Matthew 12:5

Verse 5. Mt 12:4

(o) "in the law" Nu 28:9 (p) "in the temple" Jn 7:22,23

Luke 2:23-24

Verse 23. As it is written, &c., Ex 13:2

(h) "Every male that openeth the womb" Ex 13:12, 22:29, Nu 8:17 Verse 24. And to offer a sacrifice, &c. Those who were able on such an occasion were required to offer a lamb for a burnt-offering, and a pigeon or a turtle-dove for a sin-offering. If not able to bring a lamb, then they were permitted to bring two turtle-doves or two young pigeons, Lev 12:6,8.

Turtle-doves. Doves distinguished for having a plaintive and tender voice. By Mary's making this offering she showed her poverty; and our Saviour, by coming in a state of poverty, has shown that it is not dishonourable to be poor. No station is dishonourable where God places us. He knows what is best for us, and he often makes a state of poverty an occasion of the highest blessings. If with poverty he grants us, as is often the case, peace, contentment, and religion, it is worth far more than all the jewels of Golconda or the gold of Mexico. If it be asked why, since the Saviour was pure from any moral defilement in his conception and birth, it was necessary to offer such a sacrifice; why was it necessary that he should be circumcised, since he had no sin, it may be answered --

1st. That it was proper to fulfil all righteousness, and to show obedience to the law, Mt 3:15.

2nd. It was necessary for the future usefulness of Christ. Unless he had been circumcised, he could not have been admitted to any synagogue or to the temple. He would have had no access to the people, and could not have been regarded as the Messiah. Both he and Mary, therefore, yielded obedience to the laws of the land, and thus set us an example that we should walk in their steps. Comp. Mt 3:15.

Luke 10:26

Verse 26. What is written, &c. Jesus referred him to the law as a safe rule, and asked him what was said there. The lawyer was doubtless endeavouring to justify himself by obeying the law. He trusted to his own works. To bring him off from that ground--to make him feel that it was an unsafe foundation, Jesus showed him what the law required, and thus showed him that he needed a better righteousness than his own. This is the proper use of the law. By comparing ourselves with that we see our own defects, and are thus prepared to welcome a better righteousness than our own that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the law becomes a schoolmaster to lead us to him, Gal 3:24

John 8:5

Verse 5. Moses in the law, &c. The punishment of adultery commanded by Moses was death, Lev 20:10, De 22:22. The particular manner of the death was not specified in the law. The Jews had themselves, in the time of Christ, determined that it should be by stoning. See this described in Mt 21:35. Mt 21:44. The punishment for adultery varied. In some cases it was strangling. In the time of Ezekiel Eze 16:38-40 it was stoning and being thrust through with a sword. If the adulteress was the daughter of a priest, the punishment was being burned to death.

(a) "Now Moses" Lev 20:10

John 8:17

Verse 17. In your law. De 17:6, 19:15. Comp. Mt 18:16. This related to cases in which the life of an individual was involved. Jesus says that if, in such a case, the testimony of two men were sufficient to establish a fact, his own testimony and that of his Father ought to be esteemed ample evidence in the case of religious doctrine.

Two men.. If two men could confirm a case, the evidence of Jesus and of God ought not to be deemed insufficient.

Is true. In Deuteronomy, "established." This means the same thing. It is confirmed; is worthy of belief.
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