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النشر الإلكتروني

PREFACE.

If the reader is already acquainted with the popular commentators, or with the remarks of Universalist writers, on this chapter, we would apprize him beforehand that he will find but little important matter that is new in the following exposition. Still, it has cost us much time in ascertaining, as precisely as we could, the detail of particulars alluded to, and in tracing out the current of thought that runs through the whole, and also in verifying facts and authorities which others had adduced. We had found some inaccuracies of statement, and soine confusion of arrangement, in the notes of Dr. A. Clarke, for instance; and we hoped, by unwearied vigilance, to avoid such blemishes, and, by strictly following out the tenor of the prophecy, to place its several parts in a clearer and more thoroughly consistent light.

Our principal motive, however, in attempting a regular exposition of the twenty-fourth chapter, was, to open the way to a similar exposition of the twenty-fifth. The two chapters belong together, consisting of but one series of remarks; so that we cannot fairly come at the latter, without first going through with the former, unless, indeed, we would begin in the middle of the discourse.

A few words may be needed to account for the insertion of the two columns of text, in

smaller type, that run immediately under St.
Matthew's. Let it, then, be observed, that
the same discourse which is recorded in this
twenty-fourth chapter of St. Matthew, is
given also by Mark, in his thirteenth chapter;
and again by Luke, mostly in his twenty-first
chapter, but partly in his seventeenth. Now,
it struck us that we might be aided in under-
standing Matthew's record, by consulting
that of Mark and Luke, who sometimes ex-
press the meaning in plain language, where
Matthew uses figures, and who frequently
employ a different phraseology that offers
some advantage for determining the leading
idea. We have accordingly placed Mark's
text immediately under Matthew's, and then
Luke's below Mark's, with figures in the
margin of both, answering to the parallel
verses in Matthew's, so that the reader may
instantly strike on the corresponding pas-
sages. The figures denoting the number of
the verses in Mark and Luke, are raised above
the line, like references, in their texts; those
denoting the number of the verses in Matthew,
are inserted on the line in his text.
would suggest to the reader, and especially to
the student, the importance of comparing the
texts of Mark and Luke, throughout, with
that of Matthew.

We

INTRODUCTION.

DATE, OCCASION, PRECEDING CONTEXT.

THE interview and conversation, related in shed upon the earth. "Verily I say unto the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth chapters of you," concluded he, "All these things shall St. Matthew, took place about A. D. 33; come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, which was thirty-seven years before the de- Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and struction of Jerusalem. Matthew, Mark, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how Luke agree in representing that Jesus had often would I have gathered thy children tojust been publicly teaching in the temple, gether, even as a hen gathereth her chickens (Matt. xxi. 23 to xxiv. 1; Mark xii. 35 to under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, xiii. 1; Luke xx. 1 to xxi. 5;) and according your house is left unto you desolate; for I say to Matthew, (xxiii. 1,) his disciples, as well unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till as the multitude, were present. He there de- ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the nounced the hypocritical scribes and Phari- name of the Lord!" (xxiii. 35-39,) meansees in the most unsparing manner, (Matt. ing, by their "house,' either their national xxiii. 13-35,) rebuking them for their ex- condition, or, more probably, that house of clusive spirit, their rapacity under the pretence their pride, the temple, in which he was then of piety, their zeal in proselytizing, their eva- standing. This mention of its speedy desosion of their oaths, their neglect of the im-lation, and also of his coming in the name of portant matters of the law, their inward cor- the Lord, seems to have struck the disciples, ruption under a fair outside, and their murder- and to have occasioned the conversation reous hostility. He forewarned them that upon lated in the twenty-fourth chapter, which imthem would come all the righteous blood diately follows, thus:

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Ver. 3.

—on the mount of Olives;] the sum

mile, on an air-line, from the temple, or eastern wall of the city, and directly east from the temple. It was about 700 feet higher than the intervening valley of Jehoshaphat; overlooked even the temple itself, and commanded a view of every part of the city.-The disciples came

Ver. 1. Having finished the foregoing ad-mit of which was but little more than half a dress to the Jews, Jesus, with his disciples, now leaves the temple, to go towards (ver. 3) the mount of Olives. As they depart, the disciples point him to the buildings, &c. of the temple, which they had just understood him to say (xxiii. 38) should be left desolate. . . privately, saying, &c.;] According to the more definite account given by Mark, it is but one of them who says, privately, or, by themselves, probably be"Master, see what manner of stones, and cause it was dangerous to speak openly of what buildings!" astonished, perhaps, that the destruction of the temple, (see Matt. so magnificent and solid a structure was to be xxvi. 61,) and because they also knew that destroyed. For, Josephus says, that the Christ was wont to speak more plainly with stones of this temple were about 45 feet long, them only, than before the multitude. It by 22 wide, and 14 thick; some of them, in- should be kept in mind, that all which follows deed, nearly twice as long. in this and the next chapter, was a private The temple itself, exclusive of the immense assemblage conversation, held on the mount of Olives. -When shall these things (viz. the things of courts, cloisters, and walls around it, was about 182 feet long, and 127 wide; and 182 just spoken of) be? and what the sign of high, above the lofty foundation-wall. "It thy coming, (parousia,) and of the end of was covered all over with plates of gold of the age,* (tēs sunteleias tou aiōnos?)] It great weight, and, at the first rising of the sun, reflected back a very fiery splendour, and made those, who forced themselves to look upon it, to turn away their eyes, just as they would have done at the sun's own rays. But this temple appeared to strangers, when they were coming to it, at a distance, like a mountain covered with snow; for, as to those parts of it that were not gilt, they were very exceeding white," that is, of white marble. (J. War, v. c. v. 4, 6. Ant. xv. c. xi. 3.)

"End of the age:" so this text is translated by Ham mond, Le Clerc, Whitby, Pearce, Beausobre, and Lenfant, fin du sicèle,) Doddridge, Macknight, and Paulus; besides Wakefield, Improved Version, and Kenrick. Dr A. Clarke seems to prefer this rendering, and even Scott hesitates be tween it and the common one. Dr. Campbell renders it ambiguously, conclusion of this state. The usual meaning of the original term, aion, is age, or great length of time. It is a word radically different from those rendered world in other verses (14, 21) of this chapter. The Jews were accustomed to divide the entire duration of time into two great ages, viz. the age before the beginning of the Messiah's reign, and the age after: this age, and the age to come; the present age, and the future. It was understood that the age then present, was to end when the Messiah should overthrow his enemies Ver. 2.-not be left here one stone upon and establish his kingdom; and this was probably the idea another, &c.;] a strong, proverbial phrase, that suggested the expression in the text. So St. Paul says, to the Corinthians, that certain facts in the Old Testament, signifying only a complete demolition, (2 were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of Sam. xvii. 13.) Accordingly, when Titus the world (ages, ta tele ton, aionim,) are come." (1 Cor x. took Jerusalem, about thirty-seven years af-11.) So, too, he says, to the Hebrews, "now once in the end of the world, (ages, suntelia, ton aionon.) hath he [Christ] terwards, he gave orders," says Josephus, appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself "that they should demolish the whole city (Heb. ix 25.) On the same principle, we often find the phrase "the last days" applied, in the New Testament, to and temple," (J. War, vii. c. i. 1;) and he the time then present. adds, that the entire circuit of the city, exceptmetimes used by the Jews for the material world: as exMost critics, however, are agreed that the term, ain, was the western wall and three towers, was so amples in the New Testament, they quote Heb. i. 2; xí 3.

MATT. XXIV.

MATT. XXIV.

[literally, of the age?] 4 And Jesus ye shall hear of wars and rumours of answered and said unto them, Take heed wars: see that ye be not troubled: for that no man deceive you: 5 For many all these things must come to pass, but shall come in my name, saying, I am the end is not yet. For nation shall Christ; and shall deceive many. 6. And rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and

MARK XIII.

heed lest any man deceive 6 For many you: 5 shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; 6 and shall deceive many. And when ye

LUKE XXI.

4,5 pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my naine, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

is sometimes contended that here are three questions: 1. When shall these things (viz. the destruction of the temple, &c.) be? 2. What shall be the sign of thy coming (to bring this destruction)? and, 3. What shall be the sign of the end of the world itself?—a very different event! Now there are, at the most, but two questions here, or rather but one inquiry put in two forms; first, respecting the time, and, secondly, respecting the signs thereof, thus: 1. When shall these things be? and, 2. What the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world, or age?-not, What the sign of thy coming? and what the sign also of the end of the world? as of two separate events. The very form of the sentence shows that the disciples supposed that his coming, and what they called the end of the world, or age, would make but one event; and that the sign of the one would be the sign of the other. Were there any room still left for doubt here, it would be foreclosed by the form in which the other Evangelists record the question; Mark, thus: "..... what the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled, or ended?" (panta tauta sunteleisthai? instead of Matthew's sunteleias tou aionos? the verb ended, instead of the noun end.) Likewise Luke, thus: "..... what sign when these things shall come to pass?" Accordingly, "these things," or the throwing down of the stones of the temple, &c., belonged to the same event with what was called Christ's coming and the end of the world, or age.

Ver. 4. Take heed, &c.] not to be deceived by the impostors who were soon to appear, as foretold in the next verse.

Ver. 5. many shall come in my name, &c.] before that end, (ver. 6,) which was the

But, should this be admitted, and should we even grant what some contend for, that in the text the disciples used the term in this rare sense, still it would not materially affect the interpretation of this chapter and the following; For it is evident that whatsoever the disciples understood by the end of the world, or age, it was something which they supposed would take place when the temple, &c, should be destroyed; and that their inquiry was meant to be directed to the time and circumstances of that event, and to no other period. In this sense only, did Mark and Luke understand their question; in this sense only, did Christ reply to it throughout the conversation; and in this sense only does he repeat the expression, "the end:" see ver. 6, 13, 14, and the corresponding passages in Mark and

Lule.

MARK Xiii.

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. 8 For nation 7 shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be earthquakes

LUKE XXI.

9 But when ye shall hear of wars, and com- 6 motions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by, [literally, not immediately.] 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise 7 against nation, and kingdom against king. dom: "And great earthquakes shall be in subject of inquiry. Accordingly, we find, in Josephus, that, from A. D. 36 to A. D. 56, the country was full of religious impostors, who, by pretending to work miracles, and by promising the divine interposition for their deliverance, drew multitudes together, only to be dispersed and slain by the Roman wards; but this seems to have been the period soldiery. Other false prophets arose afterof their greatest prevalence. (Ant. xviii. c. iv. 1, 2. xx. c. v. 1. xx. c. viii. 5, 6. J. War, ii. c. xiii. 4, 5; also, Acts v. 36, 37. viii. 9, 10. xxi. 38.)

notes on the next verse. -be not troubled,] Ver. 6. wars and rumours of wars;] see when ye hear of these wars, &c., as if "the end," about which you have inquired, were then to take place; "for these things must first come to pass, but the end is not immediately," (Luke.)

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Ver. 7. For nation shall rise. . ... against kingdom;] occasioning those rumours of dom, were sometimes applied, by the Jews, wars,' ver. 6. The terms, nation and king to any state, province, or even separate munitions, it appears that from about A. D. 48, cipal district. In fulfilment of these prediconwards, Palestine was in a state of constant agitation. First, the Jews were alarmed by the threatening of war from the emperor Calibroke out at Jerusalem, in which the Roman gula, (A. D. 48.) The same year, a tumult and people of Judea on the one hand, and the soldiers were attacked; also, the Galileans Samaritans on the other, rose against each other, but were quelled by the Roman troops. The country was filled with bands of robbers, who openly carried on their murders even in the cities; such was the public disorder! In A. D. 54, a massacre took place between the Jews and Syrians, in Cesarea, and a body of Roman troops was sent against them. Thus the outrages increased, till, in A. D. 66, an extensive revolt of the Jews broke forth throughout Palestine. They slaughtered the Roman garrison at Masada; new massacres

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LUKE XXI.

divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights, and great signs shall there 9 be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute

at Cesarea and Jerusalem were followed by their laying waste the province of Perea, and the eities of Tyre, Cesarea, Samaria, and Askelon; while, on the other hand, the Syrians ravaged Scythopolis, &c. (Jos. Ant. xviii. c. viii. 1, 2. War, ii. c. x.-c. xviii. Ant. xx. c. v. and vi.)—there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes.] According ly, there were, in A. D. 45, and onwards, famines in Palestine, (foretold, Acts xi. 28,) which were so severe, particularly at Jerusalem, that many perished with hunger, (Jos. Ant. xx. c. ii. 5. c. v. 2.) Of pestilences and earthquakes in Palestine, at this time, we have no account in history, unless we include Josephus's notice of an earthquake in A. D. 67. (War, iv. c. iv. 5,) which seems, however, too late a period, (see ver. 8.) As earthquakes, however, are not unfrequent in Palestine, and as pestilences are the usual concomitants of famines, we may suppose there were some of which no mention has been preserved.*

Ver. 8. these are the beginning of sorrows;] the earlier and less aggravated evils. Sorrows: an allusion, in the original, to labourpains.

Ver. 9. Then,] i. e. in those times; partly before, as well as after, according to Luke. -shall they deliver you, &c.] All this took place, as is well known from the book of Acts. —ye shall be hated of all nations, &c. ;] not only by the Jews, but by the Gentiles also. That this, too, was verified, see Acts and the Epistles.

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LUKE XXI.

you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate

tament sense, is to be induced to evil; (see Matt. v. 29; xiii. 21; xviii. 6.) Many Christians, when subjected to these persecutions, would be induced to apostatize, and then to betray the others.

Ver. 11.-false prophets, &c.] See note on ver. 5. Probably, however, false teachers among professed Christians are here meant; of whom we have abundant mention in the Epistles of the New Testament, written just before the siege of Jerusalem.

Ver. 12. Many Christians, on seeing the apostasy and treachery of their brethren, (ver. 10,) would grow discouraged, and suspicious of each other.

Ver. 13. he that shall endure unto the

end;] neither overcome by persecution, nor deceived by the false teachers, nor discouraged by the defections of others, but who shall continue faithful until "the end," concerning which ye inquired, (ver. 3,) &c. -shall be saved;] i. e. preserved, rescued from these dangers; or, as Luke expresses it, "there shall not a hair of your head perish." Accordingly, Eusebius says that "the people of the church at Jerusalem, by the command of a divine revelation given to their principal men before the war, removed from the city, and dwelt at a certain town beyond the Jordan, called Pella; so that those who believed in Christ forsook Jerusalem, and holy men abandoned the royal city itself, and the whole (Hist. Eccl. iii. 5.) Thus, land of Judea." they were saved; and after the dispersion of *I retain the term "earthquakes," because such is the their bitter persecutors, the Jews, a period of usual meaning of the original word found here, and in Mark relief and prosperity awaited them: as Christ and Luke; but it might possibly be rendered commotions. told them, (according to Luke xxi. 28,) to Two remarks more: 1. I have confined the allusions, in look up," when they should see the end of the text, to Palestine; in other countries, this period was narked with wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, the Jewish nation, "and lift up your heads; of which many commentators avail themselves. 2 Though for your redemption draweth nigh." I have applied these predictions thus in minute detail, yet, as a general rule, a prophecy, like a parable, should be interpreted more in the gross, and not by taking every particular separately. Even in these 6th and 7th verses, the correct way, perhaps, would be, to take the wars, rumours of wars. nation rising against nation, &c., famines, pesti lences and earthquakes, as denoting only in general a time of great public coinmotion and distress.

Ver. 10. To be offended, in the New Tes

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Ver. 14. this gospel of the kingdom;] of Christ's kingdom, or reign. -shall be preached in all the world,] before that end come; (see Mark.) World, in the original, oikoumenē,-a word which was frequently applied,

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