The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 361

ohnmbeJ', ta.king combined action a.ga.inet Christ in these subtleties, but rather asked him. for a. solution of the genera.I problem-Of Ver. 85.-A lawyer; 110µ11<~1, called by what n11.tnre was the precept which should be St. Ma.rk "a soribe "-a term of wide!' signi- regarded ea" first" (Mark) in the Law? We flonlion, which would inclarle "lawyers." may compare the somewh11.t similar question Vulgate, legis doctor, which gives the right and answer in Luke x. 25-28. L11.nae's sense; for such were teachers end ex- idea, that the scribe wished lo force Ch~iet pounders of the Moea.io Law. This man to ma.ke some a.newer which, by implying we.a put forth by the Pha.risees as an expert, his own claim to be Son of God, would who would not be so ea.sily discomfited ae trench upon the doctrine of monotheiBIIl, the Badduceee had been. Tempting him. seems wholly unwarranted. This theory is Trying him (comp. 1 Kings x. I); putting based on the supposition that the Pharisee him to the teat, not altogether maliciously, took it for granted that Jesus would answer, but partly from curiosity, and partly from "Thon shalt love God above a.11,n and in- 11, desire to hee.r Christ's opinion on a much- tended to found upon that reply 11, condemna- disputed point. It is evident, from St. tion for ha.ving made himself equal with Mark's account, that Christ was pleased with God by his assertion of Sonship. But the him personally, for he said to him, "Thou text gives no conntenance to such intention, art not far from the kingdom of God." and it has been suggested chiefly for the Those who put this lawyer forward had, of purpose of accollllting fo:r Chriat's subse- course, sinister motives, and hoped to make quent question (vers. 41-45), which, how- co.pita! from Christ's answer; but the man ever, needs no such follllda.tion, a.s we shall himself seems to have been straightfor- see. ward and honest. We have had the term Ver. 87.-Thou shalt love the Lord thy " tempting" used in a hostile sense (eh. xvi. God; K6p1011 -rbv 0,&11 <1ov (Dent. vi. 5, from 1 ; xix. 8), but there is no necessity for so the Septuagint, with some slight variation). taking it; and it seems to imply here merely Christ ennnoia.tes the two great moral pre- the renewal of the attaok on Christ. cepts of God's Law, not, indeed, stated in Ver. 86.-Whioh is the great command- these words in the Decalogue, but implied ment in the La.w 1 Ilolcz lnoll.,j µPydll.11 lv throughout, and forming the be.sis of true -r<i i,/,µq, ; What ,ort of commandment i, great religion. Heart , . . soul . , . mind. The in the Law 1 According to rabbinical teach- Septuagint has "mind, soul, strength." ing, there were more tho.n six hlllldred The expressiollS mean generally that God precepts in the Law; of this considerable is to be loved with all om powers and number all could not be observed. Which fa.oulties, and that nothing is to be pre- were of absolute obligation? which were ferred to him. It is difficult to define with not? The schools ma.do a distinction between any precision the signification of ea.oh term hea:vy and light commandments, as though used, and much unprofitable la.bom has some were of less importance than others, been expended in the endeavom to limit and might ho neglected with impllllity; their exact sense. "Qunm," as GrotiWI nnd some of snob exceeding dignity that so.ye, " vocum mnltarnm onmnlatio nibil fulfilment of them would condone imper- qua.m intensius stndinm designet." It is fect obedience in the case of others. Some usual to explain thus : Heart ; which to.nght that if a ma.n rightly selected some a.mong the Hebrews was considered to be great preoept to observe, he might safely the seat of tho nnderstanding, is here con- disregard the rest of the La.w (see eh. xiL sidered llS the home of the affections and the 16, etc.). This was the kind of doctrine seat of the will. Soul; tha living powers, age.inst which St. James (ii. 10) expostu- the animal life. Mind; 6,,u,0{<;1, intellectual lates: "Whosoever shall keep the whole powers. These a.re to be the seat and a.bode Law, and yet stumble in one point, he is of the love enjoined. beoome guilty of all." Tho Pharisees may Ver. 38.-The first and great oommud- ba.ve desired to discover whether Jesus ment j or better, the great and first command- )mew and sanctioned these rabbinical dis- ment; Vulga.te, Hoo est mazimum et primu111 tinctions. He had proved himself intimately mandatum. Here was a pie.in a.newer to the acquu.inted with the inner meaning of Scrip- question of the scribe, which no one could ture, and able to evolve doctrines and to gainsay (comp. Luke x. 27). They who re- trace analogies which their dull minds had peated daily in thoir devotions, "Hear, 0 never comprehended; the question now wo.s Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord" (So!O whether he entered into their subtle divisions Mark), could not help a.oknowledgiug thu.t and could decide this dispute for them. Such love of him whom they thus confessed was is the view nsually taken of the s,ribe's the chief duty of man-one which wna question: but it ma.y well be doubted, if superior to every other obligation. regard is had to the character of the man, Ver. 89.-The seocnd. The scribe hu.d whether he had any intention of entangling not asked any question a.bout a. second  36G THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. •MAT'l'IIEW. [on. nu. 1-48.