The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 149

prayer (cf. Exod. iii. 1; Josh. xxiv. 26; 2 Chron, i. 3; Luke vi. 12; Acts xvi. 13). (2) Jesus availed himself freely of the liberty to teach afforded in these. They were 'places of concourse," in which it was proper "Wisdom should lift '.JP her voice" (Prov. i. 21). The people accustomed to assemble in them would be educated to listen. 'l'he reading of the Scriptures in them afforded a fine opportunity for introducing the message of the gospel. We should be quick to improve providential facilities. (3) The disciples of Jesus followed. hie example in using Sj'11agogues. The result was, in many cases, that synagogues became gradually converted into Christian chnrches (Jas. ii. 2). The forms of worship were generally continned, only with the addition of the Supper of the Lord. Merciful are the destructions effected by conversion. 2. Be preached in the open air. (1) In this Jonah was his type (Jonah iii. 2-4). Jesus might have issued a proclamation, He "went about" in person through the two hundred cities and towns of Galilee. His interest in our welfare is deep and earnest (cf. eh. v. 1; x. 27; xi. 1). (2) He proclaimed his kingdom. (a) " The kingdom." That with which no earthly kingdom can compare, Supreme in ~plendour. Destined to survive all others. (b) The kingdom of grace. "Gospel "-glad tidings. '!'he original uame for our religion. Whoever receives it proves-it to be so. "The gospel is the charter of that kingdom, containing the King's coronation oath, by which he graciously obliges himself to pardon, protect, and save his subjects. It contains also their oath of allegiance, by which they oblige themselves to observe his statutes and seek his honour" (Henry). (c) The passage through the kingdom of grace into the kingdom of glory. II. His GOSPEL OAME WITH POWER, 1. He heal,ed all that he met with. (1) The skill of the most accomplished physicians is baffled by particular diseases. No malady resisted the power of Christ. He cured the chronic, the acute, the intolerable. (2) His cures were complete, No miracle of Christ was ever called in question by those who witnessed it. Some were malicious enough to ascribe the miracles he wrought to Satan, but their reality was confessed (cf. eh. xi. 4, 5; John iii. 2; v. 36). 2. He healed all that were "brought to him. (1) Amongst these were the epileptic. The word translated "lunatic" does not describe mente.1 disorder, but a bodily disease on which the moon was supposed to exercise periodical influence (cf. eh. xvii. 15). Our Revisers, accordingly, render the term by" epilepsy." Paralysis also owned his power. So like- wise spasmodic torments. (2) These typical maladies may bo taken as descriptive of typical moral evils, The miracles evinced the power of the Worker to remove also the corresponding moral maladies. (3) Those who hear the fame of Jesus should come to him for spiritual healing. Those who have experienced his healing power should invite their neighbours to the Healer. 3. Even the devils were subfect to him. (1) Demona amongst the heathen were not genere.lly evil, but, in their estimation, good spirits, whom they worshipped as gods. .Amongst the Jews the term was restricted to evil spirits. (2) Evil spirits actually possessed human beings. So far from demoniacs being simply epileptics, as some suppose, these are distinguished here (cf. Acts v. 16). Personal actions are ascribed to demons. Christ addressed them as persons. (3) Demoniacs were not unknown in more ancient times (see Lev, xx. 27; 1 Sam. xvi. 14; xxviii. 7; 1 Kings xxii. 21-23; Zech. xiii. 2). But they abounded in our Lord's day. (4) It is not surprising that Satan should have been permitted, at the period of the advent of Messiah, to exercise this power and malignity against men. It wa, the time for the bruising of the heel of the woman's Seed-" the hour and power of darkness." It afforded an illustrious opportunity to the Saviour of men to display his superifJr pow~r in crushing the serpent's head. III. His GOSPEL WAS WITH MUOH ASSURANCE. 1. His miracles were demonstrative. (1) They were wrought "among the people "-openly, in the light of day. There was no machinery of obscure theatres-no possibility of collusion. Many were healed- all that came, all that were brought; and the healed were to be seen everywhere among their friends, (2) They were characteristic as the works of Messil\h (sco Isa. xxxv. 5, 6). The miracles of Moses were chiefly plagues-works of fudyment- euited to the terror of his dispensation. These of Christ were miracles of mercy (Hos, xi. 4). The goodness of his works was calculated to lend men to ropeutanco (John x. 32; Rom. ii. 4). 2. Hene-e the spreading of his fame. (1) It spread through- out Syria-through the whole oxtent of that Ilomau province of which Palestino was  14.0 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MAT'l'HEW. [orr. 1v. 1-26.