For another thing, He desired to teaeh them higher and more exalted views of the true nature of the Messiah. One grand error of the Scrihes and Pharisees, and indeed of most Jews, during our Lord's earthly ministry, was the low, carnal view which they held of Messiah's nature and person. They expected one who would be a prophet and a king, one greater tn an Moses and David, undoubtedly, but still not One who would be at the same time very God. To correct this error, and show the inconsistency of it with Scripture, appears to have been one part of our Lord's intention in this last public conversation which He held with His enemies.
Those who secretly wonder that our Lord did not fulfil pro phecies, and apply them publicly to Himself, in such a plain way that there could be no room left for any one to doubt, would do well to remember that this is not God's way of dealing with man. God never forces conviction on man's mind. If men are not willing to believe, there is always room left for unbelief. This is a most important principle and one which we shall do well to remember in the interpretation of unfulfilled prophecy. To expect the book of Revelation, for instance, to be fulfilled so clearly that there shall be no possibility of dispute or doubt as to its fulfilment, is expecting that which is entirely contrary to the analogy of all God's dealings with man.
^6. — [Walk in long robes.] This expression either refers to gar- ments of an extravagantly large size on which the Scribes prided themselves, or else to the fringes and borders to their garments which they put on, in obedience to the law. (Numb. xv. 38.) These fringes they made excessively large in order to impress on the minds of the common people an opinion of their own holi- ness, and their great reverence for the law.
[Love greetings.] This expression is explained in the Gospel of St. Matthew. (Matt, xxiii. 7 — 10.) They loved appellations of honour and respect, such as "Rabbi, Father, Master, Teacher," to be given to them in public places. Men often profess a desire to magnify their office, when in truth they want to magnify themselves.
[Highest seats, ..chief rooms.] The grand characteristic of hypocritical and formal religion, is love of man's praise, and the honour that comes from man. True grace can wait for honour, and cares little what it has upon earth.
The Greek word which we have rendered ** chief rooms," means literally, " the chief or uppermost reclining places " round a table at a feast It does not mean the principal apartment out of several chambers.
^7. — [Devour widows' houses.] The most probable explanation of this phrase is, that the Scribes, under pretence of charity, took
350 mCPOglTOllT THOTTOHTS.
charge of the property of widows, and pretended to manage it for them. But instead of managing it honestly and faithfully, they emhezzled it, and privately used it for their own interests.