Matthew 8:11-12 And I say to you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob… Christ receives applications from all sorts of characters. The centurion — conscious of personal unworthiness — concerned for his domestics — unbounded confidence in the capacity of Christ. I. THE EXULTING PROPHECY. Implies that God is no respecter of persons (Isaiah 45:6; Isaiah 59:19; Malachi 1:11); that many shall be saved; that heaven is an exalted state of felicity, rest, and social intercourse, etc. (Chronicles 25:10; 26:29; Luke 14:15; Luke 22:30: Revelation 19:7-11). Loyal submission to the King, enjoyment of His presence, admiration of His glories; laud and magnify His name. II. THE AGENCY BY WHICH IT SHALL BE EFFECTED. Manifold — chiefly by the preaching of the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:21); adapted — to every stage of human society, to every order of mind, and to every moral condition; efficient — the power of the Holy Ghost, awakening, convicting, etc. (1 Thessalonians 1:5, &c.). "All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." (A. Tucker.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. |
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