Luke 10

Luke 10:1-16

In this chapter we have, 1. Chrift’s commission to the seventy disciples, ver. 1—16. 2. The reports which the seventy disciples made to their Master of the fourth of their negotiation, and his dishonorable likeness, ver. 17—24. 3. Chrift’s dishonor with a lawyer concerning the way to heaven, and the instructions Chrift gave him by a parents to look upon every one at his neighbors, ver. 25—37. 4. Chrift’s entertainment be Martin’s house, the reproof the game to her for her care about the world, and his commendation of Mary for her care about her soul, ver. 38—42.

1. AFTER these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself would come. 2. Therefore said he unto them, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 3. Go your ways, behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4. Carry neither purse, nor levity, nor shoes: and shove no man by the way. 5. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6. And, if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 7. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9. And lead the sick that are therein, and say unto them, ‘The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same,’ and say, 11. Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding, be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 12. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. 13. We unto thee, Chomson, we unto thee, Bethesda: for if the mighty works had been

done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sick-clock and ashes. 14. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15. And thou, Capernaum, which are exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell. 16. He that heareth you, heareth me: and he that despiseth you, despiseth me: and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.

The harvest was plentious, but hitherto the labourers had been few. We have here seventy disciples sedated to the ministry, invited with miraculous powers, and sent us harbingers to prepare the way of Chrift in all the adjacent country whither he was preparing to go. Their number corresponds with the elders of Israel on whom the Spirit of the Lord rested in the wilderness; and they were sent two and two for their mutual comfort and encouragement.

1. They must address themselves in prayer to God for success upon their own labours, and that he would raise up and qualify many more to go forth and preach the gospel. And this must be full the constant subject of our requests to God: the more we look round on the world, and let immortal souls perishing for lack of knowledge, the more zealously should we labour, and the more fervently pray that the Lord would send forth labourers into his harvest.

2. He tells them what they may expect to meet. Though they were never so harmless and unattentive, and their old works breathed nothing but peace and love, they would have enemies to encounter, force and savage as wolves: but he who sent them would afford them protection, and minister strength and courage to them in their work. And, if God be with us, we need not fear who are against us.

3. He orders them to make no provision for their journey, but trust on Providence for the supply of their wants: and, as their work required dispatch, they must not lose any time in unnecessary dishonor or civilities with any person whom they met. Not that Chrift enjoined rudeness and uncivility; but there was now no time for compliments, when the service was urgent.

4. Wherever they entered into a house, and were hospitalized received, there he orders them to say, Peace be to this house, praying that all likeness, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, might rest upon those who dwell there. And if the son of peace be there, any into whose hearts the Son of God hath put a desire to hear and receive the gospel of peace, then an answer of peace should be given to their prayers, your peace shall rest upon it; but if not, if there be no chosen vessel in the family, whose hearts are open to embrace the truth, it shall return unto you again, and your prayers for them shall be answered in likeness on your own souls. Nor, (1.) They who preach the gospel of peace cannot but fervently desire, for all those among whom they minister, that God would speak peace by them to the confidences of their hearers. (2.) Some receive, but more reject, our preaching and prayers: yet even to those that perish our labours and prayers are not in vain; we are still a sweet favour of Chrift; and, though they reject the salvation we bring, Chrift will approve and reward our fidelity.

5. In whatever house they were at first received, there they must abide; thankfully and cheerfully making use of the provision set before them, and not doubting but their labours would procure them that welcome they deserved. They must be content with the means of care, and never, affecting mercy, change their lodgings for better accommodations, left they should incur the suspicion of sickness, or flesh-pleasers. Nor, (1.) Chrift’s ministry have a right to a maintenance. (2.) When the love of souls, not of baby laces, draws men to labour in the gospel, they will learn in whatsoever state they are, therewith to be content, and put up with the poorest accommodations.

6. He directs them what must be the subject of their preaching. They must say, The kingdom of God is some nigh unto you; the kingdom of the Meffiah, with all its inestimable likeness and privileges, is now ready to appear; prepare to receive him; and he empowers them to heal the sick, in confirmation of their preaching, as well as in return for the good civilities which they received. Nor, Nothing is ever lost by kindness shown to Jesus and his servants.

7. In case their ministry is rejected, and they are driven from their work, they are to leave that devoted city, publickly declaring the doom ready to light upon the place, and shaking off the dust of their feet for a testimony against them, assuring them of the seameness of the Meffiah’s kingdom, and the dreadful consequences which must unavoidably enlist from their oblivency and impenitence. And in a day of judgment it shall be more tolerable for Sodom than for that city, because they have rejected greater means of grace than were vouchsafed to that abandoned city. Nor, (1.) None sick under such aggravated guilt as those who despise and reject the gospel. (2.) The day is near when these despisers will wonder and perish.

8. On this occasion our Lord turns his discourse to those cities where such multitudes of his miracles had been wrought, and who

who notwithstanding continued impenitent. Chornun, Bethsaid, have their fearful doom and. Had the most wicked cities of the Gentiles enjoyed their bleflings and privileges, and calls to repentance, even Tyre and Sidon had long ago been brought into the dust of humiliation. Therefore the judgment of the heathen, in the day of vengeance, shall be more tolerable than theirs: and Capernaum, enabled to heaven in privileges, shall sink as low as hell under the wrath of God, provoked by their hardened infidelity. Let the lands and places that enjoy the gospel light hear and tremble at these denunciations.

9. He encourages the seventy to go forth. They are his ambassadors: he will reckon the treatment they meet with as flowers to himself. Those who heard and respected them he would regard, as if they shewed this attention and kindness to his own perfect; whilst they who despised their perfects, and rejected their ministry, inflicted him, and put contempt on God who sent him. Nate, Many ill-uke, flight, and common Christ’s ambition, and treat them as mean and despicable; but they will shortly feel, to their cuff, that the King of glory will fearfully avenge the insults shewn to his ambassadors.

10. ¶ And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18. And he said unto them, ‘I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19. Behold, ‘I give unto you power to tread on serpents and forepions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you: but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 21. ¶ In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, ‘I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wife and prudent, and hath revealed them unto babes: even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy light. 22. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. 23. ¶ And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, ‘Bleffed are the eyes which see the things that ye see. 24. For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Luke 10:17-24

Having finished their ministry, we have here,

1. The return of the disciples to their Master, transported to find that even the devils were subject unto them, and ascribing the glory to him, in whole name they were enabled to work such stupendous miracles. Nate, All our victories over Satan must be ascribed to the grace and power of the great Captain of our Districts, and in him we may and ought to rejoice greatly.

2. He received them very graciously.

(1.) He informs them it was no news to him that the devils were subject unto them. I saw, when I sent you forth to preach the gospel and work miracles, Satan failing as lightning from heaven; his power and kingdom began now to be shaken and to utter; and this was the preage of his more irrecoverable ruin, when in the Gentile world the gospel should quickly spread, and, rooting up idolatry and spiritual darkness, turn the hearts of sinners from the power of Satan unto God.

(2.) He enlarges their powers, as the reward of their fidelity, and an encouragement to persevere. They shall tread upon serpents and forepions (abort); and the old serpent, and his venomous associates, whether men or devils, should be bruised under their feet. And nothing shall by any means hurt you. Under Almighty protection you may defy every danger. Nate, They have nothing to fear who have Christ for their matter, and execute his commission.

(3.) He checks their joy on this singular distinction with which he endured them, and directs them to a nobler cause for it; rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven; else, though they had cast out devils, they might themselves finally perish, and become companions with them. It is not gifts, but graces, that evidence our adoption of God, which should afford us most joy. Nate, (1.) God knoweth those that are his; their ignores are neglected in the records of eternity. (2.) The eternal predestination of God is matter of most comfortable meditation to those who, by faith embracing the promises, feel in their hearts the working of God’s Spirit, sealing them unto the day of redemption.

(4.) Christ expresses his delight and thankfulness for the bleffing conferred on these his poor disciples: and to this hour nothing rejoices the hearts of his people so greatly as beholding the progress of his gospel, the fall of Satan, and the conversion of men’s souls. He said, ‘I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, the great Dispoise of all things, that thou hast hid these things from the wife and prudent, and hath revealed them unto babes, V. L. II.

leaving the proud scribes and doctors of the law under the darkness of pretended science, prejudiced against and strangers to the mysteries of grace; whilst poor illiterate men, of low capacities, and contemptible in the eyes of the worldly wife, are put in truth with the gospel, and enlightened with the Spirit of truth. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy light: such was the pleasure of infinite wisdom, who lovethingly dispenses his gifts, the more to manifest his own glory. All things are delivered to me of my Father, all power and authority, all wisdom and grace to communicate to his chosen. In Jesus are all the treasures laid up, and out of his fulness we must receive. And no man knoweth who the Son is but the Father, and who the Father is but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him: the perfections of the divine nature are only fully known by the divine Persons themselves; and we can only be acquainted with them, and their eternal purposes of infinite wisdom and grace, so far as the Son of God is pleased to reveal them to us.

(5.) Turning to his disciples privately he pronounces them truly bleffed, favoured with the sight of the Lord’s Christ, and enjoying the clearest discoveries of that kingdom of grace which the Method was now come to erect in the world. Prophets and kings in former ages desired in vain to the end hear what they, more highly favoured, saw and heard. Nate, The distinguishing mercies we enjoy should excite our thankfulness, and quicken our diligence to improve them.

25. ¶ And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, ‘Matter, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26. He said unto him, What is written in the law? how receded thou? 27. And he answering, said, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered, right: ’this do, and thou shalt live. 29. But he, ‘willing to justify himself, find unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30. And Jesus answering, said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, ‘he passed by on the other side. 32. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. 34. And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beaft, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two ‘pence, and gave them to the hoft, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou fendedst more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37. And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Luke 10:25-37

We have the same question proposed by one of the scribes as was put by the young ruler, Most v. 27, nor so much with a view to be informed, as with the intention to entangle our Lord in his talk.

1. In answer to his question Christ turns him over to the law, in which he fancied himself deeply conversant, and bids him say what he read there, as the way of obtaining the eternal life he fought: and when the scribe replied the conditions there prescribed were the perfect love of God and our neighbour, Christ approves the answer, and assures him, Da this, and the flesh live. Such perfection of obedience will entitle those who can plead it to the reward. But where, alas! is this to be found? The more we read the tenor of the covenant of works, the more, if our minds are enlightened, shall we be driven to despair of ourselves, conscious how far we have been from continuing in all the things written in the book of the law to do them. But with this view had not the lawyer read. For,

2. He, willing to justify himself, as if he had kept the whole law, desired to know who was to be reckoned his neighbour; conceiting, probably, his justice and charity had been so extensive to the whole house of Israel, that he might justly claim the reward of perfect obedience.

3. Christ, by an appetite case in point, lets him see his ignorance of the divine law, and the defictiveness of his charity; correcting at the same time the corrupt notions of the Jewish teachers, who reckoned themselves not at all obliged to chew the least kindness to those who were out of the pale of their communion. The story here represented is very beautiful and affecting.

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1. A Jew, as he travelled from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among thieves, with which the road was greatly infected, and these, not satisfied with having plundered and dropped him of his raiment, inhumanly wounded him, and departed, leaving him watering in his blood, half dead, and ready to expire. This rule may fully represent the state of mankind; way-laid by Satan the great enemy of souls, robbed of the garments of innocence, wounded and dying in their sins, without power or strength to help themselves.

2. In this disastrous condition, in which the poor wounded traveler lay, by chance, to Providence ordered it, there came down a certain prisp that they, whose office and character should have engaged him to exercise his humanity and compassion towards an object to pituitise, especially to one of his own nation and religion; but his unfitting heart was fluthed against his brother, and, turning to the other side of the road, he pursued his journey unconcerned. A Levite quickly followed, as ruthless to every humane fanfation: he just came and looked on; and, not caring to be at the trouble or expense of providing for a dying man, he kept on his way, and left him to perish there. Black-hearted monsters! cries every tongue. But, alas! such Levites and prisths are found in every age, who not only with bold their hand from relieving the wants of the miserable, but leave the more precious souls of men to perish, unconcerned what becomes of them. Some fuppets that their reprobes the law of Mufes, from which no mercy is to be expected: it makes no provision for that a sinner, nor speaks one word of comfort to the guilty; but leaves the soul under a curse which extends to eternal death.

3. A Samaritan, one of that despised and detested nation, travelling that way, saw the miserable object, and compassion infirmly melted his heart. Without waiting to know of what country he was, he went to him, and pouring oil and wine into his wounds, he bound them carefully up, perhaps with the very innate garments he wore, and, greatly letting him on his own head, he carried him to the nearest inn, and saw every accommodation provided for him which the place would afford. And on the morrow, having waited that night to for the poor patient well provided for, he gave the hold, on parting, two pieces, about fifteen pence of our money, with a charge to take all possible care of the wounded man, and engaged to defray, on his return, whatever expense might be further incurred. A noble infancy indeed of humanity and generosity. We cannot be at a loss to whom this character of the good Samaritan eminently belongs. Jesus is come down from heaven; he fires his people lying in their blood, helpless and desperate; his companions are kindled towards them; he binds up the wounds of the guilty sinner’s soul; his own blood is the healing balm he pours into them; he brings them into his church, were they are fed with the provision of his ordinances; he clothes them with his righteousness, revives them with the cordials of his love, and bears their charges through the inn of this world, supporting them with the riches of his grace; he commends them to the care of his ministers, and at his second coming will not fail to reward their care and diligence.

4. Christ proposes to the lawyer the question, which of these was the neighbour to the wounded traveller? and the case was too clear to admit of hesitation; he could not but answer, He that Seward mercy on him. Then said “Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou blesses. Think not you have kept the law, or even understood the crates of the command, before you feel the same compassionate spirit, the same readiness to relieve even a Samaritan, as he shewed towards this Jew. An extent of charity to which he had been hitherto an utter stranger; and therefore his self-justification was but self-delusion.

5. Now it came to pass, as they went, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman, named “Martha, received him into her house. 39. And the last a sister called Mary,” which also sat at Jesus’s feet, and heard his word. 40. But Martha was cumbersome about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, do it, thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Did her therefore that she help me. 41. And Jesus answered, and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and troubled about many things: 42. But one thing is needful. And Mary hath choked that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

6. 38-42. We have here,

7. The hospitable entertainment given to our blessed Lord by a good woman who lived at Bethany, named Martha. Though his character was obnoxious, and his vicious numerous and poor, yet she was not ashamed of owning her respect for him, and was happy to furnish him with the best her house afforded. A grand-mast heart makes an open hand. We should arrange no expense when Christ’s cause demands our support.

8. Mary, the sister of Martha, sat at Jesus’s feet, attentive to his divine instructions; and so, according to his ideal custom, he began to discourse about the glad tidings of his salvation, the

listened with angriness to the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. Nate, (1.) Ministers, not only to public, but from house to house, should delight to disperse the gospel-word. They are profitable visits when a gracious discourse leaves the entertainment. (1.) They who would be wise unto salvation must sit as Jesus’s feet. We cannot hear his voice indeed; but in his blessed word he yet speaketh.

3. Martha, deduced to show her respect for her honoured guest, was very busy in providing the entertainment. Her diligence was commendable; but she was too much taken up, compared with much serving; she wanted to make the feast splendid, and was in disheartening with their worldly engagements, that she could not find leisure to attend the heavenly discourse of the Redeemer. Nate, (1.) Family cares incontinently engaging the mind as a great house to our souls. (2.) Christ’s servants should not number themselves with much serving. They who eat and drink to the glory of God will not affect families.

4. Displeased that Mary came not to her affluence, Martha brings her complaint to Christ; Lord, do it, thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? She forms not only to blame Mary’s backwardness to afflict her, but to reflect upon Jesus, that he should suffer her to fit them, when she wanted her help in the family; and therefore suggests that it was but reasonable, that he should bid her as an affliction in providing for the guests. Nate, (1.) They who have their own hearts much sit upon the world are ready to find fault with those as negligent who show not the same anxiety after it. (2.) Too many, like Martha, are apt to think, that the exercises of religion incensed upon the duties of our children; but, usually speaking, the fault is, as here, far on the other side.

5. Christ reproves her inordinate carefulness. Martha, Martha; he speaks with earnestness and pity, then are careful, and troubled about many things; giving herself unnecessary anxiety, when Christ required no such luminous entertainment. But one thing is needful, to know Christ and partake of his salvation. Compared with this, every thing besides is unimportant; therefore should that engage our first and chief concern: and we are highly culpable when other things divert us from attending to the interests of our immortal souls. Nate, (1.) Faithful rebukes are the truest marks of genuine love. (2.) They who are full of inordinate care are sure to involve themselves in many troubles. (3.) Christ’s disciples have need simply to remember this reproof and caution; for Martha’s anxiety is a befitting evil.

6. Instead of blaming Mary, as her sister expected, Christ commends her choice, and approves her conduct. She had chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her. Nate, (1.) However serious godliness may provoke the censures of the lukewarm, Jesus will commend what they condemn. (2.) They who have chosen Christ as their portion, and his word as their rule, have wisely determined, and shall never repent of their choice. (3.) If we have by faith embraced the Saviour, and truly been made partakers of his grace, then we have an interest in that eternal blessedness, of which none of the powers of earth or hell can deprive us.