3 John, Chapter 1
1 He commendeth Gaius for his piety, 5 and hospitality, 7 to true preachers, 9 complaining of the unkind dealing of ambitious Diotrephes on the contrary side, 11 whose evil example is not to be followed, 12 and giveth special testimony to the good report of DemetriusLuke, Chapter 19, verses 29-40
28 Christ rideth into Jerusalem with triumph19
19:29 He drew nigh to the place where the borders of Bethphage and Bethany met, which was at the foot of the mount of Olives. Mat 21:1; Mar 11:1.
19:37 The whole multitude began to praise God - Speaking at once, as it seems, from a Divine impulse, words which most of them did not understand.
19:38 Peace in heaven - God being reconciled to man.
19:39 Rebuke thy disciples - Paying thee this immoderate honour.
19:40 If these should hold their peace, the stones, which lie before you, would cry out - That is, God would raise up some still more unlikely instruments to declare his praise.For the power of God will not return empty.
Luke, Chapter 22, verses 7-39
7 The apostles prepare the Passover, 19 Christ instituteth his holy supper, 21 covertly foretelleth of the traitor, 24 dehorteth the rest of his apostles from ambitions, 31 assureth Peter his faith should not fail, 34 and yet he should deny him thrice, 39 He prayeth in the mount, and sweateth blood22
22:15 With desire have I desired - That is, I have earnestly desired it. He desired it, both for the sake of his disciples, to whom he desired to manifest himself farther, at this solemn parting: and for the sake of his whole Church, that he might institute the grand memorial of his death.
22:16 For I will not eat thereof any more - That is, it will be the last I shall eat with you before I die. The kingdom of God did not properly commence till his resurrection. Then was fulfilled what was typified by the passover.
22:17 And he took the cup - That cup which used to be brought at the beginning of the paschal solemnity, and said, Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I will not drink - As if he had said, Do not expect me to drink of it: I will drink no more before I die.
22:19 And he took bread - Namely, some time after, when supper was ended, wherein they had eaten the paschal lamb. This is my body - As he had just now celebrated the paschal supper, which was called the passover, so in like figurative language, he calls this bread his body. And this circumstance of itself was sufficient to prevent any mistake, as if this bread was his real body, any more than the paschal lamb was really the passover.
22:20 This cup is the New Testament - Here is an undeniable figure, whereby the cup is put for the wine in the cup. And this is called, The New Testament in Christ's blood, which could not possibly mean, that it was the New Testament itself, but only the seal of it, and the sign of that blood which was shed to confirm it.
22:21 The hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table - It is evident Christ spake these words before he instituted the Lord's Supper: for all the other evangelists mention the sop, immediately after receiving which he went out: Joh 13:30. Nor did he return any more, till he came into thegarden to betray his Master. Now this could not be dipped or given, but while the meat was on the table. But this was all removed before that bread and cup were brought.
22:24 There was also a contention among them - It is highly probable, this was the same dispute which is mentioned by St. Matthew and St. Mark: and consequently, though it is related here, it happened some time before.
22:25 They that exercise the most arbitrary authority over them, have from their flatterers the vain title of benefactors.
22:26 But ye are to be benefactors to mankind, not by governing, but by serving.
22:27 For - This he proves by his own example. I am in the midst of you - Just now: see with your eyes. I take no state upon me, but sit in the midst, on a level with the lowest of you.
22:28 Ye have continued with me in my temptations - And all his life was nothing else, particularly from his entering on his public ministry.
22:29 And I - Will preserve you in all your temptations, till ye enter into the kingdom of glory: appoint to you - By these very words. Not a primacy to one, but a kingdom to every one: on the same terms: as my Father hath appointed to me - Who have fought and conquered.
22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table - That is, that ye may enjoy the highest happiness, as guests, not as servants. These expressions seem to be primarily applicable to the twelve apostles, and secondarily, to all Christ's servants and disciples, whose spiritual powers, honours, and delights, are here represented in figurative terms, with respect to their advancement both in the kingdom of grace and of glory.
22:31 Satan hath desired to have you - My apostles, that he might sift you as wheat - Try you to the uttermost.
22:32 But I have prayed for thee - Who wilt be in the greatest danger of all: that thy faith fail not - Altogether: and when thou art returned - From thy flight, strengthen thy brethren - All that are weak in faith; perhaps scandalized at thy fall.
22:34 It shall not be the time of cock crowing this day - The common time of cock crowing (which is usually about three in the morning) probably did not come till after the cock which Peter heard had crowed twice, if not oftener.
22:35 When I sent you - lacked ye any thing - Were ye not borne above all want and danger?
22:36 But now - You will be quite in another situation. You will want every thing. He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one - It is plain, this is not to be taken literally. It only means, This will be a time of extreme danger.
22:37 The things which are written concerning me have an end - Are now drawing to a period; are upon the point of being accomplished. Isa 53:12.
22:38 Here are two swords - Many of Galilee carried them when they travelled, to defend themselves against robbers and assassins, who much infested their roads. But did the apostles need to seek such defence? And he said; It is enough - I did not mean literally, that every one of you must have a sword.
22:39 Mat 26:30.
1
1:1 Caius was probably that Caius of Corinth whom St. Paul mentions, Rom 16:23. If so, either he was removed from Achaia into Asia, or St. John sent this letter to Corinth.
1:3 For - I know thou usest all thy talents to his glory.The truth that is in thee - The true faith and love.
1:4 I have no greater joy than this - Such is the spirit of every true Christian pastor. To hear that my children walk in the truth - Caius probably was converted by St. Paul. Therefore when St. John speaks of him. with other believers, as his children, it may be considered as the tender style of paternal love, whoever were the instruments of their conversion. And his using this appellation, when writing under the character of the elder, has its peculiar beauty.
1:5 Faithfully - Uprightly and sincerely.
1:6 Who have testified of thy love before the church - The congregation with whom I now reside. Whom if thou send forward on their journey - Supplied with what is needful. Thou shalt do well - How tenderly does the apostle enjoin this!
1:7 They went forth - To preach the gospel.
1:8 To receive - With all kindness.The truth - Which they preach.
1:9 I wrote to the church - Probably that to which they came.But Diotrephes - Perhaps the pastor of it. Who loveth to have the preeminence among them - To govern all things according to his own will. Receiveth us not - Neither them nor me. So did the mystery of iniquity already work!
1:10 He prateth against us - Both them and me, thereby endeavouring to excuse himself.
1:11 Follow not that which is evil - In Diotrephes.But that which is good - In Demetrius.He hath not seen God - Is a stranger to him.
1:12 And from the truth itself - That is, what they testify is the very truth. Yea, we also bear testimony - I and they that are with me.
1:14 Salute the friends by name - That is, in the same manner as if I had named them one by one. The word friend does not often occur in the New Testament, being swallowed up in the more endearing one of brother.