For another let us keep the day '* holy/' and give it to God. From these two rules let us never swerre. Experience shows that there is the closest connection between Sabbath sanctification and healthy Christianity.
KoTBS. LvKB Xin. 10—17.
11. — [Which had a spirit of infirmity.] The nature of this woman's disease we are left to conjecture. It seems to have been some ailment mysteriouslj connected with possession by an unclean spirit, and caused by it There is no other case piecisely like it in the New Testament
12. — {He caUed her to Him,] Let it be noted, that this miracle was one of those which our Lord worked unsolicited and unasked. The widow at Nain is another instance. In both cases tiie peraon to whom kindness was shown, was a ^^oman.
There are some beautiful remarks in Stella's commentary on this passage. He observes that it is a striking instance of our Lords love and compassion towards sinners, if he does so much for a person, when unsolicited, how much more will he do for those who call upon him in prayer. ^
14. — {There are tix days, do.] The bitterness and sarcasm of this unhappy sf^eech, are venr remarkable. The very sight of a miracle, which ought to have convinced the ruler of the syna- gogue ih&t Jesus was the Messiah, seems to have called rorth all the corruption of bis heart. The same thing may often be remarked in some unconverted men. The nearer the kingdom , of God comes to them, the more bitter and angry they are.
[Men ought to work.] Let it be noted, that the Grwik expres- sion so translated, would be more literally rendered, " it is fit, or becoming to work." The word *' men " is not in the Greek.
Stella observes that there was a striking similarity between the character of this ruler of the synagogue, and that of many of the prelates and judges of his own day. They often pretended great zeal for the cause of religion, and persecuted any one who gave them offence. Yet this zeal in resuity was only in behalf of their own dignity and office, and not for the glory of God.
lO.-^il daughter of Abraham.] This expression certainly appears to me to make it highly probable, that this woman whom our Lord healed, was a true believer. When ZacchsBus was converted our Lord said, " He also is a son of Abraham." (Luke xix. 9.) To regard the expression as only meaning a "daughter of Abraham according to natural descent, a Jewess," seems to me • tame and unsatisdractory interpretation.