Ezekiel 33:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 33:30-33

The Ezek. 33:1-29 spoke conviction to the Jews who remained in the land of Israel, who were monuments of sparing mercy and yet returned not to the Lord; in these verses those are reproved who were now in captivity in Babylon, under divine rebukes, and yet were not reformed by them. They are not indeed charged with the same gross enormities that the others are charged with. They made some show of religion and devotion; but their hearts were not right with God. The thing they are here accused of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 33:31

And they come unto thee as the people cometh ,.... As the people of God, who came to the prophets's house to hear him preach the word, and explain it for their spiritual profit and edification these came when they did, and as early and constantly, and with seeming pleasure: and they sit before thee as my people ; with great decency and reverence, and very gravely and demurely, and with seeming devotion, and stay the time out till the whole service is over; as scholars sit at the feet of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 33:31

As the people cometh - As they are accustomed to come on public days, Sabbaths, etc. With their mouth they show much love - They respected the prophet, but would not bend themselves to follow his precepts. They loved earthly things, and did not relish those of heaven. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 33:30-32

The test of piety. If we read "of thee" instead of "against thee", and understand that the captives by the Chebar were talking in not unfriendly fashion of the prophet, all the parts of this deliverance are consistent, and they supply a valuable lesson for all time. We learn what is the true test of piety; that it is found— I. NOT IN ATTENDANCE ON RELIGIOUS ORDINANCES . These Jews were saying to one another, "Come and hear," etc; and they not merely exhorted one another... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 33:30-33

Popular preaching. Ezekiel illustrates the characteristics of popular preaching in his own person and example. He is also brought to see how vain and delusive the attractiveness of it may be. I. THE SECRET OF POPULAR PREACHING . 1. A good voice . Ezekiel's preaching was "as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice." The first physical condition of preaching is to be able to make one's self heard. The story of Demosthenes declaiming with pebbles in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 33:30-33

The prophet's reception. Oftentimes have faithful ministers of religion to share the experience and the distress of Ezekiel, who was listened to with a measure of curiosity, interest, and satisfaction, but whose counsels were unheeded and whose requirements were unfulfilled. The Lord, who commissioned his servant the prophet, assured him that, notwithstanding his authoritative commission, he should meet, from many who heard his voice, with incredulity and practical rejection. Some, who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 33:30-33

Superficial religiousness. The Fall in Eden is an old story, yet it is repeated every day in our midst. Each one of us is in a garden of privilege. To each of us daily comes Divine commands and Divine prohibitions. The path by which we may rise to higher things, yea, to a higher life, lies open before us. It is straight and clearly seen. The path which runs downward to destruction is hard by. The tempter is still busy with his seductive whispers and false blandishments. Everything in our... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 33:23-33

The exhortation to repentance. Ezekiel first addresses the remnant that still linger in their ancient home, and warns them against presumptuous hopes resting on false grounds Ezekiel 33:23-29; then he turns his eyes to those near him, and points out that their apparent attention to his words was illusory.Ezekiel 33:24Those wastes - The places in the holy land devastated by the conqueror.Abraham - The argument is, Abraham was but one man, and he had the promise of the land, though he did not at... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 33:30-32

Ezekiel 33:30-32. The children of thy people Those of the captivity; still are talking against thee Or rather, of thee, as the LXX. rightly render it; for with their mouths they showed much love, as it follows in the next verse. By the walls and in the doors of their houses Both in their public places of concourse, and in their private meetings. And speak one to another, saying, Come, &c. These were such as drew nigh to God with their mouths, but their hearts were far from... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 33:21-33

News from Jerusalem (33:21-33)As soon as news reached the exiles that Jerusalem had fallen as Ezekiel had foretold, Ezekiel knew that the new phase of his work was to begin. The former restrictions on his speech and movements were lifted (21-22; cf. 24:25-27).Ezekiel received news also of certain selfish and dishonest practices among the Jews who were left in the country areas of Judah. Some of these people had seized the land of those taken into exile. They argued that if Abraham (only one... read more

Group of Brands