Luke 8
DOYLY— bring forth fruit with patience.] By constancy in suffering, and perseverance in doing well. Dean Stanhope.
As the result of this instructive parable, all Christians should learn, that they should endeavour to fix the im- portant truths of religion on their minds by serious ap- plication of thought, careful remembrance, and frequent reflection. They should therefore come to the publick worship of God, and all other hearing and reading of His blessed word, with due reverence and earnest atten- tion. They should bear in mind that this word ought to influence all the powers of their souls, and bring them forth into action; that it is therefore called the seed, because it is the first and common principle whence all our virtue springs; that the end of it there- fore is never answered, but by bringing forth fruit, and that fruit is no other than a holy conversation. If all men were deeply impressed with these considerations, especially at seasons of devotion and publick instruc- tion, they would learn to check all loose wanderings, to awaken all their faculties, and so to fix what they hear firmly in their hearts, as to rise to the character of those who keep the word in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience. Dean Stanhope.
Chap. IX. ver. 1. Then he called &c.] For further notes on this chapter, see the passages of St. Matthew and St. Mark pointed out in the margin.
Luke 8:4
- — there abide, &c.] That is, abide in that house till ye depart from the city. See the note at Mark vi. 10.
Luke 8:5
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A sower went out &c.] Respecting the parable of the sower, and other matters contained in this chapter, see notes at Matt. xiii. 3—23, and at other passages pointed out in the margin.
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— for a testimony against them.] Thereby signifying and declaring, that, since God has by you offered to
them the gracious means of salvation, and they have wilfully rejected it, and judged themselves unworthy of it, he can have nothing more to do with them, but must leave them to His just judgments. Dr. S. Clarke.
Luke 8:10
- — Unto you it is given &c.] As a reward of your diligence, and desire to be informed, these things shall be explained unto you; but the rest shall be left in darkness, and shall have their voluntary ignorance punished with judicial ignorance. See Matt. xiii. 11—15; Mark iv. 11, 12. Dean Stanhope.
Luke 8:15
- — in an honest and good heart.] From this expression we learn, not to vilify or defame human nature in the gross, as bad, totally degenerate, and altogether devilish, as is done by some gloomy sectaries. Though unhappily “the heart of man is—desperately wicked” (Jer. xvii. 9.) in too many instances, yet He who knew
Who are Christ’s mother and brethren. Christ stilleth a tempest. Anno DOMINI 21. d Matt. 6. 13. keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Luke 8:16
- No man, when he hath lighted &c.] Meaning, that every thing is to be put to its proper use. The use of hearing and reading the word of God, is to im-
Luke 8:17
- For nothing is secret, &c.] See note at Matt. x. 26. The meaning here seems, There is nothing which I teach you secretly, which shall not in due time be pub- lished openly to all the world; and nothing which I now speak obscurely and in parables, that shall not in time be declared plainly, and with all freedom to all men. Dr. S. Clarke.
Luke 8:18
- Take heed therefore how ye hear.] If it was need- ful for Him who spake as never man did, who confirmed His discourses by miracles, and adorned both by a life of perfect holiness, to bid His Apostles themselves “take heed” how they heard; much more ought the ministers of His Gospel in succeeding times to convey to all Christians the same caution, and no less are they bound to observe it; for to them, as well as to the Apostles, the following words are addressed, “whoso- ever hath, to him shall be given,” &c. implying, that God will bless with further improvements those who are careful to improve by the instructions they receive, but will leave in His just judgment to grow worse and worse, those who are not so disposed. Abp. Secker.
— whosoever hath] See note at Matt. xiii. 12.
- — as he was alone praying, &c.] When He was apart from the multitude, and attended only by His disciples; or else it is meant, that He prayed alone, and that His disciples afterwards joined Him. Dr. Whitby. Anno DOMINI 32. c Matt. 14. 15.
Luke 8:23
- — they were filled with water.] The ship was filled with water, Matt. viii. 24.
Luke 8:27
- — out of the city a certain man.] A certain man belonging to the city, or an inhabitant of it, though now dwelling among the tombs. Grotus.
Anno DOMINI 21. He casteth out the legion of devils, and healeth the bloody issue. Anno DOMINI 31.
man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he break the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
Luke 8:40
- — was returned.] To Capernaum, Matt. ix. 1. The twelve apostles sent out. Christ feedeth five thousand. Anno DOMINI 31. and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.