Luke 6

Chap. VI. ver. 1. And it came to pass] For this chapter, see further notes at the passages of St. Matthew, pointed out in the margin.

— the second sabbath after the first.] Considerable doubts have arisen respecting the meaning of the expression thus translated. In the original, it is literally “on the second-first sabbath.” Perhaps the best supported opinion is that which supposes it to mean the sabbath day in the week of the passover. On the second day of the passover week took place the offering of the sheaf or of the firstfruits of harvest, Lev. xxii. 10—16: and from this day they reckoned seven sabbaths, or fifty days, to the feast of Pentecost. Hence “the second-first sabbath” is the first sabbath from this second day of the passover feast; and so the sabbaths were probably reckoned in succession till the feast of Pentecost. Drs. Lightfoot and Whitby, Lamy, Macknight.

Chap. VII. ver. 2. And a certain centurion’s servant, &c.] Respecting this transaction with the centurion, see notes at Matt. viii. 5-13.

Luke 6:3

3.- he sent unto him the elders of the Jews.] Meaning probably the elders of the synagogue, which the centurion had built (ver. 5.) at Capernaum. Bp. Pearce. It is stated by St. Matthew, chap. viii. 5, that the centurion came to Jesus: but it is a very usual and common form of expression, to represent a person as doing that himself which he does by means of others. See similar instances, Exod. xviii. 6; 1 Kings v. 7; Mark x. 35, compared with Matt. xx. 20. Dr. Whitby.

Luke 6:11

11.- a city called Nain;] Situated in Galilee, not far from mount Tabor. Dr. Wells.

Luke 6:12

12. — and continued all night in prayer to God.] Our Saviour seems to have passed this night in prayer, preparatory to the office which he was about to execute, of appointing His Apostles: and surely an important office it was, important to Him, important to His religion, important to the whole world. Here then we have an example given us, which we both can imitate and ought to imitate. Nothing of singular importance, nothing of extraordinary moment either to ourselves or others, ought

to be resolved upon or undertaken, without prayer to God, without previous devotion. It is a natural operation of piety to carry the mind to God, whenever any thing presses and weighs upon it: they, who feel not this tendency, have reason to accuse and suspect themselves of a want of piety. Moreover, we have, as in this instance, the direct example for it of our Lord Himself; it may be added, we have the example and the practice of good men in all ages of the world. Archdeacon Paley. See notes on chap. v. 16, and Matt. xxvi. 39.

12.- carried out,] Carried out of the city. As all dead bodies were unclean by the law of the Jews, they were not permitted to bury their dead within their cities.

Luke 6:13

13. — and of them he chose twelve, &c.] See notes at Matt. x. 1, &c. Our Saviour, on entering on His ministry, chose for companions and disciples men who seem to have been in the main of an honest, sober, and inoffensive conversation, but who were of mean abilities and low stations, having neither worldly wisdom, nor eloquence, nor wealth, nor interest, nor friends amongst the great. And for this proceeding two reasons may be assigned: First, that the power of God might the more eminently appear in establishing a pure and holy religion by instruments so mean, and, as to all appearance, so utterly unqualified for the purpose. Secondly, That He might avoid giving any just offence to the civil government, and convince the publick that he was influenced by no temporal motives, and had no selfish ends to serve by the assistance of men who were few in number, and who could neither plead for Him nor fight for Him. Dr. Jortis.

Luke 6:14

14.- I say unto thee, Arise.] Here our Lord spake by that Divine power which He had over all things, animate and inanimate. Dr. Whitby.

Luke 6:15

15. — Simon called Zelotes.] See note at Matt. x. 4. N 2 Christ pronounceth blessings and woes. He teacheth to return good for evil. Anno DOMINI 31.

15.- And he delivered him to his mother.] As the miracles of our blessed Lord were generally works of mercy and compassion, so this was of that description

in an eminent degree: as there are few, if any, instances which the Evangelists have represented in circumstances more fitted to move compassion. Here was a woman in a state of widowhood, a state friendless and forlorn, and frequently therefore mentioned in Scripture, as one which God receives under His special protection: the young man was her only son, no remnant being left, when he was gone, to mitigate or supply the loss; and at a time of life when, beginning to shew forth the promises of youth, he was about to repay his mother’s past tenderness and trouble, by becoming the stay and support of her age and infirmities. Her quiver was empty, her arrows broken or spent, and she stood naked and childless, without any help or sanctuary, except in that kind and tender God, who is a never-failing friend to the unfriended. This complication of miseries the merciful Jesus saw, and felt, and relieved, by turning her tears into joy; and in an instant, by one commanding word, delivered the young man, both healthful and strong, to his mother. Dean Stanhope.

Luke 6:16

16.- That God hath visited his people.] That God hath now indeed sent His Messiah. See Luke i. 68. Dean Stanhope.

Luke 6:20

20.—ye poor.] In spirit. See note at Matt. v. 3.

Luke 6:21

21.—Blessed are ye that weep now: &c.] Blessed are ye who lament seriously your sins and follies, and endure patiently, on account of religion, the afflictions and troubles of this mortal state; for the time will come when the present scene of things will be changed, when your pious desires will be fully satisfied, and all your sorrows turned into joy. Dr. S. Clarke.

Luke 6:22

22.—shall separate you] Shall excommunicate you, or cut you off from being members of their synagogues. See note at John ix. 22. Bp. Pearce.

—cast out your name as evil.] Your name as My disciples. The names which they bore of Nazarene and Christians were accounted names of reproach in the mouths of their enemies. See James ii. 7; Acts xxiv. 5; xviii. 6; 1 Pet. iv. 4. Bp. Pearce.

Luke 6:23

23.—in that day.] When these things come upon you. Dr. S. Clarke. See Matt. v. 12.

Luke 6:24

24.—woe unto you] Our Saviour speaks here, not in the character of a Judge, pronouncing sentence on the guilty, but in the character of a Prophet or Teacher, divinely enlightened as to the consequences of men’s actions, and impelled by His zeal for their good to give them warning. Dr. Campbell.

—woe unto you that are rich!] Who, having received your portion of good things in this life, live in voluptuousness, and place all your happiness in the enjoyments of the present world. So, in the next verse, “you that are full,—that laugh:” you who live in pleasure and jollity here, and never think of what is to come hereafter. Dr. S. Clarke.

Luke 6:26

26. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well &c.] When, by propagating such doctrines as flatter and encourage men in their sins, ye gain the applause of the generality of men; for thus, in old time, false prophets and deceivers, who accommodated their doctrines to the lusts and passions of men, were more courted and better received than the true Prophets of God. Dr. S. Clarke. He says to them, If you falsely represent the nature of My religion, and countenance men in their wickedness, ye may gain their favour and good word, but ye will incur the displeasure of Almighty God. Bp. Mons.

30.—of him that taketh away thy goods &c. Of him, whose necessities oblige him to borrow thy goods, be not rigorous to exact them again. Dr. S. Clarke.

Luke 6:35

35.—hoping for nothing again.] That is, “Do good,” not only to those from whom you expect a temporal recompense, but to those also who will never return

The wisdom of doing the word. Censoriousness reproved. Anno DOMINI 31. • Matt. 7. 1.

Luke 6:36

36. Be ye therefore merciful, &c.] What degree and description of mercy is required of us by Christianity, is sufficiently explained by what is laid down here, and in the parallel passage of St. Matthew. It is that which does not restrain our affections and good offices to persons from whom we either have received, or reasonably may expect, the like: it is that which forgives our very enemies, forgives so as to love them, loves so as to do them good, liberally and cheerfully: it is that which conforms our practice to the example of that Father in heaven, who grudges not the daily returns of sun and rain, the blessings and conveniences of life, to those who daily provoke Him to anger, and forfeit all claim to those numberless benefits which are yet perpetually flowing from the fountain of all goodness. It is that mercy, in short, which renders us in this respect “perfect, even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Dean Stanhope.

Luke 6:38

38.—good measure,—and running over, &c.] That is, God will return the blessing upon you abundantly, and with great increase; for in what measure soever ye deal with others, in the same proportion will the Divine justice deal with you. Dr. S. Clarke.

—your bosom.] The Arabs join together the

two upper corners of their kyke, a garment like the plaid of the highlanders in Scotland, and, after having placed them first over one of their shoulders, they then fold the rest of it about their bodies: the outer fold serves them frequently instead of an apron, wherein they carry loaves, corn, &c. Hence the expressions frequent in Scripture, rendering “seven-fold into their bosom.” Ps. lxxix. 19. “Good measure—shall men give into your bosom.” Luke vi. 38. Dr. Shaw.

39.—Can the blind lead the blind? By this parable or proverb, our Lord takes occasion to teach His disciples the necessity of carefully attending to the true nature of His religion, in order that they may rightly instruct others in it, and may set an example in their own practice of all those virtues which it is their duty to inculcate. Bp. Mann.

Luke 6:40

40. The disciple is not above &c.] If any of these My commandments seem harsh to you, remember that I your Master have submitted to them before you. Dean Stanhope.

Luke 6:48

48.—and when the flood arose,] The rains in Judea being often extremely violent, and the country very hilly, considerable inundations frequently occur, which are dangerous to buildings that happen to be placed within their reach, by washing away the soil from under them, and thus occasioning their fall. Harmer,

The centurion’s singular faith. The widow’s son raised. Anno DOMINI 21.

Nain: 19 answereth John’s messengers with the declaration of his miracles: 24 testifieth to the people what opinion he held of John: 30, inveigheth against the Jews, who with neither the manners of John nor of Jesus could be won: 36 and sheweth by occasion of Mary Magdalene, how he is a friend to sinners, not to maintain them in sins, but to forgive them their sins, upon their faith and repentance.

NOW when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.