overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

See an account of the transfiguration in Matt. xvii. 1—13, and Mark ix. 2-13. The fashion. The appearance. 'Glistering.' Shining like lightning-of a bright dazzling whiteness. Mark ix. 3. In glory. Of a glorious appearance. Of an appearance like that which the saints have in heaven. 'His decease.' Literally, his departure. The word translated here decease-that is, going out-is elsewhere used to denote death. See 2 Peter i. 15. Death is a departure or going out from this life. 'He should accomplish. Which was about to take place. Compare Acts xiv. 26. 'Heavy with sleep.' It may seem remarkable that they should fall asleep on such an occasion. But we are to bear in mind that it was in the night, and that they were probably weary with the toils of the day. Besides, they did not fall asleep while the transfiguration lasted. While Jesus was praying, they fell asleep. While they were sleeping his countenance was changed, and Moses and Elias appeared. The first that they saw of it was after they awoke. 'Jesus was found alone.' That is, Moses and Elias had left him. In respect to them he was alone.

37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. 38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. 39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. 40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. 41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus re buked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

See this passage explained in Matt. xvii. 14-21, and Mark ix. 14-29.

43 And they were all amazed at the mighty

power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of

men.

'Let these sayings.' "Remember that I am about to die, and let my sayings in regard to that sink down into your hearts, for it is a most important event; and you will have need of remembering, when it takes place, that I told you of it."

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

It was hid from them.' They had imbibed the common notions of the Jews that he was to be a prince and a conqueror, to deliver the nation. They could not understand how that could be, if he was soon to be delivered into the hands of his enemies to die. In this way it was hid from them--not by God—but by their previous false belief. And from this we learn, that the plainest truths of the Bible are unintelligible to many because they have embraced some belief or opinion before, which is erroneous, and which they are unwilling to abandon. The proper way of reading the Bible is to lay aside all previous opinions, and submit entirely to God.

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. 49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

See Matt. xviii. 1–5; Mark ix. 33-40.

51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

The word here translated 'received up,' means literally a removal from a lower to a higher place, and here it means evidently the solemn ascension of Jesus to heaven. It is often used to describe that great event. See Acts i. 11, 22. Mark xvi. 19. 1 Tim. iii. 16. The time appointed for him to be on the earth was about expiring, and he resolved to go to Jerusalem and die. And from this we learn that Jesus was a voluntary sacrifice; that he chose to give his life for the sins of men. 'He steadfastly set his face. The expression means that he resolved to go, and it implies that he was not appalled by the dangers-that he was determined to brave all, and go up into the midst of his enemies -to die. 'To make ready. To prepare a place, lodgings, refreshments. He had no reason to expect that he would experience kind treatment from the Samaritans if he came suddenly among them, and if they saw he was going to Jerusalem. 'Samaritans.' See Matt. x. 5. They had no dealings with the

Jews. John iv. 9.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

"They did not receive him.' or receive him with kindness. cause they ascertained that he

Did not entertain him hospitably, 'Because his face was,' &c. Bewas going to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John, saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elias did?

'James and John.' They were called Boanerges, sons of thunder, probably on account of their energy and power in preaching the gospel, Mark iii. 17. 'Wilt thou,' &c. The insult had been offered to Jesus, and they felt it. But their zeal was rash, and their spirit bad. Vengeance belongs to God. Fire from heaven.' Lightning, to consume them. As Elias did.' By this they wished to justify their rash zeal. See 2 Kings i. 10-12.

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

'What manner of spirit.' You suppose that you are actuated by love for me. But you know not yourselves. It is rather a love of revenge; rather improper feelings towards the Samaritans, than proper feelings towards me. Men, when they wish to honour God, should examine their spirit, and see if there be not improper feeling manifested.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

He came

You should imitate, in your spirit, the Son of man. not to destroy. If he had, he would have destroyed these Samaritans. But he came to save. He is not soon angry. He bears patiently opposition to himself, and you should bear opposition to him.

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead : but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

See Matt, viii. 19-22.

But

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

'Bid them farewell.' To take leave, inform them of the design, and set things at home in order. The purpose to be a christian requires decision. Men should not tamper with the world. They should not consult earthly friends about it. God is to be obeyed rather than man.

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

'No man having put his hand.' To put one's hand to a plough is a proverbial expression, to signify undertaking any business. In order for a ploughman to accomplish his work, it is necessary to look onward-to be intent on his employment. So in religion. He that enters on it must do it with his whole heart. He must give up the world. He that comes still loving the world, still looking with regret on its pleasures, its wealth, and its honours, -that has not wholly forsaken them as his portion, cannot be a christian, and is not fit for the kingdom of God. He that would enter heaven must come with a heart full of love to God, and prepared to give up his property, his health, his friends, his body, his soul to God, or he cannot be a christian. Religion is every thing, or nothing. He that is not willing to sacrifice every thing for the cause of God, is not accepted by him.

CHAPTER X.

1 AFTER these things the Lord appointed other

H

seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would

come.

'After these things.' After the appointment of the twelve apostles, and the transactions recorded in the previous chapters. 'Other seventy.' Seventy others besides the apostles. They were appointed for a different purpose from the apostles. The apostles were to be with him, to hear his instructions, to be witnesses of his miracles, his sufferings, his death, and his resurrection and ascension, that they might then go and proclaim all these things to the world. The seventy were sent out to preach immediately, to go into the villages and towns and prepare the way for his coming. 'Two and two.' Doubtless, that they might aid one another by mutual counsel; that they might sustain and comfort one another in their persecutions and trials. Our Lord in this showed the propriety of having a religious friend, who would be a counsellor and help. Every christian needs such a friend; and should seek some one to whom he can unbosom himself, and with whom he can mingle his feelings and prayers.

2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

See Matt. ix. 36, 37.

3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

See Matt. x. 16.

4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

Purse, scrip, shoes.' See Matt. x. 10. 'Salute no man by the way.' Salutations among the orientals did not consist, as among us, of a slight bow, or extension of the hand, but was performed by many embraces, and inclinations, and even prostrations of the body on the ground. All this required much time; and as the business on which the seventy were sent was urgent, they were directed not to delay their journey by long and formal salutations of the persons whom they met. A similar direction is found in 2 Kings iv. 29.

5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

See Matt. x. 13.

6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.