Finally^ let us learn to bear with ignorance in others, and to deal patiently with beginners in religion. Let ns not make men offenders for a word. Let us not set our brother down as having no grace, because he does not exhibit clear knowledge. Has he faith in Christ ? Does he love Christ? These are the principal things. If Jesus could endure so much weakness in '^.is disciples, we may surely do likewise.
Notes. Luke IX. 37—46.
38. — [Cried out.'] The Greek word so translated implies a crying out with a very loud voice. It is the same word that is used of our Lord's "crying with a loud voice" on the cross; (Matt, xxvii. 46.) and "the multitude crying out to Pilate to do as he had ever done to them." (Mark xv. 8.)
[Mine only child.] Let us rememhel* that the daughter of Jarius, whom our Saviour raised from the dead, was an only daughter, and the widow's son at Nain an only son. These things are worth notice. St. Luke is the only Gospel writer who specially mentions them.
39. — [Hardly.] Let it be noted that this word must be taken with " departed." It means " scarcely," or " with difficulty."
40. — [TJiey could not.] The reality of Satanic possession is shown by this fact We read of no disease which the disciples could not cure. But here we are told of a demoniac whose case baffled them. There was a degiee of Satanic possession, with which their weak faith was unable to grapple. It was evidently something qiiite distinct from any merely bodily ailment.
41. — [0 faithless and perverse generation.] The question has been often raised, "To whom were these words addressed? and with what purpose were they spoken ?" Were they meant to apply to the disciples only, and to be a rebuke to their unbelief? This is the opinion of Origen. — Were they, on the other hand, ad- dressed to the whole multitude of the Jews, as well as to the disciples ? This is the opinion of Hilary, Chrysostom, and Jerome. — Did our liOrd refer to the contrast between the vision of glory he had just left in the Mount of Transfiguration, itj the company of Moses and Elias, and the unbelief and wicked- ness of the generation among whom He was sojourning? This is the opinioDi of Burgon.
It may however be doubted whether these words could fairly
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