PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: James

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Matthew 17:1–9 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel of the Transfiguration of our Lord, Matthew 17:1–9, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    The Transfiguration of Jesus, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

    I. The history of the transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor. (v. 1–8)
    II. The conversation of Christ with His disciples concerning the future Elijah. (v. 9–13)

    Annotated Text

    1. And after * six days (In Luke it says, “And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings,” [Luke 9:28]. For there had been six days between the time Jesus spoke these words at the end of the nearest preceding chapter and afterwards on the eighth day this Transfiguration followed), Jesus took to Himself Peter and James and John, his (James’s) brother (which three He likewise afterwards took to Himself  when He wanted to go to His suffering in the garden of the Mount of Olives, Matthew 26:37, to indicate that those who have much of the suffering of Christ are also richly comforted through Christ, 2 Corinthians 1:5), and lead them (specially alone from other people, and went with them) to a high mountain (called Tabor, situated in Galilee,1 to which He withdrew to pray, and when He prayed, the form of His face was altered, Luke 9:28–29).

    * Mark 9:2 (Luke 9:28)

    1 † Or as others hold, “Panium, near Caesarea Philippi.” Peter calls it simply “the holy mountain” [τῷ ἁγίῳ ὄρει], 2 Peter 1:18.

    2. And (He) was * transfigured before them (He was transfigured before them, Mark 9:2, in such a way that He received an entirely different form, He allowed them to see a glance of His heavenly, peculiar Majesty and glory, which was communicated to Him according to His human nature by virtue of the personal union, so that they would be guarded against the offense of the cross of Christ), and His face shown as the sun, and His clothes were white (and gleamed) as light (they became bright and very white as the snow, in such a way that no fuller on earth can make them so white, Mark 9:3).

    * John 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16–17

    3. And behold, there appeared to them (two men bodily, who were) Moses and Elijah, who (appeared in radiance and) spoke with Him (concerning the departure [τὴν ἔξοδον] which He was to fulfill at Jerusalem, that is, concerning His suffering. As Moses and the prophets had prophesied of Christ in their writings, John 5:39, 5:46, Acts 10:43, so also Moses thus speaks here with Christ, as well as Elijah in the name of the all the prophets, and give Him testimony, that He is the Messiah and Savior of the world).

    4. But Peter (and those who were with Him were full of sleep; but when they awoke, they saw His radiance and the two men standing with Him. And it came to pass when they were departing from Him, Luke 9:32–33, Peter began) answered and said to Jesus, “Lord (and Rabbi, Mark 9:5, that is, Master, Luke 9:33), it is good to be1 here (for this transfiguration of Christ and this bodily conversation which Moses and Elijah held with Christ was a foretaste and prefiguration of the joy of eternal life); if you would like, then I will make three huts here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah (but he did not know what he was saying, for they were confused, Mark 9:6).

    1 Greek: “It is something (truly) beautiful (and pleasant), that we are here (in such a pleasurable bright light).” [καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι]

    5. Then while He was thus still speaking, behold, there (came and) overshadowed them a luminous cloud (so that they were surrounded by it and were terrified when the cloud covered over them). And behold, a Voice (namely, the heavenly Father, fell) from the cloud (which) said (concerning Jesus Christ), * “This is My beloved (only-begotten) Son (whom I have begotten from eternity out of My essence), in whom I have good pleasure, whom you ought to hear (that you believe what He says to you and do what He commands you. Thus there is found here once more a glorious revelation of the most-holy Trinity: the Father allows His voice to beard from heaven, the Son stands in His transfiguration on the mountain, the Holy Spirit, who enlightens the hearts of men, reveals Himself in a bright cloud).”

    * Matthew 3:17ff.; 2 Peter 1:17

    6. When the disciples heard this, they fell (from fear) on their faces, and were very terrified (because they could not bear God’s majesty).

    7. But Jesus came to them, * touched them (strengthened and comforted them) and said, “Stand up, and do not be afraid.”

    * Daniel 8:18, 10:10

    8. Now then they lifted up their eyes (and looked around themselves, Mark 9:8, and while such a Voice occurred, Luke 9:36, they found and) they saw no one (with them), except Jesus alone (Moses and Elijah had disappeared again).1

    1 * Or rather had entered the bright cloud, Luke 9:35.

    9. And when they descended from the mountain, Jesus commanded them and said, “You shall tell no one this vision (this revelation of My glory) until the Son of Man is raised from the dead (for Christ at that time was still in the state of His humiliation, and wanted that He should suffer and die beforehand before He entered into His glory, Luke 24:26. But afterward, after Christ’s resurrection and ascension, both apostles Matthew and Peter not only proclaimed such, but rather also recorded it in their Scriptures. The disciples have followed such a command, as is fitting; for Luke reports of them when he says, “And they were silent and proclaimed nothing to anyone in those days as to what they had seen,” Luke 9:36).

    * Matthew 16:20

    Useful Applications

    I. DOCTRINE: Christ’s transfiguration according to His humanity on the mountain is a picture of the glory and transfiguration of the bodies of believers as they will be in the resurrection of the dead and in eternal life (v. 1–2)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for James 5:7–10 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Epistle Reading for Wednesday of Ad Te Levavi, James 5:7–10, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    II. A command concerning patience and comfort in tribulation. (v. 7–11)

    Annotated Text

    7. So now be * patient, beloved brothers (you who must allow yourselves to be frightened and oppressed so miserably by the godless rich, and also do not let yourselves be embittered by it), until the coming of the Lord (until Christ appears on the Last Day to hold judgment, who will not only deliver you from such tribulation, but also will reciprocate tribulation upon those who have laid affliction upon you, 2 Thessalonians 1:6). See how a farmer waits for the beautiful fruit of the earth, and is patient over it, until it receives the morning and evening rain (until God gives a fruitful rain, both for sowing and also for harvest time, by which the land is watered and is made rich, its furrows are soaks, its plowed field is moistened, and its growth is blessed, Psalm 65:10–11).

    * Luke 21:19; Hebrews 10:36 (James 1:4; Deuteronomy 11:14)

    8. You also be patient (do not allow yourselves to be moved to impatience by the oppression of the godless rich), and strengthen your hearts (by faithful trust and by the certain hope of the promised redemption and future blessèdness); for the coming of the Lord (Christ for judgment) is near (for the time between the first coming of the Son of God in the flesh and between His second coming for judgment is considered a short time, not only reckoned against eternity, but also against the time of the world which has already passed).

    (1 Corinthians 10:11; Philippians 4:5; Revelation 22:12)

    9. Do not groan against one another (out of impatience, hatred, anger, and vindictiveness), beloved brothers, so that you are not (by impatience, self-vengeance, and loveless sighing and wishing) condemned (for strife, envy, anger, hatred, and vindictiveness belong among the works of the flesh, and those who do these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God, Galatians 5:20–21). Behold, * the Judge is1 at the door (the coming of the Lord Christ, the appointed universal Judge, is so near as if He were already standing at the door).

    * Matthew 24:33 (Colossians 3:13)

    1 Greek: “standing” [ἕστηκεν]

    10. Take, my beloved brothers, * as an example the suffering and patience of the prophets, who had spoken in the name of the Lord (comfort yourselves in your suffering with the example of your teachers, who preached the Gospel of Christ to you and endured much hardship on account of it).

    * Matthew 5:12 (Romans 15:4)

    11. Behold, we praise them as blessèd (the saints of the Old Testament) who have endured1 (who endured much vileness in this world and are now redeemed out of them, and have been exalted to eternal glory). You have heard of the * patience of Job (it is known to you from his history), and the end of the Lord2 (Christ) you have seen (you on your part have seen how Christ endured all adversity, even death itself, with great patience and entered His glory through His suffering, Luke 24:26); for the † Lord is compassionate (of great compassion) and is merciful (He allows the need of His people to go to His heart, and finally redeems them out of all tribulation).

    1 Greek: “who endure steadfastly” [ὑπομείναντας]

    * Job 1:21–22

    2 † Others interpret this as referring to the end of the suffering sent by God, Job 42:10ff.

    † Psalm 103:8 (Matthew 5:11; Numbers 14:18)

    Useful Applications

    II. CORRECTION: To patience in the time of suffering according to the example of the holy prophets, and especially the man of God, Job. (v. 10–11)