The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 106

hell, and does not permit any Israelite, however wicked, to go down there." John preached a different doctrine. Visible Church-membership will not save. (b) "Think not to say within yourselves," etc. Do not attempt secretly to justify impenitence by things that you have not the courage to announce. Hide no lie that will ruin you. (c) God is not restricted to any law of succession in his Church. "Of these stones"- Gentiles, apparently without any covenant life, in opposition to fruitless " trees," he could "raise up children unto Abraham" (cf. Rom. iv. 16-18; Gal. iii. 22-29). (4) With reproof. The Pharisees and Sadducees, who claimed to be children of Abraham, are described as a brood of vipers-the seed of the old serpent. They are also described as "trees" with leaves (of profession), but without fruit of performance. They are describe1, as the''. chaff"-!ight, hollow, hypocritical, having only the semblance of ""·heat. (5) W1t-h warning.. (a) The" axe" of jud~ent lay at the root of the trees(cf. Isa. x.. 33,34; Dan. 1v. 11, 20, 23; Luke xiii. 7-9). (b) The "fan"to separ~~~ the chaff from the wheat was in Messiah's baud (cf. Ps. i. 4; Dan. ii. 35; eh. :xm. 30, 49). (c) The "wrath to come," or predicted destruction of Messiah's enemies (Mai. iv. 6), was set before them. (cl) The" unquenchable fire" of hell was shadowed in the horrors of the judgments of God upon the city. Gurnell says, speak- ing of the lost, "Their torment makes them sin, and their sin feeds their torment, one being fuel for the other." (e) "He that cometh" and "the wrath to come" arc nearly associated (see 1 Thess. L 10). It is evermore" wrath to come." (/) The danger is imminent. "Even now," etc. Fools only can make a mock of sin. II. IT WAS A. SEASON OF STBOKG RELIGIOUS EXCITEMENT. 1. Multitudes were deeply moved. This fact is clearly set forth in the text (see also Luke iii. 7). (1) Here was a great honour put upon John. He was a man of retirement. God often confers the greater honour on those who court it least. (2) These multitudes were not moved solely by John's eloquence. They were " a people prepared of the Lord" (Luke i. 17). The same Holy Spirit who called and qualified John moved the people to wait upon his ministry. (3) The prayers of the faithful probably had much to do with it. (a) Like his prototype Elijah, John him.self was a man of prayer, This was the moral of his retirement in the wilderne.'iS. (b) There were also those who '' looked for redemp- tion in Jerusalem "-those who, like Anna, " departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day" (Luke ii. 37, 38). (c) Who can say to what extent blessings come upon the Church and upon the world in response to the prayers of saints dwelling in obscurity (cf. Ezra x. 1)? 2. Notorious sinners were movtd. (1) Such there would naturally be amongst the multitudes. (2) "Publicans and harlots" appear to have been baptized by John (see eh. xxi. 32). None are too wicked to be saved but those who are too wicked to repent. 3. Unlikely sinners were 'fTt0ved. (1) Of this number were the Pharisees. (a) They were orthodox: Jews, who believed in Church doctrines and traditions. (b) '!'hey were formalists, strict in life, and who prided themselves upon their righteousness. What need could such persons feel for repentance? (c) Yet many of them, their righteousness notwithstanding, had the viper's venom in their hearts. Formalism may consist with heart-malice. (2) Of this number also were the Sadducees. They were the opposite of the Pharisees. They rejected Church traditions. They interpreted the Scriptures in the rationalistic spirit. '!'hey denied the i=ortality of the soul and the existence of the angels. They were materialists and deists. Of what use would repentance be to such? (3) John was astonished to see these coming. He noticed how they came in company. So he treated them alike. Extremes meet. 4. The results of the movement were various. (1) Some came under true religious conviction. They confessed their sins, i.e. took them home to themselves. With these there was no attempt to throw the blame, in whole or part, upon either God or man (see 1 John i. 8). Those who thus received the baptism of John were prepared. to become disciples of Jesus (John i. 35-37). (2) Some came l:,ccause their neighbours came. Note here the power of (a) example; (b) fashion; (c) numbers. Men, like sheep, are gregarious. Of these some became true disciples. Others went back when the excitement subsided (cf. Ezek. xx:x.iiL 31-33; John v. 35,. Many come to ordinances the power of which they never fee1 (3) Some came from st'ltish policy. Forming conceptions of the coming kingdom suited to their gross affec- tions, they thought it might offer them advantages of civil distinction. Upon discover- iug the spiritual nature of the kingdom, they were offended. Such were the majority ou. Ill. 1-17.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 91>