(36) Pray always.--The word is not the same commonly used for "pray," but occurs once only in the other Gospels (Matthew 9:38). St. Luke uses it fifteen times in the Gospel and Acts together, and St. Paul six times (2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 10:2, et seq.). It is not used by any other New Testament writer.
That ye may be accounted worthy . . .--See Note on Luke 20:35. The better MSS., however, give, "that ye may have strength to escape."
21:29-38 Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by. He charges them to look upon the ruin of the Jewish nation as near. Yet this race and family of Abraham shall not be rooted out; it shall survive as a nation, and be found as prophesied, when the Son of man shall be revealed. He cautions them against being secure and sensual. This command is given to all Christ's disciples, Take heed to yourselves, that ye be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions. We cannot be safe, if we are carnally secure. Our danger is, lest the day of death and of judgment should come upon us when we are not prepared. Lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be the furthest from our thoughts, which ought to be nearest our hearts. For so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven. It will be a terror and a destruction to them. Here see what should be our aim, that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things; that when the judgements of God are abroad, we may not be in the common calamity, or it may not be that to us which it is to others. Do you ask how you may be found worthy to stand before Christ at that day? Those who never yet sought Christ, let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins, let them now begin; those who have already begun, let them go forward and be kept humbled. Watch therefore, and pray always. Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. May we begin, employ, and conclude each day attending to Christ's word, obeying his precepts, and following his example, that whenever he comes we may be found watching.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always,.... Watch against every sin, snare, and temptation; particularly, against the above things, surfeiting, drunkenness, and worldly cares; pray continually, for fresh supplies of grace:
that ye may be counted worthy; not for watchfulness and prayer, but through the grace and goodness of God:
to escape all these things that shall come to pass; the dreadful miseries and distress, that shall come upon the Jews:
and to stand before the Son of man; with intrepidity, confidence, and pleasure; and meet him at his coming in this way, with joy and comfort; and likewise at death, and at judgment; see 1 John 2:28.
That ye may be accounted worthy . . .--See Note on Luke 20:35. The better MSS., however, give, "that ye may have strength to escape."
To stand before the Son of man.--The same preposition is used with special reference to the final judgment in 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Thessalonians 3:13.
that ye may be counted worthy; not for watchfulness and prayer, but through the grace and goodness of God:
to escape all these things that shall come to pass; the dreadful miseries and distress, that shall come upon the Jews:
and to stand before the Son of man; with intrepidity, confidence, and pleasure; and meet him at his coming in this way, with joy and comfort; and likewise at death, and at judgment; see 1 John 2:28.