and the final doom of unbelievers and hypocrites. In such matters their decision was right, and it
was confirmed in heaven. But all pretensions of any man, either to absolve or retain men's sins, are
blasphemous and absurd. None can forgive sins but God only. And this binding and loosing, in the
common language of the Jews, signified to forbid and to allow, or to teach what is lawful or unlawful.
Verses 21–23
Christ reveals his mind to his people gradually. From that time, when the apostles had made
the full confession of Christ, that he was the Son of God, he began to show them of his sufferings.
He spake this to set right the mistakes of his disciples about the outward pomp and power of his
kingdom. Those that follow Christ, must not expect great or high things in this world. Peter would
have Christ to dread suffering as much as he did; but we mistake, if we measure Christ's love and
patience by our own. We do not read of any thing said or done by any of his disciples, at any time,
that Christ resented so much as this. Whoever takes us from that which is good, and would make
us fear to do too much for God, speaks Satan's language. Whatever appears to be a temptation to
sin, must be resisted with abhorrence, and not be parleyed with. Those that decline suffering for
Christ, savour more of the things of man than of the things of God.
Verses 24–28
A true disciple of Christ is one that does follow him in duty, and shall follow him to glory. He
is one that walks in the same way Christ walked in, is led by his Spirit, and treads in his steps,
whithersoever he goes. “Let him deny himself.” If self-denial be a hard lesson, it is no more than
what our Master learned and practised, to redeem us, and to teach us. “Let him take up his cross.”
The cross is here put for every trouble that befalls us. We are apt to think we could bear another's
cross better than our own; but that is best which is appointed us, and we ought to make the best of
it. We must not by our rashness and folly pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take
them up when they are in our way. If any man will have the name and credit of a disciple, let him
follow Christ in the work and duty of a disciple. If all worldly things are worthless when compared
with the life of the body, how forcible the same argument with respect to the soul and its state of
never-ending happiness or misery! Thousands lose their souls for the most trifling gain, or the most
worthless indulgence, nay, often from mere sloth and negligence. Whatever is the object for which
men forsake Christ, that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. Yet one soul is worth more
than all the world. This is Christ's judgment upon the matter; he knew the price of souls, for he
redeemed them; nor would he underrate the world, for he made it. The dying transgressor cannot
purchase one hour's respite to seek mercy for his perishing soul. Let us then learn rightly to value
our souls, and Christ as the only Saviour of them.
Chapter 17
Chapter Outline