Matthew 22

Matthew 22:2

THe Kingdome] the sence is God the Father, when he would establish his sonnes Kingdome in the world, and make him head of his Church, joyned unto him by everlasting covenant, would first call the Iewes to the participation of the everlasting goods in Christ, as those for whom they seemed to bee prepared, by reason of their ancient prerogative, but because they shall refuse them, hee shall punish them with finall destruction and shall receave the Gentiles in their place.

Matthew 22:7

His Armies] namely the Romans, executioners of Gods vengeance. See Daniel 9:26.

Matthew 22:10

Both bad] indifferently, worthy, and unworthie, as well by reason of their condition, base, or honourable: as in regard of their goodnes or badnes. To shew that in the assembly of those that are called, which is the externall Church, many hypocrites and wicked men, are gathered together, with the good and true beleevers. See Matthew 13:38; Matthew 13:47.

Matthew 22:11

Had not one] the Italian was not clothed] a frequent figure for the gift of regeneration, by Christ his spirit, without which no man can bee Christs, Romans 8:9. 2 Corinthians 5:3. Revelation 10:8.

Matthew 22:14

For many] because that many who are called, doe not answer to Gods calling: and that amongst those also which doe answer, some are rejected appeareth that the eternall election is not of all, but of a few.

Matthew 22:16

Herodians] Ancient writers have written that these were a certaine Sect, which referred the Prophecies of the re-establishment of the Kingdom of Israel, that were spoken of the Messias to Herod the great: and as his followers, and partakers, approved of and seconded his tyrannie and wickednesse, by which hee mixed pagan superstitions and Idolatries with Iudaisme: and favoured the domination of the Romans, to the oppression of the people: and were the Sadduces companions in prophanenesse as it appeares by the conferring of Matth. 16. 6. with Marke 8. 15. And this Sect lasted even after Herods death, following and teaching his maximes, celebrating his birth day, and doing many things in honour of his memory The way]namely his Law and doctrine, according to which every one ought to proceed, and bee guided The person] the Italian The qualitie of the persons] whither they be meane or great ones and Princes, because that their insidious question had a relation to the commanding Romans.

Matthew 22:17

Is it lawfull] they have a relation to the halfe Sheckell which was imposed upon every Iew yearely, Exodus 30:13. which the Romans had transferred upon their Capitoll. The payment wherof was very grievous to this Nation: as well because it was a signe of slavery, ill beseeming the people of God Iohn 8. 33. as also because they held this imposition to bee a prophane sacriledge. The deceipt which lay hidden under this question was this: that if Christ had answered that it was not lawfull to pay it, they would have accused him and delivered him into the hands of the Roman Governour, for a seditious man, Luke 20:20. And on the other side if hee had said that it was lawfull they would have disgraced him among the people, as one that consented to the Romans tyrannie, and impiety.

Matthew 22:19

Shew mee] The meaning is. Seeing that GOD hath subjected you to the Romans, as it appeareth by the stamp of your currant coyne, which is a signe of supreame power, beare it patiently: that doth not any way hinder the service which you owe to God as you are his people. See 1 Corinthians 7:21. and it is an easie matter to satisfie both God and Caesar in this payment which consists in a little summe of money. Now it is thought that Christ had a Relation to that the Romans receaved their Tributes in Roman Coyne, such as this pennie was, and not in Iewish Coyne as the Sheckell was.

Matthew 22:21

The things that are] this may have a relation as well to the halfe Sheckell which they might pay to GOD, though they paid as ch to the Romans, as also to the true service of the heart, and true Religion, which God requireth, Iohn 4. 24.

Matthew 22:29

Yee doe erre] as well in denying of the Resurrection, as also in that you so absurdly discourse of the state of those that rise: as if that by their resurrection they should returne to a civill, and animall life The Scriptures] whose cleere passages concerning resurrection, the Sadducees wrested to deliverances from extreame miseries and calamities. See 1 Corin. 15. 34 The power] which is the Soveraigne cause, working in the Resurrection, Philippians 3:21.

Matthew 22:30

As the Angels] not as concerning their incorporeall substance, but concerning the qualities of their bodies, and the condition of their celestiall life, being therein exempted from all perfections of the animall life. Sec. 1 Corin. 15. 42. 43.

Matthew 22:32

God it not] this reason hath two grounds, the first, the Sadduces held, that the Soule after death was also turned into some corporeal beginnings: and lost all manner of subsistency, Acts 23:8. the other that God had made his covenants, not only with the soules of the Patriarchs, but with their whole persons: and that their very bodies did beare the sacred signes thereof, participating also in the benefit of regeneration: whence followed that they should also bee glorified, by meanes of the resurrection: Seeing that when God doth call himselfe the God of any one, that importeth by the true meaning of the covenant, the eternall communication of his grace, life, and glory.

Matthew 22:35

A Lawyer] the Italian Doctor of the Law] Marke 12. 28. he is called a Scribe which was the common name for all the expounders of the Law: but by Luke 11:45. it appeares that there is some difference betweene the name of Scribe strictly taken, and Doctor. The Scribe taught all the people in the Synagogues as a publicke Preacher: and a Doctor in the Schooles as a Reader Tempting him] to see if hee would agree with the Pharisees doctrine, who determined in this kinde concerning the degrees of Commandements, and of sinnes; to assigne proportionable degrees of satisfaction. Or to take an occasion of extolling themselves as fulfilling that which was most eminent, and singular in the Law.

Matthew 22:39

Is like] that is to say equall in authoritie, and of as great necessitie to be obeyed, of an inseparable connexion with the other, of the same morall, not ceremoniall kinde. See Iames 2. 10 As thy selle] doing him all manner of good as thou wouldest have done to thy selfe, Matth 7. 12. Luke 6:31.

Matthew 22:42

Whose sonne] from whom ought he to descend according to the Scriptures.

Matthew 22:43

In spirit] that is to say by divine and propheticke revelation.

Matthew 22:45

If David then] this name of Lord which David attributes unto him sheweth that the Messias must be samewhat else besides the Sonne of David onely. That is to say the everlasting Son of God also.