Matthew 16:21-23 From that time forth began Jesus to show to his disciples, how that he must go to Jerusalem… Afflictions are unavoidable. To be a man, as a man to live upon earth, to stand in connection with other men, and yet to be out of reach of afflictions, that is absolutely impossible. How differently did our Lord think of them from his weak, still worldly-minded disciple, Peter! 1. The dissipated and thoughtless man looks upon the afflictions that befall him and others as the effects of chance, as inevitable misfortunes. 2. The proud man entertains such an opinion of himself, that he thinks no afflictions ought to befall him. 3. The superstitious man looks on all afflictions as punishments of sin. 4. The moralist regards them as necessary results of the original constitution of things. 5. The Christian sees them as the visitations of a wise and benign providence. (Zollikofer.) Parallel Verses KJV: From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. |
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