{"commentary":{"id":"adam-clarke","name":"Adam Clarke Bible Commentary","website":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Clarke","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/","licenseNotes":null,"licenseNotice":null,"englishName":"Adam Clarke Bible Commentary","language":"eng","textDirection":"rtl","sha256":"92e28c9363c876d215e296f2fe04abb3ab7e34a2aacebdf06bd62ae79c6e3dba","availableFormats":["json"],"listOfBooksApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/books.json","listOfProfilesApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/profiles.json","numberOfBooks":57,"totalNumberOfChapters":854,"totalNumberOfVerses":13318,"totalNumberOfProfiles":0,"languageName":"English","languageEnglishName":"English"},"book":{"id":"LUK","commentaryId":"adam-clarke","name":"Luke","commonName":"Luke","introduction":"Preface to the Gospel According to St. LukeWith a Short Account of His Life There is little certain known of this evangelist: from what is spoken in the Scriptures, and by the best informed of the primitive fathers, the following probable account is collected: - Luke was, according to Dr. Lardner, a Jew by birth, and an early convert to Christianity; but Michaelis thinks he was a Gentile, and brings Col 4:10, Col 4:11, Col 4:14, in proof, where St. Paul distinguished Aristarchus, Marcus, and Jesus, who was called Justus, from Epaphras, Lucas, and Demas, who were of the circumcision, i.e. Jews. Some think he was one of our Lord's seventy disciples. It is worthy of remark that he is the only evangelist who mentions the commission given by Christ to the seventy, Luke 10:1-20. It is likely he is the Lucius mentioned Rom 16:21, and if so he was related to the Apostle Paul, and that it is the same Lucius of Cyrene who is mentioned Act 13:1, and in general with others, Act 11:20. Some of the ancients, and some of the most learned and judicious among the moderns, think he was one of the two whom our Lord met on the way to Emmaus on the day of his resurrection, as related Luke 24:13-35; one of these was called Cleopas, Luk 24:18, the other is not mentioned, the evangelist, himself, being the person and the relator. St. Paul styles him his fellow-laborer, Plm 1:24. It is barely probable that he is the person mentioned, Col 4:14, Luke, the beloved physician. All the ancients of repute, such as Eusebius, Gregory Nyssen, Jerome, Paulinus, Euthalius, Euthymius, and others, agree that he was a physician, but where he was born, and where he exercised the duties of his profession, are not known. Many moderns have attributed to him the most profound skill in the science of painting, and that he made some pictures of the Virgin Mary. This is justly esteemed fabulous; nor is this science attributed to him by any writer previously to Nicephorus Callisti, in the fourteenth century, an author who scarcely deserves any credit, especially in relations not confirmed by others. He accompanied St. Paul when he first went into Macedonia, Acts 16:8-40; Act 20:1; Act 27:1; Act 28:1. Whether he went with him constantly afterwards is not certain; but it is evident he accompanied him from Greece through Macedonia and Asia to Jerusalem, where he is supposed to have collected many particulars of the evangelic history: from Jerusalem he went with Paul to Rome, where he stayed with him the two years of his imprisonment in that city. This alone makes out the space of five years, and upwards. It is probable that he left St. Paul when he was set at liberty, and that he then went into Greece, where he finished and published this Gospel, and the book of the Acts, which he dedicated to Theophilus, an honorable Christian friend of his in that country. It is supposed that he died in peace about the eightieth or eighty-fourth year of his age. Some suppose he published this Gospel fifteen, others twenty-two years after the ascension of Christ. See much on this subject in Lardner, Works, vol. vi. p. 104, etc., and in Michaelis's Introduction to the New Testament. Some learned men think that Luke has borrowed considerably from St. Matthew: collate Luk 3:7-9, Luk 3:16, Luk 3:17, with Mat 3:7-12; also Luke 5:20-38, with Matthew 9:2-17; also Luk 6:1-5, with Mat 12:1-5; Luk 7:22-28, with Mat 11:4-11; also Luk 12:22-31, with Mat 6:25-33. It is allowed that there is considerable diversity in the order of time between St Matthew and St. Luke, which is accounted for thus: Matthew deduces the facts related in his history in chronological order. Luke, on the contrary, appears to have paid little attention to this order, because he proposed to make a classification of events, referring each to its proper class, without paying any attention to chronological arrangement. Some critics divide this history into five distinct classes or sections, in the following manner: - CLASS I. Comprehends all the details relative to the birth of Christ; with the preceding, concomitant, and immediately succeeding circumstances. Luk 1:1, and 2:1-40. CLASS II. Contains a description of our Lord's infancy and bringing up; his visit to the temple when twelve years of age; and his going down to Nazareth and continuing under the government of his parents; Luk 2:41-52. CLASS III. Contains the account of the preaching of John Baptist, and his success; the baptism of Christ, and his genealogy. Luk 3:1. CLASS IV. Comprehends the account of all our Lord's transactions in Galilee, for the whole three years of his ministry, from Luk 4:1 to Luke 9:1-50. This seems evident: for as soon as Luke had given the account of our Lord's temptation in the deserts Luk 4:1-13, he represents him as immediately returning in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, Luk 4:14; mentions Nazareth, Luk 4:16; Capernaum, Luk 4:31; and the lake of Galilee, Luk 5:1; and thus, to Luk 9:50, goes on to describe the preaching, miracles, etc.; of our Lord in Galilee. CLASS V. and last, commences at Luk 9:51, where the evangelist gives an account of our Lord's last journey to Jerusalem: therefore this class contains, not only all the transactions of our Lord from that time to his crucifixion, but also, the account of his resurrection, his commission to his apostles, and his ascension to heaven. Luk 9:51, to Luk 24:53, inclusive. A plan similar to this has been followed by Suetonius, in his life of Augustus: he does not produce his facts in chronological order, but classifies them, as he himself professes, cap. 12, giving an account of all his wars, honors, legislative acts, discipline, domestic life, etc., etc. Matthew therefore, is to be consulted for the correct arrangement of facts in chronological order: Luke, for a classification of facts and events, without any attention to the order of time in which they occurred. Many eminent historians have conducted their narratives in the same way. See Rosenmuller. It must not, however, be forgotten, that this evangelist gives us some very valuable chronological data in several parts of the three first chapters. These shall be noticed in their proper places.","order":42,"numberOfChapters":24,"sha256":"8543b5dd3b3ec4ba37648653ebc64931aeb5fef61909bd64dfc82a44a0a36bdb","firstChapterNumber":1,"firstChapterApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/LUK/1.json","firstChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"LUK","chapter":1},"lastChapterNumber":24,"lastChapterApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/LUK/24.json","lastChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"LUK","chapter":24},"totalNumberOfVerses":747},"chapter":{"number":21,"content":[{"type":"verse","number":1,"content":["The rich men casting their gifts into the treasury - See all this, from Luk 21:1-4, explained on Mar 12:41-44 (note). \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":2,"content":["A certain poor widow - A widow miserably poor; this is the proper import of πενιχραν, and her being miserably poor heightened the merit of the action.\nTwo mites - Which Mark says, Mar 12:42, make a farthing or quadrans, the fourth part of an As, or penny, as we term it. In Plutarch's time we find the smallest piece of brass coin in use among the Romans was the quadrans, but it appears that a smaller piece of money was in circulation among the Jews in our Lord's time, called here, and in Mark, Mar 12:42, a lepton, i.e. small, diminished, from λειπω, I fail. In ancient times our penny used to be marked with a deep indented cross, dividing the piece into four equal parts, which, when broken in two, made the half-penny, and, when broken into four, made the fourthing, what we have corrupted into farthing. Probably the Roman quadrans was divided in this way for the convenience of the poor. Our term mite seems to have been taken from the animal called by that name; for as that appeared to our ancestors to be the smallest of all animals, so this being the smallest of all coins was called by its name. Junius says that mite was a small base coin among the Dutch. Our word mite seems to be a contraction of the Latin minutum, a small thing, whence the French miete, a crumb, a very small morsel. See the note on Mar 12:41. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":5,"content":["Goodly stones - Or, costly stones. It has been thought by some that this relates not so much to the stones of which the temple was built, as to the precious stones with which it was decorated. For an account of the stones of the temple, see on Mar 13:1 (note).\nAnd gifts - Or, consecrated things, αναθημασι. Αναθημα properly signifies a thing consecrated to sacred uses: Αναθεμα signifies a thing devoted to a curse, or to destruction. They both come from the same root, ανατιθημι, I lay up, separate; and though two meanings cannot be more opposite than those assigned to these words, yet in the words themselves a short vowel (ε) in the place of a long one (η) makes all the difference between blessing and cursing. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":6,"content":["One stone upon another - This was literally fulfilled. See Mat 24:2. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":8,"content":["Many shall come in my name - Usurping my name: calling themselves the Messiah. See Mat 24:5. Concerning this prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem, and its literal accomplishment, see the notes on Matthew 24:1-42 (note). \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":9,"content":["Commotions - Seditions and civil dissensions, with which no people were more agitated than the Jews. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":11,"content":["Fearful sights - What these were the reader will find in detail on Mat 24:7 (note). \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":12,"content":["Synagogues - Or, assemblies, etc. See these all explained on Mar 13:9 (note). \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":13,"content":["It shall turn to you for a testimony - That is, it shall turn out on your part for a testimony to them (your persecutors) that you are thoroughly persuaded of the truth of what you teach, and that you are no impostors. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":14,"content":["Settle it therefore, etc. - See on Mat 10:19 (note). \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":15,"content":["I will give you a mouth and wisdom - Στομα, a mouth, must appear plain to every person to be used here for a ready utterance, or eloquence in speaking. They shall have an abundance of wisdom to know what to say; and they shall have an irresistible eloquence to say what they ought. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":18,"content":["But there shall not a hair of your head perish - A proverbial expression for, Ye shall not suffer any essential injury. Every genuine Christian shall escape when this desolation comes upon the Jewish state. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":19,"content":["In your patience - Rather, your perseverance, your faithful continuance in my word and doctrine. Ye will preserve your souls. Ye shall escape the Roman sword, and not one of you shall perish in the destruction of Jerusalem. Instead of κτησασθε, possess, or preserve ye, I read κτησεσθε, ye shall preserve. This reading is supported by AB-B, five others; both the Syriac, all the Arabic, Ethiopic, Vulgate, all the Itala except two, Origen, Macarius, and Tertullian. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":22,"content":["These be the days of vengeance - See on Mat 24:21 (note). \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":24,"content":["They shall fall by the edge of the sword - Those who perished in the siege are reckoned to be not less than eleven hundred thousand. See Mat 24:22.\nAnd shall be led away captive - To the number of ninety-seven thousand. See Josephus, War, b. vi. c. ix. s. 2, 3, and on Mat 24:31 (note).\nTrodden down of the Gentiles - Judea was so completely subjugated that the very land itself was sold by Vespasian; the Gentiles possessing it, while the Jews were either nearly all killed or led away into captivity.\nOf the Gentiles be fulfilled - Till the different nations of the earth, to whom God shall have given the dominion over this land, have accomplished all that which the Lord hath appointed them to do; and till the time of their conversion to God take place. But when shall this be? We know not. The nations are still treading down Jerusalem, and the end is known only to the Lord. See the note on Mat 24:31. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":25,"content":["The sea and the waves roaring - Figuratively pointing out the immense Roman armies by which Judea was to be overrun and destroyed. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":26,"content":["Men's hearts failing them for fear - Or, Men fainting away through fear, (Αποψυχοντων), being ready to die.\nComing on the earth - Or, Coming upon this land, οικουμενῃ. See this translation of the word vindicated in the note on Luk 2:1 (note). \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":29,"content":["He spake to them a parable - Illustrated all these predicted facts by the simile of a fig tree. See this explained on Mat 24:32 (note). \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":31,"content":["The kingdom of God is nigh at hand - After the destruction of the Jewish state, the doctrine of Christ crucified shall be preached every where, and every where prevail. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":32,"content":["This generation - This race of men; but see on Mat 24:34 (note), and Mar 13:30 (note). \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":34,"content":["Take heed to yourselves - See our Lord's parable, relative to this matter, explained, Mar 13:34 (note).\nBe overcharged - Literally, be made heavy, as is generally the case with those who have eaten or drank too much. Take heed that ye be not rendered secure by an improper use of lawful things: do not make this earth your portion: expect its dissolution, and prepare to meet your God. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":35,"content":["The face of the whole earth - Or, of this whole land. The land of Judea, on which these heavy judgments were to fall. See Luk 21:25; see also Luk 2:1. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":36,"content":["Watch ye therefore, and pray always - Perhaps we should connect ες παντι καιρῳ, continually, with αγρυπνειτε, watch, as it appears to be the most natural order. Indeed the word continually belongs equally to both watch and pray; and no man is safe, at any time, who does not attend to this advice as literally as possible.\nThat shall come to pass - That is, the tribulations which are on their way to overwhelm and destroy the Jewish people. These are sufficiently stated in the preceding verses.\nTo stand before the Son of man - To be acquitted, and to be condemned, are expressed, in Rom 14:4, by standing and falling. Those who were faithful to the grace they had received were not only not destroyed in the destruction of Jerusalem, but became heralds of the grace and mercy of God to the nations. Thus they were counted worthy to stand before the Son of man - to minister salvation in his name. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":37,"content":["And in the day time - Or, every day - τας ἡμερας. This probably relates to the four last days of his life already mentioned.\nAbode in the mount - He taught all day in the temple, and withdrew every evening, and lodged in Bethany; a town at the foot, or on the declivity of the mount of Olives. See the note on Mat 21:17. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":38,"content":["The people came early - He returned early from the mount of Olives, and the people came early in the morning to the temple to hear his teaching. For practical observations on the awful subject of this chapter, see Matthew 24 at the end.\n\n"]}],"introduction":"The poor widow casting two mites into the treasury, Luk 21:1-4. The destruction of the temple foretold, Luk 21:5, Luk 21:6. The signs of this desolation, Luk 21:7. False Christs, Luk 21:8. Wars, Luk 21:9, Luk 21:10. Earthquakes and fearful sights, Luk 21:11. Persecutions against the godly, Luk 21:12-19. Directions how to escape, Luk 21:20-22. The tribulation of those times, Luk 21:23-28. The parable of the fig tree, illustrative of the time when they may expect these calamities, Luk 21:29-33. The necessity of sobriety and watchfulness, Luk 21:34-36. He teaches by day in the temple, and lodges by night in the mount of Olives, and the people come early to hear him, Luk 21:37, Luk 21:38. \n"},"thisChapterLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/LUK/21.json","thisChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"LUK","chapter":21},"nextChapterApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/LUK/22.json","nextChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"LUK","chapter":22},"previousChapterApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/LUK/20.json","previousChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"LUK","chapter":20},"numberOfVerses":25}