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NASB | Matthew 15:18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 15:18 "But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man. |
Subject: danger of small sins lead to larger sins |
Bible Note: Hi, Jalek... That does sound like a good explanation of Christ's use of the qualifier "greater." John Calvin in his Commentary on John (1551) says something not dissimilar to it, "Some think that this declares the Jews to be more guilty than Pilate, because, with wicked hatred and malicious treachery, they are enraged against an innocent man, that is, those of them who were private individuals, and not clothed with lawful authority. But I think that this circumstance renders their guilt more heinous and less excusable on another ground, that they constrain a divinely appointed government to comply with their lawless desires; for it is a monstrous sacrilege to pervert a holy ordinance of God for promoting any wickedness. The robber, who, with his own hand, cuts the throat of a wretched passenger, is justly held in abhorrence; but he who, under the forms of a judicial trial, puts to death an innocent man, is much more wicked. Yet Christ does not aggravate their guilt, for the purpose of extenuating that of Pilate; for he does not institute a comparison between him and them, but rather includes them all in the same condemnation, because they equally pollute a holy power. There is only this difference, that he makes direct attack on the Jews, but indirectly censures Pilate, who complies with their wicked desire." Nevertheless, John Gill and Robert Jamieson appear to agree more explicitly with the way that you presented it. Thank you for your studied and thoughtful reply. No doubt your listeners benefited this morning, and now so have I done! I wish that I might have been in attendance. In Him, Doc |