The Pharisees refused to acknowledge both John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Himself as messengers of God. Each of them, despite their differences, displeased them in some way...
The Pharisees refused to acknowledge both John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Himself as messengers of God. Each of them, despite their differences, displeased them in some way. They disliked John the Baptist because of his asceticism and his call to a renewal of faith. The Lord... the Lord displeased them entirely, in particular because He did not reject the repentance of sinful people, whom the Pharisees considered doomed to perdition. In reality, of course, behind this lay an unwillingness to accept the Good News, primarily because the Pharisees most of all wanted to appear in their own eyes as better than everyone else. The Gospel provides no such opportunity to them, nor to anyone else. It is significant that the Pharisees, as far as can be judged from Gospel and historical accounts, circulated talk that John the Baptist was not what a prophet should be, and Jesus of Nazareth was not either...
The Lord applies to them the image of children who do not weep at sorrowful songs and do not rejoice at joyful ones. God, the Lord is thereby saying, attempts to convey His word, His will, the Good News to the Pharisees in this way and that, through various and disparate paths. But they react to nothing, and this reveals their sheer unwillingness to respond to the call of God. The issue is not what John the Baptist is like or what Jesus Himself is like.
Those who seek the Word of God, however, will one way or another be able to find and accept it, as the Lord concludes with the words, "wisdom is justified of all her children." Some came to Christ through the preaching of the Baptist, others recognized the Savior in Him themselves... He who has ears and desires to hear, will hear.
In our time, this passage of the Gospel remains exceptionally relevant. Often people say: I would believe, but... Something always displeases the one who does not wish to believe. Either there is much that is bad in the Bible (since the truth about history is written there), or Christians are bad, or the commandments are strange... It is precisely to such a stance that the words of Christ apply.
6
6:18 Praying always - At all times, and on every occasion, in midst of all employments, inwardly praying without ceasing.By the Spirit - Through the influence of the Holy Spirit. With all prayer - With all sort of prayer, public, private, mental, vocal.Some are careful in respect of one kind of prayer, and negligent in others.If we would have the petitions we ask, let us use all. Some there are who use only mental prayer or ejaculations, and think they are in a state of grace, and use a way of worship, far superior to any other: but such only fancy themselves to be above what is really above them; it requiring far more grace to be enabled to pour out a fervent and continued prayer, than to offer up mental aspirations. And supplication - Repeating and urging our prayer, as Christ did in the garden. And watching - Inwardly attending on God, to know his will, to gain power to do it, and to attain to the blessings we desire. With all perseverance - Continuing to the end in this holy exercise. And supplication for all the saints - Wrestling in fervent, continued intercession for others, especially for the faithful, that they may do all the will of God, and be steadfast to the end. Perhaps we receive few answers to prayer, because we do not intercede enough for others.
6:19 By the opening my mouth - Removing every inward and every outward hinderance.
6:20 An ambassador in bonds - The ambassadors of men usually appear in great pomp. How differently does the ambassador of Christ appear!
6:21 Ye also - As well as others.
6:22 That he might comfort your hearts - By relating the supports I find from God, and the success of the gospel.
6:23 Peace - This verse recapitulates the whole epistle.
6:24 In sincerity - Or in incorruption; without corrupting his genuine gospel, without any mixture of corrupt affections. And that with continuance, till grace issue in glory.