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Observe here, 1. What dismal effects this famous miracle of Christ had upon the Pharisees and Herodians. Instead of being convinced by it, they conspire against him for it. These Herodians and Pharisees were of different opinions, enemies to one another, yet they join together in seeking the death of Christ.
The Pharisees were against paying tribute to Caesar, looking upon themselves as a free people, accounting the Roman emperor an usurper. The Herodians were for it. Herod being made by the Roman emperor king of the Jews, was zealous for having the Jews pay tribute to Caesar; and such of the Jews as sided with him, particularly his courtiers and favourites, were styled Herodians; but both Pharisees and Herodians take counsel against Christ.
Learn thence, That unity and consent is of itself alone far from being a mark and note of the true church. Unity in the faith and doctrine of Christ, and in the profession and practice of the true religion, is a note indeed of the true church: but unity in opposing Christ, his person, his doctrine, his people, is so far from being a mark of the true church, that it is the badge of the antichristian synagogue.
Observe, 2. The prudent means which our Saviour uses to preserve himself from the rage of the Pharisees, he withdrew himself from them. Christ's example teaches his ministers their duty in a time of danger to fly from persecution, and to endeavour to preserve their lives, unless when their sufferings are like to do more good than their lives.
Observe, 3. The great zeal and forwardness of the people in flocking after our Saviour's ministry; people come now at first from all places and countries, from Judea, from Idumea, from beyond Jordan, from Tyre and Sidon, to hear his doctrine, and see his miracles. The people came from all parts when our Saviour first began to preach. His ministers find it thus: at their first coming amongst a people their labours are most acceptable, and they do most good; our people's affections are then warmest, and perhaps our own too.
Observe, 4. What sort of people they were which attended thus zealously upon our Saviour's ministry, they were the common and ordinary people; the poor received the gospel, whilst the Pharisees, and other men of most account, the mighty, the noble, and the wise men after the flesh, despised our Saviour's person, slighted his ministry, and sought his life. The ordinary and meanest sort of people ever have been more zealous and forward in embracing the gospel, than ever the great, and the rich, and the honourable part of the world have been.
It is a sad but certain truth, heaven is the place where few, comparatively, of the great men of the world, are like to come; their temptations are many, their lusts are strong, and their great estates, through their own abuse, become fuel to their lusts.
Observe, 5. The behaviour of these unclean spirits (the devils) towards our Saviour, and our Saviour's carriage towards them; they fall down at the very sight of him, they cry out, and confess him to be the Son of God; but he sharply rebukes them, and charges them that they should not make him known. Not that our Saviour would have the knowledge of his person suppressed, but because the devils were not fit persons to preach Jesus Christ. A truth out of the mouth of the father of lies, is enough to render truth itself suspected. Besides, the time appointed for the full and clear manifestation of the Godhead of Christ was not yet come. This was not to be done till after his resurrection; the divine nature was to be hid under the veil of Christ's flesh, during his state of humiliation and abasement.