Luke 18

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:14

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted . And the publican was right; there was mercy even for him, all sin-stained though he was. The words with which the Lord closes his teaching are full of comfort. That prayer he tells us was heard and granted. The "I tell you" of Jesus here means, as Stier well puts it, "I tell you, for I know, I have seen, I have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:15

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them . Our Lord's noticing children is several times alluded to in the Gospels. There was something evidently in his look and manner which singularly attracted little ones to him. SS . Matthew and Mark both recount this blessing of the children immediately after the teaching on divorce. Our Lord thus sanctifies the bond of marriage and its legitimate offspring. It was a silent but powerful reply to the mistaken inference which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:15-16

Christ and the children: a sermon to children. This familiar and attractive scene is well conceived and described in the lines commencing, "Over the hills of Jordan." It contains valuable lessons for the young. I. THE KINDLINESS OF JESUS CHRIST . Some kind men are not kindly. They will do a great deal for you, will give much to you, will run serious risks or even make serious sacrifices on your behalf; but they are not gracious, genial, winning. They are not approachable; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:15-30

Jesus and the children. The young ruler refuses to give up his riches. The Lord speaks of the reward of them that leave all for his sake. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:15-30

The children of the kingdom. During the progress of the King towards Jerusalem, his personal influence and benediction were greatly valued. It would seem that mothers brought their children to him to be blessed, and ended by producing the very little ones. The disciples thought the line should be drawn somewhere, and so ventured to forbid the anxious mothers, only, however, to receive the significant rebuke from him, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:16

But Jesus 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 . St. Mark, who gives us here the memories of a faithful eye-witness—St. Peter—records how much displeased Jesus was when he saw them pushing back the mothers and their little ones, eager to win a smile or perhaps a touch from him whom the people justly regarded as the children's Friend. It seems also to have been the practice for Jewish mothers to bring... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:17

Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein . Jesus here reminds men that if they hope to enter the kingdom, it must be in the spirit of children, who never think of putting forward any claim of merit or paying any price for kindness showed them. His late parable of the Pharisee and publican was evidently in the Master's mind when he said this. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:17

The child of man and the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ not only opened the gate of his kingdom to the little child as he opened his arms to the little children whom the mothers of Judah brought to him; he also took the little child as a type of the true disciple. He taught us that if we wish to enter his kingdom, our spirit must be the child-spirit. Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as," etc. And what is this spirit? It is that of— I. DOCILITY , or readiness to accept... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:18

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life! This incident is related in the three synoptical Gospels. St. Matthew speaks of him as the young man. St. Luke here styles him a ruler; by some the title is supposed simply to denote that he was the ruler of a synagogue or congregation; others, however, consider that it denotes that the subject of the narrative was a ruler of the Jews, and possibly, but this is of course doubtful, a member of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:18-22

The golden chance: a sermon to the young. Many features combine to make this incident one of peculiar interest. I. THE PRINCIPAL ACTOR IS THE SCENE A YOUNG MAN . Matthew tells us this quite incidentally ( Matthew 19:22 ), but it adds great interest to the occurrence. For our hearts are drawn towards youth. Youth is innocent, ingenuous, frank, trustful, hopeful, loving. There is, moreover, some mystery about it. We know what the old man has been; we know what the man... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:15-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:15-30

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:15-30

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:18-22

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