Matthew 4

Matthew 4:1

OF the spirit,] By a vehement motion of the Holy Ghost, whereof his humane nature was full, see Luke 4:1 Tempted] for an exercise of his humiliation, and a tryall of his perfect holinesse, and righteousnesse, and of his victory over the Devill by the power thereof. To give his Church a proofe of assured victory against all his endeavours and subtilties, Hebr. 2. 18. and 4, 15 The Devill] a Greek Word, answerable to the word Satan, and signifieth calumniator, or malignant accuser, seeZech. 3. 1. Revelation 12:10.

Matthew 4:2

Fasted] seeling no want, nor discommoditie by it; for a try all of his divine power in bearing up his humanity without any naturall meanes an hunged,] when that divine power gave way to let his humane nature voluntarily feele the want and discommodity and so to give occasion to the temptation.

Matthew 4:3

If thou be,] he shewed that the Devill had two ends in these temptations, the one to draw from Christ some proofes of his Deity, and of the mystery of his Incarnation, of which he had but an obscure notice: which was denyed him, as miracles were to unbeleevers, and prophane men. The other was to draw his humane nature to sinne, either of impatience and diffidencie in his voluntary obedience; or of pride and presumption, without vocation o necessitie; or of rebellion against God.

Matthew 4:4

By every] not only by things appointed in nature to nourish man, but by all such things as he through his free-will doth attribute such power unto: And likewise by his only power and will without any meanes at all.

Matthew 4:5

Taketh him up,] by some swift motion, but without any hurt, and that by the permission of God, and of Christ himselfe, the holy] a title very frequently given to the Citie of Ierusalem, by reason of Gods being present in his Temple: and because it was a Citie conscrated to his service, see Nh. 11. 18. Isaiah 48:2. Matth. 27. 53. a Pinnacle] the Italian, the edge of the rose,] the roofe of the Temple being flatt according to the fashion of those times and places, there was round about it a certaine edge or hemme, or corner jetting out, as well for Ornament, as to convey away the raine Water and there it should seeme the Devill did set the Lord.

Matthew 4:8

Sheweth him,] by some vision, or illusion as it appeares by, Luke 4:5.

Matthew 4:10

Get thee,] or according to some texts goe behinde me.

Matthew 4:12

He departed] by a divine conduct and inspiration, he went to make his ordinary abode, and to exercise his charge of teaching publikely, in those borders, amongst poore and abject people: to condemne Iudaea and Ierusalem,] whether hee went but only at festivall times.

Matthew 4:13

The Sea Coast,] namely by the lake of Geneareth, or of Tibeias.

Matthew 4:14

That it,] that Country which had formerly beene desolated by the Assyrians, Isaiah 8:7. and grew afterwards degenerate in matters of Religion, and was mixed with heathen customes and Nations; was through Gods Soveraigne mercy chosen by Christ for the place of his ordinary abode according to the same Prophets prophesie,Isaiah 9:1. to bring into it the light of life, of grace, and of truth, and to give a beginning to the vocation of the Gentiles.

Matthew 4:18

Two brethren,] who had beene John the Baptist his Disciples, & to whomIesus had revealed himselfe even in his time: and therefore this History of SaintMatthewes ought to have a relation to their calling to the Apostle-ship, and that ofJohn 1. 40, 41. To their calling to knowledge, and doctrine.

Matthew 4:19

Fishers of] instruments of converting and drawing men to God, out of the Sea of the world and sinne: and out of the abysse of death and perdition.

Matthew 4:23

Synagogues] a Greeke Name, which signified the particular assemblie of theIewes for the exercises of Pietie, and the places where they were kept severall from the Temple of Jerusalem where the generall assemblie was kept: preaching,]bringing them the hppie tydings of the comming and manifestation of the Messias his spirituall Kingdome; in light, justice, and life, promised to the Fathers; and so long looked for.

Matthew 4:24

Syria,] which bordered upon those places.

Matthew 4:25

Decapolis,] it was a little province so called, because it contained tenne Cities, and was upon the confines of Palestine drawing towards Syria, Make 7. 31.