The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 193

you, that he may sift you as wheat. The Ver. 33.-And he said unto him, Lord, I majority of the more ancient authorities am ready to go with thee, both into prison, omit the words, "ancl the Loni said." and to death. This kind of confident 'fbese woros were possibly inserted a.t an r·nthm,iasm is usually II sign of weakness. early date to obviate the abruptness of this Jesus, the Heart..,,.eadcr, knew too well what sudden change in the eubject-mnlter of the such e. wild protestation was worth, and Lord's discourse. The more accumte trans- went on at once to predict hi~ friend's o.nd lation would be, "Se.tan obtained you by servant's awful fall, that very night. a.eking that he," t:tc. Bengel comments Vers. 35, 36.-And he said unto them, with "not content with Judas." Thie saying When I sent you without purse, and scrip, of J eeue is e. very mysterious one; it revealij and shces, la.eked ye anything 1 And they to us something of what is going on in the said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But unseen world. A eimilur request was made now, he that bath a purse, let him take it, by the same bitter, powerful foe in the case and likewise his scrip; and he that bath no of Job (i. 12). Are we to understand that sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. these a.re examples of what is constantly The Lord speaks one more word to his own going on in that world so close to us, but before leaving the upper room. More occu- from which no whisper ever Teaches our pied with the future trials of his disciples mortal ears? Such grave thoughts lend than with his own tragic destiny, which he especial intensity to those words in the knew was about to be fulfilled, he reminds prayer of prayers, where we ask "our hie friends of the comparatively quiet and Father which is in heaven" to deli?Jer WI serene existence they had been spending from evil, or the e'Dil one, as so many of our during the last two years and a half with beet scholars prefer to translate a,ro .,..;; him. In that period, generally speaking, .,,o,/4po11. Satan asks that he may test and they had been welcomed and kindly enter- try the apostles. Judas he had o.b:eady tained by the people, sometimes, they would tempted, and he had won him. Possibly remember, even with enthnsiasm. But they this signal viotory emboldene<! him to must prepare now for a. different life----cold proffer this request. We may imagine the looks, opposition, even bitter persecution, evil one arguing thus before the Eternal: would be their lot for the future. They "These chosen ones who are appointed to must order themselves now to mP.et these work in the future so tremendous e. work in things. No ordinary prudent forethought thy Name, are utterly unworthy. Let me must be omitted by them. He had more just try to lure them away with my lures. than hinted that this future lay before them Lo, they will surely fall. See, one has in his words, "Behold, I send you forth 11,s alreacly." lambs in the midst of wolves;" now he Ver. 82.-But I ha.ve prayed for thee, that plainly tells them what kind of life awaited thy faith fail not. The prayer of Se.tan them in the immediate future. Of course, apparently was not refused. Jesus, how- the advice ns to the sword was not meo.nt ever, says, that /or one of that loved com- to be taken literally. It was one of those pany, who he knew from his peculinr metaphors the Lord used so often in hie temperament was in especial peril, he had teaching. For [l. similo.r metaphor 5t11l prayed. 'fhe prayer wne answered thus: more elaborately developed, see Eph. vi. l,, the temptation came to o.11 the apostles; all o.nd following verses. fell; Peter, though, more disastrously by Ver. 37.-For I say unto you, that t::..is for than his brethren, but the result of the that is written must yet be accomplished m fall was not hopeless despair us in the case me, And he was reckoned among the trans- of Judas, but bitter remorse and a brave gressor&. Here he shows them what he manly repentance. "It is said by Roman meant. They, as disciples of One treu.led divines (e.g. Me.ldono.tus, 11. Lnpide, nnd Mai, as n malefactor, hnd surely nothing to e7.- here) thnt this p1·ayer e.nd precept of our pect but hatred and persecution. Stier re- Lord extends to all bishops of Rome 11s St. marks thnt this is the first time that the Peter's successors, and that in speo.king to Lord himself directs us to the fifty-thirJ St. Peter our Lord spoke to them. Would chapter of Isaiah, that most pre-eminent they be willing to complete the paro.llel, an<l complete text of the Passion. For the and say that the bishops of Rome specially things concerning me have an end. The nP.ed prayer, been use they cleny Christ? Let tragic end of his earthly ministry is close at them not to.ke e. part of it and leave the ho.ud. The prophetic description of tho rest" (Bishop Wordsworth). When thou suffering Servant of the Lord will soon be art oonverted, "Converted" must not be found to have been terribly accurate. understood here in its technical sense; it Ver. 88.-And they said, Lord, behold, should ro.ther be translated, "And thou, here are two swords. And he said unto when thou hast turned (i.e. to God) them, It is enough. As so often, the cl is- strengthen thy brethren." cip!cs took their :M11sler's words with curiou,i 202 'l'llE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [on. xx.n. 1-71.