Matthew 8:18-20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 8:20

Verse 20 20.Foxes have holes. The Son of God describes by these words what was his condition while he lived on the earth, but, at the same time, informs his disciples what sort of life they must be prepared to expect. And yet it is strange that Christ should say, that he had not a foot of earth on which he could lay his head, while there were many godly and benevolent persons, who would willingly receive him into their houses. But this was spoken, it ought to be observed, as a warning to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:1-34

MESSIAH 'S WORK AS COMPLEMENTARY TO HIS TEACHING . We return in this section to matter which resembles that of Mark and Luke, and undoubtedly belongs to the Framework ( vide Introduction). St. Matthew has given a lengthy summary of the teaching of the Christ, and he now supplements it by a summary of his daily work. He is not concerned with the chronological connexion of the incidents here narrated, for this is evidently to him a matter of but secondary importance. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:18

Parallel passages: Mark 4:35 ; Luke 8:22 . Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him . So also the Revised Version and Westcott and Hort margin; but Westcott and Hort text, "a multitude," with B. Probably the received text is derived from Luke 8:1 . From the parallel passages it is natural to infer that this crossing was some little time subsequent to the evening of the day on which he had healed Peter's wife's mother, etc. ( Luke 8:14-16 ), and that it was on the day in which he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:18-22

The hasty and the reluctant. We have here two types of possible disciples of Christ. Each has its defects, though they are opposite in character. I. THE HASTY DISCIPLE . One of the scribes, one of the official teachers of religion, is enraptured at what he sees of the gracious Galilaean ministry. He will follow Christ anywhere. 1 . The scribe ' s offer. It is well that he is attracted to Christ. Being attracted, he naturally desires to follow the great Teacher and Healer,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:18-27

The departure from Capernaum. I. ITS ATTENDING CIRCUMSTANCES . 1 . The multitudes. The Lord departs from them. It was not so when he saw the multitudes at the mount of the Beatitudes. He taught them then; now he departs. The enthusiasm and excitement had become very great; all the city was gathered together in wondering expectation. Perhaps they were wishing, like the five thousand after the miraculous feast, to take him by force to make him a King. He was a King, indeed, but his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:18-27

Christian discipleship. To avoid the pressure of the crowd gathered by the fame of his miracles—perhaps to disperse the crowd, lest the jealous Romans might suspect sedition—Jesus gave commandment to cross the lake. Therefore a disciple—a scribe, desiring to come into more constant communion with Jesus—said, "Teacher, I will follow thee," etc. (verses 19, 20). Another, following as a disciple (tradition says it was Philip, some say Thomas), said, "Lord, suffer me first," etc. (verses 21-22).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:19

And a certain scribe came; Revised Version, and there came a scribe. Contrast the order in Matthew 8:2 . There the leper was recognized as such before ever he came near, an emphasis being laid on him and his actions by the addition of "Behold;" here the official position is of but secondary importance. A certain ; a (Revised Version); εἶς . The Hebrew numeral not uncommonly stands for an indefinite article (cf. Matthew 9:18 . [Westcott and Hort]; Matthew 26:69 ). Trench's " ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:19-22

Parallel passage: Luke 9:57-62 . The would-be followers. Notice that St. Luke read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:20

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes . The Asiatic fox ( Vulpes corsac ) is decidedly smaller than our European species, but has the same habits. And the birds of the air (Revised Version, heaven ) have nests . So the Old Latin and the common text of the Vulgate ( nidos ), but birds do not generally live in nests, nor is "nests" so natural a meaning for κατασκηνώσεις as" shelters" (cf. Trench, loc. cit. ) . The renderings in the true text of the Vulgate ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:20

The testing of would-be disciples. These cases are more fully given by Luke ( Luke 9:57-62 ). Our Lord did not aim to be the founder of a sect, and he never showed any interest in mere numbers. He made each offer of discipleship either a test of the real religious condition of the individual, or else an opportunity for laying down or illustrating the great principles, responsibilities, and duties of his kingdom. Two cases are before us in connection with this text. Both men illustrate the... read more

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