Spurgeon's notes on LUKE
Luke 1:5-25Let us not commence our reading of the New Testament without earnest prayer that it may prove a blessing to us by the teaching of the Holy Spirit. These things are written that we may believe in the Lord Jesus, and we shall read to no purpose unless we do in very deed believe in him to the salvation of our souls. It will be well to remember that four hundred years had passed since the days of Malachi, and that Judea formed a part of the great Roman Empire, with Herod the Great as its tributary king. Now was the time appointed for the coming of John, the forerunner of the promised Messiah.
Luke 1:5-9
This was done twice every day, at the time of the morning and evening sacrifices, and was an emblem of the merits of Jesus, and of the prayers of saints, which ascend like sweet perfume to the throne of God.
Luke 1:18
His faith was staggered by the apparent impossibility of the case, as ours too often is when outward providences appear to contradict the promise.
Luke 1:19, 20
Unbelief is very displeasing to God, and cannot be indulged in, even by the best of men, without involving them in chastisement. If we will not believe a promise, we shall not be permitted the comfort of it, and its fulfillment will be attended with some humiliating circumstance which will mark the Lord's displeasure at our unbelief.
Luke 1:23
He did not make his infirmity an excuse for leaving his office, as many would have done. We must work on for the Lord as long as we have any ability left.
Luke 1:24-25
The mother of John had more faith than her husband, but both were excellent persons. We may reasonably expect the best preachers to be born of pious parents. Would to God that in our household might be raised up those who will cry, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world."
Luke 1:26-33, 35, 38-40, 46-55
The person chosen to be the mother of the Lord Jesus was a lowly maid, but she was also a godly woman of no mean ability of mind, for her song is written in the highest style of poetry. To the humble and devout the visitations of the Holy Spirit are granted. The manner in which the angel saluted Mary was highly honorable to her, but affords no ground for the superstitious reverence of the Papists, for "he saluted her as a saint, and did not pray to her as a goddess." Mary confessed herself a sinner needing salvation, for she rejoiced in God her Savior; it never entered into her mind to claim the homage of mankind.
It is a great blessing that in answer to earnest prayer the Holy Spirit will come into our hearts, and make us sing as joyfully as Mary did. Christ will dwell in our hearts by faith, and we shall be numbered with those favored ones of whom Jesus said, "The same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Luke 1:58
This is a very beautiful way of stating the case, "The Lord had shelved great mercy upon her." Family events should be looked at in this light, and made the occasion of pious thanksgiving.
Luke 1:59, 60
or the Lord's gracious gift.
Luke 1:62
For he was deaf as well as dumb, a double chastisement for his unbelief, which was now to be graciously removed.
Luke 1:63
And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.
He had not heard what the mother had said, but he confirmed her wish, and obeyed the divine command which had been brought by the angel.
Luke 1:64
The dumb man in a moment not only spoke, but sang for very joy. The Lord is a God of wonders.
Luke 1:75
So that there is not a word in this noble song of Zachariah concerning John, or his own relationship to him; he reserves that until he has poured forth his whole soul concerning the Lord's Christ. Jesus must be first and foremost in his peoples hearts; even our highest spiritual joys must stand second to him. Him will we praise with our best music.
Luke 1:79
Delightful is the object of the Saviors coming; no longer need any believer be in bondage through fear of death. Light has sprung up in the valley of death-shade, and peace smoothes our pathway even there.
Luke 1:80
Great minds are reared in solitude. Lone places are fit nurses for God's heroes. We should be all the better if we were oftener alone; in the solemn silence of nature sanctified spirits find a congenial atmosphere.
Luke 2:1-20
Let us read with great joy of the birth of Jesus, the incarnate God.
Luke 2:2
The census was taken by Augustus, but the actual collecting of the tax was not carried out until the time of Quirinius.
Luke 2:3-6
The decree of Caesar was made to fulfill the decree of Jehovah, that Jesus should be born in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:7
Little love had the world for the Redeemer. It could find no room for him, no, not even in the place where the meanest traveler had free accommodation.
"No peaceful home upon his cradle smiled, Guests rudely went and came where slept the royal child."
Luke 2:8
To simple minds, humbly doing their duty, the good news first came.
Luke 2:9-12
The heavenly messenger had scarcely concluded his announcement before he was joined by others who had hastened after him to swell the glory of the proclamation of the newborn king.
Luke 2:15
They believed the news, were interested in it, and went to see. If we believe the gospel, let us show our faith practically.
Luke 2:16-20
Here were three ways of treating the news concerning Jesus. Some wondered, and there the matter ended, as, it is to be feared, it ends with many who hear it in these days. Mary weighed all these things in her heart; to her they would be a perpetual source of blessing. The shepherds showed their piety in another manner, for they glorified God by telling the glad tidings to others. Have we not good cause to follow their example?
Luke 2:21
Jesus signifies "Jehovah the Savior," and is the most melodious of all names in the ears of penitent sinners.
Luke 2:22, 24
Our Lord having placed himself, for our sakes, under the law, was obedient to it in all points, thus fulfilling all righteousness on our behalf. The poverty of his parents is showed by their presenting the second poorest offering accepted by the law; there was one offering poorer still, but they were not in abject poverty, that worst distress was reserved for Jesus in his after years, when he would not have where to lay his head. Though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor.
Luke 2:25
He was just before men and devout towards God, and his faith looked steadily forward for the coming of the Messiah, whom those who believingly searched the Scriptures were daily expecting.
Luke 2:35
The highly-favored mother had to endure unusually sharp and killing griefs as she saw the sorrows and the death of her blameless son.
Luke 2:37
Having lost her husband for eighty-four years, she had devoted herself to the continual worship of God, and had, no doubt, as a prophetess, been spiritually useful to many. Women are much more honored under the gospel than under the law. It was meet that two of the first witnesses to our Lord should be an aged man and a venerable woman.
Luke 2:38
O for grace to embrace Jesus, to love Jesus, to testify to Jesus, and to be so joyful in Jesus that we may be willing, like Simeon, to die, or, like Anna, to speak of him to all around!
Luke 2:40
What a child was this, with the fullness of divine grace upon him! Lord Jesus, make our sons and daughters to be like you while they are yet children.
Luke 2:41-47
He did not set up for a teacher, but listened and eagerly inquired. No doubt there was more in his questions than in their replies, and when they catechized him in return, he gave such answers that they marveled at the wondrous boy, whose surprising intelligence and holiness beamed forth in his countenance, and spoke in every word.
Luke 2:49
He knew the secret of his birth, which perhaps his mother had never told him, and he marveled that his parents should think him unkind in following his manifest destiny. How sweetly does our Lord here teach us in our earliest youth to serve our heavenly Father!
Luke 2:50-52
For eighteen years longer he continued in the obscurity of Nazareth, a matchless man, in holiness unrivaled, spending his days at his fathers handicraft, and in preparation for his great work. He was for thirty years emptying himself of all glory, that afterwards he might be filled with reproach for our sake. We ought exceedingly to admire our Lord in the lowliness of these preparatory years.
Luke 3:20
Herod had been a willing hearer of John until he touched his conscience, and then he would have no more of his preaching. A man is in a sad state when he hates the ministry which is meant to lead him to repentance. May God preserve us from so wicked a spirit. It is a sure mark of condemnation.
Luke 4:14, 15
Highly favored was that rural region to have Christ himself going on circuit through its towns. It is a great privilege to have the gospel preached in the place wherein we dwell: let us prize it if we have it.
Luke 4:16
Synagogue worship was not all that could be wished, but it was better than none; and our Lord therefore set the example of attendance upon it, as the recognized way of reverencing the Sabbath and of praising God. Never should we forsake the assembling of ourselves together, even if we be but two or three.
Luke 4:17-19
He paused there, and did not read on, or he would have read of "the day of vengeance of our God." That would have been inappropriate just then, for his errand was purely one of mercy.
Luke 4:22
Their first thoughts were best. While they thought of what he said, they were charmed; but when they considered who he was that had said it, they changed their minds for the worse, as many other foolish persons have done.
Luke 4:23-27
He declared to them the doctrines of divine sovereignty and electing grace, and these truths the carnal mind always kicks at. Men will hear anything rather than a proclamation that the Lord dispenses his mercy as seems good in his sight. His mentioning the blessing of the Gentiles was another point in our Lord's address which was sure to enrage his hearers, for men are as wroth with the freeness of grace as with the sovereignty of it. Jesus did not come there to flatter them; he told them the truth, whether they approved of it or no.
Luke 4:28-30
They were admirers one hour, and murderers at heart the next. Honest servants of Christ must not wonder if warm friends become bitter foes because of the truth. Man is fickle, and those are wisest who do not lean upon him.
We now turn to another event which happened about this time.
Luke 5:5
Whatever may have happened, it is ours to obey, and in obeying we shall meet with a reward.
Luke 5:8
He felt that he was not fit for such holy company, and expressed the feeling in all simplicity. He was always outspoken.
Luke 5:9-11
And wonderful man-catchers they became, taking whole nations in their gospel nets. The Lord help all his spiritual fishermen to cast the net on the right side of the ship.
Luke 6:12
And it came to pass in those days, while he was by the sea, near Capernaum
Luke 6:12
It was his accustomed to spend a season in special prayer before any great act of his life. He was about to send out the first missionaries, but he would do nothing until he had prayed.
Luke 6:17-19
Now was another great opportunity for preaching, and our Lord availed himself of it. We now find him delivering the Sermon on the Plain which, in many points, resembles the Sermon on the Mount. It has four beatitudes and four woes, and repeats in almost the same words the former discourse.
Luke 6:20
Poor though they were, they were his disciples, and were poor in spirit as well as in pocket, and therefore blessed. We must understand all these beatitudes spiritually, or we shall make grave mistakes.
Luke 6:24
For the most part those who are rich despise religion. "Gold and the gospel seldom do agree," says Bunyan.
Luke 6:25
If satisfied with earth's good things, they will soon be gone, and eternal want will follow.
Luke 6:25
To spend life in frivolous mirth and gaiety is to store up sorrow.
Luke 6:26
Dangerous then is the position of the favorite of mankind. If the ungodly mass love a man, God loves him not.
Luke 6:27-30
Better suffer any loss than wrangle and go to courts of law, where indeed one is apt to increase his loss rather than repair it.
Luke 6:32-36
This noble godlike principle of doing good without prospect of return should be better exhibited by professed Christians than it is. Let it be our prayer that we may act by its rule.
Luke 7:1, 2
He was a good master, and had a good servant, therefore there was much affection between them, which is a rare thing in these days.
Luke 7:4-6
The Jews called him worthy, but he did not think himself so. He who enjoys the good opinion of others, and is not thereby lifted up, possesses a sound mind.
Luke 7:7
Give the word, and the disease will fly without your needing to come personally. This was grand faith.
Luke 7:8
Although only a petty officer, yet his word was law, and therefore he rightly concluded that the word of the Lord Jesus would be equally powerful over all the realms of nature. He had only to say to the disease "Go," and it would be gone. This was such good reasoning as only grace could have taught him.
Luke 7:10
The Jews had praised the centurions works, but the Lord fixed his eye upon his faith. This is the jewel which Jesus prizes most. Do we each and all possess it?
Luke 7:11, 12
Death takes away the young full often. Had it been the Lord's will, one of us might have been this day a corpse, and today would have been mournfully spent by the rest of the family at the tomb. The poor widowed mother who mourned her only son was at once observed by the tender Jesus, and addressed in tones of deepest sympathy.
Luke 7:13-15
Oh, that he would give spiritual life to those of this family who are dead in sin! Young and fair, excellent and amiable as young men and women may be, they must be quickened by the Holy Spirit, or else they will remain dead in trespasses and sins. Jesus can give the spiritual life, and a mothers tears will go far to touch his heart and win the blessing.
Luke 7:16, 17
So was his name renowned, even as it is among his own saints at this hour. Blessed, forever blessed, be the Friend of Man!
Luke 7:36-38
We are not informed as to how she came to know and love the Savior. It may be that some gracious word of his had recalled her from a life of infamy and shame, which was fast ending in misery and despair. Filled with deep repentance, and moved with holy reverence for her Lord, she brought the greatest treasure she possessed, and used it all for him, standing behind him in her bashfulness, washing his feet in her humility, weeping for penitence, kissing his feet for love, and unbraiding her tresses and using them as a towel, out of supreme devotion to him, to whom she owed her all. Happy woman, to be able thus to show her devout attachment to her Lord.
Luke 7:39
He had never thought of our Lord as he should have done, and now his respect quite fails. He could not think that any good man would allow such a woman to come so near him. Simon did not understand Jesus, but Jesus well enough understood Simon, and therefore spoke to him.
Luke 7:44-47
Self-righteousness can never serve after the same fashion as love. It does its duty in the formal style of force work, and not with the zest and delight of true affection. The attempt to save ourselves by our own merits never brings forth those emotions of entire devotion which arise from a sense of grace bestowed and sin pardoned. Are there not in our own case reasons for fervent love? He who writes this exposition feels that, above all men, he is bound to love his forgiving Master. Do not the same feelings occur to others?
Luke 7:48
Her love brought her a fresh token for good, another assurance of forgiveness. Gratitude for former favors is the sure method to obtain more.
Luke 7:50
He did not take the trouble to rebuke the impudent murmurers, but he persisted in consoling the loving penitent. He honored her faith, and bade her go, with his peace resting upon her, for he did not wish her to be disturbed by cruel tongues. Learn hence how delighted Jesus is to forgive great sinners, since they bring him great love in return, and see also how free his mercy is, since he frankly forgives those who have nothing to pay.
Luke 8:1-3
So that our Lord was supported by the voluntary offerings of his followers. He did no more work at the carpenter's bench, when he began to preach the gospel: his ministry required all his time and strength. It is noble in men, like Paul, to labor at their trade while preaching, but if believers were as generous as they should be, such drudgery would not long be necessary.
Luke 9:51
He looked beyond his death to his ascension, and for the joy that was set before him he was resolute to go through with the appointed suffering. Oh that we were equally steadfast to perform all the will of the Lord!
Luke 9:52, 53
They were prejudiced against the Jewish worship. The Samaritans often attacked Galileans who passed through their country to go up to the feasts at Jerusalem.
Luke 9:54
They thought it holy indignation, and so perhaps it was, but that is not to be paramount under the gospel. Love reigns in Christ's kingdom.
Luke 9:55-58
He hoped to share the glories of the great prophet and the honors of the Messiah. Jesus honestly told him that he would have not only to fare hard but to lie hard, and this did not suit the new professor. He had chosen Christ in ignorance, but Christ had not chosen him, and therefore away he went.
Luke 9:59, 60
Christ himself called this man, and therefore, though he raised difficulties, grace overcame them. Natures love was strong in him, but grace gained the victory. We must make everything else secondary to serving the Lord. Ministers should leave worldly business to others, and give themselves to the preaching of the gospel.
Luke 9:61, 62
He who is called to the ministry should go through with it. As long as lungs and life hold out, no preacher may cease his testimony. If God has called him he must not, yes, he cannot, leave his sacred work.
Luke 10:1
The twelve had succeeded so well that our Lord enlarged the number of his evangelists, and sent them forth as itinerant preachers all over the land.
Luke 10:2
This prayer was to be offered by preachers themselves. In any other calling men are afraid of being crowded out if too many engage in it; but there is no fear of this in the Christian ministry; there cannot be too many soul-winners.
Luke 10:3
They must therefore expect trouble, and look to a higher power than their own for protection.
Luke 10:4
The king's business required haste, and therefore the needless courtesies of life were to be omitted.
Luke 10:5, 6
No blessing can be lost, if not well bestowed it will come home to the giver.
Luke 10:7
They were neither to be beggars nor feasters; but, being refreshed at one hospitable table, they were to go on with their work.
Luke 10:8-15
Matthew Henry says, "To understand the wisdom of God in giving the means of grace to those who would not improve them, and denying them to those who would, we must wait for the great day of discovery."
Luke 10:16
Christ judges himself to be treated as his ministers are, and therefore it will go hard with those who reject their message and cause them pain.
Luke 10:18
He saw him fall from his power like a meteor, suddenly and hopelessly.
Luke 10:19-20
To be elect is better than to be endowed with the greatest gifts. When we are likely to become too elated by what the Lord docs by us, it will be well to remember that what he has done for us is a far greater and safer reason for joy.
Luke 10:23, 24
Gospel times are happy times. Do we think enough of our privilege in being permitted to live in an age when salvation is fully revealed and plainly preached in all our streets? It is to be feared that the commonness of the blessing has made it cheap in our esteem.
Luke 10:25
Or, what is the way to Heaven by my own doings and merits?
Luke 10:26-28
For "the man that does these things shall live in them;" but who has ever thus loved the Lord his God? Who among the fallen sons of men can thus honor his Maker? Our Lord thus laid open the impossibility of salvation by works. The labors of Hercules are nothing to the work which is required to merit Heaven. To love God and our neighbor, according to the measure of the law, has never yet been accomplished by any mere man.
Luke 10:29
Expecting the Lord to tell him that his fellow Jew was such; instead of which, the Lord tells him that he ought to be a neighbor to any man and every man in need.
Luke 10:31
He had too much to do at the temple to act the part of a man. Official religiousness often kills common humanity.
Luke 10:37
Compassion is a great gospel duly, and it must be hearty and practical. When we see a man in distress, we must not pass him by as the priest and Levite did, for thus we shall show that our religion is only skin-deep, and has never affected our hearts. We must pity, go near, help, and befriend. All that is needed we must do, so far as it lies in our power, and never leave the needy one until we have seen the matter through. The good Samaritan has earned for himself immortal honor. Let us imitate him by manifesting a brother's love to those who are in trouble, even though they should happen to be opposed to us in religion, or have been regarded as our enemies. Such conduct will bring glory to God, and go far to recommend the holy religion which we profess. The Lord help us to do so, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Luke 10:40
Martha was not blamable for serving, nor for serving much, but for being distracted with care, when she should have been listening to her Lord. Mary wisely judged that it would better please the Lord for her to hearken to his teaching than to offer him a grand entertainment. What were joints and dishes to him! He had far rather receive an attentive ear than any or all the other attentions which the kindest hostesses could offer him.
Luke 10:41, 42
She was more spiritual than her sister, and was wise for so being. The active Christian must one day cease from his activity, but the contemplative spiritual believer may continue to sit at Jesus feet throughout the whole of life, and even in death itself. To learn of Jesus and live in communion with him is the highest privilege of saints.
Luke 11:4
This is the model for our prayers, and the more closely we copy its fullness, order, brevity, and spirituality, the better we shall pray.
Luke 11:5-8
Importunity will prevail where friendship fails; how much more will it succeed with our ever-faithful heavenly friend!
Luke 11:9, 10
Prayer is not a vain exercise; it is heard and answered. Where it fails there is a reason for that failure. "You have not because you ask not, or because you ask amiss."
Luke 11:11
There were stones near the Savior which looked like thin cakes of bread. Will a father deceive his child with these?
Luke 11:1
Some fishes may be mistaken for serpents. Will a father give his child a poisonous serpent instead of a fish?
Luke 11:13
We do not make mistakes and give our children deadly things when they ask for good things, neither will the Lord refuse us, or send us the counterfeits of blessings. We shall obtain real boons, and that which is the essence of all blessings, the life of grace, and the soul of holiness, namely, the Holy Spirit. We may ask for him, and we may expect to Receive him in answer to our petition.
Luke 11:37
If he meant the invitation kindly, our Lord accepted of it in kindness to him; and if he intended it as a means of watching him, the Lord showed that he was not afraid of his keenest glances. Truth baffles spies, and therefore fears them not.
Luke 11:38
The merely outward ceremony of bathing their hands before eating was made so much of by the Pharisees that our Lord purposely abstained from it. He came to teach the religion which cleanses the heart, not that which begins and ends with the body. It is the duty of the followers of Jesus to discourage in all possible ways the superstitious observances of modern Ritualists, who are the Pharisees of the period.
Luke 11:41
When benevolence offers a portion of her substance to the poor, she sanctifies the rest. To wash ones hands of greediness is better than a hundred washings in water.
Luke 11:42
Only a hypocrite will exalt trifles above important duties, and he only does so to be thought exceedingly strict. The tithe of small herbs could not amount to much, and was only paid in order to make men say, "How scrupulous the Pharisees are!"
Luke 11:44
Their hearts were full of wickedness, and yet they bore a high repute; and so were like graves which are green above ground, but are full of rottenness within, where the eye of man cannot see.
Luke 11:45
lawyers or teachers of the law
Luke 11:45
It touched his conscience as the Lord intended it should.
Luke 11:46-48
They pretended to honor the prophets by erecting memorials to them; but inasmuch as they continued in the sins of their persecuting sires, he accuses them of perpetrating and perfecting their parents acts; the fathers killed and buried the saints, and the sons built their sepulchers.
Luke 11:51
Read the story of the siege of Jerusalem, and the just vengeance of God upon the Jews will be before you.
Luke 11:52-54
Burkitt, in his Commentary, here writes, "When any lie in wait to catch something out of our mouth that they may ensnare us, give us your prudence and your patience, O Lord, that we may not give occasion to those who seek occasion against us."
Luke 12:1, 2
How vain, then, is it to play the hypocrite! If God did not see, and nothing more were known of us than what our fellow men can detect, hypocrisy might answer its purpose; but what folly it is to try to deceive when everything is observed by the Lord, and will in due time be published before all men.
Luke 12:3
Therefore it becomes us to behave in our private life just as we would do if all men were gazing upon us. Since we cannot conceal our true character, let us not be so foolish as to seem to be what we are not.
Luke 12:7
The doctrine of a special providence is here plainly taught. It is full of richest comfort.
Luke 12:8-10
He will be left to impenitence and therefore be lost. Those who can and do repent have not committed this sin.
Luke 12:14
He kept to his own work, and did not interfere with the duty of the magistrate. Christian ministers should in this imitate their Lord and mind their own proper business.
Luke 12:15-17
Why not give the overplus to the poor? There were twenty good ways of disposing of his superfluous wealth.
Luke 12:18, 19
It was all self. He talked only of "I," and "My goods." Alas, such language is common enough when covetous men talk to themselves.
Luke 12:20, 21
He is a fool too. He puts the body before the soul, he hopes to find ease on the thorny bed of wealth, and makes sure of a long life in a dying world. O Lord, keep all of us from being so foolish.
Luke 12:35
Eastern garments require to be girded up when a man begins to work. The Savior tells us to be prepared for service towards God, and for testimony before men. We are to get ready, and to keep ready.
Luke 12:36
We are to live in expectation, waiting to hear the knock of our Master at the door. Are we so living? Do we look for the coming of the Lord?
Luke 12:37
This is not according to the manner of men, for what master will wait upon his servants? Yet the condescending love of Jesus promises to us this high honor. Who would not cheerfully obey such a Lord?
Luke 12:38-40
Watch and wait: at any moment Jesus may be here. What manner of persons ought we to be, who live in such an expectation?
Luke 12:41
It had a bearing upon all, but the Lord, in answer to Peters question, proceeded to show its special bearing upon ministers of the gospel.
Luke 12:42
It was anciently the steward's duty to allot to every member of the family his regular portion, and so are the stewards of Christ to instruct all classes of persons, giving to each the teaching most appropriate.
Luke 12:43-46
The most terrible punishments will be richly deserved by those who, being placed in the responsible position of caring for the souls of others, shall dare to neglect them, and shall even use their power and influence to tyrannize over them and oppress them. May the Lord send us faithful ministers, and keep them faithful.
Luke 12:47, 48
God's judgments will be exactly according to right, and none shall have cause to complain. The highest degree of punishment will fall to the lot of some of us if we neglect the gospel, for we have much light and knowledge; and therefore, our sin will be the greater.
Luke 13:1-9
We must not suffer the intercession of Abraham to pass away from our thoughts until it has reminded us of the yet more powerful advocacy of our Blessed Lord Jesus. We see him in one of his own parables describing himself as preserving the sinful by his pleadings, and the passage is a fit sequel to our yesterday's reading.
Luke 13:3
See the need of repentance. Philip Henry once said, "Some people do not like to hear much of repentance; but I think it so necessary that if I were to die in the pulpit, I should desire to die preaching repentance, and if I should die out of the pulpit I hope to die practicing it."
Luke 13:4-5
When we hear or read of terrible judgments upon sinners, such as these here recorded, and that which befell Sodom of old, we ought not to congratulate ourselves as though we were exempted because of our innocence, but rather we should regard these events as warnings to ourselves; since, if we fall into the same sins, sooner or later a doom equally overwhelming will come upon us. If any inquire why it has not come already, let them pay special attention to the parable which follows. There has been an intercessor at work, or we should have perished long before this.
Luke 13:6
It was in good soil, and under the gardener's care; it would therefore yield fruit, or prove itself to be good for nothing.
Luke 13:7
Three years was long enough for a test: there might have been two bad seasons to account for the absence of fruit, but when a third time the tree was fruitless the fault must be in the tree itself. God gives us time enough for trial. All of us have been borne with quite long enough to prove us, and perhaps at this moment the Lord is saying, "Cut it down." How very like are some of us to the barren tree! In itself it is of no use, it fills the place of a good tree, it draws the goodness from the soil, and hurts others near it. It is thus that men live useless lives, and meanwhile are occupying wastefully positions in which others would bring glory to God.
Luke 13:8
It is the voice of Jesus the Intercessor. He is unwilling to see the axe uplifted, for he is full of compassion. See how unconverted men owe their lives to Jesus. They are not preserved by their own worth or worthiness, but they live upon sufferance, and will die as soon as the voice of Jesus ceases to plead for them.
Luke 13:9
May we who have been without grace until now hear the word of God at this hour and live; for this may be our last year of grace, and when it is over we may be cast into the fire of Hell. Jesus has pleaded that we may be tried once more; but there is a limit to his pleadings. Note the two ifs, "And if," "and if not." Upon these two ifs hang eternity. The Lord grant that none of us may be cut down and cast into the eternal burnings.
Luke 13:11-17
We are now about to consider one of our Lord's miracles, wrought upon a woman who had long been in sorrow. May it comfort any who are spiritually in a like condition.
Luke 13:11
Poor creature, to be so long deformed, so long made to suffer at every step she took! Her condition was very grievous, but she did not stay away from public worship. If she had done so, she would not have been found by Jesus in the synagogue.
Luke 13:12, 13
When souls which have long been bowed down are graciously made upright, they never fail to give praise to God.
Luke 13:23, 24
A question which has been asked many times since. If a book could be published by authority detailing the number of the saved, many would hasten to read it. It would be far more wise to ask, "Shall I be saved?" We may get a clear answer to that personal inquiry, but upon the larger question we are not yet in possession of more than clouded light. "If but three persons are to be saved, why should not I be one of them?" was a sensible remark we once heard from an earnest seeker.
Luke 13:23, 24
Now is the accepted time, but before long the day of grace and of this mortal life will end, and then it will be too late to seek for mercy.
Luke 13:25, 26
No doubt many rely upon the means of grace and participation in the sacraments; their confidence will utterly fail them at the last.
Luke 13:27, 28
Pushed out with indignation, because the gospel was rejected by them. It will be a great loss to lose the company of prophets and saints forever.
Luke 13:29
It will very much aggravate the sorrows of the lost to. see so many saved whose prospects did not appear to be one half so hopeful as their own.
Luke 13:32, 33
He called Herod a fox because that crafty person was trying to frighten him out of his dominions by employing the Pharisees to alarm him with fear of death. Jesus, as Lord over all kings, had a right thus to describe the cunning monarch whose character was exactly that of the scheming, artful fox. Jesus defied his threats, and went on with his holy mission.
Luke 13:35
Wonderful sight! The Son of God in tears! He could not think of the ruin of men without deep sympathy, nor should we. We must not allow our hearts to become unfeeling in this matter, or we shall be very unlike our Lord and Master.
Luke 14:1-5
Our Lord performed many of his noblest cures on the Sabbath, as if to show that the day was ordained to glorify God by yielding benefit to man. If at one time more than another the healing virtue flows freely from our Lord, it is on that one day in seven which is reserved for holy uses, and is called "the Lord's Day." In the passage which we are about to read he shows how suitable it is that a holy day should be crowned with holy deeds of mercy and love.
Luke 14:1
It must have been a great vexation to the open-hearted Savior to be thus perpetually surrounded by spies. None but he would have endured it with so much meekness. Instead of being distracted by their mean enmity, he calmly sought the good of the guests around him.
Luke 14:11
The parable is self-evident common sense, and the lesson from it is most important spiritual truth. Let us not lose its practical teaching.
Luke 14:14
We give to the rich, and think it a pleasure to do them service; and yet, they do not need it. Who would refuse anything to the queen? Yet the poor are not so welcome. Is this right?
Luke 14:15-18
Why not go to see the ground at another time? Had he bought it without seeing it?
Luke 14:19
Did he mean to plough at night? These bad excuses were worse than none.
Luke 14:20
Why not bring his wife with him? This was a pretense too flimsy to conceal his unfriendly feeling to the giver of the feast.
Luke 14:21
The anger of our Lord against some brought good to others. If those first bidden will not come to the feast, we Gentile sinners are enabled to fill the vacant room.
Luke 14:24
If mercy be refused by us now, we shall be refused mercy before long. The Lord is very patient; but he will not always bear to have his love despised. May none of us delay accepting the gospel call, lest the Lord should declare that we shall not taste of his supper.
Luke 14:26
Jesus did not wish to win disciples by mistake. He would not have men follow him without knowing the terms upon which he would receive them as disciples. He therefore told them plainly that he must be everything or nothing; he claims the first place in the heart; even parents and children must be second Jo him. He must be so paramount that for his sake all other dear ones would be abandoned, if need be, and life itself would be relinquished for love of him. Less love to Jesus than this is no love at all. Do we love him with an all-absorbing, masterly affection? If not, we have not yet learned to be his disciples.
Luke 14:27
Still further, our Lord proceeds to lay down the terms of discipleship. His followers must suffer loss and shame, and be willing to do so, or they have not learned the first elements of the faith. Jesus denied himself for the good of others, and for the truth's sake, and so must we, or we cannot be his followers. What say we to this?
Luke 14:28-30
To make a profession of religion and not to consider what it will cost us is to subject ourselves to ridiculous failure. We must give Jesus all our heart, and be willing to suffer for his sake. Can we carry this out by the Spirit's help? If not, it is better not to profess to be Christians.
Luke 14:33
We may not be called actually to do so, but we must be quite ready to lose all for Jesus' sake, or else we are not his true followers. What martyrs have actually done we must be willing to do, or we have not the grace of God in us.
Luke 14:35
If Christianity itself could become powerless, of what good would it be? If a man renewed by grace could become like other men, how could he be saved? If the Spirit of God and his regeneration could fail, what would remain? Blessed be God, such a failure shall never occur; but if it could, the result must be final and total destruction.
Luke 15:1
Then drew near unto him all the publicans or tax-gatherers
Luke 15:1
They filled the inner circle, being anxious to catch every word. The Lord Jesus was so kind and affable, that they felt at home with him. He had none of the repelling pride of the Pharisaic doctors, but his loving interest in the fallen classes, like a loadstone, drew them around him.
Luke 15:2
They formed an outer ring of grumbling spies, carping at all that he said and did. In their zeal to find fault with him, they uttered that which has ever remained as his highest praise. It is for us poor sinners a signal mercy that Jesus does receive the guilty, and commune with them. Let us ask him to receive us again at this moment, and eat with us, for it is still true, that "this man receives sinners." The caviling of the Pharisees drew from our Lord that richest of all his gospel parables, which we are now about to read. It is but one picture, though painted in three panels.
Luke 15:7
This first picture describes the joy of the Son of God in mans salvation. He is the Good Shepherd, and cares for each one of his sheep. To rescue the lost, he left the saints and angels in Heaven, and traversed this wilderness world. He finds those who are not seeking him, and, with hands of love and shoulders of power, brings them home, making himself and all holy beings glad at the finding of the lost. If for us to be saved gives to the Savior so muck joy, there must be hope for the very worst. Is it not so?
Luke 15:10
The second picture of the one great parable sets forth the work of the Holy Spirit through the church. Man is a precious thing; he bears the image of God; but he is lost. The Spirit, by the church, seeks the lost treasure. The candle of truth is brought, and much trouble is taken by the preaching of the searching word to seek for the lost. Lost souls are found, and then the church is glad, and God himself, before whom angels stand, is full of rejoicing. Whatever we may do, he values the pieces minted in his own mint, and has no pleasure in their being lost. What comfort it ought to be to anxious souls when they learn that their salvation will give joy to the heart of him whom angels adore. One repenting sinner is more joy to God than a new-made world. Let us return to our loving Lord, and grieve him no more. Those who are once found by divine grace are saved, for the angels would not rejoice prematurely over one who might yet be lost. Heavenly joy is never rash; angels cannot be supposed to have rejoiced too soon. True penitents are saved, and therefore, before they enter Heaven holy beings rejoice over them with unalloyed delight, expecting to see them before long in glory.
Luke 15:11-16
This is the best the world can do for an awakened sinner. Its richest joys and its best religious teachings are only swine's' meat, and cannot satisfy the soul's cravings.
Luke 15:21
He did not say, "Make me as one of your hired servants," his father smothered that legal prayer with a kiss.
Luke 15:25, 26
He was in a bad state, and had grown self-conceited, as even good people are apt to do.
Luke 15:29, 30
He complained that his religion brought him but little joy, and yet the newly converted sinner was made the receiver of great delights. We have often heard this from grumbling professors who have sunk into an ill condition of heart.
Luke 15:31
If we do not rejoice, it is our own fault for living below our privileges, for all things are ours.
Luke 15:32
Joy over new converts is most proper and seemly, and it is unlovely for any to grudge them the delights of new found grace. Let us imitate the heavenly Father, and not the elder brother.
Luke 16:8
And the lord not Jesus, but the steward's master
Luke 16:8
It was not his dishonesty which was commended, but his shrewdness. The steward's business was to get as much as he could for his lord out of the tenants; and finding that he was to be dismissed he used his remaining tenure of office to earn their friendship, by remitting their rents. In this he was sharp and far seeing; and we, though we must never act dishonestly, should also look before us, and act with our worldly treasure in such a way as to win the friendship of others. Money is never better used than when we do good to others with it, so that in persecuting times, even the ungodly may think of us in a friendly spirit, while the gracious will love us, and welcome us into the mansions above. Hoarding gets poor interest; giving is true thrift.
Luke 16:10, 11
A man who does not use money well will not employ higher gifts discreetly. To use wealth to promote the good of others is wisdom, and he who fails in this, does not know how to use the true riches, and will not be trusted therewith. It needs much grace to use money well, and those who make it their care to. do so, are among the best of Christians.
Luke 16:12
If you are not faithful when you are under obligation to be so, you will be far more unwise in matters in which you think that you may do as you please. The bad steward of another will make a bad manager for himself.
Luke 16:13
Two principles cannot both be master in the heart. God and mammon will neither of them accept a divided empire. We must serve the one or the other; the two will never agree.
Luke 16:14
Men are very apt to pretend to ridicule that which troubles their consciences. No person is more hopeless than the man who jests at the Word of the Lord.
Luke 16:15
This we should always remember, for it will save us from loving the fashions of the day, or trembling at the frowns of men. If God abhors what man esteems, man's judgment should be of small account with us.
Luke 16:19-31
Our present reading opens up to a terrible view of the state of the ungodly in the world to come, when all their earthly riches will be taken from them, and their guilty souls will be driven from the presence of the Lord.
Luke 16:19
He was a worldling in a choice position. The world does not always yield its servants such present comforts and enjoyments, for even the ungodly are often poor and sick. This man thought himself fortunes favorite, and he cared nothing for the favor of God. He was rich, and showed it in his clothing and his feeding. Self-indulgence and earthly honor were the gods which he worshiped every day. Many envied him, but could they have known his latter end, they would have pitied him.
Luke 16:20, 21
They were more pitiful than their master, and lent the moisture of their tongues where he refused his aid. Here was a saint at his worst, and yet it went well with him.
Luke 16:22
With gilded hearse, and plumes, and pall, and marble tomb, perhaps; but what of that?
Luke 16:23
This makes Hell the more unbearable, that the lost can behold the bliss of the blessed.
Luke 16:24
Into what a case had he now come! His rare wines were far away, and even a drop of water was prayed for as a luxury. How sad to be rich here, and to be lost hereafter!
Luke 16:25, 26
The division is eternal. Once saved forever saved: once lost forever lost. The partings of the judgment are final: saint and sinner will never meet again when once their dooms are fixed.
Luke 16:27, 28
Their coming into Hell would increase his wretchedness; their upbraidings would flog his conscience and increase his woe. It was not that he had any spiritual love for their souls, but he had love for himself, and did not wish to hear their reproaches.
Luke 16:29-31
If the Word of God and the ministry of the gospel be not enough to convert men, there is no hope for them; even a preacher sent from the eternal world would have no power over them, they would scorn his message. Are any of us unsaved? Let us see our condition, and yield to the gospel's call. However happy our life may be in this world, it were better for us that we had never been born than that we should live and die unsaved. O Eternity, Eternity! what must it be to lose your heavenly joys! What must it be to sink into your infinite woes!
Luke 17:4
We are not to pretend to do so, but to do it really and from our hearts. Though the provocation may be cruel and frequently repeated, still we are to meet it with love, and thus overcome evil with good. Is not this a hard task? The apostles evidently thought it so difficult that they placed it out of the region of common actions, and regarded it as a marvel which only great faith could perform.
Luke 17:5
They felt that to forgive as their Lord bade them needed mighty faith; and Jesus, pleased with their prayer, explained to them that faith would enable them to work both this and other spiritual wonders.
Luke 17:6
To remove a tree from the earth and plant it in the unstable ocean would not be so great a marvel as to transplant the forgiving nature of the Lord Jesus and make it flourish in our hearts: yet faith can achieve the miracle. Lord, work this in each of us.
Luke 17:7, 8
This is the season for service, and if grace enables us to be zealous and diligent, we are only acting as our position requires. To wish the Lord to give us honor and ease in this life, is as unreasonable as if a servant should expect his master to wait upon him.
Luke 17:9, 10
Boasting is excluded. If we have reached the highest degree of holiness, we are no better than we should be.
Luke 17:18
It is a good rule never to expect gratitude from any one, for it is a rare thing in the earth; and when we do receive it, it generally comes from those of whom we least expected it. Let us not ourselves forget to show our thankfulness to God for mercies received, for although gratitude to the Lord may not be in itself a sufficient sign of grace, yet its absence is a sure token of an unrenewed heart. In the case before us the thankful Samaritan was the only one of the ten who had true faith, and therefore he received the Savior's blessing.
Luke 17:21
They looked for an outward reign, as many do still, and so they missed the glory of the inward spiritual kingdom. Outward pomp and show in religion are still the main things with many, but they forget the words before us; "Behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
Luke 17:21
No doubt many a time the apostles said, "Would God our Lord were here," especially in those dark days when the Romans compassed the city.
Luke 17:24
There will be no need of inquiries then. His coming will be plain to all. Yet there was need of this caution, for in all ages deceivers have risen up, and have misled many by prophecies concerning the second advent. Vain dreamers of ten go insane upon this matter.
Luke 17:25-31
The most valued properly must be sacrificed to save life. Loitering has cost many a man his soul.
Luke 17:32
She looked, she longed, she lingered, and she died, yet she was Lot's wife, and was on the way to escape. Alas, how many are near to salvation and yet perish. This little verse should be often before our eyes.
Luke 17:33
Those who die for Christ's sake have saved their lives, and those who are cowards and deny their Lord to escape from death have in the highest sense lost life.
Luke 17:34-36
When the Romans came only a few escaped, and so even now death finds many unprepared. Families will not be saved in the bulk. True religion is a personal matter; one by faith will live, and another will perish in unbelief. Who among us will escape from Hell when the Lord shall summon us to judgment?
Luke 17:37
The first fulfillment of this prophecy was at the siege of Jerusalem, when the Roman eagles gathered around the dead body of the Jewish state. Then did the Lord come forth to punish impenitent Israel, and then his disciples, being warned, fled in haste from the condemned city. Never, however, let us forget that his great coming is yet future, and that zee ought to be hourly prepared for it.
Luke 18:1-14
Our time will be well spent if we study one of our Lord's discourses upon prayer. It consists of two parables.
Luke 18:1
To commence prayer is easy, but to continue in it is another thing. We too often flag and grow remiss, and so we lose the blessing.
Luke 18:5
He was a wicked, unfeeling man, ready enough to pervert justice and grant the suit to the oppressor; his petitioner was a poor woman, bereft of her natural protector, and quite unable to affect his hard heart by her sad tale; yet her importunity won her suit, he was afraid of being tired to death, and therefore he attended to her cry. Every part of the parable strengthens our case, for we deal with a faithful and gracious God, who is ready to hear us; we are poor and feeble, it is true, but we have a powerful Advocate in the great Husband of the church; therefore if we do not obtain our request the first time, we should pray again and again, and never cease until our importunity obtains its end.
Luke 18:7
They are no strangers, but "his own elect;" surely he will hear them.
Luke 18:8
The prayers of the suffering church will not have long to wait. God's time comes on.
Luke 18:8
It is so scarce that even He who best can discover faith will hardly find any of it. Shame upon our unbelief.
Luke 18:11
He stood by himself as if too holy to be touched by others, and his prayer was indeed, no prayer, but a self-glorification
Luke 18:12
Under the pretense of praising God, he praised himself. It is all "I," "I fast," "I give," and so on. Nor was this enough, he indulged in uncharitable reflections upon others, making at the same time a list of his own virtues and a catalogue of other men's failings, and crowning all with a sneer at his neighbor.
Luke 18:13
He confessed his sin, he smote upon his heart as the cause of it, he pleaded for mercy, and he had an eye to the atonement, for his prayer really meant, "Be propitious towards me through sacrifice."
Luke 18:14
He had a sweet sense of pardon in his breast, and the other had it not, for indeed he had not even asked for it:
Luke 18:14
From all this let us learn to pray importunately, but not proudly. We must be earnest, but yet humble. We may be bold, but not arrogant. Lord teach us to pray.
Luke 19:5
Here was sovereign, free, effectual grace. Jesus sought the heart which else would never have sought him. The eternal purpose had rendered it necessary that Zaccheus should be saved; there was a divine must in the way, and therefore called and saved he was, though apparently one of the most unlikely of converts.
Luke 19:6
Oh that each one of us might with equal willingness receive Jesus, who is now calling us to himself. May the mighty word of everlasting love make us willing in the day of its power.
Luke 19:7
Not only the Pharisees, but others also were astonished at the Saviors visit to this member of the tax-collecting band, for the publicans were despised and hated by all their countrymen. Free grace thus delights to astonish men by choosing and calling the base things of this world.
Luke 19:8
Thus he gave evidence of a change of heart by a change of way. Restitution is first due to all whom we may have wronged, and then, over and above that, charity to the poor becomes our duty. Zaccheus attended to both obligations, he was just as well as generous. Thus by his righteous and liberal conduct he cleared the Savior from all charges of conniving at sin. The Lord had not winked at his conduct, but had made him repent of it, and forever turn from it, to become an honorable man.
Luke 19:10
A publican was looked upon as a lost man, who had forfeited his privileges as a son of Abraham; but Jesus restored the lost one, and raised him to a higher position than that which he had occupied by birth. Sin has not lost us so much as Jesus gives us.
Luke 19:11
He would turn their thoughts away from the thrones and glories, which they fondly expected, to the service and duty which really lay before them.
Luke 19:12, 13
Use my money in trade until I return.
Luke 19:16
Great grace is modest. He did not say I have gained ten pounds, but your pound has gained it. Good men say as Paul did, "I labored, yet not I, but the grace of God which was in me."
Luke 19:19
Those who are alike faithful may not be all equally successful; there is a sovereignty in the results of service as well as in the gifts of grace. Yet all faithful servants are acceptable to their Master.
Luke 19:22, 23
with usury or interest.
He met him on his own ground, and condemned him out of his own mouth. The character of the master is no rule for the servant, he was bound to do his lord's will, and if he knew that lord to be severe, this should have quickened him into greater diligence.
Luke 19:24-26
It is always so; the gracious and faithful man obtains more grace and more means of usefulness, while the unfaithful man sinks lower and lower, and grows worse and worse. We must either make progress or else lose what we have attained. There is no such thing as standing still in religion.
Luke 19:27
Will there be one of this dear family among those unhappy rebels who will miserably perish? O Lord, forbid it!
Luke 20:19
His presence among them when the doors were closed must have astonished and delighted them. While they were trembling he came to re-assure them both by his words and his smiles.
Luke 20:20
And well might they be, for his presence is ever a wellspring of joy. Mark the loving familiarity which thus unveiled his scars, and note the full proofs of his identity which those wounds afforded them. Even now the Lord reveals himself unto his chosen as he does not unto the world. Oh, for a view of him by faith.
Luke 20:23
He gave them a commission and added the power to carry it out by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Moreover he promised to put force into the sentences which they pronounced in his name, so that when they preached remission to penitents, the Lord granted that remission, and when in the name of Jesus they declared that the sins of unbelievers remained upon them, it was so. The gospel is not our word, but the word of Jesus who has sent us.
Luke 20:24
He neglected the week-night service and lost a blessing, as many have done since.
Luke 20:25
He had no right to claim such a proof; unbelief is unreasonable in its demands.
Luke 20:27
Infinite was the Redeemer's condescension. Knowing the doubts of Thomas he stooped to meet them, for he knew him to be sincere and willing to be convinced.
Luke 20:28
Thus in a moment reading the Deity of Jesus in wounds. A sweet lesson. Oh, to learn it every day afresh.
Luke 20:29
The richest blessing falls to the share of those simple minds who believe the word of God, even when surrounded with difficulty and unsupported by signs and evidences. The more childlike the faith the happier the heart.
Luke 20:30, 31
Have we so believed? If not, the Bible has been read by us in vain.
Luke 21:2
It was well to keep together and enjoy the communion of saints. Good society makes good men better.
Luke 21:3
As they had as yet no directions to go upon their spiritual business, they acted commendably in following their daily callings, for nothing is more dangerous than indolence.
Luke 21:9
Everything tended to remind them of their old times with their Lord. Fishing in the old place, the old failures, the old miracles, and the old repast, would all help them to identify their Master. But what a new light was over all!
Luke 21:11
"Be of use! Forward! To Christ!" These were the watchwords of Peter, and should be ours.
Luke 21:13
Jesus here showed himself to be what he still is. the Provider, the Host, the Husband of his Church.
Luke 21:17
The Greek word means in this third question more than before, and might be rendered, "Love you me dearly?"
Luke 21:17
He had three times denied, and he must three times avow his Lord.
Luke 21:18, 19
This spoke he, signifying by what death he should glorify God namely, by crucifixion
Luke 21:18, 19
Thus was erring Peter fully restored. How mightily would that word "follow me" ring in his ears and influence his whole future. Follow me in doctrine, follow me in practice, follow me in sufferings, follow me in death, follow me to glory. May the Lord say to each one of us with power, Follow Me.
Luke 22:14
And when the hour was come, he sat down, or reclined upon a couch after the Eastern manner
Luke 22:15
Strong was his longing to commune with his beloved ones, as also to finish his great work, and to become the lamb of God's Passover.
Luke 22:16
The Passover was now to cease. Our Lord observed the outward sign one night before the proper time, because it was to be fulfilled on the morrow. This change was a sign that it had waxed old, and was ready to vanish away.
Luke 22:17, 18
While the thoughts of the Master were thus taken up with his sufferings, it is painful to find that the apostles were disputing about pre-eminence. Alas, poor human nature!
Luke 22:31, 32
This solemn warning and gracious declaration were meant to set the bold disciple on his guard, but he was self-confident, and again declared his strength of purpose.
Luke 22:34
Never was man more hearty and sincere, but the Lord knew he would waver. Let none of us talk of what we will do, but pray for grace to do it.
Luke 22:36
Now all was changed, no one would entertain them, every one would harm them, and they would be as men needing defense against deadly foes. He did not, however, mean that they should fight with carnal weapons, as we shall see immediately. It was only an intimation that they were now to be assailed by force.
Luke 22:38
If they were literally to fight, two swords were not enough, but they were enough to express the Savior's idea. They were now to go out as warriors to conquer the world, and the swords represented their militant condition. One sword was rashly used by Peter, and his Lord bade him put it away, to show that armed force is not to be employed; there was another sword not then wielded, which typified the Word of God, with which nations are subdued.
Luke 22:66-71
Sorrowfully let us now see our Lord accused before the Jewish council, standing alone before his cruel enemies. After the council had condemned Jesus in a preliminary examination, they seem to have separated, to meet again in a more formal manner in the morning.
Luke 22:66-69
And as soon as it was day which was then about five in the morning
Luke 22:66-69
They would neither hear his arguments nor reply fairly to any questions which he might put to them, by which his claims might be proved. He had, in former days, proved to them that he was the Christ, and that the Christ was the Son of God, and yet they had refused to believe. He, therefore, bore his testimony, and left the issue to the last great day, saying,
Luke 22:70
He had called himself "the Son of man," but they saw at once that his claim to sit at God's right hand involved his Deity, and, therefore, they pushed the question yet further, that they might accuse him.
Luke 22:70
Which means, "You say rightly that I am."
Luke 22:71
From the boldness of our Lord let us take example, and never conceal the truth from fear of men.
Luke 23:5-16
It was vain for Pilate to attempt to appease the Jews; they were bent on the death of Jesus, and nothing else would satisfy them.
Luke 23:7
He hoped by this means to rid himself of this troublesome affair. He knew the Lord to be innocent, and he ought to have set him free, but had not the moral courage to do so; he, therefore, welcomed the chance of transferring the case to other hands. How wretched is that man who is afraid to do right.
Luke 23:8, 9
It was no part of our Lord's business to gratify idle curiosity, neither could it be of any avail to explain his doctrine to a man of Herod's character, and, therefore, his wisdom was seen in his silence.
Luke 23:10
As they saw that Herod was not bitter against him, they grew more violent in their charges, hoping that our Lord's silence would enrage him, and so they might procure his death.
Luke 23:11
Herod saw that Jesus could not be guilty in the manner laid to his charge, but the silence of the Lord excited his angry contempt, and he therefore ridiculed his claims to be the Messiah.
Luke 23:16
A compromise, but a very wicked one. If guilty the prisoner ought not to be released, if innocent he ought not to be chastised. Attempts to compromise between right and wrong are always failures and should be shunned by all honest men.
Luke 23:24, 25
He had not courage to stem the stream, he feared that they might accuse him to Caesar if he suffered Jesus to go free, and, therefore, he sold himself to do evil. We need to be firm in our principles or we shall soon be driven into great sin.
Luke 23:26
Wherein he was highly privileged. Such honor have all true saints.
Shall Simon bear the cross alone
And all the rest go free?
No, there's a cross for every one
And there's a cross for me.Luke 23:27
No woman is mentioned as having spoken against Jesus in his life, or as having had a share in his death. Of woman born, by a woman was he anointed for his burial; a woman—Pilate's wife—pleaded for him, and here women wept over him. Women ministered to him in life, laid him in the grave, and were the first to meet him at his rising.
Luke 23:28-31
Our Lord foresaw the terrors of the siege of Jerusalem, and bade the women prepare for overwhelming sorrows. If the innocent thus suffered, what would become of the guilty?
Luke 23:39-42
Dr. Hanna has beautifully said: "Here, amid the triumph of enemies, and the failure of the faith of friends, is one who discerns, even through the dark envelope which covers it, the hidden glory of the Redeemer, and openly hails him as his Lord and King. Marvelous, indeed, the faith in our Lord's divinity which sprung up so suddenly in such an unlikely region. Are we wrong in saying that, at the particular moment when that testimony to Christ's divinity was borne, there was not another fill believer in that divinity but the dying thief?... And what a tenderness of conscience is here; what deep reverence for God; what devout submission to the divine will; what entire relinquishment of all personal grounds of confidence before God; what a vivid realizing of the world of spirits; what a humble trust in Jesus; what a zeal for the Savior's honor; what an indignation at the unworthy treatment he was receiving! May we not take that catalogue of the fruits of genuine repentance which an apostle has drawn up for us, and applying it here, say of this man's repentance: Behold what carefulness it wrought in him; yes, what clearing of himself; yes, what indignation; yes, what fear; yes, what vehement desire; yes, what zeal; yes, what revenge! In all things he approved himself to be a changed man, in all the desires and dispositions and purposes of his heart."
Luke 23:43
The dying Savior reigns on the cross, and allots a place in paradise to his companion in death. Here is no hint of purgatory, the pardoned thief is with Jesus that very day. So also shall all believers be with Jesus immediately they leave the body.
Luke 24:13-35
While our Lord remained upon earth he showed himself often to his disciples.
Luke 24:13, 14
And, behold, two of them went that same day, the day on which the Lord arose
Luke 24:13, 14
Or about seven miles and a half.
Luke 24:15
When Christians make their Lord the subject of discourse they may hope to be favored with his company.
Luke 24:16
And the Lord himself also appeared to them "in another form," so that they did not recognize him. Jesus sometimes hides himself from those whom he loves best. He may be very near us and yet we may not know him.
Luke 24:25, 26
He called them fools, or wanting in thought and understanding. The original words do not imply contempt; our Lord gently rebuked them for not seeing what was so plainly revealed in Scripture.
Luke 24:25, 26
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Is it not so predicted in the prophets? How could it be otherwise?
Luke 24:28
No doubt he would have done so if they had been indifferent to his company: Jesus never forces his society upon us.
Luke 24:29
Love can always find a plea to which her Lord will yield, for he is always most willing to commune with his people.
Luke 24:30, 31
The precious ordinance of "breaking of bread," is that in which Jesus manifests himself full often to his chosen, and therefore they greatly delight in it. Let none of us forget to do this in remembrance of him.
Luke 24:32-34
This testimony of the apostles the returning travelers were able to confirm, and they did so at once.