It is a great calamity to want either; but the defect of one may be, and often is, made up in the acuteness of the other; and therefore it has been observed by some as an instance of the goodness of Providence, that none were ever known to be born both blind and deaf; but that, one way or other, all are in a capacity of receiving knowledge. (24) But none of these things move me . The mother of James and John was Salome, as appears by comparing Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:40. See how boldly they engage for themselves; they said, We are able, in hopes of sitting on his right hand, and on his left; but at the same time they fondly hoped that they should never be tried. Thirdly, It is good for us to be often putting it to ourselves, whether we are able to drink of this cup, and to be baptized with this baptism. In heaven, every vessel will be full, brimful, though every vessel is not alike large and capacious. Note, It is good to improve the present opportunity, to make the best of the price now in the hand, because, if once let slip, it may never return; these blind men did so, and did wisely; for we do not find that Christ ever came to Jericho again. The aspiring princes of the Gentiles make the lives of many a ransom for their own honour, and perhaps a sacrifice to their own humour. Paul spake about their souls with affection and concern. but how often for mere amusement or sinful revelry! 1. This is applied to the Jews (Matthew 22:14; Matthew 22:14); it was so then, it is too true still; many are called with a common call, that are not chosen with a saving choice. (1.) We cannot help those that are under such calamities, as Christ did; but we may and must pity them, as Christ did, and draw out our soul to them. Note, First, The church is God's vineyard; it is of his planting, watering, and fencing; and the fruits of it must be to his honour and praise. Secondly, Others are savingly wrought upon in middle age; Go work in the vineyard, at the third, sixth, or ninth hour. Nothing makes more mischief among brethren, or is the cause of more indignation and contention, than ambition, and desire of greatness. They that are poor and blind are wretched and miserable (Revelation 3:17), and the objects of compassion. In the distribution of future joys, as it was in the gathering of the manna, he that shall gather much, will have nothing over, and he that shall gather little, will have no lack, Exodus 16:18. He therefore, 1. We have each of us our own vineyard to keep, our own soul; and it is God's and to be kept and dressed for him. The market-place is a place of concourse, and there Wisdom cries (Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 1:21); it is a place of sport, there the children are playing (Matthew 11:16; Matthew 11:16); and the gospel calls us from vanity to seriousness; it is a place of business, of noise and hurry; and from that we are called to retire. Even when he expects persecution and affliction, the love of Christ constrains him to proceed. The privacy of this prediction; He took the twelve disciples apart in the way. Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary (concise) Acts. God is the great Householder, whose we are, and whom we serve; as a householder, he has work that he will have to be done, and servants that he will have to be doing; he has a great family in heaven and earth, which is named from Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:15), which he is Owner and Ruler of. Christ's answer is very mild; they were overtaken in the fault of ambition, but Christ restored them with the spirit of meekness. The payment shall not be wholly deferred till the morning of the resurrection; but then, in the evening of the world, will be the general account, when every one shall receive according to the things done in the body. 2. Christ has the sole power of giving eternal life, but then it is to as many as were given him,John 17:2. ), but as some charitable generous householders keep poor men to work, in kindness to them, to save them from idleness and poverty, and pay them for working for themselves. Two blind men concurred in their request; for joint-prayer is pleasing to Christ, Matthew 18:19; Matthew 18:19. In this description of sufferings, 1. 1. Quoting Charles Spurgeon: "First among the mighty for general usefulness we are bound to mention the man whose name is a . Something of affinity there is between this parable and that of the prodigal son, where he that returned from his wandering, was as dear to his father as he was, that never went astray; first and last alike. The answer of Christ to this address of theirs. It is not mine to give, that is, to promise now; that matter is already settled and concerted, and the Father and Son understand one another perfectly well in this matter. The Gentile church, which was as yet unborn, the Gentile world, which as yet stood idle in the market-place, would produce greater numbers of eminent, useful Christians, than were found among the Jews. 2. Christ, by parting with his life, made atonement for sin, and so rescued ours; he was made sin, and a curse for us, and died, not only for our good, but in our stead,Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18; 1 Peter 1:19. 1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. Now is the accepted time. In the early times it was the custom to receive the Lord's supper every Lord's day, thus celebrating the memorial of Christ's death. Thirdly, Others are hired into the vineyard in old age, at the eleventh hour, when the day of life is far spent, and there is but one hour of the twelve remaining. What it will be in the performance, eye has not seen, nor ear heard. Christ sees that pride in us which we discern not in ourselves. These are frightful things, and the certain foresight of them was enough to damp an ordinary resolution, yet (as was foretold concerning him, Isaiah 42:4) he did not fail, nor was discouraged; but the more clearly he foresaw his sufferings, the more cheerfully he went forth to meet them. In the breaking of the bread, not only the breaking of Christ's body for us, to be a sacrifice for our sins, is remembered, but the breaking of Christ's body to us, to be food and a feast for our souls, is signified. They say unto him, We are able. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? The pomp and grandeur of the princes of the Gentiles ill become Christ's disciples. 3. They must be like the Master himself; and it is very fit that they should, that, while they were in the world, they should be as he was when he was in the world; for to both the present state is a state of humiliation, the crown and glory were reserved for both in the future state. Acts - Matthew Henry's Commentary - Bible Gateway Bible Book List Matthew Henry's Commentary - Acts Resources Matthew Henry's Commentary Acts Acts Chapter 1 Verses 1-5 Verses 6-11 Verses 12-14 Verses 15-26 Chapter 2 Verses 1-4 Verses 5-13 Verses 14-36 Verses 37-41 Verses 42-47 Chapter 3 Verses 1-11 Verses 12-26 Chapter 4 Verses 1-4 Verses 5-14 Many seem to have indignation at sin; but it is not because it is sin, but because it touches them. When the Son of God came into the world, his Ambassador to the children of men, one would think he should have been ministered to, should have appeared in an equipage agreeable to his person and character; but he did not so; he made no figure, had no pompous train of state-servants to attend him, nor was he clad in robes of honour, for he took upon him the form of a servant. Put the matter seriously to yourselves. He is able to do for us, and as willing as he is able; Ask, and it shall be given you. [2.] They imagined their warfare was accomplished when it was scarcely begun, and they had yet but run with the footmen. John is swifter of foot, and comes first to the sepulchre: but Peter has more courage, and goes first into it. Four things are recommended to us for an example in this address; for, though the eye of the body was dark, the eye of the mind was enlightened concerning truth, duty, and interest. It is incontestably true, that God can do no wrong. His progress, or circuit, for the visiting of the . It was as Christ and his disciples departed from Jericho; of that devoted place, which was rebuilt under a curse, Christ took his leave with this blessing, for he received gifts even for the rebellious. (2.) None are hired at the twelfth hour; when life is done, opportunity is done; but "while there is life, there is hope." The check that Christ gave them, which was very gentle, rather by way of instruction what they should be, than by way of reprehension for what they were. It is but a cup, not an ocean; it is but a draught, bitter perhaps, but we shall see the bottom of it; it is a cup in the hand of a Father (John 18:11); and it is full of mixture, Psalms 75:8. Surely it was by the Holy Ghost that they called Christ Lord,1 Corinthians 12:3. Secondly, The particular pleading with those that were offended with this distribution in gavel-kind. This wrestling with God in prayer, and makes us the fitter to receive mercy; for the more it is striven for, the more it will be prized and thankfully acknowledged. 2. (2.) The power of divine grace is magnified in the conversion of some, when they are in the midst of their pleasures and worldly pursuits, as Paul. (2.) These disciples were angry at their brethren's ambition, though they themselves, bay because they themselves, were as ambitious. They cried out as men in earnest; men in want are earnest, of course. [1.] Note, When we are ever so much in haste about any business, yet we should be willing to stand still to do good. He enquired further into their case; What will ye that I shall do unto you? 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 2. The nature of envy; It is an evil eye. Such rebuke are permitted, that faith and fervency, patience and perseverance, may be tried. It bespeaks the condescension of a suffering Christ, that he would drink of such a cup (John 18:11), nay, and such a brook (Psalms 110:7), and drink so deep, and yet so cheerfully; that he would be baptized with such a baptism, and was so forward to it, Luke 12:50. Seek them not,Jeremiah 45:5. . Though they were blind, they were not deaf. At the great day, though the dead in Christ shall rise first, yet they which are alive and remain, on whom the ends of the world (the eleventh hour of its day) comes, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds; no preference shall be given to seniority, but every man shall stand in his own lot at the end of the days. 1. They ask not for employment in this kingdom, but for honour only; and no place would serve them in this imaginary kingdom, but the highest, next to Christ, and above every body else. Here are the reproof and instruction which Christ gave to the other ten disciples for their displeasure at the request of James and John. What the account was; and in that observe. To represent to us the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 20:1; Matthew 20:1), that is, the way and method of the gospel dispensation. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. Join PLUS Login . [1.] We have here. 2. Hold out, faith, and patience, yet a little while. Is thine eye evil, because I am good? He promises, First, A penny,Matthew 20:2; Matthew 20:2. It is to be religiously observed by all disciples of Christ. They knew not what Christ's cup was, nor what his baptism, and therefore they were thus bold in promising for themselves. If God gives that grace to others, which he denies to us, it is kindness to them, but no injustice to us; and bounty to another, while it is no injustice to us, we ought not to find fault with. 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. The giving of a whole day's wages to those that had not done the tenth part of a day's work, is designed to show that God distributes his rewards by grace and sovereignty, and not of debt. Here is, I. We know not what we ask, when we ask for the glory of wearing the crown, and ask not for grace to bear the cross in our way to it. 3. In the early times it was the custom to receive the Lord's supper every Lord's day, thus celebrating the memorial of Christ's death. Christ knew well enough; but he would know it from them, whether they begged only for alms, as from a common person, or for a cure, as from the Messiah. Resources Matthew Henry's Commentary Acts Chapter 20. It was a great degree of faith, that they were confident of his kingdom, though now he appeared in meanness; but a great degree of ignorance, that they still expected a temporal kingdom, with worldly pomp and power, when Christ had so often told them of sufferings and self-denial. Those that are proud and covetous themselves do not care to see others so. As before he asserted his justice, so here his sovereignty; Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? It was not fit to be spoken publicly as yet, 1. There was policy in the management of this address, that they put their mother on to present it, that it might be looked upon as her request, and not theirs. The codensed one-volume classic commentary. (1.) We have here an account of the cure of two poor blind beggars; in which we may observe. Commentary on Genesis 20 Commentary on Genesis 21 Commentary on Genesis 22 Commentary on Genesis 23 Commentary on Genesis 24 Commentary on Genesis 25 Commentary on Genesis 26 Commentary on Genesis 27 Commentary on Genesis 28 Commentary on Genesis 29 Commentary on Genesis 30 Commentary on Genesis 31 Commentary on Genesis 32 Commentary on Genesis 33 James drank the bloody cup first of all the apostles, Acts 12:2. It was their mother's weakness thus to become that tool of their ambition, which she should have given a check to. Now, if there were no such power and honour intended to be in the church, it was nonsense for them to be striving who should have it. Some think she was daughter of Cleophas or Alpheus, and sister or cousin german to Mary the mother of our Lord. When they heard that Jesus passed by, they asked no further questions, who were with him, or whether he was in haste, but immediately cried out. He was now going up to Jerusalem, and was straitened till his work there was accomplished; and yet he stood still to cure these blind men. He first by his grace opens men's eyes, and so draws their hearts after him. Here observe, 1. I. It is the dignity of Christ's disciples faithfully to discharge this duty. Notice is taken of the several hours of the day, at which the labourers were hired. The work of religion is vineyard-work, pruning, dressing, digging, watering, fencing, weeding. They were pleasing themselves with the fancy of sitting on his right hand, and on his left, in great state; now, to check this, he leads them to the thoughts of their sufferings, and leaves them in the dark about their glory. The circumstances of it are observable. For what term are they hired? But as to the preferments there, it was not fit there should be any intimation given for whom they were intended; for the infirmity of their present state could not bear such a discovery with any evenness; "To sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, and therefore it is not for you to ask it or to know it; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father." (1.) Chapter 20. I. The laws of that kingdom are not wrapt up in parables, but plainly set down, as in the sermon upon the mount; but the mysteries of that kingdom are delivered in parables, in sacraments, as here and Matthew 13:1-58; Matthew 13:1-58 The duties of Christianity are more necessary to be known than the notions of it; and yet the notions of it are more necessary to be illustrated than the duties of it; which is that which parables are designed for. 1. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? It is hard for those that do or suffer more than ordinary for God, not to be elevated too much with the thought of it, and to expect to merit by it. [2.] Were we but sensible of our darkness, we should soon apply ourselves to him, who alone has the eye-salve, with this request, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Of faith in prayer; in the title they gave to Christ, which was in the nature of a plea; O Lord, thou Son o David; they confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and therefore had authority to command deliverance for them. 20:1-6 Tumults or opposition may constrain a Christian to remove from his station or alter his purpose, but his work and his pleasure will be the same, wherever he goes. Baptism is "an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace;" and so is suffering for Christ, for unto us it is given,Philippians 1:29. See how plainly and positively their sufferings are here foretold (Matthew 20:23; Matthew 20:23); Ye shall drink of my cup. He came to minister help to all that were in distress; he made himself a servant to the sick and diseased; was as ready to their requests as ever any servant was at the beck of his master, and took as much pains to serve them; he attended continually to this very thing, and denied himself both food and rest to attend to it. They were willing to hear, he saw they were so, and continued his speech till midnight. It was a hard saying, and, if any could bear it, they could. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient. II. His secret was with them, as his friends, and this particularly. He did not, in anger, bid them get out of his presence, but called them, in love, to come into his presence: for therefore he is fit to teach, and we are invited to learn of him, because he is meek and lowly in heart. Even when he expects persecution and affliction, the love of Christ constrains him to proceed. First, Carnal worldlings agree with God for their penny in this world; they choose their portion in this life (Psalms 17:14); in these things they are willing to have their reward (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 6:5), their consolation (Luke 6:24), their good things (Luke 16:25); and with these they shall be put off, shall be cut off from spiritual and eternal blessings; and herein God does them no wrong; they have what they chose, the penny they agreed for; so shall their doom be, themselves have decided it; it is conclusive against them. But the same that was Peter's temptation, to be confident of his own sufficiency, and presume upon his own strength, was here the temptation of James and John; and it is a sin we are all prone to. 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. There is hope of old sinners, that they may be brought to true repentance; nothing is too hard for Almighty grace to do, it can change the Ethiopian's skin, and the leopard's spots; can set those to work, who have contracted a habit of idleness. What we have, is not our own, and therefore it is not lawful for us to do what we will with it; but what God has, is his own; and this will justify him, First, In all the disposals of his providence; when God takes from us that which was dear to us, and which we could ill spare, we must silence our discontents with this; May he not do what he will with his own? III. As he had preached to them the gospel purely, so he had preached it to them entire; he faithfully did his work, whether men would bear or forbear. And he tells them, that, whereas they were asking which of them should have dominion a temporal kingdom, there was really no such dominion reserved for any of them. Note, It is good for us often to consider what it was that we agreed with God for. It is enough for the child of God to know that his strength shall be equal to his day. We are in his hand, as clay in the hands of a potter; and it is not for us to prescribe to him, or strive with him. Is there unrighteousness with God? That they might possibly be outstripped by their successors in profession, and, though they were before others in profession, might be found inferior to them in knowledge, grace, and holiness. 1. It is the church He has purchased with his own blood. The Gentiles, who are newly called in, have as much of the privileges of the kingdom of the Messiah as the Jews have, who have so long been labouring in the vineyard of the Old-Testament church, under the yoke of the ceremonial law, in expectation of that kingdom. Verses 7-12. As the future glory itself, so the degrees of it, are purposed and prepared in the eternal counsel of God; as the common salvation, so the more peculiar honours, are appointed, the whole affair is long since settled, and there is a certain measure of the stature, both in grace and glory, Ephesians 4:13. He was sound in the faith. It is very probable that there are degrees of glory in heaven; for our Saviour seems to allow that there are some that shall sit on his right hand and on his left, in the highest places. . Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible by Matthew Henry. MacLaren's Expositions Acts THE FIGHT WITH WILD BEASTS AT EPHESUS PARTING COUNSELS Acts 20:22 - Acts 20:35. He still brings this in, (1.) These poor blind men were rebuked by the multitude that followed Christ. Chapter 20 . That it is the duty of Christ's disciples to serve one another, for mutual edification. The offence taken (Matthew 20:11; Matthew 20:12); They murmured at the good man of the house; not that there is, or can be, any discontent or murmuring in heaven, for that is both guilt and grief, and in heaven there is neither; but there may be, and often are, discontent and murmuring concerning heaven and heavenly things, while they are in prospect and promise in this world. (Comp. We note the parallelism with Luther's famous declaration, when warned by his friends not to go to Worms, "I will go thither, though there should be devils on every house-top." So that I might finish my course with joy. (1.) The apostle knew very well that all this would not justify him before God, yet he knew it was for his reputation among the Jews, and an argument that he was not such a man as they represented him to be. [2.] As before they knew not what they asked, so now they knew not what they answered. She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. For. If we understand it of that which is ours by debt or absolute propriety, it would be a dreadful word; we are all undone, if we be put off with that only which we can call our own. Verses 13-16. He leaves them in the dark about the degrees of their glory. They were much in the dark concerning the way to that kingdom. First, The general pay (Matthew 20:9; Matthew 20:10); They received every man a penny. (1.) Of his power; He that formed the eye, can he not heal it? Here is an example of importunity in prayer. This was to signify the powerful influences and working of the Spirit of God upon the minds of men, and thereby upon the world. II. It interrupted the apostle's preaching; but was made to confirm his preaching. So hard is it for spiritual life to thrive in the heart of man! If at length, through grace, we arrive at perfection, we shall then put away such childish fancies: when we come to see face to face, we shall know what we enjoy; but now, alas, we know not what we ask; we can but ask for the good as it lies in the promise, Titus 1:2. In following Christ with our prayers, we must expect to meet with hindrances and manifold discouragements from within and from without, something or other that bids us hold our peace. A condition annexed to this offer, which is a very easy and reasonable one--that they should tell him what they would have him do for them. New Testament Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation Matthew Henry Matthew Henry was born near Wales on October 18, 1662. III. 2. A man that is a householder. The blood was his as Man; yet so close is the union between the Divine and human nature, that it is there called the blood of God, for it was the blood of Him who is God. Note, First, The soul of man stands ready to be hired into some service or other; it was (as all the creatures were) created to work, and is either a servant to iniquity, or a servant to righteousness,Romans 6:19. Ministers should be more forward than others to serve and suffer for the good of souls, as blessed Paul was, Acts 20:24; Philippians 2:17. The highest creature must go away into nothing, if he must go away with that only which is his own: but if we understand it of that which is ours by gift, the free gift of God, it teaches us to be content with such things as we have. In this chapter we have, I. Of humility in prayer; in that word, Have mercy on us, not specifying the favour, or prescribing what, much less pleading merit, but casting themselves upon, and referring themselves cheerfully to, the Mediator's mercy, in what way he pleases; "Only have mercy." Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete) Acts Originally written in 1706, Matthew Henry's six volume Complete Commentary provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the Bible. Those that have such a journey to go, had need set out betimes, the sooner the better. Their address to Christ, Matthew 20:29; Matthew 20:30. (1-6) Eutychus restored to life. so naturally do carnal practices flourish there! 1. [2.] God, by his gospel, is hiring labourers into his vineyard, to dress it, and keep it, paradise-work. And as they knew not when they should have Paul's company again, they made the best use of it they could, and reckoned a night's sleep well lost for that purpose. Infirmity requires tenderness; but contempt requires severity. (1.) Note, First, Jesus Christ laid down his life for a ransom. Instead of repining that we have no more, let us take what we have, and be thankful. It is supposed to be a bitter cup, that is drunk of, wormwood and gall, those waters of a full cup, that are wrung out to God's people (Psalms 43:10); a cup of trembling indeed, but not of fire and brimstone, the portion of the cup of wicked men, Psalms 11:6. Those that have had gospel offers made them at the third, or sixth hour, and have resisted and refused them, will not have that to say for themselves at the eleventh hour, that these had; No man has hired us; nor can they be sure that any man will hire them at the ninth or eleventh hour; and therefore not to discourage any, but to awaken all, be it remembered, that now is the accepted time; if we will hear his voice, it must be to-day. There was pride at the bottom of it, a proud conceit of their own merit, a proud contempt of their brethren, and a proud desire of honour and preferment; pride is a sin that most easily besets us, and which it is hard to get clear of.
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