The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 47

godliness. Connected with the incarnation are the awful mysteries of the passion and death of Christ. And with these, again, the resurrection and ascension, and the coming of the Holy Ghost. (2) In its experience. What a blessed mystery is the justification of a sinner before Goel I Then his adoption, regeneration, and sanctification. And finally his resurrection (see 1 Cor. xv. 51). 3. The revelation is blessed. (1) Saving truth is the highest truth. The things of God are the grandest things. The Godward side of all things is their nobler side. The things of God are the things of the soul. These are as superior to the things of the body as mind is superior to matter. (2) The gospel is the fuller revelation of the transcendent truth. Of this the "prophets and righteous men" of earlier times had glimpses which whetted their desire to see the brighter day (cf. Heb. xi. 40; 1 Pet. i. 9-12). The "eyes" of the disciples were "blessed" in beholding the Person of Messiah (see Luke ii. 30). Their "ears" were "blessed" in.listening to his wonderful doctrine. (3) In these privileges the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than the greatest of the prophets (see eh. xi. 11). And we are no less favoured than the first disciples. For there is still the personal manifestation of the Son of God to the believing heart (see John xiv. 21). II. 'l'o LlMlT THE REVELATION OF THE SAVING TRUTH. 1. It Wa8 to hide it from the false: (1) The disciples perceived that in using the parable Jesus intended to conceal his meaning, and this prompted their question. The answer confirmed their suspicion. (2) It also showed that it was a judgment upon unbelief. Jesus did not at first discourse in parables. He adopted this method after his message had been refused. The Pharisees had seen the grandest miracles; they had heard the noblest doctiine; they were only moved to rancour. Now he abandons them to their obduracy. Pharaoh for a long time hardened his heart; then God hardened it for him (see Exod. viii 15, 32; ix. 12; x. 20). A gross heart is a heart stupefied by sensual indulgence (see Deut. xxxii. 15; Ps. !viii. 4, 5). (3) ln the passage cited from Isaiah the prophet anticipated the judgments which came upon the Jewish nation in the Babylonish captivity (see Isa. vi. 9-12). But the prophecy also refers to the days of Messiah, This is suggested in the fact that it was uttered in connection with a vision of the glory of the Lord which was the glory of Christ (see John xii. 39-41). This double or second fulfilment is recognized in the words, "in them is fulfilled" (ver. 14), dvcz1rl\71poii.-11.1, "again fufilled." So the parabolic teaching of Jesus was a prelude to the abandonment of the nation to the terrible consequences of their unbelief. (4) The Gentile also has his admonition. From him that hath not, uses not, God's gifts, the gifts will be withdrawn. They will not see, therefore they shall not see. They will not be converted. therefore they shall not be converted. God says this at the end of every sinner's life. Sometimes he says it before the sinner's life is ended. 2. It was to preserve it for tM true. (1) The parable encourages the diligent. The similitude is striking and pleasing, and arrests attention. It is a mystery, or secret thing. Its meaning is not on the surface, InquisitiveneBS is excited. The prayerful heart has the help of the Spirit of truth. So the parable is "a shell that keeps good fruit for the diligent, but keeps it from the slothful" (Henry). (2) A. man has what he uses. What he uses not he only seems to have (cf. Luke viii. 18). What a man uses not is wasted; but in the ·using it becomes a part of himself. Its resultant is in his character. Thus it is preserved. He hath it. (3) God increa.ses his gifts to those who use them. Men act on the same principle. Truth attained is the key to truth concealed. For in all truth is unity and harmony. In the disciples of Christ is fulfilled the promised blessing, viz. that the eyes of them that see shall not be.dim (Isa. xxxii. 3). (4) Those who now "see through a glass darkly" shall in the world to come see "face to face." The noblest blessings are entailed upon the true understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom ofheaven.--J. A. M. Vers. 18-23.-,-The Sower. (See ante on vers. 1-9.)-J. A. M. Vera. 24--30.-The tares in theji.eld. The kingdom of heaven is the Church of God at once in heaven and on earth. This parable, like that of the sower, was afterwards explained to the disciples. As the exposition explains the parable, and the parable illustrates the exposition, it is fitting they should be considered together. From this parable we learn-  4c8 'l'IIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTllEW. [en. :xm.1-58.