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should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great, Luke ix. 46-48. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The Kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth, xxii. 24-27. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another, Rom. xii. 10. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves, Phil. ii. 3.

A. D. 32.

b Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

a For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled, Matt. v. 18. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward, vi. 2. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward, 5. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward, 16. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man, John i. 51. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say Καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος ὁ Ἰησοῦς παιδίον, he cannot see the kingdom of God, unto thee, Except a man be born again, ἔστησεν αὐτὸ ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν,

See on chap. iii. ver. 2. clause 2.
VER. 2.

And Jesus called a a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

a Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven, Matt. xix. 13, 14. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me, Mark ix. 36, 37.

iii. 3.

b For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them, Matt. xiii. 15. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee, Psal. li. 13. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed, Isa. vi. 10. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them, Mark iv. 12. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou And said, Verily I say unto you, art converted, strengthen thy brethren,

VER. 3.

Καὶ εἶπεν· ̓Αμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν μὴ στραφῆτε, καὶ γένησθε ὡς τὰ παιδία, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρα

a

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Luke xxii. 32. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, Acts iii. 19. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, James v. 19.

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God, Luke xviii. 15, 16. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men, 1 Cor. xiv. 20. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby, 1 Pet. ii. 2.

See on chap, iii. ver. 2. clause 2.
VER. 4.

Ὅστις οὖν ταπεινώσῃ ἑαυτὸν ὡς τὸ τσαιδίον τοῦτο, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ μείζων ἐν τῇ

βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν.

Whosoever therefore shall a humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

a And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted, Matt. xxiii. 12. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child, Psal. cxxxi. 1, 2. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones, Isa. lvii. 15. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble, 1 Pet. v. 5.

A. D. 32.

a He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive, a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward, Matt. x. 40-42. And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me, xxv. 40. Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me, 45. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, say unto you, he shall not lose his because ye belong to Christ, verily

I

reward, Mark ix. 41.

And said unto

them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me receiveth

him that sent me ; for he that is least Luke ix. 48. It were better for him among you all, the same shall be great, that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones, xvii. 2.

b Whosoever shall receive one of

such children in my name, receiveth

me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me, Mark ix. 37. Verily, verily, I soever I send receiveth me; and he say unto you, He that receiveth whom

that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me, John xiii. 20. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus, Gal. iv. 14.

VER. 6.

Ὃς δ ̓ ἂν σκανδαλίσῃ ἕνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων, τῶν πιστευόντων εἰς ἐμὲ, συμφέ ρει αὐτῷ, ἵνα κρεμασθῇ μύλος ὀνικὸς ἐπὶ Καὶ ὃς ἐὰν δέξηται παιδίον τοιοῦτον ἓν τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ, καὶ καταποντισθῇ ἐν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου, ἐμὲ δέχεται. τῷ πελάγει τῆς θαλάσσης.

VER. 5.

And whoso shall a receive one such little child, in my name breceiveth me.

But whoso shall a offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were

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better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

a Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm, Psal. cv. 15. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye, Zech. ii. 8. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea, Mark ix. 42. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones, Luke xvii. 2. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks, Acts ix. 5. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's I know, and am way. persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died, Rom. xiv. 13-15. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak, 21. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me, xv. 1-3. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols? And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin

A. D. 32.

so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend, 1 Cor. viii. 9-13. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved, x. 32, 33. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Thess. i. 6—9.

VER. 7.

Οὐαὶ τῷ κόσμῳ ἀπὸ τῶν σκανδάλων· ἀνάγκη γάρ ἐστιν ἐλθεῖν τὰ σκάνδαλα· πλὴν οὐαὶ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ, δι ̓ οὗ τὸ σκάνδαλον ἔρχεται.

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that mun by whom the offence cometh!

a And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land, Gen. xiii. 7. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD, 1 Sam. ii. 17. Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD

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would slay them, 22-25. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die, 2 Sam. xii. 14. Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! Luke xvii. 1. Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written, Rom. ii. 23, 24. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan, 1 Tim. v. 14, 15. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed, vi. 1. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed, Tit. ii. 5. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you, 8. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, 2 Pet. ii. 2.

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b And when ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars, bé ye not troubled for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet, Mark xiii. 7. For there must be also here sies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you, 1 Cor. xi. 19. Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what with-holdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will let, until he be

A. D. 32.

taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness, 2 Thess. ii. 3—12. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy ; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth, 1 Tim. iv. 1-3. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away, 2 Tim. iii. 1-5. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables, iv. 3, 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude 4.

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity: And

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seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death: and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works, 20-23. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain

with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh, xix. 20, 21.

VER. 8.

shall cast them into a furnace of fire: | herself a prophetess, to teach and to
there shall be wailing and gnashing
of teeth, Matt. xiii. 41, 42. But woe
unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hy-
pocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom
of heaven against men: for ye neither
go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them
that are entering to go in, xxiii. 13.
The Son of man goeth as it is written
of him but woe unto that man by
whom the Son of man is betrayed!
it had been good for that man if he
had not been born, xxvi. 24. And
many shall follow their pernicious
ways; by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of. And
through covetousness shall they with
feigned words make merchandize of
you: whose judgment now of a long
time lingereth not, and their dam-
nation slumbereth not, 2 Pet. ii. 3.
Which have forsaken the right way,
and are gone astray, following the
way of Balaam the son of Bosor,
who loved the wages of unrighteous-
ness; But was rebuked for his ini-
quity: the dumb ass speaking with
man's voice forbad the madness of
the prophet. These are wells with-
out water, clouds that are carried with
a tempest; to whom the mist of
darkness is reserved for ever, 15-17.
Woe unto them, for they have gone
into the way of Cain, and ran greedily
after the error of Balaam for reward, Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot
and perished in the gainsaying of Core. offend thee, cut them off, and cast them
These are spots in your feasts of cha- from thee: it is better for thee to enter
rity, when they feast with you, feed-into life halt or maimed, rather than
ing themselves without fear: clouds having two hands or two feet to be cast
they are without water, carried about into everlasting fire.
of winds; trees whose fruit wither-
eth, without fruit, twice dead, pluck-
ed up by the roots; Raging waves of
the sea, foaming out their own shame ;
wandering stars, to whom is reserved
the blackness of darkness for ever,
Jude 11-13. But I have a few things
against thee, because thou hast there
them that hold the doctrine of Ba-
laam, who taught Balak to cast a
stumblingblock before the children
of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto
idols, and to commit fornication. So
hast thou also them that hold the
doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which
thing I hate, Rev. ii. 14, 15. Not-
Ορᾶτε μὴ καταφρονήσητε ἑνὸς τῶν μικ
withstanding I have a few things
against thee, because thou sufferest | ρῶν τούτων· λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν, ὅτι οἱ ἄγγε‐
that woman Jezebel, which calleth | λοι αὐτῶν ἐν οὐρανοῖς διὰ παντὸς βλέπουσι

|

Εἰ δὲ ἡ χείρ σου, ἢ ὁ σοῦς του σκανδαλί ζει σε, ἔκκοψον αὐτὰ, καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ• καλόν σοι ἐστὶν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν χωλὸν ἢ κυλλὸν, ἢ δύο χεῖρας ἢ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τὸ πῦς τὸ αἰώνιον.

a See on chap. v. verses 29, 30,

VER. 9.

Καὶ εἰ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔξελε αὐτὸν, καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ· καλόν σοι ἐστὶ μονόφθαλμον εἰς τὴν ζωὴν εἰσελθεῖν, ἢ δύο ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τὴν γέενναν τοῦ πυρός.

a And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire.

a See on chap. v. verses 29, 30.

VER. 10.

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