Ver. 1. As one man] See Ezra 3:1, and remember that Omne simile non est idem; this is a distinct history from that. Into the street] Or, open place, the meeting place of the water gate. See Nehemiah 3:26. Right over against this gate was the court of the people, saith Lyra. See Ezra 10:9. And they spake unto Ezra the scribe] The people may, if need be, say to Archippus, Look to thy ministry, &c., Colossians 4:17. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, all is theirs (the gifts and abilities of all good ministers), and they may call for them, 1 Corinthians 3:22. To bring the book of the law of Moses] Wherein he was no less able than apt to impart, 1 Timothy 3:2, διδακτικος. He knew that the best had need hear the law, he spiritum sessorem excutiant, that they might be kept within the bounds of obedience. Not the unruly colt only, but the horse that is broken, hath a bit and bridle also.
Ver. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law] The commandment (he knew well) was a lamp, and the law a light; and reproofs of instruction the way of life, Proverbs 6:23. The Greeks call the law νομον, quasi θεου νοον μενοντα, the standing mind of God (Plato in Cratylo). And if Demosthenes could say of men’s laws, that they were the invention of God; if Xenophon could say of the Persian laws, that they kept the people even from coveting any wickedness; if Cicero durst say of the Roman laws, that they far excelled and exceeded all the learned libraries of the philosophers, both in weight and worth; how much more may all this and more be said of this perfect law of God, the book whereof was here brought forth by Ezra, and read and expounded in the ears of all the people! μη τοιουτους εσεσθαι τους πολιτας, ωστε πονηρου τινος εργου εφιεσθαι.. Before the congregation both of men and women] Heb. From man to woman; for souls have no sexes; and in Christ there is no difference, Galatians 4:28. The Jews at this day little regard their women; not suffering them to come within their synagogue. And the Turkish women never go to their mosques; neither is there any heed taken or reckoning made of their religion at all. The Papists say that a distaff is fitter for a woman than a Bible. And all that can hear with understanding] i.e. Children also, that were of any growth. Little pitchers have ears, and little children will understand much, if well principled. Upon the first day of the seventh month] A month of more solemnities than any other. This first day was a double holy day, Leviticus 23:24. See Deuteronomy 31:11.
Ver. 3. And he read therein] As a scribe, he wrote the law; and as a priest, he read and expounded it. This was Christ’s own custom, Luke 4:16, and the Jews’, Acts 13:15,27 15:21, and is still to this day; one lesson is ever read out of the law in their public meetings; and another out of the prophets correspondent to the former in argument. The Holy Scripture is called Mikre, the reading of Nehemiah 8:9, because it ought to be read to all; and the word, as if all the use of our ears were to hear this word. From the morning until midday] This was a great while; five or six hours together they spent in holy duties, whereas the most amongst us think long of an hour; they sit as it were in the stocks whiles they are hearing the word read or preached, and come out of the church when the tedious sermon runneth somewhat beyond the glass, like prisoners out of a jail. And the ears of the people were attentive to the book] Heb. Were to the book of the law; which phrase importeth both their attention and affection to what they heard delivered. They drew up the ears of their souls to the ears of their bodies; and so one sound pierced both. See the like Luke 19:48, they hung upon Christ’s holy lips, as loth to lose any part of that precious language. The Jews at this day, though they give very great outward respect to their Torah, or book of the law (carrying it about their synagogue at the end of service in procession, and the like), yet for any show of attention or elevation of spirit I could never discern (saith one that had been much amongst them), but they are as reverend in their synagogues as grammar boys are at school when their master is absent.
Ver. 4. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood] Heb. A tower of wood, because high and round, as ours are. The Capuchins and other Popish preachers are said to have long pulpits, wherein they may walk and act, as upon a stage, in Lent especially; at which time it is the custom of Italy for the same man to preach six days in the week upon the gospel of the days, and on the Saturday in honour and praise of the Virgin Mary. And beside him stood Mattithiah, &c.] For greater authority’ sake, as concurring with Ezra, and ready in their turn to perform the work. Praedicationis officium suscipit quisquis ad sacerdotium accedit, said Gregory long since, No preacher is no minister.
Ver. 5. And Ezra opened the book] God’s Book; not Aristotle’s Ethics, as Melancthon saith he heard some Popish priests preaching upon texts thence taken. And Carolostadius was eight years a doctor before he first opened the Bible; and yet at the taking of his degree he had been pronounced Sufficientissimus Most adequate. For he was above all the people] Both in place and office; as representing the person of God, and bearing his name unto his people. All the people stood up] For reverence’ sake. So did Eglon, that fat king of Moab, when he heard of a message from God, Judges 3:20. Balaam, being to utter his parable, bids Balak arise up and hear him. Our Saviour stood up to read his text, Luke 4:16. Constantine the Great and our King Edward VI would not hear a sermon but standing. The modern Jews show their reverence to their law by a like gesture; and their adoration is by bowing forward with their bodies; for kneeling they use none, neither stir they their bonnets in their synagogues, but remain still covered.