PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: Luke

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Luke 1:26–38 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel of the Ember Wednesday of Advent, Luke 1:26–38, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). The same reading is also used for the Annunciation of Our Lord (March 25th). 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.

    III. The appearance of the angel before Mary. (v. 26–38)

    Annotated Text

    26. And in the sixth month1 (after Elizabeth had become pregnant)2 the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:11, 19) was sent by God into a city in Galilee, by the name of Nazareth,

    1 Greek: “But in the sixth month” [Ἐν δὲ τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ἕκτῳ]

    † See Luke 1:24, 36.

    27. to a virgin, * who was betrothed (but not yet joined) to a man with the name Joseph, of the house (of the lineage) of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary (who also was born of the lineage of David).

    * Luke 2:5; Matthew 1:18

    28. And the angel came (in an assumed human and yet majestic form) unto her (into the house in which she dwelled in Nazareth, and into the chamber in which she was staying at that time) and said: “Hail to you, favored one (graced specially by God); the Lord is with you (He stands by you with His help and grace, and will especially do good to you), blessèd are you among women. (Luther: “That is ‘You highly-praised one’ in German,” the one whom everyone will praise highly and extol as blessèd, Luke 1:48, because God will endow you with a special blessing which has never befallen any woman.)

    (Genesis 6:8; Judges 6:12)

    29. But when she saw him, she was frightened over his saying and thought, “What kind of greeting is this?” (I am entirely unworthy of this greeting and unaccustomed to it.)

    30. And the angel said to her, “Fear not, Mary, you1 have found grace with God. (Luther: “That is, you have a gracious God.”)

    1 Greek: “For you” [γὰρ]

    31. Behold,1 you * will (very soon) conceive in your body and give birth to a Son, whose name you shall call Jesus (whose name means so much as “Helper,” “Deliverer,” and “Savior,” Matthew 1:21),

    * Isaiah 7:14ff. (Micah 5:3)

    1 Greek: “And behold” (This little word and [καὶ] serves thus to explain what preceded)

    32. He will * be called great (on account of the highness of His person, His office, His miracles, and His sitting at the right hand of God) and a Son of the Most High (the only-begotten, natural, and equally eternal Son of God the almighty Father; which He will be in fact, and will be recognized and known as the eternal Son of God), and God the Lord (His heavenly Father) will give Him the throne of His father David (He will exalt Him to His right hand according to His human nature and bestow upon Him the kingdom and the lordship over His Church, indeed, over all creatures. This kingdom of Christ was prefigured by the kingdom of King David, from whose lineage Christ was to be born according to His human nature, and was promised in particular to David, 2 Samuel 7:12; Psalm 132:11, 17; Mark 11:10).

    * Isaiah 9:7 (Isaiah 54:5)

    33. And He will be a King over the house of Jacob (over the Church and the congregation of the saints, assembled from Jews and Gentiles, which Church was prefigured through the lineage of the Patriarch Jacob) eternally, and * of His kingdom there will be no end (and therefore it will not be an earthly and temporal kingdom, as was David’s, but rather a spiritual, heavenly, and eternal kingdom).”

    * Daniel 4:31, 7:14; Micah 4:7

    (Psalm 45:7; Jeremiah 23:6; Daniel 2:44; Hebrews 12:28)

    34. Then Mary said to the angel (not from unbelief, as previously did Zachariah, Luke 1:18, but rather with wonderment over this high mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, that she shall be the mother of Him, and out of a heartfelt desire for more instruction), “How should this be (that I shall will conceive and give birth to the Messiah)? For I have known no man (that I should have cohabitated with in a married manner).”

    35. The angel answered and said to her, * “The Holy Spirit will come over you (He will purify and sanctify the drops of blood from which the holy body of the Messiah will be built as a pure temple; and will also give you a special divine power, that you may become pregnant without the assistance of a man), and the power of the Most High (the first and only-begotten Son of God, who is Himself the “power of God,” 1 Corinthians 1:24) will overshadow you (and in an entirely special manner will pitch His dwelling in you, namely, by assuming true human nature in your virginal body, so that the incomprehensible, invisible light of His divine nature may be seen under the shadow of the received human nature); therefore also that † Holy One who will be born of you will be called God’s Son. (Because the Holy Spirit Himself will form the fruit of your womb and preserve it from all sinful defilement; indeed, even the eternal self-subsisting power of the heavenly Father, namely, the Son of God, will receive human nature from you and will unite Himself personally with it; therefore, you will carry such a glorious fruit of the womb and bring it forth into the world, who will not only be true man, but also, in the unity of His person, will be called and be the eternal only-begotten Son of God.)

    * Matthew 1:18, 20

    † Daniel 9:24 (Exodus 25:22, 40:34, 38; Numbers 7:89; Luke 9:33ff; Jeremiah 23:5–6)

    36. And behold (receive this sign for the strengthening of your faith), Elizabeth (the wife of the old priest Zachariah), your friend (who is related to you by blood by way of maternal line, from the tribe of Judah), is also pregnant with a son in her old age, and it is now the sixth month, (it is now the sixth month that she is with child) she who in * public reproach was called barren (until now).

    * Isaiah 54:6

    37. For * with God nothing is impossible.”

    * Genesis 18:14; Job 42:4; Psalm 135:5–6; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Zechariah 8:6; Luke 18:27; Romans 4:21

    38. Now Mary said, “Behold, I am the maidservant of the Lord1 (entirely given to the service and the will of God); let it be to me as you have said.” (These were words of faith, humility, and obedience.) And the angel parted from her.

    1 Greek: “Behold, the Lord’s maidservant!” [ἰδοὺ ἡ δούλη κυρίου]

    Useful Applications

    III. DOCTRINE: Concerning the manifestly great mystery of godliness [see 1 Timothy 3:16], that the Son of God has become true man, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and was born of the Virgin Mary. (v. 31–35)

  • Martin Chemnitz’s Explanation and Sermon Outline for the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Advent

    The following is my translation of Martin Chemnitz’s explanation and sermon outline for the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Advent, Luke 21:25–33, as found in his Postilla, pgs. 42–43. Chemnitz uses a composite text based upon Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17, and Luke 24. Curly brackets indicate marginal notes in the original text. Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions.

    Image found in Chemnitz’s Postilla, pg. 40

    Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent

    Explanation of the Gospel

    {In which part of our Catechism this Gospel belongs}

    The doctrine of today’s Gospel belongs in the [second] article of our Christ faith, which reads, “I believe that our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten Son, became man for my sake, and through His suffering and death, He has paid for and made satisfaction for my sins and the sins of the entire world, He rose again the third day from the dead, and ascended into heaven, from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.” And the order of the doctrine in the Sunday gospels proceeds finely after one another, as in this way the dear ancients [i.e., the Church Fathers] have ordered the texts of the Sunday gospels so that either the following gospel explains the one that precedes it, or as far as the doctrine is concerned, that it follows upon what precedes.

    {A summary repetition of the doctrine for the First Sunday of Advent [Ad Te Levavi]}

    Thus, eight days ago from today, we heard in the Gospel for the First Sunday [of Advent] about the first coming of the Lord Christ, which has not only happened once when He came in the flesh in a visible manner, when He Himself taught and preached, and also finally accomplished the work of redemption, but rather, which still happens to this day and endures until the end of the world [Matthew 28:20], when He comes to us through the Word and His Holy Sacraments in all grace so that He might call us from all our sins, from death, from the devil, and from hell, so that we may once again be reconciled with the dear God, and may come to eternal life. And this doctrine concerning the first coming of the Lord Christ serves to this end, that we not neglect the time of grace, but rather that we recognize our king, embrace Him, seek Him, receive Him, serve Him, and be thankful.

    {The Second Sunday of Advent concerning the coming of Christ for judgment, as it follows after the First [Sunday]}

    This doctrine was presented to us eight days ago. Upon this now follows today’s Gospel, which further instructs us, that, if we do not receive the time of grace, nor make right use of it, then we must further learn from God’s Word and allow ourselves to be instructed what will then one day follow after it, namely, that God at times punishes those who despise His Word in this life, although not all.

    {The good fortune of the godless offends the pious.}

    With most people it goes in such a way that the pious complain that things go better for the wicked and the godless than they do for God-fearers, which often causes great offense. Likewise, when pious Christians hear that their King is coming to them with many goods and treasures which He wants to bring to His subjects, yet which nevertheless is not fulfilled in this life, then they think that nothing will come of it, that these are only empty words, and there is nothing behind it, only “good words of Paul” (bona verba Pauli), as the scoffers are accustomed to speak concerning the comfort of the Gospel.

    {The godless despisers will be punished on the Last Day.}

    Then comes this Gospel and gives us a beautiful instruction and says: There will come a different day, a different time, when the heavens will crack open and the elements will be melted [2 Peter 3:10], and then it will be said: those who have received the King, they will stand on that day, but those who neglected and despised Him, of them it will be said, “And the people will be terrified on earth and will languish.” [~Luke 21:26?]

    {To what end Christ has His coming preached}

    This is the first thing that we ought to consider in today’s Gospel. And because much depends on this for us—that we may rightly prepare ourselves for that day of the last coming of the Lord Christ of which we can have no certain proper report as to when He will come, and, although God in His Word has wanted to reveal to no one the time and hour when this day shall come, even the angels themselves [Matthew 24:36]—so the Son of God nevertheless does this for our good when He first tells us beforehand that this day will certainly come. Thereafter, He also clearly and properly recorded the signs which will precede the Last day and by which one can know that the [Last] Day is not very far; for in addition He has also described how things will proceed on that [Day], as to how the Judgment will be held, what pertains to the process, but especially in what manner the Son of Man will come, namely, in great power and glory, that there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, how the earth and all that is in it will be burned up, that men will tremble, and that the waters will roar. However, the foremost reason for which the Lord reports this is as Mark describes, “Take heed, watch, and pray, for you do not know in which hour the Son of Man will come. What I say to you, I say to all. Watch yourselves that your heart not be weighed down with feasting and drinking, and the cares of sustenance.” (Mark 13[:33–37], [Luke 21:34])

    Concerning these points, we want to hear a brief instruction in today’s Gospel.

    Division of the Sermon [Sermon Outline]

    1. When we heard eight days ago that the King is present with many goods and treasures which the world does not regard, and yet the pious often think that because they do not receive the goods from Him into their hands in this life and that therefore it is nothing and everything said to us concerning this King is in vain; that we, on the contrary, know that it will not remain so for all time, but rather the end will carry the burden (das Ende wirdt die Last tragen), when the day comes which God has appointed in which our King will no longer come in a poor miserable form as He once did at the time to the Jews, but rather with great power and glory to judge the entire world, as St. Paul says in Acts 17[:31], that all creatures will tremble because of it, and then the godless will learn who He is whom they now utterly despise and the pious will find that they have not believed in Him and hoped in Him in vain.
    2. How each person, to whom his salvation is dear, ought to prepare for it and make himself ready for the time, so that the Day of the Lord may not come upon him unexpectedly, because He will come suddenly and when one expects it the least, as a thief in the night, or as lightning, or as the birds are caught; and what things one should be diligent in, namely, three things: (1) that we guard ourselves against gluttony, drunkenness, and the cares of sustenance; (2) that we watch, prepare, and arm ourselves with everything that serves to this end so that we may be fitted and ready to stand on that day; and (3) that we pray that God would make us fit for all of this, because our guarding and watching will otherwise not accomplish it (außmachen; [read ausführen]).
    3. How finally, we ought not fear this day, nor be terrified of it, but rather rejoice and lift up our heads, because this day is not a day of wrath (ein Tag des Zorns) for us as it is for the godless, but it is a day of refreshment (ein Tag der Erquickung), a day when everything will be restored to us which may have been lacking to us in this life.

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Luke 21:25–33 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent (Populus Zion), Luke 21:25–33, 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.

    III. A prophecy concerning the end of the world, in which signs are recounted in like manner. (v. 25–38)

    Annotated Text

    25. “And * there will be seen signs in the sun, moon, and stars (for the sun and the moon will lose their radiance and the stars will fall from heaven); and there will be anxiety among the people1 (especially the godless), and they will be timid (so that they do not know what to do); † and the sea and the waves will roar (The waters will burst forth, destroy land and people, and otherwise roar and rage in terrible unheard ways).

    * Isaiah 31:10; Matthew 24:29

    1 Greek: “the peoples” [ἐθνῶν]

    † Psalm 46:4 (Mark 13:24; Joel 3:4; Revelation 6:12)

    26. And men will be * languishing from fear and from expectation of the things which are shall come upon the earth (on account of the terrifying signs; therefore, the people on earth will have to wait for nothing other than the Last Day and the end of the world); for even the powers of the heavens will be shaken (the heavens with their stars will not be as powerful as before for warmth, fruitfulness, and for hidden workings).

    * Isaiah 64:7; Ezekiel 24:23

    27. And * then (immediately after these preceding signs) they (the people on earth) will see the Son of Man (Christ in His assumed humanity) coming in the clouds with great power and glory (He will allow His divine omnipotence and glory communicated to Him according to His human nature to be seen and heard everywhere).

    * Daniel 7:13 (Matthew 26:64)

    28. But when you see these things begin to happen (do not wait only for the last moment, but rather when you see beforehand these things that are preached come into fulfillment more and more), so (you believers) look up (be renewed in your courage), and raise your heads (and hearts with joyful confidence and heartfelt longing), * for your redemption (indeed more and more) draws near (because it is present that through the Last Day you shall be completely delivered from all evil, Romans 8:23).”

    * Romans 8:21, 23

    29. And He (Christ) spoke to them a parable (how to recognize the presence of the Last Day), * “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

    * Matthew 24:32 (Mark 13:28)

    30. When they are already budding, you see in them and take note that summer is now near.

    31. So also you (believers and pious people), when you see all these things happening, then know that the Kingdom of God is near (do not be all to terrified at the signs previously recounted, but rather assure and comfort yourselves that you shall soon be relocated into the kingdom of eternal joy and glory and shall have your joyful everlasting summer there).

    32. Truly, * I say to you, this generation (of the Jews) will not pass away (not entirely be eradicated, but rather wander about, scattered here and there), until all this happens (until the Last Day shall come upon the previously mentioned signs).

    * Matthew 24:34ff.

    33. * Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words † will not pass away.

    * Luke 16:17; Psalm 102:27; Isaiah 51:6; Matthew 5:18

    † Isaiah 40:8

    34. But guard yourselves, that your hearts are not weighed down (that they cannot lift themselves to God on high with devotion in prayer, faith, hope, etc.) with * gluttony and drunkenness, and with cares of sustenance, and the day (the day of judgment) comes upon you quickly.

    * Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18 (1 Thessalonians 5:5ff.; 1 Peter 4:7ff.)

    35. For * it will come as a snare upon all who dwell on earth (just as a bird-catcher casts the net unexpectedly and swiftly over the birds when they hop about on the ground, pick up the grains, and fear no evil, so also when the godless and the earthly minded children of the world are secure, gorging and getting and drunk, and indulging in the lusts of this world, they will be suddenly and unexpectedly trapped and startled by the Last Day).

    * 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (2 Peter 3:10)

    36. So now you therefore be vigorous (vigilant) at all times (flee security and live always in Christian preparedness), and pray, that you may be worthy (deemed worthy by God by grace), to escape all these things that (before and on the Last Day, in a terrible manner, especially with swift abruptness, v. 35) shall happen, and to stand1 before the Son of Man (that you may appear before the judgment seat of Christ with a joyful countenance and a good conscience and not be rejected by Him with the godless, Psalm 1:5; Wisdom 5:1).”

    (Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:34ff; Revelation 3:2, 16:15)

    1 * “to persist,” see Psalm 1:5

    Useful Applications

    III. WARNING: That one ought to expect the Last Day at all times, and that we ought to guard ourselves against gluttony, drunkenness, and the cares of sustenance (or avarice) so that the Last Day may not overtake us while we are unprepared, for by these things the hearts of men are weighed down and many damnable sins are committed. (v. 34)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Luke 14:1–11 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 14:1–11, 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.

    I. A miracle upon a man with dropsy at the meal. (v. 1–6)
    II. A warning, that one ought not desire to sit at the highest place. (v. 7–11)

    Annotated Text

    1. And it came to pass that He came (without doubt on account of a previous invitation) into a house of a ruler of the Pharisees in order to each bread on a Sabbath (to have a meal, in order that he might have pretext and opportunity to instruct him and his fellow people of the order *); and they (the Pharisees, who were in that same house) ** paid attention to Him (they laid in wait for Christ, whether He would say or do something, from which they might seize the opportunity to accuse Him as a transgressor of the Law).

    * Or those who were of his sect and party, to which the majority of the people of both sexes adhered to.

    ** Mark 3:2

    2. And behold, there was a man before Him who had dropsy (whom, without doubt, the Pharisees had requested there so that they may see whether Christ also would heal him on the Sabbath. For if He did it, they would have cause to despise Him as a transgressor of the Sabath; but if He did not do it, then they wanted to blame Him as being either so unmerciful or so powerless that He either would not or could not accomplish it).

    3. And Jesus answered (began to speak), and spoke to the scribes and Pharisees, and said, “Is it also lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

    4. But they were still silent (maliciously, in order to not betray themselves). And He took him (the man with dropsy), and healed him, and let him go.

    5. And He responded and said to them, “Who among you, whose ox or donkey has fallen into the well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” (How much more is it not unlawful that I have helped this poor man on the Sabbath, who otherwise would have suffocated from dropsy?)

    (Luke 13:15)

    6. And they could not give an answer back to Him again.

    7. Now He spoke a parable to the guests (He admonished them to humility through a suitable example taken from a feast), when He noticed (in looking at them He perceived) how they chose to sit in the highest places (how each one eagerly wanted to have the place of best seat at the feast), and said to them:

    (Matthew 23:6)

    8. When you are invited by someone to a feast (or to another honorable banquet), do not sit down in the highest place, so that someone more honorable (who is held in greater honor) than you be invited by him.

    (Proverbs 25:6–7)

    9. And then the one who has invited you and him should come and say to you, “Give way for this man,” and you have to sit down at the lowest with shame.

    10. But rather when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, in order that when the one who has invited you comes, he says to you, “Friend, move up higher.” Then you will have honor before those who sit at table with you.

    (Sirach 3:20)

    11. For * whoever exalts himself (holds himself high in his heart, always striving after a higher estate, wanting to be more noble, more holy, and more pious than others and displays such pride openly with words, gestures, and works), he shall be humbled (be despised by God and men, put to shame, robbed of his goods and honors, and finally cast into the deep hell); and whoever humbles himself (gladly remains in a lowly estate, not thinking too much of himself, considering others more than himself, and acknowledges himself as guilty of the deepest hell on account of his sin), he shall be exalted (be brought to honor here, temporally, and there, eternally).

    * Matthew 23:12ff. (Luke 18:14; Proverbs 29:23; 1 Peter 5:5)

    Useful Applications

    I. CORRECTION: That one ought not neglect an opportunity to do good to others, as here Christ cared for the man with dropsy and healed him (v. 2–4). II. WARNING: Concerning wretched pride, when one chooses to sit at the highest place or considers himself in his mind to be higher, better, and more pious than others—such people are surely humbled by God and are cast down with shame (v. 7–11). DOCTRINE: Positions of honor remain in their order and worth; but to strive after them before others is not fitting, see Romans 13:7; 12:16.