Christ, was James e: and John was soon imprisoned and beaten for the Gospel's sakef; and, after a life of many trials, was banished to the Isle of Patmos, where he speaks of himself, at the age of a hundred years, as " a companion in tribulation in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ g. Thus he most effectually counteracted their ambitious views, by shewing them, that, instead of honours in this world, they must look for nothing but tribulations and persecutions even unto death.]
3. To what persons it should ultimately be given — [In the last verse of our text, there are words inserted in italics by our translators, in order to supply what they sup- posed necessary to complete the sense ; but there was no occasion for that addition ; and, in fact, it obscures, instead of illustrating, the meaning of the passage. Our Lord tells his Disciples, that the chief places in his kingdom were to be dis- posed of by him, not according to his own mere arbitrary will, but agreeably to a plan concerted from all eternity between his Father and himself; and that they only would possess the highest place for whom that, place had been prepared11. His words however admit of two distinct meanings ; they may be understood as declaring, that his gift of eternal life is limited by the decrees of God, or that it is regulated by the attainments of men. In either of these views, they contain important instruction. God the Father did, from all eternity, enter into covenant with his Son, and give to him a people, whom he should redeem by his blood, and save by his effectual grace; and on whom he should confer everlasting happiness in heaven. Of these our blessed Lord frequently speaks as of persons given to him by the Father; and he plainly declares elsewhere, that his bestowing of eternal life was limited to them1. But it is equally true, that the degrees of glory which shall be con- ferred on different persons will be proportioned to their attain- ments in grace: it is expressly said, that " every man shall receive according to his own labour*." Of course, there are higher degrees of glory prepared for those who labour and suffer much for their Lord, and lower degrees for those who are less diligent. The parables of the pounds and of the talents are decisive upon this point. In this sense of the words, our Lord's reply appears to be more pertinent than in the other ; for then the import of them will be to this effect : ' Do not be looking for earthly honour, but for the honour that cometh of God; and be as ambitious for that as you will : only remember, that the degrees of it which you shall obtain,
e Acts xii. 2. f Acts v. 40. s Rev. i. 9.
h The word dXkd is used in the sense of a f,t>). Compare Mark ix. 8. with Matt. xvii. 8.
1 John xvii. 2, 24. * 1 Cor. iii. 8.