Sign Seekers and the Enthusiast Reproved.

  ^a 44 Then he saith, I will return into {^c turn back unto} my house

  25 And when he is come, he findeth it ^a empty, swept, and garnished.

  45 Then [seeing this inviting condition] goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits [to reinforce and entrench himself] more evil than himself [while all demons are wicked they are not equally so], and they enter in and dwell there [take up their permanent abode there]: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation. [In the application of this parable, we should bear in mind that it tells of two states or conditions experienced by one man, and the comparison is between these two states or conditions and not between the condition of the man and other men. Such being the parable, the application of it is plain, for Jesus says, "Even so shall it be unto this evil generation." We are not, therefore, to compare that generation with any previous one, as many do; for such would be contrary to the terms of the parable. It is simply an assertion that the last state of that generation would be worse than the first. The reference is to the continually increasing wickedness of the Jews, which culminated in the dreadful scenes which preceded the destruction evil spirit; they would then be like a man with seven more demons added, each of which was worse than the original occupant.]

  ^c 27 And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck. [This woman is the first on record to fulfill Mary's prediction ( Luke 1:48 ). It is the only passage in the New Testament which even suggests the idolatry of Mariolatry, but it was far enough from it, being merely a womanly way of expressing admiration for the son by pronouncing blessings upon the mother who was so fortunate as to bear him.]

  28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. [Jesus does not deny the fact that Mary was blessed, but corrects any false idea with regard to her by pointing to the higher honor of being a disciple which was attainable by every one. Mary's blessing as a disciple was greater than her blessing as a mother; her moral and spiritual relation to Jesus was more precious than her maternal. Mary's blessings came through believing God's word ( Luke 1:45 ). To know Christ after the Spirit is more blessed than to know him after the flesh-- 2 Corinthians 5:15 2 Corinthians 5:16 ; John 16:7 .]

  33 No man, when he hath lighted a lamp, putteth it in a cellar, neither under a bushel, but on the stand, that they which come in may see the light.

  34 The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

  35 Look therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness.

  36 If therefore thy whole body be full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining doth give thee light.

[This passage given in a slightly varying form is found in the Sermon on the Mount.tfg.cgi?section=T#">Section It is here addressed to the Pharisees and reproves them for not using had had an eye single to goodness, Christ's light would have enlightened their souls. But their eye was double; they desired wonders and spectacular signs.]

  34 The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

  35 Look therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness.

  36 If therefore thy whole body be full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining doth give thee light.