See note Matt. 12:31¹ and note Matt. 12:32¹.

In Greek this word is stronger than the word translated denies in this verse. See note Matt. 10:33^1a.

Implying the Lord's union with him.

Implying his union with the Lord.

The second-smallest coin in the Greco-Roman coinage of Palestine.

See note Matt. 5:22^8d.

See note Matt. 10:28¹.

Lit., show you secretly.

Or, In these circumstances.

See note Matt. 10:20^1a.

Or, fruits.

The expression is indefinite, referring probably to the angels, God's messengers.

How precious it is to be rich toward God! This requires that we not store up treasure for ourselves.

For vv. 22-31, see notes in Matt. 6:25-33.

Lit., soul; referring to the soul-life (so in v. 23).

Or, be anxious.

See note Luke 4:43².

See note Matt. 6:20¹.

Our heart is attached to our treasure. If we lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, it will be difficult for our heart to be in heaven or to be for our beloved Lord and His interest.

Or, entrusted, deposited.

The impulse of the spiritual life. This impulse comes from the Lord's released divine life (see note Luke 12:50²) and causes the divisions mentioned in vv. 51-53.

Or, what can I desire if it has already been kindled?

See note Mark 10:38^1b

Or, constrained. The Lord was constrained in His flesh, which He put upon Himself in His incarnation. He needed to undergo physical death, to be baptized, that His unlimited and infinite divine being with His divine life might be released from His flesh. His divine life, after being released through His physical death, became the impulse of His believers' spiritual life in resurrection.

Or, come beside.

For vv. 39-46, see notes in Matt. 24:43-51.

In Greek the first know here is the same as the first know in Heb. 8:11 the second know (here, known) is the same as the second there. See note Heb. 8:11¹.

Some MSS add, have watched and.

Lit., dug through.

I.e., discern the signs of the time (Matt. 16:3). The signs were
1) that, as prophesied (Luke 3:2-6, 15-17), John the Baptist had come to announce the coming of Messiah,
2) that Messiah was there, ministering Himself that the people might receive Him and be saved.

Even without the teaching of the Lord, the Jews had seen enough signs to judge of themselves the right way to follow and the right thing to do at that time, that is, to receive the Lord and follow Him.

For indicates that vv. 58-59 are a continuation of v. 57. In this continuation the Man-Savior charged the Jews that while they were still on the way (were going), under the law (their opponent — John 5:45), to meet God (the magistrate) and be judged by Christ (the judge — John 5:22; Acts 17:31), they should endeavor to be released from their opponent that they might not be judged by Christ and thrown into the lake of fire (prison — Rev. 20:11-15) by the angel (the officer — cf. Matt. 13:41). If that were to happen, they would by no means come out forever (v. 59). The word in these two verses was spoken to the crowds (v. 54) that they might repent and be saved. But in Matt. 5:25-26 this word was applied to the disciples that they might live the kingdom life (see notes there).

This is because the satanic life in the unbelievers is struggling against the divine life in the believers — a conflict between the satanic kingdom and the kingdom of God. See note Matt. 10:34¹.

See note Matt. 6:2^2b.

Or, prove by testing.

I.e., appearance.

Or, but this time you do not know how to discern.

Or, take pains.

The smallest coin in the Greco-Roman coinage of Palestine.