Matthew 25

Matthew 25:1

THen] In the day of Christs coming, mentioned, chap. 24. 51.

the kingdom of heaven] The condition of men in the Church of God.

virgins] The custome then was to make marriage-feasts in the night: the bride-groom used to come then with a train of young men: certain virgins, of the kinred or acquaintance of the bride, used to go meet the bridegroom, to attend on him, and attend him to the wedding-house.

which took their lamps] And carried them burning, to light the bridegroom and his train.

went forth] Afterwards, at v. 6, 7.

Matthew 25:2

were wise] They shewed themselves to be wise, in providing things needfull for their present employment.

were foolish] Shewed their folly, in neglecting things necessary, v. 3.

Matthew 25:3

no oil with them] Besides that which was burning, and spent ere the bridegroom came, v. 8.

Matthew 25:4

in their vessels] To spend, when that in their lamps should be done.

Matthew 25:5

while the bridegroom tarried] Christs coming must be expected, though he come not so soon as we would have him.

they all slumbered] Good men may sometimes be somewhat more negligent then at other times; but they always keep a good conscience, and an heart prepared, in some good measure, to receive Christ, Son 5:2. Their security is but of infirmity, and their estate was made sure before. Whereas, bad men have but the lamp of profession, and want the oil of piety, Tim. 3. 5. that is, the power of it.

Matthew 25:7

trimmed their lamps] An allusion to Exodus 30:8. 2 Kings 9. 30.

Matthew 25:8

gone out] Or, going out: Which in the temple should not be, Exodus 27:20.

Matthew 25:9

not enough for us and you] The best have no goodnesse to spare for others.

go ye rather] Not that the just shall send the wicked at the day of Judgement to get grace; but it shews, that they who neglect to get it here, have no way left to get any then. So Elijah mocks the priests of Baal, 1 Kings 8:27.

buy] Isaiah 55:1.

for your selves] Every one must be saved by his own faith, Romans 1:17.

Matthew 25:10

the door was shut] They who neglect Gods call, or are not ready for him, shall be shut out of the gate of mercy, ps. 95. 11.

Matthew 25:11

Lord, Lord] Chap. 7. 22. and 25. 37.

open to us] To wit, the door. Afford us accesse and entrance, Revelation 3:20.

Matthew 25:12

I know you not] Chap. 7. 23.

Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore] Chap. 24. 42. Mark 13:33.

Matthew 25:14

For the kingdom of heaven] Luke 19. 12. Or, For he shall come as a man; to wit, Christ shall, v. 13. Acts 3:25.

a man travelling into a far countrey] Hereby is intended Christs ascending into heaven, and abiding there till the day of Judgment, chap. 21. 33.

delivered unto them his goods] Put them into severall offices and places, for the good of his church, Ephesians 4:11-12.

Matthew 25:15

five talents] Of a talent, see 1 Chron. 22. 14.

according to his severall ability] According to the wisedom and skill in dealing which was given them, 1 Corinthians 12:7.

Matthew 25:16

traded with the same] Was laborious in his calling, according to his gifts.

made them other five talents] Encreased his own graces by using them to the benefit of others, and did twice so much good as before this employment.

Matthew 25:18

digged in the earth] That he might lay it up safe.

Matthew 25:19

After a long time] At the end of the world Christ will come to call all men to account.

Matthew 25:20

other five talents] See on v. 16.

Matthew 25:21

over a few things] In a small charge, Luke 16. 18.

ver many things] I will prefer thee, as men do servants whom they have found faithfull. See on chap. 24. 47.

into the joy of thy lord] Into the chamber of joy, or feasting with thy master.

Matthew 25:24

which had received the one talent] He is also called to account, as well as they that had received more talents, that no man may think to be excused from giving account, by the means of his place or parts.

that thou art an hard man] He takes the fault off himself, and lays it on his master: one of Adams sons, Genesis 3:12.

Matthew 25:25

lo there thou hast that is thine] Chap. 20. 14.

Matthew 25:26

His lord answered] By this answer, he signifies, that they have no excuse for their sloth, who suppresse Gods gifts, and spend their time unprofitably.

Thou wicked and slothfull servant] By these sharp, and yet welldeserved terms, he shews, that the neglect of the servant came not from the masters austerity, as he pretended; but from his own lazie disposition, and therefore he deserved to be severely punished.

thou knwest] Be it that it were as thou sayest, thou shouldest have been the more carefull to please me, and art now the more inexcusable, by thy own confession, chap. 12. 37. Luke 19:22.

Matthew 25:27

to the exchangers] Such as kept banks to take mens moneys, and make profit of it for them.

Matthew 25:29

For unto every one] Chap. 13. 12. Mark 4:25. Luke 8:18.

Matthew 25:30

the unprofitable servant] He must be condemned, though he did not waste his masters goods, because he did not encrease them by his industry.

into outer darknesse] See on chap. 8. 12.

weeping, &c.] See on chap. 24. 51.

Matthew 25:31

When the Son of man] A lively setting forth of the generall Judgment, taken from the patern of worldly judicatures

in his glory] Not in form of a servant, as before, but of a judge.

and all the holy angels] An allusion to Zechariah 14:5. Now he hath a few poor men to attend him; then all the angels.

sit upon the throne] As man, on some visible throne: or, he shall judge all, as they do that sit on thrones.

Matthew 25:32

shall be gathered] Chap. 24. 31. Before him, to be judged by him.

he shall separate them] This separation of good men from bad, is set out by a similitude of fanning, chap. 3. 12. of the tares, chap. 13. 30. of the draw-net, chap. 13. 48.

one from another] Not one nation from another, but one man from another, chap. 24. 31, 40, 41.

sheep from the goats] An allusion to Ezekiel 34:17.

Matthew 25:33

sheep on his right hand] Right hand and left, implie good and bad, as Eccl. 10. 2. John 4:11. or, blessing and cursing, as Garizim stood on the south, which is on a mans right hand when he looks to the sun-rising; and Gebal north, which is on the left hand.

Matthew 25:34

the king] Christ, Revelation 19:16.

Come] Draw neer to me: be not afraid of my Majestie.

ye blessed of my Father] Whom my Father loves, and means to make happie for ever.

inherite] Heaven, then, comes not by nature or merit, but by adoption, as an inheritance given by God to his children, 1 Peter 3:9.

the Kingdom] No mean inheritance, but the greatest.

prepared] By God the Father, ch. 20. 23. 1 Corinthians 2:9. Hebrews 11:16.

for you] In particular, who are his elect, Luke 12:32.

from the foundation of the world] Chap. 13. 15. Luke 11:50. Hebrews 14:3. & Hebrews 9:26. Revelation 13:8. & Revelation 17:8. Not after it, as sometimes it signifies, but before, as Ephesians 1:4. 1 Peter 1:20. 2 Timothy 1:9.

Matthew 25:35

For I was an hungred] Isaiah 58:7. Ezekiel 18:7. This is a reward of good done to the poor, not for their own sakes, but as members of Christ, chap. 10. 40, &c.

ye gave me meat] Mercy is here mentioned, as an eminent vertue: and the act of it rather then the affection, to sit it to temporall judicatures.

Matthew 25:37

the righteous] Those whom he called blessed, v. 34. now he calls righteous; for God will make all them righteous here, whom he intends to blesse hereafter, Luke 14:13. Revelation 20:6.

when saw we thee] In thine own person?

Matthew 25:40

unto one of the least of these my brethren] Gr. unto one of these my brethren, which are the least: That is, which are least set by in the eyes of the world. It is a greater token of love to Christ, to do good to his for his sake, when he is absent, then to do it to him, if he were present: and that which is done to a mean Christian, for his sake, shall be rewarded, as well as that which is done to an apostle, chap. 10. 41, 42. for Christ here counteth the meanest Christians his brethren.

Matthew 25:41

Depart] Psalms 6:8. Chap. 7. 23.

from me] Ye shall have no part of happinesse with me, but of eternall misery, with the devils, 2 Thessalonians 1:9.

for the devil and his angels] Se on chap. 12. 24.

Matthew 25:42

ye gave me no meat] If they must go to hell who give not to the poor, What will become of them who take away from them!

Matthew 25:44

when saw we thee an hungred] See on v. 37.

Matthew 25:45

to one of the least] See on v. 40.

Matthew 25:46

these shall go away] Daniel 12:2. John 5:29. Revelation 14:11. and Revelation 20:10.