Verses 14–21
The Pharisees took counsel to find some accusation, that Jesus might be condemned to death.
Aware of their design, as his time was not come, he retired from that place. Face does not more
exactly answer to face in water, than the character of Christ drawn by the prophet, to his temper
and conduct as described by the evangelists. Let us with cheerful confidence commit our souls to
so kind and faithful a Friend. Far from breaking, he will strengthen the bruised reed; far from
quenching the smoking flax, or wick nearly out, he will rather blow it up into a flame. Let us lay
aside contentious and angry debates; let us receive one another as Christ receives us. And while
encouraged by the gracious kindness of our Lord, we should pray that his Spirit may rest upon us,
and make us able to copy his example.
Verses 22–30
A soul under Satan's power, and led captive by him, is blind in the things of God, and dumb at
the throne of grace; sees nothing, and says nothing to the purpose. Satan blinds the eyes by unbelief,
and seals up the lips from prayer. The more people magnified Christ, the more desirous the Pharisees
were to vilify him. It was evident that if Satan aided Jesus in casting out devils, the kingdom of
hell was divided against itself; how then could it stand! And if they said that Jesus cast out devils
by the prince of the devils, they could not prove that their children cast them out by any other power.
There are two great interests in the world; and when unclean spirits are cast out by the Holy Spirit,
in the conversion of sinners to a life of faith and obedience, the kingdom of God is come unto us.
All who do not aid or rejoice in such a change are against Christ.
Verses 31 , 32
Here is a gracious assurance of the pardon of all sin upon gospel terms. Christ herein has set
an example to the sons of men, to be ready to forgive words spoken against them. But humble and
conscientious believers, at times are tempted to think they have committed the unpardonable sin,
while those who have come the nearest to it, seldom have any fear about it. We may be sure that
those who indeed repent and believe the gospel, have not committed this sin, or any other of the
same kind; for repentance and faith are the special gifts of God, which he would not bestow on any
man, if he were determined never to pardon him; and those who fear they have committed this sin,
give a good sign that they have not. The trembling, contrite sinner, has the witness in himself that
this is not his case.
Verses 33–37
Men's language discovers what country they are of, likewise what manner of spirit they are of.
The heart is the fountain, words are the streams. A troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring, must
send forth muddy and unpleasant streams. Nothing but the salt of grace, cast into the spring, will
heal the waters, season the speech, and purify the corrupt communication. An evil man has an evil
treasure in his heart, and out of it brings forth evil things. Lusts and corruptions, dwelling and