within himself, saying, This man, to pay he frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most? if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus, answering, said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred 1 pence, and the other fifty: 42 And when they had nothing a Jno.9.24. b c.15.2. c Ps.49.7,8. Ro.5.6. 1 See Matt.18.28. Because Jesus did not rebuke her, and drive her from his presence, he inferred that he could not be acquainted with her character. The Pharisees considered it improper to hold communion with those who were notorious sinners. They judged our Saviour by their own rules, and supposed he would act in the same way; and Simon therefore concluded that he did not know her character, and could not be a prophet. Jesus did not refuse the society of the guilty. He came to save the lost. And no person ever came to him so sure of finding him a friend, as those who came conscious that they were deeply depraved, and mourning on account of their crimes. That toucheth him. The touch of a Gentile, or a person singularly wicked, they supposed to be polluting, and the Pharisees avoided it. See Matt. ix. 11. 41. A certain creditor. A man who had lent money, or sold property, the payment for which was yet due. Five hundred pence. About $69 26. ¶ Fifty. About $7. 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave nost. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. d 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. d Ps.116.16-18. 1 Cor.15.9. 2 Cor.5.14. 1 Ti.1.13-16. garding his character as a parent, the truth of his threatenings, the good order of his house, and the maintenance of his authority. So our sins against God, though they are called debts, are called so figuratively. It is not an affair of money and God cannot forgive us, without maintaining his word, the honor of his government, and law-in other words, without an atonement. It is clear that by the creditor here, our Saviour meant to designate GOD-and by the debtors, sinners, and the woman present. Simon, whose life had been comparatively upright, was denoted by the one that owed fifty pence-the woman, who had been an open and shameless sinner, was represented by the one that owed five hundred. Yet neither could pay. Both must be forgiven, or perish. So, however much difference there is among men, yet all need the pardoning mercy of God, and all, without that, must perish. 43. I suppose, &c. He saw not the point of our Lord's parable. By thus saying, therefore, he condemned himself, and prepared the way for our Lord's reproof. 42. Frankly forgave. Freely forgave, or forgave entirely, without any compensation. This is not designed to express any thing about the way in 44. Seest thou this woman? You see which God forgives sinners. He for- what this woman has done to me, comgives-forgives freely, but it is in con-pared with what you have done. She nexion with the atonement made by the Lord Jesus. If it was a mere debt which we owed to God, he might forgive as this creditor did, without any equivalent. But it is crime which he forgives. He pardons as a moral gover nor. A parent might forgive a debt without any equivalent; but he cannot pardon an offending child without re has shown to me expressions of regard, which you, in your own house, have not shown. I entered into thine house. I came at your invitation, where I might expect all the usual rites of hospitality. Thou gavest me no water, &c. Among eastern people it was customary, before eating, to wash the feet, and to do this, or to bring water for it, was one of the rites of hospitality. See Gen. xviii. 4. Judges xix. 21. The reasons for this were, that they wore sandals which covered only the bottom of the feet, and that when they ate they reclined on couches or sofas. It became therefore necessary that the feet should be often washed. 45. No kiss. The kiss was a token of affection, or a very common mode of salutation, and Simon had even neglected this mark of welcoming him to his house. It was often used among men as a sign of salutation. Compare Gen. xxxiii. 4. Ex. xviii. 7. Matt. xxvi. 49. Hath not ceased to kiss my feet. How striking the difference between the conduct of Simon and this woman! Simon, with all the richness of a splendid preparation, had omitted the common marks of regard and affection. She, in humility, had bowed at his feet-had watered them with tears -and had not ceased to kiss them. The most splendid entertainments do not always express the most welcome. There may be much insincerity-much seeking of popularity, or some other motive-but no such motive could have operated in inducing a broken-hearted sinner to wash the Saviour's feet with tears. 46. Mine head with oil. The custom of pouring oil upon the head was universal among the Jews. The oil used was sweet oil, or oil of olives, prepared in such a way as to give an agreeable smell. It was also used to render the hair more smooth and elegant. See Ruth iii. 3. 2 Sam. xii. 20; xiv. 2. Ps. xxiii. 5. With ointment. This ointment was a mixture of various aromatics, and was therefore far more costly and precious than the oil commonly used for anointing the head. Her conduct, compared with that of Simon, was therefore more striking. He did not give even the common oil for his head, used on such occasions. She had applied to his feet a far more precious and valuable unguent. He, therefore, showed comparatively little love. She showed much. not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are for 47. Wherefore, I say unto thee. As the result of this, or because she has done this; meaning by this, that she had given evidence that her sins had been forgiven. The inquiry with Simon was whether it was proper for Jesus to touch her, or to allow her to touch him, because she was such a sinner, (ver. 39). Jesus said, in substance, to Simon, 'grant that she has been as great a sinner as you affirm, and even grant that if she had continued so it might be improper to suffer her to touch me, yet her conduct shows that her sins have been forgiven. She has evinced much love for me, which is an evidence that she is no longer such a sinner as you suppose, and it is not therefore improper that she should be suffered to come near me.' ¶ For she loved much. In our translation this would seem to be given as a reason why her sins had been forgiven-that she had loved much before they were pardoned. But this is clearly not the meaning. This would be contrary to the whole New Testa ment, which supposes that love suc ceeds, not precedes forgiveness; and which nowhere supposes that sins are forgiven because we love God. It would be also contrary to the design of the Saviour here. It was not to show why her sins had been forgiven, but to show that she had given evidence that they actually had been, and that it was pro per therefore that she should come near to him, and manifest this love. The meaning may be thus expressed. That her sins, so many, and aggravated, have been forgiven; that she is no longer such a sinner as you suppose, is manifest from her conduct. She loves much. She shows deep gratitude, penitence. love. Her conduct is the proper espression of that love. While you have shown comparatively little evidence that you felt that your sins were great, and comparatively little love at their being forgiven, she has shown that she felt hers_to_be great, and has loved much.' To whom little is forgiven. He who feels that little has been forgiven that his sins were not as great twelve. The twelve apostles. as those of others. A man's love to about to come, or his reign in the gosGod will be in proportion to the obliga-pel about to be set up over men. ¶ The tion he feels to Him for forgiveness. God is to be loved for his perfections, apart from what he has done for us. But still it is proper that our love should be increased by a consideration of his goodness; and they who feel-as Christians do that they are the chief of sinners, will feel under infinite obligation to love God and their Redeemer, and that no expression of love to him can be beyond what is due. 48. Thy sins are forgiven. What a gracious assurance to the weeping, loving, penitent! How that voice, spoken to the troubled sinner, stills his anguish, allays his troubled feelings, and produces peace to the soul! And how manifest is it, that he that could say thus, must be God! No man has a right to forgive sin. No man can speak peace to the soul, and give assurance that its transgressions are pardoned. Here, then, Jesus gave indubitable proof that he was God, as well as man-that he was Lord of the conscience, as well as the pitying friend; and that he was as able to read the heart, and give peace there, as to witness the external expression of sorrow for him. 49. IVho is this, &c. A very pertinent question. Who could he be but God? Man could not do it, and there is no wonder that they were amazed. 50. Thy faith hath suved thee, go in See Mark v. 34. peace. But 2. Infirmities. Sickness. ¶ Mary called Magdalene. So called from Mag dala, the place of her residence. It was situated on the sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum. To this place Jesus retired after feeding the four thousand. See Matt. xv. 39. Out of whom went. By the power of Jesus. Seven devils. The word seven is often used for an indefinite number, and may signify merely many devils. The expression is used to signify that she was grievously tormented, and rendered, doubtless, insane by the power of evil spirits. See Matt. iv. 24. It has been commonly supposed that Mary Magdalene was a woman of abandoned character. of this there is not the least evidence. All that we know of her is that she was formerly grievously afflicted by the presence of those evil spirits; that she was probably cured by Jesus; and that afterward she became one of his most faithful and humble followers. She was at his crucifixion (John xix. 25) and burial, (Mark xv. 47,) and she was among those who had prepared the materials to embalm him, (Mark xvi. 1,) and who first went to the sepulchre after the resurrection; and what is particularly interesting in her history, she was the first to whom the risen Redeemer appeared, (Mark xvi. 9;) and his conversation with her is exceeded in interest and pathos by no passage of history, sacred or profane. (John xx. 11-18.) 3. Herod's steward. Herod Antipas, who reigned in Galilee. He was a son of Herod the Great. The word Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto hima of their substance. 4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 5 A sower went out to sow his seed and as he sowed, some fell by the way-side; and it was trodden down, and fowls of the air devoured it. d 6 And some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked .noisture. 7 And some fell among thorns: and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundred-fold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. a 2 Cor.8.9. b Matt.13.3,&c. Mar.4.3,&c. c Ps.119.118. Matt.5.13. d Jer.5.3. c Jer. 4.3. ƒ Ge.26.12. g Pr.20.12. Je.13.15. 25. 4. h Is.6.9. i Matt.13.18. Mar.4.14,&c. j 1 Pe.1.23. k Pr.4.5. Is.65.11. Ja.1,23,24. 7 Ps. 106.12,13. Is.58.2. Ga.3.1,4. 4.15. m Pr. 12.3. Hos.6.4. steward, here, means one who has charge of the domestic affairs of a family, to provide for it. This office was generally held by a slave who was esteemed the most faithful, and was often conferred as a reward of fidelity. ¶ Ministered. Imparted for his support. Of their substance. Their property; their possessions. Christians then believed, when they professed to follow Christ, e out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, m which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with " cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit ° to perfection. P 15 But that on the good ground are they, which, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 16 No' man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for " whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. 19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. 20 And it was told him by certain, which said, Thy mother and thy n 1 Ti.6.9,10. 2 Ti.4.10. 1 Jno.2.15-17. o Jno.15 6. p Jer.32.39. q He.10.36. Ja.1. 4. r Matt.5.15. Mar.4.21. c.11.33. 12.14. Matt.10.26. c.12.2. 1 Cor.4.5. 1.21-25. u Matt.13.12. 25.29. c.19.26. thinketh that he hath. v Matt.12.46,&c. Mar. 3.32,&c. s Ec. t Ja. 1or, that it was proper to give all up to him their property, as well as their hearts. And the same thing is still requiredthat is, to commit all that we have to his disposal; to be willing to part with it for the promotion of his glory; and to leave it when he calls us away from it. 4-15. See the Parable of the Sower explained in Matt. xiii. 1-23. 16-18. See Mark iv. 21-25. brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the ake. And they launched forth. 23 But as they sailed, he fell asleep and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and woke him, saying, Master, master, we perish! Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they, being afraid, wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this? for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. 26 And c they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment d me not. 29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the a Matt.8.23,&c. Mar.4.35,&c. b Ps.44.23. Is.51.9,10. c Matt.8.28,&c. Mar.5.1,&c. Is.27.1. Ja.2.19. Re.20.10. 19-21. See Matt. xii. 46-50. man. For oftentimes it had caught him and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them and he suffered them. 33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. 34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, f and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them, for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. 38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed, besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 Return to thine own house, e Re.20.3. ƒ Ac.19.16,17. g Ps.51.10. h Ac.16.39. i De.10.20,21. Ps.116.12,16. j1 Ti.5.8. in Matt. viii. 23-34; and Mark v. 1— 22-39. See this passage explained | 20. |