Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 8

3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herods steward, and Susanna, and many others which ministred unto him of their substance.

Still I cannot but observe, that Preaching the Gospel, and thereby shewing the glad tidings of Salvation (the principal means to bring Men to the Kingdom of God, whither that in this Life, or the Kingdom of Glory, in the Life which is to come,) was Christs great Work. His working Miracles was but subservient to this, and for the confirmation of the Doctrine, which he Preached; hence when a People shewed a contempt of his Word, he refused to work any Miracles before them. How any one can dream, that either Praying, or Government, or administring Sacraments, or any thing else, should be more the work of a Minister of Christ than Preaching, may justly amaze any thinking Soul that ever read the Gospel. Christ went every where about Preaching, and the twelve were with him, sometimes hearing (as his Disciples) sometimes Preaching; some Women also were with him, such as had been healed of evil Spirits and other Diseases. Mary Magdalene was one, out of whom he had cast seven Devils, that is, many Devils. Most think she had her Name from Magdala, a City in Galilee, where she was bred, or dwelt. It is a great error to think she was the Mary mentioned, Iohn 11. the Sister of Lazarus; she lived in Bethany near to Ierusalem; yet it is plain from Mark 16. that she was at Ierusalem, at the time of Christs Death and Resurrection, but so were many that followed him from Galilee, Mark 15.41. Luke 23.49. And Joanna the Wife of Chuza, Herods Steward. Christ hath his elect in all places, his Ioseph in Pharoahs Court, his Daniel and three Children in Nebuchadnezzars Court. His Saints in Nero's houshould, Philip. 4.22. his Ioanna in Herods Family, this was that Herod Antipas Tetrarch of Galilee, he who put Iohn the Baptist to death, and himself with his Soldiers mocked Christ; possibly his Steward was as bad, but his Wife was one that followed Christ▪ knowing that tho her husband had Power over her Body, he had none over her Soul. And they ministred to him of their substance. They were not ashamed to be seen following of Christ, tho doubtless they met with scoffs enough. Nor were they ashamed to be reproached for their former failing, nor was Christ because of their former Lives, or the Life of some of them, to have them following him. It is a Glory to Christ, and to the Church of Christ to have great Sinners brought to him, and brought into it; the only shame is to such as being in the Church, or pretending at least to be Christians, are Debauchees still Christ did not give himself for a People, that were pure, and holy, without spot or wrinkle, but that he might sanctify them and cleanse them, with the washing of Water by the Word, Eph. 5.25, 26, 27. Following Christ they Ministred to him. This was according to Christs Doctrine, Matth. 10.10. and his Apostles after him, 1 Cor. 9.11. 2 Cor. 8.9. Galath. 6.6. Some of them might be Virgins, some Widows, some Wives (who had an allowance for themselves from their Husbands,) however, it could be no robbery to give of what was their Husbands, to him who was the Lord of all, which either their Husbands or they possessed. Nor was Christ ashamed to live upon the baskets of others, while he was providing spiritual food for the Souls of all, 2 Cor. 8.9.

15 But that on the good ground, are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

We have had this Parable, Matth. 13.2, 3, 4. and Mark 4.1, 2, 3. See the Notes on both these Chapters.

16 No man when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed: but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

See the Notes on Matth. 5.15. and on Mark 4.21.

Marginal references: Luke 11.33.

17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest: neither any thing hid, that shall not be known, and come abroad.

This we have also met with twice before. See the Notes on Matth. 5.15. Mark 4.21.

Marginal references: Matth. 10.26. Mark 4.22. Luke 12.2.

18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

See the Notes on Mark 4.24. and on Matth. 13.12.25.29.

Marginal references: Or, thinke[illegible: 2 letters] that he hath.

21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

See the Notes on Matth. 12.46. Mark 3.31.

25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid, wondred, saying one to another, What manner of man is this? for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

This whole History we have also before met with, both in Matth. 8.23. and Mark 4.37. See the Notes upon both those Chapters.

40 And it came to pass, that when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him, for they were all waiting for him.

We have had this whole story Matth. 8. from v. 28. to the end, and Mark 5. from v. 1. to the 21. See the Notes on both those Chapters.

26 And her parents were astonished, But he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

We had both these pieces of History twice before related by Matthew, Chap. 9.18. and by Mark, ch. 5. from v. 22.48. with some further circumstances. See the Notes on both those Chapters. Christ v. 45. said who touched me? and again v. 46. some body hath touched me, for I perceive that Virtue is gone out of me, doth not argue that Christ knew not of the Womans coming and touching him, or did not voluntarily send out that vertue that healed her, far be any such thoughts from any Pious intelligent Souls▪ she was not healed by her touch of the border of his Garment, but by his Powerfull Will, commanding such a miraculous effect; he only spake this to bring forth the Miracle into light, which was wrought secretly, so as the People took no notice of it. Healing Virtue went out of Christ upon an act of his Will not necessarily. From v. 55. is confuted the Atheism of those who would make the Soul to be meerly the Crasis, or some affection of the Body, and it is proved to be a being that can subsist of it self, in a state of separation from the Body. It is said. Her Spirit returned again, not Christ gave her a new Spirit. Christ here did not exert a creating Power, only sent forth that Power with which he was clothed to raise the Dead. For other things observable from this story, see the Notes before mentioned upon the paralel Texts.