Ver. 1. See Matthew 8:5.
Ver. 2. And a certain centurion’s servant] Piscator thinks that this history is not the same with that Matthew 8:5. His reasons may be read in his Scholia on that place.
Ver. 3. He sent unto him] St Matthew saith, he went unto him, sc. by his messengers.
Ver. 4. That he was worthy] So they held him: but he held himself unworthy, Luke 7:6. God in like manner saith that Jerusalem had received double for her sins, Isaiah 40:2. But Jerusalem herself saith, Our God hath punished us less than our sins, Ezra 9:13. Too much, saith God; Too little, saith she; and yet how sweetly and beautifully doth this kind of contradiction become both!
Ver. 5. Built us a synagogue] Antiochus had burned the synagogues in various places. This man, new converted, is content to be at cost for God and his people. So the Israelites, received to favour again after their foul fall in setting up the golden calf, brought enough and to spare toward the work of the tabernacle.
Ver. 6. For I am not worthy] So saith Jacob of himself, Genesis 32:10; so Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:8-10; so the Baptist, Matthew 3:11; so Augustine, Non sum dignus quem tu diligas, Domine, I am not worthy of thy love, Lord.
Ver. 7. But say in a word] Send thy Mandamus, as Psalms 44:4.
Ver. 8. For I also] [See Trapp on “Mt 8:9”]
Ver. 9. He marvelled] [See Trapp on “Mt 8:10”]
Ver. 10. See Matthew 8:13.
Ver. 11. A city called Nain] A fair town not far from Tiberias, and watered by that ancient river, the river Kishon, Judges 5:21, as saith Jerome.
Ver. 12. There was a dead man] Though a young man. Our decrepit age both expects death and solicits it, but vigorous youth looks strangely upon that grim sergeant of God. Senibus mors in ianuis, adolescentibus in insidiis, (Bern.) Death seizeth on old men, and lays wait for the youngest. Carried out] sc. Out of the city, for without the gates were the burying places of old, for fear of annoyance by ill air. Hence harlots were called moechae bustuariae, sluts of the tombs, because they were thrust out of the city to play their pranks, where the dead were buried, as being dead while they lived. (Turneb. Advarsar.)
Ver. 13. He had compassion on her] Of his own free accord, and unrequested, he raised him. Christ had a most tender heart. How shall he not pity and provide for his praying people?
Ver. 14. Young man, I say unto thee, Arise] Had he said as much to all the dead (as once he shall, Surgite, mortui, venite in iudicium) they had certainly all risen immediately.
Ver. 15. Delivered him to his mother] To be a Scipio to her; the staff and stay of her old age.
Ver. 16. And there came a fear upon all] This was timor amicalis, a fear of reverence, for it produced thankfulness.
Ver. 17. And this rumour] Here the Sun of righteousness, that hath healing in his wings, shone forth in his strength, and drew all eyes to him.
Ver. 18. And the disciples of John] Having a zeal for their master, but not according to knowledge, see Matthew 11:2.
Ver. 19. Art thou he that should come] The soul resteth not till it pitch upon Christ. [See Trapp on “Mt 11:2”] [See Trapp on “Mt 11:3”]
Ver. 20. [See Trapp on “Mt 11:3”]
Ver. 21. [See Trapp on “Mt 11:4”] [See Trapp on “Mt 11:5”]
Ver. 22. [See Trapp on “Mt 11:4”] [See Trapp on “Mt 11:5”]
Ver. 23. And blessed is he] This is check to them for their preposterous zeal for John, their master. Therefore, also, our Saviour commends not John till they were departed.
Ver. 28. But he that is least] This is no small comfort to the ministers of the gospel, against the contempts cast upon them by the world. They are somebodies in heaven, whatever men make of them.
Ver. 29. Justified God] i.e. They glorified his word, Acts 13:48, and acknowledged, his righteousness, repenting of their sins, and believing John’s and Christ’s testimony, which the Pharisees so pertinaciously rejected, and so deservedly perished. For as wine, a strong remedy against hemlock, yet mingled with it doubleth the force of the poison; so it is with the word when mingled with unbelief, and cast away with contempt.
Ver. 30. Rejected the counsel of God] Being ingrati gratiae Dei, as Ambrose speaketh, and so much the further off, for having seen the people so forward.
Ver. 31. See Matthew 11:16,17, &c.
Ver. 33. Neither eating bread] But locusts and wild honey.
Ver. 35. Of all her children] That is, her disciples, Psalms 34:11.
Ver. 36. Sat down to meat] It was fit he should feast sometimes, that fared so hard mostly.
Ver. 37. A woman] Not that woman, say some, mentioned Matthew 26:6 Joh 11:2, but some other. A sinner] A strumpet, a she-sinner, as their mates call such.
Ver. 38. To wash his feet] They that make their eyes a fountain to wash Christ’s feet in, shall have his side for a fountain to wash their souls in. Kissed his feet] But how many now refuse those kisses of his mouth, Song of Solomon 1:2, by despising the word preached, that sweet pledge of his love!
Ver. 39. This man, if he were a prophet] See the picture of a hypocrite, slighting and censuring his betters. What manner of woman this is] Syr. What an ill name she hath, for a light hussy.
Ver. 40. I have somewhat to say to thee] He that receives a courtesy, we say, sells his liberty. But so did not Christ at Simon’s, at Martha’s, &c., table. His mouth was not stopped with good cheer. He entertains the Pharisees with as many menaces as they do him with messes of meat.
Ver. 41. There was a certain creditor] Christ tells the supercilious and self-conceited Pharisee by this parable, that himself was a sinner also as well as the woman, and as a debtor to God’s judgment, had as much need of his grace in Christ for remission of sin and removal of wrath.
Ver. 42. And when they had nothing to pay] We are all non-solvents, stark beggars, and bankrupts, having nothing of our own but sin and hell; nothing to say for ourselves why we should not to prison, but that of Augustine, Ego admisi, Domine, unde tu damnare potes me, sed non amisisti, unde tu salvare potes me; Lord, I have done enough to undo me for ever, but thou hast yet enough to make me happy for ever. I acknowledge the debt, that is all I can do. Oh cross the book, and draw the red lines of Christ’s blood over the black lines of my sins.
Ver. 43. Thou hast rightly judged] See here and imitate our Saviour’s candour: cui virtuti per se pulcherrimae grande pretium raritas addidit, nostro quidem aevo, saith one, this is a rare and rich virtue.
Ver. 44. She hath washed my feet with tears] Her heart was a sacred alembic, out of which those tears were distilled. Never did any man read his pardon with dry eyes. Washed my feet with tears, &c.] We read not that the Virgin Mary ever did as this greater sinner did. Repentance is the fair child of that foul mother, sin, as the Romans said of Pompey, Εχθρου πατρος φιλτατον τεκνον. And it is question whether more glorifies God, innocence or penitenc e? An apparatus formerly used in distilling, consisting of a cucurbit or gourd-shaped vessel containing the substance to be distilled, surmounted by the head or cap, or alembic proper, the beak of which conveyed the vaporous products to a receiver, in which they were condensed. It is now superseded by the retort and worm still. ŒD
Ver. 45. Thou gavest me no kiss] Which yet was their usual way of salutation, 1 Peter 5:14.
Ver. 46. Mine head with oil] Which yet was ordinary at solemn feasts. But Simon was too short, as not understanding the worth of his present guest.
Ver. 47. For she loved much] Nam, notificativum est, non impulsivum. Her love was an argmnent (not a cause) that her sins were forgiven her.
Ver. 48. Thy sins are forgiven thee] Melancthon makes mention of a godly woman, who having upon her death bed been much conflicted, and afterwards much comforted, brake out into these words, Now, and not till now, I understand the meaning of those words, Thy sins are forgiven. It is reported about another, that courting a courtesan, and understanding that her name was Mary; he remembered Mary Magdalen, and forbearing to commit that act of filthiness that he intended, became a sound convert.
Ver. 49. Who is this that forgiveth sins also?] Ignorance of Christ and his office bred this offence, as it doth many others. It is easy to stumble in the dark.
Ver. 50. Go in peace] Faith hath virtutem pacativam, Romans 5:1. It lodgeth a blessed calm in the conscience, and fortifies the heart against all discouragements. Men may mutter, as here they did, but the answer, or rather demand of faith is, Who shall condemn? it is Christ that justifieth, Romans 8:34. Better be envied than pitied.