The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 52

points to the GC'ntile nations (cf. lea. v. 30; Dan. vii. 2, 3; Rev. xiii. 1; xvii. 1, 15). 'l'he kingdom of heaven was first offered to the Jews, and when they rejected it it was then carried to the Gentiles (cf. eh. .u.i. 43; Acts xiii. 46, 47). Note- ' I. THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS ABE FISHERS OF MEN. 1. To this serviCtJ they are called. (1) Some of ihe first disciples were literally fishermen (eh. iv. 17-22). The distinc- tion of Christ's servants is spiritual rather than social. (2) From the lower they were promoted to the higher fishing-grounds. In calling them to become fishers of men Jesus said practically," The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net." Their call was a parable, a prophecy, and a sermon. (3) Jesus found the fishermen diligent in their humble calling and promoted them. It is a dishonour to the gospel to send the weaklings of a family into the Church. 2. For this service they were equipped. (1) Christ gave them his drag-net. This is the" Word of the kingdom." This is a drag- net that sweeps all before it. (2) He taught them how to use it, They heard his preaching. 'l'?ey went forth under ~is co11:1mission and preached. (3) His almighty energy went with them. The physical mmI,cles they wrought exemplified the corre- sponding moral power of the truth they preached. (4) He gave them remarkable pledges of future success. Conspicuous amongst these was the miraculous drauuht of fishes. That was a prophetic anticipation of the work on the Day of Pentecost. " IL THE MEN THEY GATHER ABE "OF EVERY KIND." 1. The good are enclosed in the Ohurch. (1) These were the fish recognized as clean according to the Law, viz. such as have both" fins and scales" (see Lev. xi. 9, 10). By means of their fins they rise to the surface and swim in the purer water and under the clearer light of the heavens. The mPtallic lustre of their scales suggests the "armour of light." (2) Anciently, the clean creatures represented the Hebrew people, who were the people of the covenant, in contradistinction to the unclean Gentiles, who were " aliens from the commonwealth or Israel, and strangers from the covenant of promise, being without hope and atheists in the world." (3) Now they stand for the morally good as opposed to the wicked. " For in every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of him." (4) Of the good among men, as among fishes, there are many varieties. Religion does not destroy individuality. But they have the common marks of Christian disciplcsliip. 2. Tlte bad also are induded. (1) These are represented by the unclean fish; those without fins or scales, as the eel, whose habits are foul, writhing in the mud, We say of cunning n:aen that they" wriggle like eels." They may have :fins like the shark, but if they have not also scales they are uoclean. Men of rapacious dispositions we still call "sharks." (2) Anciently, the unclean creatures denoted the "sinners of the Gentiles," as opposed to the" saints" or" holy people" of Israel. (3) Now, since national distinctions in religion are abolished, the unclean are the unbelievers of every nation, Jew as well as Gentile. 3. The visible Church -is therefore imperfect. (1) The world is a vast sea, and the sons of men are "in it things creeping innumerable both small and great" (Ps. civ. 25). Men in their natural state are "like fishes in the sea, and moving things that have no ruler over them" (Bah. i. 14). (2) From this mass multitudes are gathered into the net of the Church. Some of the evil becomes trans- formed by true conversion. Others a.re conve1ted only in semblance. (3) This mixed state of things is evident in wide Christendom. It is no less real, though not equally evident, amongst communicants. Ill. THE GOOD A!U) THE WICKED A.BE DESTINED TO A FINAL SEPARATION, 1. The wicked will be separated w destruction. (1) '!'hey are "severed," separated with violence, as by cutting or rending. They will with reluctance yield to this final soparn.tion from the good and from their hopes. (2) They will be severed by the "angels." 'l'he angelij of heaven can distinguil!h between the hypocrite and the true man, which the angels of the Church cannot do. AB the tares among the wheat in the Jewish :field, so are the bad fish among the good ill the Gentile net (cf. vers. 28-30, 41). (3) ".And shall cast them into the furnace of fire." This is in allusion to the Eastern puoishment of burning alive. If figures do not come up to the reality, t~e J,urlishment of the siUDer must be fearful in the extreme, Note: The furnace of fire 1s reserved for uoworthy members of Churches. (4) "'!'here shall be weeping and gnash- i-ng of teeth." The agony of despair. The distress of impotent resentment. Thie, u.fter the burning, shows that the burning of the wicked is not their consumption.. Vestruction, in Scripture, differs from annihilation. 2. Tlte good will be separated to 011, xm. 1-58.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTUEW. 5,3