Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 3 · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX.
Verse 7. And he was perplexed]
PEndebat, animi dubius. He stood amused and amazed: he stuck in the mud, as it were, and could find no way out. Thisforeign. is the import of the Greek word. Thus the wicked, in the fulnesse of his sufficiency is in straits, as Zophar hath it, Job. 15. 22.
Verse 9. And he desired to see him]
with a faint and fruitlesse desire: for he never stirred out of doors to see Christ, though he beleived that God had raised him from the dead. So true is that of Abraham, Luke 16. 31. Perhaps he desired to see whether it were John or not.
Verse 11. And he received them]
Weary though he were, yet never weary of wel-doing.
Verse 13. Except we should go, &c.]
Which is a thing not only improbable, but impossible. They held it an absurd motion.
Verse 18. As he was alone praying]
Examinationi preces praemittendae. All our sacrifices should be salted with this salt.
Verse 19. But some say Elias]
This Pythagorean transanimation is held by the Jewes to this day, viz. (ut singuli tertio renascantur) against so many cleer testimonies of Scripture to the contrary.
Verse 28. About eight dayes]
Putting the two utmost dayes also into the reckoning. See the Notes on Matthew 17. 1. &c.
Verse 29 And as he prayed]
Dum ipsius mens tota Deose immergeret, Luc. Burgens.saith one. Christians, whiles they are praying are oft-times carried out and beyond themselves. See Matt. 17. 2, 3. and the Notes there.
Verse 31. And spake of his decease]
Gr. Of his Exodus; inforeign. reference to that expedition or departute of Israel out of AEgypt. It signifieth a translating from a condition and state of hardship: and is also used by Saint Peter 2 Epistle 1. 15. Death to the Saints is but an out-going to heaven; a loosing from the shore of life, andPhilip. 1. 21. launcing out into the maine of Immortality.
Verse 34. There came a cloud]
See the Note on Matthew 17. 5.
Verse 39. And bruising him]
As in the falling sicknesse, it falls out.
Verse 44. Let these sayings sink, &c.]
Ponite, reponite, layforeign. up the sayings of my sufferings, notwithstanding this peoples vain applauses. The best balm cast into water, sinks to the bottom: the baser sort, flotes on the top.
Verse 51. That he should be received up]
The word implies aforeign Poly. Lyser. Metaphor from fathers owning and acknowledging their children after long absence.
He set his face]
He steeled his forehead against all discouragements.foreign
Verse 53. And they did not receive him]
Such is the hatred that Idolaters bear against all Gods true worshippers. Illam Domum in qua inventus fuerit haereticus diruendam decernimus: It was a Decree of the Counsell of Tholouse against the Albigenses.
Verse 54. And when his disciples]
These two brethren, sons of thunder, how soon was their choler up? they had quick and hot spirits.
Wilt thou that we command]
It were to be wished that we would first consult with Christ in his word, ere we stirre hand or foot to revenge.
Verse 55. But he turned and rebuked them]
He did it not slightly, and by the by, but seriously and on set purpose: so must we rebuke and rebate our vindictive spirits, our unruly lusts, when like kine in a strait they rush and ride, one upon the back of another.
Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of]
Not of Elias his spirit, as ye imagine: this wild-fire was never kindled on Gods hearth, as his zeal was: you are men of another mould then Elias. He was a Minister of indignation, you of consolation: his actions fit not you, because your persons are not like his: It is aforeign Arisiot. rare thing to be of an heroicall Spirit saith the Moralist. Every man cannot be an Elias or a Phineas, Numb. 25. 8. To that height of heat, ordinary mens tempers ate not raised.
Verse 58. And Jesus said unto him]
Christ had felt his pulse, and found his temper, that he looked after outward things only: and therefore he lets him know what to trust unto.
Verse 62. No man having put his hand]
Christ here haply … to that which Elisha did, 1 King 19. 19.