Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 6
Matthew Henry Commentary
Luke 6
Matthew Henry Commentary
Luke 6
"Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day? And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone? And he said unto them, The Son of man is lord of the sabbath." — Luke 6:1-5 (ASV)
Christ justifies His disciples in a work of necessity for themselves on the Sabbath day, which was plucking ears of corn when they were hungry. But we must take care that we do not mistake this liberty for a license to sin. Christ wants us to know and remember that it is His day, which is therefore to be spent in His service and for His honor.
"And it came to pass on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man there, and his right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find how to accuse him. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man that had his hand withered, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it? And he looked round about on them all, and said unto him, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did [so]: and his hand was restored. But they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus." — Luke 6:6-11 (ASV)
Christ was neither ashamed nor afraid to acknowledge the purposes of his grace. He healed the poor man, even though he knew that his enemies would exploit it against him. Let us not be deterred either from our duty or from our usefulness by any opposition. We may well be amazed that humankind should be so wicked.
"And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called his disciples; and he chose from them twelve, whom also he named apostles: Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, and Matthew and Thomas, and James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas [the son] of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor; and he came down with them, and stood on a level place, and a great multitude of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judaea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; and they that were troubled with unclean spirits were healed. And all the multitude sought to touch him; for power came forth from him, and healed [them] all." — Luke 6:12-19 (ASV)
We often think half an hour is a great deal of time to spend in meditation and private prayer, but Christ spent entire nights engaged in these duties. In serving God, our primary concern should be not to waste time, but to make the end of one good duty the beginning of another. The twelve apostles are named here; never were men so privileged, yet one of them had a devil and proved a traitor.
Those who do not have faithful preaching near them should travel far rather than be without it. It is indeed worthwhile to go a long way to hear the word of Christ, and to set aside other business for it. They came to be cured by him, and he healed them.
There is a fullness of grace in Christ, and healing power in him, ready to go out from him, that is enough for all, enough for each. People regard the diseases of the body as greater evils than those of their souls; but the Scripture teaches us differently.
"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [are] ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed [are] ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are] ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man`s sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap [for joy]: for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you, ye that are full now! for ye shall hunger. Woe [unto you], ye that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe [unto you], when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets." — Luke 6:20-26 (ASV)
Here begins a discourse of Christ, most of which is also found in Matthew chapters 5 and 7. But some think that this was preached at another time and place.
All believers who take the precepts of the gospel to themselves, and live by them, may take the promises of the gospel to themselves, and live upon them.
Woes are denounced against prosperous sinners as miserable people, though the world envies them. Those are blessed indeed whom Christ blesses, but those must be dreadfully miserable who fall under His woe and curse!
What a vast advantage will the saint have over the sinner in the other world! And what a wide difference will there be in their rewards, however much the sinner may prosper and the saint may be afflicted here!
"But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you. To him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also. Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them. And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for even sinners do the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? even sinners lend to sinners, to receive again as much. But love your enemies, and do [them] good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful." — Luke 6:27-36 (ASV)
These are hard lessons for flesh and blood. But if we are thoroughly grounded in the faith of Christ's love, this will make his commands easy for us. Everyone who comes to him for washing in his blood, and knows the greatness of the mercy and the love there is in him, can say, in truth and sincerity, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Let us then aim to be merciful, even according to the mercy of our heavenly Father to us.
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