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Click a verse to see commentary9. Miracles and Transfiguration
1And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. 4And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart. 5And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere. 7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead; 8and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him. 10And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida. 11But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured. 12And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place. 13But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people. 14For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each. 15And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets. 18And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am? 19And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God. 21But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man; 22saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. 23And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self? 26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels. 27But I tell you of a truth, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. 28And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray. 29And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling. 30And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah; 31who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said. 34And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him. 36And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen. 37And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. 38And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child: 39and behold, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him sorely. 40And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not. 41And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son. 42And as he was yet a coming, the demon dashed him down, and tare him grievously. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marvelling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples, 44Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men. 45But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. 46And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. 47But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side, 48and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great. 49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. 50But Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you. 51And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he were going to Jerusalem. 54And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them? 55But he turned, and rebuked them. 56And they went to another village. 57And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God. 61And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house. 62But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
An Evil Spirit Expelled.
37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. 38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. 39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. 40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. 41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
This passage of story in Matthew and Mark follows immediately upon that of Christ's transfiguration, and his discourse with his disciples after it; but here it is said to be on the next day, as they were coming down from the hill, which confirms the conjecture that Christ was transfigured in the night, and, it should seem, though they did not make tabernacles as Peter proposed, yet they found some shelter to repose themselves in all night, for it was not till next day that they came down from the hill, and then he found things in some disorder among his disciples, though not so bad as Moses did when he came down from the mount. When wise and good men are in their beloved retirements, they would do well to consider whether they are not wanted in their public stations.
In this narrative here, observe, 1. How forward the people were to receive Christ at his return to them. Though he had been but a little while absent, much people met him, as, at other times, much people followed him; for so it was foretold concerning him, that to him should the gathering of the people be. 2. How importunate the father of the lunatic child was with Christ for help for him (v. 38): I beseech thee, look upon my son; this is his request, and it is a very modest one; one compassionate look from Christ is enough to set every thing to rights. Let us bring ourselves and our children to Christ, to be looked upon. His plea is, He is my only child. They that have many children may balance their affliction in one with their comfort in the rest; yet, if it be an only child that is a grief, the affliction in that may be balanced with the love of God in giving his only-begotten Son for us. 3. How deplorable the case of the child was, v. 39. He was under the power of an evil spirit, that took him; and diseases of that nature are more frightful than such as arise merely from natural causes: when the fit seized him without any warning given, he suddenly cried out, and many a time his shrieks had pierced the heart of his tender father. This malicious spirit tore him, and bruised him, and departed not from him but with great difficulty, and a deadly gripe at parting. O the afflictions of the afflicted in this world! And what mischief doth Satan do where he gets possession! But happy they that have access to Christ! 4. How defective the disciples were in their faith. Though Christ had given them power over unclean spirits, yet they could not cast out this evil spirit, v. 40. Either they distrusted the power they were to fetch in strength from, or the commission given to them, or they did not exert themselves in prayer as they ought; for this Christ reproved them. O faithless and perverse generation. Dr. Clarke understands this as spoken to his disciples: "Will ye be yet so faithless and full of distrust that ye cannot execute the commission I have given you?" 5. How effectual the cure was, which Christ wrought upon this child, v. 42. Christ can do that for us which his disciples cannot: Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit then when he raged most. The devil threw the child down, and tore him, distorted him, as if he would have pulled him to pieces. But one word from Christ healed the child, and made good the damage the devil had done him. And it is here added that he delivered him again to his father. Note, When our children are recovered from sickness, we must receive them as delivered to us again, receive them as life from the dead, and as when we first received them. It is comfortable to receive them from the hand of Christ, to see him delivering them to us again: "Here, take this child, and be thankful; take it, and bring it up for me, for thou hast it again from me. Take it, and do not set thy heart too much upon it." With such cautions as these, parents should receive their children from Christ's hands, and then with comfort put them again into his hands.