(Szod. xxii. 1 ;) but even this was exacted only of him who had .. nade away with the property he had stolen. *If the theft be jEbttnd in his hand alive, he was only to restore double.' (Exod. zxiL 4.) But with respect to him who confessed his crime it is only said, " he shall recompense his trespass with the principal there- of, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.*' (Numb. v. 7.) Zacchssus therefore judged himself most severely." — Let us do likewise, wiien we repent
0. — [Salvation come to this house,] Some commentators maintain from this expression that ZacchsBus' family were all converted together with himself. Such an interpretation appears needless and groundless. The simplest idea is, that salvation comee to a ** house" when the head and master of it is saved.
[ffe is a son of Abraham,] This expression was probably a«Gd with a reference to the sneers of Pharisees against publir cans and sinners, as being unworthy of eternal life. Our Lord declares that however much the self-righteous Pharisees might despise Zacchseus, he was a geuuine son of Abraham, if any one was. He was one by natural descent. But better than that, he was a son of Abraham in a way the Pharisees were not. He walked in the steps of Abraham's faith and works, which they did not do. He was ose in heart with Abraham as well as in blood.
10. — [Tfte Son of man is comet <Bc.] This sentence seems to be a general reply to the uncharitable remarks of those who had wondered at Jesus, for going to be " guest with a man that was a sinner."
Our Lord declares that such persons had only displayed their ignorance of the great purpose for which He came into the world. He had come into the world to save siuners. He was aot ashamed to visit such people as Zacchaeus, and to receive them into the number of His disciples. In short, he had come ** to seek and save that which was lost."
Tliere is a close resemblance between our Lord's argument in this place, and that which we fiud Him using in the 15th chap. of St. Luke, where the Scribes and Pharisees accused Him of " receiving sinners, aud eating with them."
LTJKE Xn. 11—27.
tl And u they heard these things, li« added and spake a parable, because be ws« nigh to Jerusalem, and because
they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain no-
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BXPosnoaT tuoughtb.
blemtn went into a Ui ooimtry to re- oeiye for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13 And he called his ten wrrantB, and deliyered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I oerae.
14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him. Baying, We will not have this man to reign orer us.
15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, haying received the kingdom, then ne commanded these servants to be called unto hin^ to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gsinea ten pounds.
17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant : because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18 And the second came^ saying. Lord, thy pound hath gamed five pounds.
19 And he said likewise to him. Be thou also over five cities.
20 And another came, saying. Lord,
behold, hen u ihy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin :
21 For I feared thee, because tluou art an austere man : thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and r^a^ est that thou didst not sow.
22 And he saith unto him, Ost «f thine own mouth will I judge tliee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewosi that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow :
23 Wherefore then gayest not tliim my money into the bank, tiiat at mv coming I might have required mine own with usury ?
24 And he said unto them that stood by. Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounda.
25 (And they said unto him, LiOrd, he hatn ten pounds.)
26 For I say unto you, That unto every one whicn hath shall be gi^en ; and from him that hath not, ewen that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay iAem before me.
Thb occasion of our Lord speaking the parable before us, is clear and plain. It was intended to correct the false expectations of the disciples on the subject of Christ's kingdom. It was a prophetical sketch of things present and things to come, which ought to raise solemn thoughts in the minds of all professing Christians.
We see, for one thing, in this parable, the present pati- Hon of our Lord Jesus Christ He is compared to ^' a certain nobleman, who went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.''
When the Lord Jesus left the world, He ascended up into heaven as a conqueror, leading captivity captive. He is there sitting at the right hand of God, doing the work of a High Priest for His believing people, and ever