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
LUKE, CHAP. VII. VBB. 11 17.
207 made/' &c. He then shows hj a quotation from Augustine, how all the created heings in existence, whether kings, or angels, or seraphims, cannot create so much as an ant. But when God says, " Let the world he made," at ouce it is made hy a word. And he concludes, " Well therefore does the Centurion say, * say in a …
343 wordsSECTION 182LUKE VII. 11—17.
11 And it came to pass the day af- ter, that he \veiit into a city called Nain ; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her…
493 wordsSECTION 183LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 11 — 17. 209
eares, nor iUness, nor deaths, nor funerals in the earth, if there had been no sin. We must bear this state of things patiently. We cannot alter it. We may thank God that there is a remedy in the Gospel, and that this life is not all. But in the mean time, let us lay the blame at the right door. Let us lay the blame on…
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yesterday, to-day, and for ever. His heart is still as compassionate as when He was upon earth. His sym- pathy with sufferers is still as strong. Let ns bear this in mindy and take comfort in it. There is no friend or comforter who can be compared to Christ. In all onr days of darkness, which must needs be many, let us…
316 wordsSECTION 185LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 11 — 17. 211
at the last day. '' The hour cometh in the which all that are in the grave shall hear His voice, and shall come forth ; they that have doue good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damna- tion." (John V. 28, 29.) When the trumpet sounds and Christ commands, there can be …
316 wordsSECTION 186212 EXPOSITORY THOUOHTS.
safe^ and when he rises again he shall see God's face in peace. Notes. Lukb VII. 11—17. 11. — [The day after.] It would appear from this expression, that the miracle recorded Id these verses, was the first instance of our Lord raising a dead person to life. The daughter of Jairus was the second instance, and Lazarus …
462 wordsSECTION 187LUKE, CHAP. VII. VEK. 11 — 17. 213
man's body probably laid on a sort of couch. In Bonar's travels in Palestine, be describes a ^neral which he saw, and says that the bier was like " a large cradle." [/ say unto thee arise.^ We should carefully note the wide difference between our Lord's manner of working miracles, and the manner in which they were wor…
503 wordsSECTION 188EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
17. — [This rumour of Him wentfortht So.] Poole remarks, " The people here saw His divine power manifestly exerted ; for the keys of the clouds, the worab, and the grave, are those keys which their teachers had taught them were kept in God's hand alone." LUKE yn. 18-23. 18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all …
374 wordsSECTION 189LUKE> CHAP. VII. VBE. 18 — ^23. 215
of inqtdry, — "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" He doubtless calculated that they would receive such an answer as would make an indelible impression on their minds. And he was right. They got an answer in deeds, as well as words, — an answer which probably produced a deeper effect than any argu…
604 wordsSECTION 190LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 18 — 23. 217
rule of Scripture, "Ye shall know them by their fruits." As Ohrist would be known by His works and doctrine, so must true Churches of Christ, and true ministers of Christ. When the dead in sin are not quickened, and the blind are not restored to sight, and the poor have no glad tidings proclaimed to them, we may genera…
1,150 wordsSECTION 191EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
22. — [The dead are raised.] The question has often been asked, To whom does our Lord refer, in saying this ? We only know of one dead person restored to life by Christ up to the present time. Tiiat person was the widow's son at Nain. The answer is simply this. It is mere assumption to say that no dead person was rais…
518 wordsSECTION 192LUKE, CHAP. VII. VBB. 24^—30. 221
Baptist, 83 soon as his messengers were departed. He saw that the people around him were apt to think lightly of John, partly because he was in prison, partly because of the inquiry which his disciples had just brought. He pleads the cause of His absent firiend in warm and strong language. He bids His hearers dismiss f…
301 wordsSECTION 193222 BXFOSITOKY THOUOHTS,
flow like JoWs popularity but was alwajrs the same. That Friend was our Lord Jesus Christ. There is comfort here for all believers who are sus- pectedy slandered, and falsely accused. Few are the children of God who do not suffer in this way, at some time or other. The accuser of the brethren knows well that character…
295 wordsSECTION 194LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 24 — 30. 223
fiurrection, would be far greater than that of John Baptist, who died before those mighty events took place. The weakest believing hearer of St. Paul would understand things, by the light of Christ's death on the cross, which John the Baptist could never have explained. Great as that holy man was in faith and courage, …
601 wordsSECTION 195LUKE, CHAP. VTI. VKB. 24:— 30. 326
What are we doing ourselves P This is flie chief ques- tion that the passage should suggest to our minds. Are we likely to be lost or saved ? Are we in the way towards heaven or hell ? Have we received into our hearts that Gos- pel which we hear ? Do we really live by that Bible which we profess to believe P — Or are w…
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[He that is least,.. greater than he.] There are many diverse and strange opinions among the commentators ahout the meaning of these words. Those who wish to examine them, will find a fiill account of them in Chemnitius and Barradius. Some think, that the " least in the kingdom of God," meana the least of those who re…
468 wordsSECTION 197LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 24 30. 227
Christ or of St. Luke, whether they are a continuation of our Lord's speech or a remark of the Evangelist's. The question is discussed at length hy Maldonatus. The ancient commentators, including Amhrose, Beda, Euthy- mius, and, according to Thomas Aquinas, Chrysostom also, regard the two verses as the words oi our Lo…
443 wordsSECTION 198228 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
translated, ''towards themselTes." The margioal reading ia *' within" themselves, which seems less prohahle than either of of the other two senses. The general meaning of the whole sentence, which ever sense of the three we take, remains un- altered. LUKE Vn. 31—35. 31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken …
330 wordsSECTION 199LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 31 — 35. 229
no message from God at all. Their pretended objections were only a cloak to cover over their hatred of God's truth. What they really disliked was, not so much God's minis- ters, as God Himself. Perhaps we read this acconnt with wonder and surprise. We think that never were men so wickedly unreasonable as these Jews we…
595 wordsSECTION 200LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 31 — 35. 231
wisdom in the ministry of John the Baptist and Himself, there were a chosen few who did. Those few were the "children of wisdom." Those few, by their lives and obe- dience, declared their full conviction that God's ways of dealing with the Jews were wise and right, and that John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus were both…
300 wordsSECTION 201233 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
Have the eyes of our understanding been opened P Hav^ we the wisdom that cometh from above ? — If we are truly wise, let us not be ashamed to confess our Master before men. Let us declare boldly that we approve the whole of His Gospel, all its doctrines and all its requirements. We may find few with us and many against…
386 wordsSECTION 202LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 31 — 35. 233
85. — [But wisdom is jmtified of aU her children!] There is some obscurity about these words. At any rate, liiere is much diversity in the interpretations which commentators put upon them. Some take the expression "children of wisdom" in a had sense, and consider the meaning to be, " those who ought to have been, or w…
409 wordsSECTION 203EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
LUKE Til. 36—60. 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jestia sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabas- ter box of ointment, 38 And stoo…
511 wordsSECTION 204LVKB, CHAP. VII. VER. 36 — 50. 236
We see in this passage that men may show some outward respect to Christ, and yet remain unconverted. The Pharisee before us is a case in point. He showed our Lord Jesus Christ more respect than many did. He even "desired Him that He would eat with him." Yet all this time he was profoundly ignorant of the nature of Chri…
286 wordsSECTION 205236 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
than Simon the Pharisee ; and our Lord might say to ms, "I have somewhat to say unto thee." We see, in the next place, in this passage, that grate- Jul love is the secret of doing much for Christ. The penitent woman, in the story before us, showed far more honour to our Lord than the Pharisee had done. She " stood at …
286 wordsSECTION 206LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 36 — 60. 237
unhealthy religious feelings may sometimes be, the great truth still remains behind, that feeling is the secret of doing. The heart must be engaged for Christ, or the hands will soon hang down. The affections must be enlisted into His service, or our obedience will soon stand still. It will always be the loving workman…
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For ever let the mighty principle laid down by our Lord in this passage, abide in our memories, and sink down into our hearts. It is one of the great comer-stones of the whole Gospel. It is one of the master-keys to unlock the secrets of the kingdom of God. The only way to make men holy, is to teach and preach free and…
314 wordsSECTION 208LUKE, CHAP. VII. VER. 36 50. 239
loved us, and died for our sins ? These are serious ques- tions. If we cannot answer them satisfactorily, we may well doubt whether we axe forgiven. The hope of for- giveness which is not accompanied by love in the life is no hope at all. The man whose sins are really cleansed away will always show by his ways that he …
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woman was, and at what time in our Lord's ministry the transactions here described took place, have occasioned much discussion, and called forth much variety of opinion among commentators. On one point only almost all are agreed : She had been a notorious sinner against the seveoth commdndment. The Romish writers, MaJ…
490 wordsSECTION 210LUKE, CHAP. VII. VBR. 36 — 50. 241
[ Which teas a sinner. 1 It is a common remark, that the Greek words so translated, mean "which used to be, in time i)aat, a sinner." I confess it appears to me doubtful, wliether the Greek word for " was," will bear so strong a meaning. How lately this woman had been living in sin, we do not know, but it is highly pro…
965 wordsSECTION 211LUKE, CHAP. VIII. VBK. 1 — 3.
243 lion. By faith, the woman reoeived our Lord's inyitation, "com« unto me and I will gire you rest." Bj faith, she embraced that inyitation, and embracing it, cast on the sins under which she had been so long labouring and heavy-laden. By faith, she boldly came to the Pharisee s house, and confessed oy her con- duct…
678 wordsSECTION 212LUKE, CHAP. VIII. VER. 1 — 3. 245
neither few nor small. They had their full share of the contempt and scorn which was poured on all fol- lowers of Jesus by the Scribes and Pharisees. They had, besides, many a trial from the hard speeches and hard usage which any- Jewish woman who thought for herself about religion would probably have to under- go. But…
614 wordsSECTION 213LUKB, CHAP. VITI. VEB. 1 3. 247
ally proYing His Church at the present day. No doubt it would be easy for Him to convert the Chinese or Hindoos in a moment^ and to call grace into being with a word, as He created light on the first day of this world's exis- tence. — ^But He does not do so. He is pleased to work by means. He condescends to use the age…
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one other place in- the New Testament : Acts xvii. 1. It is there rendered " passed through." The full idea is that of one going on a journey through a place or country. 2. — [Man/ called Mafjdalene.^ The origin of this name is differently explained hy commentators. Some think that she was so called from a Hebrew word…
482 wordsSECTION 215LTJKE, CHAP. VIII. VER. 4 15.
249 less custom, for women to supply to their instructors food and clothing from their substance.'* Hammond, in commenting on this place, thinks that Phcehe, mentioned by St. Paul to the Romans, (Rom. xvi. 1.) was a woman who had travelled with the apostles, and ministered to their wants.…
49 wordsSECTION 216LUKE YIII. 4—15.
4 And when much people were ga- thered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable : 6 A sower went out to sow his seed : and as he sowed, some fell by the way side ; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock ; and as soon as it was sprung u…
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The passage itself requires Uttle explanation. In fact, the meaning of the whole picture is so fiilly explained by our Lord Jesujs Christ, that no exposition of man can throw much additional light on it. The parable is pre- eminently a parable of caution, and caution about a most important subject, — the way of hearing…
604 wordsSECTION 218252 EXPOSITORY THODGHTS.
which must he felt, if they really exist. But it must never be forgotten that there are religious affections, which are spurious and false, and spring from nothing better than animal excitement. It is quite possible to feel great pleasure, or deep alarm, under the preaching of tho Gospel, and yet to be utteriy destitut…
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are innocent, become, when followed to excess, little better than soul-poisons, and helps to hell. Open sin is not the only thing that ruins souls. In the midst of our families, and in the pursuit of our lawful callings, we have need to be on our guard. Except we watch and pray, these temporal things may rob us of heav…
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There is only one class of hearers which is right in fhe sight of God. And what are we P Do we belong to that one P Finally, let ns leave the parable with a solemn recol- lection of the duty of every faithful preacher to divide his congregation, and give to each class his portion. The clergjnnan who ascends his pulpit…
883 wordsSECTION 221EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
let go, and is used in this sense in 1 Thess. v. 21, Heb. iii. 6, and X. 23. [Patience.'] The word so translated is sometimes used in an active sense, and sometimes in a passive. Here it is probably active, like Kom. ii. 7, and 2 Cor. i. 6.…
50 wordsSECTION 222LUKE VIII. 16—21.
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth U under a bed ; but sett^th it on a candlestick, that they which en- ter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefo…
624 wordsSECTION 223258 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
tion of religion ; yet the mere formal repetition of a set of words, when "the heart is far away," does good to no man's soul. — ^Reading the Bible is essential to the attain- ment of sound Christian knowledge ; yet the mere formal reading of so many chapters as a task and duty, without a humble desire to be taught of …
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unprepared, as if it mattered not in what way such work was done. Let us carry with us faith, reverence, and prayer. If these three are our companions, we shall hear with profit, and return with praise. We learn, finally, from these verses, the great pritUeges of those who hear the word of God, and do it. Our Lord Jes…
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Let all such take oomfort in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ which we are now considering. Let them remember that the Son of GK)d himself regards them as his own near relations I Let them not heed the lai^hter, and mockery^ and persecution of this world. The womaa of whom Christ says, " She is my mother," and the ma…
419 wordsSECTION 226LUKE, CHAP. VIII. VBR. 22 — 25.
261 from the fact of our Lord commeoding His mother to the care of John. (John xix. 27.) Who ate meant hy our Lord's " brethren," cannot now be determined. It is certain that the word so translated, does not necessarily mean the sons of our Lord's mother. It is clear, from many passages in the Bible, that the word " …
752 wordsSECTION 227LUKE, CHAP. VIII. VER. 22 — ^26. 263
moment, their Master's neyer-failing care for them in time past. They forgot that with Him they must be safe, what- ever happened. They forgot everything bnt the sight and sense of present danger, and, under the impression of it, could not even wait till Christ awoke. It is only too true that sight, and sense, and feel…
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away. (Exod. x. 13, 19.) No power i^ort of this could in a moment turn a storm into a calm. ''To speak to the winds and wayes " is a common proverb for attempting that which is impossible. But here we see Jesns speak- ing, and at once the winds and waves obey ! As man He had slept. As God He stilled the storm. It is a…
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such storms. It lies very low, and is surrounded, on almost all sides, by high hills. Sudden gusts, or squalls of wind are consequently very common. 24. — \They ceased, atnd there was a calm.] The well-known story of King Canute, in vain attempting to stop the rising tide by his command, will naturally occur to any re…
477 wordsSECTION 230LUKE, CHAP. VIII. VBR. 26—36. 267
of our souls for once completely vanquislied, — ^the "strong man'' foiled by One stronger than he, and the lion spoiled of his prey. Let us mark, first, in this passage, the miserable condi- tion of those over whom the devil reigns. The picture brought before us is a frightful one. We are told that when our Lord arriv…
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suflFerer was healed. The " many devils " by whom he had been possessed were compelled to leave him. Nor is this all. Cast forth from their abode in the man's heart, we see these malignant spirits beseeching our Lord that he would " not torment" them, or " command them to go out into the deep/' and so confessing His su…
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Let us mark, finally, the wonderful change which Christ can work in Satan's slaves. We are told that the Gada- renes "found the man out of whom the devil was departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind." That sight must indeed have been strange and astonishing I The man's past history and con…
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shows us how entirely all the facultiBs and powers of the unhappy demoniac were occupied and employed by the evil spirit which possessed him. [JesuSj thou Son of Ood^ torment me not!] These words are a stnking incidental proof that there will be a judgment, and a hell. The devils believe this, if men do not. 29. — [B…
449 wordsSECTION 234LUKE, CHAP. VIII. VER. 37 — 40. 273
Before leaving this miracle it may be well to say something about the apparent discrepancy between the account given of it by St. Matdiew, and those given by St. Mark and St. Luke. St. Matthew speaks of two demoniacs. St. Mark and St. Luke speak of only one. The explanations of the discrepancy are various. According t…
244 wordsSECTION 235LUKE VIII. 37—40.
37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besougnt him to depart from them ; for they were taken with great fear : and he went up into the sMp, and re- turned back again. 38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him : but Jetus sent him away, …
169 wordsSECTION 236274 EXPOSITORY THOI3GHT8.
request received a most remarkable answer. The whole passage is singularly instructive. Let us observe, in the first place, that the Gadarenes besought our Lord to depart from them, and their request teas granted. We read these painfully solemn words — " He went up into the ship, and returned back again." Now why did…
301 wordsSECTION 237LUKE, CHAP. VIII. VER. 37 40. 275
ever. His o£Pers and invitations are wide, and broad, and sweeping, and universal. He gives every church its day of grace and time of visitation. (Luke xix. 44.) But if men persist in refusing His counsel, He has nowhere promised to persist in forcing it upon them. People who have the Gospel, and yet refuse to obey it,…
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thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee." We can easily understand the request that this man made. He felt deeply grateful for the amazing mercy which he had just received in being cured. He felt full of love and warm affection toward Him, who had so wonderfully and graciously cured him. He …
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Notes. Luke. Vni. 37—40. 37. — [Besought him to depart.] It has been remarked by many commentators, that these Gadarenes are an exact type of the men of this world. They saw the miraculous deliverance of a fellow creature from Satan's power, and took no interest in it. But they saw the loss of their swine with deep co…
506 wordsSECTION 240LUKE, CHAP. VIII. VBR. 41 48.
279 a servant's anotber. These things are not sufficiently con- sidered. The wise .variety of our Lord's counsels, is a subject which deserves close study. LUKE Vin. 41—48. 41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a luler of the synagogue : and he fell down at Jesus feet, and besought him that he wo…
392 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.