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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:14

Verse 14 Matthew 9:14.Then come to him the disciples of John. Luke represents the Pharisees as speaking: Mark appears to connect both. And, indeed, there is no room to doubt that the Pharisees maliciously endeavored, by this stratagem, to draw the disciples of John to their party, and to produce a quarrel between them and the disciples of Christ. A resemblance in prayers and fastings was a plausible pretext for associating at this time: while the different manner in which Christ acted was an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:15

Verse 15 15.Can the children of the bridegroom mourn? Christ apologizes for his disciples on the score of the season, alleging that God was still pleased to indulge them in joyous feelings, as if they were present at a marriage: for he compares himself to the bridegroom, who enlivens his friends by his presence. Chrysostom thinks that this comparison was taken from the testimony of John the Baptist, He that hath the bride is the bridegroom, (John 3:29.) I have no objection to that view, though... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:16

Verse 16 16.And no man putteth a piece of fresh cloth. He supports the preceding statement by two comparisons, one of which is taken from garments, and the other from vessels of wine Those who think that he compares worn-out garments and decayed bottles to the Pharisees, and new wine and fresh cloth to the doctrine of the gospel, have no probability on their side. The comparison is beautifully adapted to the matter in hand, if we explain it as referring to the weak and tender disciples of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:1-17

At Capernaum. The choice of Capernaum as suitable centre justified by results. Rapid spread of our Lord's fame. Eager crowds gathering from far and near. Picture scene: Here, father carrying drooping child; there, little girl with blind father; camel bearing woman bowed with infirmity; sick of all kinds brought by friends; crowd ever increasing; silence broken only by occasional yell of a possessed one or moans of sufferers. Crowds waiting before daylight, but Jesus not there—gone to a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:1-26

The Lord of both lives. Notice in introduction one of the simplest instances of the way in which the three very various accounts of our Lord's life and works supply one another, add greatly to our information, and form a network of evidence of the authenticity of the narrative which it would seem impossible to gainsay. Observe— I. THE GRACIOUS ACTION TAKEN BY THE SAVIOUR SO PROMPTLY ON THE FIRST SIGHT OF FAITH . Notice the fact that the forgiveness of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:9-17

3. THE LIBERTY OF THE GOSPEL AS SHOWN BY CHRIST 'S TREATMENT OF THE OUTCAST , AND HIS ANSWER TO THOSE WHO INSISTED ON FASTING . (cf. Matthew 8:1-34 . l, note.) Observe in this section the signs of opposition read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:9-17

St. Matthew. I. HIS CALL . 1 . His occupation. He was a publican, a tax-gatherer. The whole class was hated by the Jews as symbols and instruments of a foreign rule; they returned the hatred and contempt with which they were regarded; they exacted more than was appointed them; they were guilty, most of them perhaps, of oppression, of fraud, of unjust accusation. But if all were hated, Hebrew publicans must have been looked upon with an especial hatred. They had sold themselves for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14

Then ( τότε ). In this case the close chronological connexion with the preceding incident is confirmed by the parallel passages (especially Luke). Came ( come , Revised Version) to him. They move forward among the crowd, and draw near to him ( προσέρχονται αὐτῷ ) . The disciples of John ( vide supra ), saying, Why (of. verse 11) do we and the Pharisees fast? . Oft ( πολλά ); Textus Receptus, and Westcott and Hort margin, with all the versions and the great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14-17

Christ ' s care for the free-dora of his disciples from ceremonial bondage. He teaches that the standpoint of the Baptist was preparatory ( Matthew 3:1-17 .), and was not intended to be a permanent resting-place. Observe that of the three accounts St. Matthew's points out the most clearly that the objection originated with the disciples of John the Baptist. Perhaps St. Matthew found these possessing special influence in the part for which his Gospel was primarily intended. So also St.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14-17

Human disfigurings of the Church's order and discipline. Observe— I. THE FORESHADOWING FOUND HERE OF THAT LONG HISTORY OF HUMAN INTERFERENCES WITH THE UNWRITTEN BUT SIMPLE MANIFEST ORDER OF THE CHURCH 'S LIFE AND PRACTICE AS GUIDED EVEN BY REASON . II. THE FORESHADOWING HEREIN OF HUMAN RENDINGS OF THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH IN MATTERS NOT OF DOCTRINE NOR , JUSTLY SPEAKING :, OF ... read more

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