The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 1 — Section 232

OHAPTEB IX, whose hearts he knew were trembling in the balance between the choice of life and good, Vere. 1-6.-TM Master ,end.a out th6 and death and evil To help these he sent twewe on a miallion. out this last mission. The word rendered Ver. 1.-Then he called his twelve dis- "called together" indicates a solemn gather- ciples together. The Galilee ministry was ing. And gave them power, etc. This just over; outwardly it had been a trium- and the further detail of the next verse (2) phant success; vast crowd,l! had been g., thered roughly describe the work he intended together. 'l'he Master was generally wel- them to do, and the means bestowed on comed with a positive enthusiasm; the them for its accomplishment. Very extra- people heard him gladly. Here and there ordinary powers were conferred on them- were visible, as in the cases of the woman powers evidently intended to terminate who touched him and the synagogue ruler with the short mission on which he now who prayed him to heal his little daughter, despatched them. just related (eh. viii.), conspicuous examples Ver. 2.-And to heal the siok. St. Mark of a strange or mighty faith; but the success, (vi. 13), in his brief notice of this mission Qf the Master knew too well, was only on the the twelve, mention~ the special instrument surface. The crowds who to-day !lhouted of their power o,·er sickness-the twefoe " Hosnnna I " and greeted his nppeurance anointed the sick witli oil, a,nd healed tliem. among them with joy, on the morrow would It is probablo the.t tLa early Christian fall away from him, and on the day follow- custom e.lludcd to by St. Jo.mes (v. H), of ing would reappear with the shout "Crucify anointing the sick with oil, a.rose from our hiw I" It wus especially to worn his Church Lord's direction to his 11postles on the occ11- in coming ages of this sure result of all sion of this mission. Tile practice W6!1 con- enruest devoted preochiug and teaching, that tinued, or possibly wns rcvivro, long e.fter he spoke that snddest of puables, "the tile original power connocte<l with it !Jad IIOWer" (oil. viii.). But before he finally ceased to exist. It still survh-es in the brought this Galilman miuistry to a close, Roman Ce.tholio Church in tho sacmment of he would gather in some few wavering souls, extreme unction, which, siugule.rly onough, 1 Cf. M11cmill.1n's' Our Loru's Throe Rabings from tho D011ll,' pp. S-72. 232 THE GOSPEL AOCOTIDING T() ST. LUKE. [cR. rx. 1-112,