March 20 Bible Reading
From the Original 1599 Geneva Bible Notes

Passage 1: Numbers 1
Passage 2: Psalms 143-144
Passage 3: Luke 11


Passage 1: Numbers 1

(Num 1:1) The Lord spake againe vnto Moses in the wildernesse of Sinai, in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, in the first day of the second moneth, in the second yere after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

(Notes Reference) And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of (a) Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first [day] of the (b) second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

The Argument - In that as God has appointed that his Church in this world shall be under the cross, both so they could learn not to put their trust in worldly things, and also feel his comfort, when all other help fails: he did not immediately bring his people, after their departure out of Egypt, into the land which he had promised them: but led them to and fro for the space of forty years, and kept them in continual exercises before they enjoyed it, to try their faith, teach them to forget the world, and to depend on him. Which trial greatly profited, to discern the wicked and the hypocrites from the faithful and true servants of God, who served him with pure heart, while the other, preferring their earthly lusts to God's glory, and making religion to serve their purpose, complained when they lacked enough to satisfy their lusts, and despised those who God had appointed as rulers over them. By reason of which they provoked God's terrible judgments against them, and are set forth as a notable example for all ages, to beware how they abuse God's word, prefer their own lusts to his will, or despise his ministers. Nonetheless, God is always true to his promise, and governs his by his Holy Spirit, that either they fall not to such inconveniences, or else return to him quickly in true repentance: and therefore he continues his graces toward them, he gives them ordinances and instructions, as well for religion, as outward policy: he preserves them against all deceit and conspiracy, and gives them many victories against their enemies. To avoid all controversies that might arise, he takes away the occasions, by dividing among all the tribes, both the land which they had won, and that also which he had promised, as seemed best to his godly wisdom.

(a) In the place in the wilderness that was near mount Sinai.

(b) Which is part of April and part of May.

(Num 1:2) Take ye the summe of all the Congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, and housholdes of their fathers with the nomber of their names: to wit, all the males, man by man:

(Num 1:3) From twentie yere olde and aboue, all that go forth to the warre in Israel, thou and Aaron shall number them, throughout their armies.

(Num 1:4) And with you shalbe men of euery tribe, such as are the heads of the house of their fathers.

(Notes Reference) And with you there shall be a (c) man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.

(c) That is, the chiefest man of every tribe.

(Num 1:5) And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you, of the tribe of Reuben, Elizur, the sonne of Shedeur:

(Notes Reference) And these [are] the names of the men that shall (d) stand with you: of [the tribe of] Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.

(d) And afflict you when you number the people.

(Num 1:6) Of Simeon, Shelumiel the sonne of Zurishaddai:

(Num 1:7) Of Iudah, Nahshon the sonne of Amminadab:

(Num 1:8) Of Issachar, Nethaneel, the sonne of Zuar:

(Num 1:9) Of Zebulun, Eliab, the sonne of Helon:

(Num 1:10) Of the children of Ioseph: of Ephraim, Elishama the sonne of Ammihud: of Manasseh, Gamliel, the sonne of Pedahzur:

(Num 1:11) Of Beiamin, Abida the sonne of Gideoni:

(Num 1:12) Of Dan, Ahiezer, the sonne of Ammishaddai:

(Num 1:13) Of Asher, Pagiel, the sonne of Ocran:

(Num 1:14) Of Gad, Eliasaph, the sonne of Deuel:

(Num 1:15) Of Naphtali, Ahira the sonne of Enan.

(Num 1:16) These were famous in the Congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, and heads ouer thousands in Israel.

(Notes Reference) These [were] the renowned of the congregation, (e) princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

(e) Or captains, and governors.

(Num 1:17) The Moses and Aaron tooke these men which are expressed by their names.

(Num 1:18) And they called all the Congregation together, in the first day of the second moneth, who declared their kindreds by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, from twentie yere olde and aboue, man by man.

(Notes Reference) And they assembled all the congregation together on the first [day] of the second month, and they declared (f) their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.

(f) In showing every man his tribe and his ancestors.

(Num 1:19) As the Lord had commanded Moses, so he nombred them in the wildernesse of Sinai.

(Num 1:20) So were the sonnes of Reuben Israels eldest sonne by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, man by man euery male from twentie yere olde and aboue, as many as went forth to warre:

(Num 1:21) The nomber of them, I say, of the tribe of Reuben, was sixe and fourtie thousande, and fiue hundreth.

(Num 1:22) Of the sonnes of Simeon by their generatios, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, the summe therof by the nomber of their names, man by man, euery male from twentie yeere olde and aboue, all that went forth to warre:

(Num 1:23) The summe of them, I say, of the tribe of Simeon was nine and fiftie thousande, and three hundreth.

(Num 1:24) Of the sonnes of Gad by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, from twentie yere olde and aboue, all that went forth to warre:

(Num 1:25) The number of them, I say, of the tribe of Gad was fiue and fourtie thousand, and six hundreth and fiftie.

(Num 1:26) Of the sonnes of Iudah by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, from twentie yere olde and aboue, all that went forth to warre:

(Num 1:27) The nomber of them, I say, of the tribe of Iudah was three score and fourteene thousande, and sixe hundreth.

(Num 1:28) Of the sonnes of Issachar by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, from twentie yeere olde and aboue, all that went forth to warre:

(Num 1:29) The nomber of them also of the tribe of Issachar was foure and fiftie thousande and foure hundreth.

(Num 1:30) Of the sonnes of Zebulun by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the number of their names, from twentie yeere olde and aboue, all that went foorth to warre:

(Num 1:31) The nomber of them also of the tribe of Zebulun was seuen and fiftie thousand and foure hundreth.

(Num 1:32) Of the sonnes of Ioseph, namely of the sonnes of Ephraim by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, from twentie yeere olde and aboue, all that went foorth to warre:

(Num 1:33) The nomber of them also of the tribe of Ephraim was fourtie thousande and fiue hundreth.

(Num 1:34) Of the sonnes of Manasseh by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, from twentie yeere olde and aboue, all that went foorth to warre:

(Num 1:35) The nober of the also of ye tribe of Manasseh was two and thirtie thousand and two hundreth.

(Num 1:36) Of the sonnes of Beniamin by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, from twentie yeere olde and aboue, all that went foorth to warre:

(Num 1:37) The nomber of them also of the tribe of Beniamin was fiue and thirtie thousande and foure hundreth.

(Num 1:38) Of the sonnes of Dan by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, from twentie yeere olde and aboue, all that went foorth to warre:

(Num 1:39) The nomber of the also of ye tribe of Dan was three score and two thousand and seue hudreth.

(Num 1:40) Of the sonnes of Asher by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the number of their names, from twentie yeere olde and aboue, all that went foorth to warre:

(Num 1:41) The nomber of them also of ye tribe of Asher was one and fourtie thousand and fiue hudreth.

(Num 1:42) Of the children of Naphtali, by their generations, by their families, and by the houses of their fathers, according to the nomber of their names, from twentie yeere olde and aboue, all that went to the warre:

(Num 1:43) The nomber of them also of the tribe of Naphtali, was three and fiftie thousand, and foure hundreth.

(Num 1:44) These are the summes which Moses, and Aaron nombred, and the Princes of Israel, the twelue men, which were euery one for the house of their fathers.

(Num 1:45) So this was all the summe of the sonnes of Israel, by the houses of their fathers, from twenty yeere olde and aboue, all that went to the warre in Israel,

(Num 1:46) And all they were in nomber sixe hudreth and three thousande, fiue hundreth and fiftie.

(Num 1:47) But the Leuites, after the tribes of their fathers were not nombred among them.

(Notes Reference) But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among (g) them.

(g) Which were warriors, but were appointed to the use of the Tabernacle.

(Num 1:48) For the Lord had spoken vnto Moses, and said,

(Num 1:49) Onely thou shalt not number the tribe of Leui, neither take the summe of them among the children of Israel:

(Num 1:50) But thou shalt appoynt the Leuites ouer the Tabernacle of the Testimonie, and ouer all the instruments thereof, and ouer all things that belong to it: they shall beare the Tabernacle, and all the instruments thereof, and shall minister in it, and shall dwell round about the Tabernacle.

(Num 1:51) And when the Tabernacle goeth forth, the Leuites shall take it downe: and when the Tabernacle is to be pitched, ye Leuites shall set it vp: for the stranger that commeth neere, shalbe slaine.

(Notes Reference) And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the (h) stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

(h) Whoever is not of the tribe of Levi.

(Num 1:52) Also the children of Israel shall pitch their tentes, euery man in his campe, and euery man vnder his standerd throughout their armies.

(Num 1:53) But the Leuites shall pitch rounde about the Tabernacle of the Testimonie, least vengeance come vpon the Congregation of the children of Israel, and the Leuites shall take the charge of the Tabernacle of the Testimonie.

(Notes Reference) But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath (i) upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

(i) By not having due regard to the tabernacle of the Lord.

(Num 1:54) So the children of Israel did according to all that ye Lord had comanded Moses: so did they.


Passage 2: Psalms 143-144

(Psa 143:1) A Psalme of David. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and hearken vnto my supplication: answere me in thy trueth and in thy righteousnes.

(Notes Reference) "A Psalm of David." Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: (a) in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy (b) righteousness.

(a) That is, as you have promised to be faithful in your promise to all who trust in you.

(b) That is, according to your free goodness, by which you defend your own.

(Psa 143:2) (And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant: for in thy sight shall none that liueth, be iustified)

(Notes Reference) And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy (c) sight shall no man living be justified.

(c) He know that his afflictions were God's messengers to call him to repentance for his sins, though toward his enemies he was innocent, and in God's sight all men are sinners.

(Psa 143:3) For the enemie hath persecuted my soule: he hath smitten my life downe to the earth: he hath layde me in the darkenes, as they that haue bene dead long agoe:

(Notes Reference) For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been (d) long dead.

(d) He acknowledges that God is the only and true physician and heal him: and that he is able to raise him to life, though he were dead long ago, and turned to ashes.

(Psa 143:4) And my spirit was in perplexitie in me, and mine heart within me was amased.

(Notes Reference) Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my (e) heart within me is desolate.

(e) So that only by faith and by the grace of God's Spirit was he upheld.

(Psa 143:5) Yet doe I remember the time past: I meditate in all thy workes, yea, I doe meditate in the workes of thine hands.

(Notes Reference) I remember the (f) days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

(f) That is, your great benefits of old, and the manifold examples of your favour towards your own.

(Psa 143:6) I stretch forth mine hands vnto thee: my soule desireth after thee, as the thirstie land. Selah.

(Psa 143:7) Heare me speedily, O Lord, for my spirit fayleth: hide not thy face from me, els I shall be like vnto them that go downe into the pit.

(Psa 143:8) Let me heare thy louing kindenes in the morning, for in thee is my trust: shewe mee the way, that I should walke in, for I lift vp my soule vnto thee.

(Notes Reference) Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the (g) morning; for in thee do I trust: (h) cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

(g) That is, speedily and in due season.

(h) Let your Holy Spirit counsel me how to come forth from these great cares and troubles.

(Psa 143:9) Deliuer me, O Lord, from mine enemies: for I hid me with thee.

(Notes Reference) Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: (i) I flee unto thee to hide me.

(i) I hid myself under the shadow of your wings that I might be defended by your power.

(Psa 143:10) Teach me to doe thy will, for thou art my God: let thy good Spirit leade me vnto the land of righteousnes.

(Notes Reference) (k) Teach me to (l) do thy will; for thou [art] my God: thy spirit [is] good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

(k) He confesses that both the knowledge and obedience of God's will comes by the Spirit of God, who teaches us by his word, gives understanding by his Spirit, and frames our hearts by his grace to obey him.

(l) That is, justly and aright, for as soon as we decline from God's will, we fall into error.

(Psa 143:11) Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Names sake, and for thy righteousnesse bring my soule out of trouble.

(Psa 143:12) And for thy mercy slay mine enemies, and destroy all them that oppresse my soule: for I am thy seruant.

(Notes Reference) And of thy mercy (m) cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I [am] thy (n) servant.

(m) Which will be a sign of your fatherly kindness toward me.

(n) Resigning myself wholly to you, and trusting in your protection.

(Psa 144:1) A Psalme of David. Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth mine hands to fight, and my fingers to battell.

(Notes Reference) "[A Psalm] of David." Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which (a) teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:

(a) Who out of a poor shepherd has made a valiant warrior and mighty conqueror.

(Psa 144:2) He is my goodnes and my fortresse, my towre and my deliuerer, my shield, and in him I trust, which subdueth my people vnder me.

(Notes Reference) My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and [he] in whom I trust; who (b) subdueth my people under me.

(b) He confesses that neither by his own authority, power or policy was his kingdom quiet, but by the secret grace of God.

(Psa 144:3) Lord, what is man that thou regardest him! or the sonne of man that thou thinkest vpon him!

(Notes Reference) LORD, what [is] man, that thou (c) takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

(c) To give to God just praise, is to confess ourselves to be unworthy of so excellent benefits, and that he bestows them on us of his free mercy.

(Psa 144:4) Man is like to vanitie: his dayes are like a shadow, that vanisheth.

(Psa 144:5) Bow thine heauens, O Lord, and come downe: touch the mountaines and they shall smoke.

(Notes Reference) (d) Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

(d) He desires God to continue his graces, and to send help for the present need.

(Psa 144:6) Cast forth the lightning and scatter them: shoote out thine arrowes, and consume them.

(Notes Reference) (e) Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.

(e) By these manner of speeches he shows that all the hindrances in the world cannot prevent God's power, which he apprehends by faith.

(Psa 144:7) Send thine hand from aboue: deliuer me, and take me out of the great waters, and from the hand of strangers,

(Notes Reference) Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great (f) waters, from the hand of strange children;

(f) That is, deliver me from the tumults of they who should be my people but are corrupt in their judgment and enterprises, as though they were strangers.

(Psa 144:8) Whose mouth talketh vanitie, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

(Notes Reference) Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand [is] a right hand (g) of falsehood.

(g) For though they shake hands, they do not keep their promises.

(Psa 144:9) I wil sing a new song vnto thee, O God, and sing vnto thee vpon a viole, and an instrument of ten strings.

(Notes Reference) I will sing a (h) new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

(h) That is, a rare and excellent song, as your great benefits deserve.

(Psa 144:10) It is he that giueth deliuerance vnto Kings, and rescueth Dauid his seruant from the hurtfull sworde.

(Notes Reference) [It is he] that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his (i) servant from the hurtful sword.

(i) Though wicked kings are called God's servants, as was Cyrus in (Isa 45:1), for he uses them to execute his judgments: yet David because of God's promise and they who rule godly are properly so called, because they do not serve their own affections, but set forth God's glory.

(Psa 144:11) Rescue me, and deliuer me from the hand of strangers, whose mouth talketh vanitie, and their right hand is a right hand of falshood:

(Psa 144:12) That our sonnes may be as the plantes growing vp in their youth, and our daughters as the corner stones, grauen after the similitude of a palace:

(Notes Reference) (k) That our sons [may be] as plants grown up in their youth; [that] our daughters [may be] as corner stones, polished [after] the similitude of a palace:

(k) He desires God to continue his benefits toward his people, counting the procreation of children and their good education among the chiefest of God's benefits.

(Psa 144:13) That our corners may be full, and abounding with diuers sorts, and that our sheepe may bring forth thousands and ten thousand in our streetes:

(Notes Reference) [That] our (l) garners [may be] full, affording all manner of store: [that] our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:

(l) That the corners of our houses may be full of store for the great abundance of your blessings.

(Psa 144:14) That our oxen may be strong to labour: that there be none inuasion, nor going out, nor no crying in our streetes.

(Notes Reference) [That] our (m) oxen [may be] strong to labour; [that there be] no breaking in, nor going out; that [there be] no complaining in our streets.

(m) He attributes not only the great conveniences, but even the least also to God's favour.

(Psa 144:15) Blessed are the people, that be so, yea, blessed are the people, whose God is the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Happy [is that] people, that is (n) in such a case: [yea], happy [is that] people, whose God [is] the LORD.

(n) And if God does not give to all his children all these blessings, yet he replaces them with better things.


Passage 3: Luke 11

(Luk 11:1) And so it was, that as he was praying in a certaine place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said vnto him, Lord, teache vs to pray, as Iohn also taught his disciples.

(Luk 11:2) And he said vnto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father, which art in heauen, halowed be thy Name: Thy kingdome come: Let thy will be done, euen in earth, as it is in heauen:

(Notes Reference) And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, (1) Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

(1) A form of true prayer.

(Luk 11:3) Our dayly bread giue vs for the day:

(Notes Reference) Give us (a) day by day our daily bread.

(a) That is, as much as is needed for us this day, by which we are not prevented from having an honest care for the maintenance of our lives; but that complaining care, which kills a number of men, is cut off and restrained.

(Luk 11:4) And forgiue vs our sinnes: for euen we forgiue euery man that is indetted to vs: And leade vs not into temptation: but deliuer vs from euill.

(Luk 11:5) Moreouer he said vnto them, Which of you shall haue a friende, and shall goe to him at midnight, and say vnto him, Friende, lende mee three loaues?

(Notes Reference) (2) And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

(2) We must pray with faith.

(Luk 11:6) For a friende of mine is come out of the way to me, and I haue nothing to set before him:

(Luk 11:7) And hee within shoulde answere, and say, Trouble mee not: the doore is nowe shut, and my children are with mee in bed: I can not rise and giue them to thee.

(Luk 11:8) I say vnto you, Though he would not arise and giue him, because he is his friende, yet doubtlesse because of his importunitie, hee woulde rise, and giue him as many as he needed.

(Notes Reference) I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his (b) importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

(b) Literally, "impudence": but that impudency which is spoken of here is not to be found fault with, but is very commendable before God, for he is well pleased by such importunity.

(Luk 11:9) And I say vnto you, Aske, and it shall be giuen you: seeke, and yee shall finde: knocke, and it shalbe opened vnto you.

(Luk 11:10) For euery one that asketh, receiueth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shalbe opened.

(Luk 11:11) If a sonne shall aske bread of any of you that is a father, will he giue him a stone? or if hee aske a fish, will he for a fish giue him a serpent?

(Luk 11:12) Or if hee aske an egge, will hee giue him a scorpion?

(Luk 11:13) If yee then which are euill, can giue good giftes vnto your children, howe much more shall your heauenly Father giue the holy Ghost to them, that desire him?

(Luk 11:14) Then hee cast out a deuill which was domme: and when the deuill was gone out, the domme spake, and the people wondered.

(Luk 11:15) But some of them said, He casteth out deuils through Beelzebub the chiefe of ye deuils.

(Notes Reference) (3) But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

(3) An example of horrible blindness, and such as cannot be healed, when the power of God is blasphemed by an evil conscience and pretended malice.

(Luk 11:16) And others tempted him, seeking of him a signe from heauen.

(Luk 11:17) But he knew their thoughts, and said vnto them, Euery kingdom deuided against it self, shall be desolate, and an house deuided against an house, falleth.

(Notes Reference) (4) But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth.

(4) The true way to know the true Christ from the false is this, that the true Christ has no harmony or agreement with Satan: and once we know him it is left for us to acknowledge him.

(Luk 11:18) So if Satan also bee deuided against himselfe, howe shall his kingdome stande, because yee say that I cast out deuils through Beelzebub?

(Notes Reference) If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils (c) through Beelzebub.

(c) By the name and power of Beelzebub.

(Luk 11:19) If I through Beelzebub cast out deuils, by whome doe your children cast them out? Therefore shall they be your iudges.

(Luk 11:20) But if I by ye finger of God cast out deuils, doutles the kingdome of God is come vnto you.

(Notes Reference) But if I with the (d) finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

(d) That is, by the power of God: so it says in See Exo 8:19.

(Luk 11:21) When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, the thinges that hee possesseth, are in peace.

(Notes Reference) When a strong man armed keepeth his (e) palace, his goods are in peace:

(e) The word properly signifies an open and empty room in front of a house, and so in translation is taken for noblemen's houses.

(Luk 11:22) But when a stronger then hee, commeth vpon him, and ouercommeth him: hee taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and deuideth his spoiles.

(Luk 11:23) He that is not with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth.

(Notes Reference) (5) He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

(5) Against indifferent men, and such as love to have a compromise, who seek means to reconcile Christ and Satan together.

(Luk 11:24) When the vncleane spirite is gone out of a man, he walketh through drie places, seeking rest: and when he findeth none he saieth, I wil returne vnto mine house whence I came out.

(Notes Reference) (6) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

(6) He that does not continue, but is in a worse case, than he that never began.

(Luk 11:25) And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

(Luk 11:26) Then goeth hee, and taketh to him seuen other spirites worse then himselfe: and they enter in, and dwel there: so the last state of that man is worse then the first.

(Luk 11:27) And it came to passe as he sayde these thinges, a certaine woman of the companie lifted vp her voyce, and sayde vnto him, Blessed is the wombe that bare thee, and the pappes which thou hast sucked.

(Notes Reference) (7) And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed [is] the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

(7) Christ does not seek praise for himself, but in our salvation.

(Luk 11:28) But hee saide, Yea, rather blessed are they that heare the woorde of God, and keepe it.

(Luk 11:29) And when the people were gathered thicke together, he began to say, This is a wicked generation: they seeke a signe, and there shall no signe be giuen them, but the signe of Ionas the Prophet.

(Luk 11:30) For as Ionas was a signe to the Niniuites: so shall also the Sonne of man bee to this generation.

(Luk 11:31) The Queene of the South shall rise in iudgement, with the men of this generation, and shall condemne them: for shee came from the vtmost partes of the earth to heare the wisedome of Salomon, and beholde, a greater then Salomon is here.

(Luk 11:32) The men of Niniue shall rise in iudgement with this generation, and shall condemne it: for they repented at the preaching of Ionas: and beholde, a greater then Ionas is here.

(Luk 11:33) No man when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a priuie place, neither vnder a bushell: but on a candlesticke, that they which come in, may see the light.

(Notes Reference) (9) No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth [it] in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

(9) Our minds are therefore lightened with the knowledge of God, that we should give light unto others, and therefore our main labour ought to be to pray for that light.

(Luk 11:34) The light of the bodie is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, then is thy whole bodie light: but if thine eye be euill, then thy bodie is darke.

(Luk 11:35) Take heede therefore, that the light which is in thee, be not darkenesse.

(Luk 11:36) If therefore thy whole body shall be light, hauing no part darke, then shall all be light, euen as when a candle doth light thee with the brightnesse.

(Luk 11:37) And as hee spake, a certaine Pharise besought him to dine with him: and hee went in, and sate downe at table.

(Notes Reference) (10) And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

(10) The service of God consists not in outward cleanliness and planned rites or ceremonies, but in the spiritual righteousness of the heart and charity.

(Luk 11:38) And when the Pharise saw it, he marueiled that he had not first washed before dinner.

(Luk 11:39) And the Lord saide to him, In deede yee Pharises make cleane the outside of the cuppe, and of the platter: but the inwarde part is full of rauening and wickednesse.

(Luk 11:40) Ye fooles, did not he that made that which is without, make that which is within also?

(Luk 11:41) Therefore, giue almes of those thinges which you haue, and beholde, all thinges shall be cleane to you.

(Notes Reference) But rather give alms (f) of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

(f) That is, according to your ability: as one would say, instead of your extortion which hindered you so that you could not eat cleanly, use charity, and in accordance with your ability be good to the poor, and in this way will that which is within the platter be sanctified even though the platter is unwashed.

(Luk 11:42) But wo be to you, Pharises: for ye tithe the mynt and the rewe, and all maner herbs, and passe ouer iudgement and the loue of God: these ought yee to haue done, and not to haue left the other vndone.

(Notes Reference) (11) But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye (g) tithe mint and rue and (h) all manner of herbs, and pass over (i) judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

(11) It is the characteristic of hypocrites to stand firmly for little trifles and to let greater matters pass.

(g) You decide by God's law that the tenth part is due to be paid.

(h) Of all types of herbs, some as Augustine expounds it in his Enchiridion to Laurence, chap. 99, where he shows in like manner how that place of Paul, (God "will have all men to be saved"), (1Ti 2:4), is to be expounded after the same manner.

(i) That is to say, that which is right and reasonable to do, for this word "judgment" contains the commandments of the second table, and the other words, "the love of God", contain the commandments of the first.

(Luk 11:43) Wo be to you, Pharises: for ye loue the vppermost seats in the Synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

(Notes Reference) (12) Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

(12) Hypocrisy and ambition are commonly joined together.

(Luk 11:44) Wo be to you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye are as graues which appeare not, and the men that walke ouer them, perceiue not.

(Notes Reference) (13) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over [them] are not aware [of them].

(13) Hypocrites deceive men with an outward show.

(Luk 11:45) Then answered one of the Lawyers, and saide vnto him, Master, thus saying thou puttest vs to rebuke also.

(Notes Reference) (14) Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

(14) Hypocrites are very severe against other men, but think that all things are lawful for themselves.

(Luk 11:46) And he sayde, Wo be to you also, yee Lawyers: for yee lade men with burdens grieuous to be borne, and yee your selues touche not the burdens with one of your fingers.

(Luk 11:47) Wo be to you: for ye builde the sepulchres of the Prophetes, and your fathers killed them.

(Notes Reference) (15) Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

(15) Hypocrites honour those saints when they are dead whom they persecute most cruelly when they are alive.

(Luk 11:48) Truely ye beare witnesse, and allowe the deedes of your fathers: for they killed them, and yee build their sepulchres.

(Notes Reference) Truly (k) ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

(k) When you persecute God's servants like mad men, even as your fathers did, though you try and cover it with a pretence of godliness, yet nonetheless, by beautifying the sepulchres of the prophets, what else are you doing but glorying in your father's cruelty, and setting up monuments (as it were) in glory and triumph of it?

(Luk 11:49) Therefore said the wisedome of God, I wil sende them Prophets and Apostles, and of them they shall slaie, and persecute away,

(Notes Reference) Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and [some] of them they shall slay and (l) persecute:

(l) They will so vex them and trouble them, that at length they will banish them.

(Luk 11:50) That the blood of all the Prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation,

(Notes Reference) That the blood of all the prophets, which was (m) shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

(m) That you may be called to give an account for it, yea, and be punished for the shedding of that blood of the prophets.

(Luk 11:51) From the blood of Abel vnto the blood of Zacharias, which was slaine betweene the altar and the Temple: verely I say vnto you, it shall be required of this generation.

(Luk 11:52) Wo be to you, Lawyers: for ye haue taken away the key of knowledge: ye entred not in your selues, and them that came in, ye forbade.

(Notes Reference) (16) Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have (n) taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

(16) Those who ought to be the door keepers of the Church have for a long time mainly hindered the people from entering into the knowledge of God.

(n) You have hidden and taken away, so that it cannot be found anywhere.

(Luk 11:53) And as he sayde these things vnto them, the Scribes and Pharises began to vrge him sore, and to prouoke him to speake of many things,

(Notes Reference) (17) And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge [him] vehemently, and to (o) provoke him to speak of many things:

(17) The more the world is reprehended, the worse it is, and yet we must not betray the truth.

(o) They proposed many questions to him, to draw something out of his mouth which they might traitorously find fault with.

(Luk 11:54) Laying wait for him, and seeking to catche some thing of his mouth, whereby they might accuse him.