CHAPTER XX. 118. CHRIST'S AUTHORITY QUES TIONED. Matt. 21:23-32; Mark 11:27-33. Α ND it came to pass, that on taught the people in the temple, and 2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me : 119. THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN. Matt. 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12. 9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. IO And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. II And again he sent another servant and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 And again he sent a third: 4 The baptism of John, was it and they wounded him also, and cast from heaven, or of men? 5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? him out. 13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 6 But and if we say, Of men ; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.2 7 And they answered, That they itance may be ours. could not tell whence it was. 14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inher 8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 1 Acts 4:7; 7:27. 11. The habit of looking for the immediate coming of Christ to establish a visible, terrestrial kingdom, has prevailed in every age, always involving the danger of neglecting present duty for fanciful speculation and unnatural excitement. 17-20. While the rewards in Christ's kingdom are all of grace, not of merit, still their degree is not always the same, nor is it arbitrarily determined. They are ever adjusted to the measure of our fidelity and diligence in his service. Compare 2 Cor. 9:6. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 2 Matt. 14:5; ch. 7:29. 41. If the guilt and approaching destruction of one city moved to tears Him who saw all things as they were, what emotions should be enkindled at the spectacle of whole races sunk in the pollutions of heathenism, and passing rapidly to an eternity without hope for the guilty! CHAPTER XX. SECTION 118.- Notes in Mark. SECTION 119.-Notes in Matthew. 16 He shall come and destroy | image and superscription hath it? these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. they heard it, they said, bid. And when God for 17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written,1 The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 121. TRIBUTE TO CÆSAR. Matt. 22: 15-22; Mark 12: 13-17. 20 And they watched him, and ́sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? They answered and said, Cæsar's. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar's, and unto God the things which be God's. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marveled at his answer, and held their peace. 122. ON THE Resurrection. 3 Matt. 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27. 27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us,* If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brethren and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. 34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in mar 24 Show me a penny. Whose riage: 1 Ps. 118:22. 2 Dan. 2:34, 35 SECTION 121. - Notes in Matthew. 20. Just men; conscientious observers of the law. They pretended that they wished the instruction of a wellknown, upright teacher on a difficult question of duty. 3 Acts 23:6, 8. Deut. 25: 5. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. 39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40 And after that, they durst not ask him any question at all. 124. CHRIST THE SON OF David. Matt. 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37. 41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms," The LORD said 35. Accounted worthy; not who have personal merit, but who are justified through the atonement of Christ. That world; the place where Christ reigns in glory. Jno. 17:24. — The resurrection; i. e. not merely existence, but a happy existence. Compare Phil. 3:11. Nothing is said of the condition of the wicked, but the same thing, so far as relates to marriage, is doubtless true of them. It is not to be inferred from this language of Christ that these will not attain a future existence, but it will not be worthy of the name of a resurrection. Such an existence, in one sense, is a life, but is not the life which is promised to them that believe. Matt. 25:46. 36. Equal unto; in the fact that they unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth him Lord; how is he then his son? 125. WARNINGS AND WOES. Matt. 231-39; Mark 12:38-40. 45 Then in the audience of all the people, he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets," and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.1 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. 129. CHRIST'S SECOND COMING. Matt. 24, 251-30; Mark 13: 1-37. 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.2 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived :3 for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. ye 9 But when shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: II And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons," being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake." 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 8 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer :9 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.10 16 And ye shall be betrayed " both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death." 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not a hair of your head perish.13 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.1 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the 8 Phil. 1 28; 2 Thess. 15. 9 Matt. 10:19. 10 Acts 6:10. 11 Mic. 7:6. 12 Acts 7: 59; 12: 2. 13 Matt. 10:30. 14 Dan. 9:26; Zech. 11:1. 22. Vengeance; retribution. Jude 7. Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.1 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.3 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.* 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily, I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come 1 Dan. 9:27; 12:7; Rom. 11:25. 22 Pet. 3: 10, 12. 3 Rev. 17; 14: 14. Rom. 8:19, 23. Rom. 13:13; 1 Thess. 5:6; 1 Pet. 4:7. PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. See the parallel passages. on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always,' that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 37 And in the daytime he was teaching in the temple ;' and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.10 38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. |