A paraphrase and annotations upon all the books of the New Testament briefly explaining all the difficult places thereof / by H. Hammond.

CHAP. X.

1. AND he [rose from thence] and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan. And the people resort unto him again, and as he was wont, he taught them again.

[Paraphrase] 1. departed from Galilee Mat. 19. 1.

2. And the Pharisees came to him and asked him, [Is it lawfull for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.]

[Paraphrase] 2. Is it lawfull for a man, upon a dislike of his wife, for other causes besides fornication, to put her away? This they asked out of an intention to ensnare him, knowing his doctrine in this matter, Mat. 5. 32. contradicted that liberty which they had by Moses.

3. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

4. And they said, [Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.]

[Paraphrase] 4. Moses gave us liberty to do so, Deut. 24. 1.

5. And Jesus answered, and said unto them, [For the hardnesse of your hearts he wrote you this precept.]

[Paraphrase] 5. This law wherein that was permitted by Moses, was written to provide by that means against the inflexiblenesse, and imperswasiblenesse of the Jewes hearts, which, if this were for∣bidden them, would be apt to commit some greater villany.

6. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife,

8. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain but one flesh.

9. What therefore God hath joyned together, let not man put asunder.]

[Paraphrase] 6, 7, 8, 9. But the prime law of the creation was quite otherwise, making the union between husband and wife a sacred thing, that must not be violated by any. See note on 2 Pet. 1. 6.

10. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

11. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery [against her.]

[Paraphrase] 11. by living as an hus∣band with her, whom he mar∣ries, when he is the husband of another, and causeth his own wife, from whom he thus unreconcileably parteth, to commit adul∣tery, Mat. 5. 32. that is, giveth her great occasion, and temptation, and danger to do so.

12. And if a woman shall [note a] [put away her husband and be married to another, she committeth adultery.]

[Paraphrase] 12. part with her husband, do her part in absolving the husband from his band to her, and make use of it, to marry her selfe again to another.

13. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them, and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for [of such is the king∣dome of God.]

[Paraphrase] 14. they are of that temper of innocence and simplicity (and being impotent them∣selves, resigne themselves up to be aided and sustained by others) that they are of all others the fittest emblemens of those, of whom the Christian Church is made up here, and heaven hereafter.

15. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdome of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

[Paraphrase] 15. And he that shall not come to Christianity as a lit∣tle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that very humility, and self-denyall and resignation, and sole dependence on Christ, as is observable in one of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 never be received or entertained by Christ.

16. And he took them up in his armes, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

17. And when he was gone forth into the way,* 1.1 there came [one] running and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good master, what shall I doe, that I may inherit everlasting life?

[Paraphrase] 17. a young man Mat. 19. 20. a Ruler Lu. 18. 18.

18. And Jesus said unto him, [Why callest thou me good? There is* 1.2 no man good but one, that is God.]

[Paraphrase] 18. The attribute of good belongs truly to none but God, Is that thy meaning to acknowledge me such when thou callest me by that title?

19. Thou knowest [the commandements, Doe not commit adultery, Doe not kill, Doe not steal, Doe not bear false witnesse, [note b] ‖ 1.3 Defraud not, Honour thy fa∣ther and mother.]

[Paraphrase] 19. The sixe commande∣ments of the second table of the decalogue, Honour thy father and thy mother, Thou shalt not commit adultery &c. and in stead of the tenth, Thou shalt rest contented with thy own, and not seek to encrease thy own condition by the diminution of other mens.

20. And he answered and said unto him, Master, [all these have I observed from my youth.]

[Paraphrase] 20. thus farre I have gone already, and have all my time constantly been an observer of all these commands.

21. Then Jesus beholding him, [loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest, Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, take up the crosse and follow me.]

[Paraphrase] 21. approved these graci∣ous beginnings in him, and accordingly spake friendly and kindly to him, to allure and advance him to that degree of contempt of worldly possessions and riches (which otherwise would depresse his soul, and make him uncapable of true discipleship, as the thrones in the parable of the sower) that might give him the true advantages of wealth, ability of relieving and supporting others, and by a readinesse to suffer the utmost in that profes∣sion, qualifie him for a capacity. of discipleship first, and then of eternall treasure.

22. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23. And Jesus looked about, and saith unto his disciples, How [note c] hardly shall they that have riches [enter into the kingdome of God?]

[Paraphrase] 23. undertake the doctrine of Christ here, or be made partakers of his glory in the kingdome of heaven hereafter?

24. And the disciples were astonished at his words: but Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children. How hard is it for them [that* 1.4 trust in riches] to enter into the kingdome of God?

[Paraphrase] 24. that look upon wealth with the eye of the world, as that which can help them to all they want?

25. It is easier for a camel to goe through the eye of a needle, then for [a rich man] to enter into the kingdome of God.

[Paraphrase] 25. For such a rich man continuing in that worldly-mindednesse.

26. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can [be saved?]

[Paraphrase] 26. See Mat. 19. 25.

27. And Jesus looking upon them, saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible.

[Paraphrase] 27. See Mat. 19. 26.

28. Then Peter began to say unto him, behold we have left all and followed thee.

29. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake, and the Gospels,

[Paraphrase] 29. See Mat. 19. 29.

30. But he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and [mothers,] and children, and lands with persecutions, and in the world to come eternall life.

[Paraphrase] 30. See note on 2 Pet. 3. c.

31. But [note d] many that are first shall be last, and the last, first.]

[Paraphrase] 31. But for you who talk so much of your sufferings, know this, that of those that come in latest to discipleship or Apostleship, (as Paul) some shall in diligence and bringing in proselytes to Christ, 1 Cor. 15. 10. very much outstrip those who came in first (that is, Peter who here speaks, and the other disciples of Christ's first election.)

32. And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them, and they were amazed, and as they followed, they were afraid, and he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,]

[Paraphrase] 32. And as Christ before, and his disciples after him were going up to Jerusalem, they began to consider the dan∣ger of this voyage, the Sanhe∣drim resolving to kill him, Joh. 11. 53. and sending writs to apprehend him, v. 57. and they were horribly afraid, whereupon he took the twelve into a nearer conference, Mat. 20. 7. and began to tell them distinctly, what usage he should now meet with at Jerusalem.

33. Saying, Behold we goe up to Jerusalem, and the son of man shall be de∣livered up to the chief priests, and unto the Scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and [shall deliver him to the Gentiles.]

[Paraphrase] 33. because they have not themselves in the Sanhedrim power to put anyman to death, they shall deliver him up to the Romans to doe it.

34. And [they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him,] and the third day he shall rise again.

[Paraphrase] 34. he shall be reproach∣fully dealt with and scourged, and spit on, and put to death,

35. And James and John the sons of Zebedee come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest doe for us whatsoever we shall desire.]

[Paraphrase] 35. And the mother of James and John in behalf of her children came (Mat. 20. 20.) to him with a petition. See note on Lu. 7. a.

36. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should doe for you?

37. They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in thy glory.

38. But Jesus said unto them, [Ye know not what ye ask: Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of, and be baptized with the baptisme that I am baptized with?]

[Paraphrase] 38. The preferment which ye ask for, is not such as you take it for, but only a condi∣tion of suffering, which perhaps you will not be much in love with, or able to support.

39. And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall in∣deed drink of the cup that I drink of,* 1.5 and with the baptisme that I am baptized withall, shall ye be baptized:

40. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.]

[Paraphrase] 40. But to be advanced be∣fore all others is a thing of that nature, that I shall not dispose of it, according to favour partially, to gratifie you, or satisfie your importunity, but according to those rules, and conditions, and qualifications which my Father hath set down.

41. And when the ten heard it, they began† 1.6 to be much displeased with James and John.

42. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that [they which* 1.7 are accounted to rule over the Gentiles, exercise Lordship] over them, and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

[Paraphrase] 42. they that among the Gentiles doe exercise rule over them, receive advantages from their subjects, are served, and maintained in all their grandeur and splendor by them, See Mat. 20. 25. and 1 Pet. 5. note a.

43. But so shall it not be among you, but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister.]

[Paraphrase] 43. But in the authority which I shall conferre on you, and your successors, it shall be quite otherwise, ye shall attend and wait upon them whose Rulers you are.

44. And whosoever will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

[Paraphrase] 44. And the higher ye are advanced in Ecclesiastick dignity, the greater burthen of office and duty shall lye upon you, to attend the wants of all your infe∣riors, and to supply them.

45. For even the son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransome for many.]

[Paraphrase] 45. See Mat. 20. 2••.

46. And they came to Jericho, and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples, and a great number of people, [blind Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus] sat by the highway side begging:

[Paraphrase] 46. There were two blind men, Mat. 20. 30. of which one was call'd Bartimaeus, that is, the son of Timaeus, which

47. And when he beard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus thou son of David, have mercy on me.

[Paraphrase] 47. And when they were told that it was Jesus that pas∣sed by, Bartimaeus (and the other in like manner, Mat. 20.) cryed out and said,

48. And many charged him that he should hold his peace, but he cryed the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

49. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called: and they called the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise, he calleth thee.

50. And he casting away [his garment,] rose and came to Jesus.

[Paraphrase] 50. his upper garment, See note on Mat. 5. 1.

51. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should doe unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

52. And Jesus said unto [him,] Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole: and immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

[Paraphrase] 52. Bartimaeus (and the other also, both together)

Annotations on Chap. X.

[ a] * 1.8 V. 12. Put away her husband] That which is here said convertibly of Divorces, the wife putting away the husband, as the husband the wife, must not so be under∣stood, that the wife hath (or ever had) in any case power to put away the husband, though not to marry again, as, in case of fornication, the husband may put away the wife; For there is that difference between the Hus∣band and the Wife, that renders one lawfull, and not the other, viz. the dominion of the Husband over the Wife, which the Wife, whose part is obedience, Gen. 3. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 6. hath not back again over the Husband; and accordingly in the Law, though there be a liberty given to the man of putting away the wife, in more ca∣ses then Christ allowes of, yet there is none given the Wife to put away the Husband in any case; and Christ, that restrained that liberty of the man to the one case of Fornication, cannot be thought (and no where ap∣pears) to have enlarged, or extended that liberty to the Wife. As for the some kind of semblance of it here in this text, it will cease to be so, by observing either of these two things, First, that the only thing here in hand in these two verses, is to set down the unlawfull, and adulterous divorces, viz. those that are attended with marrying some other, for such are all they equally, whether committed by the man, or woman, and so there is no occasion here to state that other question of law∣full divorces, which had been made by the Pharisees v. 2. and answered Negatively v. 3. &c. And conse∣quently all that is here said, is that the Wife, however separated from the Husband, may not marry again, not that she may in any case lawfully separate. Many things of this nature there are in the Scripture which are spoken only to prepare for somewhat else, and have themselves no farther impor••••••ce, all the weight of the speech lying on that other part to which they prepare. See Note on Mat. 9. d. Secondly, The nature of the word, that is here, and in other places of the New Testament, used for divorcing, falls out to be a word, which signifies not putting away, as that notes any act of authority, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 absolving, loosing, releasing from a debt, or a band, and so it may truly be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that it is only releasing, ab∣solving, not putting away, the husband, that is, doing what is in her power to doe, but not pretending to more; The Grecians were wont to speak more accurately, calling it on the mans part 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to send, or cast out the wife, but on the wives part, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to leave, or forsake the Husband, which though practised among the heathen sometimes, yet being but an act of deser∣tion, it pretends not to any authority over him that is forsaken.

[ b] * 1.9 V. 19. Defraud not] That our Saviour reckons up here the six last precepts of the Decalogue, contai∣ning our duty toward our brethren, that is, toward other men, under the Law, is presently clear to him that considers the words, either here, or Mat. 19. 17. From thence it is clear again, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is S. Marks rendring of the tenth commandement. And it is obser∣vable how many waies this commandement is rendred in the Bible, in Exod 20. and Deut. 5. the Septuagint expresse it by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, thou shalt not covet, S. Paul Rom. 7 7. hath the same, but S. Mark here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 thou shalt not defraud, and S. Matthew, ch. 19. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self, From which 'tis farther observable what is the meaning of that commandement, That undoubtedly, which will be the joynt united importance of these three phrases, & not that which might be thought sufficient to expresse the meaning of some one of them, that is, so to rest satisfied every man with his own lot, which God hath afforded him, and so to desire the good of others as well as of himself, as not to desire, or endevour to gain any thing to himself by the losse or diminution of any other, to think the neighbour as fit to enjoy any thing that be∣longs to him, as himself to enjoy his own, and so joyne together these two precepts of the Heathens, the

Quod sis esse velis, nihilque malis,

in Martial, the perfect complacency with our present condition, and the—〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

in Menander, the not coveting so much as a needle or pin of anothers.

[ c] * 1.10 V. 23. Hardly] The thorny ground appears by the parable of the sower to be very contrary tothe good, fruitfull, the embleme of the honest heart, wherein Chri∣stianity was to be planted; By that was meant the mind choak'd with riches and the cares of this world, which betray and eat out many good hopefull seeds of grace, which would otherwise lift up the soul to the pursuit of the one necessary. And this is the interpretation of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, great difficulty of the rich mans being a disciple of Christ, and attaining to his king∣dome. This Julian, in his Epistle to Ecebolius, speaks of scoffingly, and saith that he took away from the Christians all that they had, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that they may not be deprived of that heavenly kingdome which they hope for.

[ d] * 1.11 V. 31. Many] They who were call'd and chosen first to be disciples, who consequenly ought to have ex∣press'd more zeal, more fidelity, and taken more pains in the Apostolicall office, are here call'd the first, in re∣spect of their 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 being first called into the vineyard, and such was Peter and John, and the rest of his present disciples. The last are those which were call'd later, as S. Paul, who saith truly of himself, that as he was born out of due time, suddainly (not regu∣larly, as the disciples in Christs life-time had been, dis∣ciples a long space, before they had their commission of Apostleship) so he was in labours more abundant, &c. 1 Cor. 15. 10. and 2 Cor. 11. 23. And they that have written the Itineraries of the Apostles have ob∣served the truth of it, S. Paul having travail'd much farther then either S. Peter or S. John, as they have describ'd the circuit.

Notes

• * 1.1

  or, behold a certain rich man; so the Kings MS. reads; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.2

  none, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• ‖ 1.3

  deprive
• * 1.4

  have pla∣ced their confidence 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.5

  * It is not mine to give, save to those for whom it hath been prepared. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.6

  to have indignation about James 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.7

  see 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c.
• * 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉