. That St. Mark wrote his gospel in Greek, is attested by the uninterrupted voice of antiquity, and is now generally admitted; and the occurrence of several Latin words, which has led some to contend for a Latin original, may easily be accounted for, by supposing it was written for the use of the Roman people, by a person then resident among them; and it is on this account that he omits the genealogy of our Lord, and some other matters, as being of no importance to Gentile converts, though very necessary for the Jews.

}]— of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me, for he was before me; and I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.” ((John 1:30-31).); ‘As we have already briefly noticed the character and mission of this prophet of the New Testament, (Mat. (Matthew 3)) we shall carefully avoid repetition; but our readers will certainly be gratified by the parallel between Elijah and John the Baptist, as sketched by the masterly hand of Bishop Horne, though we have been obliged somewhat to condense, and to abridge it. ‘An ambassador of heaven, sent to preach truth to those who are captivated by error, and righteousness to those who are enamoured of sin, will never proceed far in the discharge of his trust, unless he be endued with a fervent zeal ie i a EE Ca aT Ver.

7. The latchet of whose shoes.—See note on (Matthew 3:11). Ver. 10. Compare this verse and next with (Matthew 3:16-17). ies Ver. 12. The spirit driveth him.—This refers, doubtless, to the Holy Spirit, and is, perhaps, too forcibly rendered. Campbell, “Conveyed.”” Ver. ~ and elsewhere it is rendered “sent.” Compare Mat. sy sendeth him