Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:15
He - departed thence - That is, from that part of Judea which was beyond Jordan, Matthew 19:1 ; and then went to Jericho. See Matthew 20:29 . read more
Matthew 19
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:16
One came - Instead of εις one, several MSS., the Slavonic version, and Hilary, read νεανισκος τις , a certain young man. Good, etc. - Much instruction may be had from seriously attending to the conduct, spirit, and question of this person. He came running, ( Mark 10:17 ;), for he was deeply convinced of the importance of his business, and seriously determined to seek so as to find. He kneeled, or caught him by the knees, thus evidencing his humility, and addressing himself... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:17
Why callest thou me good? - Or, Why dost thou question me concerning that good thing? τι με ερωτας περι του αγαθου . This important reading is found in BDL, three others, the Coptic, Sahidic, Armenian, Ethiopic, latter Syriac, Vulgate, Saxon, all the Itala but one, Origen, Eusebius, Cyril, Dionysius Areop., Antiochus, Novatian, Jerome, Augustin, and Juvencus. Erasmus, Grotius, Mill, and Bengel approve of this reading. This authority appears so decisive to Griesbach that he has received... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:18
Thou shalt do no murder, etc. - But some say these commandments are not binding on us. Vain, deceived men! Can a murderer, an adulterer, a thief, and a liar enter into eternal life? No. The God of purity and justice has forbidden it. But we are not to keep these commandments in order to purchase eternal life. Right. Neither Jesus Christ, nor his genuine messengers, say you are. To save your souls, Christ must save you from your sins, and enable you to walk before him in newness of life. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:19
Honour thy father and thy mother - σου thy, is omitted by almost every MS. of respectability. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself - Self-love, as it is generally called, has been grievously declaimed against, even by religious people, as a most pernicious and dreadful evil. But they have not understood the subject on which they spoke. They have denominated that intense propensity which unregenerate men feel to gratify their carnal appetites and vicious passions, self-love; whereas... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:20
All these have I kept - I have made these precepts the rule of my life. There is a difference worthy of notice between this and our Lord's word. He says, Matthew 19:17 , τηρησον , keep, earnestly, diligently, as with watch and ward; probably referring not only to the letter but to the spirit. The young man modestly says, all these ( εφυλαξα ) have I observed; I have paid attention to, and endeavored to regulate my conduct by them. I have kept them in custody. From my youth - ... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:21
If thou wilt be perfect - Τελειος ειναι , To be complete, to have the business finished, and all hinderances to thy salvation removed, go and sell that thou hast - go and dispose of thy possessions, to which it is evident his heart was too much attached, and give to the poor - for thy goods will be a continual snare to thee if thou keep them; and thou shalt have treasure in heaven - the loss, if it can be called such, shall be made amply up to thee in that eternal life about which thou... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:22
Went away sorrowful - Men undergo great agony of mind while they are in suspense between the love of the world and the love of their souls. When the first absolutely predominates, then they enjoy a factitious rest through a false peace: when the latter has the upper hand, then they possess true tranquillity of mind, through that peace of God that passeth knowledge. He had great possessions - And what were these in comparison of peace of conscience, and mental rest? Besides, he had... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:23
A rich man shall hardly enter - That is, into the spirit and privileges of the Gospel in this world, and through them into the kingdom of glory. Earthly riches are a great obstacle to salvation; because it is almost impossible to possess them, and not to set the heart upon them; and they who love the world have not the love of the Father in them. 1 John 2:15 . To be rich, therefore, is in general a great misfortune: but what rich man can be convinced of this? It is only God himself who, by... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:14
Of such is the kingdom of heaven - Or, the kingdom of heaven is composed of such. This appears to be the best sense of the passage, and utterly ruins the whole inhuman diabolic system of what is called non-elect infants' damnation; a doctrine which must have sprung from Moloch, and can only be defended by a heart in which he dwells. A great part of God's kingdom is composed of such literally; and those only who resemble little children shall be received into it: see on Matthew 18:3 ;... read more