Read Scripture In A Year: March 16

(Lev 24:1) And the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,

(Lev 24:2) Commande the children of Israel that they bring vnto thee pure oyle oliue beaten, for the light, to cause ye lampes to burne continually.

(Notes Reference) (a) Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.

(a) Read (Exo 27:20).

(Lev 24:3) Without the vaile of the Testimonie, in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, shall Aaron dresse them, both euen and morning before the Lord alwayes: this shalbe a lawe for euer through your generations.

(Notes Reference) Without the vail (b) of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: [it shall be] a statute for ever in your generations.

(b) Which separated the holiest of holies, where the ark of the testimony from the sanctuary was.

(Lev 24:4) He shall dresse the lampes vpon the pure Candlesticke before the Lord perpetually.

(Lev 24:5) Also thou shalt take fine floure, and bake twelue cakes thereof: two tenth deales shalbe in one cake.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two (c) tenth deals shall be in one cake.

(Lev 24:6) And thou shalt set them in two rowes, six in a rowe vpon the pure table before the Lord.

(Lev 24:7) Thou shalt also put pure incense vpon the rowes, that in steade of the bread it may bee for a remembrance, and an offering made by fire to the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon [each] row, that (d) it may be on the bread for a memorial, [even] an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

(d) For it was burnt every sabbath, when the bread was taken away.

(Lev 24:8) Euery Sabbath hee shall put them in rowes before the Lord euermore, receiuing them of the children of Israel for an euerlasting couenant.

(Lev 24:9) And the bread shalbe Aarons and his sonnes, and they shall eate it in the holie place: for it is most holie vnto him of the offrings of the Lord made by fire by a perpetuall ordinance.

(Lev 24:10) And there went out among the children of Israel the sonne of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian: and this sonne of the Israelitish woman, and a man of Israel stroue together in the hoste.

(Notes Reference) And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father [was] an Egyptian, went (e) out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish [woman] and a man of Israel strove together in the camp;

(e) Meaning, out of his tent.

(Lev 24:11) So the Israelitish womans sonne blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed, and they brought him vnto Moses (his mothers name also was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan)

(Notes Reference) And the Israelitish woman's son (f) blasphemed the name [of the LORD], and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name [was] Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)

(f) By swearing or despising God.

(Lev 24:12) And they put him in warde, till he tolde them the minde of the Lord.

(Lev 24:13) Then the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,

(Lev 24:14) Bring the blasphemer without the hoste, and let all that heard him, put their handes vpon his head, and let all the Congregation stone him.

(Lev 24:15) And thou shalt speake vnto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoeuer curseth his God, shall beare his sinne.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall (g) bear his sin.

(g) Shall be punished.

(Lev 24:16) And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shalbe put to death: all the Congregation shall stone him to death: aswell the stranger, as he that is borne in the lande: when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, let him beslaine.

(Lev 24:17) He also that killeth any man, he shall be put to death.

(Lev 24:18) And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it, beast for beast.

(Lev 24:19) Also if a man cause any blemish in his neighbour: as he hath done, so shall it be done to him.

(Lev 24:20) Breache for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: such a blemish as he hath made in any, such shalbe repayed to him.

(Lev 24:21) And he that killeth a beast shall restore it: but he that killeth a man shall be slaine.

(Lev 24:22) Ye shall haue one lawe: it shalbe aswel for the stranger as for one borne in the countrey: for I am the Lord your God.

(Lev 24:23) Then Moses tolde the children of Israel, and they brought the blasphemer out of the hoste, and stoned him with stones: so the children of Israel did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Notes Reference) And (h) Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.

(h) Because the punishment was not yet appointed by the law for the blasphemer, Moses consulted with the Lord, and told the people what God commanded.

Passage 2: Psalms 131-134

(Psa 131:1) A song of degrees or Psalme of David. Lord, mine heart is not hautie, neither are mine eyes loftie, neither haue I walked in great matters and hid from me.

(Notes Reference) "A Song of degrees of David." LORD, (a) my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great (b) matters, or in things too high for me.

(a) He sets forth his great humility as an example to all rulers and governors.

(b) Which pass the measure and limits of his calling.

(Psa 131:2) Surely I haue behaued my selfe, like one wained from his mother, and kept silence: I am in my selfe as one that is wained.

(Notes Reference) Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul [is] even as a (c) weaned child.

(Psa 131:3) Let Israel waite on the Lord from hencefoorth and for euer.

(Psa 132:1) A song of degrees. Lord, remember Dauid with all his affliction.

(Notes Reference) A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, [and] all his (a) afflictions:

(a) That is, with great difficulty he came to the kingdom, and with great zeal and care he went about to build your temple.

(Psa 132:2) Who sware vnto the Lord, and vowed vnto the mightie God of Iaakob, saying,

(Psa 132:3) I will not enter into the tabernacle of mine house, nor come vpon my pallet or bed,

(Notes Reference) Surely I (b) will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

(b) Because the chief charge of the king was to set forth God's glory, he shows that he would take no rest, neither would he go about any worldly thing, were it never so necessary before he had executed his office.

(Psa 132:4) Nor suffer mine eyes to sleepe, nor mine eye lids to slumber,

(Psa 132:5) Vntill I finde out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mightie God of Iaakob.

(Notes Reference) Until I find out a place for the (c) LORD, an habitation for the mighty [God] of Jacob.

(Psa 132:6) Lo, we heard of it in Ephrathah, and found it in the fieldes of the forest.

(Notes Reference) Lo, we heard of it at (d) Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.

(d) The common instinct was that the ark should remain in Ephratah, that is, in Bethlehem a plentiful place: but later we perceived that you would place it in Jerusalem, which was barren as a forest and compassed about only with hills.

(Psa 132:7) We will enter into his Tabernacles, and worship before his footestoole.

(Psa 132:8) Arise, O Lord, to come into thy rest, thou, and the Arke of thy strength.

(Notes Reference) Arise, O LORD, into thy (e) rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

(e) That is Jerusalem, because later his Ark would move to no other place.

(Psa 132:9) Let thy Priests be clothed with righteousnesse, and let thy Saints reioyce.

(Notes Reference) Let thy priests be clothed with (f) righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

(f) Let the effect of your grace appear both in the priests and in the people.

(Psa 132:10) For thy seruant Dauids sake refuse not the face of thine Anointed.

(Notes Reference) For thy (g) servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

(g) As you first made promise to David, so continue it to his posterity that whatever they ask for their people, it may be granted.

(Psa 132:11) The Lord hath sworne in trueth vnto Dauid, and he wil not shrinke from it, saying, Of the fruite of thy body will I set vpon thy throne.

(Psa 132:12) If thy sonnes keepe my couenant, and my testimonies, that I shall teach them, their sonnes also shall sit vpon thy throne for euer.

(Notes Reference) If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for (h) evermore.

(h) Because this cannot be accomplished but in Christ, it follows that the promise was spiritual.

(Psa 132:13) For the Lord hath chosen Zion, and loued to dwell in it, saying,

(Psa 132:14) This is my rest for euer: here will I dwell, for I haue a delite therein.

(Notes Reference) This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have (i) desired it.

(i) Meaning, for his own sake and not for the plentifulness of the place: for he promises to bless it, declaring before that it was barren.

(Psa 132:15) I will surely blesse her vitailes, and will satisfie her poore with bread,

(Psa 132:16) And will clothe her Priests with saluation, and her Saints shall shoute for ioye.

(Notes Reference) I will also clothe her priests with (k) salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

(k) That is, with my protection, by which they will be safe.

(Psa 132:17) There will I make the horne of Dauid to bud: for I haue ordeined a light for mine Anoynted.

(Notes Reference) There will I make the (l) horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

(l) Though his force for a time seemed to be broken, yet he promises to restore it.

(Psa 132:18) His enemies will I clothe with shame, but on him his crowne shall florish.

(Psa 133:1) A song of degrees or Psalme of David. Behold, howe good and howe comely a thing it is, brethren to dwell euen together.

(Notes Reference) "A Song of degrees of David." Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell (a) together in unity!

(a) Because the greatest part was against David, though some favoured him, yet when he was established king at length, they joined all together like brothers: and therefore he shows by these similarities the convenience of brotherly love.

(Psa 133:2) It is like to the precious oyntment vpon the head, that runneth downe vpon the beard, euen vnto Aarons beard, which went downe on the border of his garments:

(Notes Reference) [It is] like the precious (b) ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

(b) The ointment was a figure of the graces which come from Christ the head of his Church.

(Psa 133:3) And as the dew of Hermon, which falleth vpon the mountaines of Zion: for there the Lord appointed the blessing and life for euer.

(Notes Reference) As the dew of (c) Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for (d) there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore.

(d) Where there is such concord.

(Psa 134:1) A song of degrees. Behold, praise ye the Lord, all ye seruants of the Lord, ye that by night stande in the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) "A Song of degrees." Behold, bless ye the LORD, all [ye] (a) servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

(a) You who are Levites and chiefly appointed to this office.

(Psa 134:2) Lift vp your hands to the Sanctuarie, and praise the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Lift up your (b) hands [in] the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

(b) For their charge was not only to keep the temple, but to pray there and to give God thanks.

(Psa 134:3) The Lord, that hath made heauen and earth, blesse thee out of Zion.

(Notes Reference) The LORD that (c) made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

(c) And therefore has all power, bless you with his fatherly love declared in Zion. Thus the Levites used to praise the Lord, and bless the people.

Passage 3: Luke 7

(Luk 7:1) When hee had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entred into Capernaum.

(Notes Reference) Now (1) when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

(1) Christ admonishes the Jews that for their obstinacy and rebellion he will go to the Gentiles, by setting before them the example of the centurion.

(Luk 7:2) And a certaine Ceturions seruant was sicke and readie to die, which was deare vnto him.

(Luk 7:3) And when he heard of Iesus, hee sent vnto him the Elders of the Iewes, beseeching him that he would come, and heale his seruant.

(Luk 7:4) So they came to Iesus, and besought him instantly, saying that hee was worthy that hee should doe this for him:

(Luk 7:5) For he loueth, said they, our nation, and he hath built vs a Synagogue.

(Luk 7:6) Then Iesus went with them: but when he was now not farre from the house, the Centurion sent friendes to him, saying vnto him, Lord, trouble not thy selfe: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter vnder my roofe:

(Luk 7:7) Wherefore I thought not my selfe worthy to come vnto thee: but say the word, and my seruant shalbe whole:

(Luk 7:8) For I likewise am a man set vnder authoritie, and haue vnder mee souldiers, and I say vnto one, Goe, and he goeth: and to another, Come, and hee commeth: and to my seruant, Doe this, and he doeth it.

(Luk 7:9) When Iesus heard these things, he marueiled at him, and turned him, and said to the people, that followed him, I say vnto you, I haue not found so great faith, no not in Israel.

(Luk 7:10) And when they that were sent, turned backe to the house, they founde the seruant that was sicke, whole.

(Luk 7:11) And it came to passe the day after, that he went into a citie called Nain, and many of his disciples went with him, and a great multitude.

(Notes Reference) (2) And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called (a) Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

(2) Christ openly affirms his power over death.

(a) Nain is the name of a town in Galilee which was situated on the other side of the Kishon, which runs into the sea of Galilee.

(Luk 7:12) Nowe when hee came neere to the gate of the citie, behold, there was a dead man caried out, who was the onely begotten sonne of his mother, which was a widowe, and much people of the citie was with her.

(Luk 7:13) And when the Lord sawe her, he had compassion on her, and said vnto her, Weepe not.

(Luk 7:14) And he went and touched the coffin (and they that bare him, stoode still) and he said, Yong man, I say vnto thee, Arise.

(Luk 7:15) And he that was dead, sate vp, and began to speake, and he deliuered him to his mother.

(Luk 7:16) Then there came a feare on them all, and they glorified God, saying, A great Prophet is risen among vs, and God hath visited his people.

(Luk 7:17) And this rumour of him went foorth throughout all Iudea, and throughout all the region round about.

(Luk 7:18) And the disciples of Iohn shewed him of all these things.

(Notes Reference) (3) And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

(3) John sends from the prison his unbelieving disciples to be confirmed by Christ himself.

(Luk 7:19) So Iohn called vnto him two certaine men of his disciples, and sent them to Iesus, saying, Art thou hee that should come, or shall we waite for another?

(Luk 7:20) And when the men were come vnto him, they said, Iohn Baptist hath sent vs vnto thee, saying, Art thou hee that should come, or shall we waite for another?

(Luk 7:21) And at that time, he cured many of their sickenesses, and plagues, and of euill spirites, and vnto many blinde men he gaue sight freely.

(Notes Reference) And (b) in that same hour he cured many of [their] infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many [that were] blind he gave sight.

(b) When John's disciples came to Christ.

(Luk 7:22) And Iesus answered, and saide vnto them, Goe your wayes and shewe Iohn, what things ye haue seene and heard: that the blinde see, the halt goe, the lepers are cleansed, the deafe heare, the dead are raised, and the poore receiue the Gospel.

(Luk 7:23) And blessed is hee, that shall not be offended in me.

(Luk 7:24) And when the messengers of Iohn were departed, hee began to speake vnto the people, of Iohn, What went ye out into the wildernes to see? A reede shaken with the winde?

(Notes Reference) (4) And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

(4) That which the prophets showed long before, John shows presently: and Christ himself presents it daily unto us in the gospel, but for the most part in vain, because many seek nothing else than foolish toys and vain glory.

(Luk 7:25) But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft rayment? beholde, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and liue delicately, are in Kings courtes.

(Luk 7:26) But what went ye foorth to see? A Prophet? yea, I say to you, and greater then a Prophet.

(Luk 7:27) This is he of whom it is written, Beholde, I sende my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

(Luk 7:28) For I say vnto you, there is no greater Prophet then Iohn, among them that are begotten of women: neuerthelesse, hee that is the least in the kingdome of God, is greater then he.

(Luk 7:29) Then all the people that heard, and the Publicanes iustified God, being baptized with the baptisme of Iohn.

(Notes Reference) And all the people that heard [him], and the publicans, (c) justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

(Luk 7:30) But the Pharises and the expounders of the Law despised the counsell of God against themselues, and were not baptized of him.

(Notes Reference) But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God (d) against themselves, being not baptized of him.

(d) To their own hurt.

(Luk 7:31) And the Lord saide, Whereunto shall I liken the men of this generation? and what thing are they like vnto?

(Notes Reference) (5) And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

(5) Whatever manner God uses in offering us the gospel, most men bring offences upon themselves: yet nevertheless a Church is gathered together.

(Luk 7:32) They are like vnto litle children sitting in the market place, and crying one to another, and saying, We haue piped vnto you, and ye haue not daunced: we haue mourned to you, and ye haue not wept.

(Luk 7:33) For Iohn Baptist came, neither eating bread, nor drinking wine: and ye say, He hath the deuil.

(Luk 7:34) The Sonne of man is come, and eateth and drinketh: and ye say, Beholde, a man which is a glutton, and a drinker of wine, a friend of Publicanes and sinners:

(Luk 7:35) But wisdome is iustified of all her children.

(Luk 7:36) And one of the Pharises desired him that hee would eate with him: and hee went into the Pharises house, and sate downe at table.

(Notes Reference) (6) And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

(6) Proud men deprive themselves of the benefits of the presence of Christ, even when he is at home with them in their houses; and these benefits the humble and base enjoy.

(Luk 7:37) And beholde, a woman in the citie, which was a sinner, when she knewe that Iesus sate at table in the Pharises house, shee brought a boxe of oyntment.

(Luk 7:38) And shee stoode at his feete behinde him weeping, and began to wash his feete with teares, and did wipe them with the heares of her head, and kissed his feete, and anoynted them with the oyntment.

(Luk 7:39) Nowe when the Pharise which bade him, saw it, he spake within himselfe, saying, If this man were a Prophet, hee woulde surely haue knowen who, and what maner of woman this is which toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

(Notes Reference) (7) Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: (e) for she is a sinner.

(7) Rashness is the companion of pride.

(e) The Pharisee respects the law, which holds that those who touch the defiled are defiled.

(Luk 7:40) And Iesus answered, and saide vnto him, Simon, I haue somewhat to say vnto thee. And he said, Master, say on.

(Notes Reference) (8) And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

(8) To love Christ is a sure and perpetual witness of the remission of sins.

(Luk 7:41) There was a certaine lender which had two detters: the one ought fiue hundreth pence, and the other fiftie:

(Luk 7:42) When they had nothing to pay, he forgaue them both: Which of them therefore, tell mee, will loue him most?

(Luk 7:43) Simon answered, and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgaue most. And he said vnto him, Thou hast truely iudged.

(Luk 7:44) Then he turned to the woman, and said vnto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entred into thine house, and thou gauest mee no water to my feete: but she hath washed my feete with teares, and wiped them with the heares of her head.

(Luk 7:45) Thou gauest me no kisse: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kisse my feete.

(Luk 7:46) Mine head with oyle thou didest not anoint: but she hath anoynted my feete with oyntment.

(Luk 7:47) Wherefore I say vnto thee, many sinnes are forgiuen her: for she loued much. To whom a litle is forgiuen, he doeth loue a litle.

(Notes Reference) Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; (f) for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.

(f) That is, says Theophylact, she has shown her faith abundantly: and Basil in his "Sermon of Baptism" says, "He that owes much has much forgiven him, that he may love much more". And therefore Christ's saying is so plain in light of this that it is a wonder to see the enemies of the truth so badly distort and misinterpret this place in such a thorough manner in order to establish their meritorious works: for the greater sum a man has forgiven him, the more he loves him that has been so gracious to him. And this woman shows by deeds of love how great the benefit was she had received: and therefore the charity that is here spoken of is not to be taken as the cause of her forgiveness, but as a sign of it: for Christ does not say as the Pharisees did that she was a sinner, but bears her witness that the sins of her past life are forgiven her.

(Luk 7:48) And he saide vnto her, Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee.

(Luk 7:49) And they that sate at table with him, began to say within themselues, Who is this that euen forgiueth sinnes?

(Luk 7:50) And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saued thee: goe in peace.

(Notes Reference) And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; (g) go in peace.

(g) He confirms with a blessing the benefit which he had bestowed.