The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 87

comes into the bee.rt it will renovate the life. (3) The zeal of the men of Gennernret wo.s transfused into their messengers, Mark gives e. graphic description of their activit; (see Mark vi. 63-56). 3. The earnest suppliwtion of the Divine blessing. (l) The religious is the truest philanthropy. (a) Religion benefits the body. Its precrpts conduce to health. Their violation is the chief co.use of diseo.se. (b) Religion benefits the soul. The soul is the grander part. The philanthropy which terminates in the body is imperfect, (2) It is prayerful. "They," the men of Gennesaret, "besought Jesus that they," the sick, "might only touch the border of his garment." Note: (a) The prayer was importunate. "Besought him." (b) It was mixed with faith. "That they might only touch." The virtue was not in the garment, but in the touch, which, e.s an act of faith, was to be rewarded. (c) It was mixed with gratitude. Eastern people show respect to their princes by kissing their sleeve or skirt, (3) They were evidently influenced by the example of their countrywoman, For she was of Caper- naum who introduced this idea of touching the hem of the garment (see'ch. ix. 20-22). The precious ointment which was upon the head of Jesus ran down to the skirts of his garment (Ps. cxxxiii. 2). (4) "As many as touched were made whole." If ministers could cure bodily diseases they would have many clients; for, unhappily, men are commonly more concerned about the body than about the souL The cure of disease, morally considered, is the removal of evils and errors, by which the faculties recover their true tone e.nd bale.nee, e.nd the mind becomes enriched with truth and goo<lness.- J. A. M. Ver. 4.-John's rugged faithfvlniess. How John came into contact with Herod, or how he was called to administer such e. public reproof, we e.re not informed. It is quite possible that, in the Divine inspiration, he had done somewhat as Elijah had done before him-suddenly e.ppee.red e.t court,-e. strange weird figure before which the soldiers shrank back,-marched straight into the presence of Herod, and with uo pre- amble or apology, declared, "It is not lawful for thee to have her." It is, howe,er, quite possible that Herod may have sent for him, hoping to get his conscience eased by securing the prophet's approval of his e.ct; and no doubt Herod had some fine excuses and exple.nations to offer. Men always he.ve when they he.ve resolved to satisfy their own fancies and vices. And e.t Eastern courts there are always people willing enough to flatter their king, e.nd encoure.ge him in his vices. John stands out iu strong contrast with all such. L A MAN WHO KNEW THE RIGHT, Wee.re often confused because, though we may know the right, there e.re special circumste.nces in each particular case which disturb our judgment. We can see the abstre.ct right, but it is difficult to see the right in f ust this case. It cannot be right that a man should have his brother's wife. And yet advisers e.t court may make out that high policy makes the.t necessary in this case. Compare Cranmer helping Henry VIII. to secure his shameless divorce. John the Baptist listened to no excuses of policy, which were but excuses of passion. He knew the right. II. A MAN WHO SPOKE OUT TIIE RIGHT HE KNEW. So often we "keep silence in the evil time." We think we can do no good by speaking out, and may only bring trouble on ourselves. 'l'he men who have influenced the generations are the men of strong convictions, who could not keep silence. John, on this occasion, might have been cautious; be might have spoken like a courtier, eased his message, spokeu care- fully, and taken care not to offend. His mission we.a to the conscience of the wicked king. There shall be no trimming in his message; it shall smite right home. It is be.Id, bare, strong, uncompromising. "It is not lawful for thee to have her." People are sometimes what they call "faithful," but they are only irritating and humiliating. True faithfulness is conscience-rousing. III. A. MAN WHO BUFFERED FOR THE RIGHT HE SPOKE. Not really at the hands of Herorl. Really at the hands of Herodias, the unscrupulous woman who was the Jezebel to this Ahab. A me.n who fears the persone.l consequences of witnessing to the right, or doing the right, will never stand beside rugged, faithful John in the Divine approval.-R. T. Ver. 7.-Thefoolishness of unlimited promises. "He promised with an oath to give  90 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [OR. xiv. 1-36.