Read Scripture In A Year: July 22

(2Sa 7:1) Afterwarde when the King sate in his house and the Lord had giuen him rest rounde about from all his enemies,

(2Sa 7:2) The King saide vnto Nathan the Prophet, Beholde, nowe I dwel in an house of cedar trees, and the Arke of God remayneth within the curtaines.

(Notes Reference) That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within (a) curtains.

(a) Within the tabernacle covered with skins, (Exo 26:7).

(2Sa 7:3) Then Nathan sayde vnto the King, Go, and doe all that is in thine heart: for the Lord is with thee.

(2Sa 7:4) And the same night the worde of the Lord came vnto Nathan, saying,

(2Sa 7:5) Goe and tell my seruant Dauid, Thus saieth the Lord, Shalt thou buylde me an house for my dwelling?

(Notes Reference) Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, (b) Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

(b) Meaning, he should not: yet Nathan speaking according to man's judgment and not by the spirit of prophecy permitted him.

(2Sa 7:6) For I haue dwelt in no house since the time that I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt vnto this day, but haue walked in a tent and tabernacle.

(2Sa 7:7) In al the places wherein I haue walked with all the children of Israel, spake I one worde with any of the tribes of Israel when I commanded the iudges to feede my people Israel? or sayde I, Why build ye not me an house of cedar trees?

(Notes Reference) In all [the places] wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a (c) word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

(2Sa 7:8) Nowe therefore so say vnto my seruant Dauid, Thus saieth the Lord of hostes, I tooke thee from the sheepecote following the sheepe, that thou mightest bee ruler ouer my people, ouer Israel.

(2Sa 7:9) And I was with thee wheresoeuer thou hast walked, and haue destroyed all thine enemies out of thy sight, and haue made thee a great name, like vnto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

(Notes Reference) And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a (d) great name, like unto the name of the great [men] that [are] in the earth.

(d) I have made you famous through all the world.

(2Sa 7:10) (Also I will appoynt a place for my people Israel, and will plant it, that they may dwell in a place of their owne, and moue no more, neither shall wicked people trouble them any more as before time,

(Notes Reference) Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move (e) no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,

(e) He promises them quietness, if they will walk in his fear and obedience.

(2Sa 7:11) And since the time that I set Iudges ouer my people of Israel) and I will giue thee rest from al thine enemies: also the Lord telleth thee, that he will make thee an house.

(2Sa 7:12) And when thy daies bee fulfilled, thou shalt sleepe with thy fathers, and I wil set vp thy seede after thee, which shall proceede out of thy body, and will stablish his kingdome.

(2Sa 7:13) He shall buyld an house for my Name, and I will stablish ye throne of his kingdome for euer.

(2Sa 7:14) I will be his father, and hee shall bee my sonne: and if he sinne, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the plagues of the children of men.

(Notes Reference) I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the (f) rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

(f) That is, gently, as fathers use to chastise their children.

(2Sa 7:15) But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I tooke it from Saul whome I haue put away before thee.

(2Sa 7:16) And thine house shall be stablished and thy kingdome for euer before thee, euen thy throne shalbe stablished for euer.

(Notes Reference) And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be (g) established for ever.

(g) This was begun in Solomon, as a figure, but accomplished in Christ.

(2Sa 7:17) According to all these wordes, and according to all this vision, Nathan spake thus vnto Dauid.

(2Sa 7:18) Then King Dauid went in, and sate before the Lord, and sayde, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

(2Sa 7:19) And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God, therefore thou hast spoken also of thy seruants house for a great while: but doth this appertaine to man, O Lord God?

(Notes Reference) And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And [is] this the manner of (h) man, O Lord GOD?

(h) Does this not come rather from your free mercy, than from any worthiness that can be in man?

(2Sa 7:20) And what can Dauid say more vnto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest thy seruant.

(2Sa 7:21) For thy words sake, and according to thine owne heart hast thou done all these great things, to make them knowen vnto thy seruant.

(2Sa 7:22) Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God besides thee, according to all that wee haue heard with our eares.

(2Sa 7:23) And what one people in the earth is like thy people, like Israel? whose God went and redeemed them to himselfe, that they might be his people, and that hee might make him a name, and do for you great things, and terrible for thy land, O Lord, euen for thy people, whome thou redeemedst to thee out of Egypt, from the nations, and their gods?

(Notes Reference) And what one nation in the earth [is] like thy people, [even] like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for (i) you great things and terrible, for (k) thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, [from] the (l) nations and their gods?

(i) O Israel.

(k) And inheritance, which is Israel.

(l) From the Egyptians and their idols.

(2Sa 7:24) For thou hast ordeyned to thy selfe thy people Israel to be thy people for euer: and thou Lord art become their God.

(Notes Reference) For thou hast (m) confirmed to thyself thy people Israel [to be] a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.

(m) He shows that God's free election is the only reason why the Israelites were chosen to be his people.

(2Sa 7:25) Nowe therefore, O Lord God, confirme for euer the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy seruant and his house, and doe as thou hast sayde.

(2Sa 7:26) And let thy Name bee magnified for euer by them that shall say, The Lord of hostes is the God ouer Israel: and let the house of thy seruant Dauid be stablished before thee.

(Notes Reference) And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts [is] the God over Israel: and let the (n) house of thy servant David be established before thee.

(n) This prayer is most effective when we chiefly seek God's glory, and the accomplishment of his promise.

(2Sa 7:27) For thou, O Lord of hostes, God of Israel, hast reueiled vnto thy seruant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy seruant bene bold to pray this prayer vnto thee.

(2Sa 7:28) Therefore now, O Lord God, (for thou art God, and thy words be true, and thou hast tolde this goodnes vnto thy seruant)

(2Sa 7:29) Therefore nowe let it please thee to blesse the house of thy seruant, that it may continue for euer before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it: and let the house of thy seruant be blessed for euer, with thy blessing.

(Notes Reference) Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast (o) spoken [it]: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

(o) Therefore I firmly believe it will come to pass.

Passage 2: Jeremiah 12

(Jer 12:1) O Lord, if I dispute with thee, thou art righteous: yet let mee talke with thee of thy iudgements: wherefore doeth the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they in wealth that rebelliously transgresse?

(Notes Reference) (a) Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me speak with thee of [thy] judgments: Why doth the way of the wicked (b) prosper? [why] are they all happy that deal very treacherously?

(a) The prophet confesses God to be just in all his doings, although man is not able to give a reason for all his actions.

(b) This question has been always a great temptation to the godly, to see the wicked enemies of God in prosperity, and his dear children in adversity, as in (Job 21:7; Psa 37:1, Psa 73:3; Hab 1:3).

(Jer 12:2) Thou hast planted them, and they haue taken roote: they grow, and bring forth fruite: thou art neere in their mouth, and farre from their reines.

(Notes Reference) Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou [art] near in their mouth, and far from their (c) reins.

(Jer 12:3) But thou, Lord, knowest me: thou hast seene me, and tried mine heart towarde thee: pull them out like sheepe for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

(Notes Reference) But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried my heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and (d) prepare them for the day of slaughter.

(d) The Hebrew word is "sanctify them", meaning that God would be sanctified in the destruction of the wicked to whom God for a while gives prosperity, that afterward they would the more feel his heavy judgment when they lack their riches which were a sign of his mercy.

(Jer 12:4) Howe long shall the lande mourne, and the herbes of euery fielde wither, for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein? the beastes are consumed and the birdes, because they sayd, He wil not see our last ende.

(Notes Reference) How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell in it? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, (e) He shall not see our last end.

(e) Abusing God's leniency and his promises, they flattered themselves as though God would ever be merciful and not utterly destroy them therefore they hardened themselves in sin, till at length the beasts and insensible creatures felt the punishment of their stubborn rebellion against God.

(Jer 12:5) If thou hast runne with the footemen and they haue wearied thee, then howe canst thou match thy selfe with horses? and if thou thoughtest thy selfe safe in a peaceable lande, what wilt thou do in the swelling of Iorden?

(Notes Reference) If thou hast run with the (f) footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and [if] in the land of peace, [in which] thou didst trust, [they wearied thee], then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

(f) Some think that God reproves Jeremiah, in that he would reason with him, saying that if he was not able to march with men, then he was far unable to dispute with God. Others, by the footmen mean them of Anathoth: and by the horsemen, them of Jerusalem who would trouble the prophet worse than his own countrymen did.

(Jer 12:6) For euen thy brethren, and the house of thy father, euen they haue delt vnfaithfully with thee, and they haue cryed out altogether vpon thee: but beleeue them not, though they speake faire to thee.

(Jer 12:7) I haue forsaken mine house: I haue left mine heritage: I haue giuen the dearely beloued of my soule into the hands of her enemies.

(Notes Reference) I have forsaken (g) my house, I have left my heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.

(g) God wills the prophet to denounce his judgments against Jerusalem, even though they will both by threatenings and flatteries labour to silence him.

(Jer 12:8) Mine heritage is vnto mee, as a lion in the forest: it crieth out against mee, therefore haue I hated it.

(Notes Reference) My heritage is to me as a (h) lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.

(h) Ever ranting and raging against me and my prophets.

(Jer 12:9) Shall mine heritage bee vnto mee, as a bird of diuers colours? are not the birdes about her, saying, Come, assemble all ye beastes of the fielde, come to eate her?

(Notes Reference) My heritage [is] to me [as] a (i) speckled bird, the birds around [are] against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

(i) Instead of bearing my livery and wearing only my colours, they have change and diversity of colours of their idols and superstitions therefore their enemies as thick as the fowls of the air will come about them to destroy them.

(Jer 12:10) Many pastors haue destroyed my vineyarde, and troden my portion vnder foote: of my pleasant portion they haue made a desolate wildernesse.

(Notes Reference) Many shepherds have destroyed my (k) vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

(k) He prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem, by the captain of Nebuchadnezzar, whom he calls pastors.

(Jer 12:11) They haue layde it waste, and it, being waste, mourneth vnto me: and the whole lande lyeth waste, because no man setteth his minde on it.

(Notes Reference) They have made it desolate, [and being] desolate it mourneth to me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth (l) [it] to heart.

(l) Because no man regards my word, or the plagues that I have sent on the land.

(Jer 12:12) The destroyers are come vpon all the high places in the wildernesse: for the sworde of the Lord shall deuoure from the one end of the land, euen to the other ende of the lande: no flesh shall haue peace.

(Jer 12:13) They haue sowen wheate, and reaped thornes: they were sicke, and had no profite: and they were ashamed of your fruites, because of the fierce wrath of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) (m) They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they (n) have put themselves to pain, [but] shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of (o) your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

(m) That is, the prophets.

(n) They lamented the sins of the people.

(o) For instead of amendment, you grew worse and worse, as God's plagues testified.

(Jer 12:14) Thus sayeth the Lord against all mine euill neighbours, that touch the inheritance, which I haue caused my people Israel to inherite, Beholde, I will plucke them out of their lande, and plucke out the house of Iudah from among them.

(Notes Reference) Thus saith the LORD against all my evil (p) neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.

(p) Meaning the wicked enemies of his Church who blasphemed his Name, and whom he would punish after he had delivered his people.

(Jer 12:15) And after that I haue plucked them out, I will returne, and haue compassion on them, and will bring againe euery man to his heritage, and euery man to his land.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, after I have plucked them out I (q) will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.

(q) After I have punished the Gentiles I will have mercy on them.

(Jer 12:16) And if they will learne the wayes of my people, to sweare by my Name, (The Lord liueth, as they taught my people to sweare by Baal) then shall they be built in the middes of my people.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the (r) ways of my people, to swear by my name, The (s) LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built (t) in the midst of my people.

(r) The true doctrine and manner to serve God.

(s) Read (Jer 4:2).

(t) They will be of the number of the faithful, and have a place in my Church.

(Jer 12:17) But if they will not obey, then will I vtterly plucke vp, and destroy that nation, sayeth the Lord.

Passage 3: Matthew 23

(Mat 23:1) Then spake Iesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

(Mat 23:2) Saying, The Scribes and the Pharises sit in Moses seate.

(Notes Reference) (1) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees (a) sit in Moses' seat:

(1) We ought to listen to whatever we are truly taught from the word of God, even by wicked teachers, but in a way so that we abstain from their evil behaviour.

(a) Because God appointed the order, the Lord would therefore have his word to be heard even from the mouth of hypocrites and hirelings.

(Mat 23:3) All therefore whatsoeuer they bid you obserue, that obserue and doe: but after their workes doe not: for they say, and doe not.

(Notes Reference) (b) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

(b) Provided always that they deliver the doctrine of Moses which they profess, which thing the metaphor of the seat shows, which they occupied as teachers of Moses' teaching.

(Mat 23:4) For they binde heauie burdens, and grieuous to be borne, and lay them on mens shoulders, but they themselues will not moue them with one of their fingers.

(Notes Reference) (2) For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.

(2) For the most part hypocrites most severely exact those things which they themselves chiefly neglect.

(Mat 23:5) All their workes they doe for to be seene of men: for they make their phylacteries broad, and make long the frindges of their garments,

(Notes Reference) (3) But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their (c) phylacteries, and enlarge (d) the borders of their garments,

(3) Hypocrites are ambitious.

(c) It was a thread or ribband of blue silk in the fringe of a corner, the beholding of which made them remember the laws and ordinances of God: and therefore it was called a phylactery, or as you would say, a container. See (Num 15:38; Deu 6:8), a commandment which the Jews abused afterwards, as those do today who hang the gospel of John around their necks, which was condemned many years ago in the Council of Antioch.

(d) Literally, "Twisted tassels of thread which hung at the outermost hems of their garments."

(Mat 23:6) And loue the chiefe place at feastes, and to haue the chiefe seates in the assemblies,

(Notes Reference) And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the (e) synagogues,

(e) When assemblies and councils are gathered together.

(Mat 23:7) And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

(Notes Reference) And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, (f) Rabbi.

(f) This word "Rabbi" signifies one that is above his fellows, and is as good as any of them: and we may see by the repeating of it how proud a title it was. Now they were called Rabbi who, by the laying on of hands, were uttered and declared to the world to be wise men.

(Mat 23:8) But be not ye called, Rabbi: for one is your doctour, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren.

(Notes Reference) (4) But be not ye (g) called Rabbi: for (h) one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren.

(4) Modesty is a singular ornament of God's minsters.

(g) Seek not ambitiously after it: for our Lord does not forbid us to give the magistrate and our masters the honour that is due to them; Augustine in a sermon on the words of God from (Mat. 11:1-30).

(h) He seems to allude to references in (Isa 54:13) and (Jer 31:34).

(Mat 23:9) And call no man your father vpon the earth: for there is but one, your father which is in heauen.

(Notes Reference) And call no [man] your (i) father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

(i) He attacks a custom of the Jews, for they called the rabbis "our fathers".

(Mat 23:10) Be not called doctours: for one is your doctour, euen Christ.

(Notes Reference) Neither be ye called (k) masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.

(k) It seems that the scribes hunted very greatly after such titles, these scribes being the ones whom he called blind guides in (Mat 23:16).

(Mat 23:11) But he that is greatest among you, let him be your seruant.

(Mat 23:12) For whosoeuer will exalt himselfe, shall be brought lowe: and whosoeuer will humble himselfe, shalbe exalted.

(Notes Reference) And whosoever (l) shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

(l) He seems to allude to the position of the rabbis, for rabbi signifies one that is in a high position.

(Mat 23:13) Wo therefore be vnto you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites, because ye shut vp the kingdome of heauen before men: for ye your selues go not in, neither suffer ye them that would enter, to come in.

(Notes Reference) (5) But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, (m) hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are (n) entering to go in.

(5) Hypocrites cannot endure others to be better than themselves.

(m) Christ, when he reproves any man sharply, uses this word to show us that there is nothing more detestable than hypocrisy and falsehood in religion.

(n) Who are even at the door.

(Mat 23:14) Wo be vnto you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye deuoure widowes houses, euen vnder a colour of long prayers: wherefore ye shall receiue the greater damnation.

(Notes Reference) (6) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and (o) for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

(6) It is a common thing among hypocrites to abuse the pretence of zeal when in reality they are exercising covetousness and extortion.

(o) Literally, "under a colour of long praying"; and the word "and" signifies a double wickedness in them: the one, that they devoured widows goods: the other that they did it under a pretence of godliness.

(Mat 23:15) Wo be vnto you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye compasse sea and land to make one of your profession: and when he is made, ye make him two folde more the childe of hell, then you your selues.

(Notes Reference) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and (p) land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

(p) The dry part: now that part of the earth is called dry which the Lord has given to us to live upon.

(Mat 23:16) Wo be vnto you blinde guides, which say, Whosoeuer sweareth by the Temple, it is nothing: but whosoeuer sweareth by the golde of the Temple, he offendeth.

(Notes Reference) Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he (q) is a debtor!

(q) Is a debtor. In the Syrian language, sins are called "Debts", and it is certain that Christ spoke in Syrian.

(Mat 23:17) Ye fooles and blinde, whether is greater, the golde, or the Temple that sanctifieth the golde?

(Notes Reference) [Ye] fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that (r) sanctifieth the gold?

(r) Causes the gold which is dedicated to a holy use to be considered holy.

(Mat 23:18) And whosoeuer sweareth by the altar, it is nothing: but whosoeuer sweareth by the offering that is vpon it, offendeth.

(Mat 23:19) Ye fooles and blinde, whether is greater, the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering?

(Mat 23:20) Whosoeuer therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

(Mat 23:21) And whosoeuer sweareth by the Temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

(Mat 23:22) And he that sweareth by heauen, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

(Notes Reference) And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the (s) throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

(s) If heaven is God's throne, than he is without doubt above this entire world.

(Mat 23:23) Wo be to you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye tithe mynt, and annyse, and cummyn, and leaue the weightier matters of the law, as iudgement, and mercy and fidelitie. These ought ye to haue done, and not to haue left the other.

(Notes Reference) (7) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and (t) faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

(7) Hypocrites take special care in small matters, and neglect the things which matter the very most.

(t) Faithfulness in the keeping of promises.

(Mat 23:24) Ye blinde guides, which straine out a gnat, and swallowe a camell.

(Mat 23:25) Wo be to you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye make cleane the vtter side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are ful of briberie and excesse.

(Notes Reference) (8) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

(8) Hypocrites pay too much attention to outward things, and the inward things they utterly condemn.

(Mat 23:26) Thou blinde Pharise, cleanse first the inside of the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be cleane also.

(Mat 23:27) Wo be to you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye are like vnto whited tombes, which appeare beautifull outward, but are within full of dead mens bones, and all filthines.

(Mat 23:28) So are ye also: for outwarde ye appeare righteous vnto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisie and iniquitie.

(Mat 23:29) Wo be vnto you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye build the tombes of the Prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

(Notes Reference) (9) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

(9) Hypocrites, when they try the most to cover up their wickedness, it is then by the just judgment of God that they shame themselves.

(Mat 23:30) And say, If we had bene in the dayes of our fathers, we would not haue bene partners with them in the blood of the Prophets.

(Mat 23:31) So then ye be witnesses vnto your selues, that ye are the children of them that murthered the Prophets.

(Mat 23:32) Fulfill ye also ye measure of your fathers.

(Notes Reference) (u) Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

(u) A proverb used by the Jews, which has this meaning: You go on also, and follow your ancestors, that at length your wickedness may come to its fulness.

(Mat 23:33) O serpents, the generation of vipers, howe should ye escape the damnation of hell!

(Mat 23:34) Wherefore beholde, I send vnto you Prophets, and wise men, and Scribes, and of them ye shall kill and crucifie: and of them shall ye scourge in your Synagogues, and persecute from citie to citie,

(Notes Reference) (10) Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city:

(10) Hypocrites are cruel.

(Mat 23:35) That vpon you may come all the righteous blood that was shed vpon the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous, vnto the blood of Zacharias the sonne of Barachias, whome ye slewe betweene the Temple and the altar.

(Notes Reference) (11) That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of (y) Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

(11) The punishment of those who persecute the gospel, under the pretence of zeal.

(y) Of Joiada, who was also called Barach-jah, that is, blessed of the Lord.

(Mat 23:36) Verely I say vnto you, all these things shall come vpon this generation.

(Mat 23:37) Hierusalem, Hierusalem, which killest the Prophets, and stonest them which are sent to thee, how often would I haue gathered thy children together, as the henne gathereth her chickins vnder her wings, and ye would not!

(Notes Reference) (12) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have (z) gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

(12) Where the mercy of God was greatest, it was there that there was the greatest wickedness and rebellion, and at length the sharpest judgments of God. (z) He speaks of the outward ministry, and as he was promised for the saving of this people, he was making sure that it would happen, even from the time that the promise was made to Abraham.

(Mat 23:38) Beholde, your habitation shalbe left vnto you desolate,

(Mat 23:39) For I say vnto you, ye shall not see mee henceforth till that ye say, Blessed is he that commeth in the Name of the Lord.