them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. CHAPTER XVIII. I AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is 2 the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little from all men, yet have I made myself servant know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Co. viii. 9. Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him? Ja. ii. 5. And CHAP. XVIII.-1 The same time.] he came to Capernaum, and being in the house, he asked "them" ("his disciples"), What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace, for by the way they had disputed among themselves who should be the greatest. Mar. ix. 33, 34, &c. to Are ye Who is the greatest.] Then came "him" ("Jesus") the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are And take up the fish, &c.] And God able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall blessed them (male and female), and God said drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with unto them, Have dominion over the fish of the baptism that I am baptized with; but to the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over sit on my right hand and on my left is not every living thing that moveth upon the earth. mine to give. But it shall be given to them Ge. i. 28. I have commanded the ravens to for whom it is prepared of my Father. And feed thee (said the word of the Lord to when the ten heard it, they were moved with Elijah). 1 Ki. xvii. 4. Thou (Lord) madest indignation against the two brethren. But the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye and whatsoever passeth through the paths of know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise the sea. Ps. viii. 8. Now the Lord had pre- dominion over them, and they that are great pared a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and exercise authority upon them; but it shall Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days not be so among you. But whosoever will be and three nights. Jonah i. 17. And the great among you, let him be your minister; Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out and whosoever will be chief among you, let Jonah upon the dry land. Jonah ii. 10. him be your servant. Even as the Son of Thou madest him (the Son of man) a little man came not to be ministered unto, but to lower than the angels, thou crownedst him minister, and to give his life a ransom for with glory and honour, and didst set him over many. Mat. xx. 20-28. He that is greatest the works of thy hands. Thou hast put all among you, shall be your servant. Mat. xxiii. things in subjection under his feet. He. 11. By the way they (the disciples) had ii. 7, 8. disputed among themselves who should be the That take, and give unto them.] For ye greatest. Mar. ix. 34. James and John, the child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily 3 I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little chil sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit one on thy right hand, and another on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they say unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of, and with the baptism that I am baptized withal, shall ye be baptized. But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles, exercise lordship over them, and their great ones exercise authority upon them; but so shall it not be among you. But whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister. And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mar. x. 35-45. There arose a reasoning among them which of them should be greatest. And Jesus perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child and set him by him, 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. Lu. ix. 46, 47, 48. There was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors: but ye shall not be so. But he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger; and he that is chief as he that doth serve. Lu. xxii. 24-27. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another. Ro. xii. 10. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Phi. ii. 3. In the kingdom of heaven.] See chap. iii. 2; v. 19, 20; vii. 21. When Jesus saw it (that the disciples rebuked those that brought little children to him), he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Mar. x. 14, 15. 2 A little child unto him.] Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray. Mat. xix. 13. And now, O Lord my God (said Solomon), thou hast made thy servant king, instead of David my father, and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or to come in. 1 Ki. iii. 7. Then said "I" (“Jeremiah,” when the Lord declared that he had ordained him a prophet), Ah! Lord God, behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child; for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee; and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Je. i. 6, 7. And he (Jesus) took a child, and set him in the midst of them; and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me, and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. Mar. ix. 36, 37. 3 Verily I say unto you.] See chap. v. 18; vi. 2. 5. 16. Verily I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. John i. 51. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John iii. 3. Except ye be converted.] See chap. xiii. 15. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me; cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me! Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Ps. li. 10-13. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother; my soul is even as a weaned child. Ps. cxxxi. 2. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert and be healed. Is. vi. 10. Unto them that are without all these things are done in parables, that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Mar. iv. 11, 12. I have prayed for thee (said Jesus to Simon) that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Lu. xxii. 32. Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Ac. iii. 19. Well spake 4 dren, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in 5 the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little 6 child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet, saying, The heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Ac. xxviii. 25-27. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. Ja. v. 19, 20. Enter into the kingdom of heaven.] See chap. v. 20. A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven (said Jesus). Mat. xix. 23. Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in and shall not be able. Lu. xiii. 24. We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Ac. xiv. 22. Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things ye shall never fall, For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Pe. i. 10, 11. 4 Humble himself as this little child.] He hat is greatest among you shall be your servant. Mat. xxiii. 11. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Mat. xxiii. 12. Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty, neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me; surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother; my soul is even as a weaned child. Ps. cxxxi. 1, 2. I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Is. lvii. 15. Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Lu. xiv. 11. All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility, for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Pe. v. 5. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Ja. iv. 10. Greatest in the kingdom of heaven.] See verse 1. Whosoever will be great among you let him be your minister, And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mat. xx. 26-28. Whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister. Mar. x. 43. He hath re garded (said Mary) the low estate of his Mar. Receiveth me.] Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. ix. 37. He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. John xiii. 20. My temptation (said Paul) which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Ga. iv. 14. 6 Offend one of these, &c.] Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Ps. cv. 15. He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his (the Lord's) eye. Zec. ii. 8. Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. Mar. ix. 42. See verse 5. Who art thou, Lord (said Saul)? and the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thon persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Ac. ix. 5. Let us not, therefore, judge one another any more. But judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, in his brother's way. I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth. Ro. xiv. 13, little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! 7 for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by 14, 15. 21. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. Ro. xv. 1, 2. Meat commendeth us not to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, neither if we eat not are we the worse. Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak; for if any man see thee which hast knowledge, sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols? And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died. But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. 1 Co. viii. 8-13. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the * Gentiles, nor to the Church of God. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Co. x. 32, 33. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlast ing destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. 2 The. i. 6-9. 4 Little ones.] See verse x. 14. Smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones. Zec. xiii. 7 It were better for him (who offends) that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Lu. xvii. 2. 7 Unto the world.] There was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle. Ge. xiii. 7. Wherefore the sin of the young men (Eli's sons) was very great before the Lord; for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to trans gress. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him. 1 Sa. ii. 17. 22-25. Because by this deed (said Nathan to David) thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. 2 Sa. xii. 14. It is impossible but that offences will come, but woe unto him through whom they come. Lu. xvii. 1. Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written, &c. Ro. ii. 23, 24. I will, therefore, that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully; for some are already turned aside after Satan. 1 Ti. v. 14, 15. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 1 Ti. vi. 1. Teach the young women to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their husbands, that the word of God be not blas→ phemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded, in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned, that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Ti. ii. 5. 8. Many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 Pe. ii. 2. For it must needs be.] When ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled; for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. Mar. xiii. 7. Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before, concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. Ac. i. 16. There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 1 Co. xi. 19. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day (of Christ) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped: so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth al 8 whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot ready work; only he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders; and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Th. ii. 3–12. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 1 Ti. iv. 1, 2, 3. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy; without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good; traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. 2 Ti. iii. 1-4. The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Ti. iv. 3, 4. There are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4. But woe to that man by whom, &c.] See chap. xiii. 41, 42. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Mat. xxiii. 13, &c. Woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born. Mat. xxvi. 24. Those that thou gavest me I have kept (said Jesus), and none of them is lost but the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled. John xvii. 12. Now this man (Judas) purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out; and it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem, insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama; that is to say, the field of blood: for it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein; and his bishoprick let another take. Ac. i. 18, 19, 20. Laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings, as new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; as free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king. 1 Pe. ii. 1-3. 15, 16, 17. Woe unto "them" (" the false teachers"), for they have gone in the way of Cain, and run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear; clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jude 11, 12, 13. I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication; so hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee (Thyatira), because thou sufferest that woman, Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am be which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Re. ii. 14, 15. 20-23. The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image these both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth; and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Re. xix. 20, 21. 8 If thy hand or thy foot, &c.] See chap. v. 29, 30; xiv, 3, 4. If thy brother the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or |