John Wesley

The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness.

“They shall gather all things that offend - Whatever had hindered or grieved the children of God; whatever things or persons had hindered the good seed which Christ had sown from taking root or bearing fruit. The Greek word is, All scandals.”

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.

“The kingdom of heaven - That is, one who earnestly seeks for it: in verse 47 it means, the Gospel preached, which is like a net gathering of every kind: just so the Gospel, wherever it is preached, gathers at first both good and bad…”

Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures…

“Every scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven - That is, every duly prepared preacher of the Gospel has a treasure of Divine knowledge, out of which he is able to bring forth all sorts of instructions.”

“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?

“The carpenter's son - The Greek, word means, one that works either in wood, iron, or stone. His brethren -- our kinsmen. They were the sons of Mary, sister to the virgin, and wife of Cleophas or Alpheus.”

And He did not do many miracles there, because of their unbelief.

“He wrought not many mighty works, because of their unbelief - And the reason why many mighty works are not wrought now, is not, that the faith is not everywhere planted; but, that unbelief every where prevails.”

and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

“He is risen from the dead - Herod was a Sadducee: and the Sadducees denied the resurrection of the dead. But Sadduceeism staggers when conscience awakes.”

because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

“It is not lawful for thee to have her - It was not lawful indeed for either of them to have her. For her father Aristobulus was their own brother. John's words were rough, like his raiment.”

Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.

“He would have put him to death - ln his fit of passion; but he was then restrained by fear of the multitude; and afterward by the reverence he bore him.”

The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted

“And the king was sorry - Knowing that John was a good man. Yet for the oath's sake - So he murdered an innocent man from mere tenderness of conscience.”

and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.

“And he sent and beheaded John in the prison, and his head was given to the damsel - How mysterious is the providence, which left the life of so holy a man in such infamous hands!”

but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

“In the evening - Learned men say the Jews reckoned two evenings; the first beginning at three in the afternoon, the second, at sunset. If so, the latter is meant here.”

“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”

“If it be thou - It is the same as, Since it is thou. The particle if frequently bears this meaning, both in ours and in all languages. So it means, John xiii, 14, 17.”

But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

“He was afraid - Though he had been used to the sea, and was a skilful swimmer. When grace begins to act, the natural courage and strength are withdrawn.”

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

“They wash not their hands when they eat bread - Food in general is termed bread in Hebrew; so that to eat bread is the same as to make a meal.”

You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you:

“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying - That is, the description which Isaiah gave of your fathers, is exactly applicable to you. The words therefore which were a description of them, are a prophecy with regard to you.”

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

“A woman of Canaan - Canaan was also called Syrophenicia, as lying between Syria properly so called, and Phenicia, by the sea side. Cried to him - From afar, Thou Son of David - So she had some knowledge of the promised Messiah.”

Moving on from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on a mountain and sat down.

“It was called also, the sea of Tiberias. It lay on the borders of Galilee, and the city of Tiberias stood on its western shore.”

Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat.

“They continue with me now three days - It was now the third day since they came. He gave thanks, or blessed the food - That is, he praised God for it, and prayed for a blessing upon it.”

A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.

“A wicked and adulterous generation - Ye would seek no further sign, did not your wickedness, your love of the world, which is spiritual adultery, blind your understanding.”

“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees - That is, of their false doctrine: this is elegantly so called; for it spreads in the soul, or the Church, as leaven does in meal.”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“Jeremiah, or one of the prophets - There was at that time a current tradition among the Jews, that either Jeremiah, or some other of the ancient prophets would rise again before the Messiah came.”

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

“On this rock - Alluding to his name, which signifies a rock, namely, the faith which thou hast now professed; I will build my Church - But perhaps when our Lord uttered these words, he pointed to himself, in like manner as when he said…”

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed…

“I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven - Indeed not to him alone, (for they were equally given to all the apostles at the same time, John xx, 21, 22, 23;) but to him were first given the keys both of…”

Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

“Then charged he his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. Jesus himself had not said it expressly even to his apostles, but left them to infer it from his doctrine and miracles.”

From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes…

“From that time Jesus began to tell his disciples, that he must suffer many things - Perhaps this expression, began, always implied his entering on a set and solemn discourse. Hitherto he had mainly taught them only one point, That he was the Christ.”