hold of his words before the 33 Therefore in the resurrec people and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. 27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees (which deny that there is any resurrection), and they asked him, 28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brethren and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also and they left no children, and died. : 32 Last of all the woman died also. 34. The children of this world marry, &c. Marriage is intended and is proper for those who live in this world. 35. That world; the world to come. Those who shall be admitted into the world to come, will have no occasion for marriage. 36. Equal unto the angels; like the angels, in being immortal, not liable to death. Children of God; similar to God, in being not liable to death. Children of the resurrection; having attained to the resurrection, the future blessed state of the righteous. The thought which our Lord presented is this: Marriage is intended for this mortal state, where "one generation goeth and another cometh;" but it is not intended for the future state, that state being a deathless one. 38. All live unto him. They all, tion, whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. 34 And Jesus, answering, said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. all those just spoken of, the ancient patriarchs, are alive to him, though to us they are dead. Hence he calls himself still their God; for he is now, as well as formerly, their God, the Being whom they still adore and serve. To be the God of any persons is, to be the one whom they worship. Since Jehovah is, not merely was, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, these patriarchs are still alive in respect to him; because he is not a God of dead, lifeless things, but a God of living beings, who only can adore and serve him. Another view may be presented. The word translated unto him, may be translated by him. The passage would then be rendered, for all live by him. And since it is by the power of God that human life is continued from day to day, by that same power 39 Then certain of the scribes, answering, said, Master, thou hast well said. 40 And after that, they durst not ask him any question at all. 41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, CHAPTER XXI. AND he looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow, casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. 4 For all these have of their 43 Till I make thine enemies abundance cast in unto the offerthy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth him Lord; how is he then his son? 45 Then in the audience of all the people, he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. life can be continued in another world as well as in this. The Saviour had said (see Matt. 22: 29), that the Sadducees had erred through not considering the power of God. To this remark he perhaps referred in the expression now under consideration. 39-44. See Matt. 22: 41-46. 45-47. See Matt. 23: 5-7, 14. Mark 12: 38, 39. Desire to walk; love to walk. Long robes; a long, flowing article of dress, worn by persons of distinction, and adapted to attract notice by making a venerable appearance. CHAPTER XXI. 1-4. Compare Mark 12: 41-44. 5, 6. See on Matt. 24: 1,2. Gifts. ings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones, and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? Donations to the temple, and offerings of splendid quality, were suspended in various parts of the temple. Heathen temples were frequently adorned with spoils captured from enemies, and with voluntary donations in token of gratitude. The same practice was adopted by the Jews. 7-11. Compare Matt. 24: 3-8. Fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Josephus, the Jewish historian, describes very particularly several uncommon appearances in the heavens, and other singular events, which occurred before the destruction of Jerusalem, and which were considered by the Jews as portending some remarkable changes. VOL. II. 10 8 And he said, Take heed | 14 Settle it therefore in your that ye be not deceived: for hearts, not to meditate before many shall come in my name, what ye shall answer. saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars, and commotions, be not terrified for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences: and fearful sights, and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. These were explained, by some persons, in a manner favorable to the Jews, and by others, unfavorably. Josephus expresses his surprise that such signs were not properly attended to; and represents the Jews as "infatuated, as if they were without eyes to see or minds to consider, so regardless were they of the denunciations that God made to them." That the strange sights observed in the heavens, and the strange voices said to have been heard, and other singular events, were much exaggerated, is very credible; for the people were in a very feverish state of excitement, tossed about by hope and fear. But that God permitted certain things to take place which had all the effect of portents from heaven, cannot well be doubted. 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not a hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 12-19. See Matthew 24:9-13. Compare also Matt. 10: 17–22. 13. It shall turn to you for a testimony. Your being brought to trial before the magistrates shall prove to you an occasion of bearing testimony for the Messiah, and vindicating his cause. 18. See note on p. 128. 19. In your patience possess ye your souls. Patience, in the Scriptures, often means perseverance, continuance. It was by a persevering attachment to the cause of their Master that the disciples would secure the salvation of their souls. See Matt. 24: 13. 20-24. See Matt. 24: 15-22. 21. In the midst of it; in the city Jerusalem. || In the countries; the country, as distinguished from the city. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 22. All things which are written. Compare Matt. 24: 15. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory. they cherished the belief that, under the protection of the Messiah, a more 24. Trodden down; laid waste and glorious city and temple would arise, profaned; as it were, trampled on; worthy of the nation that was to be despoiled of its glory, and in the so highly distinguished as they exhands of Gentiles. Until the times pected to become. This opinion Jeof the Gentiles be fulfilled; until the sus would not encourage; he theretime when God will punish the Gen-fore used a general expression, which tiles, that is, the nations which should would be applicable to any righteous have sway over Jerusalem. For the retribution with which God might, at meaning of this expression, compare any time, visit the Gentiles. From Jer. 27 7. 50: 31; also Ps. 37: 13. the time of Jerusalem's being deIs. 13:22. The Saviour thus fore-stroyed down to the present time, it told that the Gentiles, who should has been under the dominion of trample down Jerusalem, would nations other than Jews, and has themselves be visited by the judg- never acquired its former splendor. ments of a holy God for their sins. It is now under the dominion of the But when this would take place he Turks, and Mohammedan worship is said not, as such information would maintained on ground once esteemed rather gratify useless curiosity than so holy. contribute to any practical benefit. There seems also to have been another important reason for his using an indefinite expression, and not saying definitely when the punishment of the Gentiles would come, whether speedily or after a long time, whether in this world or in another. Some of the Jews entertained the opinion that the Messiah's reign would be ushered in by dreadful calamities, in the midst of which he would suddenly come forth for the protection and deliverance of the nation. Among these calamities they reckoned the devastation of the city and temple. But 25, 26. Signs in the sun, &c. A highly-wrought description of the distress which would immediately precede the taking of the city. Compare Matt. 24: 29. || Upon the earth; more strictly, the land, namely, Judea. See the note on Matt. 27: 45. In Luke 4:25, the original word translated land is the same as the word here used. || Nations; the tribes and people in Palestine. || The sea and the waves roaring. The noise of waves is a figure expressing distress and agitation of mind. See Ps. 42: 7. 88: 7. 27. See Matt. 24: 30. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads: for your redemption draweth nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily, I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall 28. Your redemption; your deliverance from Jewish oppression. 29-33. See Matthew 24: 32-35. The kingdom of God is at hand; the Messiah is on his way to establish his righteous cause, and to destroy the opposing Jewish power. pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and SO that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 37 And in the day-time he of, the language would naturally be so shaped as to be applicable to any coming of the Messiah, whether to take vengeance on the Jewish nation, and to rescue his followers from oppression and discouragement, or to call his disciples to another world by death, or to his coming to the general judgment. See on Matt. 24: 42. 34. That day. The exhortation im. plied in the preceding words of this verse, and more fully exhibited by Matthew (24: 42-51. 25: 1—46), had brought to view a day of account and of retribution. That was the day here spoken of, and reference seems to be particularly made to the final judgment. Compare Matt. 7: 22. 34-36. These verses present, in a very brief manner, the cautions and exhortations which are given at full length by Matthew in 24: 42-51. 25:1-46. By reference to these passages in Matthew's Gospel, it will be seen that, in the exhortations to watchfulness, the Saviour appears to have passed onward in his mind, and to have connected his coming to destroy Jerusalem with another coming, namely, his coming at the end of the world to the general judgment. His exhortations in these passages have reference principally to 36. Watch, &c See Matt. 24:42. that second coming, and are conse- 25: 13. || All these things that shall quently applicable to all his follow- come to pass; the woes that shall be ers. The brief summary here pre- inflicted on the wicked. || Stand besented by Luke should, then, before the Son of man; stand accepted, explained in the same manner as be acquitted so as not to fall into conthose passages in Matthew; and, as demnation. Compare Rom. 14: 4. it is the Saviour's coming to inflict Ps. 1:5. 130: 3. judgment on his foes, and to award bliss to his disciples, that is spoken 35. As a snare; unexpectedly, when men are not looking for it. Compare Matt. 24: 50. 37. In the day-time — and at night. This verse shows the manner in |