Ver. 1. Returned from Jordan, and was led] No sooner out of the water of baptism, but in the fire of temptation. After greatest feelings, we are to expect sharpest assaults; neither can we better quench the devil’s fiery darts, than with the water of baptism. We lead, saith Luther, of a certain holy virgin, who, whensoever solicited to sin, would stop the tempter’s mouth with this one answer, Christiana sum, I am a Christian. Intellexit enim hostis statim virtutem baptismi et fidei—et fugit ab ea. Satan could not abide the mention of baptism, but fled from her presently.
Ver. 2. Being forty days] During which time be was set upon all sorts of temptations. These three here recorded were likely the very worst, in quibus diabolus omnes astus et fraudis sum sacculos deplevit (as one saith), wherein the devil did his utmost.
Ver. 3. Command this stone] “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel,” Proverbs 20:17. Compare this verse with Proverbs 20:9, and see how the devil usually tempteth by extremes, to make men offend either in defect or excess. Thus he tempted master Knox upon his death bed, if not to despair, then to presume that heaven should be his, for his zeal in the Scottish Reformation. (Perkins.)
Ver. 4. [See Trapp on “Mt 4:4”]
Ver. 5. Showed unto him all the kingdoms] In a visible landscape of his own making, presented to the eye.
Ver. 6. To whomsoever I will I give it] The pope, as heir to the devil, takes upon him to be Dominus regnorum mundi, Lord of the kings of the world. Boniface VIII wrote to Philip, king of France, that he was Lord of all, both temporals and spirituals, in all countries. Os papae et culeus diaboli in eodem sunt praedicamento, saith one. But, Cui volo do illa is God’s only to say, Daniel 4:22.
Ver. 7. If thou wilt worship] Papa dulia adorandus, say the Canonists.
Ver. 8. Get thee behind me] [See Trapp on “Mt 4:10”]
Ver. 9. [See Trapp on “Mt 4:5”] [See Trapp on “Mt 4:6”]
Ver. 10. [See Trapp on “Mt 4:6”]
Ver. 11. [See Trapp on “Mt 4:6”]
Ver. 12. [See Trapp on “Mt 4:7”]
Ver. 13. He departed from him for a season] We must look for the other bout, and in a calm prepare for a storm. The tempter is restless and impudent; so that a man is to expect, if he live out his days, to be urged to all sins, to the breach of every branch of the ten commandments, and to be put to it in respect of every article of the Creed.
Ver. 14. In the power of the Spirit] Without which the word is preached to no purpose. Cathedram in coelo habet, qui corda docet, saith Augustine. It is with the word and spirit, as with the veins and arteries; as the veins carry the blood, so the arteries carry the spirits to quicken the blood.
Ver. 15. Glorified of all] Envy itself was throttled, which yet usually waits upon virtue. Every Zopyrus hath his Zoilus. Lipsius complaineth (an Iustus ipse viderit) that today men have left off, not only to do things praiseworthy, but also to praise those that do so.
Ver. 16. Where he had been brought up] The Jews were to be kind to the Egyptians, and to pray for the prosperity of Babylon, where they had been bred and fed. “Be ye thankful,” Colossians 3:15, viz. to your friends and benefactors. And stood up for to read] In honour of the word that he read. So Nehemiah 8:5, a commendable custom.
Ver. 17. He found the place] Whether he looked for it, or it so happened by a providence, it is uncertain. Origen, after his fall, lighting on that text, Psalms 50:16. “What hast thou to do to take my words,” &c., fell into a passion of weeping, and came out of the pulpit, as not able to speak to the people. Augustine hearing from heaven, Tolle, lege, and happening upon that place, Romans 13:14 “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,” &c., was presently converted thereby. So was Cyprian, by reading the prophecy of Jonah.
Ver. 18. He hath anointed me to preach] Therefore the gospel is a sure saying, and worthy of all acceptation, since it is an effect of the Holy Spirit: doubt not its excellence, authority, certainty, sufficiency. See my “True Treasure.”
Ver. 19. The acceptable year of the Lord] A joyful jubilee. Let us not stand out the time, lest we be bored in the ear by the devil.
Ver. 20. Were fastened on him] A good help against distractions. Our hearts are fickle and fugitive, if not hard held to it.
Ver. 21. This day is this scripture, &c.] This the sum of his sermon, as were also the prophecies we read, the heads only and short notes of the prophets’ larger discourses. Brevity breeds obscurity.
Ver. 22. Is not this Joseph’s son?] And what of that? But it is still the course of our hearers, to look round about us, if possibly they may find any hole in our coat, through which to slight and slip the cords of our doctrine, though they cannot but admire it.
Ver. 23. Physician, heal thyself] That is, thy country. So that for a man to cure his country is to cure himself.
Ver. 24. No prophet is accepted] [See Trapp on “Mt 13:57”]
Ver. 25. Many widows were in Israel] q.d. God hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, &c. He is a free agent, and may do with his own as he pleaseth. If the prophets, by the Spirit’s direction, healed and helped foreigners sooner than Israelites, what so great wonder that Christ did not for his own country that which he did for others?
Ver. 26. That was a widow] A calamitous name, 2 Samuel 14:5. The Hebrews call her Almanah, a dumb woman, because either she dare not or may not speak for herself: but God professeth himself the patron of such; and he can speak for them in the hearts of their greatest adversaries. Happy they in such an advocate.
Ver. 27. Naaman the Syrian] Nor he neither so long as he looked upon God’s Jordan with Syrian eyes.
Ver. 28. And all they in the synagogue] Though but plain rustics, yet they soon understood this saying of preaching to the Gentiles: which put them into an anger, and our Saviour into a danger.
Ver. 29. Thrust him out of the city] As unworthy to tread on their pavement. And so mad they were, that they could neither stay till the business were brought to a judicial trial, nor forbear execution till the sabbath were over.
Ver. 30. But he passing, &c.] Like a second Samson; his own arm saved him. This might have convinced his adversaries, except they were mad with malice.
Ver. 31. And came down to Capernaum] Contempt drives away Christ. And woe be unto you if I forsake you, Hosea 9:12. Contend earnestly for the faith, since it is but once delivered to the saints, Jude 3. You must never expect another edition of it.
Ver. 32. For his word was with power] He preached not frigide et trepide, as the scribes; but uttered oracles, and did miracles.
Ver. 33. And in the synagogue] [See Trapp on “Mr 1:23”]
Ver. 34. The Holy One of God] The pope will needs be called “Most Holy”; and so lifts up himself above Christ.
Ver. 35. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:16”] [See Trapp on “Mr 1:25”] [See Trapp on “Mr 1:26”]
Ver. 36. [See Trapp on “Mr 1:27”]
Ver. 37. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:16”] [See Trapp on “Mr 1:28”]