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Luke Chapter
Nineteen
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Different Attitudes of the Citizens of
the
I. The tax collector Zacchaeus was saved------the true citizen of the
II. The parable that the lord delivered minas to the
servants------whether the true citizens of the
III. The Lord sat on the colt and went into the
IV. He wept over the city for its coming
tribulation------the earthly citizens did not know the time of their visitation
(v.41-44).
V. He cleansed the
VI. Two kinds of different reactions------the earthly
citizens sought to destroy Him and there were people being attentive to hear
Him (v.47-48).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Luke. 19:1 “Then Jesus entered and
passed through
YLT: “And having entered,
he was passing through
Meaning of Words: “pass through”: walk
through.
Luke. 19:2 “Now behold, there was a
man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.”
YLT: “and lo, a man, by
name called Zaccheus, and he was a chief tax-gatherer, and he was rich,”
Meaning of Words: “Zacchaeus”: just,
clean.
Literal Meaning: “a chief tax
collector” Zacchaeus may take charge of the taxes of the city of
“And he was rich.” At that time the city
of
Luke. 19:3 “And he sought to see who
Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.”
YLT: “and he was seeking
to see Jesus, who he is, and was not able for the multitude, because in stature
he was small,”
Literal Meaning: “and he sought to
see who Jesus was” He may hear the fame of the Lord Jesus and was attracted and
wanted to see who He was.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The outer difficulties of
circumstances------“the crowd” and one’s own difficulties------“he was of short
stature” are always the blocks for us to pursue and know the Lord. However, all
difficulties cannot bother us at all as long as we pursue Him with our hearts.
2) Many times, people surround the Lord Jesus (“the
crowd”) and make men be unable to see Him, for instance, men’s concepts and
words always pervert the will of the Lord and make men confused so that they
“could not see”.
Luke. 19:4 “So he ran ahead and
climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.”
YLT: “and having run
forward before, he went up on a sycamore, that he may see him, because through
that [way] he was about to pass by.”
Literal Meaning: “So he ran ahead and
climbed up into a sycamore tree” It shows that how urgent he was to see the
Lord.
“A sycamore tree” refers to a kind of
fig sycamore in the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “So he ran ahead” Only when we are attracted by
the Lord (See v.3) will we run after Him (Song. 1:4).
2) Every effort that
we do in order to “see Jesus” won’t be in vain and in the end we will receive
grace and see Him (See v.5).
3) Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector who was with
high position (See v.2). He disregarded his fame and “climbed up into a
sycamore tree”, showing that his heart to see the Lord Jesus was very urgent.
One’s intention greatly determines whether he could receive grace.
Luke. 19:5 “And when Jesus came to
the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus,
make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’”
YLT: “And as Jesus came
up to the place, having looked up, he saw him, and said unto him, ‘Zaccheus,
having hastened, come down, for to-day in thy house it behoveth me to remain;’”
Literal Meaning: “And when Jesus came
to the place, He looked up and saw him” It shows that the Lord Jesus already
knew Zacchaeus because He knows all things (See John. 2:24-25). Zacchaeus
formerly wanted to “see” Jesus and unexpectedly, Jesus had already “seen” him.
Now they saw each other and showed their feelings by the expressions in their
eyes.
“Zaccaeus, make haste and come down” It
shows that He knows His sheep and He calls His own sheep by name (John. 10:3,
14).
Spiritual Meaning: “for today I must
stay at your house.” It symbolizes that the Lord Jesus is willing to dwell in
the hearts of those who believe in Him (See John. 14:23; Rev. 3:20).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord clearly knows every heart that truly
desires Him. Men may not know our dedication, praise, prayers to the Lord in
secret, and the suffering for Him. However, He is fully aware of these.
2) If anyone loves God, this one is known by Him
(1Cor. 8:3).
Luke. 19:6 “So he made haste and came
down, and received Him joyfully.”
YLT: “and he having
hastened did come down, and did receive him rejoicing;”
Literal Meaning: “So he made hast and
came down” Please note that in this story “ran ahead” (See v.4), “come down” (v.5)
and “made haste and came down” showed that the prompt reaction of Zaccaeus
accorded with the will of God. It was also closely related to Zaccaeus’ good
behaviors of being saved.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “So he made hast and came down” Once we receive
the word of the Lord, we should react immediately.
2) Zaccaeus was a rich man (See v.2), however, he
was not joyful. When he met the Lord, he “received Him joyfully”. It shows
that: a) Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god (Ps.
16:4). b) Those whose hearts the Lord is not in are full of vanities. Once the
Lord comes into their hearts, they will be full of joy.
Luke. 19:7 “But when they saw it,
they all complained, saying, ‘He has gone to be a guest
with a man who is a sinner.’”
YLT: “and having seen
[it], they were all murmuring, saying `With a sinful man he went in to lodge!’”
Luke. 19:8 “Then Zacchaeus stood and
said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of
my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false
accusation, I restore fourfold.’”
YLT: “And Zaccheus having
stood, said unto the Lord, `Lo, the half of my goods, sir, I give to the poor,
and if of any one anything I did take by false accusation, I give back
fourfold.’”
The
Background: the Law of the Old
Testament ordered that if a man stole something, he should restore fourfold
(See Exod. 22:1). David also said so (2Sam. 12:6). However, if a man owes
someone money, he should restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth
part more thereto (See Lev. 6:5; Num. 5:7).
Literal Meaning: “Then Zacchaeus
stood and said to the Lord” “Stood” shows that it is very serious that he told
the Lord his will. “Lord” shows that he confessed Jesus as his lord and he
would hear Him from then on.
“I give half of my goods to the poor.”
It shows that: a) his attitude towards money had changed. b) he became merciful
to the poor.
“If I have taken anything from anyone by
false accusation” “False accusation” is the gentle expression of blackmail (See
3:14). Tax collectors always made high estimate of men’s treasure and income on
purpose and in this way they extorted unlawful money.
“I restore fourfold.” He did so in order
to repay men willingly what he had unrighteously exploited.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The assurance of being saved shall be manifested
in the one who has truly been saved (See 2Cor. 5:17). The change of one’s love
towards money is specially the best testimony of one’s being saved.
2) Once a sinner receives the Savior, His great
power of salvation would deliver us from the occupation of treasure and make us
clear up our past sinful live.
3) Men’s being delivered from the world and sins
does not lie in the persuasion and encouragement of doctrines or their own
willingness and determination but Christ’s urgency and strengthening in their
hearts.
4) That young rich man went away sorrowfully (See
18:23), proving that “it is impossible with men”. This rich man Zacchaeus could overcome the shackles of treasure,
proving that “it is possible with God” (See 18:27).
5) God’s salvation in Christ is abundant and His
power is infinite. None of the states is too difficult for Him to deal with and
none of men is too difficult for Him to save.
6) Believers should not be particular about trifle
when they admit their sins and repay others. They should do it until the other
has nothing to say and their own conscience is good.
Luke. 19:9 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also
is a son of Abraham;”
YLT: “And Jesus said unto
him `To-day salvation did come to this house, inasmuch as he also is a son of
Abraham;”
Literal Meaning: “today salvation has
come to this house” It shows that one’s being granted grace and saved is
accomplished in a twinkle. One should not wait to be saved until he has known
more knowledge of the Bible and improved his behavior gradually.
“Because he also is a son of Abraham” It shows that
he is one of those who are of faith and heirs according to God’s promise (See
Gal. 3:7, 29).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Today salvation has come to this house” God’s
salvation comes to the unit of house. Therefore when preaching the glad
tidings, we should hope that not only the individual but also the whole family
could be saved.
2) The Lord previously said to Zacchaeus that “I
must stay at your house” (v.5). Now He says that, “today salvation has come to
his house”. It shows that where the Lord is, there will be salvation there.
Salvation is nothing else save the Lord Himself.
3) The true sons of Abraham are those who have the
faith of Abraham and bear the fruit of faith (See Rom. 4:16).
Luke. 19:10 “for the Son of Man has
come to seek and to save that which was lost.’”
YLT: “for the Son of Man
came to seek and to save the lost.’”
Literal Meaning: “which was lost” in
the original is “the lost” and it refers to both the “lost” believers (See
Matt. 18:11) and the “lost” sinners. According to the context, it should refer
to the latter. Therefore “the lost” here does not speak of believers who are
lost in the world and sins but sinners who are wandering in the way to perish.
This verse shows that the Savior did not
come to Jericho by accident and He came to Jericho with the purpose of seeking
a lost sinner, just as He sought the sinful women in Samaria (See John. 4:4).
Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord is willing to be sought by those who seek
Him because He Himself is seeking men.
Luke. 19:11 “Now as they heard these
things, He spoke another parable, because He was near
YLT: “And while they are
hearing these things, having added he spake a simile, because of his being nigh
to
Meaning of Words: “appear”: discover,
be revealed.
The
Background: “they thought the
Literal Meaning: “because He was near
“He spoke another parable.” The following parable continues the
previous case that Zacchaeus was saved. It enlightens us that between the
Lord’s departure and His second coming, everyone who has been saved should
prepare himself for the judgment of the kingdom, in other words, one’s position
in the kingdom after the Lord’s coming shall be decided by how he uses and
manages the grace that is given by the Lord when he lives on the earth.
Luke. 19:12 “Therefore He said: ‘A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for
himself a kingdom and to return.”
YLT: “He said therefore,
`A certain man of birth went on to a far country, to take to himself a kingdom,
and to return,”
The
Background: the Lord Jesus was
good at obtaining material from local sources when preaching. At that time, the
Spiritual Meaning: “A certain nobleman
went into a far country” “A certain nobleman” refers to the Lord Jesus. He is
both God and man and He has the honorable divinity and noble humanity. “Went
into a far country” indicates that the Lord rose up and departed out of the
world to the heavens (See 24:51; Heb. 9:11; 1Pet. 3:22). “Far” implies that
there will be a long period of time from the Lord’s departure to His second
coming.
“To receive himself a kingdom to return”
It symbolizes that the Savior returns with the kingdom (See Dan. 7:13-14; Rev.
11:15; 2Tim. 4:1).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus first comes to be the Savior and
then the king. He gives men the way to enter the kingdom as the Savior and then
brings the kingdom to the world.
2) General believers usually receive the Lord Jesus
as their Savior and have not received Him as the king in their hearts. Such
believers have not lived in the reality of the
Luke. 19:13 “So he called ten of his
servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.'”
YLT: “and having called
ten servants of his own, he gave to them ten pounds, and said unto them, Do business
till I come;”
Meaning of Words: “do business”:
occupy, manage, use.
The
Background: “ten minas” mina is
a kind of unit of money in
Spiritual Meaning: “So he called ten of
his servants” “Ten” in the Bible represents perfection. “Servants” in the
original refers to the bondman. It indicates that believers are bondmen who are
bought by the Lord by His precious blood (See 1Cor. 7:22-23).
“Delivered to them ten minas” The ten
servants got ten minas and each of them got the same quantity, one mina.
Therefore here “minas” does not symbolize gift (See Matt. 25:15), or ability,
ministry, position, operation and so on. Because these are distributed to each
individually as the Holy Spirit wills and each receives differently (See 1Cor.
12:4-11). The “minas” here indicates that every Christian, on account of the
redemption of the Lord Jesus, receives the same grace and rights from the
Lord------the privilege of the spiritual life, the privilege to seek the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) As far as life is concerned believers are
virgins (See v.1) and should live for Him. As far as work is concerned
believers are servants and should work for Him.
2) Ten servants symbolize all believers at all
times and in all countries. Every believer is a servant of the Lord and also
receives spiritual gifts from the Lord. None of believers could decline that,
“I do not have any gifts and therefore I do not need to hand over the
accountants or do any service.”
3) Believers have to declare to the hostile world
the message that the Lord is the king and preach the truth of Gospel.
4) The possessor of minas is the nobleman, however,
the rights of use of minas have been delivered to the servants. Since believers
have received the commission from the Lord, they have the responsibility to use
it well.
5) Believers all have received the faith from the
Lord (See Jude. 3). The faith which was once delivered unto the Saints by the
Lord is the capital which the Lord has instructed to believers so that we could
use it to mange, serve, do business until the Lord comes back.
Luke. 19:14 “But his citizens hated
him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We
will not have this man to reign over us.'”
YLT: “and his citizens
were hating him, and did send an embassy after him, saying, We do not wish this
one to reign over us.”
Spiritual Meaning: “his citizens”
symbolize the unbelieving Jews.
“We will not have this man to reign over
us.” It symbolizes that the Jews rejected the Lord who rose up and was taken up
into heavens (See Acts. 2-9).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers should magnify the Lord as the king.
However, behaviors of many show that they have not let the Lord reign in their
hearts.
2) Today, the world is full of men who are hostile
to the Lord and are unwilling to obey Him. The work (trade) that believers
should do is to do our utmost to win them.
Luke. 19:15 “‘And
so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded
these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he
might know how much every man had gained by trading.”
YLT: “`And it came to
pass, on his coming back, having taken the kingdom, that he commanded these
servants to be called to him, to whom he gave the money, that he might know
what any one had done in business.”
Spiritual Meaning: “having received the
kingdom” It symbolizes that the Lord descends in the air when He comes back.
“He then commanded these servants, to
whom he had given the money, to be called to
him” It symbolizes that
believes shall be caught up together in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air (See 1Thess. 4:17).
“That he might know how much every man
had gained by trading” It symbolizes the
judgment before the judgment seat of Christ (See 2Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) All the service of believers on earth today will
be handed over before the Lord one by one in future (See 1Cor. 3:10-15).
Therefore all our deeds on the earth today will be remembered in heaven (See
12:33) and they will also be remembered in the everlasting age (See 16:9).
2) The effect of our works today all belongs to the
Lord and we will give account before the Lord in future. Therefore we should
never have all to ourselves.
3) Believers’ all services, works and the pursuit
of life on the earth today will be handed over before the Lord one day sooner
or later. Watchmen Nee wrote a poem that, “I’m daily gazing at the light out of
the Judgment seat, that all my living and my works may stand the test of fire”.
Luke. 19:16 “Then came the first,
saying, ‘Master, your mina has
earned ten minas.'”
YLT: “`And the first came
near, saying, Sir, thy pound did gain ten pounds;”
Literal Meaning: “your mina has
earned ten minas” It means that he has used the mina that the Lord had given
him to do business, showing that the Lord gives them minas with the aim of hoping
them to be good at using them and make more instead of keeping the minas.
Spiritual Meaning: “Then came the
first” “Came” refers to coming to the judgment seat of Christ.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord gives each of us the spiritual possessions
in order to ask us to use, manage and increase them. The more the spiritual
capital is used, the more it will increase.
2) Our bodies, time, intelligence, the spirit and
etc that are given by the Lord should be completely used by the Lord and we should
live for the Lord.
Luke. 19:17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a
very little, have authority over ten cities.'”
YLT: “and he said to him,
Well done, good servant, because in a very little thou didst become faithful,
be having authority over ten cities.”
Meaning of Words: “good”: fine, well;
“faithful”: trustworthy, trustful.
Literal Meaning: “good and faithful
servant” “Good” refers to good intention and motive; “faithful” refers to good
behaviors and performance.
Spiritual Meaning: “you were faithful
in very little” “Very little” symbolizes works in the Lord in this life.
“Have authority over ten cities.” “City”
is the realm of authority. “Have authority over ten cities” symbolizes that one
reigns in the kingdom in future and reigns with Christ (See Rev. 2:26; 20:4,
6).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) What the Lord demands us is not the greatness
and prosperity of works but the “goodness” and “faithfulness”. Though Stephen
did not do great work for the Lord (See Acts. 7) and he failed in men’s sight,
he was “good and faithful” in the Lord’s sight.
2) “Good and faithful” is in contrast with “wicked
servant” in v.22 and therefore “good” refers to minding the things of the Lord
and working diligently.
3) No matter how many things we have done for the
Lord, it is only “a very little”. It is only the preparation that we have to
experience in order to have authority over cities in future. The true services
of believers are in the everlasting age (See Rev. 22:3).
4) We always think that we have served too much,
however, it is “a very little” in the Lord’s sight. If we could see all the
service in the Lord’s sight, we will do cheerfully.
5) To those who are faithful in “a very little” in
this life, their rewards are to bear more responsibilities (“ten cities”) in
future.
6) Those who serve “faithfully” today will have the
authority over “ten cities”. Whoever will be great among believers, let him be
your minister (See Matt. 20:26).
7) Christians do not have the concept of
“retirement” forever. The end of the earth is the beginning of the heavenly
kingdom.
Luke. 19:18 “And the second came,
saying, ‘Master, your mina has
earned five minas.'”
YLT: “`And the second
came, saying, Sir, thy pound made five pounds;”
Luke. 19:19 “Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.'”
YLT: “and he said also to
this one, And thou, become thou over five cities.”
Enlightenment in the Word: The servant who has earned ten minas could have
authority over ten cities (See v.17) and the servant who has earned five minas
could be over five cities. It shows that the spiritual authority is determined
by the spiritual measure. The authority of Christ that we could manifest is
decided by the measure of Christ that has been filled (“earned”) in us.
Luke. 19:20 “‘Then
another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina,
which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.”
YLT: “`And another came,
saying, Sir, lo, thy pound, that I had lying away in a napkin;”
Spiritual Meaning: “another” This
servant symbolizes the unfaithful believers.
“Which I have kept put away in a
handkerchief.” It symbolizes that he has buried the grace and rights that the
Lord has given him and he has not used them. It is the irresponsible behavior.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) This servant commits the sin of negligence and
has not done the work of the Lord well. There are many people who commit this
sin in the church and it seems that they do not have the will to serve the Lord
at all.
2) Believers should seize the chance and make
preparations before the coming of the Lord. We should not accomplish nothing
during this period of time and lose the chance to serve the Lord further in
future.
3) “Handkerchief” is used to wipe the sweat away
instead of “putting away” the mina. He who is unwilling to strive to do the
work of the Lord could not say that, “our labor is not in vain in the Lord”
(1Cor. 15:58) or that, “the dead who die in the Lord may rest from their
labors, and their works follow them” (Rev. 14:13).
Luke. 19:21 “For I feared you, because
you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you
did not sow.'”
YLT: “for I was afraid of
thee, because thou art an austere man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay
down, and reapest what thou didst not sow.”
Literal Meaning: “for I feared you”
He “feared” that he may lose the mina that he has received and it would become
difficult for him to give the account before the Lord and therefore he dared
not use it.
“An austere man” refers to the strict
demands. However, its tone is not as strong as “hard” (Matt. 25:24).
“You collect what you did not deposit.”
“Deposit” is the term of debit and credit and it refers to “loaning money to
others”. The whole sentence means that “you collect the interest of what you
did not loan to others”.
“Reap what you did not sow.” This sentence is a common saying used by
the ancient farmers: under normal circumstances, sowing should be done first
before reaping and then there will be harvest. Therefore the whole sentence
means that “one wants to gain without paying.” It is just like the pharaoh in
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord teaches us that “fear not and believe
only” (See 8:50). He who truly loves the Lord does not fear (See 1John. 4:18).
2) The timid ones are afraid of the Lord, men,
failure and less effort. They just let the world, sins, the flesh and other
earthly persons and things cover up their spiritual rights and consequently
they accomplish nothing.
3) The common difficulties that common Christians
would encounter are timidity, shame and fear so that they dare not serve the
Lord positively.
4) We should not serve the Lord passively and we
should use all that we have received from the Lord actively and positively.
Luke. 19:22 “And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked
servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit
and reaping what I did not sow.”
YLT: “`And he saith to
him, Out of thy mouth I will judge thee, evil servant: thou knewest that I am
an austere man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not
sow!”
Literal Meaning: “you wicked servant”
“Wicked” indicates that he did not do the will of the Lord and prated against
the Lord.
“You knew that…”It did not mean that the
Lord admit that the servant’s evaluation of Him is correct. The Lord meant that
“since you believed that I am that kind of people, then you should…” Therefore
the lord judges him out of his own mouth.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should know Christ more, lest we may become
“wicked” servants in His eyes because of our ignorance.
2) The Lord will judge us out of our own mouths.
Luke. 19:23 “Why then did you not put
my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with
interest?'”
YLT: “and wherefore didst
thou not give my money to the bank, and I, having come, with interest might
have received it?”
Literal Meaning: “put my money in the
bank” “bank” in the original is translated as “the desk of money-changers” and
it is transformed from four-foot which is usually seen in the doorway of Greek
banks. At that time banks were very small in scale and generally they did the
business of deposit and exchange of money in trade bases.
“I might have collected it with
interest” “Interest” originally indicates offspring. Here it is transformed to
describe the offspring of money, i.e. interest on money loaned (as a produce).
Spiritual Meaning: “my money”
symbolizes rights of the spiritual life. “The bank” symbolizes the church.
“Interest” symbolizes the bearing of the fruit of the spiritual life.
“Put money in the bank so as to collect
it with interest” meant that at least we could let other saints in the church
share and use the spiritual blessings that the Lord has given us, for example:
when the assembly preaches the glad tidings, though we are unable to bear
witness or give the message, at least we could bring friends to listen to the
glad tidings, pray for the meeting of gospel and etc and in this way we could
help others to bear the fruit of gospel.
Luke. 19:24 “‘And
he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and
give it to him who has ten minas.'”
YLT: “`And to those
standing by he said, Take from him the pound, and give to him having the ten
pounds”
Spiritual Meaning: “Take the mina from
him” It does not mean that the failing believers would lose the privilege of
eternal life but that he will be punished by the Lord in the kingdom and lose
the blessing temporarily.
Luke. 19:25 “(But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.')”
YLT: “(and they said to
him, Sir, he hath ten pounds)”
Luke. 19:26 “‘For
I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not
have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
YLT: “for I say to you,
that to every one having shall be given, and from him not having, also what he
hath shall be taken from him,”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) This principle could also be applied to services
today: the more you have, the more the Lord will give you. Whenever you stop
improving, what you have in the past will be taken away.
2) The more one loves others, the more love will be
given to him and vice versa.
3) “To everyone who has will be given”. This
sentence shows the principle of abundance: if we do not detain the abundant
Christ and are willing to supply others, as a result of that we will be more
abundant.
4) He who strives for the spiritual benefit of his
own and others shall have more. He who neglects the Lord’s will and is barren
and unfruitful will lose what he has.
5) No one could sit idle and enjoy the fruits of
others’ labor in the
6) When the Lord comes, He not only judges and
punishes men passively but also deals kindly with men and blesses them
positively.
Luke. 19:27 “But bring here those
enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before
me.’”
YLT: “but those my
enemies, who did not wish me to reign over them, bring hither and slay before
me.’”
Spiritual Meaning: this verse shows
that the unbelieving Jews who rejected the Lord will be punished by the Lord.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Those who reject the reign of Christ and do not
let Christ have the first place in all things (“did not want me to reign over
them”) will perish finally (“slay them”).
2) He who does not magnify the Lord has lost his
value and meaning of living in the sight of the Lord.
Luke. 19:28 “When He had said this, He
went on ahead, going up to
YLT: “And having said
these things, he went on before, going up to
Literal Meaning: The Lord Jesus had
finished His ministry of preaching on the earth till that time. After this, He
went to
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) That day the Lord Jesus went on ahead and led
the disciples. Today the Lord Jesus also walks ahead and leads us. The Lord
will make room for us no matter the future of us is sweat or bitter and
therefore we should be at ease and walk forth.
2) This verse shows that: a) The spirit of Christ
is to meet the cross actively without any fear or scruple. b) Christ entered
death first and then excluded the power of death. He opened a road of living
for us in death and led us into the abundant position of resurrection, just as
what the story that the Ark of the Covenant passed over the
Luke. 19:29 “And it came to pass, when
He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He
sent two of His disciples,”
YLT: “And it came to
pass, as he came nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, unto the mount called of the
Olives, he sent two of his disciples,”
Meaning of Words: “Bethphage”: house of green
(immature) figs; “
Literal Meaning: “when He drew near
to Bethphage and
Spiritual Meaning: “Bethphage” means
“the house of green figs” in the original. Figs symbolize the
Luke. 19:30 “saying, ‘Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you
will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it
here.”
YLT: “having said, Go
away to the village over-against, in which, entering into, ye shall find a colt
bound, on which no one of men did ever sit, having loosed it, bring [it];”
The
Background: “donkey” is a docile animal.
Before the general use of horses among the Jews in the old times, donkeys were used as the mount for the king
(See Judg. 10:4, 12:14, 2Sam. 16:2). Since donkeys were not as powerful as horses, the
Bible compared donkeys with horses to show the
lowliness and meekness of the one who rode upon the colt (See Zech. 9:9-10).
“On which no one has ever sat.” The
consecrated animal should never be used by men (See Num. 19:2; Deut 21:3; 1Sam.
6:7).
Literal Meaning: “Go into the village
opposite you” It was recorded in the Book of Matthew that the Lord sent the
disciples in Bethphage to the village opposite (See Matt.21:1-2), so the
village opposite might refer to
“You will find a colt tied.” “Colt”
refers to the young and immature donkey.
Spiritual Meaning: here the colt has the following meanings:
a.
“Colt” represents man in the world.
b.
They were “tied” there, typifying that men in the world, without freedom, are
tied by livelihood, family and work.
c. The place where they are tied is
“the village opposite”, typifying that it is “in
the world”.
d.
The Lord asked the disciples to “loosen” them, typifying that the Lord sent His
servants (believers) to deliver us from the world and sins.
e.
They “were brought to the Lord”, typifying that our being saved is that we are
brought to the Lord.
f.
The aim that the Lord saves us is that “the Lord has need of it” (See v.31), typifying that the Lord hopes that after we have been
saved, we would dedicate ourselves to Him
for His need.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) There is authority in the words of the Lord.
Only those who have obtained the words of the Lord will be “loosened” and be
delivered.
2) The Lord could ride a colt “on which no one has
sat”, and He could also deal with a man who has never obeyed Him. No matter how
hardened we are before the Lord, He can always do with us.
3) The fruit devoted to the Lord is the
first-fruit. The bull offered to God should never come yoke, and the colt given
to the Lord should also be the one “on which no one has sat”. We should devote
the best to the Lord for His need.
4) The one who has been delivered has to be brought
to the Lord (“bring it to me”) and then the Lord can use him.
Luke. 19:31 “And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’”
YLT: “and if any one doth
question you, Wherefore do ye loose [it]? thus ye shall say to him The Lord
hath need of it.’”
Spiritual Meaning: we believers were under the master of the world
and were bound by things of the world and sins. However, one day, when the
mighty words of the Lord came upon us, we were immediately delivered from the power of darkness and
dedicated ourselves to the Lord for His need.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Since our physical body, intelligence and
belongings are of the Lord, when the Lord has the need of them, we shall devote
them to Him joyfully.
2) That the Lord’s disciples accomplished the work
was only on account of the Lord’s words------“the Lord has need of it”. This
work was apparently done by the disciples, but actually the Lord’s word had
taken the responsibility of them. Likewise, when we serve the Lord today, no
matter preaching the gospels or visiting the saints, it seems that we believers
are doing the work. However, the work will truly be effective only if the
Lord’s word takes the responsibility.
Luke. 19:32 “So those who were sent
went their way and found it just as He had said to them.”
YLT: “And those sent,
having gone away, found according as he said to them,”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should trust and obey His words without any
doubt.
2) No matter what the Lord commands, as long as we
obey it, it shall be as it was told.
Luke. 19:33 “But as they were loosing
the colt, the owners of it said to them, ‘Why
are you loosing the colt?’”
YLT: “and while they are
loosing the colt, its owners said unto them, `Why loose ye the colt?’”
Luke. 19:34 “And they said, ‘The Lord has need of him.’”
YLT: “and they said, `The
Lord hath need of it;’”
Literal Meaning: once the owners of
the colt heard that, “the Lord has need of it”, they let them to drag the colt,
showing that they feared the Lord.
Luke. 19:35 “Then they brought him to
Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.”
YLT: “and they brought it
unto Jesus, and having cast their garments upon the colt, they did set Jesus
upon it.”
Literal Meaning: “And they threw
their own clothes on the colt” Here they used clothes as saddles.
Spiritual Meaning: “clothes” symbolized our
external beauty and conduct. The Lord sat on the cloths, showing that: 1) He
was highly exalted and glorified; 2) men would personally experience His
kingship through obedience; 3) we should walk with the purpose of manifesting His glory.
Luke. 19:36 “And as He went, many
spread their clothes on the road.”
YLT: “And as he is going,
they were spreading their garments in the way,”
Meaning of Words: “spread”: strew
underneath.
Literal Meaning: “many spread their
clothes on the road” “Many”,
since the Passover was coming, many people from various regions came to
Spiritual Meaning: the Lord sat on the colt and men spread clothes
on the road. There were meanings as follows:
1. Men (clothes) and animals (colt) are
the representation of all things, showing that the Lord might have the first
place in all things (Col. 1:18) and all things are under His feet (Eph. 1:22).
2. Clothes represent men’s outward
behaviors of righteousness (Rev. 19:8). “Spreading…on the road”, it refers to
the separation from earthly things. The whole sentence shows that believers, in
life and behavior, shall manifest the difference between what is of earth and
what is of the Lord.
3. Believers shall magnify Christ by
their beings and works, thus the world will know Christ’s being and works.
Enlightenment in the Word: the faithful servant the Lord Jesus obeyed unto
death, so He faced
Luke. 19:37 “Then, as He was now
drawing near the descent of the
YLT: “and as he is coming
nigh now, at the descent of the mount of the Olives, the whole multitude of the
disciples began rejoicing to praise God with a great voice for all the mighty
works they had seen,”
Luke. 19:38 “saying: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!'
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’”
YLT: “saying, ‘blessed
[is] he who is coming, a king in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven, and
glory in the highest.’”
Literal Meaning: “Blessed is the King
who comes in the name of the LORD!” The hymn is quoted from the Psalms,
however, the word “King” was added by Luke. It was originally the blessing to
the pilgrims (See Ps. 118:26). Here the disciples mentioned it to praise the
Messiah, i.e. their Lord Jesus.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When the Lord sat on the colt and the multitudes
spread clothes on the road (v.35), the multitudes praised Him. In like manner,
when we fully obey the Lord, the Lord will be highly exalted above all and
become the center of praise.
2) When the glorious Lord appears to us, we can’t
refrain from rejoicing and singing praise.
Luke. 19:39 “And some of the Pharisees
called to Him from the crowd, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your
disciples.’”
YLT: “And certain of the
Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, `Teacher, rebuke thy disciples;’”
Literal Meaning: “Teacher, rebuke
Your disciples” means “please command them to keep silent”.
Luke. 19:40 “But He answered and said
to them, ‘I tell you that if these
should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.’”
YLT: “and he answering
said to them, `I say to you, that, if these shall be silent, the stones will
cry out!’”
Literal Meaning: “if these should
keep silent” “Keep silent” means “do not speak” and “speak” in the original
means “speak responsibly and necessarily and testify”. According to the Law of
the Old Testament, if the one who should bear witness keeps silent, he bears
his iniquity and is deceitful and dishonest (See Lev. 5:1).
“The stones would immediately cry out”
means “the stone would replace them to bear witness.” The Jewish religious
leaders in Jerusalem disregarded the salvation of the Lord Jesus, persecuted
His disciples and did not allow them to bear witness of the Lord and therefore
the Lord made the Roman soldiers besiege the city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and
even pulled down the stones (See v.43-44). Therefore “the stones would call
them and bear witness” testifies their sin of obstinacy.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christ is the king of the universe and the
beginning of the creature. Therefore He deserves the praise of human beings and
the crying out of the stones.
2) If the disciples------who should praise
God------do not praise Him, God will raise the supernatural reaction in
unexpected way------“the stones would cry out”.
3) Believers are the Lord’s witnesses. However, if
we keep silent and are unwilling to bear witness of the Lord, the Lord will
arise his witnesses from another place (See Esth. 4:14) because truth cannot be
covered and light must be manifested.
Luke. 19:41 “Now as He drew near, He
saw the city and wept over it,”
YLT: “And when he came
nigh, having seen the city, he wept over it,”
Meaning of Words: “wept over”: weep
bitterly, sob.
Luke. 19:42 “saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day,
the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”
YLT: “saying `If thou
didst know, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things for thy peace; but
now they were hid from thine eyes.”
Literal Meaning: “the things that
make for your peace!” It implies that unpeaceful things will soon take place in
Luke. 19:43 “For days will come upon
you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and
close you in on every side,”
YLT: “`Because days shall
come upon thee, and thine enemies shall cast around thee a rampart, and compass
thee round, and press thee on every side,”
Literal Meaning: “days will come” It
indicates the thing that would be fulfilled in A.D. 70.
“Your enemies will build an embankment
around you.” “Enemies” indicates the Roman army.
“Surround you and close you in on every
side.” It indicates the event that the Roman prince led soldiers to surround
the city of
Luke. 19:44 “and level you, and your
children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone
upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’”
YLT: “and lay thee low,
and thy children within thee, and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a
stone, because thou didst not know the time of thy inspection.’”
Literal Meaning: “they will not leave
in you one stone upon another” This sentence was fully fulfilled in A.D.70
literally. At that time, the Romans, under the lead of Titus, completely
destructed
“Because you did not know the time of
your visitation” It indicates that the Lord Jesus was born on the earth and
brought the Jews the acceptable year of God and the visitation in grace (See
2:10-14; 4:18-22).
Spiritual Meaning: “stone” typifies
God’s elect and it also typifies believers (See 1Pet. 2:5).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The church that has thriving appearance and does
not have the presence of the Lord will fall apart sooner or later and members
of the church could not get along with each other (“not leave in you one stone
upon another”) because the Lord allows this kind of church to be “destructed”
by men’s hands.
2) Natural men (stones) cannot accompany with each
other and be built together and therefore if our natural lives have not been
destructed, we cannot let the Lord have position in us and there won’t be the
true building.
3) God gives men the chance to repent and be saved,
however, if one has lost the chance, he will be severely punished by God.
Luke. 19:45 “Then He went into the
temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,”
YLT: “And having entered
into the temple, he began to cast forth those selling in it, and those buying,”
The
Background: at
that time, businessmen were allowed by the priests in the
Literal Meaning: “and began to drive
out those who bought and sold in it.” “In it”: the yard of the
Spiritual Meaning: God’s temple was the place where God inhabits
(Eph. 2:21-22), but there was a group of people who
bought and sold in the temple and held gain to be piety (1Tim. 6:5). That the
Lord Jesus cleansed the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When we are willing to let the Lord reign in our
hearts, all the dirtiness, adulteration and sins in our hearts will be cleansed
by Him.
2) The Lord displeases with any condition that we
make money through the spiritual thing.
Luke. 19:46 “saying to them, ‘It is written, ‘My house is a house of
prayer,' but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”
YLT: “saying to them, ‘It
hath been written, My house is a house of prayer but ye made it a den of
robbers.’”
Meaning of Words: “den of thieves”: the lair
of robbers.
Literal Meaning: this verse puts the verses in the Book of Isaiah (56:7) and that in the Book of Jeremiah (7:11)
together.
This was the second time for the Lord to
cleanse the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God saves us to be His “temple” (See Heb. 3:6,
“the house of God” is “the
2) “A house of prayer” is the place where men have
fellowship with and work with God and glorify God. “A den of thieves” is the
place where men usurp the benefits of God and make it heavily polluted that God
has no rest there.
3) The church and the spirit in us should be “the
house of prayer”. But if Christ is not allowed to dwell there (see Eph. 3:17),
they may become “dens of thieves”.
4) Since we believers have become the spiritual
temple of the Lord, we should not let the worldly possessions fill in us, lest
we become the den of thieves. We should often pray to the Lord and have
fellowship with the Lord.
5) The church is the house of God and it is also
“the house of prayer” towards God. Individual prayer is very important.
However, for many times, the prayer of the church is much more powerful than
individual prayer. Therefore we should always pray with other believers.
Luke. 19:47 “And He was teaching daily
in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the
people sought to destroy Him,”
YLT: “And he was teaching
daily in the temple, but the chief priests and the scribes were seeking to
destroy him also the chiefs of the people”
Literal Meaning: “the chief priests,
the scribes, and the leaders of the people” “the leaders of the people” refers
to the elders of the people. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of
the people are the main members of the council.
“Sought to destroy Him” The reasons for
the Jewish leaders who wanted to destroy Jesus might be that: (a) the Lord
rebuked them that they had changed the
Spiritual Meaning: “the priests and scribes”
represent religious leaders.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The
2) The nominal leaders of Christianity remain some
religious customs but reject truth and attempt to destroy the truth.
3) Though the leaders of Judaism sought to destroy
the Lord, He was still teaching daily in the temple. Though the
Luke. 19:48 “and were unable to do
anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.”
YLT: “and they were not
finding what they shall do, for all the people were hanging on him, hearing
him.”
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Zacchaeus Was Saved
1. He was in the
city of
2. He was a chief
tax collector (v.2a)------his sins were extremely serious.
3. He was rich
(v.2b)------he was occupied by money.
4. He sought to see
who Jesus was (v.3a)------he heard the gospel and was attracted by the Lord
Jesus.
5. Because of the
crowd (v.3b)------he was hided from view by the circumstance of men (e.g. men’s
words).
6. He was of short
stature (v.3c)------he himself lacked capacity and experience.
7. He ran ahead
(v.4a)------he spent more effort on pursuit with hearts than others.
8. Climbed up into a
sycamore tree (v.4b)------he overcame the natural and earthly shortcomings.
9. For Jesus was
going to pass that way (v.4c)------he knew the acts and the will of the Lord
Jesus.
10. Jesus looked up
and saw him, and said to him, Zacchaeus (v.5)------actually the Lord knew him.
11. Received Him
joyfully (v.6)------he believed and received the Lord with sincere heart.
12. The Lord has
gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner (v.7)------the Savior also dwelt
in his heart.
13. Zacchaeus stood
(v.8a)------he stood because of the power of salvation.
14. I give half of
my goods to the poor (v.8b)------he was delivered from the occupation of money.
15. If I have taken
anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold (v.8c)------he
dealt with the past sins.
16. Jesus said to
him, “Today salvation has come to this house” (v.9a)------he experienced the
salvation.
17. Because he also
is a son of Abraham (v.9b)------because God remembered His promised covenant
with Abraham.
18. The Son of Man
has come to seek and to save that which was lost (v.10)------because the Lord
found and saved men.
The Parable of
Delivering the Minas to Ten Servants
I. The servants who got the minas typify
Christians:
A. All of them were the servants of the Lord (v.13a)------servants means
“slaves” who are bought by the precious blood by the Lord and belong to Him
(See 1Cor. 7:22-23).
B. The Lord delivered to them His minas (v.13b)------minas typify the
spiritual blessings and rights that they gain on account of the salvation.
C. The Lord asked them to do business (v.13c)------they should use and
mange what they have received from the Lord
II. His citizens who hated Him typify the
unbelieving Jews:
A. They would not have Him to reign over them (v.14)------they rejected
Him.
B. They would be slain (v.27)------their end was perdition.
III. The servants who earned ten minas and
five minas typify the overcoming Christians:
A. When he returned, having received the kingdom, he might know how much
every servant had gained by trading (v.15)-------when the Lord comes back,
judgment must begin at the house of God (1Pet. 4:17).
B. They all did business by the minas (v.16, 18)------they used the
spiritual blessings and rights diligently.
C. They earned minas (v.16, 18)------the spiritual fruit was borne.
D. They were all praised by the Lord (v.17, 19)------they all gained the
reward of the kingdom from the Lord.
E. The only difference is that the reward that they gained is determined
by the quantity of minas that they earned (v. 16-19)------the authority in the
kingdom in future is determined by the spiritual capacity of each.
IV. The servant who had kept the minas put
away in a handkerchief typifies the failing Christians:
A. He did not use the mina to do business and had kept it put away in a
handkerchief (v. 20)------he covered up the spiritual blessings and rights that
the Lord had given him.
B. He feared the Lord (v.21a)------he feared that he might lose the
minas and would be punished by the Lord.
C. He misunderstood the Lord as an austere man (v.21b)------he did not
have the correct knowledge of the Lord.
D. He was blamed by the Lord as the wicked servant (v.22a)------the
servants who had the wrong intension and were lazy were wicked servants.
E. Out of his own mouth the Lord judges him (v.22b)------when being
judged, any reason and excuse won’t be acceptable to the Lord.
F. The Lord blamed him that why he did not put the money in the bank for
interest (v.23)------the Lord asked believers to perform the little function in
the church.
G. The mina that he has was taken away from him and it was given to
others (v.24-25)------in the time of the kingdom, he will be punished by the
Lord.
V. The principle of the reward of the
kingdom:
A. To everyone who has will be given (v.26a)------the Lord will reward
those who are faithful in what He has entrusted.
B. From him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from
him. (v.26b)------the Lord will punish those who are unfaithful in what He has
entrusted and make them suffer loss.
C. Those who did not want the Lord to reign over them (v.27)------those
who reject the Lord shall all perish.
The Appearance of
the
I. Jesus sat on the colt and went into
II. The disciples rejoiced and praised
(v.37-38)------those who knew the king rejoiced and praised.
III. The Pharisees envied and hated Him
because of it (v.39)------those who did not know the king thought that they
should not do so.
IV. If men keep silent, the stones would
immediately cry out (v.40)------the king is worthy of the praise of all.
V. The Lord wept over
VI. The Lord cleansed the
VII. The Lord was teaching in the temple and
it caused two kinds of different reactions (v.47-48)------some sought to
destroy the king and some were attentive to hear the king.
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren