The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 159

disastrous. (1) Christ cannot abide with perversity. After suitably replying to the Pharisees and Sadclucees at Ma;:;adan, "he left them, and departed" (vcr. 4). A sinncr abandoned by tho only Saviour is in a melancholy case. Thereupon he warned his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, viz. !eat it should land them in a similar state of abandonment. (2) Christ separated himself from them by crossing the sea. Was not this action parabolic? Did it not suugest 0 that "great gulf fixed" by which the righteous are for ever separated from the wicked (see Luke xvi. 26)? (3) The caution to "take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees " suggests that their doctrine is especially pernicious, like poisoned leaven. The disciples should beware of any doctrine corning through such hands. " Uome forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellow- ship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (see Rev. xviii. 4).- J. A. M. Vera. 13--:-20.-The true confession. "Who's who?" This is, gener:illy speaking, a qnestion of very little consequence. When the "Son of man" is concerned, it is of infinite moment. Everlasting issues turn upon the manner in wLich it is answered. From this important text we learn- I. THAT THE FAITH WHICH IS HUMAN IS UNCERTAm. 1. It may take colOW" from the distraction of guilt, (1) "Some say John the Baptist." So said Herod, He has murdered the Baptist (cf. eh. xiv. 1-12). Herod's courtiers would say as Herod said. :(2) Herod had not heard of Christ before. Some men never concern themselves with the claims of Jesus until conscience alarms them. (3) Such alarms will come. They come in visitations of judgment--death-bed experiences. (4) The faith so excited is too often uncertain. 2. It may be influenced by the spirit of the world. (1) "Some say Elijah." For Elijah was promised as the forerunner of Christ (see Mal. iv. 5, 6). .And the time for the advent of Messiah had arrived (see Gen. xlix. 10; Dan. ix. 25). (2) But why say "Elijah" rather than "Messiah"? The spirit of the world blindeo. them. They expected a secular king. They were too materialistic to see that John Baptist had come "in the spirit and power of Elijah." They now confounded Christ with an Elijah of their own devising, and missed him. In the mists of the world the spiritual Jesus is still fatally missed. (3) They confounded the advents. They are two. Messiah was to come in humiliation. 1:le was also to come in glory. They looked for the glorious appearing to be heralded by Elijah in person. They failed to discern the Christ in his suffering. Yet the advents are intimately related. Those only who confess him in his sufferings can share in his glory. 3. It may be distorted by the vanity of reason. (1) "Some say Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." The doctrine of metempsychosis, transmigration, or passing of the soul from o □ e body into another, was accepted among the Jews (cf. ver. 14; eh. xiv. 2; John ix. 2). (2) This doctrine largely entered i □ to the Pharisees' notion of the resurrection. To them the question of the Sadducees would be a real puzzle, which Jesus answered to the astonish- ment of both (see eh. xxii. 23-33). (3) Herod, though a Sadducee, yet favoured this Pharisaic notion. In this he was inconsistent. But what of that? Unbelief is incon- sistent evermore under the excitements of conscience. II. THAT THE TRUE FAITH OF CHRIST 18 A REVELATION FROM GoD. 1. ln its doctrine. (1) "But whom say ye that I am?" The disciples of Jesus should have it. They had the best opportunity of judging. (2) What, then, was their confession ? "Simon Peter answered and said, 'l'hou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Here Jesus was identified as the Messiah of the nation's hope. His Divinity also was recognizecL (3) But this confession had been made before. .After the stilling of the storm, "they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God n (eh. xiv. 33). Nathanael's confession was still earlier (see John i. 49). .And still later we have another remarkable confession (see John vi. 69). (4) The disciples of Jesus were, several of them, disciples of John; and from John they had this testimony con- cerning Jesus (see John i. 35-42). 2. In its experienC6, (1) In this confession of Peter there is a new element, and an element too of great importance; for it had a special commendation. The earlier confessio1:1s were more speculativ~.. This was experimental; from the very heart. (2) Miracles cannot carry conv1ct1on to the heart. No effort of reason can give it. "Flesh and blood bath not revealed it unto J,I.A'rTIIEW-IL !II  1G2 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [011. :r.v1. 1-28.