Mat 4:23-24 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 23. Teaching in their synagogues ] Synagogue , συναγωγη, from συν, together , and αγω, I bring , a public assembly of persons, or the place where such persons publicly assembled. Synagogues , among the Jews, were not probably older than the return from the Babylonish captivity. They were erected not only in cities and towns, but in the country, and especially by rivers, that they might have water for the convenience of their frequent washings. Not less than ten persons of respectability composed a synagogue; as the rabbins supposed that this number of persons, of independent property, and well skilled in the law, were necessary to conduct the affairs of the place, and keep up the Divine worship. See Lightfoot . Therefore, where this number could not be found, no synagogue was built; but there might be many synagogues in one city or town, provided it were populous. Jerusalem is said to have contained 480. This need not be wondered at, when it is considered that every Jew was obliged to worship God in public, either in a synagogue or in the temple . The chief things belonging to a synagogue were: 1st. The ark or chest , made after the mode of the ark of the covenant, containing the Pentateuch . 2dly. The pulpit and desk , in the middle of the synagogue, on which he stood who read or expounded the law. 3dly. The seats or pews for the men below, and the galleries for the women above. 4thly. The lamps to give light in the evening service, and at the feast of the dedication. And, 5thly. Apartments for the utensils and alms-chests . The synagogue was governed by a council or assembly, over whom was a president, called in the Gospels, the ruler of the synagogue . These are sometimes called chiefs of the Jews , the rulers , the priests or elders , the governors , the overseers , the fathers of the synagogue . Service was performed in them three times a day- morning, afternoon , and night . Synagogue, among the Jews, had often the same meaning as congregation among us, or place of judicature, see . Preaching the Gospel of the kingdom ] Or, proclaiming the glad tidings of the kingdom . See the preceding notes. Behold here the perfect pattern of an evangelical preacher: 1. He goes about seeking sinners on every side, that he may show them the way to heaven. 2. He proclaims the glad tidings of the kingdom, with a freedom worthy of the King whom he serves. 3. He makes his reputation and the confidence of the people subservient not to his own interest, but to the salvation of souls. 4. To his preaching he joins, as far as he has ability, all works of mercy, and temporal assistance to the bodies of men. 5. He takes care to inform men that diseases, and all kinds of temporal evils, are the effects of sin, and that their hatred to iniquity should increase in proportion to the evils they endure through it. 6. And that nothing but the power of God can save them from sin and its consequences . For glad tidings , or Gospel , see chap. 1. title. Proclaiming , see , and end; and for the meaning of kingdom , see . All manner of sickness, and all manner of disease ] There is a difference between νοσος, translated here sickness , and μαλακια, translated disease . The first is thus defined: νοσοςτηνχρονιαν κακοπαθειαν, a disease of some standing, a chronic disorder. Infirmity , μαλακιατηνπροσκαιρονανωμαλιαντοισωματος, a temporary disorder of the body. Theophylact . This is a proper distinction, and is necessary to be observed.

‏ Matthew 4:23-24

Verse 23. Teaching in their synagogues] Synagogue, συναγωγη, from συν, together, and αγω, I bring, a public assembly of persons, or the place where such persons publicly assembled. Synagogues, among the Jews, were not probably older than the return from the Babylonish captivity. They were erected not only in cities and towns, but in the country, and especially by rivers, that they might have water for the convenience of their frequent washings.

Not less than ten persons of respectability composed a synagogue; as the rabbins supposed that this number of persons, of independent property, and well skilled in the law, were necessary to conduct the affairs of the place, and keep up the Divine worship. See Lightfoot. Therefore, where this number could not be found, no synagogue was built; but there might be many synagogues in one city or town, provided it were populous. Jerusalem is said to have contained 480. This need not be wondered at, when it is considered that every Jew was obliged to worship God in public, either in a synagogue or in the temple.

The chief things belonging to a synagogue were:

1st. The ark or chest, made after the mode of the ark of the covenant, containing the Pentateuch.

2dly. The pulpit and desk, in the middle of the synagogue, on which he stood who read or expounded the law.

3dly. The seats or pews for the men below, and the galleries for the women above.

4thly. The lamps to give light in the evening service, and at the feast of the dedication. And,

5thly. Apartments for the utensils and alms-chests.

The synagogue was governed by a council or assembly, over whom was a president, called in the Gospels, the ruler of the synagogue. These are sometimes called chiefs of the Jews, the rulers, the priests or elders, the governors, the overseers, the fathers of the synagogue. Service was performed in them three times a day-morning, afternoon, and night. Synagogue, among the Jews, had often the same meaning as congregation among us, or place of judicature, see Jas 2:2.

Preaching the Gospel of the kingdom] Or, proclaiming the glad tidings of the kingdom. See the preceding notes. Behold here the perfect pattern of an evangelical preacher: 1. He goes about seeking sinners on every side, that he may show them the way to heaven. 2. He proclaims the glad tidings of the kingdom, with a freedom worthy of the King whom he serves. 3. He makes his reputation and the confidence of the people subservient not to his own interest, but to the salvation of souls. 4. To his preaching he joins, as far as he has ability, all works of mercy, and temporal assistance to the bodies of men. 5. He takes care to inform men that diseases, and all kinds of temporal evils, are the effects of sin, and that their hatred to iniquity should increase in proportion to the evils they endure through it. 6. And that nothing but the power of God can save them from sin and its consequences.

For glad tidings, or Gospel, see chap. 1. title. Proclaiming, see Mt 3:1, and end; and for the meaning of kingdom, see Mt 3:2.

All manner of sickness, and all manner of disease] There is a difference between νοσος, translated here sickness, and μαλακια, translated disease. The first is thus defined: νοσοςτηνχρονιαν κακοπαθειαν, a disease of some standing, a chronic disorder.

Infirmity, μαλακιατηνπροσκαιρονανωμαλιαντοισωματος, a temporary disorder of the body. Theophylact. This is a proper distinction, and is necessary to be observed.

Verse 24. Sick people] τουςκακωςεχοντας, those who felt ill-were afflicted with any species of malady.

And torments] βασανοις, from βασανιζω, to examine by torture, such as cholics, gouts, and rheumatisms, which racked every joint.

Possessed with devils] Daemoniacs. Persons possessed by evil spirits. This is certainly the plain obvious meaning of daemoniac in the Gospels.

Many eminent men think that the sacred writers accommodated themselves to the unfounded prejudices of the common people, in attributing certain diseases to the influence of evil spirits, which were merely the effects of natural causes: but that this explanation can never comport with the accounts given of these persons shall be proved as the places occur.

Our common version, which renders the word, those possessed by devils, is not strictly correct; as the word devil, διαβολος, is not found in the plural in any part of the Sacred Writings, when speaking of evil spirits: for though there are multitudes of daemons, Mr 5:9, yet it appears there is but one DEVIL, who seems to be supreme, or head, over all the rest. διαβολος signifies an accuser or slanderer, 1Ti 3:11; 2Ti 3:3; Tit 2:3. Perhaps Satan was called so, 1st. because he accused or slandered God in paradise, as averse from the increase of man's knowledge and happiness, Ge 3:5; Joh 8:44; and 2dly. because he is the accuser of men, Re 12:9, 10. See also Clarke on "Job 1:2". The word comes from δια, through, and βαλλειν, to cast, or shoot, because of the influence of his evil suggestions; compared, Eph 6:16, to fiery darts; and thus it is nearly of the same meaning with οπειραζων, he who pierces through. See on Mt 4:3.

Lunatic] Persons afflicted with epileptic or other disorders, which are always known to have a singular increase at the change and full of the moon. This undoubtedly proceeds from the superadded attractive influence of the sun and moon upon the earth's atmosphere, as, in the periods mentioned above, these two luminaries are both in conjunction; and their united attractive power being exerted on the earth at the same time, not only causes the flux and reflux of the ocean, but occasions a variety of important changes in the bodies of infirm persons, of animals in general, but more particularly in those who are more sensible of these variations. And is this any wonder, when it is well known, that a very slight alteration in the atmosphere causes the most uncomfortable sensations to a number of invalids! But sometimes even these diseases were caused by demons. See on Mt 8:16, 34, and Mt 17:15.

Palsy] Palsy is defined, a sudden loss of tone and vital power in a certain part of the human body. This may affect a limb, the whole side, the tongue, or the whole body. This disorder is in general incurable, except by the miraculous power of God, unless in its slighter stages.

He healed them.] Either with a word or a touch; and thus proved that all nature was under his control.