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马太福音生命读经 · 第34篇

对王弃绝的建立（三）

The Establishment Of The King’s Rejection(3)
1在本篇信息中，我们要来看马太
1
2十二章三十八至五十节。
2In this message we shall consider 12:38-50
3肆、对弃王世代的神迹一、弃王世代求看神迹
3IV. THE SIGN TO THE REJECTING GENERATION A. The Rejecting Generation Wanting to See a Sign
4因为法利赛人无法和主耶稣辩论，他们就改变话题，表面上是从消极方面转到积极方面。三十八节说，『当时有几个经学家和法利赛人应声对耶稣说，夫子，我们愿意你显个神迹给我们看。』因为他们不能用辩论击败主耶稣，为著挽回面子，就把话题从一件事转到另一件事；他们向主求一个神迹。这是诡诈的题议。神迹，直译，表号，兆头。指带著属灵意义的神迹。犹太人总是寻求神迹。（林前一22。）这又给主机会，同全宇宙进一步启示关于祂自己的事。
4Because the Pharisees could not argue with the Lord Jesus, they changed the subject seemingly from the negative side to the positive side. Verse 38 says, “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” Because they could not defeat the Lord Jesus by arguing, to save face they changed the subject from one thing to another; they asked the Lord for a sign. This was a subtle proposal. A sign is a miracle with some spiritual significance. The Jews always seek for signs (1 Cor. 1:22). Once again this gave the Lord the opportunity to reveal to the whole universe something further concerning Himself
二 、除了王死的神迹以外，再没有神迹给他们
B. No Sign Given to Them Except the Sign of the King’s Death
5三十九节说，『耶稣回答他们说，邪恶淫乱的世代寻求神迹，除了申言者约拿的神迹以外，再没有神迹给牠。』你若是其中一个法利赛人，你难道不会被主的回答搞糊涂么？法利赛人似乎说，『我们要你显个神迹给我们看，你却称我们为邪恶淫乱的世代。先前，你称我们为毒蛇之种。我们承认你是良善的夫子。夫子，显个神迹给我们看；显个有意义的神迹给我们看。』主耶稣似乎说，『是的，你们会看见一个神迹。虽然你们不是诚实的世代，也不是纯洁的世代，乃是邪恶淫乱的世代；但有一个神迹，约拿的神迹，是为著你们的。』
5Verse 39 says, “But He answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.” If you had been one of those Pharisees, would you not have been bothered by the Lord’s reply? The Pharisees seemed to be saying, “We want you to show us a sign, and you call us an evil and adulterous generation. Before this, you called us a brood of vipers. We recognize that you are a good teacher. Teacher, show us a sign. Show us a miracle with some significance.” The Lord Jesus seemed to say, “Yes, you will see a sign. Although you are not an honest generation nor a pure generation, but an evil and adulterous generation, there is a sign for you—the sign of Jonah
6主耶稣继续把约拿神迹的意义告诉他们。在四十节祂说，『因为约拿怎样三日三夜在大鱼腹中，人子也必照样三日三夜在地心里。』这对他们是非常有意义的神迹。地心称为地的低下之处（弗四9）和阴间。（徒二27。）这是主死后所去的地方。阴间有两部分：受苦的部分和得安慰的部分。（路十六23～26。）得安慰的部分是乐园，就是主同得救的强盗，在十字架上死了之后所去的地方。（路二三43。）因此，地心、地的低下之处、阴间和乐园，都是同义辞，指主在受死后、复活前，停留三日三夜的地方。
6The Lord Jesus proceeded to tell them the significance of the sign of Jonah. In verse 40 He said, “For as Jonah was in the belly of these a monster three days and three nights, so shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.” This was to be a very meaningful sign to them. “The heart of the earth” is called the lower parts of the earth (Eph. 4:9) and Hades (Acts 2:27), where the Lord went after His death. Hades, equal to Sheol in the Old Testament, has two sections: the section of torment and the section of comfort (Luke 16:23-26). The section of comfort is paradise, where the Lord went with the saved thief after they died (Luke 23:43). Hence, the heart of the earth, the lower parts of the earth, Hades, and paradise are synonymous terms, referring to the one place where the Lord stayed for three days and three nights after His death and before His resurrection.
7在四十一节主继续说，『在审判的时候，尼尼微人要同这世代站起来，并要定这世代的罪，因为他们听了约拿所传扬的，就悔改了。看哪，在这里有比约拿更大的。』四十一、四十二节的更大，指质更好、量更多；因此，更大。与六节的更大不同，那是指外部的尺寸或度量更大。基督是神差遣到祂百姓那里的申言者，（申十八15，18，）比申言者约拿更大。约拿是从以色列人转向外邦人的申言者，会被放在大鱼腹中。他在那里停留三日，出来后成了那世代叫人悔改的神迹（兆头）。（拿一2，17，三2～10。）这豫表基督要从以色列人转向外邦人，并要埋在地心里三日三夜，然后从死人中复活，成了这世代叫人得救的神迹(兆头)。
7In verse 41 the Lord continued, “Men, Ninevites, will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.” The Greek word rendered “greater” in verses 41 and 42 is pleion, meaning more in quantity and quality; hence, greater. It differs from meizon, the word for greater in verse 6, which means greater in external size or measure. Christ, as the Prophet sent by God to His people (Deut. 18:15, 18), is greater than Jonah the prophet. Jonah was the prophet who turned from Israel to the Gentiles and was put into the belly of the great fish. After He had remained there for three days, he came out to become a sign to that generation for repentance (Jonah 1:2, 17; 3:2-10). This was a type of Christ, who would turn from Israel to the Gentiles, and who would be buried in the heart of the earth for three days and then be resurrected, becoming a sign to this generation for salvation
8在四十一节主似乎说，『尼尼微人因著约拿的神迹悔改了。可是你们邪恶淫乱的世代，看见人子三日三夜埋在地心里这样的神迹，却不悔改。』主在四十、四十一节的话不是普通的话，乃是一个豫言。主埋在地心里之前，就这样豫言，告诉法利赛人祂要三日三夜在地心里。我相信主耶稣是在祂的怜悯里告诉他们这事。祂似乎说，『我向你们豫言我的死和埋葬。这对你们将是一个神迹，正如约拿对尼尼微人是一个神迹，叫他们全都悔改。我现在豫言这事，好使你们看见时可以悔改。』然而，他们并没有悔改。藉此我们看见，法利赛人是多么顽梗。
8In verse 41 the Lord seemed to be saying, “The Ninevites repented because of the sign of Jonah. Yet you, an evil and adulterous generation, which will see such a sign as that of the Son of Man buried in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights, will not repent.” The Lord’s word in verses 40 and 41 was not an ordinary word; it was a prediction. Before the Lord was buried in the heart of the earth, He prophesied in this way, telling the Pharisees that He would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. I believe that the Lord Jesus told them this in His mercy. He seemed to say, “I give you a prediction of My death and burial. This shall be a sign to you, just as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites that caused them all to repent. I predict this now so that when you see it, you may repent.” However, they did not repent. By this we see how stubborn the Pharisees were.
9三、王在复活里是更大的所罗门
9C. The King as the Greater Solomon in Resurrection
10在主和法利赛人的交谈中，突然出现了另一个神迹（兆头）：所罗门的神迹（兆头）。四十二节说，『在审判的时候，南方的女王要同这世代起来，并要定这世代的罪，因为她从地极来，要听所罗门的智慧话。看哪，在这里有比所罗门更大的。』基督这位大卫的儿子，乃是君王，比所罗门王更大。所罗门建造神的殿，并说智慧的话，外邦女王曾来见他。（王上六2，十1～8。）这也是基督的豫表。祂建造召会作神的殿，并说智慧的话，寻求祂的外邦人都转向祂。
10In the Lord’s conversation with the Pharisees, suddenly another sign appeared: the sign of Solomon. Verse 4 2 says, “The queen of the south shall be raised in the judgment with this generation and shall condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” Christ, as the Son of David to be the King, is greater than Solomon the king. Solomon built the temple of God and spoke the word of wisdom, and to him the Gentile queen came (1 Kings 6:2; 10:1-8). This also is a type of Christ, who is building the church to be the temple of God and speaking the word of wisdom, and to Him the Gentile seekers turn.
11这两个豫表指明，基督无论是神所差的申言者，或是神所膏的君王，都要从以色列人转向外邦人，如十八、二十一节所豫言的。
11Both of these types indicate that Christ, whether as the Prophet sent by God or the King anointed by God, would turn from Israel to the Gentiles, as prophesied in verses 18 and 21
12按照历史，所罗门王在申言者约拿之前；但按照属灵的意义，约拿在先，如马太所记载的。这也证明马太的记载不是按历史的次序，乃是按道理的次序。按照道理，基督必须先死而复活，然后建造召会，并说智慧的话。这对这世代，无论犹太人或外邦人，都是真实的神迹（兆头）。（林前一22，24。）
12According to history, King Solomon preceded Jonah the prophet. But according to spiritual significance, Jonah came first, as recorded in Matthew. This also proves that Matthew’s record is not according to the sequence of history, but according to the sequence of doctrine. According to doctrine, Christ must first die and be resurrected; then He builds the church and speaks the word of wisdom. This is the real sign to this generation, both to the Jews and to the Gentiles (1 Cor. 1:22, 24
13藉著主在四十至四十二节的话，祂完全豫言到祂的死、埋葬和复活。约拿豫表基督的死和埋葬，所罗门豫表基督的复活。法利赛人若不是顽梗的，就会领悟这样的话不是随便说的。反之，主的话非常严肃、重要、并且有意义。法利赛人不该认为这些话无关紧要。我们若在那里，听见这些话，我们必然会认为这些话是严肃、有分量、并且满了意义的。法利赛人若接受主的话，在主钉十字架、埋葬并复活后，他们就会悔改相信。主回答法利赛人时满了怜悯。看起来祂似乎在责备他们，但祂的怜悯多于祂的责备。祂将约拿和所罗门的神迹告诉他们，指明祂即将受死、埋葬并复活。祂的死和复活对这时代和那世代要成为独一的神迹。在二十世纪的今天也是这样，基督的死和复活对这时代仍是独一的神迹。祂的死和复活的确满了意义。然而，代表那邪恶淫乱世代之顽梗的法利赛人却不在意。
13By His word in verses 4 0 through 4 2 the Lord prophesied fully concerning His death, burial, and resurrection. Jonah was a type of Christ in His death and burial, and Solomon was a type of Christ in His resurrection. If the Pharisees had not been stubborn, they would have realized that such words were not spoken lightly. Rather, the Lord’s word was very serious, significant, and meaningful. The Pharisees should not have considered them as unimportant. If we had been there and had heard these words, we certainly would have considered them serious, weighty, and filled with significance. If the Pharisees had taken in the Lord’s word, they would have repented and believed after the Lord was crucified, buried, and resurrected. In His answer to the Pharisees the Lord was merciful. Although it appears that He was rebuking them, He was more merciful than He was rebuking. He gave them the signs of Jonah and of Solomon, indicating that He was about to die, to be buried, and to be resurrected. His death and resurrection were to be the unique sign to this age and to that generation. This is also true today in the twentieth century. Christ’s death and resurrection are still the unique signs to this age. His death is truly meaningful, and His resurrection is full of significance. Nevertheless, the stubborn Pharisees, representing that evil and adulterous generation, did not care.
14主所说关于约拿和所罗门的话，也指明从那时起，祂不会再为犹太人行任何神迹。直到祂死而复活，祂不会给他们任何神迹。祂的死和复活对所有顽梗的犹太人成了真正的神迹。这是对那世代独一的神迹。
14The Lord’sword concerning Jonah and Solomon also indicated that from that time onward He would not do any miracles for the Jewish people. Until He died and was resurrected, He would not give them any signs. His death and resurrection became the real sign to all the stubborn Jews. They were the unique signs to that generation
15伍、弃王世代每下愈况
15V. The Rejecting Generation Becoming Worse
16四十三至四十五节指明，那弃绝王的世代要每下愈况。四十三节说，『污灵从人里面出来，在无水之地荡来荡去，寻找安歇之处，却寻不著。』污灵，就是鬼，（太十二22，）在无水之地寻找安歇之处，却寻不著，因为神在创世记一章二节用水审判以后，鬼的住处就是海。鬼既无法在干旱之地寻著安歇，就回到原先所附的人体内，住在那里。（太十二44～45。）
16Verses 43 through 45 indicate that the rejecting generation will become worse. Verse 43 says, “Now when the unclean spirit goes out from a man, it passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and does not find it.” The unclean spirit, a demon (v. 22), seeks for rest but cannot find it in waterless places, because the lodging place of demons, after God’s judgment by water in Genesis 1:2, is the sea. Since the demon cannot find rest in dry places, it returns into the man’s body it originally possessed and makes its home there (vv. 44-45
17四十四、四十五节继续说，『便说，我要回到我所出来我的屋里去。到了，就见里面空著，打扫干净，装饰好了。于是去另带了七个比自己更恶的灵来，一同进去，住在那里。那人末后的景况，就比先前更坏了。这邪恶的世代，也要如此。』在道理上，四十三节是按著二十二节。这两节之间记载犹太人弃绝基督，基督也放弃他们。这里，主将弃绝祂的犹太人这邪恶的世代，比喻为鬼附的人。在主眼中，弃绝祂的犹太人就像鬼附的人一样。约拿和所罗门的两个神迹，指明外邦人要悔改；但鬼附之人的事例，指明弃绝祂的犹太人不肯悔改。他们只肯扫除污秽，增添饰物以美化自己，却不肯接受基督来充满。他们宁愿仍然虚空，仍然空著。这就是今天犹太人的真实光景。将近这世代的末了，他们被鬼附的情形要加重七倍，景况就比先前更坏了。
17Verses 44 and 45 continue, “Then it says, I will return into my house from which I came out; and having come, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and decorated. Then it goes and takes with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter in and make their home there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Thus shall it also be to this evil generation.” Doctrinally, verse 43 continues verse 22. In between is a record of the Jews’ rejection of Christ and Christ’s forsaking of them. Here the Lord likened the evil generation of the rejecting Jews to the demon-possessed man. In the eyes of the Lord, the rejecting Jews were like demon-possessed people. The two signs of Jonah and Solomon indicated that the Gentiles would repent, but the case of the demon - possessed man indicated that the rejecting Jews would not repent. They will only sweep away the dirt and add good things to beautify themselves, but will not receive Christ to fill them. Rather, they will remain empty and unoccupied. This is the condition of today’s Jews. Near the end of this age, they will be seven times more possessed by demons, and their state will become worse than ever.
18主耶稣把那邪恶的世代比喻为鬼附的人；有一个鬼从他身上出来。因为那人不肯悔改接受基督，所以他仍旧是虚空的。虽然鬼被赶出去了，但基督不能进来，所以那人就像空著的屋子。主耶稣说，这世代就像这样一个人。主用三个辞描述这屋子：空著、打扫干净、装饰好了。这话也是豫言，是已经应验，且仍要应验的豫言。那些归回形成以色列国的犹太人，是打扫干净，装饰好了，并且空著的。今天整个以色列国已经打扫干净了，也把许多东西扔掉了。不仅如此，他们还装饰了各种美物；犹太人在科学和其他范围都很杰出。然而，以色列国仍然空著。主在这些经节里的话，乃是豫言今天犹太人顽梗的世代。
18The Lord Jesus likened that evil generation to a demon-possessed person out from whom a demon has gone. Because that person would not repent and accept Christ, he remained empty. Although the demon was cast out, Christ could not come in. Therefore that person was like a vacant house. The Lord Jesus said that this generation was like such a person. The Lord describes this house with three words: unoccupied, swept, and decorated. This word was also a prophecy, a prophecy that has been fulfilled and yet is still to be fulfilled. The Jews who have returned to form the nation of Israel are swept, decorated, and unoccupied. The entire nation of Israel today has been cleansed, and so many things have been cast out. Furthermore, they have been decorated with various good things; the Jewish people excel in science and other areas. However, the nation of Israel remains unoccupied. The Lord’sword in these verses is a prediction of the stubborn generation of Jews today
19我爱以色列人，但我必须照著神的启示说话。最近我们访问以色列时，看见犹太人打扫干净，装饰好了，但他们是空著的。我同意主的话。当鬼晓得这人里面空著，就带了七个比自己更恶的灵来，都来占有那空屋。这指明年复一年，以色列国要越过越成为鬼魔的。越过越多属鬼的东西要在那里被发现。犹太人就像干净的屋子，但他们不肯把基督接受到他们里面，他们仍然空著。看看今天的以色列国。犹太人的目标是甚么？很多人会说，他们除了维持国家的生存以外，没有别的目标。但那不该是他们的目标。以色列国存在与否不在于犹太人的奋斗，乃在于神的怜悯。我不关心以色列国的存在。神已经使她复国，就没有人能把她废除。阿拉伯人所作的都是徒然的，因为复兴以色列国乃是神的工作。然而，今天以色列国没有目标；所以她是空著的。
19I love Israel, but I must speak according to God’sr evelation. In a recent visit to Israel, we saw that the Jews are swept, cleansed, and decorated, but they are unoccupied. I agree with the Lord’sword. When the demon realized that the person was unoccupied, it took seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all came to occupy the vacancy. This indicates that year by year the nation of Israel will become more and more devilish. More and more demonic things will be found there. The Jews are like a clean house, but they will not accept Christ and receive Him into them. Rather, they remain unoccupied. Consider the nation of Israel today. What is the Jews’ goal? Many would say that they have no goal other than maintaining the existence of their nation. But that should not be their goal. Whether or not the nation of Israel exists does not depend upon the endeavor of the Jews; it depends upon God’s mercy. I am not concerned for the existence of the nation of Israel. God has restored it, and no one can abolish it. All that the Arabs are doing is in vain because the restoration of the nation of Israel is the work of God. Nevertheless, the nation of Israel today has no goal; hence, it is unoccupied
20在四十五年多以前，我就清楚了关于以色列的这段话。当然，那时我没有看见以色列的复国，或耶路撒冷的收复。我永远忘不了在上海报上得知以色列复国的那个日子，我也忘不了一九六七年听到耶路撒冷归回以色列的日子。毫无疑问，以色列国必要存留到主回来。然而，我关心以色列国仍然是空的。为甚么犹太人不肯接受他们的弥赛亚？为甚么他们不让基督占有他们？今天他们仍然空著，他们的光景要每下愈况。
20I became clear regarding this portion about Israel more than forty-five years ago. At that time, of course, I could not see the restoration of Israel or the return of Jerusalem. I will never forget the day in Shanghai when I read in the newspaper about the restoration of Israel; neither will I forget the day in 1967 when I heard that Jerusalem was returned to Israel. No doubt Israel will exist as a nation until the Lord comes back. My concern is that Israel remains empty. Why will the Jews not accept their Messiah? Why will they not allow Christ to occupy them? Today they remain unoccupied, and their situation will become worse and worse
21陆、弃绝导致王的放弃
21Vi. Rejection Resulting In The King’s Forsaking
22此后，主耶稣还对群众说话的时候，他的母亲和兄弟站在外面，要找祂说话。有人对祂说，『看哪，你的母亲和兄弟站在外面，46-要找你说话。』（太十二46～47。）这种环境也给主机会启示一些事。主说，『谁是我的母亲？谁是我的弟兄？就伸手指著门徒说，看哪，我的母亲，我的弟兄！因为凡实行我在诸天之上父旨意的，就是我的弟兄、姊妹和母亲了。』（太十二48～50。）这指明属天的王放弃了祂和犹太人肉身的关系。在这一章里，犹太人弃绝基督达到极峰，以致基督完全放弃他们。此时，他们开始与基督决裂，而与基督隔绝了。（罗十一17，19～20。）基督与犹太人决裂以后，就转向外邦人。此后，祂与跟从之人的关系，不再是在肉身里，乃是在灵里。凡实行神父旨意的，就是帮助祂的弟兄，同情祂的姊妹，以及柔和慈爱的母亲。
22After this, as the Lord Jesus was speaking to the crowds, His mother and His brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to Him, and someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You” (vv. 47). This also was an environment giving the Lord the opportunity to reveal something. The Lord said, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers? And stretching out His hand over His disciples, He said, Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father Who is in the heavens, he is My brother and sister and mother” (vv. 48-50). This indicates that the heavenly King forsook His relationship with the Jews in the flesh. In this chapter, the Jews’ rejection of Christ, having reached its climax, resulted in Christ’s full forsaking of them. At this point, the break between them and Christ began, and they were severed from Christ (Rom. 11:17, 19-20). After the break with the Jews, Christ turned to the Gentiles. Then His relationship with His followers was no more in the flesh, but in the spirit. Whoever does the will of His Father is His brother for helping, His sister for sympathizing, and His mother for tenderly loving.
23在四十六至五十节我们看见一大转换，甚至是时代的转换。从此以后，耶稣与人的关系不再是基于天然的出生，乃是基于属灵的出生。凡实行在诸天之上父旨意的，就是耶稣的亲属。换句话说，在十二章末了，主有力的指明，祂已经放弃了整个以色列族。此后，祂与人的关系必须基于属灵的事。所有实行父旨意的人，都是他的亲属。阿利路亚，我们不仅是基督的亲属，也是祂的肢体！我们是祂的肢体，不是凭著天然的血缘或天然的出生，乃是凭著我们灵里属灵的出生。那与主联合的，便是与主成为一灵。（林前六17。）如今我们不仅是祂的弟兄姊妹；我们也与祂是一灵，在祂里面是一个身体，在祂里面是一个新人。
23In verses 46 through 50 we see a great turn, even a dispensational turn. From this point onward, Jesus’ relationship with people is not based upon the natural birth, but upon the spiritual birth. Whoever does the will of the Father who is in heaven is a relative of Jesus. In other words, at the end of chapter twelve, the Lord indicated strongly that He had given up the entire race of Israel. After that, His relationship with people was to be based upon something spiritual. All those who do the will of the Father are His relatives. Hallelujah, we are not only Christ’s relatives, but His members! We are His members not by our natural blood or natural birth, but by our spiritual birth in our spirit. He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit (1 Cor. 6:17). Now we are not only His brothers and sisters; we are one spirit with Him, one body in Him, and one new man in Him.
24在十二章末了，主耶稣向全宇宙明确的宣告，按著天然的血缘说，祂和以色列人的关系结束了。因此，罗马十一章说，以色列人被折下来了。这个折下来发生在马太十二章末了。罗马十一章也说，外邦人被接上去了。这也发生在马太十二章末了。在下一篇信息中，我们要看见国度的奥秘。在那一章里，我们不再看见以色列人，却看见被接上去成为召会的外邦人。
24At the end of chapter twelve the Lord Jesus made a clear declaration to the whole universe that He was through with Israel according to the natural blood. Thus, Romans 11 says that Israel was cut off. This cutting off took place at the end of Matthew 12. Romans 11 also says that the Gentiles have been grafted in. This also took place at the end of Matthew 12. In the next message we shall see the mysteries of the kingdom. In that chapter we shall no longer see Israel, but the Gentiles who have been grafted in as the church