The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 116

which their pa.rents might otherwise claim from them (see Mark vii. 11). In this wickedness they sheltered themselves under the authority of their tmditions, and thus made void the Law of God. 2. This was a triumphant defence of the disciples. (1) It showed that the traditions in question were -vicious, and therefore that no blame could justly be laid to the account of the disciples for disregarding them. It showed that they were, on the contrary, to be commended for protesting against them. If this was the worst thing alleged against them, they must have conducted themselves inoffensively. (2) It was all the more incumbent upon the disciples to protest, sinco the Jewish doctors affirmed that the matter of their traditions had been originally delivered by God himself to Moses, and from him orally transmitted; that they are more excellent than, and consequently of superior obligation to, the Law itself. (3) Note: The Council of Trent claims for the Romish traditions that " they are to be held with the same pious affection and reverence" as the Holy Scriptures (sess. 4,.decr. 1). Brooks compares this addition of tradition to Scripture to putting paint upon a diamond. Luther likens the interpretation of Scripture by tradition to the straining of milk through a coal-sack. 3. It was a heavy impeachment of the accusers. (1) It put them to the worse. W'hether or not the disciples had transgressed, their accusers are accused of being the chief transgressors. Those who have the beam in their own eye are not the persons to take the mote out of their brother's eye. '!'hose who live in glass houses should not throw stones. The Pharisees of every religious community take more pleasure in blaming others than in amending themselves. (2) It branded them as hypocrites. What else are they who, under pretence of zeal for God, transgress his holy Law? They honoured him with the lip while their heart was far from him. Their heartless worship was "vain "-such as God could not approve. What vo.nity there is in the major portion of the religion of every age and clime (see Jae. i. 26) I II. THE ADMONITION. This was addressed to the disciples. " Then came the dis- ciples," etc. (vers. 12-14). 1. The doom of the hypocrite is declared. (1) They were offended at the truth. This was obvious to the disciples. Their pride was mortified, They were silenced. They had no reply. They nursed their wrath. Plain speaking never fails to offend the sinner who is unwilling to repent. (2) They were blinded by the light. Their blindness was not involuntary ignorance, but voluntary error. They shut their eyes against the Light of the world, and were in consequence judicially blinded. So it fell out according to the prediction in Isaiah (see context in the prophet, Isa. Dix. 14). (3) They were doomed to be rooted out of the Church of God. He would not own them as his planting (cf. Isa. xli 19; John xv. 2). The sect of the Pharisees did not survive the destruction of Jerusalem. Every spurious plant will be rooted ont of the Church in the judgment of the great day (see eh. xiii. 30). (4) Their membership will be transferred to the Church of the devil The blind guides will fall into a pit (see John ix. 40; Rom. ii. 19, 20). The well in the figure represents Gehenna. The pit of falsehood ill the prelude to the pit of perdition. 2. Their dupes will share their doom. (1) So it proved. The blinded nation were l~d on ~o c~cify their King, and to blaspheme the Holy Ghost, and were, together with their gwdes, rooted out by the Bomans (cf. Jer. xiv. 15, 16; XL 6). "How many men have ruined their estates by suretyship for others! But of all ~etyship none is so dangerous as spiritual IJW'etyship. He that pins his faith upon another man's sleeve knows not whither he will carry it" (Flavel). (2) The crime and consequences of illegal impositions will be charged upon those who maintain as well as upon _those who invent them (see Micah vi 16). God suffers one man to. lead many to rwn. (a) A rich profligate. (b) An infidel (c) A man of leam!ng. (d) ~ politiciaJ?,, (e) A teacher of heresy or of levity. " If both fall together into the ditch, the blmd leaders will fall undermost, and have the worst of it" (Henry). But that will be slender comfort to the sufferers in the crush that will fol low. (3) The moral, then, is, " Let them alone." Avoid false teachers. Have no communion with them. A literal attention to these words of Christ produced the Reformation (see J:Ios. iv. 17; I These. ii. 14, L5). Be not satisfied with attending a I_>lace ?f wors~ip. Bee that the teaching ill of God (cf. 1 John iv. 1). None but the blind will submit to be led by the blind. Ill. THE EXPOSITION. This was given alike to the disciples and the people (vers. 10, 11, 15-20). I. It distir,gaislu,a between Mosea am,d the eldera. (1) 'l'he traditions 011. xv. 1-80.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BT. MATTHEW. 11'.: