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 man of whom Christ says, " He is my brother," have no cause to be ashamed.
Notes. Lxtkb VIII. 16—21.
16. — [Under a bed.] The word rendered " bed," signifies " a couch," such as was found in all sitting-rooms in eastern houses, and under which it is probable many things were put away, when not wanted.
17. — [For nothing is secret j dc] The application of these words and their connection with the context are not quite clear. Their primary sense appears to be that the disciples, must not suppose that our Lord's instructions were intended to be kept secret, and reserved from the world. They were not to be confined to a few favoured hearers, like the lessons of the heathen philosophers, but to be published, proclaimed, and made known to all man-
. kind. In this way the light given to the apostles would be " placed on a candlestick," and not covered and hidden.
Some think that the words point to the day of judgment, and the account which will then be taken of the use wlucb all who have seen the light of the Gospel, have made of it.
18. — [Take heed how ye hear.] Let it be remembered, in reading such sayings as these, that the bulk of mankind in all ages are peculiarly dependent on oral teaching. The number of those who have time and abilities for reading and private study will always be small. In the days when printing was not invented, and the writings of men were few, the lesson must have been specially important. But it will never lose its importance as long as the world endures.
{Whosoever hath.] This expression evidently means, "who- soever hath and maxes a good use of what he hath." The odier expression in the verse " whosoever hath not," in like maimer means, " whosoever has made no use of what he has received."
19. — [His mother and his brethren.] From this expression, many have concluded that Joseph, the husbaad of Maiy, was dov dead. Whether this was the case we do not xnow. He certainly seems to have been dead at the time of the oruoiflxiou.