Mat 10:34, 11:25 | Barnes | STEP | Verses 34-36. Think not that I am come , etc. This is taken from . Christ did not here mean to say that the object of his coming was to produce discord and contention, for he was the Prince of peace, ; but he means to say that such would be one of the effects of his coming. One part of a family that was opposed to him , would set themselves against those who believed in him. The wickedness of men, and not the religion of the gospel, is the cause of this hostility. It is unnecessary to say that no prophecy has been more strikingly fulfilled; and it will continue to be fulfilled, till all unite in obeying his commandments. Then his religion will produce universal peace. But a sword . The sword is an instrument of death, and to send a sword is the same as to produce hostility and war. (v) "whosoever" (w) "I cam not"

Matthew 10:34

Verses 34-36. Think not that I am come, etc. This is taken from Mic 7:6. Christ did not here mean to say that the object of his coming was to produce discord and contention, for he was the Prince of peace, Is 9:6, 11:6, Lk 2:14; but he means to say that such would be one of the effects of his coming. One part of a family that was opposed to him, would set themselves against those who believed in him. The wickedness of men, and not the religion of the gospel, is the cause of this hostility. It is unnecessary to say that no prophecy has been more strikingly fulfilled; and it will continue to be fulfilled, till all unite in obeying his commandments. Then his religion will produce universal peace.

But a sword. The sword is an instrument of death, and to send a sword is the same as to produce hostility and war.

(v) "whosoever" 2Ti 2:12 (w) "I cam not" Lk 12:49,55

Matthew 11:25

Verses 25,26. From the wise and prudent. That is, from those who thought themselves wise--wise according to the world's estimation of wisdom--the men of philosophy, and self-conceit, and science, falsely so called, 1Cor 1:26,27.

Hast revealed them unto babes. To the poor, ignorant, and obscure; the teachable, simple, and humble. Such as his disciples were. He had reference here probably to proud and haughty scribes and Pharisees in Capernaum. They rejected his gospel; but it was the pleasure of God to reveal it to obscure and more humble men. The reason given, the only satisfactory reason is, that it so seemed good in the sight of God. In this the Saviour acquiesced, saying, Even so, Father: and in the dealings of God it is fit that all should acquiesce. Such is the will of God, is often the only explanation which can be offered in regard to the various events which happen to us on earth. Such is the will of God, is the only account which can be given of the reason of the dispensations of his grace. Our understanding is often confounded. We are stopped in all our efforts at explanation. Our philosophy fails, and all that we can say is, "Even so, Father: for so it seems good to thee." And this is enough. That GOD does a thing, is, after all, the best reason which we can have that it is right. It is a security that nothing wrong is done; and though now mysterious, yet light will hereafter shine upon it like the light of noon-day. I would have a better security that a thing was right if I could say that I knew such was the will of God, than I could to depend on my own reason. In the one case, I confide in the infallible and most perfect God; in the other, I rely on the reason of a frail and erring man. God never errs; but nothing is more common than for men to err.

(y) "At that time" Lk 10:21 (z) "revealed unto babes" Ps 8:2, Jer 1:7,8, 1Cor 1:27