PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels — St. Luke — Volume 2
Ryle, J. C. (John Charles), 1816–1900 · 212,601 words · 507 reading sections
322 BXFOSITOBT THOUGHTS.
may be slandered and misrepresented, the Lord Jesns Christ writes all their doings in His book. He lives who testified to the importance of John the Baptist's ministry, when John was dead and buried. He will yet testify to the toil of every one of His faithful servants at the last day. In the world they may have tribul…
286 wordsSECTION 302LUKE, CHAP. XX. VER. 1 — 8. 323
religion. He must not suppose that unconverted men really believe in their own hearts all that they say. They often feel more than they appear to feel. They often say things against religion and religious people, which they secretly know to be untrue. They often know the Gospel is true, but have not the courage to conf…
389 wordsSECTION 303EXPOSITOBY THOUGHTS.
5. — l}Vhy then believed ye him not^ The meaning of this of course must be, "Why did ye not believe what he told you about me ? " 6. — [The people wlU stone us.] Grotius remarks, "They bad themselves accustomed the people to this violence. When they could not legally convict their enemies, they incited the people to s…
146 wordsSECTION 304LUKE XX. 9—19.
9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable ; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 And at the season he sent a ser- vant to the husbandmen,- that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard : but the husbandmen beat him, and sen…
330 wordsSECTION 305LUKE, CHAP. XX. VER. 9 — 19. 325
This three-fold repetition is alone sufficient to point out the importance of its contents. The parable, no doubt, was specially intended for the Jews to whom it was addressed. But we must not con- fine its application to them. It contains lessons which should be remembered in aU churches of Christ as long as the worl…
274 wordsSECTION 306326 BXPOSITORT THOUOHT8.
the sinfulness of man's heart. Few of us, it may be feared, have the least conception of the strength and yirulence of the spiritual disease with which we are bom. Few entirely realize that ''the carnal mind is enmity against God/' and that unconverted human nature, if it had the power, would cast its Maker down from H…
289 wordsSECTION 307LUKE, CHAP. XX. VER. 9 — 19. 327
have not been dealt with according to their sins, nor re- warded according to their iniquities. We should learn to be more thankful for God's mercy. We have probably little idea of the extent of our obli- gations to it, and of the number of gracious messages which the Lord of the vineyard is constantly sending to our …
303 wordsSECTION 308328 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
of the Lord in the land of Israel, was about to be taken from its unfaithful tenants. Jerusalem was to be des- troyed. The temple was to be burned. The Jews were to be scattered over the earth. — ^At the present time, it may be feared, it is a mournful picture of things yet to come on the Gentile churches in the latter…
306 wordsSECTION 309LUKE, CHAP. XX. VER. 9 — 19. 329
addresses this parable to all the people who were listening to His teaching, and not to the priests and elders only. The parable itself is a remarkable combination of figure, history, and prophecy. Cyril calls it " the history of Israel in a compendium." The parable of the sower, the parable of the mustard seed, and t…
442 wordsSECTION 310EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
have thought that the end of the yerse refers to the taking of Jerusalem hy the Romans. 1 venture to think that a hetter so- lution of the difficulty can he found. " Whosoever shall fall upon this stone," signifies every one who stumhles at Christ and His Gospel, and refuses to helieve in Him as his Saviour, during th…
300 wordsSECTION 311LUKE XX. 20—26.
20 And thev watched him, and sent forth spies, wnich should feign them- selves mst men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and au- thority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, sajdng, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the…
1,055 wordsSECTION 312334 SXPOSITORT THOUGHTS.
have been for the peace of the world, if they had been more carefdily weighed and more wisely applied ! The attempts of the civil power in some countries to control men's conscience by intolerant interference, and the attempts of the church in other countries to interfere with the action of the civil power, have repea…
298 wordsSECTION 313. LUKE, CHAP. XX. VER. 20 — ^26. 335
NoTBS. LuKB XX. 20—26. 20. — [Spies.] The Greek word so rendered is only found here. Farkhurst defines it as meaning " Liers in wait." 22. — [Lawful to give tribute to GcBsar, del ^^ ^^ ^^ remembered, that a large party among the Jews bore the yoke of the Eoman gOYemment most uneasily, and were disposed to regard wit…
438 wordsSECTION 314336 SXFOSITORT THOXJOHTS.
There are few subjects on which Christians have such need to pray for a sound mind and a clear judgment, and to ask for de- liverance from a morbidly scrupulous conscience, and especiallj on the question of the dues of " Caesar." A conscience which is very tender and sensitive about a money payment which the state dem…
330 wordsSECTION 315LUKE XX. 27—40.
27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is anv resurrection ; and mey asked him, is 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 ^vife, and raiae up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore…
111 wordsSECTION 316LUKE, CHAP. XX. VBR. 27 40.
337 33 Therefore in the reeurrectioii 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 "^ut they which shall be account- ed worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor…
394 wordsSECTION 317338 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
in reality a wonderful thing that there should rise up so many who call in question the truths of the Bihle. The marvel is rather, that in a fallen world the sect of the Sadducees should he so small. Let us take comfort in the thought that in the long run of years the truth will always prevail. Its advocates may often…
588 wordsSECTION 318340 EXP08IT0RT TH0176HT8.
neither marry nor ate given in marriage." The glorified body shall be very nnlike what it is now. It shall no longer be a clog and a hindrance to the belieyer's better nature. It shall be a meet habitation for a glorified soul. For another thing, their happiness shall be eternal. " They can die no more." No births shal…
287 wordsSECTION 319LUKE, CHAP. XX. VER. 27 40. 341
Abraham, and all the Patriarchs, were men who looked forward to a better inheritance than they had here below. "They looked for a city which had foundations." "They desired a better country, that is, an heavenly." (Heb. xi. 10 — 16.) The words of our own seventh Article are clear and unmistakeable : "They are not to be…
806 wordsSECTION 320LUKE, CHAP. XX. VBR. 27 40. 343
remarkable. They would be rendered more literally, " the resur- rection out from the dead." They seem strongly to favour the opinion that there is a first resurrection peculiar to the righteous, (feev. XX. 5, &c.) The expression, " children of the resurrection," in the following verse, seems to point the same way. 36.…
438 wordsSECTION 321LUKE XX. 41—47.
41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son ? 42 And Dayid himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son ^ 45 Then in the audience of all the p…
363 wordsSECTION 322LUK5, CHAP. XX. VER. 41 — 47. 345
perience, David's praises, and David's prayers. The hand that held the pen was generally David's. But the subject matter was often something far deeper and higher than the history of the son of Jesse. The book of Psalms, in. a word, is a book full of Christ, — Christ suffering, — Christ in humiliation,— Christ dying,— …
293 wordsSECTION 323346 SXP081T0RT THOUGHTS.
the audience of all the people he said unto His disciples, 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; which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers." This was a bold and remarkable …
294 wordsSECTION 324LUKE, CHAP. XX. VBR. 41 47. 347
may be, let us see to it that they are real, genuine, and sincere. Let us abhor the very idea of part-acting and mask-wearing in our Christianity. At any rate let us be thorough. It is a striking fact that the very first piece of armour which St. Paul recommends to the Christian soldier is "truth." " Stand therefore," …
304 wordsSECTION 325348 BXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
who neyer heard the trath. It will not fall on ignorant and neglected Englishmen, for whose soids, however sunk in profligacy, no man cared. It will fall on those who had great light and knowledge, but made no proper use of it. It will fall on those who professed great sanctity and religiousness, but in reality clung t…
382 wordsSECTION 326LUKE, CHAP. XX. VBB. 41 47. 349
For another thing, He desired to teaeh them higher and more exalted views of the true nature of the Messiah. One grand error of the Scrihes and Pharisees, and indeed of most Jews, during our Lord's earthly ministry, was the low, carnal view which they held of Messiah's nature and person. They expected one who would be …
508 wordsSECTION 327LUKE XXI. 1-4.
1 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 F«r all these have of their abun- dance cast in unto the offerings o…
302 wordsSECTION 328LUKS, CHAP. XXI. VBR. 1 — 4. 361
is too little to escape His observation. No act is too trifling to be noted down in the book of His remem- brance. The same hand that formed the sun, moon, and stars, was the hand that formed the tongue of the gnat and the wing of the fly with perfect wisdom. The same eye that sees the council-chambers of kings and emp…
324 wordsSECTION 329352 EXF06IT0RT TH0T}GH3B.
learned to say with David, " I am poor and needy ; bnt the Lord thinketh upon me." (Psalm xl. 17.) We learn, for another thing, from these verses, who they are wham Christ reckons most liberal in giving money to religiom purposes, "We read that He said of her who cast in two mites into the treasury, '' She hath cast i…
296 wordsSECTION 330LUKE, CHAP. XXI. VER. 1 4. 363^
may not be judged and condemned at the great day. Let it be a settled principle with ns to watch against stinginess, and whatever else we do with our money, to give regularly and habitually to the cause of God. — Let us remember, that although Christ's work does not depend on our money, yet Christ is pleased to test th…
1,046 wordsSECTION 331LUKE XXI. 6-9.
these things shall come to pass ? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived : for many shall come in mv name, 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 e…
446 wordsSECTION 332LUKE, CHAP. XXI. VBR. 5—9. 357
Professing Christians will do weU to remember our Lord's words in the present day. It is meet and right beyond doubt that buildings set apart for Christian worship, should be worthy of the purpose for which they are used. Whatever is done for Christ ought to be well done. The house in which the Gospel is preached, and …
575 wordsSECTION 333LTTKS^ CHAP. XXI. TSB. 5 — 9. 359
students, and talk as confidently as if they were prophets themselves. Above all, let us read prophetical Scripture with a thorough conviction that the study carries with it a blessing, and that more light may be expected on it every year. The promise remains in fuU force, " Blessed is he that readeth.'^ At the time of…
652 wordsSECTION 334LUKE XXI. 10—19.
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shaU 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 aU these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute yoUf del…
207 wordsSECTION 335LUKE, CHAP. XXI. VBB. 10 — 19. 361
kingdom : and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines and pestilences : and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.'^ These words no doubt received a partial fulfilment, in the days when Jerusalem was taken by the Eomans, and the Jews were led into captivity. It was a season of un- …
586 wordsSECTION 336LUKE, CHAP. XXI. VER. 10 — 19. 863
fulfilment. — They have been repeatedly fulfilled during the last eighteen hundred years. Wherever there have been disciples of Christ, there has always been more or less persecution. — ^They will yet receive a more full ac- complishment before the end comes. The last tribulation will probably be marked by special viol…
310 wordsSECTION 337364 BXP081T0RT THOUGHTS.
faint. He supplies them with a cheering word of en- <x)uragement, — '' Not a hair of your head shall perish/' The promise before us is wide and oomprehensive, and one which is the property of all believers in every age. A literal interpretation of it is clearly impossible. It cannot apply to the bodies of disciples. T…
311 wordsSECTION 338LUKE, CHAP. XXI. VBK. 10 — 19. 365
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. viii. 38, 39.) Notes. Luke XXI. 10—19. 10. — [Then said he unto them.] The part of the pr…
420 wordsSECTION 339366 EXF06ITORT THOUGHTS.
It is in the highest d^pree prohahle that the second advent of Jesus Christ will he preceded by similar signs and unusual appearances in the framework of nature. 12. — [Lay hands,.. persecute.. .dc] This verse appears to have a special reference to the persecutions undergone hj the early Christians, between the time o…
458 wordsSECTION 340LXJKB, CHAP. XXI. VER. 20 — 24.
367 should fall to their lot. The Christian of whom everybody speaks well, can hardly be a faithful man. It is no reply to this to point to the honours paid to eminent Christians aner their deaths, and the reject with which worldly men have attended their funerals and spoken of their memories. The world has always li…
238 wordsSECTION 341LUKE XXI. 20—24.
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem companed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Ju- dea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it de- part out ; and let not them that are m the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of venge- an…
503 wordsSECTION 342LXJKE, CHAP. XXI. VER. 20 — 24. 369
fear of trials yet to come may make our hearts faint. But it is a strong consolation to think that Christ knows all. For past, present, and future things we may safely trust Him. Nothing can ever happen to us that Christ has not known long ago. We should mark, secondly, in this passage, our Lord's words about flight i…
593 wordsSECTION 343LUKE, CHAP. XXI. VER. 20 — 24. 371
^as to be given over into the hands of Gentile rulers, and the Jews were to have no dominion over their ancient city. A fixed period is likewise foretold which was to be the time of the Gentiles' visitation, the time during which they were to enjoy privileges, and occupy a position something like that of Israel in anci…
308 wordsSECTION 344372 SXP06IT0RT THOUGHTS*
life of fiuth in the Son of God ! He is the man, and he only, who is ready for the great things coming on the earth, and ihe appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. The kingdom to which he belongs, is the only kingdom which shall never be destroyed. The King whom he serves, is the only King whose dominion shall never be ta…
840 wordsSECTION 345EXP061T0RT THODOHT8.
and coDTeited Jews was set up at Jerusalem, and flourished for a short time. 3. Some think, with Whithy and Newcome, that it refers entirely to things to come, and that the time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled when they are all fully couTerted to Christianity. 4. The true view I believe to be this. The " times of t…
205 wordsSECTION 346LUKE XXI. 25—33.
25 And there shall be Bigns in the Bun, and in the moon, and in the Stan ; and upon the earth dlBtress 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. 2/ An…
247 wordsSECTION 347LUKE, CHAP. XXT. VER. 25 33. 375
We see, firstly, in this passage, how terrible mil be the circumstances accompanying the second advent of Christ. Our Lord tells us that '' 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 ; men's hearts failing …
314 wordsSECTION 348376 BXP08IT0KY THOUGHTS.
has 80 shamefuUy neglected shall appear in the clouds of heaven, and put down every enemy under His feet ? — Surely he will call on the rocks to fall on him and on the hills to cover him. (Hosea x. 8.) But he wiU call in vain for help, if he has never called on Christ before. Happy will they be in that day who have fle…
304 wordsSECTION 349LUKE, CHAP. XXI. VBR. 26 — 33. 377
tarry." The words of Isaiah shall be fulfilled, " The Lord God shall wipe away tears irom off all faces ; and the rebuke of his people shall be taken away from off all the earth." One sure receipt for a patient spirit is to expect little from this world, and to be oyer " waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.…
314 wordsSECTION 350378 BXPOSITORT THOUGHTS.
Protestant churches to preach the Gospel to the heathen, — the general interest in the state of the Jews, — the universal shaking of governments and established institutions, — the rise and progress of the subtlest forms of infidelity, — all, all are signs peculiar to our day. All should make us remember our Lord's wor…
311 wordsSECTION 351LUKE, CHAP. XXI. VBR. 25 — 33. 379
Let us turn from the study of these verses with a deep couviction, that the second advent of Christ is one of the leading truths of Christianity. Let the Christ in whom we believe, be not only the Christ who suffered on Calvary, but the Christ who is coming again in person to judge the earth. Notes. Luke XXI. 25—33. …
419 wordsSECTION 352380 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
27. — [See the Son of man 4X)ming, do,'] These words appear to me to admit of only one signification. They describe a literal, per- sonal coming of that same Jesus Christ, who ascended up in a cloud before the eyes of the disciples from Mount Olivet. (Acts i. 9—12.) 28. — [When these things begin,., come to pass.'] Th…
477 wordsSECTION 353LTIKB, CHAP. XXI. VER. 26 — ^33. 381
large part of the prophecy before us. The coming of the Son of man is surely a totally different thing from the taking of a city. 2. Some think that "this generation," means, " the heaven and earth," (as in the following verses,) an^J the whole frame of creation. This is the view of Maldonatus. 3. Some think that " t…
458 wordsSECTION 354382 SZF06IT0RT THOUGHTS.
in defence of the view will he found in Ms works, p. 752. fol. 1672. To point oat how strikinglj this view of the text is confirmed hy the fact that the Jews are still a distinct and separate people all over the world, is of course needless. 33. — [Heaven and earth,.,pa88 away.] This expression is a pecu- liarlT stro…
102 wordsSECTION 355LUKE XXI. 34—38.
34 And take heed to yonrselves, lest at any time your hearts he overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this Ufe, 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 acc…
250 wordsSECTION 356LT7KE, CHAP. XXI. VBR. 34 38. 383
addressed to carnal-minded Pharisees, or sceptical Saddu- cees, or worldly Herodians. They were addressed to Peter, James, and John, and the whole company of the Apostles. They were addressed to men who had given up every- thing for Christ's sake, and had proved the reality of their faith by loving obedience and steady…
603 wordsSECTION 357LUKE, CHAP. XXI. VBE. 34 — 38. 386
state of thorough expectation. — In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the whole course of the world shall be stopped. The King of kings shall appear. The dead shall be raised. The living shall be changed. Unbelief shall wither away. Truth shall be known by myriads too late. The world with all its trifles and shadow…
636 wordsSECTION 358LUKE, CHAP. XXII. VER. 1 — 13.
387 ness. The words of Matthew Henry are most true on this verse, ** We cannot he safe, if we are secure." [Unawares.] The Greek woid so rendered is only found in one other place in the New Testament, and in the same connec- tion. It is there translated, "sudden." Parkhurst defines it as "sudden, unexpected, unforese…
810 wordsSECTION 359LUKE^ CHAP. XXU. VBE. 1 — 13. 389
Let hb beware of attaching an excessive importance to ministers of religion because of their office. Orders and rank confer no exemption from error. The greatest heresies have been sown, and the greatest practical abuses introduced into the church by ordained men. Hespect is imdoubtedly due to high official position. O…
292 wordsSECTION 360390 BXF06IT0RT THOUGHTS.
of our Lord's chosen apostles. He followed our Lord during the whole course of His ministry. He forsook all for Christ's sake. He heard Christ preach and saw Christ's miracles. He preached himself. He spoke like the other apostles. There was nothing about him to distinguish him from Peter, James, and John. He was never…
305 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1856). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.