But which of you having a servant ploughing
In order to keep the disciples humble in the performance of such
miraculous works; and that they might not imagine they could have
any thing at the hands of God by merit; and to excite them to go
on from one duty to another; and never think they have done, or
done enough, or more than what is their duty, Christ delivers the
following parable.
Which of you having a servant ploughing, or feeding
cattle;
or "sheep", as the Syriac and Persic versions render it; or a
"ploughman", or a "shepherd", as the Ethiopic version; which are
both servile works, and done in the field: not that the disciples
had any such servants under them, though the words are directed
to them, for they had left all, and followed Christ; nor were
they brought up to husbandry, but most of them in the fishing
trade; Christ only puts this for instance, and supposes such a
case:
will say unto him by and by;
or straightway, immediately, directly,
when he is come from the field;
and has done ploughing, and feeding his cattle, sheep, or cows,
or whatever they are; as soon as ever he comes home; or "first",
as the Persic version; the first thing he shall say to him, upon
his return from thence,
go;
to the other side of the room, and to the table there ready
spread, and furnished; or "go up", as the Arabic and Ethiopic
versions render it; go up to the upper room where they used to
dine or sup; see ( Luke 22:12 ) or "come
in", as the Persic version renders it; and which some learned men
observe, is the sense of the Greek word here used; come into the
house,
and sit down to meat?
or fall, and lie down on the couch, as was the custom in those
countries at eating.