11. He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to
know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven--The word "mysteries" in
Scripture is not used in its classical sense--of religious secrets, nor
yet of things incomprehensible, or in their own nature difficult to be
understood--but in the sense of things of purely divine revelation, and,
usually, things darkly announced under the ancient economy, and during
all that period darkly understood, but fully published under the Gospel
(1Co 2:6-10;
Eph 3:3-6, 8, 9).
"The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," then, mean those glorious
Gospel truths which at that time only the more advanced disciples could
appreciate, and they but partially.
but to them it is not given--(See on
Mt 11:25).
Parables serve the double purpose of revealing and
concealing; presenting "the mysteries of the kingdom" to those
who know and relish them, though in never so small a degree, in a new
and attractive light; but to those who are insensible to spiritual
things yielding only, as so many tales, some temporary
entertainment.
JFB.
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