Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Luke
Book: Luke
Chapter: 14
Overview:
Christ heals a
Man On the
Sabbath.
(1-6) He teaches
Humility.
(7-14) Parable of the great
Supper.
(15-24) The necessity of
consideration and self-denial.
(25-35)
1-6 This Pharisee, as
Well as others, seems to have had an ill
design in entertaining
Jesus at his
House. But our
Lord would
not be hindered from healing a
Man, though he knew a clamour
would be raised at his doing it
On the
Sabbath. It requires care
to understand the proper connection between
Piety and
Charity in
observing the
Sabbath, and the distinction between
Works of real
necessity and habits of self-indulgence.
Wisdom from above,
teaches patient perseverance in
Well-doing.
7-14 Even in the common actions of
Life,
Christ marks what we
do, not only in our religious assemblies, but at our
Tables. We
see in many cases, that a
Man's pride will bring him low, and
before honour is
Humility. Our
Saviour here teaches, that
Works
of
Charity are better than
Works of show. But our
Lord did not
mean that a proud and unbelieving liberality should be rewarded,
but that his precept of doing good to the
Poor and afflicted
should be observed from
Love to him.
15-24 In this
Parable observe the free
Grace and
Mercy of
God
shining in the
Gospel of
Christ, which will be
Food and a
Feast
for the soul of a
Man that knows its own wants and miseries. All
found some pretence to
Put off their attendance. This reproves
the Jewish nation for their neglect of the offers of
Christ's
Grace. It shows also the backwardness there is to close with the
Gospel Call. The want of gratitude in those who slight
Gospel
offers, and the contempt
Put upon the
God of
Heaven thereby,
justly provoke him. The apostles were to turn to the
Gentiles,
when the Jews refused the offer; and with them the
Church was
filled. The provision made for precious souls in the
Gospel of
Christ, has not been made in vain; for if some reject, others
will thankfully accept the offer. The very
Poor and low in the
world, shall be as welcome to
Christ as the rich and great; and
many times the
Gospel has the greatest success among those that
labour under worldly disadvantages and bodily infirmities.
Christ's
House shall at last be filled; it will be
So when the
number of the elect is completed.
25-35 Though the disciples of
Christ are not all crucified, yet
they all
Bear their
Cross, and must
Bear it in the way of duty.
Jesus bids them count upon it, and then consider of it. Our
Saviour explains this
By two similitudes; the former showing
that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter,
that we must consider the perils of it. Sit down and count the
cost; consider it will cost the mortifying of
Sin, even the most
beloved lusts. The proudest and most daring sinner cannot stand
against
God, for who knows the power of his
Anger? It is our
interest to seek peace with him, and we need not send to ask
conditions of peace, they are offered to us, and are highly to
our advantage. In some way a
Disciple of
Christ will be
Put to
the trial. May we seek to be disciples indeed, and be careful
not to grow slack in our profession, or afraid of the
Cross;
that we may be the good
Salt of the
Earth, to season those
around us with the savour of
Christ.