extreme adversity : our Lord therefore, in this passage, alludes to His own Cross, which He was already bearing in secret. — Xa/i/3ai/£/, taketh) sc. willingly.
39. ^^r,v, soul) i.e., man with respect to his natural life, himself; cf. Luke ix. 24, 25. — svsxev 'E,ao£, for My sake) Many lose their soul for the sake of the world.
40. 'Tpag, you) A descending gradation : sc. you (apostles), a prophet, a righteous man, a little one. — 'E/Z.S, Me} It is not only of the same avail as if he received Me, but he actually does receive Me.
41. E/'s ceo/ice, x.r.x, in the name, etc.) i.e., on this ground, and on no other.1 — <rpop?jr>jv — dix,aiov, a prophet — a righteous man) A prophet is one who speaks, a righteous man one who acts, in the name of God, and is distinguished for his remarkable righteous ness ; see ch. xiii. 17, xxiii. 29; Heb. xi. 33. — /j,i<&bv, hire, reward) for he shows himself as obedient to God as if he were a prophet himself. It may be asked how he who is not righteous himself can receive a righteous man as a righteous man ? The reply is easy : Such a man, by the very act, abandons his evil way, and ceases to be the enemy of righteousness.
42. Mixpuv, little ones) (see ch. xi. 11, and Zech. xiii. 7). A sweet epithet for disciples (cf. ver. 41, for the double mention of prophet, etc.) The world cares not for such as these. From these little ones are made prophets and righteous men. — •^VXPOV, of cold water} This is without expense, and may be done even on the road. A proverbial expression, and con trasted with lie that receiveth.2 — ^ <icroXi<% shall not lose) A con solation which, arising from former good deeds, cheers the disciple even in the midst of subsequent dangers.3 — auroiJ, his) i.e., of the little one, or rather his own. It is more to receive any one than to give him to drink, and therefore it has a greater reward.
1 So the French Version, published in Geneva in 1744 A.D., "En qualite de Prophete." The Latin expression, Prophetce nomine, is similar. — E. B.
2 i.e. to receive any one into the house as a guest — this is an act of hos pitality, whereas to give a cup of cold water to a wayfarer is merely an act of kindness. — ( I . B . )
3 O the boundless riches of GOD, who both has it in His power and delights to pay in full such great rewards. — V. g.