Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf
Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Commentary</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Matthew</strong>, <strong>Mark</strong>, <strong>Luke</strong> - <strong>Volume</strong> 2<br />
<strong>Luke</strong> 8:3. Joanna, the wife of Chuza It is uncertain whether or not <strong>Luke</strong> intended his statement<br />
to be applied to those women in the same manner as to Mary To me it appears probable that she is<br />
placed first in order, as a pers<strong>on</strong> in whom Christ had given a signal display of his power; and that<br />
the wife of Chuza, and Susanna, matr<strong>on</strong>s of respectability and of spotless reputati<strong>on</strong>, are menti<strong>on</strong>ed<br />
afterwards, because they had <strong>on</strong>ly been cured of ordinary diseases. Those matr<strong>on</strong>s being wealthy<br />
and of high rank, it reflects higher commendati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> their pious zeal, that they supply Christ’s<br />
expenses out of their own property, and, not satisfied with so doing, leave the care of their household<br />
affairs, and choose to follow him, attended by reproach and many other inc<strong>on</strong>veniences, through<br />
various and uncertain habitati<strong>on</strong>s, instead of living quietly and at ease in their own houses. It is<br />
even possible, that Chuza, Herod’s steward, being too like his master, was str<strong>on</strong>gly opposed to<br />
what his wife did in this matter, but that the pious woman overcame this oppositi<strong>on</strong> by the ardor<br />
and c<strong>on</strong>stancy of her zeal.<br />
<strong>Matthew</strong> 13:2. And great multitudes were gathered together to him. It is not without good<br />
reas<strong>on</strong> that the Evangelists begin with informing us that, a vast multitude had assembled, and that<br />
when Christ beheld them, he was led to compare his doctrine to seed That multitude had been<br />
collected from various places: all were held in suspense; all were alike eager to hear, but not equally<br />
desirous to receive instructi<strong>on</strong>. The design of the parable was to inform them, that the seed of<br />
doctrine, which is scattered far and wide, is not everywhere productive; because it does not always<br />
find a fertile and well cultivated soil. Christ declared that he was there in the capacity of a<br />
husbandman, who was going out to sow seed, but that many of his hearers resembled an uncultivated<br />
and parched soil, while others resembled a thorny soil; so that the labor and the very seed were<br />
thrown away. I forbear to make any farther inquiry into the meaning of the parable, till we come<br />
to the explanati<strong>on</strong> of it; which, as we shall find, is shortly afterwards given by our Lord. It may<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly be necessary, for the present, to remind the reader, that if those who ran from distant places<br />
to Christ, like hungry pers<strong>on</strong>s, are compared to an unproductive and barren soil, we need not w<strong>on</strong>der<br />
if, in our own day, the Gospel does not yield fruit in many, of whom some are lazy and sluggish,<br />
others hear with indifference, and others are scarcely drawn even to hear.<br />
9. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. These words were intended partly to show that all<br />
were not endued with true understanding to comprehend what he said, and partly to arouse his<br />
disciples to c<strong>on</strong>sider attentively that doctrine which is not readily and easily understood by all.<br />
Indeed, he makes a distincti<strong>on</strong> am<strong>on</strong>g the hearers, by pr<strong>on</strong>ouncing some to have ears, and others<br />
to be deaf. If it is next inquired, how it comes to pass that the former have ears, Scripture testifies<br />
in other passages, that it is the Lord who pierces the ears, (Psalm 40:7,)and that no man obtains or<br />
accomplishes this by his own industry.<br />
10. The disciples approaching said to him. From the words of <strong>Matthew</strong> it is evident, that the<br />
disciples did not merely look to themselves, but wished also to c<strong>on</strong>sult the benefit of others. Being<br />
unable to comprehend the parable, they c<strong>on</strong>cluded that it would be as little understood by the people;<br />
and, therefore, they complain that Christ employed language from which his hearers could derive<br />
no profit. Now though parables are generally found to illustrate the subject of which they treat, yet<br />
69<br />
John Calvin