Notes on Luke
From the Original 1599 Geneva Bible Notes

Lu 1:1

1:1 Forasmuch as {1} many have {a} taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

(1) Luke commends the witnesses that saw this present account.
(a) Many took it in hand, but did not perform: Luke wrote his gospel before Matthew and Mark.

Lu 1:2

1:2 {b} Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

(b) Luke was not any eye witness, and therefore it was not he to whom the Lord appeared when Cleopas saw him: and he was taught not only by Paul, but by others of the apostles also.

Lu 1:3

1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things {c} from the very first, to write unto thee in order, {d} most excellent Theophilus,

(c) Luke began his gospel a great deal further in the past than the others did.
(d) It is "most mighty", and therefore Theophilus was a very honourable man, and in a place of great dignity.

Lu 1:4

1:4 That thou mightest {e} know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

(e) Have fuller knowledge of those things which you know only partially.

Lu 1:5

1:5 There {2} was {f} in the days of {g} Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the {h} course of Abia: and his wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elisabeth.

(2) John, who was another Elias and appointed to be the herald of Christ, coming from the family of Aaron, and of two famous and blameless parents, has shown in his conception
(which was against the course of nature) a double miracle, to the end that men should be more readily prepared for the hearing of his preaching, according to the forewarning of the prophets.
(f) This is a Hebrew idiom which shows us how short and frail a thing the power of princes is.
(g) Herod the great.
(h) For the posterity of Aaron was divided into courses.

Lu 1:6

1:6 And they were both {i} righteous before God, {k} walking in all the {l} commandments and ordinances of the Lord {m} blameless.

(i) The true mark of righteousness is demonstrated when one is liked and accepted in the judgment of God.
(k) Lived, as the Hebrews say, for our life is as a way in which we must walk until we come to the mark.
(l) In all the moral and ceremonial law.
(m) Whom no man could justly reprove: now so it is that the fruits of justification are set forth here, and not the cause, which is faith only, and nothing else.

Lu 1:9

1:9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the {n} temple of the Lord.

(n) The temple was one, and the court another, for Zacharias went out of the court (or outward room) where all the people were (and therefore they are said to be without) and into the temple.

Lu 1:15

1:15 For he shall be great in the {o} sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor {p} strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

(o) So the Hebrews say when a rare kind of excellency is signified: so it is said of Nimrod in Ge 10:9 , "He was a mighty hunter before the LORD".
(p) Any drink that might make someone drunk.

Lu 1:16

1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he {q} turn to the Lord their God.

(q) Shall be a means to bring many to repentance, and they will turn themselves to the Lord, from whom they fell.

Lu 1:17

1:17 And he shall go {r} before him {s} in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the {t} hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the {u} wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

(r) As they used to go before kings, and when you see them, you know the king is not far off.
(s) This is spoken by the figure of speech metonymy, taking the spirit for the gift of the spirit; as you would say, the cause of that which comes from the cause.
(t) By the figure of speech synecdoche he shows that he will take away all types of enmities which used to breed great troubles and turmoils among men.
(u) Wisdom and goodness are two of the main causes which make men revere and honour their fathers.

Lu 1:19

1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, {x} that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

(x) That appears, for so the Hebrews use this saying "to stand" to mean that they are ready to do his commandment.

Lu 1:26

1:26 {3} And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

(3) The angel, serving the Lord who would be born, is sent to the virgin Mary, in whom the son of the most high promised to David is conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lu 1:27

1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the {y} house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.

(y) The same can be said of Mary, otherwise Christ would not have been of the stock of David, nor his son.

Lu 1:28

1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] {z} highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: {a} blessed [art] thou among women.

(z) It might be literally rendered, "full of favour and grace", and he shows immediately after, laying out plainly unto us, what that favour is in that he says, "The Lord is with thee".
(a) Of God.

Lu 1:29

1:29 And when she saw [him], she was {b} troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

(b) Moved at the strangeness of the matter.

Lu 1:30

1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast {c} found favour with God.

(c) So the Hebrews said, saying that those men have found favour who are in favour.

Lu 1:32

1:32 He shall be great, and shall be {d} called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

(d) He will be declared to be so, for he was the Son of God from everlasting, but was made manifest in the flesh in his time.

Lu 1:34

1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, {e} How shall this be, seeing {f} I know not a man?

(e) The greatness of the matter causes the virgin to ask this question, not that she distrusted by any means at all, for she asks only of the manner of the conceiving, so that it is plain she believed all the rest.
(f) So speak the Hebrews, signifying by this modest kind of speech the company of man and wife together, and this is the meaning of it: how will this be, for as I will be Christ's mother I am very sure I will not know any man: for the godly virgin had learned by the prophets that the Messiah would be born of a virgin.

Lu 1:35

1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost {g} shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that {h} holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be {i} called the Son of God.

(g) That is, the Holy Spirit will cause thee to conceive by his mighty power.
(h) That thing which is pure and void of all spot of uncleanliness: for he that was to take away sin must of necessity be void of sin.
(i) Declared and shown to the world to be the Son of God.

Lu 1:36

1:36 And, behold, thy {k} cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the {l} sixth month with her, who was called barren.

(k) Though Elisabeth was of the tribe of Levi, yet it was possible for her to be Mary's cousin: for whereas it was forbidden by the Law for maidens to be married to men of other tribes, there was an exception among the Levites, who could take for themselves wives out of any tribe: for the Levites had no portion allotted to them when the land was divided among the people.
(l) This is now the sixth month from the time when she conceived.

Lu 1:39

1:39 {4} And Mary arose in those days, and went into the {m} hill country with haste, into a {n} city of Juda;

(4) Elisabeth being many months pregnant with John, and Mary being pregnant with Christ, do rejoice for each other by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
(m) Which is on the south side of Jerusalem.
(n) That is to say, Hebron: which was in times past called Kirjatharba: which was one of the towns that were given to the Levites in the tribe of Judah, and is said to be in the mountains of Judah; Jos 14:15; 21:11 .

Lu 1:41

1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe {o} leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

(o) This was no ordinary or usual type of moving.

Lu 1:42

1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and {p} blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.

(p) Christ is blessed with respect to his humanity.

Lu 1:46

1:46 {5} And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

(5) Christ, the redeemer of the afflicted and revenger of the proud, promised long ago to the fathers, is now finally exhibited indeed.

Lu 1:48

1:48 For he hath {q} regarded the {r} low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

(q) Has freely and graciously loved.
(r) Literally, "My baseness", that is, my base estate: so that the virgin did not boast of her deserts, but the grace of God.

Lu 1:50

1:50 And his mercy [is] on them {s} that fear him from generation to generation.

(s) To those that live godly and religiously, as the Hebrews say.

Lu 1:51

1:51 He hath shewed strength with his {t} arm; he hath {u} scattered the proud in the {x} imagination of their hearts.

(t) Here many more words than necessary are used, which the Hebrews use very much: and "arm" here is taken for strength.
(u) Even as the wind does to the chaff.
(x) He has scattered them, and the imagination of their hearts; or, by and through the imagination of their own hearts; so that their wicked counsel turned to their own destruction.

Lu 1:52

1:52 He hath {y} put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of {z} low degree.

(y) The mighty and rich men.
(z) Those of no account, who are vile in men's eyes, who are indeed the poor in spirit, that is, those who claim nothing of themselves in the sight of God.

Lu 1:53

1:53 He hath filled the {a} hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

(a) Those that are brought to extreme poverty.

Lu 1:54

1:54 {b} He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy;

(b) He has helped Israel up with his arm, who had been completely cast down.

Lu 1:55

1:55 As he {c} spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

(c) Promised.

Lu 1:57

1:57 {6} Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

(6) John's birth is accompanied by new miracles.

Lu 1:65

1:65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all {d} these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

(d) All this which was said and done.

Lu 1:66

1:66 And all they that heard [them] {e} laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the {f} hand of the Lord was with him.

(e) Thought upon them diligently and earnestly, and as it were, printed them in their hearts.
(f) That is, the present favour of God, and a singular type of virtue appeared in him.

Lu 1:67

1:67 {7} And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

(7) John, having just been born, by the authority of the Holy Spirit is appointed to his office.

Lu 1:68

1:68 Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath {g} visited and {h} redeemed his people,

(g) That he has shown himself mindful of his people, to the extent that he came down from heaven himself to visit us in person, and to redeem us.
(h) Has paid the ransom, that is to say, the price of our redemption.

Lu 1:69

1:69 And hath raised up an {i} horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

(i) This word "horn", in the Hebrew language, signifies strength, and it is a metaphor taken from beasts that fight with their horns: And by raising up the might of Israel is meant that the kingdom of Israel was defended, and the enemies of it laid on the ground, even then when the strength of Israel seemed to be utterly gone.

Lu 1:72

1:72 To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and {k} to remember his holy covenant;

(k) Declare indeed that he was mindful.

Lu 1:75

1:75 In holiness and righteousness {l} before him, all the days of our life.

(l) To God's good liking.

Lu 1:76

1:76 And thou, {m} child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

(m) Though you be at this present time ever so little.

Lu 1:77

1:77 To {n} give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the {o} remission of their sins,

(n) Open the way.
(o) Forgiveness of sins is the means by which God saves us; Ro 4:7 .

Lu 1:78

1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the {p} dayspring from on high hath visited us,

(p) Or "bud", or "branch"; he alludes to Jer 23:5 Zec 3:8 6:12 ; and he is called a bud from on high, that is, sent from God unto us, and not as other buds which bud out of the earth.

Lu 1:79

1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the {q} way of peace.

(q) Into the way which leads us to true happiness.

Lu 2:1

2:1 And {1} it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the {a} world should be {b} taxed.

(1) Christ, the son of God, taking upon himself the form of a servant, and making himself of no reputation, is poorly born in a stable: and by the means of Augustus, the mightiest prince in the world, (thinking nothing of it) has his cradle prepared in Bethlehem, as the prophets foretold.
(a) As far as the empire of the Romans stretched.
(b) That is, the inhabitants of every city should have their names recorded, and their goods rated at a certain value, that the emperor might understand how rich every country, city, family, and house was.

Lu 2:4

2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the {c} city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

(c) Which David was born and brought up in.

Lu 2:8

2:8 {2} And there were in the same country shepherds {d} abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

(2) The angels themselves declare to poor shepherds (not at all regarding the pride of the mighty) the Godhead and office of the child lying in the crib.
(d) Living outside, and in the open air.

Lu 2:9

2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord {e} came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

(e) Came suddenly upon them, when they were not at all thinking about such a matter.

Lu 2:13

2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel {f} a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

(f) Whole armies of angels, who compass the majesty of God round about, just as soldiers, as it were.

Lu 2:14

2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, {g} good will toward men.

(g) God's ready, good, infinite, and gracious favour towards men.

Lu 2:21

2:21 {3} And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

(3) Christ, the head of the Church, made subject to the law in order to deliver us from the curse of the law (as the name of Jesus well declares) being circumcised, ratifies and seals in his own flesh the circumcision of the flesh.

Lu 2:22

2:22 {4} And when the days of {h} her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;

(4) Christ, upon whom all our sins were laid, being offered to God according to the law purifies both Mary and us all in himself.
(h) This is meant for the fulfilling of the law: for otherwise the virgin was not defiled, nor unclean, by the birth of this child.

Lu 2:25

2:25 {5} And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the {i} Holy Ghost was upon him.

(5) Simeon openly in the temple foretells the death of the coming of Messiah, of the casting out of the greatest part of Israel, and of the calling of the Gentiles.
(i) He was endued with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and this is said using the figure of speech metonymy.

Lu 2:27

2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the {k} parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

(k) Joseph and Mary: and he says "parents" because that is what most of the people then thought.

Lu 2:29

2:29 Lord, now {l} lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy {m} word:

(l) Let me depart out of this life, to be joined to my Father.
(m) As you promised me.

Lu 2:30

2:30 For {n} mine eyes have seen thy {o} salvation,

(n) That is, for I have seen with my very eyes: for he saw before in mind, as it is said of Abraham, "He saw my day and rejoiced."
(o) That in which your salvation is contained.

Lu 2:31

2:31 Which thou hast prepared {p} before the face of all people;

(p) As a sign set up in a high place for all men to look upon.

Lu 2:34

2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is {q} set for the {r} fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a {s} sign which shall be spoken against;

(q) Is appointed and set by God for a mark.
(r) Fall of the reprobate who perishes because of their own fault: and for the rising of the elect, unto whom God will give faith to believe.
(s) That is, a mark, which all men will strive earnestly to hit.

Lu 2:35

2:35 (Yea, a sword shall {t} pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

(t) Will most keenly wound and grieve.

Lu 2:36

2:36 {6} And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

(6) Another witness besides Simeon, against whom no objection may be brought, inviting all men to the receiving of the Messiah.

Lu 2:40

2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, {u} filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

(u) As Christ grew up in age, so the virtue of his Godhead showed itself more and more.

Lu 2:41

2:41 {7} Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

(7) The scribes and Pharisees are aroused to hear the wisdom of Christ in his time by an extraordinary deed.

Lu 2:48

2:48 {8} And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

(8) All duties which we owe to men, even though they are not to be neglected, so are they (according to the position in life which God has set us) not to be preferred before the glory of God.

Lu 2:51

2:51 {9} And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

(9) Christ, very man, is made like us in every way except sin.

Lu 3:1

3:1 Now {1} in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

(1) John comes at the time foretold by the prophets and lays the foundation of the gospel which is exhibited unto us, setting forth the true observing of the law and free mercy in Christ, which comes after John, using also baptism which is the outward sign both of regeneration and also forgiveness of sins.

Lu 3:2

3:2 {a} Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

(a) Josephus calls him Ananus.

Lu 3:13

3:13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is {b} appointed you.

(b) Require no more than that sum that is appointed for the tribute money.

Lu 3:14

3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your {c} wages.

(c) Which was paid to them partly in money and partly in food.

Lu 3:15

3:15 {2} And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

(2) If we would rightly and fruitfully receive the sacraments, we must neither rest in the signs, neither in him that ministers the signs, but lift up our eyes to Christ, who is the author of the sacraments, and the giver of that which is represented by the sacraments.

Lu 3:17

3:17 {3} Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

(3) The gospel is the fan of the world.

Lu 3:19

3:19 {4} But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

(4) John's preaching is confirmed with his death.

Lu 3:21

3:21 {5} Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

(5) Our baptism is sanctified in the head of the Church, and Christ also by the voice of the Father is pronounced to be our everlasting King, Priest, and Prophet.

Lu 3:23

3:23 {6} And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli,

(6) Christ's lineage, according to the flesh, is traced back even to Adam, and so to God, that it might appear that it was only he whom God promised to Abraham and David, and appointed from everlasting to his Church, which is composed of all sorts of men.

Lu 4:1

4:1 And {1} Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

(1) Christ, being carried away (as it were out of the world) into the desert, comes suddenly as if from heaven, having fasted for forty days and overcoming Satan three times, and thus begins his office.

Lu 4:3

4:3 {2} And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

(2) Christ, being tempted by Satan, first to distrust in God, secondly to the desire of riches and honour, and lastly to a vain confidence in himself, overcomes him three times by the word of God.

Lu 4:6

4:6 And the devil said unto him, All this {a} power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is {b} delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

(a) By this word "power" are meant the kingdoms themselves which have the power: and so this is said using the figure of speech metonymy.
(b) This is surely so, for he is prince of the world, but not absolutely, and is the sovereign of it only by permission and request, and therefore he does not truly say that he can give it to whom he will.

Lu 4:7

4:7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be {c} thine.

(c) Out of a high place, from which would be seen a good and first-class country, and thus the devil showed him all countries.

Lu 4:16

4:16 {3} And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

(3) Who Christ is and for what reason he came he shows from the prophet Isaiah.

Lu 4:17

4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had {d} opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

(d) Their books in those days were rolled up as scrolls upon a ruler: and so Christ unrolled or unfolded it, which is here called "opened".

Lu 4:22

4:22 {4} And all {e} bare him witness, and {f} wondered at the {g} gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

(4) Familiarity causes Christ to be condemned and therefore he often goes to strangers.
(e) Approved those things which he spoke with common consent and voice: for this word "witness" signifies in this place (and many others) "to allow and approve a thing with open confession".
(f) Present at this meeting of the scriptures were not only the learned, but also the common people: and besides that, their mother tongue was used, for how else could the people have wondered? Paul appointed the same manner for doing things in the Church at Corinth; 1Co 14:1-40 .
(g) Words full of the mighty power of God, which appeared in all his doings, and as well allured men marvellously unto him; see Ps 45:2 , "grace is poured into thy lips".

Lu 4:25

4:25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the {h} land;

(h) Land of Israel; see Geneva (C) "Mr 15:33".

Lu 4:28

4:28 {5} And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

(5) The more sharply the world is rebuked the more it openly rages: but the life of the godly is not always subject to the desires of the wicked.

Lu 4:34

4:34 {6} Saying, Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, [thou] Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

(6) Christ astonishes not only men, be they ever so stupid, but even the demons as well, whether or not they want to be.

Lu 4:38

4:38 {7} And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.

(7) In that Christ heals the diseases of the body with only his word, he proves that he is God Almighty, sent for man's salvation.

Lu 4:41

4:41 {8} And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking [them] suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

(8) Satan, who is a continual enemy of the truth, ought not to be heard, not even when he speaks the truth.

Lu 4:42

4:42 {9} And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.

(9) No zealous response on the part of the people ought to hinder us in the race that God has appointed unto us.

Lu 5:1

5:1 And {1} it came to pass, that, as the people {a} pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

(1) Christ reveals to the four disciples whom he had taken unto himself the office of the apostleship, which would be committed unto them in the future.
(a) Did as it were lie upon him, so desirous were they both to see him and hear him, and therefore he taught them out of a ship.

Lu 5:5

5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, {b} Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

(b) The word signifies someone that has rule over anything.

Lu 5:12

5:12 {2} And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on [his] face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

(2) Christ, by healing the leper with only his touch and sending him to the priest, witnesses that it is he, through whom and by whom, apprehended by faith, all we who are unclean according to the law are pronounced to be pure and clean by the witness of God himself.

Lu 5:15

5:15 {3} But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

(3) Christ would rather be well known by his doctrine than by miracles, and therefore he departs from those that seek him as a physician of the body, and not as the author of salvation.

Lu 5:17

5:17 {4} And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord {c} was [present] to heal them.

(4) Christ, in healing him that was sick from paralysis, shows the cause of all diseases, and the remedy.
(c) The mighty power of Christ's Godhead showed itself in him at that time.

Lu 5:27

5:27 {5} And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

(5) The Church is a company of sinners who are repentant through the grace of Christ, who banquet with him to the great offence of the proud and envious people of the world.

Lu 5:33

5:33 {6} And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise [the disciples] of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?

(6) Hypocrites and ignorant men make a point of making fasting and unimportant things a matter of holiness.

Lu 5:34

5:34 {7} And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

(7) Laws generally made without any consideration of circumstances; for fasting and other things of like sort are not only tyrannous but very harmful to the Church.

Lu 6:1

6:1 And {1} it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples {a} plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing [them] in [their] hands.

(1) Christ shows against the superstitious, who dwell on every trifling matter, that the law of the very sabbath was not given to be kept without exception: much less that the salvation of man should consist in the outward keeping of it.
(a) Epiphanius notes well in his treatise, where he refutes Ebion, that the time when the disciples plucked the ears of the corn was in the feast of unleavened bread. Now, in those feasts which were kept over a period of many days, as the feast of tabernacles and passover, their first day and the last were very solemn; see Le 23:1-44 . Luke then fitly calls the last day the second sabbath, though Theophylact understands it to be any of the sabbaths that followed the first.

Lu 6:6

6:6 {2} And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

(2) Charity is the rule of all ceremonies.

Lu 6:9

6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to {b} destroy [it]?

(b) Whoever does not help his neighbour when he can, he kills him.

Lu 6:12

6:12 {3} And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

(3) In using earnest and long prayer in choosing twelve of his own company to the office of the apostleship, Christ shows how religiously we ought to behave ourselves in the choice of ecclesiastical persons.

Lu 6:17

6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the {c} sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

(c) From all the sea coast, which is called Syrophoenecia.

Lu 6:20

6:20 {4} And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [be ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

(4) Christ teaches against all philosophers, and especially the Epicureans, that the greatest happiness of man is laid up in no place here on earth, but in heaven, and that persecution for righteousness' sake is the right way to achieve it.

Lu 6:22

6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall {d} separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

(d) Cast you out of their synagogues, as John expounds in Joh 16:2 , which is the severest punishment the Church has, if the elders judge rightfully, and by the word of God.

Lu 6:23

6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and {e} leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

(e) Leap for exceeding joy, as cattle do who are spurred on by food.

Lu 6:24

6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have {f} received your consolation.

(f) That is, you reap now of your riches all the convenience and blessing you are ever likely to have, and therefore you have no other reward to look for; Mt 6:2 .

Lu 6:27

6:27 {5} But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

(5) Christian charity, which is very different from worldly charity, not only does not revenge injuries, but is even extended to our most grievous enemies, and that for our Father's sake who is in heaven: in well doing it is not at all seeking its own.

Lu 6:32

6:32 For if ye love them which love you, {g} what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

(g) What is there in this your work that is to be accounted of? For if you look to have reward by loving, seek those rewards which are indeed rewards: love your enemies, and so will you show to the world that you look for those rewards which come from God.

Lu 6:35

6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, {h} hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.

(h) When you will lend, do it only to benefit and please with it, and not with the hope of receiving the principal again.

Lu 6:37

6:37 {6} Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: {i} forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

(6) Brotherly judgments must not proceed from curiosity nor rudeness nor malice, but they must be just, moderate and loving.
(i) He does not speak here of civil judgments, and therefore by the word "forgive" is meant that good nature which the Christians use in patiently suffering and pardoning wrongs.

Lu 6:38

6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, {k} pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

(k) These are borrowed types of sayings, taken from those who used to measure dry things, as corn and such things, who do it in a rather forceful manner, and thrust it down and shake it together, and press it and put it into a pile.

Lu 6:39

6:39 {7} And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

(7) Unskillful reprehenders hurt both themselves and others: for as the teacher is, so is the student.

Lu 6:41

6:41 {8} And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

(8) Hypocrites who are very severe reprehenders of others are very quick to spitefully spot other men's faults, but very blind to see their own.

Lu 6:43

6:43 {9} For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

(9) Skill in reprehending others does not make a good man, but rather he that proves his uprightness both in word and deed.

Lu 6:47

6:47 {10} Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

(10) Affliction at length discerns true godliness from false and feigned godliness.

Lu 7:1

7:1 Now {1} when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

(1) Christ admonishes the Jews that for their obstinacy and rebellion he will go to the Gentiles, by setting before them the example of the centurion.

Lu 7:11

7:11 {2} And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called {a} Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

(2) Christ openly affirms his power over death.
(a) Nain is the name of a town in Galilee which was situated on the other side of the Kishon, which runs into the sea of Galilee.

Lu 7:18

7:18 {3} And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

(3) John sends from the prison his unbelieving disciples to be confirmed by Christ himself.

Lu 7:21

7:21 And {b} in that same hour he cured many of [their] infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many [that were] blind he gave sight.

(b) When John's disciples came to Christ.

Lu 7:24

7:24 {4} And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

(4) That which the prophets showed long before, John shows presently: and Christ himself presents it daily unto us in the gospel, but for the most part in vain, because many seek nothing else than foolish toys and vain glory.

Lu 7:29

7:29 And all the people that heard [him], and the publicans, {c} justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

(c) Said that he was just, good, faithful and merciful.

Lu 7:30

7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God {d} against themselves, being not baptized of him.

(d) To their own hurt.

Lu 7:31

7:31 {5} And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

(5) Whatever manner God uses in offering us the gospel, most men bring offences upon themselves: yet nevertheless a Church is gathered together.

Lu 7:36

7:36 {6} And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

(6) Proud men deprive themselves of the benefits of the presence of Christ, even when he is at home with them in their houses; and these benefits the humble and base enjoy.

Lu 7:39

7:39 {7} Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: {e} for she is a sinner.

(7) Rashness is the companion of pride.
(e) The Pharisee respects the law, which holds that those who touch the defiled are defiled.

Lu 7:40

7:40 {8} And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

(8) To love Christ is a sure and perpetual witness of the remission of sins.

Lu 7:47

7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; {f} for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.

(f) That is, says Theophylact, she has shown her faith abundantly: and Basil in his "Sermon of Baptism" says, "He that owes much has much forgiven him, that he may love much more". And therefore Christ's saying is so plain in light of this that it is a wonder to see the enemies of the truth so badly distort and misinterpret this place in such a thorough manner in order to establish their meritorious works: for the greater sum a man has forgiven him, the more he loves him that has been so gracious to him. And this woman shows by deeds of love how great the benefit was she had received: and therefore the charity that is here spoken of is not to be taken as the cause of her forgiveness, but as a sign of it: for Christ does not say as the Pharisees did that she was a sinner, but bears her witness that the sins of her past life are forgiven her.

Lu 7:50

7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; {g} go in peace.

(g) He confirms with a blessing the benefit which he had bestowed.

Lu 8:4

8:4 {1} And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

(1) The same gospel is sown everywhere, but does not everywhere yield the same fruit, and this is only due to the fault of men themselves.

Lu 8:10

8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the {a} mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

(a) Those things are called secret which may not be uttered: for the word used here is equivalent to our saying, "to hold a man's peace".

Lu 8:14

8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, {b} go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and {c} bring no fruit to perfection.

(b) That is, as soon as they have heard the word, they go about their business.
(c) They do not bring forth perfect and full fruit to the ripening: or, they begin, but they do not bring to an end.

Lu 8:15

8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an {d} honest and good heart, having heard the word, {e} keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.

(d) Who seek not only to seem to be such, but are indeed so: so that this word "honest" refers to the outward life, and the word "good" refers to the good gifts of the mind.
(e) With much difficulty, for the devil and the flesh fight against the Spirit of God, who is a new guest.

Lu 8:16

8:16 {2} No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

(2) That which every man has received in private he ought to bestow to the use and profit of all men.

Lu 8:18

8:18 {3} Take {f} heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that {g} which he seemeth to have.

(3) Heavenly gifts are lost when one is sparing with them, and increase when one is liberal with them.
(f) That is, with what minds you come to hear the word, and how you behave yourselves when you have heard it.
(g) Either to himself, or to others, or to both: for there are none so proud as these fellows, if it were possible to see those things which they disguise: neither are there those that deceive the simple more than they do.

Lu 8:19

8:19 {4} Then came to him [his] mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

(4) There is no relationship of flesh and blood among men so intimate and upright as the band which is between Christ and those who embrace him with a true faith.

Lu 8:22

8:22 {5} Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

(5) It is expedient for us sometimes to come into extreme danger, as though Christ was not with us, that we may have a better test, both of his power, and also of our weakness.

Lu 8:23

8:23 But as they sailed he fell {h} asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and {i} they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy.

(h) Jesus fell asleep, and it appears that he was very fast asleep, because they called him twice before he awoke.
(i) Not the disciples, but the ship.

Lu 8:27

8:27 {6} And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in [any] house, but in the tombs.

(6) Christ shows by casting out a legion of demons by his word alone that his heavenly power was appointed to deliver men from the slavery of the devil: but foolish men for the most part will not redeem this so excellent grace freely offered unto them if it means the loss of even the least of their wealth.

Lu 8:29

8:29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, {k} and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

(k) By force and violence, as a horse when he is spurred.

Lu 8:39

8:39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published {l} throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

(l) That is, the city of the Gadarenes: and though Mark says that he preached it in Decapolis, these accounts do not differ, for Pliny records in lib. 5, chap. 18, that Gadara is a town of Decapolis: so that Decapolis was partly on this side of Jordan, and partly on the other side.

Lu 8:40

8:40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people {m} [gladly] received him: for they were all waiting for him.

(m) The multitude was glad he had come again, and greatly rejoiced.

Lu 8:41

8:41 {7} And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

(7) Christ shows by a double miracle that he is Lord both of life and death.

Lu 8:43

8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her {n} living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

(n) All that she had to live upon.

Lu 8:52

8:52 And all wept, and {o} bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

(o) The word signifies to beat and strike, and is used in the mournings and lamentations that are at burials, at which times men used this type of behaviour.

Lu 8:55

8:55 And her spirit came again, and she {p} arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

(p) The corpse was lying there, and then the young girl received life, and rose out of the bed, that all the world might see that she was not only restored to life, but also void of all sickness.

Lu 9:1

9:1 Then {1} he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

(1) The twelve apostles are sent forth only at the commandment of Christ and equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit: both that none of the Israelites might pretend ignorance, and also that they might be better prepared for their general mission.

Lu 9:4

9:4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there {a} abide, and thence depart.

(a) When you depart out of any city, depart from that place where you first took up your lodging: so that in these few words the Lord forbids them to change their lodgings: for this publishing of the gospel was as it were a publishing throughout the whole land, that no one in Judea might pretend ignorance, as though he had not heard that Christ had come.

Lu 9:7

9:7 {2} Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he {b} was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

(2) As soon as the world hears tidings of the gospel it is divided into differing opinions, and the tyrants especially are afraid.
(b) He stuck as it were fast in the mire.

Lu 9:10

9:10 {3} And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a {c} desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

(3) They that follow Christ will lack nothing, not even in the wilderness.
(c) The word signifies a desert: note, this was not in the town Bethsaida, but part of the fields belonging to the town.

Lu 9:13

9:13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; {d} except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

(d) This is said imperfectly, and therefore we must understand it to mean something like this: "We cannot give them to eat unless we go and buy, etc.".

Lu 9:16

9:16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, {e} he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

(e) He gave God thanks for these loaves and fishes, and prayed at the same time that God would feed this multitude which was so great with such a small quantity, and to put it briefly, that this whole banquet might be to the glory of God.

Lu 9:18

9:18 {4} And it came to pass, as he was {f} alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

(4) Although the world be tossed up and down between different errors, yet we ought not to condemn the truth but be all the more desirous to know it, and be more steadfast to confess it.
(f) Alone from the people.

Lu 9:22

9:22 {5} Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

(5) Christ himself attained to the heavenly glory, by the cross and invincible perseverance.

Lu 9:23

9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross {g} daily, and follow me.

(g) Even as one day follows another, so does one cross follow another, and the cross is by the figure of speech metonymy taken for the miseries of this life: for to be hanged on the cross was the most grievous and cruel punishment that there was amongst the Jews.

Lu 9:28

9:28 {6} And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

(6) So that his disciples do not stumble at his debasing himself in his flesh, he teaches them that it is voluntary, showing in addition for a moment the brightness of his glory.

Lu 9:31

9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his {h} decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

(h) What death he would die in Jerusalem.

Lu 9:36

9:36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept [it] close, and told no man in {i} those days any of those things which they had seen.

(i) Until Christ was risen again from the dead.

Lu 9:37

9:37 {7} And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

(7) Nothing offends Christ as much as incredulity, although he bears with it for a time.

Lu 9:39

9:39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and {k} bruising him hardly departeth from him.

(k) As it happens in the falling sickness.

Lu 9:43

9:43 {8} And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

(8) We have no reason to promise ourselves rest and quietness in this world, seeing that they themselves who seemed to fawn upon Christ crucify him shortly after.

Lu 9:44

9:44 {l} Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

(l) Give diligent ear to them, and once you have heard them see that you keep them.

Lu 9:46

9:46 {9} Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

(9) Ambition results in dishonour, but the result of modest obedience is glory.

Lu 9:49

9:49 {10} And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

(10) Extraordinary things are neither rashly to be allowed nor condemned.

Lu 9:51

9:51 {11} And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly {m} set his face to go to Jerusalem,

(11) Christ goes willingly to death.
(m) Literally, "he hardened his face": that is, he resolved with himself to die, and therefore ventured upon his journey and cast away all fear of death, and went on.

Lu 9:54

9:54 {12} And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

(12) We must take heed of zeal and fond imitation which is not moderated, even in good causes, that whatever we do, we do it to God's glory, and the profit of our neighbour.

Lu 9:55

9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of {n} spirit ye are of.

(n) So the Hebrews say, that is, you do not know what will, mind, and counsel you are of: so the gifts of God are called the spirit because they are given by God's Spirit, and so are the things that are contrary to them also called the spirit, which proceed from the wicked spirit, such as the spirit of covetousness, of pride, and madness.

Lu 9:57

9:57 {13} And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain [man] said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

(13) Those who follow Christ must prepare themselves to endure all discomforts.

Lu 9:59

9:59 {14} And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

(14) The calling of God ought to be preferred without any question, before all duties that we owe to men.

Lu 9:60

9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury {o} their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

(o) Who, even though they live in this frail life of man, yet are strangers from the true life, which is everlasting and heavenly.

Lu 9:61

9:61 {15} And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

(15) Those who follow Christ must at once renounce all worldly cares.

Lu 10:1

10:1 After {1} 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.

(1) The seventy are sent as the second forewarners of the coming of Christ.

Lu 10:3

10:3 {2} Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

(2) The faithful ministers of the word are in this world as lambs among wolves: but if they are diligent to do their duty, he who sent them will also preserve them.

Lu 10:4

10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute {a} no man by the way.

(a) This is spoken figuratively, which manner of speech men use when they put down more in words than is meant. This is usual among the Hebrews when they command a thing to be done speedily without delay, as is found in 2Ki 4:29 ; for in any other case courteous and gentle salutations are matters of Christian duty: as for the calling, it was only for a limited time.

Lu 10:6

10:6 And if {b} the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

(b) So say the Hebrews: that is, he that favours the doctrine of peace and embraces it.

Lu 10:7

10:7 And in the same house {c} remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

(c) Take up your lodging in that house which you enter into first, that is, do not be concerned about comfortable lodging, as men do who plan to stay in a place a long time: for here that solemn preaching of the gospel, which was used afterward when the Churches were settled, is not instituted: but these are sent abroad to all the coasts of Judea to show them that the last jubilee is at hand.

Lu 10:8

10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, {d} eat such things as are set before you:

(d) Be content with the food that is set before you.

Lu 10:10

10:10 {3} But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

(3) God is a most severe avenger of the ministry of his gospel.

Lu 10:17

10:17 {4} And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us {e} through thy name.

(4) Neither the gift of miracles, neither any other excellent gift, but only our election gives us an occasion of true joy. And only the publishing of the gospel is the destruction of Satan.
(e) For Christ's disciples used no absolute authority, but performed the miracles they did by calling upon Christ's name.

Lu 10:18

10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning {f} fall from heaven.

(f) Paul writes that the location of the devil and his angels is in the air, as is found in Eph 6:12 , and he is said to be cast down from there by force, when his power is abolished by the voice of the Gospel.

Lu 10:19

10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means {g} hurt you.

(g) Will do you wrong.

Lu 10:21

10:21 {5} 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 {h} wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

(5) The Church is contemptible, if we consider its outward appearance, but the wisdom of God is most marvellous in it.
(h) Of this world.

Lu 10:22

10:22 {6} 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].

(6) Whoever seeks the Father without the Son wanders out of the way.

Lu 10:23

10:23 {7} And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see:

(7) The difference between the Old Testament and the New consists in the measure of revelation.

Lu 10:25

10:25 {8} And, behold, {i} a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

(8) Faith does not take away but establishes the doctrine of the law.
(i) One of those who proclaimed himself to be learned in the rites and laws of Moses.

Lu 10:29

10:29 {9} But he, willing {k} to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

(9) The law defines our neighbour as anyone at all that we may help.
(k) That is, to vouch his righteousness, or show that he was just, that is, void of all faults: and Jas 5:1-20 uses the word of justification in this sense.

Lu 10:38

10:38 {10} Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

(10) Christ does not desire to be waited upon in a delicate manner, but to be heard diligently; this is that which he especially requires.

Lu 11:2

11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, {1} Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

(1) A form of true prayer.

Lu 11:3

11:3 Give us {a} day by day our daily bread.

(a) That is, as much as is needed for us this day, by which we are not prevented from having an honest care for the maintenance of our lives; but that complaining care, which kills a number of men, is cut off and restrained.

Lu 11:5

11:5 {2} And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

(2) We must pray with faith.

Lu 11:8

11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his {b} importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

(b) Literally, "impudence": but that impudency which is spoken of here is not to be found fault with, but is very commendable before God, for he is well pleased by such importunity.

Lu 11:15

11:15 {3} But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

(3) An example of horrible blindness, and such as cannot be healed, when the power of God is blasphemed by an evil conscience and pretended malice.

Lu 11:17

11:17 {4} But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth.

(4) The true way to know the true Christ from the false is this, that the true Christ has no harmony or agreement with Satan: and once we know him it is left for us to acknowledge him.

Lu 11:18

11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils {c} through Beelzebub.

(c) By the name and power of Beelzebub.

Lu 11:20

11:20 But if I with the {d} finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

(d) That is, by the power of God: so it says in Geneva "Ex 8:19".

Lu 11:21

11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his {e} palace, his goods are in peace:

(e) The word properly signifies an open and empty room in front of a house, and so in translation is taken for noblemen's houses.

Lu 11:23

11:23 {5} He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

(5) Against indifferent men, and such as love to have a compromise, who seek means to reconcile Christ and Satan together.

Lu 11:24

11:24 {6} When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

(6) He that does not continue, but is in a worse case, than he that never began.

Lu 11:27

11:27 {7} And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed [is] the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

(7) Christ does not seek praise for himself, but in our salvation.

Lu 11:33

11:33 {9} No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth [it] in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

(9) Our minds are therefore lightened with the knowledge of God, that we should give light unto others, and therefore our main labour ought to be to pray for that light.

Lu 11:37

11:37 {10} And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

(10) The service of God consists not in outward cleanliness and planned rites or ceremonies, but in the spiritual righteousness of the heart and charity.

Lu 11:41

11:41 But rather give alms {f} of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

(f) That is, according to your ability: as one would say, instead of your extortion which hindered you so that you could not eat cleanly, use charity, and in accordance with your ability be good to the poor, and in this way will that which is within the platter be sanctified even though the platter is unwashed.

Lu 11:42

11:42 {11} But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye {g} tithe mint and rue and {h} all manner of herbs, and pass over {i} judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

(11) It is the characteristic of hypocrites to stand firmly for little trifles and to let greater matters pass.
(g) You decide by God's law that the tenth part is due to be paid.
(h) Of all types of herbs, some as Augustine expounds it in his Enchiridion to Laurence, chap. 99, where he shows in like manner how that place of Paul, (God "will have all men to be saved"), 1Ti 2:4 , is to be expounded after the same manner.
(i) That is to say, that which is right and reasonable to do, for this word "judgment" contains the commandments of the second table, and the other words, "the love of God", contain the commandments of the first.

Lu 11:43

11:43 {12} Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

(12) Hypocrisy and ambition are commonly joined together.

Lu 11:44

11:44 {13} Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over [them] are not aware [of them].

(13) Hypocrites deceive men with an outward show.

Lu 11:45

11:45 {14} Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

(14) Hypocrites are very severe against other men, but think that all things are lawful for themselves.

Lu 11:47

11:47 {15} Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

(15) Hypocrites honour those saints when they are dead whom they persecute most cruelly when they are alive.

Lu 11:48

11:48 Truly {k} ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

(k) When you persecute God's servants like mad men, even as your fathers did, though you try and cover it with a pretence of godliness, yet nonetheless, by beautifying the sepulchres of the prophets, what else are you doing but glorying in your father's cruelty, and setting up monuments (as it were) in glory and triumph of it?

Lu 11:49

11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and [some] of them they shall slay and {l} persecute:

(l) They will so vex them and trouble them, that at length they will banish them.

Lu 11:50

11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was {m} shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

(m) That you may be called to give an account for it, yea, and be punished for the shedding of that blood of the prophets.

Lu 11:52

11:52 {16} Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have {n} taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

(16) Those who ought to be the door keepers of the Church have for a long time mainly hindered the people from entering into the knowledge of God.
(n) You have hidden and taken away, so that it cannot be found anywhere.

Lu 11:53

11:53 {17} And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge [him] vehemently, and to {o} provoke him to speak of many things:

(17) The more the world is reprehended, the worse it is, and yet we must not betray the truth.
(o) They proposed many questions to him, to draw something out of his mouth which they might traitorously find fault with.

Lu 12:1

12:1 In {1} the mean time, when there were gathered together {a} an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

(1) The faithful teachers of God's word, who are appointed by him for his people, must both take good heed of those who corrupt the purity of doctrine with smooth speech, and also take pains through the help of God to set forth sincere doctrine, openly and without fear.
(a) Literally, "ten thousand of people", a certain number which is given for an uncertain number.

Lu 12:4

12:4 {2} And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

(2) Although hypocrites have princes to execute their cruelty, yet there is no reason why we should be afraid of them, even by the smallest amount that may be, seeing that they can do nothing except that which pleases God, and God does not will anything that may be against the salvation of his elect.

Lu 12:5

12:5 But I will {b} forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

(b) He warns them of dangers that presently hang over their heads, for those that come upon one suddenly make a greater wound.

Lu 12:8

12:8 {3} Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

(3) Great is the reward of a constant confession: and horrible is the punishment for denying Christ; yea, it will be impossible to call the punishment back again, if on purpose, both with mouth and heart we blaspheme a known truth.

Lu 12:11

12:11 {4} And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

(4) It is a great and difficult conflict to confess the truth, yet God who can do all things and is almighty will provide strength to the weakest who struggle greatly and do battle in God's appointed time.

Lu 12:13

12:13 {5} And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

(5) For three reasons Christ would not be a judge to divide an inheritance. First, because he would not support and uphold the fleshly opinion that the Jews had of Messiah: secondly, because he wanted to distinguish the civil government from the ecclesiastical: thirdly, to teach us to beware of those which abuse the show of the gospel, and also the name of ministers, for their own private well-being.

Lu 12:15

12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of {c} covetousness: for a man's life {d} consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

(c) By covetousness is meant that greedy desire to get, commonly causing hurt to other men.
(d) God is the author and preserver of man's life; goods are not.

Lu 12:16

12:16 {6} And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The {e} ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

(6) There are none more mad than rich men who depend upon their riches.
(e) Or rather country, for here is set forth a man that possesses not only a piece of ground, but a whole country, as they do who join house to house, and field to field; Isa 5:8 .

Lu 12:17

12:17 And he {f} thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

(f) Reckoned with himself, which is the characteristic of covetous surly men who spend their life in those trifles.

Lu 12:19

12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] {g} be merry.

(g) Be merry and make good cheer.

Lu 12:21

12:21 So [is] he that layeth up treasure {h} for himself, and is not rich toward God.

(h) Caring for no man but for himself, and making sure to trust in himself.

Lu 12:22

12:22 {7} And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

(7) Earnestly thinking upon the providence of God is a present remedy for this life against the most foolish and wasting worry of men.

Lu 12:29

12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither {i} be ye of doubtful mind.

(i) A metaphor taken of things that hang in the air, for those that care too much for this worldly life, and rely upon the arm of man, always have wavering and doubtful minds, swaying sometimes this way, and sometimes that way.

Lu 12:31

12:31 {8} But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(8) They will lack nothing who are diligent for the kingdom of heaven.

Lu 12:32

12:32 {9} Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

(9) It is a foolish thing not to look for small things at the hands of him who freely gives us the greatest things.

Lu 12:33

12:33 {10} Sell that ye have, and give {k} alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

(10) A godly bountifulness is a proper way to get true riches.
(k) This is the figure of speech metonymy, for by this word "alms" is meant that compassion and friendliness of a heart that cares tenderly for the misery and poor condition of a man, and shows this feeling by some gift, and has the name given to it in the Greek language of mercy and compassion: and therefore he is said to give alms who gives something to another, and gives to the poor, showing by this that he pities their poor condition.

Lu 12:35

12:35 {11} Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning;

(11) The life of the faithful servants of God in this world is certainly a diligent journey, having the light of the word going before the journey.

Lu 12:40

12:40 {12} Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

(12) None need to watch more than they that have some degree of honour in the household of God.

Lu 12:42

12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] {l} portion of meat in due season?

(l) That is, every month the measure of corn that was given to them.

Lu 12:48

12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask {m} the more.

(m) More than the one who did not receive as much.

Lu 12:49

12:49 {13} I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

(13) The gospel is the only reason of peace between the godly, and so it is the occasion of great trouble among the wicked.

Lu 12:54

12:54 {14} And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud {n} rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

(14) Men who are very quick to see with regard to earthly things are blind with regard to those things which pertain to the heavenly life, and this through their own malice.
(n) Which appears, and gathers itself together in that part of the air.

Lu 12:57

12:57 {15} Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

(15) Men that are blinded with the love of themselves, and therefore are detestable and stubborn, will bear the punishment of their folly.

Lu 12:58

12:58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, [as thou art] in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the {o} officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

(o) To him that has to demand and gather the fines from those who were fined at the discretion of the court, people who had wrongly troubled men: moreover, the magistrate's officers make those who are condemned pay what they owe, yea and often if they are obstinate, they not only take the fine, but also imprison them.

Lu 13:1

13:1 There {1} were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood {a} Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

(1) We must not rejoice at the just punishment of others, but rather we should be instructed by it to repent.
(a) Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea almost ten years, and about the fourth year of his government, which might be about the fifteenth year of Tiberius' reign, Christ finished the work of our redemption by his death.

Lu 13:4

13:4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in {b} Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

(b) That is, in the place, or river: for Siloam was a small river from which the conduits of the city came; see Joh 9:7 Isa 8:6 ; and therefore it was a tower or a castle, built upon the conduit side, which fell down suddenly and killed some.

Lu 13:6

13:6 {2} He spake also this parable; A certain [man] had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

(2) Great and long suffering is the patience of God, but yet he eventually executes judgment.

Lu 13:7

13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why {c} cumbereth it the ground?

(c) Make the ground barren in that part which is otherwise good for vines.

Lu 13:10

13:10 {3} And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

(3) Christ came to deliver us from the hand of Satan.

Lu 13:11

13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a {d} spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself].

(d) Troubled with a disease which Satan caused.

Lu 13:12

13:12 And when Jesus saw her, he called [her to him], and said unto her, Woman, thou art {e} loosed from thine infirmity.

(e) For Satan had the woman bound, as if she had been in chains, to the extent that for eighteen years time she could not hold up her head.

Lu 13:14

13:14 {4} And the {f} ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

(4) A graphic image of hypocrisy, and the reward of it.
(f) One of the rulers of the synagogue, for it appears that there were many rulers of the synagogue, see Mr 5:22 Ac 13:15 .

Lu 13:19

13:19 {5} It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

(5) God begins his kingdom with small beginnings so that its growth, which is not looked for, may better set forth his power.

Lu 13:22

13:22 {6} And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

(6) Against those who had rather err with many than go right with a few, and because of this through their own indifference they are shut out of the kingdom of God.

Lu 13:26

13:26 {7} Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

(7) It is vain to be in the Church if one is not of the Church; and whether or not one is in the Church is shown by the purity of life.

Lu 13:28

13:28 {8} There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.

(8) The casting off of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles is foretold.

Lu 13:29

13:29 And they shall come from the {g} east, and [from] the west, and from the north, and [from] the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

(g) From all the corners of the world, and the places mentioned here are four of the main ones.

Lu 13:31

13:31 {9} The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

(9) We must go forward in regards to our calling, through the midst of terrors, whether they be real or imagined.

Lu 13:32

13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that {h} fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures {i} to day and to morrow, and the third [day] I shall be {k} perfected.

(h) That deceitful and treacherous man.
(i) That is, a small time, and Theophylact says it is a proverb: or else by "to day" we may understand the present time, and by tomorrow the time to come, meaning by this the entire time of his ministry and office.
(k) That is, when the sacrifice for sin is finished.

Lu 13:33

13:33 {10} Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the [day] following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

(10) Nowhere else are there more cruel enemies of the godly than within the sanctuary and Church itself: but God sees it and will in his time have an account for it from them.

Lu 13:34

13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her {l} brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!

(l) Literally, "the nest": now the brood of chickens is the nest.

Lu 14:1

14:1 And {1} it came to pass, as he went into the house of {a} one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

(1) The law of the very sabbath ought not to hinder the offices of charity.
(a) Either one of the elders, whom they called the sanhedrin, or one of the chiefs of the synagogue: for all the Pharisees were not chief men of the synagogue Joh 7:48 ; for this word Pharisee was the name of a sect, though it appears by viewing the whole history of the matter that the Pharisees had much authority.

Lu 14:7

14:7 {2} And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

(2) The reward of pride is dishonour, and the reward of true modesty is glory.

Lu 14:12

14:12 {3} Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor [thy] rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

(3) Against those who spend their goods either for the glory of man or for hope of recompence, whereas Christian charity considers only the glory of God, and the profit of our neighbour.

Lu 14:18

14:18 {4} And they all with {b} one [consent] began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

(4) For the most part even those to whom God has revealed himself are so mad, that any help which they have received of God they willingly turn into obstructions and hindrances.
(b) On purpose, and a thing agreed upon before: for though they give different reasons why they cannot come, yet all of them agree in this, that they have their excuses so that they may not come to supper.

Lu 14:21

14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the {c} streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

(c) Wide and broad areas.

Lu 14:25

14:25 {5} And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

(5) Even those affections which are in themselves worthy of praise and commendation must be controlled and kept in order, so that godliness may have the upper hand and have preeminence.

Lu 14:26

14:26 If any [man] come to me, and {d} hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

(d) If anything stands between God and him, as Theophylact says: and therefore these words are spoken in a comparative way, and not by themselves.

Lu 14:27

14:27 {6} And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

(6) The true followers of Christ must at once build and fight, and therefore be ready and prepared to endure all types of miseries.

Lu 14:28

14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, {e} sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?

(e) At home, and calculates all his costs before he begins the work.

Lu 14:34

14:34 {7} Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

(7) The disciples of Christ must be wise, both for themselves and for others: otherwise they become the most foolish of all.

Lu 15:1

15:1 Then drew near unto {1} him {a} all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

(1) We must not give up on those who have gone out of the way, but according to the example of Christ we must take great pains for them.
(a) Some publicans and sinners came to Christ from all areas.

Lu 15:11

15:11 {2} And he said, A certain man had two sons:

(2) Men by their voluntary falling from God, having robbed themselves of the benefits which they received from him, cast themselves headlong into infinite calamities: but God of his singular goodness, offering himself freely to those whom he called to repentance, through the greatness of their misery with which they were humbled, not only gently receives them, but also enriches them with far greater gifts and blesses them with the greatest bliss.

Lu 15:17

15:17 {3} And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

(3) The beginning of repentance is the acknowledging of the mercy of God, which encourages us to hope expectantly.

Lu 15:18

15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against {b} heaven, and before thee,

(b) Against God, because he is said to dwell in heaven.

Lu 15:21

15:21 {4} And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

(4) In true repentance there is a consciousness of our sins, joined with sorrow and shame, and from this springs a confession, after which follows forgiveness.

Lu 15:25

15:25 {5} Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

(5) Those who truly fear God desire to have all men join them in fearing him.

Lu 16:1

16:1 And he said also unto his disciples, {1} There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

(1) Seeing that men often purchase friendship for themselves at the expense of others, we are to be ashamed if we do not please the Lord or procure the good will of our neighbours with the goods which the Lord has bestowed on us freely and liberally, making sure that by this means riches, which are often occasions of sin, are used for another end and purpose.

Lu 16:8

16:8 And the lord commended {a} the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the {b} children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

(a) This parable does not approve the steward's evil dealing, for it was definitely theft: but parables are set forth to show a thing in a secret way, and as it were, to present the truth by means of an allegory, even though it may not be exact: so that by this parable Christ means to teach us that worldly men are more clever in the affairs of this world than the children of God are diligent for everlasting life.
(b) Men that are given to this present life, contrary to whom are the children of light: Paul calls the former carnal and the latter spiritual.

Lu 16:9

16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon {c} of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting {d} habitations.

(c) This is not spoken of goods that are gotten wrongly, for God will have our bountifulness to the poor proceed and come from a good fountain: but he calls those things riches of iniquity which men use wickedly.
(d) That is, the poor Christians: for they are the inheritors of these habitations; Theophylact.

Lu 16:10

16:10 {2} He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

(2) We ought to take heed that we do not abuse our earthly work and duty and so be deprived of heavenly gifts: for how can they properly use spiritual gifts who abuse worldly things?

Lu 16:11

16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the {c} true [riches]?

(c) That is, heavenly and true riches, which are contrary to material wealth which is worldly and quickly departing.

Lu 16:12

16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is {f} another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

(f) In worldly goods, which are called other men's because they are not ours, but rather entrusted to our care.

Lu 16:13

16:13 {3} No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

(3) No man can love God and riches simultaneously.

Lu 16:15

16:15 {4} And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

(4) Our sins are not hidden to God, although they may be hidden to men, yea although they may be hidden to those who committed them.

Lu 16:16

16:16 {5} The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

(5) The Pharisees despised the excellency of the new covenant with respect to the old, being ignorant of the perfect righteousness of the law; and Christ declares by the seventh commandment how they were false expounders of the law.

Lu 16:18

16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her {g} that is put away from [her] husband committeth adultery.

(g) They that gather by this passage that a man cannot be married again after he has divorced his wife for adultery, while she lives, reason incorrectly: for Christ speaks of those divorces which the Jews had which were not because of adultery, for adulterers were put to death by the law.

Lu 16:19

16:19 {6} There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in {h} purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

(6) The end of the poverty and misery of the godly will be everlasting joy, as the end of riotous living and the cruel pride of the rich will be everlasting misery, without any hope of mercy.
(h) Very gorgeously and sumptuously, for purple garments were costly, and this fine linen, which was a kind of linen that came out of Achaia, was as precious as gold.

Lu 16:23

16:23 And in hell {i} he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

(i) Heavenly and spiritual things are expressed and set forth using language fit for our senses.

Lu 16:27

16:27 {7} Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

(7) Seeing that we have a most sure rule to live by, laid forth for us in the word of God, men seek rashly and vainly for other revelations.

Lu 17:1

17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, {1} It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come!

(1) The Church is of necessity subject to offences, but the Lord will not suffer them unpunished, if any of the least be offended.

Lu 17:3

17:3 {2} Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

(2) Our reprehensions must be just and proceed from love and charity.

Lu 17:5

17:5 {3} And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

(3) God will never be utterly lacking to the godly (although he may not be as thorough with them as they wish) even in those difficulties which cannot be overcome by man's reason.

Lu 17:6

17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as {a} a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

(a) If you had no more faith, but the quantity of the grain of mustard seed.

Lu 17:7

17:7 {4} But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

(4) Seeing that God may rightfully claim for himself both us and all that is ours, he cannot be indebted to us for anything, although we labour mightily until we die.

Lu 17:10

17:10 {5} So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

(5) No matter how perfectly we may keep the law, it deserves no reward.

Lu 17:11

17:11 {6} And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

(6) Christ does good even to those who will be unthankful, but the benefits of God to salvation only profit those who are thankful.

Lu 17:20

17:20 {7} And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with {b} observation:

(7) The kingdom of God is not discerned by many although it is most present before their eyes, because they foolishly persuade themselves that it is to come with outward pomp.
(b) With any outward pomp and show of majesty to be known by: for there were still many plain and evident tokens by which men might have understood that Christ was the Messiah, whose kingdom had been so long looked for: but he speaks in this place of those signs which the Pharisees dreamed of, who looked for an earthly Messianic kingdom.

Lu 17:21

17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is {c} within you.

(c) You look around for the Messiah as though he were absent, but he is amongst you in the midst of you.

Lu 17:22

17:22 {8} And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see {d} one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see [it].

(8) We often neglect those things when they are present which we afterward desire when they are gone, but in vain.
(d) The time will come when you will seek for the Son of Man with great sorrow of heart, and will not find him.

Lu 17:23

17:23 {9} And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after [them], nor follow [them].

(9) Christ forewarns us that false Christs will come, and that his glory will suddenly be spread far and wide through the world after the shame of the cross is put out and extinguished.

Lu 17:26

17:26 {10} And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

(10) The world will be taken by surprise with the sudden judgment of God, and therefore the faithful ought to continually watch.

Lu 17:31

17:31 {11} In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

(11) We must pay careful attention that neither distrust nor the enticements of this world, nor any consideration of friendship hinder us in the least way.

Lu 17:33

17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall {e} preserve it.

(e) That is, will save it, as Matthew expounds it: for the life that is spoken of here is everlasting salvation.

Lu 17:37

17:37 {12} And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body [is], thither will the eagles be gathered together.

(12) The only way to continue is to cleave to Christ.

Lu 18:1

18:1 And {1} he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to {a} faint;

(1) God will have us to continue in prayer, not to weary us, but to exercise us; therefore we must fight against impatience so that a long delay does not cause us to quit our praying.
(a) Yield to afflictions and adversities as those do who have lost heart.

Lu 18:2

18:2 {b} Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

(b) He does not compare things that are of equal stature, but the less with the greater: If a man receives what is rightfully his at the hands of a most unrighteous judge, much more will the prayers of the godly prevail before God.

Lu 18:5

18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she {c} weary me.

(c) Literally, "beat me down with her blows", and it is a metaphor taken of wrestlers who beat their adversaries with their fists or clubs: in the same way those that are persistent beat the judge's ears with their crying out, even as it were with blows.

Lu 18:7

18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though {d} he bear long with them?

(d) Though he seems slow in avenging the harm done to his own.

Lu 18:9

18:9 {2} And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

(2) Two things especially make our prayers void and of no effect: confidence of our own righteousness, and our contempt of others; but a humble heart is contrary to both of these.

Lu 18:11

18:11 {3} The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

(3) Although we confess that whatever we have, we have it from God, yet we are despised by God as proud and arrogant if we put even the least trust in our own works before God.

Lu 18:13

18:13 And the publican, standing {e} afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

(e) Far from the Pharisee in a lower place.

Lu 18:15

18:15 {f} And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: {4} but when [his] disciples saw [it], they rebuked them.

(f) The children were tender and young in that they were brought, which appears more evidently in that they were infants. (Ed.)
(4) To judge or think of Christ after the reason of the flesh is the cause of infinite corruptions.

Lu 18:16

18:16 {5} But Jesus {g} called them [unto him], and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

(5) The elect children of the faithful are included in the free covenant of God. (Ed.)
(g) Those that carried the children, whom the disciples drove away.

Lu 18:17

18:17 {6} Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

(6) Childlike innocence is an ornament of Christians.

Lu 18:21

18:21 {7} And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

(7) The enticement of riches carries many away from the right way.

Lu 18:24

18:24 {8} And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

(8) To be both rich and godly is a singular gift of God.

Lu 18:29

18:29 {9} And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

(9) They become the richest of all who do not refuse to be poor for Christ's sake.

Lu 18:31

18:31 {10} Then he took [unto him] the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

(10) As sure and certain as persecution is, so sure is the glory which remains for the conquerors.

Lu 18:34

18:34 And they understood {h} none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

(h) By this we see how ignorant the disciples were.

Lu 18:35

18:35 {11} And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

(11) Christ shows by a visible miracle that he is the light of the world.

Lu 18:39

18:39 {12} And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.

(12) The more snares and hindrances that Satan lays in our way, even by those who profess Christ's name, so much the more ought we to go forward.

Lu 19:1

19:1 And {1} [Jesus] entered and passed through Jericho.

(1) Christ especially guides by his grace those who seem to be furthest from it.

Lu 19:2

19:2 And, behold, [there was] a man named Zacchaeus, which was the {a} chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

(a) The overseer and head of the publicans who were there together: for the publicans were divided into companies, as we may gather from many places in the orations of Cicero.

Lu 19:7

19:7 {2} And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

(2) The world forsakes the grace of God, and yet is unwilling that it should be bestowed upon others.

Lu 19:8

19:8 {3} And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by {b} false accusation, I restore [him] fourfold.

(3) The example of true repentance is known by the effect.
(b) By falsely accusing any man: and this agrees most fitly to the master of the tax gatherers: for commonly they have this practice among them when they rob and spoil the commonwealth, that they claim to be concerned for nothing else except the profit of the commonwealth, and under this pretence they are thieves, and to such an extent that if men reprove them and try to redress their robbery and thievery, they cry out that the commonwealth is hindered.

Lu 19:9

19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a {c} son of Abraham.

(c) Beloved of God, one that walks in the steps of Abraham's faith: and we gather that salvation came to that house because they received the blessing as Abraham had. (Ed.)

Lu 19:11

19:11 {4} And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

(4) We must patiently wait for the judgment of God which will be revealed in his time.

Lu 19:13

19:13 {5} And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

(5) There are three sorts of men in the Church: the one sort fall from Christ whom they do not see; the other, according to their God given position, bestow the gifts which they have received from God to his glory, with great pains and diligence; the third live idly and do no good. As for the first, the Lord when he comes will justly punish them in his time; the second he will bless according to the pains which they have taken; and as for the slothful and idle persons, he will punish them like the first.

Lu 19:16

19:16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, {d} thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

(d) This was a piece of money which the Greeks used, and was worth about one hundred pence, which is about ten crowns.

Lu 19:20

19:20 {6} And another came, saying, Lord, behold, [here is] thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

(6) Against those who idly spend their life in deliberating and in contemplation.

Lu 19:23

19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the {e} bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

(e) To the bankers and money changers. Usury or loaning money at interest is strictly forbidden by the Bible, Ex 22:25-27 De 23:19,20 . Even a rate as low as one per cent interest was disallowed, Ne 5:11 . This servant had already told two lies. First he said the master was an austere or harsh man. This is a lie for the Lord is merciful and gracious. Next he called his master a thief because he reaped where he did not sow. Finally the master said to him that why did you not add insult to injury and loan the money out at interest so you could call your master a "usurer" too! If the servant had done this, his master would have been responsible for his servant's actions and guilty of usury. (Ed.)

Lu 19:28

19:28 And when he had thus spoken, {f} he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

(f) The disciples were staggered and stopped by what Christ said, but Christ goes on boldly even though death was before his eyes.

Lu 19:29

19:29 {7} And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called [the mount] of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

(7) Christ shows in his own person that his kingdom is not of this world.

Lu 19:39

19:39 {8} And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

(8) When those linger who ought to preach and set forth the kingdom of God the most, he will extraordinarily raise up others in spite of them.

Lu 19:41

19:41 {9} And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

(9) Christ is not delighted with destruction, no not even of the wicked.

Lu 19:42

19:42 {g} Saying, {h} If thou hadst known, even thou, {i} at least in this {k} thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy {l} peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

(g) Christ stops his speech, which partly shows how moved he was with compassion over the destruction of the city that was surely to come: and partly to reprove them for their treachery and stubbornness against him, such as has not been heard of before.
(h) You at the very least, O Jerusalem, to whom the message was properly sent.
(i) If after slaying so many prophets, and so often refusing me, the Lord of the prophets, if only now, especially in my last coming to you, you had any concern for yourself.
(k) The good and prosperous time is called the day of this city.
(l) That is, those things in which your happiness stands.

Lu 19:44

19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not {m} the time of thy visitation.

(m) That is, this very instant in which God visited you.

Lu 19:45

19:45 {10} And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

(10) Christ shows after his entry into Jerusalem by a visible sign that it is his duty, given and admonished unto him by his Father, to purge the temple.

Lu 20:1

20:1 And {1} it came to pass, [that] on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon [him] with the elders,

(1) The Pharisees, being overcome with the truth of Christ's doctrine, propose a question about his outward calling, and are overcome by the witness of their own conscience.

Lu 20:9

20:9 {2} 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.

(2) It is nothing new for those who are knowledgable of the very sanctuary of God's holy place to be the greatest enemies of Christ, but in due time they will be punished.

Lu 20:20

20:20 {3} And they {a} watched [him], and sent forth {b} spies, which should feign themselves just men, {c} that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and {d} authority of the governor.

(3) The last refuge the false prophets have to destroy the true prophets is to charge them with rebellion and treason against the state.
(a) An appropriate time to take him in.
(b) Whom they had hired deceitfully.
(c) That they might latch on to something he said, and by this forge some false accusation against him.
(d) Put him to death.

Lu 20:21

20:21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the {e} person [of any], but teachest the way of God truly:

(e) You are not moved by favour of any man: and by "person" he means outward circumstances, for if a man judges according to these, there will be those who are truly alike whom he will judge to be different.

Lu 20:23

20:23 But he perceived their {f} craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

(f) Craftiness is a certain diligence and subtle knowledge to do evil, which is achieved by much use and great practise in matters.

Lu 20:27

20:27 {4} Then came to [him] certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

(4) The resurrection of the flesh is affirmed against the Sadducees.

Lu 20:34

20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The {g} children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

(g) "The children of this world" refers here to those who live in this world, and not those that are wholly given to the world (and therefore contrary to the children of light), as above in Lu 16:8 .

Lu 20:36

20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the {h} children of the resurrection.

(h) That is, men who partake in the resurrection: for as we truly say that they will indeed live who will enjoy everlasting bliss, so do those indeed rise who rise to life; though if this word "resurrection" is taken generally, it refers also to the wicked, who will rise to condemnation, which is not properly life, but death.

Lu 20:38

20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all {i} live unto him.

(i) That is, before him: a saying to take note of, for the godly do not die, though they die here on earth.

Lu 20:41

20:41 {5} And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

(5) Even though Christ is the son of David according to the flesh he is also his Lord (because he is the everlasting Son of God) according to the spirit.

Lu 20:46

20:46 {6} 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;

(6) We must avoid the example of the glory-seeking and covetous pastors.

Lu 20:47

20:47 Which devour widows' {k} houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

(k) By the figure of speech metonymy, "houses" is understood to mean the goods and substance.

Lu 21:1

21:1 And {1} he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

(1) According to the judgment of God, the poor may even exceed the rich in generosity and liberality.

Lu 21:5

21:5 {2} And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and {a} gifts, he said,

(2) The destruction of the temple is foretold so that the true spiritual building may be built, whose chief builders must and ought to be cautious.
(a) These were things that were hung up on walls and pillars.

Lu 21:8

21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come {b} in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

(b) Using my name.

Lu 21:9

21:9 {3} But when ye 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.

(3) The true temple of God is built up even in the midst of incredible tumults and most severe miseries, and this through invincible patience, so that the end result can be nothing else but most happy.

Lu 21:13

21:13 And it shall turn to you for {c} a testimony.

(c) This will be the result of your troubles and afflictions: they will be witnesses both before God and man of the treacherous and cruel dealing of your enemies, as well as of your steadfastness: A noble saying, that the afflictions of the godly and holy men pertain to the witness of the truth.

Lu 21:19

21:19 In your patience {d} possess ye your souls.

(d) Though you are surrounded on all sides with many miseries, yet nonetheless be valiant and courageous, and bear out these things bravely.

Lu 21:20

21:20 {4} And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

(4) The final destruction of the whole city is foretold.

Lu 21:23

21:23 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 {e} wrath upon this people.

(e) By "wrath" are meant those things which God sends when he is displeased.

Lu 21:24

21:24 And they shall fall by the {f} edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

(f) Literally, "mouth", for the Hebrews call the edge of a sword the mouth because the edge of the sword bites.

Lu 21:25

21:25 {g} 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;

(g) When the times have expired which are appointed for the salvation of the Gentiles and the punishment of the Jews: And so he changes topics from the destruction of Jerusalem to the history of the latter judgment.

Lu 21:26

21:26 {5} 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.

(5) After various severe trials the Lord will at last plainly appear to deliver his Church.

Lu 21:29

21:29 {6} And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

(6) We must be sober and watchful both day and night for the Lord's coming, so that we are not taken unexpectedly.

Lu 21:35

21:35 For as a snare shall it come {h} on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

(h) On all men wherever they may be.

Lu 21:36

21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to {i} stand before the Son of man.

(i) You will appear before him in a condition such that you will abide the presence and sentence of the Judge without fear.

Lu 22:1

22:1 Now the {1} feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

(1) Christ is taken upon the day of the Passover rather by the providence of his Father, than by the will of men.

Lu 22:3

22:3 {2} Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

(2) God by his wonderful providence causes him to be the minister of our salvation who was the author of our destruction.

Lu 22:4

22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and {a} captains, how he might betray him unto them.

(a) Those that had the charge of keeping the temple, who were not from among the priests and bishops, as is shown below in Lu 22:52 .

Lu 22:6

22:6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the {b} absence of the multitude.

(b) Without tumult, doing it without the knowledge of the people who used to follow him: and therefore they indeed waited patiently until they knew he was alone in the garden.

Lu 22:7

22:7 {3} Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover {c} must be killed.

(3) Christ teaches his disciples by an obvious miracle that although he is going to be crucified, yet nothing is hidden from him, and therefore that he is going willingly to death.
(c) By the order appointed by the law.

Lu 22:8

22:8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the {d} passover, that we may eat.

(d) The lamb which was the symbol of the passover: And this is said using the figure of speech metonymy, which is often used when talking about the sacraments.

Lu 22:14

22:14 {4} And when the {e} hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

(4) Christ, having ended the passover according to the order of the law, forewarns them that this will be his last banquet with them in terms of this earthly life.
(e) The evening and twilight, at which time this supper was to be kept.

Lu 22:15

22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I {f} suffer:

(f) I am put to death.

Lu 22:19

22:19 {5} And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

(5) Christ establishes his new covenant and his communication with us by new symbols.

Lu 22:20

22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This {g} cup [is] {h} the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

(g) Here is a double use of metonymy: for first, the vessel is taken for that which is contained in the vessel, as the cup is spoken of for the wine which is within the cup. Second, the wine is called the covenant or testament, whereas in reality it is but the sign of the testament, or rather of the blood of Christ by which the testament was made: neither is it a vain sign, although it is not the same as the thing that it represents.
(h) This word "the" shows the excellency of the testament, and corresponds to Jer 31:31 where the new testament is promised.

Lu 22:21

22:21 {6} But, behold, the {i} hand of him that betrayeth me [is] with me on the table.

(6) Christ shows again that he goes willingly to die, although he is not ignorant of Judas' treason.
(i) That is, his practice; the Hebrews used to speak in this way, as in 2Sa 14:19 : "Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this?"

Lu 22:22

22:22 {7} And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

(7) Although the decree of God's providence necessarily comes to pass, yet it does not excuse the fault of those who bring it to pass.

Lu 22:24

22:24 {8} And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

(8) The pastors are not called to rule but to serve.

Lu 22:25

22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called {k} benefactors.

(k) Have great titles, for so it was the custom to honour princes with some great titles.

Lu 22:28

22:28 {9} Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

(9) Those who are partakers of the affliction of Christ will also be partakers of his kingdom.

Lu 22:31

22:31 {10} And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may {l} sift [you] as wheat:

(10) We must always think about the ambush that Satan lays for us.
(l) To toss you and scatter you, and also to cast you out.

Lu 22:32

22:32 {11} But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

(11) It is through the prayers of Christ that the elect never utterly fall away from the faith: and because of this they should encourage one another on.

Lu 22:33

22:33 {12} And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

(12) In setting before us the grievous example of Peter, Christ shows that faith differs much from a vain security.

Lu 22:36

22:36 {m} Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

(m) He says all this using an allegory, as if he said, "O my friends and fellow soldiers, you have lived until now in relative peace: but now there is at hand a most severe battle to be fought, and you must therefore lay all other things aside and think about dressing yourselves in armour." And what this armour is, is shown by his own example, when he prayed afterward in the garden and reproved Peter for striking with the sword.

Lu 22:40

22:40 {13} And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

(13) Christ has made death acceptable unto us by overcoming for our sake all the horrors of death, which had the curse of God accompanying them.

Lu 22:41

22:41 {14} And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

(14) Prayers are a sure help against the most perilous assaults of our enemies.

Lu 22:44

22:44 And being in an {n} agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great {o} drops of blood falling down to the ground.

(n) This agony shows that Christ struggled hard and was in great distress: for Christ struggled hard not only with the fears of death as other men do (for in this regard many martyrs might seem more constant then Christ), but also with the fearful judgment of his angry Father, which is the most fearful thing in the world: and this was because he took the burden of all our sins upon himself.
(o) These do not only show that Christ was true man, but also other things which the godly have to consider of, in which the secret of the redemption of all mankind is contained in the Son of God when he debased himself to the state of a servant: such things as these no man can sufficiently declare.

Lu 22:45

22:45 {15} And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

(15) Men are utterly sluggish, even in their greatest dangers.

Lu 22:47

22:47 {16} And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

(16) Christ is willingly betrayed and taken so that by his obedience he might deliver us who were guilty of betraying God's glory.

Lu 22:49

22:49 {17} When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

(17) That zeal which carries us out of the bounds of our God-given position does not please Christ.

Lu 22:52

22:52 {18} Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

(18) Even the very fear of those who took Christ partly proves their evil conscience, and partly also that all these things were done by God's providence.

Lu 22:53

22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the {p} power of darkness.

(p) The power that was given to darkness to oppress the light for a time.

Lu 22:54

22:54 Then took they him, and led [him], and brought him into the high priest's house. {19} And Peter followed afar off.

(19) We have to behold in Peter an example both of the fragility of man's nature, and the singular goodness of God towards his elect.

Lu 22:63

22:63 {20} And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote [him].

(20) Christ bore the shame that was due for our sins.

Lu 22:66

22:66 {21} And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

(21) Christ is wrongly condemned of blasphemy before the high priest's judgment seat in order that we might be acquitted before God from the blasphemy which we deserved.

Lu 23:1

23:1 And {1} the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

(1) Christ, who is now ready to suffer for the rebellion which we raised in this world, is first of all pronounced guiltless, so that it might appear that he suffered not for his own sins (which were none) but for ours.

Lu 23:2

23:2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this [fellow] {a} perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

(a) Corrupting the people, and leading them into errors.

Lu 23:6

23:6 {2} When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

(2) Christ is a laughing stock to princes, but to their great pain.

Lu 23:7

23:7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto {b} Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

(b) This was Herod Antipas the Tetrarch, in the time of whose period of rule (which was almost twenty-two years long) John the Baptist preached and was put to death, and Jesus Christ also died and rose again, and the apostles began to preach, and various things were done at Jerusalem almost seven years after Christ's death. This Herod was sent into banishment to Lyons, about the second year of Gaius Caesar.

Lu 23:11

23:11 And Herod with his {c} men of war set him at nought, and mocked [him], and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

(c) Accompanied with his nobles and soldiers who followed him from Galilee.

Lu 23:12

23:12 {3} And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

(3) The hatred of godliness binds the wicked together.

Lu 23:13

23:13 {4} And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the {d} rulers and the people,

(4) Christ is acquitted the second time, even by him of whom he is condemned, so that it might appear in what way he who is just, redeemed us who were unjust.
(d) Those whom the Jews called the sanhedrin.

Lu 23:16

23:16 {5} I will therefore chastise him, and release [him].

(5) The wisdom of the flesh is to choose the lesser of two evils, but God curses such plans.

Lu 23:22

23:22 {6} And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let [him] go.

(6) Christ is acquitted the third time before he is condemned, so that it might appear that it was for our sins that were condemned in him.

Lu 23:26

23:26 {7} And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear [it] after Jesus.

(7) An example of the outrageousness and disorder of the soldiers.

Lu 23:27

23:27 {8} And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

(8) The triumph of the wicked has a most horrible end.

Lu 23:31

23:31 For if they do these things in a {e} green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

(e) As if he said, "If they do this to me who is always fruitful and flourishing, and who lives forever by reason of my Godhead, what will they do to you who are unfruitful and void of all active righteousness?"

Lu 23:33

23:33 {9} And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

(9) Christ became accursed for us upon the cross, suffering the punishment which the ones who would belong to God deserved.

Lu 23:34

23:34 {10} Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

(10) Christ, in praying for his enemies, shows that he is both the Sacrifice and the Priest.

Lu 23:35

23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided [him], saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the {f} chosen of God.

(f) Whom God loves more than all others.

Lu 23:38

23:38 {11} And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

(11) Pilate is unknowingly made a preacher of the kingdom of Christ.

Lu 23:39

23:39 {g} And {12} one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

(g) Therefore we must either take Matthew's account to be using the figure of speech synecdoche, or that both of them mocked Christ. But one of them who was eventually overcome with the great patience of God breaks forth in that confession worthy all memory.
(12) Christ, in the midst of the humbling of himself upon the cross, indeed shows that he has both the power of life to save the believers and the power of death to avenge the rebellious.

Lu 23:41

23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing {h} amiss.

(h) More than he ought.

Lu 23:43

23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in {i} paradise.

(i) God made the visible paradise in the eastern part of the world: but that which we behold with the eyes of our mind is the place of everlasting joy and salvation, through the goodness and mercy of God, a most pleasant rest for the souls of the godly, and a most quiet and joyful dwelling.

Lu 23:44

23:44 {13} And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

(13) Christ, even being at the point of death, shows himself to be God almighty even to the blind.

Lu 23:45

23:45 {14} And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

(14) Christ enters bravely and resolutely into the very darkness of death, and he does this so that he might overcome death even within its most secret places.

Lu 23:47

23:47 {15} Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

(15) Christ, as often as it pleases him, causes his very enemies to give honourable witness that he is right.

Lu 23:49

23:49 {16} And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

(16) Christ gathers together and defends his little flock in the midst of the tormentors.

Lu 23:50

23:50 {17} And, behold, [there was] a man named Joseph, a counsellor; [and he was] a good man, and a just:

(17) Christ, through his well known burial, confirms both the truth of his death as well as his resurrection, by the plain and evident witness of Pilate.

Lu 23:54

23:54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath {k} drew on.

(k) Literally, "dawning", and now beginning, for the light of the former day drew toward the going down of the sun, and that was the day of preparation for the feast, that is, the feast which was to be kept the following day.

Lu 23:55

23:55 {18} And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

(18) Christ, being set upon by the devil and all his instruments, and being even in death's mouth, places weak women in his service, bearing in mind to immediately triumph over these terrible enemies, and that without any great endeavour.

Lu 24:1

24:1 Now upon the {1} first [day] of the week, very {a} early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them.

(1) Poor humble women, who were certainly not expecting it, are chosen to be the first witnesses of the resurrection, so that there might not be any suspicion of either deceit or violence.
(a) Very early, as Mark says: or as John says, while it was yet dark, that is, when it was yet hardly the dawning of day.

Lu 24:9

24:9 {2} And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

(2) The cowardly and dastardly mind of the disciples is reproved by the brave courage of women (made so by God's great mercies) to show that the kingdom of God consists in an extraordinary power.

Lu 24:12

24:12 {3} Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and {b} stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

(3) Christ uses the incredulity of his disciples for the fuller setting forth of the truth of his resurrection, lest they should seem to have believed that too lightly which they preached afterward to all the world.
(b) As it were holding down his head, and bowing his neck, looked diligently in.

Lu 24:13

24:13 {4} And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem [about] threescore furlongs.

(4) The resurrection is proved by two other witnesses who saw it, and all the circumstances surrounding it declare that it was no forged event thought up on purpose in their own minds.

Lu 24:16

24:16 {c} But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

(c) Were held back and stayed, God no doubt appointing this to be so: and therefore his body was not invisible, but rather their eyes were dimmed.

Lu 24:18

24:18 And {d} the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

(d) Some of the old fathers think that the other disciple was the same evangelist who wrote this book, but Epiphanius, writing against the Saturnilians, says it was Nathanael; but none of these are certainties.

Lu 24:20

24:20 {5} And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

(5) It appears by conferring the prophecies of the prophets that all those things are true and certain which the evangelist have put down in writing about Christ.

Lu 24:31

24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he {e} vanished out of their sight.

(e) Suddenly taken away, and we may not therefore imagine that he was there in an invisible body, but indeed believe that he suddenly changed the place where he was.

Lu 24:35

24:35 And they told what things [were done] in the way, and how he was known of them in {f} breaking of bread.

(f) When he broke bread, which that people used to do, and as the Jews still do today at the beginning of their meals and say a prayer.

Lu 24:36

24:36 {6} And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.

(6) The Lord himself shows by certain and necessary signs that he was risen again, and risen in the same body which he had taken upon himself.

Lu 24:38

24:38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do {g} thoughts arise in your hearts?

(g) Various and doubtful thoughts which fall often into men's heads, when any strange thing occurs, thoughts of which there is no great likelihood.

Lu 24:44

24:44 {7} And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

(7) The preaching of the gospel, which was promised to the prophets, and performed in his time, is committed unto the apostles, the sum of which is repentance and remission of sins.

Lu 24:47

24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, {h} beginning at Jerusalem.

(h) The apostles, who are the preachers of the gospel, beginning at Jerusalem.

Lu 24:49

24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, {i} until ye be endued with power from on high.

(i) Until the Holy Spirit comes down from heaven upon you.

Lu 24:50

24:50 {8} And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

(8) Christ ascends into heaven, and departing bodily from his disciples, fills their hearts with the Holy Spirit.

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