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Here we may observe the method of our Saviour. He, coming to fight against the pomp, the covetousness, the luxury of the world, first offers terms of peace, and instructs His disciples as God did Moses: "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it" (Deuteronomy 20:10). As we read of Tamerlane, He first hangs out His white flag of peace, not His black nor His bloody colours. He fights not against us to destroy us, till we have wearied His mercy, and stood out too long. First He tenders peace: but it is the wickedness of the wicked, the obstinacy of the enemy, that draws His sword. For God doth not, as Nimrod, destroy men for pleasure: He doth not set them up as a mark, and then shoot deadly arrows at them. He seems rather to carry peace and war in sinu, "in His bosom," as Fabius did in the skirt of his gown; and leaves it to our choice, which we will have. First peace shows itself, in His love, in His precepts; nay, in His threatenings and fearful menaces. He opened the mouth of His servant Noah, a "preacher of righteousness," before He "opened the windows of heaven, and broke up the fountains of the great deep" (Genesis 7:11). He opened the mouth of His servant Moses, before the earth opened her mouth to swallow up Dathan and Abiram and their complices (Numbers 16.). He doth not undermine us with double voices and double counsels and a holy dissimulation, as some call it, crying, "Peace," when He girds Himself with strength, and prepares Himself to battle; saying, "Peace," to that house which He meaneth to level with the ground. But He sends His ambassadors, and "Peace" is the first clause in their commission: "first" they must salute us, before He will strike us; "first" wish "peace," before He will furbish His sword.

(A. Farindon, D. D.)

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KJV: And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

WEB: Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house.'