Interpret → Preach
For the service
John Wesley’s own Explanatory Notes Upon the Old and New Testament on the day’s readings — his verse-by-verse commentary, not a summary of it. Read the full edition ↗
first Malachi 4:1-2a
- v.1Cometh — Tho' it be at a distance from you, yet it is coming and will overtake you and overwhelm you too. As an oven - The refiner's fire, chap. iii, 2, is now represented as a fire, burning more dreadfully, as it did indeed when Jerusalem and the temple were on fire, when the fire raged everywhere, but most fiercely where the arched roofs made it double itself, and infold flames with flames. And this may well be an emblem of the day of judgment.
- v.2The sun of righteousness — Christ, who is fitly compared to the sun, being the fountain of light, and vital heat to his church. And of mercy and benignity; for the Hebrew word imports both. With healing - His beams shall bring health and strength, with delight and joy, safety and security. Go forth - Go out of Jerusalem, before the fatal siege. Grow up - In strength, vigour and spiritual stature. Of the stall - Where they are safe guarded and well ordered.
psalm Psalm 98
- v.2Salvation — The redemption of the world by the Messiah: which was hitherto reserved was a secret among the Jews, yea was not throughly known by the most of the Jews themselves. Righteousness - His faithfulness in accomplishing this great promise. Israel is required to praise God, for their hasty constitution both in church and state, ver. 1-5. Some instances of the happy administration of it, ver. 6-9.
second 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
- v.6That walketh disorderly — Particularly by not working. Not according to the tradition he received of us - The admonition we gave, both by word of mouth, and in our former epistle.
- v.10Neither let him eat — Do not maintain him in idleness.
- v.11Doing nothing, but being busybodies — To which idleness naturally disposes.
- v.12Work quietly — Letting the concerns of other people alone.
gospel Luke 21:5-19
- v.5Goodly stones — Such as no engines now in use could have brought, or even set upon each other. Some of them (as an eye witness who lately measured them writes) were forty - five cubits long, five high, and six broad; yet brought thither from another country. And gifts - Which persons delivered from imminent dangers had, in accomplishment of their vows, hung on the walls and pillars. The marble of the temple was so white, that it appeared like a mountain of snow at a distance. And the gilding of many parts made it, especially when the sun shone, a most splendid and beautiful spectacle. Matt. xxiv, 1; Mark xiii, 1.
- v.8I am the Christ; and the time is near — When I will deliver you from all your enemies. They are the words of the seducers.
- v.9Commotions — Intestine broils; civil wars.
- v.11Fearful sights and signs from heaven — Of which Josephus gives a circumstantial account.
- v.12Mark xiii, 9.
- v.13It shall turn to you for a testimony — Of your having delivered your own souls, and of their being without excuse.
- v.16Matt. x, 21.
- v.17Matt. xxiv, 13; Mark xiii, 13.
- v.18Not a hair of your head — A proverbial expression, shall perish - Without the special providence of God. And then, not before the time, nor without a full reward.
- v.19In your patience possess ye your souls — Be calm and serene, masters of yourselves, and superior to all irrational and disquieting passions. By keeping the government of your spirits, you will both avoid much misery, and guard the better against all dangers.