in mind, body, or estate? There are many such in tbis world. There, are always some near our own doors. What are we doing for them P Anything, or nothing at all P May God help us to answer these questions ! The world would be a happier world if there was more practical Christianity.
Notes. Lukb X. 29 — 37.
29. — [He mlling to justify himself.] It may be doubted whether the word translated '* willing," would not have been better ren- dered " desiring." It is so translated in the following passages in St. Luke, (Luke y. 39. viii. 20: x. 24: zx. 46: xxiii. 8.), as well as in other places in the New Testament.
The expression makes clear the true character of the lawyer. He was a self-righteous man, and flattered himself that he could deserve the eternal life he had inquired about by his own doings.
[Who is my neighbour?] The lawyer, no doubt, expected that our Lord would answer according to the narrow-minded prejudi- ces of the Jewish nation at^'that time, that Jews alone were his neighbours. Major quotes two remarkable passages from Tacitus and Juvenal, proving that even among the heathen Bomans the Jews were notorious for bitterness and ill-feeling towards all who were not of their own nation.
The feeling of the Jews towards other nations is a remarkable instance of man's readiness to pervert and misapply God's laws. The law of Moses about intercourse and interman-iage with foreigners, was undoubtedly meant for the good of the Jews, to keep them a separate people among the nations of the earth. But it was never meant to sanction unkindness and want of charity.
30. — [From Jerusalem to Jericho.] The road between these two places passed through a wild and rocky country, and was noto- rious for being infested by robbers. On this account, Jerome says, it was called " the bloody way." It is a curious fact, that Dr. B'onar, one of the latest travellers in Palestine, mentions, that even now it is a dangerous road for people to travel alone, and that a lady in his company well-nigh '' feU among thieves.**
31. — [By chance.] The Greek word so rendered is only found here in the New Testament. It means literally, " by coincidence, — as it happened."
[-4 certain Priest.] There is a propriety in the mention of a Pnest and a Levite on this road. Jericho was a city specially