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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:8

Verse 8 8.Clothed with soft garments Those who think that Christ here condemns the extravagance of a court are mistaken. There are many other passages in which luxury of dress, and excessive attention to outward appearance, are censured. But this passage simply means, that there was nothing in the wilderness to attract the people from every quarter; that every thing there was rude and unpolished, and fitted only to inspire disgust; and that such elegance of dress as delights the eyes is rather... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:1

Matthew only. And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end. The same formula recurs in Matthew 7:28 ; Matthew 13:53 ; Matthew 19:1 ; Matthew 26:1 . In all five cases it marks the end of important speeches. Of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence. Whence? We have no knowledge. Perhaps the place had been named in the original context, from which the discourse was derived. Matthew 9:35 suggests that it was some place on his journey (cf. Alford), hut our verse... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:1-6

The message of John. I. His QUESTION . 1 . Its cause. He had heard the works of Christ. He was in prison, in the gloomy fortress of Machaerus. He had been there six months at least, perhaps much longer. But he was not kept wholly without knowledge of the outer world; his disciples were allowed access to him; they related to him the mighty works of the great Prophet of Galilee. Nothing could interest John more deeply. The works were the works of the Christ, the Messiah; such as were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:1-6

The credentials of Messiah. The precepts of the charge which Jesus had given to his disciples are here called his commands. Christ's commissions are commands (cf. Psalms 105:8 ; 1 Corinthians 9:16 ). He "made an end of commanding." The instructions of Christ are complete. Then "he departed to teach," more privately, "and preach," publicly, "in their cities." His ministry leaves men without excuse. "Now when John had heard in prison," etc. We have here— I. THE INQUIRY OF JOHN... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:1-11

John's inquiry. I. THE MOTIVE OF THIS INQUIRY OF JOHN 'S is not at once apparent. What was causing him perplexity, if not disappointment, about our Lord? He was disappointed because the works he heard of were not the kind of works he had himself expected the Messiah to perform. His own work had been to denounce prevailing iniquities, and to predict the advent of One who should cleanse with fire where he cleansed with water; who would come in the same spirit as himself, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:2

Now when John had (omit, with the Revised Version) heard in the prison ; i.e. Machaerus (Schurer, 1. 2:27; comp. Matthew 3:1 , note; Matthew 14:1 , note). Matthew alone tells us that he was already in prison. The works of Christ ; of the Christ (Revised Version); τοῦ χριστοῦ . Not the proper name, but the official title ( Matthew 1:16 , Matthew 1:17 , notes). The title may be merely due to the evangelist's narrative, or may represent the actual terms in which the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:2

The mission of miracles. "When John had heard in the prison the works of Christ." Archbishop Thomson says, "Many Fathers are pleased to say that John had no doubts himself; that his faith was too strong for that, and that he only sent the two disciples to Jesus that they might have their faith refreshed by a stronger draught than their own master could administer. I cannot and do not believe it. There can hardly be a doubt that in thus sending his disciples to inquire of Jesus he wished to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:2-6

The Baptist ' s question , and its answer. Parallel passage: Luke 7:18-23 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:2-35

The forearming against a foreseen unbelief. Note in introduction that St. Luke's placing of this narrative is the preferable one. it was during the period of absence of the twelve, after they had been "commanded," that John was beheaded. The entire current of tiffs chapter, that seems so exceptional in its character in some respects, is blown upon and troubled, as it were, by that presence, an ever-disturbing one, the phenomenal one, of unbelief. Notice— I. A PROPHET 'S FORESEEING ... read more

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