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Ask a QuestionEvery valley, &c.--levelling and smoothing, obvious figures, the sense of which is in the first words of the proclamation, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
What shall we do then?--to show the sincerity of our repentance. (Also see on Mt 3:10.)
began to say, &c.--His whole address was just a detailed application to Himself of this and perhaps other like prophecies.
What a word--a word from the Lord of spirits. (See on Mt 8:14-17.)
leap for joy--a livelier word than "be exceeding glad" of "exult" (Mt 5:12).
What is written in the law--apposite question to a doctor of the law, and putting him in turn to the test [Bengel].
Sell, &c.--This is but a more vivid expression of Mt 6:19-21 (see on Mt 6:19-21).
to the people--"the multitude," a word of special warning to the thoughtless crowd, before dismissing them. (See on Mt 16:2, 3).
tower in Siloam--probably one of the towers of the city wall, near the pool of Siloam. Of its fall nothing is known.
Why then believed ye him not?--that is, in his testimony to Jesus, the sum of his whole witness.
the things concerning me--decreed and written. have an end--are rapidly drawing to a close.
sixth month--of Elisabeth's time. Joseph, of the house of David--(See on Mt 1:16).
For, &c.--referring to what was said by the angel to Abraham in like case (Ge 18:14), to strengthen her faith.
An additional benediction on the Virgin for her implicit faith, in tacit and delicate contrast with her own husband. for--rather, as in the Margin, "that."
marvelled all--at his giving the same name, not knowing of any communication between them on the subject.
went...to his own city--the city of his extraction, according to the Jewish custom, not of his abode, which was the usual Roman method.
to all people--"to the whole people," that is, of Israel; to be by them afterwards opened up to the whole world. (See on Lu 2:14).
made known abroad--before their return (Lu 2:20), and thus were the first evangelists [Bengel].
the minister--the chazan, or synagogue-officer. all eyes...fastened on Him--astounded at His putting in such claims.
when they heard these things--these allusions to the heathen, just as afterwards with Paul (Ac 22:21, 22).
But so, &c.--(See Mr 1:45). (See on Mt 9:1-8).
Thou shalt, &c.--the answer Christ Himself gave to another lawyer. (See on Mr 12:29-33).
two pence--equal to two day's wages of a laborer, and enough for several days' support.
the finger of God--"the Spirit of God" (Mt 12:28); the former figuratively denoting the power of God, the latter the living Personal Agent in every exercise of it.
I trow not--or, as we say, when much more is meant, "I should think not."
the Lord--a name expressive of the authoritative style in which He interprets His own parable.
easier for a camel, &c.--a proverbial expression denoting literally a thing impossible, but figuratively, very difficult.
cast him out of the vineyard--(Compare Heb 13:11-13; 1Ki 21:13; Joh19:17).
two swords...enough--they thinking He referred to present defense, while His answer showed He meant something else.
The time of this miracle seems too definitely fixed here to admit of our placing it where it stands in Mark and Luke, in whose Gospels no such precise note of time is given.