PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels — St. Luke — Volume 1
Ryle, J. C. (John Charles), 1816–1900 · 151,572 words · 360 reading sections
Part 1
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496 wordsSECTION 2PREFACE.
The Tolume now in the reader's hands^ is a continuation of the '^Expository Thoughts on the Gospels," of which two volumes have heen already published. The general design of the work has been so fully explained in the preface 'to the volume on St Matthew, that it seems needless to say anything further on the subject. …
223 wordsSECTION 3▼L PKEFACE.
A few words on the nature of these notes may not be out of place. I am desiions to explain the object I hare had in view in tiie preparation of them. 1. My first object has been to throw light on difficulties. I can say with a good conscience that I have endeavonred to ex- amine every hard passage, and haye never turn…
999 wordsSECTION 4PBEFACE. IX.
In giving this list, I trust mj motives may not be mis- apprehended. Mj simple desire is to show that I have not written on St. Luke's Gospel in ignorance of other men's labours, and that when I disagree with them, it is not because I do not know what thej have to say. The names of those writers whom I have consulted a…
229 wordsSECTION 5X. PREFACE.
gurprised to find light wh^«e I expected daikneee, and darkness where I expected light. I have also discovered that some of the best commentaries on Scripture are oomparatively little known. I now send forth this volume with an earnest prayer, that the Holy Ghotst may bless it, and that God may be pleased to use it fo…
250 wordsSECTION 6TABLE OF CONTENTS OF EXPOSITIONS.
LtTXS. PAOS. I. 1 — 4. St. Lid:e*8 general introdnefaon to his Gospel. 1 6—12. History of Zacharias and EUsabeth, and yision of Zacharias in the temple ... 7 IS — 17. The angeVs announcement of John the Bap- tist's birth, and description of his ministry. 12 18 — 25. Unbelief of Zacharias uid consequent punish- ment .…
483 wordsSECTION 7contents of sxp08iti01i8. xiu.
Luke. page. VI. 39—45. Warning agamrt ftlse teachen, — ^importance of a blameleas life, — ^froit, the only teat of character 189 46 — 19. The two builden and the two finmdationB . 194 YII. 1 — 10. The centDiion'a aerrant at Capemamn healed 199 11—17. The widow's son at Kain restored to life .207 .18 — ^23. The me…
283 wordsSECTION 8XIT. 00NTBKT8 OT BXPOSITIOKS.
Luke. » page. IX. 12 — 17. Fire fhcrasand men fed with fire loayes and two fiflhee 300 18 — 22. Yarious opinions abotrt Christ, — Petei^s clear confession, — Christ ftyretellB His own death 304 28—27. Necessity of self-denial and canying the cross, — yalue of the sonl, — danger of being ashamed of Christ 309 28—…
237 wordsSECTION 9▼BRSE. PA.OB.
1. On St. Luke himself 6 On ''many have taken in hand " 6 On " a declaration of things most surely belieyed " . . 6 2. On * the word" 6 3. On the expression, ** from the very first " .... 6 On the expression, *^ in order " 6 On " TheophUus " 6 4. On the expression, *^ certainty " 7 5. On the << course of Abiah …
163 wordsSECTION 10YEBSE. PAGE.
36. On the angd's referring Mai7 to her cousin Eliflabeth . 80 39. On the " city of Judah/' where Zaoharias lired • 33 47. On the expression, "my Say ioiir" 38 61. On the expression, " his arm " 39 69. On the << eighth day " 43 82. On Zaoharias being communicated with by " signs " . 43 69. On the expression, " ho…
80 wordsSECTION 11CHAPTER II.
L On " Caesar Augustus " 63 On the word, the "world" 63 On the word "taxed" 63 2. On the taxing being made in the time of " Cyrenius " . 63 3. On the taxing fulfilling Gen. xlix. 10. .... 64 4. On the word "lineage" 64 7. On the expression, " her first-born son " . . . .64 On the Virgin Mary's wrapping our Lord i…
181 wordsSECTION 12COMTENTS OF NOTES. XTU VEB8E. PAGE.
82. On the ezpression, " light to GentQet," fto. ... 71 33. On the ezpreadoii, '* of him " 71 34. On Simeon bleaaing 71 35. On the prophecy, " a sword shall pierce " . • . .71 36. On the words, '' a prophetess " 76 On the tribe of Aser 77 38. On Anna speaking of Christ 77 39. On the rotom into Galilee 77 42. On…
137 wordsSECTION 13CHAPTER in.
1. On " Ituraa," &c 87 2. On Annas and Caiaphas being high priests ... 87 5. On " every valley being filled " 88 6. On " an flesh seeing salvation " 88 8. On "bringing forth fruit" 93 On " having Abraham to our fatber " .... 93 On Grod being " able from stones to raise children " . .94 14. On the expression, " wh…
124 wordsSECTION 14VEBSE. PAGE.
1. On Christ being " led by the Spirit " . . . .112 On the *' wilderness " 112 2. On the "forty days "temptation 112 3. On the devil speaking 112 On the suggestion to make " bread " .... 113 4. On the texts quoted by Christ 113 On the expression, " every word " . . . . .113 5. On the expression, " all the kingdom…
274 wordsSECTION 15TERSE.
>f 36. On the expresrion, " all anmzed On the expression, '* what a word is this ? " 87. On the word " fame " .... 86. On Simon's wife's mother 89. On the expression, ** stood over " On the feyer leaying the woman ** immediatelj •*…
38 wordsSECTION 16CHAPTER V.
4. On the expression, *' launch out into the deep " . . 1 36 6. On the words, *' their net brake '* 1 36 10. On the expression, " thou shalt catch men " . . . 1 36 On the allegorical meaning of the miraculous draft of fishes 1 36 12. On the disease of leprosy 140 1 3. On the expression, " I will " 1 40 16. On the…
194 wordsSECTION 17CHAPTER VL
1. On the second Sabbath after the first 3. On the words, " what David did " On the expression, ** when himself was an hungered 163 164 164…
26 wordsSECTION 18TXBSE. PAGE.
6. On fhe Son of man being " Lord of tfio Sabbath ** .164 8. On the publicity of our Lord's miradeB • • .169 10. On the words, " fltretoh forth thy hand " . . . .169 11. On the woid'< madness" 169 12. On the expression, " prayer to Qod ** .... 1 74 13. On the number of the apostles being " twelve " . 174 14. On B…
287 wordsSECTION 19C0HTSNT8 OF NOTES. XXI. VERSE. PAGE.
2. On the centurion whose servant was healed .... 206 3. On the centurion sending elders to Christ .... 205 6. On the expression, '* built us a synagogue " . . . . 205 6. On the apparent discrepancy between Matthew and Luke re- specting the centurion's conduct 205 On the expression, ** trouble not thyself" .... 206…
310 wordsSECTION 20VERSE.
%4. On the expression, " eating and drinking 36. On the words, " wisdom is justified of her children" 39. On the Pharisee who desired our Lord to eat with him On our Lord going to eat with the Pharisee On the expression, ** sat down to meat " 37. On the question who was " the woman who was a On the words, " was a si…
143 wordsSECTION 21PAGE.
. 232 . 233 . 239 . 239 . 239 . 240 . 241 . 241 . 241 . 241 . 241 . 241 . 241 . 242 . 242 . 242 . 342 go m 243…
20 wordsSECTION 22CHAPTER VIIL
1. On the words, " went throughout " 2. On Mary Magdalene 3. On Joanna, Ghuza, Susanna, &c. . On the women ministering unto our Lord 4. On Christ's faithful dealing with crowds 5. On the parable of the sower being illustrated by things our Lord's eyes 6. On the words, " on a rock *• . 7. On the word " thorns **.…
131 wordsSECTION 23TE&8E. FAOX.
15. On the " honest and good heart ** . ..... 2JMft On the ezpreflflion, ''keepit** 256 On the word " patience **.«..... 266 16. On the expreseion, ^ under a bed **..... 260 17. On the words, " nothing is secret, &e.*' .... 260 18. On the words, *' take heed how je hear **.... 260 On the expression, " whosoever ha…
299 wordsSECTION 24VERSE. PAGE,
48. On the words, *' hath made whole ** 284 49. On parents caring more for children than children for parents 289 On the word " master "1 289 51. On Peter, James, and John being specially favoured . . 289 52. On the words, " she is not dead but sleepeth "... 289 54. On the expression, " he put them all out **.... 2…
81 wordsSECTION 25CHAPTER IX.
1. On Judas Iscariot being sent to preach 294 On our Lord "giving power** . ^ 294 2. On apostolical succession 295 3. On the command, " take nothing for your journey ** and the word "scrip" 295 4. On the command, " there abide " 295 6. On the expression, " preaching the Gk>spel " . . . . 295 7. On the word " per…
203 wordsSECTION 26CONTENTS OF NOTES. XXT ▼EBSE. PAGE
28. On the expression, " after these flayiogs " .... 318 On Peter, James, and John being selected to be witnesses of the transfig:uratu>n .318 On the ''mountain'* where the Lord was transfigured . 318 29. Onthe words, "as he prayed** 319 On the words, " the fistshion,** ** was altered,** *' glistering ** . 319 30.…
325 wordsSECTION 27VERSE. . PAGE.
1. On the word " appointed " 349 On the seventy disciples 349 On the disciples being sent ** two and two ** ... 349 2. On the expression, " send forth ** 3.50 8. On the expression, "go your ways,*' and the emphatical 'I* send you forth." 350 4. On the command to take *' no shoes** 350 On the command to " salute …
324 wordsSECTION 28YEBSE. PAGE.
30. On the road from " Jerusalem to Jericho ** . . 380 31. On the ezpFession, *< by chance '* 380 On the Priest and Leyite being on the road .... 380 On the expression, *' passed by on the other side ** . .381 32. On the words, ** came and looked on him ** . . . 381 33. On the words, ** came where he was " .381 34…
140 wordsSECTION 29LUKE I. 1—4.
1 Forasmuch as many hare taken in hand tx> set forth in order a decla- ration of those things which are most flurely beUevBd among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto US) "which from the be^ning were eyewitnesses^ and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, hay- ing had perfect understanding of all thi…
204 wordsSECTION 30B
2 EXPOSITORY THOrOHTS. The short preface which we have now read is a peculiar feature of St. Luke's Gospel. But we shall find, on examination, that it is foil of most useful instruction. In the first place, St. Luke gives us a short, but valua- hUy sketch of the nature of a Gospel. He calls it, " a declaration of tho…
312 wordsSECTION 31LUKE, CHAP. I, VBR. 1 — 4. 3
tiie slightest excuse to those who speak of them with idolatrous veneration, because of their office and near- ness to our Lord. . He describes them as "eye-witnesses." They told men what they had seen with their own eyes, and heard with their own ears. (1 John i. 1.) — ^He describes them as "ministers of the word." T…
279 wordsSECTION 324 ZZPOSHOBT THOUGHTS.
from the Yirgin Mary, or any of the apostles, is merifr conjecture and speeolatioQ. Enough for ns to know that St. Luke wrote by inspiration of God. Unquestionably he did not neglect the ordinary means of getting know- ledge. But the Holy Ghost guided him, no less than aU other writers of the Bible, in his chc^ce of ma…
683 wordsSECTION 336 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
have no right to say. - St. Luke*s meaning appears to be simply^ this, that they wrote without any divine call or inspiration. He certainly does not refer to Matthew and Mark. Ambrose re- marks, " Matthew did not tahe in hand, nor .Mark, nor John, nor Luke. They, the divine Spirit supplying them with abimd- ance of all…
470 wordsSECTION 34LUKE, CHAP, I. VEB. 5 — 12. 7
' td us, was directed ta address Mmself in writing his GospeL The expression " most excellent,'* seems to indicate that he was no common person. It is the same expression which St. Paul used in addressing Felix and Festus. Acts xxiv. 3 : xxvi. 5. 4. — [^'Certainty.*'] This is the same word which is translated "safety"…
63 wordsSECTION 35LUKE I. 5-12.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain Priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia : and his wife was of the daugh- ters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the com- mandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no…
325 wordsSECTION 368 EXFOSITOBT THOUGHTS.
It broke the long silence of four hundred years. It told the belieying Israelite that the prophetic weeks of Daniel were at length fdlfiUed, (Dan. is. 25.) — that God's choicest promise was at length going to be accomplished, — and that 'Hhe seed'' was abont to appear in whom all the nations of the earth should be bles…
293 wordsSECTION 37LUKE, CHAP. I. VBB. 5 12. 9
(1 John iii. 7.) Happy are those Ghristian families in which it can be reported that both husband and wife are ^'righteous/' and exercise themselyes to have a oonscienoe Toid of offence toward God and toward men. (Acts sdr. 16.) Let ns mark, for another thing, in this passage, the heavy trial tphich Ood was pleased to…
609 wordsSECTION 38LUKE, CHAP. I. VBR. 5 — 12. II
belonging to another world, they trembled and were afraid. How are we to account for this fear P To that ques- tion there is only one answer. It arises from onr inward sense of weakness, guilt, and corruption. The vision of an inhabitant of heaven reminds us forcibly of our own imperfection, and of our natural unfitne…
308 wordsSECTION 3914 SXFOSITOBT THOTJOHTS.
verted, and not till then, they are provided for, bo& for time and etemity^. "A wise son maketli a glad father." (ProT. X. 1.) Whatever we seek for our sons and daughters, let us first seek that they may have a place in the covenant, and a name in the hook of life. We leam, in the third place, the nature of true great…
312 wordsSECTION 40LTTKE, CHAP. I. VEE. 13 — 17. 15
We learn, in the fourth place, that children are never too young to recewe the grace of God. Zacharias is informed that his son "shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." There is no greater mistake than to suppose that infants, by reason of their tender age, are incapable of being operated up…
298 wordsSECTION 4116 EXFOSITOBT THOUGHTS.
will ''tam hearts/^ — ^tum fhem from ignoranoe to know- ledge, from carelessness to thonghtfiilness, from sin to God. — ^He is one who will " go before the Lord," — ^he will delight in nothing so mudi as being flie messenger and herald of Jesus Christ — ^He is one who '^ will make ready a people for the Lord." He will …
404 wordsSECTION 42LUKE I. 18-^26.
18 And 2acharia8 said imto the angel, Wherebv shall I know this? for I am an old man, and mj wife well stricken in yean. 19 And the angel answering said nnto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God ; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, …
397 wordsSECTION 4318 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
Moses, and HezeHali, and Jehosliaphat, will all show us that a true believer may sometimes be oyertaken by mi- belief. It is one of the first corruptions which came into man's heart in the day of the fall, when Eve believed the devil rather than God. It is one of the most deep-rooted sins by which a saint is plagued, a…
287 wordsSECTION 44LTJKB, CHAP. I. VEB. 18 — ^25. 19
presence " and do His will. Let our aims and desires be in the same direction. Let us strive so to live, that we may one day stand with boldness before the throne of God, and serve EEim day and night in His temple. The way to this high and holy position is open before us. Christ has consecrated it for us by the offerin…
305 wordsSECTION 4520 BXPOSITORT THOTTOHTS.
Paul are very solemn : " They could not enter in because of unbeKef." (Heb. Hi. 19.) Let us watch and pray daily against this soul-ruining sin. Concessions to it rob believers of their inward peace, — ^weaken their hands in the day of battle, — bring clouds oyer their hopes, — ^make their chariot wheels drive heavily.…
322 wordsSECTION 46LUKE I. 26-33.
26 And in the sixth month the an^l Gabriel was sent from God unto'a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David ; and the virgin's name wot Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly fevoured, the Lord is with thee :…
377 wordsSECTION 4722 EXFOSITOBY THOUGHTS.
an advent of humiliation. That humiliation was to begin even from the time of His conception and birth. Let us beware of despising poverty in others, and of being ashamed of it if God lays it upon ourselves. The condition of life which Jesus voluntarily chose, ought always to be regarded with holy reverence. The commo…
892 wordsSECTION 48LUKB, CHAP. I. VEB. 26 — 83. 25
Carthage, fhey shall all come to nothing one day, and the saints of the most high shall take the kingdom. Before Jesus every* knee shall one day bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. His kingdom alone shall prove an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion that which shall not pass away. (Dan. vii. 14, 27.) The …
582 wordsSECTION 49LUKE L 34--88.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel. How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee : there- fore also that holy thing which shall be bom of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behol…
193 wordsSECTION 50LUKE, CHAP. I. VER. 34 — 38. 27
in all our reflections on this deep subject. Let us ever regard it with holy reverence, and abstain from those unseemly and unprofitable speculations upon it, in which some have unhappily indulged. Enough for us to know that *' the Word was made flesh,'' and that when the Son of God came into the world, a real " body w…
598 wordsSECTION 51LUKE, CHAP. I. TER. 34 — 38. 29
heart too hard and wicked to he ehanged. The heart of stone oan he made a heart of flesh. — ^There is no work too hard for a helieyer to do. We may do all things through Christ strengthening ns.— There is no trial too hard to he home. The grace of God is suffident for ns.— There is no promise too great to he fulfilled.…
508 wordsSECTION 52LUKE I. 39—46.
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda ; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb ; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. 4…
165 wordsSECTION 53LUKE, CHAP. I. VBR. 39 46. 31
pdid by the Yirgin Mary to her cousin Elisabeth. We are told in a striking manner how the hearts of both these holy womenwere cheered, and their minds lifted up by this interview. Without this visit, Elisabeth might never hare been so filled with the Holy Ghost, as we are here told she was ; and Mary might never have u…
608 wordsSECTION 54LUKE, CHAP. 1. YEA. 89 45. 88
of God's saints in every age but a record of men and women who obtained a good report by faith P What is the simple' story of all from Abel downwards but a narrative of redeemed sinners who believed, and so were blessed P By faith they embraced promises. By faith they lived. By faith they walked. By faith they en- dure…
358 wordsSECTION 55LUKE I. 46—56.
46 And Mary said, My soul doth ma^ify the Lord, ^ 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden : for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things ; and holy is his name. 50 And his…
940 wordsSECTION 56LUKB^ CHAP. I. TER. 46^-56. 87
every day we kaye more mercies than we deserve. Let us look around ns every week, as we travel througk the world, and see whether we have not much to thank God for. If onr hearts are in the right place, we shall never find any difficnlty in building an Ebenezer. Well would it be if out prayers and supplications were mo…
302 wordsSECTION 5738 EXPOSITOKT THOUGHTS.
come. StLch study will teach ns what to expect, check TiiiwaTraiitable expectations, and encourage ns when cast down. Happy is that man whose mind is well stored with snch knowledge. It will make him patient and hopeful. Let Tis mark, lastly, the firm grasp which the Virgin Mary had of Bible promises. She ends her hym…
407 wordsSECTION 58LUKE I. 67—66.
57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered ; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed ^eat mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the cMld ; and they called him Zach-…
644 wordsSECTION 59LUKB, CHAP. I. VE». 57—66. 41
We see in the ooiidact of Zacharias in this passage, a siriking examph of (he benefit of affliction. He resists the Irishes of his relations to call has new-bom son after hid own name. He clings firmly to the name '' John/' by which the angel Gabriel had commanded hfan to be called. He shews that his nine months' dumbn…
636 wordsSECTION 60LUKE, CHAP. I. VER. 67 — 80.
43 God. The hand of the Lord is a thousand times better than the hand of Herod. The one is weak, foolish, and uncertain ; car^g to day. and beheading to-morrow. The other is almighty, all- wise, and unchangeable. Where it holds it holds for evermore. Let us bless God that the Lord never changes. What He was in John th…
210 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1858). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.