But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Ver. 55. But he turned and rebuked them] He did it not slightly, and by-the-by, but seriously, and on set purpose; so must we rebuke and rebate our vindictive spirits, our unruly lusts, when like kine in a strait they rush and ride one upon the back of another.
Ye know not what manner of spirits ye are of] Not of Elias's spirit, as ye imagine; this wildfire was never kindled on God's hearth, as his zeal was; you are men of another mould than Elias. He was a minister of indignation, you of consolation; his actions fit not you, because your persons are not like his. It is a rare thing to be of a heroic spirit, saith the moralist, Σπανιον το θειον ανδρα ειναι (Aristot.). Every man cannot be an Elias or a Phineas,Numbers 25:8. To that height of heat ordinary men's tempers are not raised.