‏ Luke 10:17-24

Verse 17. The seventy returned again with joy] Bishop PEARCE thinks they returned while our Lord was on his slow journey to Jerusalem, and that they had been absent only a few days.

 Verse 18. I beheld Satan] Or, Satan himself, τονσαταναν, the very Satan, the supreme adversary, falling as lightning, with the utmost suddenness, as a flash of lightning falls from the clouds, and at the same time in the most observable manner. The fall was both very sudden and very apparent. Thus should the fall of the corrupt Jewish state be, and thus was the fall of idolatry in the Gentile world.

 Verse 19. To tread on serpents, &c.] It is possible that by serpents and scorpions our Lord means the scribes and Pharisees, whom he calls serpents and a brood of vipers, Mt 23:33, (see the note there,) because, through the subtilty and venom of the old serpent, the devil, they opposed him and his doctrine; and, by trampling on these, it is likely that he means, they should get a complete victory over such: as it was an ancient custom to trample on the kings and generals who had been taken in battle, to signify the complete conquest which had been gained over them. See Jos 10:24. See also Ro 16:20. See the notes on Mr 16:17, 18.

 Verse 20. Because your names are written in heaven.] This form of speech is taken from the ancient custom of writing the names of all the citizens in a public register, that the several families might be known, and the inheritances properly preserved. This custom is still observed even in these kingdoms, though not particularly noticed. Every child that is born in the land is ordered to be registered, with the names of its parents, and the time when born, baptized, or registered; and this register is generally kept in the parish church, or in some public place of safety. Such a register as this is called in Php 4:3; Re 3:5, &c., the book of life, i.e. the book or register where the persons were enrolled as they came into life. It appears also probable, that when any person died, or behaved improperly, his name was sought out and erased from the book, to prevent any confusion that might happen in consequence of improper persons laying claim to an estate, and to cut off the unworthy from the rights and privileges of the peaceable, upright citizens. To this custom of blotting the names of deceased and disorderly persons out of the public registers, there appear to be allusions, Ex 32:32, where see the note; and Re 3:5; De 9:14; 25:19; 29:20; 2Ki 14:27; Ps 69:28; 109:13, and in other places.

 Verse 21. Rejoiced in spirit] Was truly and heartily joyous: felt an inward triumph. But τωπνευματιτωαγιω, the HOLY Spirit, is the reading here of BCDKL, six others; the three Syriac, later Persic, Coptic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, all the Itala except one, and Augustin and Bede. These might be considered sufficient authority to admit the word into the text.

I thank thee] Bishop PEARCE justly observes, the thanks are meant to be given to God for revealing them to babes, not for hiding them from the others. See Clarke on Mt 11:25.

Thou hast hid] That is, thou hast not revealed them to the scribes and Pharisees, who idolized their own wisdom; but thou hast revealed them to the simple and humble of heart.

 Verse 22. The Codex Alexandrinus, several other very ancient MSS., and some ancient versions, as well as the margin of our own, begin this verse with, And turning to his disciples, he said. But as this clause begins Lu 10:23, it is not likely that it was originally in both. Griesbach has left these words out of the text, and Professor WHITE says, Certissime delenda, "These words should most assuredly be erased."

Ver. 22. All things are delivered to me] See Clarke on Mt 11:27.

 Verse 23. Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see] There is a similar saying to this among the rabbins, in Sohar. Genes., where it is said, "Blessed is that generation which the earth shall bear, when the King Messiah cometh."

 Verse 24. Many prophets] See on Mt 13:11, 17.
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