Mat 10:40, 18:5, Luk 10:16, Joh 12:44-45 | Barnes | STEP | Verses 40-42. He that receiveth you , etc. In all these three illustrations Christ meant to teach substantially the same thing, that he that would entertain kindly, or treat with hospitality himself, his disciples, a prophet, or a righteous man, would show that he approved their character, and should not fail of proper reward. To receive in the name of a prophet, is to receive as a prophet; to do proper honour to his character; and to evince attachment to the cause in which he was engaged. (b) "He that receiveth"

Matthew 10:40

Verses 40-42. He that receiveth you, etc. In all these three illustrations Christ meant to teach substantially the same thing, that he that would entertain kindly, or treat with hospitality himself, his disciples, a prophet, or a righteous man, would show that he approved their character, and should not fail of proper reward. To receive in the name of a prophet, is to receive as a prophet; to do proper honour to his character; and to evince attachment to the cause in which he was engaged.

(b) "He that receiveth" Mt 18:5, 25:40,45, Jn 12:44

Matthew 18:5

Verse 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child. That is, whoso shall receive and love one with a spirit like this child--one who is humble, meek, unambitious, or a real Christian.

In my name. As a follower of me; or, because he is attached to me. Whoso receives one possessed of my spirit, and who, because he has that spirit, loves him, loves me also. The word "receive" means, to approve, love, or treat with kindness; to aid in the time of need. See Mt 25:35-40.

Mk 9:38 and Lk 9:49 add a conversation that took place on this occasion, that has been omitted by Matthew. John told him that they had seen one casting out devils in his name, and they forbade him, because he followed not with them. Jesus replied, that he should not have been forbidden, for there was no one who could work a miracle in his name that could lightly speak evil of him. That is, though he did not attend them, though he had not joined himself to their society, yet he could not really be opposed to him. Indeed they should have remembered, that the power to work a miracle must always come from the same source, that is, God; and that he that had the ability given him to work a miracle, and that did it in the name of Christ, must be a real friend to him. It is probable from this, that the power of working miracles in the name of Christ was given to many who did not attend on his ministry.

(z) "shall offend" Mk 9:42, Lk 17:1,2

Luke 10:16

Verse 16. Mt 10:40.

(r) "He that heareth you" Jn 13:20 (s) "he that despiseth you" Acts 5:4 (t) "he that despiseth me" Jn 5:23

John 12:44-45

Verse 44. Jesus cried and said. John does not say where or when this was; it is probable, however, that it was a continuation of the discourse recorded in Jn 12:30-36. Jesus saw their unbelief, and proceeded to state the consequence of believing on him, and of rejecting him and his message.

Believeth not on me. That is, not on me alone, or his faith does not terminate on me. Comp. Mt 10:20, Mk 9:37. It involves, also, belief in him that sent me. Jesus uniformly represents the union between himself and God as so intimate that there could not be faith in him unless there was also faith in God. He did the same works (Jn 5:17, 20, 36, 10:25, 37), and taught the very doctrine which God had commissioned him to do, Jn 8:38, 5:30, 20-23.

(v) "He that believeth" Jn 1:5, 3:19 Verse 45. Seeth me. This verse is a strong confirmation of his equality with god. In no other way can it be true that he who saw Jesus saw him that sent him, unless he were the same in essence. Of no man could it be affirmed that he who saw him saw God. To say this of Paul or Isaiah would have been blasphemy. And yet Jesus uses this language familiarly and constantly. It shows that he had a consciousness that he was divine and that it was the natural and proper way of speaking when speaking of himself.

Comp. Jn 5:17