(23) And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: (24) For I tell you, That many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
I beg the Reader to notice the grace of Jesus. With what tenderness and affection the Lord Jesus marks his own! It was the longing of the Old Testament saints to see Christ's day. Moses was both prophet and king in Jesurun: and how he earnestly desired even but to see the hallowed spot, where he knew, by faith, Christ, his dweller in the bush, should one day come, and accomplish salvation. Deuteronomy 3:23-27. And as Peter told the Jews in his sermon, All the prophets, from Samuel, and those that followed; with David, and the good Kings of Israel, who foretold of Christ, desired to see his day: and, like Abraham, in the prospect rejoiceth, and was glad. Acts 3:24; John 8:56; Hebrews 11:13. Reader! hath Jesus ever said the same privately to you, as he did here to his disciples?