Gospels and Acts

New Testament Interpretation.

Open this section of Luther's works.

Evangelists Matthew, Luke and John,

Published anew on behalf of the Ministry of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States.

Foreword.

In this volume we hand over to the Christian reader Luther's delicious interpretations of a part of the New Testament, namely of the Evangelists Matthew, Lucas and John up to the s

Content

Open this section of Luther's works.

The seventh part of Luther's complete writings.

A. Notes by D. M. Luther on some chapters (Cap. 1-18, V. 7.) of the Evangelist Matthew. B. The Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Chapters of St. Matthew, Preached and Interpreted by D. M.

Chronological overview

Proof,

where the 21 sermons of Luther from 1537 (?), which v, Caspar Güttel bequeathed to the St. Audreaskirche in Eisleben, can be found in our St. Louis edition. 8. about 1 Cor. 3, 4. f

I. Interpretations about the evangelist Matthew.

Translated from Latin. I thought that these notes had been lost for a long time, and I did not know that this writing had been given the name "Notes" until it was brought to me by

The first chapter.

I have been asked to add a few words to the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew, so that the book, which is now already printed, would not immediately come out so mutilated at first

The second chapter.

1. to the first. The whole second chapter is divided into two main parts, the revelation and the persecution of Christ, because St. Matthew deals with these two things. The revelat

The third chapter.

V. 1. ff. At that time John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of the land of Judaea, saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And he is he of whom the proph

The fourth chapter.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, that he might be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he hungered. After the baptism of C

The fifth chapter.

V.1-10. And when Jesus saw the people, he went up into a mountain, and sat down; and his disciples came unto him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are they

The sixth chapter.

V. 1. Take heed to your alms, that ye give them not before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward with your Father which is in heaven. The previous chapter shows how

The eighth chapter.

V.1-22. And when he was come down from the mount, much people followed him. And, behold, a leper came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst cleanse me. And JEs

The ninth chapter.

V.1-8. Then he got into the ship and crossed over again, and came to his city. And, behold, they brought unto him a sick of the palsy, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their fait

The tenth chapter.

V.1-4. And he called his twelve disciples unto him, and gave them power over unclean spirits, that they should cast them out, and cure all manner of sickness and all manner of dise

The eleventh chapter.

V.1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished such a commandment unto his twelve disciples, that he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. The eleventh chapter

The twelfth chapter.

At that time Jesus went through the seed on the Sabbath, and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck ears of corn, and to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto h

The thirteenth chapter.

After this, Christ speaks to the people through all kinds of parables. The disciples ask him why he is doing this, and Christ answers in two ways, as we will see later. On the same

The fourteenth chapter.

V. 1. 2. At that time the rumor of JEsu came before Herod the Beer Prince. And he said to his servants: This is John the Baptist, he is risen from the dead, therefore he does such

The fifteenth chapter.

In this chapter the important doctrine of the statutes of men is dealt with and their [the scribes' and Pharisees'] ridiculous, even harmful superstition is shown. It is ridiculous

The sixteenth chapter.

V. 1. Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him, tempting him and demanding that he let them see a sign from heaven. As we have often said, there is nothing more hopeful, nothin

The seventeenth chapter.

And after six days Jesus took Peter, and Jacob, and John his brother, and led them up into a high mountain. And was glorified before them; and his face shone as the sun, and his ra

The eighteenth chapter.*)

This chapter is one of the most important. For it contains the most salvific teachings, namely of the kingdom of Christ and of the keys or forgiveness of sins. V. 1-5. At that hour

B. The Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Chapters of St. Matthew,

preached and interpreted by D. Martin Luther.*) 1532. I have almost gladly seen that these sermons of mine on the three chapters of St. Matthew, which St. Augustine calls the sermo

The fifth chapter of Matthaei.*)

When he saw the people, he went up on a mountain and sat down, and his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying etc. (1) Then the evangelist makes a p

The sixth chapter.

V. 1-4. Take heed to your alms, that ye give them not before men, to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Now when you give alms, do not

The seventh chapter.

V. i. Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. In the previous chapter w

C. Two sermons on the third chapter of the Evangelist Matthew,

April 1 and 2, 1540.

The first sermon.

Since we have come together for holy baptism, let us also ring a bell for it, that is, let us speak something about this holy sacrament, to praise God and to instruct ourselves, an

The other sermon.

At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John rebuked him, saying: I have need that I should be baptized of thee, and thou comest to m

D. Agricola's adaptation of D. Martin Luther's interpretation of the Holy Lord's Prayer,

Beginning of 1518. To the excellent and highly learned Mr. Christoph Blank (Plangk), the well experienced licentiate of both rights, his patron and master, Johann Sneider wishes He

E. D. Martin Luther's German Interpretation of the Lord's Prayer for the Simple Minded Laity

April 5, 1519.

Preface.

It would not be necessary for my preaching and words to be misled in the countryside; there are other books available that would be worthy and useful to preach to the people. I do

F. D. Martin Luther's brief interpretation of the Holy Lord's Prayer, before him and behind him.*)

Beginning 1520. 1. the prayer of our Lord and Savior, that is, the holy Lord's Prayer, is said and prayed before and behind. Before you, then: The petitions in this holy prayer are

G. D. M. Luther's sermon on the text Matth. Cap. 11, 25-30. *)

Held on the day of St. Matthew, February 24, 1527. This is a comforting gospel, in which the Lord first comforts Himself, and then comforts us in Him. Which comfort is of great nee

H. A Sermon by D. M. Luther on the Words of Matthew Cap. 21, B. 23. When the Jews asked Christ, "By what authority are you doing this. *)

Matth. 21, 23. And when he came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said: By what 2) authority doest thou these thing

I. Sermon by D. Martin Luther on the Ten Virgins.

1537. (?) **) Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. But five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The f

K. Sermons of D. M. Luther Who Matthäi Cap. 18 to Cap. 24.*)

From July 1537 to September 19, 1540. Sermons on several chapters of the Evangelist Matthew.

II. interpretation about the evangelist Lucas.

Completed June 10, went out in the second half of August, 1521. To the Serene and Highborn Prince and Lord, Duke of Saxony, Landgrave of Thuringia and Margrave of Meissen, my graci

The Magnificat.

My soul exalts God the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my God. For he hath looked upon me, his lowly handmaid, whereof the child shall blessedly praise me for ever.

B. Luther's sermon on Luc. 2, 21. about circumcision.

January 1, 1524. And when eight days were expired for circumcising the child, his name was called Jesus, which was called of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

From the characters. D.M. Luther. [Luc. 21, 25.]

Lucas writes about the signs in the 21st chapter [v. 25. ff]. The sun is Christ, the moon is the church, the stars are the Christians, the powers of the heavens are the prelates or

D. D. Mart. Luther's disputation on the saying Luc. 7, 47: She is forgiven many sins, because she has loved much.*)

Translated from Latin. There are three pieces in this passage that do not allow it to be thought that forgiveness of sins is obtained by love or by works.

E. Luther's Sermon on the Zeal of the Apostles against the Samaritans.

1. hoc evangelium valet contra zelum malum, fund teaches] how to quench evil zeal. For Satan does not celebrate, sows his seed everywhere among the good-hearted, starts well, but d

F. Luther's Sermon Who the saying Luc. 12, 35.: Let your loins be girded etc. *)

1 Dominus praedicat coram multis populis, how to confess him, and how we should beware of false doctrine. And we have three sayings, so that we do not get carried away with food: 1

Sint praecincti, aproned.

2 This is spoken in a worldly way. For he that would travel must not have long, loose garments, but tucked up garments. Thus saith Christ, Be ready, and take heed; have lights in y

G. Luther's sermon on the destruction of Jerusalem, Who the text: Luc. 19, 41-48. *)

Held August 13, 1531. This gospel does not teach faith, nor does it teach evangelical doctrine for salvation, but it is a sermon of terror that warns us. It applies to everyone, be

H. Luther's sermon on Luke 21, 25-33, about the future of Christ and the imminent signs of the last day.)

Held on the 2nd Sunday of Advent, December 8, 1532. There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth men shall be afraid, and shall tremble; a

I. Four Sermons on the First Chapter of Luke

Open this section of Luther's works.

1. to hunt before the feast of John the Baptist over Luc. 1, 5-17.

(Held June 23, 1539.) Text: "In the days of Herod king of Judea there was a priest of the order of Abia, named Zacharias, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, whose name was Eli

2. on the day of John the Baptist about Luc. 1, 68-79.

(Held June 24, 153S p.m.). Text: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. And hath raised up for us a horn of salvation in the house o

3. the day before the Visitation on Luc. 1, 39-45.

(Held July 1, 1539.) Text: "And Mary arose in those days, and went up into the mountains, 1) to the city of Judaea, and came into the house of Zacharias, and greeted Elizabeth: and

4. sermon on the day of the Visitation on Luc. 1, 46-55.

(Held on the evening of July 2, 1539.) Text: "And Mary said, My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he has looked upon the lowliness of his handmaid.

III. interpretations about the evangelist John.

July 7, 1537 to 11 Sat. 1540.

The first chapter.

Started to preach on Saturday after Visitationis Mariae [July 7, anno 1537. 1) 1 I do not know where our pastor, D. Pommer, has left it with his sermon in the Evangelist John, whic

Interpretation of the second chapter.

(1) You heard the beginning of this chapter the other day, (1) and it is preached annually on the Sunday after Epiphany; therefore it is unnecessary for me to speak of it now and t

The third chapter of John.

[Saturday, March 30, 1538.] 1) V. 1. 2. Now there was a man among the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler among the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Teacher, we kn

The fourth chapter of John.

[Saturday before Lätare, March 6, 1540.] These are simple words, as they are written by Johanne, and yet not so simple. At the end of the third chapter he said: "The Father loved t

B. Another Interpretation on Joh. 1, 1-14.*)

Preached on the third (?) Christmas Day (27. Der.) Anno 1542. (?) 1541. (?) To the honorable and wise gentlemen, mayor and council of the city of Weida, my favorable lords, grace a

C. Sermon on the saying Joh. 1, 16. *)

From His fullness we have all taken grace for grace. 1 De adventu Christi in carnem adhuc versamur. For we have enough to do to teach who Jesus Christ is. One always wants to forge

D. Sermon of the Lamb of God, Joh. 1, 29. *)

1 Expedivimus legationem Levitarum et responsum Johannis. And that which they ask, they shall not; and that which they ask not, it is too much for them; and that which they desire

E. Short explanation of the words Joh. 1, 29-31. *)

V. 29. The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, this is the Lamb of God who bears the sin of the world. (1) That is, another day after, when Christ had been bap

F. Sermon Who the saying Joh. 5, 39. 40. 43.: Search the Scriptures etc. *)

Held in the Church of Our Lady in Halle, Saxony, August 5, 1545. It is, praise God, without necessity that I preach here in Halle; for you are abundantly and sufficiently supplied

G. D. Martin Luther's Interpretation of the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Chapters of St. John, *)

preached at Wittenberg from Nov. 5, 1530, to March 9, 1532. [Held Saturday after All Saints' Day, Nov. 5, 1530.] 1)

held at Coburg in 1530, together with the last Wittenberg sermons before the departure and the first after the return.*)

held on Sunday Oculi, March 20, 153'0, at Wittenberg. Translated from the Latin.

2nd sermon on Joh. 8, 46. ff.

Delivered on the Sunday of Judica, April 3, 1530, at Wittenberg. Translated from the Latin.

3. a sermon of the suffering and the cross,

held at Coburg on the evening before Easter, April 16, 1530. This sermon, which was correctly assigned to the year 1530 only by the second edition of the Erlanger Ausgabe, vol. 17,

4. sermon on Marc. 16, 1-8.,

held on the first Easter holiday, April 17, 1530, at Coburg. This sermon is found, according to the 1730 edition of M. J. M. Krafft, with correct time and location, in our edition

5. sermon Who the previous text

on the first Easter holiday, in the afternoon, at Coburg. This sermon is included in our edition vol. XIl, 1592. Different reading: instead of

6. sermon on Luc. 24, 13-35...,

held on Easter Monday, April 18, 1530, in the afternoon, at Coburg. This sermon is found in our edition in two different redactions. Once, vol. XII, 1600, with the correct time and

7. sermon about Joh. 21, 1-14.,*)

held at Coburg on Easter Wednesday, April 20, 1530. In this gospel, dear friends, let us take two pieces before us and say a little about them. The first is about the appearance of

8. sermon about Joh. 20, 11-18.,

held at Coburg on Thursday after Easter, April 21, 1530. This sermon is found in our edition, vol. XII, 1370, with the wrong date "April 12, 1531." A very short redaction of the sa

9. sermon on lüc. 10, 23-37..,

held after Sept. 11, 1530, at Coburg. This sermon is found with the correct time and place in our edition, vol. XII, 1612. The main variants are as follows: Col. 1615, § 7, line 17

10. sermon about Matth. 9, 9-13.,

held on the day of St. Matthew, Sept. 21, 1530, at Coburg. In this gospel, Christ contrasts the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men, showing 2) that they do not get along with each

11. sermon on Matth. 18, 1-12.,

held on Michaelmas, September 29, 1530, at Coburg. This sermon is found in our edition vol. X, 1020, but (as well as in all other editions) with the wrong year 1531. In the Zwickau

12. sermon about Luc. 7, 11-17.,

held on the 16th Sunday after Trinity, Oct. 2, 1530, at Coburg. Dear friends! In this gospel we are given a fine and great example of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, how he raised from

Sermon on Matth. 22, 34-46,

delivered on the 18th Sunday after Trinity, October 16, 1530, at Wittenberg.) Translated from the Latin.

Interpretations

The first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles and the seventh and fifteenth chapters of the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Luther's shorter interpretation of the Epistle to the

Foreword.

This volume contains the continuation of Luther's expositions on the New Testament, from the 7th chapter of the Gospel of St. John to the Epistle to the Galatians, the shorter expo

The eighth part of Luther's complete writings.

(Continued.) III Interpretations on John the Evangelist. (Continuation.) Column

D. Martin Luther's Interpretation of the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Chapters of St. John,

preached at Wittenberg from November 5, 1530 to March 9, 1532. (Continued.)

The seventh chapter of John.

Saturday after Ascensionis Domini [20 May 1531]. 1) This chapter does not have much preaching, teaching or words of the Lord Christ, but it is a chapter that describes some history

The eighth chapter of John.

Saturday before Michaelmas [Sept. 23] done, Anno 1531. 1) V. 1-6. And Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the peopl

H. Sermon on the passage Joh. 6, 29.*)

These are John's words, and he leads them, as he is wont to write, the way of Jesus; he leads them from the vision into the Word, Articulus creationis, which alone belongs to God t

I. Short explanation of the saying "All that my Father gives me" etc., John Cap. 6, 37-40. *)

Translated from Latin. 1 In the Gospel of St. John, one must focus on something quite different than in the other Gospels. For the purpose of this Gospel is only this, that we may

K. D. M. Luther's interpretation of the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth chapters of St. John's.*)

Preached in 1537 and 1538.

The fourteenth chapter of John.

1. in this fourteenth and two following chapters of St. John's Evangelist 1) We have not considered it necessary to have the text of the 14th chapter of John printed here, because

L. D. Martin Luther's Interpretation of the Seventeenth Chapter of St. John the Evangelist, on the Prayer of Christ, *)

Preached in 1528 and 152S; printed in 1530. This sermon of mine on the prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ, John 17, I have not only gladly seen go out in print, but have also asked my

M. D. Martin Luther's interpretation of the eighteenth and nineteenth, also a piece of the twentieth chapter of St. John,

of the Passion, Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.*) Preached Anno 1528. (. 5) 152S.

The eighteenth chapter.

(1) Saint John begins to describe the Passion, or history of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the eighteenth chapter of his Gospel, which we will take before us

The nineteenth chapter.

1 Pilate is delaying the deal for a long time and does not hurry to judgment with Jesus, even though the Jews are pressing him hard. Because he publicly sees that the Jews are fool

The first part of the twentieth chapter of John,

of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1. Just as the holy evangelists diligently describe the burial and tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ, and all the circumstances of time, p

fifteenth and sixteenth chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. *)

Open this section of Luther's works.

The first sermon.

Held between May 22 and June 4, 1524. And certain came down from Judea, and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. And

The Other Sermon.

Held on the 6th or the 7th of June, 1824. He came to Derben and Lystram, and behold, there was a disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman, who was a believer but of

The seventh chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians.*)

1) The reason for writing this chapter was this: Those at Corinth, when they became Christians, especially those who were converted from the Jews, kept the law of Moses along with

B. D. Martin Luther's interpretation of the fifteenth chapter of the first epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

From the resurrection of the dead.*) Preached in 1533, published in 1534.

Luther's preface to the Latin translation of Vincentius Obsopoeus.

Martin Luther wishes the orthodox brethren in the Lord grace and peace in our Savior Jesus Christ. I have gladly allowed that these two sermons of mine on St. I have gladly allowed

The first sermon, Who 1 Cor. 15, 35-38.

Held in the parish church, on Sunday Cantate [May 11, afternoon] 1544.*) V. 35-38. But would anyone say, "How will the dead rise? and with what kind of body will they come? Thou fo

The fourth sermon, from the saying of the prophet Hosea Cap. 13, 14., about 1 Cor. 15, 54-57.

Held on the Sunday of Trinity, May 31, 1545. *) 1 Cor. 15, 54-57. But when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality, then shall be fulfi

D. Martin Luther's shorter interpretation of the epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. *)

Newly translated from the Latin. To the excellent men, teachers of pure and true theology, Messrs. Petrus Lupinus von Radheim (Radhemio), Custos, and Andreas Bodenstein von Carlsta

What the epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians is about. *)

(1) After the Galatians were first instructed by the apostle in the right faith, that is, that they should put their trust in Jesus Christ alone, not in their own righteousness or

The first chapter of Paul's epistle to the Galatians.

Since Greek is now spoken throughout the Christian world, and the notes of the great theologian (theologicissimi) Erasmus are in the hands of everyone and are used diligently (teru

The second chapter.

After fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem once with Barnaba, and took Titum also with me. And I went up for a revelation, and consulted with them concerning the gospel which I pr

The fourth chapter.

V. 1. 2. But I say, as long as the heir is a child, there is no difference between him and a servant, though he be lord of all the goods; but he is among the guardians and custodia

D. Martin Luther's marginal glosses on the Bible Old and New Testament. *)

According to the last edition ordered by Luther himself in 1545. V. 2 Spirit. Wind did not exist at that time, therefore it must mean the Holy Spirit.