In this chapter we have, I. Paul's travels up and down about Macedonia, Greece, and Asia, and his coming at length to Troas, Acts 20:1-6. Here are the reproof and instruction which Christ gave to the other ten disciples for their displeasure at the request of James and John. Compare Luke 17:7; Luke 17:8; Luke 12:37. Their address to Christ, Matthew 20:29; Matthew 20:30. The pomp and grandeur of the princes of the Gentiles ill become Christ's disciples. O that we were but as apprehensive of our spiritual maladies, and could as feelingly complain of them, especially our spiritual blindness! The market-place is a place of concourse, and there Wisdom cries (Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 1:21); it is a place of sport, there the children are playing (Matthew 11:16; Matthew 11:16); and the gospel calls us from vanity to seriousness; it is a place of business, of noise and hurry; and from that we are called to retire. The offence taken (Matthew 20:11; Matthew 20:12); They murmured at the good man of the house; not that there is, or can be, any discontent or murmuring in heaven, for that is both guilt and grief, and in heaven there is neither; but there may be, and often are, discontent and murmuring concerning heaven and heavenly things, while they are in prospect and promise in this world. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 2. III. He is able to do for us, and as willing as he is able; Ask, and it shall be given you. (2.) 1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. Those that are proud and covetous themselves do not care to see others so. But they would not be beaten off so; when they were in pursuit of such a mercy, it was no time to compliment, or to practise a timid delicacy; no, they cried the more. Matthew Henry's Commentary - Chapter 20. Neither giveth he an account of any of his matters; nor is it fit he should. 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. He enquired further into their case; What will ye that I shall do unto you? He cured them; when he encouraged them to seek him, he did not say, Seek in vain. Here is, I. [1.] What we have, is not our own, and therefore it is not lawful for us to do what we will with it; but what God has, is his own; and this will justify him, First, In all the disposals of his providence; when God takes from us that which was dear to us, and which we could ill spare, we must silence our discontents with this; May he not do what he will with his own? When time ends, and with it the world of work and opportunity, then the state of retribution commences; then call the labourers, and give them their hire. What shall be their wages? Notice is taken of the several hours of the day, at which the labourers were hired. Saul saw that David prospered, and he eyed him,1 Samuel 18:9; 1 Samuel 18:15. Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete) In this chapter we have, I. Paul's travels up and down about Macedonia, Greece, and Asia, and his coming at length to Troas (v. 1-6). Note, Men ought always to pray, and not to faint; to pray with all perseverance (Luke 18:1); to continue in prayer with resolution, and not to yield to opposition. They looked so earnestly upon the crown, the prize, that they were ready to plunge headlong and unprepared into the foul way that led to it; and therefore he thinks it necessary to put them in mind of the hardships that were before them, that they might be no surprise or terror to them. Secondly, Obedient believers agree with God for their penny in the other world, and they must remember that they have so agreed. They knew not what they asked. The powerful influences of the Holy Spirit bind the true Christian to his duty. (Comp. The truth is, Religion, if it be worth any thing, is worth every thing; but it is worth little, if it be not worth suffering for. but how often for mere amusement or sinful revelry! It was the tender mercy of our God, that gave light and sight to them that sat in darkness, Luke 1:78; Luke 1:79. It were sad for us, if the Master were not more kind and tender than the multitude; but he loves to countenance those with special favour, that are under frowns, and rebukes, and contempts from men. It was a hard saying, and, if any could bear it, they could. 3. Note, First, Jesus Christ laid down his life for a ransom. [3.] Observe. At the great day, though the dead in Christ shall rise first, yet they which are alive and remain, on whom the ends of the world (the eleventh hour of its day) comes, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds; no preference shall be given to seniority, but every man shall stand in his own lot at the end of the days. He was, as the rest of the apostles, in deaths often. II. Note, It is good to improve the present opportunity, to make the best of the price now in the hand, because, if once let slip, it may never return; these blind men did so, and did wisely; for we do not find that Christ ever came to Jericho again. Let them not think that Paul left Asia for fear of persecution; he was in full expectation of trouble, yet resolved to go on, well assured that it was by Divine direction. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. Tumults or opposition may constrain a Christian to remove from his station or alter his purpose, but his work and his pleasure will be the same, wherever he goes. There was policy in the management of this address, that they put their mother on to present it, that it might be looked upon as her request, and not theirs. For what term are they hired? It is but a cup, not an ocean; it is but a draught, bitter perhaps, but we shall see the bottom of it; it is a cup in the hand of a Father (John 18:11); and it is full of mixture, Psalms 75:8. (1.) [6.] [2.] Christ, in dispensing the fruits of his own purchase, goes exactly by the measures of his Father's purpose; It is not mine to give, save to them (so it may be read) for whom it is prepared. He was a truly Christian, evangelical preacher; he did not preach notions or doubtful matters; nor affairs of state or the civil government; but he preached faith and repentance. 33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. In this chapter we have, I. These blind men had heard of Christ by the hearing of the ear, but they desired that their eyes might see him. Matthew Henry Commentary - Online Bible Commentaries Work for God will not admit of trifling. In this assembly Paul preached. As the future glory itself, so the degrees of it, are purposed and prepared in the eternal counsel of God; as the common salvation, so the more peculiar honours, are appointed, the whole affair is long since settled, and there is a certain measure of the stature, both in grace and glory, Ephesians 4:13. We must expect suffering, and not look upon it as a hard thing to suffer well and as becomes us. (2.) To labour in his vineyard. It was much that he would be baptized with water as a common sinner, much more with blood as an uncommon malefactor. And perhaps our Lord Jesus had an eye to him, when he said, There were last that should be first; for Paul was one born out of due time (1 Corinthians 15:8); not only the youngest child of the family of the apostles, but a posthumous one, yet he became greatest. It is grief to ourselves, anger to God, and ill-will to our neighbour; and it is a sin that has neither pleasure, profit, nor honour, in it; it is an evil, an only evil. Acts 20:6 Commentaries: We sailed from Philippi after the days of The mother of James and John was Salome, as appears by comparing Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:40. Secondly, We are all called upon to be labourers in this vineyard. As before he asserted his justice, so here his sovereignty; Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? It was as Christ and his disciples departed from Jericho; of that devoted place, which was rebuilt under a curse, Christ took his leave with this blessing, for he received gifts even for the rebellious. The Roman penny was sevenpence halfpenny in our money, wages then enough for the day's support. It is enough for the child of God to know that his strength shall be equal to his day. Thus they take their encouragement in prayer from his power, as in calling him the Son of David they take encouragement from his goodness, as Messiah, of whom so many kind and tender things had been foretold, particularly his compassion to the poor and needy, Psalms 72:12; Psalms 72:13. I. When they heard that Jesus passed by, they asked no further questions, who were with him, or whether he was in haste, but immediately cried out. Resources Matthew Henry's Commentary Acts Chapter 20. What can have more evil in it? First, The general pay (Matthew 20:9; Matthew 20:10); They received every man a penny. As if nothing were now to be looked for but crowns and garlands; whereas there were far greater hardships and difficulties before them than they had yet met with. He had said (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 16:21), that he should suffer many things, and be killed; and (Matthew 17:22; Matthew 17:22), that he should be betrayed into the hands of men, and they should kill him; but here he adds; that he shall be condemned, and delivered to the Gentiles, that they shall mock him, and scourge him, and crucify him. Could I find in my heart to drink of a bitter cup, and to be baptized with a bloody baptism, rather than let go my hold of Christ? I. Thus when Adonijah had reasonable request to make to Solomon, he put Bathsheba on to speak for him. God is the Owner of all good; his propriety in it is absolute, sovereign, and unlimited. It is good thus to way-lay Christ, to be in his road. They soon made known their request to him, such a one as they never made to any one else; Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Cold desires do but beg denials. They heard that Jesus passed by. This includes both humility and usefulness. The commentaries of the Reverend Matthew Henry have been a great blessing to the readers of the Blue Letter Bible since 1996. The multitude rebuked them; but Christ encouraged them. When Paul, that faithful labourer, departs, he is with Christ presently. They knew not what Christ's cup was, nor what his baptism, and therefore they were thus bold in promising for themselves. (3.) He was sound in the faith. He first by his grace opens men's eyes, and so draws their hearts after him. Join PLUS Login . Then shalt thou call, saith the good and faithful servant, and I will answer. To represent to us the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 20:1; Matthew 20:1), that is, the way and method of the gospel dispensation. The sons of Zebedee were James and John, two of the first three of Christ's disciples; Peter and they were his favourites; John was the disciple whom Jesus loved; yet none were so often reproved as they; whom Christ loves best he reproves most, Revelation 3:19. Note, It is good for us often to consider what it was that we agreed with God for. Though the disciples read, and meditated, and prayed, and sung apart, and thereby kept up communion with God, yet they came together to worship God, and so kept up their communion with one another. Romans 8:16 .) They that come from the east and west, and so come in late, that are picked up out of the highways and the hedges, shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, at the same feast, Matthew 7:11; Matthew 7:11. (1.) Out of the market-place, where, till they are hired into God's service, they stand idle (Matthew 20:3; Matthew 20:3), all the day idle (Matthew 20:6; Matthew 20:6). They came together on the first day of the week, the Lord's day. Are we able to suffer cheerfully, and in the worst of times still to hold fast our integrity? Because many that were hot for him, would hereby be driven to take up arms in his defense, and it might have occasioned an uproar among the people (Matthew 26:5; Matthew 26:5), which would have been laid to his charge, if he had told them of it publicly before: and, besides that such methods are utterly disagreeable to the genius of his kingdom, which is not of this world, he never countenanced any thing which had a tendency to prevent his sufferings. The stream of fervency, if it be stopped, will rise and swell the higher. Commentary on Acts 20 by Matthew Henry Study Resources :: Text Commentaries :: Matthew Henry :: Acts Matthew Henry :: Commentary on Acts 20 Chapter 20 In this chapter we have, I. Paul's travels up and down about Macedonia, Greece, and Asia, and his coming at length to Troas ( v. 1-6 ). The eye is often both the inlet and the outlet of this sin. 2. It is but a baptism; if dipped, that is the worst of it, not drowned; perplexed, but not in despair. Note, First, The church is God's vineyard; it is of his planting, watering, and fencing; and the fruits of it must be to his honour and praise. Christ knew well enough; but he would know it from them, whether they begged only for alms, as from a common person, or for a cure, as from the Messiah. 1. The last trumpet, at the great day, shall call the labourers,1 Thessalonians 4:16. The aggravation of it; "It is because I am good." Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? Note, None follow Christ blindfold. The answer of Christ to this address of theirs. What is the will of Christ concerning his apostles and ministers, in this matter. God has work for all ages; no time amiss to turn to God; none can say, "It is all in good time;" for, whatever hour of the day it is with us, the time past of our life may suffice that we have served sin; Go ye also into the vineyard. The various speculations which this occasioned among the people that were now met in Jerusalem from all parts, ver 5-13.