Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 13:12-18

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Here is the case of a city revolting from the God of Israel, and serving other gods. The crime is supposed to be committed by one of the cities of Israel. Even when they were ordered to preserve their religion by force, yet they were not allowed to bring others to it by fire and sword.

Spiritual judgments under the Christian dispensation are more terrible than the execution of criminals; we have not less cause than the Israelites had, to fear the Divine wrath. Let us then fear the spiritual idolatry of covetousness, and the love of worldly pleasure; and be careful not to countenance them in our families, by our example or by the education of our children.

May the Lord write his law and truth in our hearts, there set up his throne, and shed abroad his love!

More for Deuteronomy 13:12-18

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:1-18God's executioners upon idolaters. No respecter of persons is God. The sin of all sins is idolatry, and such overt rebels against the supreme God shall be summarily punished, whether they be Amorites or Hebrews. As a ru…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:1-18EXPOSITION IDOLATERS AND ENTICERS TO IDOLATRY TO BE PUT TO DEATH.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:1-18Temptations to depart from God to be resisted at all costs. In the preceding chapter we had directions with regard to the worship of the true God. Here Israel is told what to do in case of temptation arising to worship…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:1-18Idolatry to be treated as a capital crime. This chapter relates to the Israelites themselves. As the government was a theocracy, idolatry in any form was treason against the Divine King, and justly punishable with death…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:6-12God or our brother. Terribly stern is the duty here laid on the person enticed to idolatry. The law is adapted to an age of stern deeds, and to a people living under a stern dispensation. Yet, reflecting on the nature o…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Deuteronomy 13:12-18Here the case is put of a city revolting from its allegiance to the God of Israel, and serving other gods. I. The crime is supposed to be committed, 1. By one of the cities of Israel, that lay within the jurisdiction of…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:12Hear in one of thy cities. The Hebrew phrase, "to hear in" ( שָׁמַע בְּ). has sometimes the meaning of to overhear, as in Genesis 27:5; 1 Samuel 17:28; Job 15:8; sometimes it means simply to hear, as in 2 Samuel 19:36 (…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:12-18A city under ban. The case here supposed is even more appalling than the former one, for it is the inhabitants of a whole city who, with all that they have, are to be destroyed. Yet, as it is certain that godly persons,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors