Commentary Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley: Mark.

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NOTES ON THE WHOLE OF THE BIBLE BY JOHN WESLEY: MARK.

INTRODUCTION TO MARK

The Gospel according to St. Mark contains,

I. The beginning of the Gospel,

  1. John prepares the way Chap. i, 1-8
  2. Baptizes Jesus, who is proclaimed the Son of God 9-11
  3. Tempted of Satan, served by angels 12, 13

II. The Gospel itself;

__A. In Galilee: where we may observe three periods; after John was cast into prison, after John was put to death and after Jesus was acknowledged by Peter to be the Son of God;

  1. After John was cast into prison;
    1. The place and matter of his preaching, 14, 15.
    2. The calling of several of the apostles 16-20.
    3. He teaches with authority 21, 22.
    4. Cures the demoniac 23-28.
    5. Heals many sick 29-34.
    6. Prays 35.
    7. Teaches everywhere 36-39.
    8. Cleanses the leper 40-45.
    9. The paralytic forgiven and healed ii, 1-12.
    10. The call of Levi, and eating with publicans and sinners. 13-17.
    11. The question concerning fasting answered 18-22.
    12. The ears of corn plucked 23-28.
    13. The withered hand restored: Snares laid iii, 1-6.
    14. Our Lord's retirement, at the sea 7-12.
    15. And In the mountain, where the apostles are called 13-19.
    16. In the house, where after refuting the blasphemy of the Pharisees, he shows who are his mother and his brethren. 20-35.
    17. In the ship; various parables iv, 1-34.
    18. On the sea, and beyond it 35-41 v, 1-20.
    19. On this side the sea: Again: Jairus, and the woman with the flux of blood 21-43.
    20. At Nazareth: His countrymen offended vi, 1-6.
    21. The apostles sent forth 7-13.
  2. After John was put to death,
    1. Herod's hearing of Jesus, and judgment of him 14-29.
    2. Christ's retiring with his apostles, now returned 30-32.
    3. The earnestness of the people; Christ's compassion; five thousand fed 33-44.
    4. His walking on the sea 45-52.
    5. He heals many in the land of Gennesaret 53-56.
    6. And teaches what defiles a man vii, 1-23.
    7. A devil cast out in the coasts of Tyre and Sidon 24-30.
    8. At the sea of Galilee, the deaf and dumb healed; four thousand fed 31-37 viii, 1-9.
    9. He comes into the parts of Dalmanutha, and answers concerning the sign from heaven Chap. viii, 10-13.
    10. In the ship, he warns them of evil leaven 14-21.
    11. At Bethsaida, heals the sick 22-26.
  3. After Jesus was acknowledged to be the Son of God,
    1. Peter confessing him, he enjoins his disciples silence; foretells his passion; reproves Peter; exhorts to follow him 21 ix, 1.
    2. Is transfigured: casts out a devil; foretells his passion. 2-32.
    3. Reproves and instructs his disciples 33-50.

__B. In Judea,

  1. In the borders x, 1.
    1. He treats of divorce 2-12.
    2. Of little children 13-16.
    3. Of entering into life, and of the danger of riches 17-31.
  2. In his way to the Jerusalem,
    1. He foretells his passion a third time 32-34.
    2. Answers James and John, and instructs them all 35-45.
  3. At Jericho, gives sight to Bartimeus 46-52.
  4. At Jerusalem xi, 1.
    1. His royal entry' 2-11.
    2. The day after, the fig tree cursed 12-14 the temple purged 15- 19.
    3. The day after that, Near the fig tree, he shows the power of faith 20-26.
  5. In the temple,
    1. His authority vindicated 27-33.
    2. The parable of the wicked husbandmen xii, 1-12.
    3. Of paying tribute to Caesar 13-17.
    4. Of the resurrection 18-27.
    5. Of the great commandment 28-34.
    6. Of David's Lord 35-37.
    7. He warns the people of the scribes 38-40.
    8. Commends the poor widow 41-44.
  6. On Mount Olivet, he foretells the destruction of the city and temple, and the end of the world xiii, 1-37.
  7. Two days before the passover; his enemies bargain with Judas. xiv, 1-11.
  8. On the first day of unleavened bread,.
    1. The passover prepared 12-16
    2. The Lord's Supper instituted 17-25
    3. After the hymn, the offense of the disciples and Peter's denial foretold 26-31
  9. In Gethsemane, Jesus prays; wakes his disciples 32-42 is betrayed; taken; forsaken of all 43-52.
  10. In the high priest's palace, He is condemned to death 53-65 Denied by Peter 66-72.
  11. Friday, What was done;
    1. Friday In Pilate's palace xv, 1-20.
    2. In the way 21.
    3. At Golgotha 22.
    4. The wine and myrrh offered 23.
    5. The crucifixion; his garments parted 24, 25.
    6. The title 26.
    7. The two malefactors 27, 28.
    8. Revilings 29-32.
    9. The darkness; the cry of Jesus; the scoff; the vinegar; his death; the veil rent 33-38.
    10. The saying of the centurion; the women looking on 39-41.
  12. In the evening, the burial 42-47.
  13. Sunday, Our Lord's resurrection declared;
    1. By an angel Chap. xvi, 1-8.
    2. By himself, To Mary Magdalene 9-11.
    3. To two going into the country 12, 13
    4. To the eleven sitting at meat 14.

III. The Gospel,

  1. Committed by Christ to apostles after his resurrection. 15-18.
  2. Confirmed after his ascension 19, 20.

MARK CHAPTER 1

Verse 1.

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - The evangelist speaks with strict propriety: for the beginning of the Gospel is in the account of John the Baptist, contained in the first paragraph; the Gospel itself in the rest of the book. Matt. iii, 1; Luke iii, 1.

Verse 2.

Mal. iii, 1.

Verse 3.

Isaiah xl, 3.

Verse 4.

Preaching the baptism of repentance - That is, preaching repentance, and baptizing as a sign and means of it.

Verse 7.

The latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose - That is, to do him the very meanest service.

Verse 9.

Matt. iii, 13; Luke iii, 21.

Verse 12.

And immediately the Spirit thrusteth him out into the wilderness - So in all the children of God, extraordinary manifestations of his favour are wont to be followed by extraordinary temptations. Matt. iv, 1; Luke iv, 1.

Verse 13.

And he was there forty days, tempted by Satan - Invisibly. After this followed the temptation by him in a visible shape, related by St. Matthew. And he was with the wild beasts - Though they had no power to hurt him. St. Mark not only gives us a compendium of St. Matthew's Gospel, but likewise several valuable particulars, which the other evangelists have omitted.

Verse 14.

Matt. iv, 12.

Verse 15.

The time is fulfilled - The time of my kingdom, foretold by Daniel, expected by you, is fully come.

Verse 16.

Matt. iv, 18; Luke v, 1.

Verse 18.

Straightway leaving their nets, they followed him - From this time they forsook their employ, and constantly attended him. Happy they who follow Christ at the first call!

Verse 21.

Luke iv, 31.

Verse 26.

A loud noise - For he was forbidden to speak. Christ would neither suffer those evil spirits to speak in opposition, nor yet in favour of him. He needed not their testimony, nor would encourage it, lest any should infer that he acted in concert with them.

Verse 29.

Matt. viii, 14; Luke iv, 38.

Verse 32.

When the sun was set - And, consequently, the Sabbath was ended, which they reckoned from sunset to sunset.

Verse 33.

And the whole city was gathered together at the door - O what a fair prospect was here! Who could then have imagined that all these blossoms would die away without fruit?

Verse 34.

He suffered not the devils to say that they knew him - That is, according to Dr. Mead's hypothesis, (that the Scriptural demoniacs were only diseased persons) He suffered not the diseases to say that they knew him!

Verse 35.

Rising a great while before day - So did he labour for us, both day and night. Luke iv, 42.

Verse 40.

Matt. viii, 2; Luke v, 12.

Verse 44.

See thou say nothing to any man - But our blessed Lord gives no such charge to us. If he has made us clean from our leprosy of sin, we are not commanded to conceal it. On the contrary, it is our duty to publish it abroad, both for the honour of our Benefactor, and that others who are sick of sin may be encouraged to ask and hope for the same benefit. But go, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing what Moses commanded for a testimony to them - The priests seeing him, pronouncing him clean, Lev. xiii, 17, 23, 28, 37, and accordingly allowing him to offer as Moses commanded, Lev. xiv, 2, 7, was such a proof against them, that they durst never say the leper was not cleansed; which out of envy or malice against our saviour they might have been ready to say, upon his presenting himself to be viewed, according to the law, if by the cleansed person's talking much about his cure, the account of it had reached their ears before he came in person. This is one great reason why our Lord commanded this man to say nothing.

Verse 45.

So that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city - It was also to prevent this inconvenience that our Lord had enjoined him silence.

MARK CHAPTER 2

Verse 1.

And again - After having been in desert places for some time, he returned privately to the city. In the house - In Peter's house.

Verse 2.

And immediately many were gathered together - Hitherto continued the general impression on their hearts. Hitherto, even at Capernaum, all who heard received the word with joy.

Verse 3.

Matt. ix, 2; Luke v, 18.

Verse 4.

They uncovered the roof - Or, took up the covering, the lattice or trap door, which was on all their houses, (being flat roofed.) And finding it not wide enough, broke the passage wider, to let down the couch.

Verse 6.

But certain of the scribes - See whence the first offense cometh! As yet not one of the plain unlettered people were offended. They all rejoiced in the light, till these men of learning came, to put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Woe to all such blind guides! Good had it been for these if they had never been born. O God, let me never offend one of thy simple ones! Sooner let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth!

Verse 12.

They were all amazed - Even the scribes themselves for a time.

Verse 13.

All the multitude came to him - Namely, by the sea side. And he as readily taught them there as if they had been in a synagogue.

Verse 14.

Matt. ix, 9; Luke v, 27.

Verse 15.

Many publicans and notorious sinners sat with Jesus - Some of them doubtless invited by Matthew, moved with compassion for his old companions in sin. But the next words, For there were many, and they followed him, seem to imply, that the greater part, encouraged by his gracious words and the tenderness of his behaviour, and impatient to hear more, stayed for no invitation, but pressed in after him, and kept as close to him as they could.

Verse 16.

And the scribes and Pharisees said - So now the wise men being joined by the saints of the world, went a little further in raising prejudices against our Lord. In his answer he uses as yet no harshness, but only calm, dispassionate reasoning.

Verse 17.

I came not to call the righteous - Therefore if these were righteous I should not call them. But now, they are the very persons I came to save.

Verse 18.

Matt. ix, 14; Luke v, 33.

Verse 23.

Matt. xii, 1; Luke vi, 1.

Verse 26.

In the days of Abiathar the high priest - Abimelech, the father of Abiathar, was high priest then; Abiathar himself not till some time after. This phrase therefore only means, In the time of Abiathar, who was afterward the high priest. 1 Sam. xxi, 6.

Verse 27.

The Sabbath was made for man - And therefore must give way to man's necessity.

Verse 28.

Moreover the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath - Being the supreme Lawgiver, he hath power to dispense with his own laws; and with this in particular.

MARK CHAPTER 3

Verse 1.

He entered again into the synagogue - At Capernaum on the same day. Matt. xii, 9; Luke vi, 6.

Verse 2.

And they - The scribes and Pharisees, watched him, that they might accuse him - Pride, anger, and shame, after being so often put to silence, began now to ripen into malice.

Verse 4.

Is it lawful to save life or to kill? - Which he knew they were seeking occasion to do. But they held their peace - Being confounded, though not convinced.

Verse 5.

Looking round upon them with anger, being grieved - Angry at the sin, grieved at the sinner; the true standard of Christian anger. But who can separate anger at sin from anger at the sinner? None but a true believer in Christ.

Verse 6.

The Pharisees going out - Probably leaving the scribes to watch him still: took counsel with the Herodians - as bitter as they usually were against each other.

Verse 8.

From Idumea - The natives of which had now professed the Jewish religion above a hundred and fifty years. They about Tyre and Sidon - The Israelites who lived in those coasts.

Verse 10.

Plagues or scourges (so the Greek word properly means) seem to be those very painful or afflictive disorders which were frequently sent, or at least permitted of God, as a scourge or punishment of sin.

Verse 12.

He charged them not to make him known - It was not the time: nor were they fit preachers.

Verse 13.

He calleth whom he would - With regard to the eternal states of men, God always acts as just and merciful. But with regard to numberless other things, he seems to us to act as a mere sovereign. Luke vi, 12.

Verse 14.

Matt. x, 2; Luke vi, 13; Acts i, 13.

Verse 16.

He surnamed them sons of thunder - Both with respect to the warmth and impetuosity of their spirit, their fervent manner of preaching, and the power of their word.

Verse 20.

To eat bread - That is, to take any subsistence.

Verse 21.

His relations - His mother and his brethren, ver. 31. But it was some time before they could come near him.

Verse 22.

The scribes and Pharisees, Matt. xii, 22; who had come down from Jerusalem - Purposely on the devil's errand. And not without success. For the common people now began to drink in the poison, from these learned, good, honourable men! He hath Beelzebub - at command, is in league with him: And by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils - How easily may a man of learning elude the strongest proof of a work of God! How readily can he account for every incident without ever taking God into the question. Matt. xii, 24; Luke xi, 15.

Verse 28.

Matt. xii, 31; Luke xii, 10.

Verse 30.

Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit - Is it not astonishing, that men who have ever read these words, should doubt, what is the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost? Can any words declare more plainly, that it is "the ascribing those miracles to the power of the devil which Christ wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost?"

Verse 31.

Then come his brethren and his mother - Having at length made their way through the crowd, so as to come to the door. His brethren are here named first, as being first and most earnest in the design of taking him: for neither did these of his brethren believe on him. They sent to him, calling him - They sent one into the house, who called him aloud, by name. Matt. xii, 46; Luke viii, 19.

Verse 34.

Looking round on them who sat about him - With the utmost sweetness; He said, Behold my mother and my brethren - in this preference of his true disciples even to the Virgin Mary, considered merely as his mother after the flesh, he not only shows his high and tender affection for them, but seems designedly to guard against those excessive and idolatrous honours, which he foresaw would in after ages be paid to her.

MARK CHAPTER 4

Verse 1.

Matt. xiii, 1; Luke viii, 4.

Verse 2.

He taught them many things by parables - After the usual manner of the eastern nations, to make his instructions more agreeable to them, and to impress them the more upon attentive hearers. A parable signifies not only a simile or comparison, and sometimes a proverb, but any kind of instructive speech, wherein spiritual things are explained and illustrated by natural, Prov. i, 6. To understand a proverb and the interpretation - The proverb is the literal sense, the interpretation is the spiritual resting in the literal sense killeth, but the spiritual giveth life.

Verse 3.

Hearken - This word he probably spoke with a loud voice, to stop the noise and hurry of the people.

Verse 10.

When he was alone - That is, retired apart from the multitude.

Verse 11.

To them that are without - So the Jews termed the heathens: so our Lord terms all obstinate unbelievers: for they shall not enter into his kingdom: they shall abide in outer darkness.

Verse 12.

So that seeing they see and do not perceive - They would not see before now they could not, God having given them up to the blindness which they had chosen.

Verse 13.

Know ye not this parable? - Which is as it were the foundation of all those that I shall speak hereafter; and is so easy to be understood?

Verse 19.

The desire of other things choke the word - A deep and important truth! The desire of any thing, otherwise than as it leads to happiness in God, directly tends to barrenness of soul. Entering in - Where they were not before. Let him therefore who has received and retained the word, see that no other desire then enter in, such as perhaps till then he never knew. It becometh unfruitful - After the fruit had grown almost to perfection.

Verse 21.

And he said, Is a candle - As if he had said, I explain these things to you, I give you this light, not to conceal, but to impart it to others. And if I conceal any thing from you now, it is only that it may be more effectually manifested hereafter. Matt. v, 15; Luke viii, 16; xi, 33.

Verse 22.

Matt. x, 26; Luke viii, 17.

Verse 24.

Take heed what ye hear - That is, attend to what you hear, that it may have its due influence upon you. With what measure you mete - That is, according to the improvement you make of what you have heard, still further assistance shall be given. And to you that hear - That is, with improvement.

Verse 25.

He that hath - That improves whatever he has received, to the good of others, as well as of his own soul. Matt. xiii, 12; Luke viii, 18.

Verse 26.

So is the kingdom of God - The inward kingdom is like seed which a man casts into the ground - This a preacher of the Gospel casts into the heart. And he sleeps and rises night and day - That is, he has it continually in his thoughts. Meantime it springs and grows up he knows not how - Even he that sowed it cannot explain how it grows. For as the earth by a curious kind of mechanism, which the greatest philosophers cannot comprehend, does as it were spontaneously bring forth first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear: so the soul, in an inexplicable manner, brings forth, first weak graces, then stronger, then full holiness: and all this of itself, as a machine, whose spring of motion is within itself. Yet observe the amazing exactness of the comparison. The earth brings forth no corn (as the soul no holiness) without both the care and toil of man, and the benign influence of heaven.

Verse 29.

He putteth in the sickle - God cutteth down and gathereth the corn into his garner.

Verse 30.

Matt. xiii, 31; Luke xiii, 18.

Verse 33.

He spake the word as they were able to hear it - Adapting it to the capacity of his hearers; and speaking as plain as he could without offending them. A rule never to be forgotten by those who instruct others.

Verse 35.

Matt. viii, 23; Luke viii, 22.

Verse 36.

They take him as he was in the vessel - They carried him immediately in the same vessel from which he had been preaching to the people.

Verse 38.

On the pillow - So we translate it, for want of a proper English expression, for that particular part of the vessel near the rudder, on which he lay.

Verse 39.

Peace - Cease thy tossing: Be still - Cease thy roaring; literally, Be thou gagged.

MARK CHAPTER 5

Verse 1.

Matt. viii, 28; Luke viii, 26.

Verse 2.

There met him a man with an unclean spirit - St. Matthew mentions two. Probably this, so particularly spoken of here, was the most remarkably fierce and ungovernable

Verse 9.

My name is Legion! for we are many - But all these seem to have been under one commander, who accordingly speaks all along, both for them and himself.

Verse 15.

And they were afraid - It is not improbable they might otherwise have offered some rudeness, if not violence.

Verse 18.

Matt. ix, 1; Luke viii, 37.

Verse 19.

Tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee - This was peculiarly needful there, where Christ did not go in person.

Verse 20.

He published in Decapolis - Not only at home, but in all that country where Jesus himself did not come.

Verse 21.

Luke viii, 40.

Verse 22.

One of the rulers of the synagogue - To regulate the affairs of every synagogue, there was a council of grave men. Over these was a president, who was termed the ruler of the synagogue. Sometimes there was no more than one ruler in a synagogue. Matt. ix, 18; Luke viii, 41.

Verse 25.

Matt. ix, 20; Luke viii, 43.

Verse 37.

John, the brother of James - When St. Mark wrote, not long after our Lord's ascension, the memory of St. James, lately beheaded, was so fresh, that his name was more known than that of John himself.

Verse 40.

Them that were with him - Peter, James, and John.

Verse 43.

He charged them that no man should know it - That he might avoid every appearance of vain glory, might prevent too great a concourse of people, and might not further enrage the scribes and Pharisees against him; the time for his death, and for the full manifestation of his glory, being not yet come. He commanded something should be given her to eat - So that when either natural or spiritual life is restored, even by immediate miracle, all proper means are to be used in order to preserve it.

MARK CHAPTER 6

Verse 1.

Matt. xiii, 54; Luke iv, 16.

Verse 3.

Is not this the carpenter? - There can be no doubt, but in his youth he wrought with his supposed father Joseph.

Verse 5.

He could do no miracle there - Not consistently with his wisdom and goodness. It being inconsistent with his wisdom to work them there, where it could not promote his great end; and with his goodness, seeing he well knew his countrymen would reject whatever evidence could be given them. And therefore to have given them more evidence, would only have increased their damnation.

Verse 6.

He marvelled - As man. As he was God, nothing was strange to him.

Verse 7.

Matt. x, 1; Luke ix, 1.

Verse 8.

He commanded them to take nothing for their journey - That they might be always unincumbered, free, ready for motion. Save a staff only - He that had one might take it; but he that had not was not to provide one, Matt. x, 9. Luke ix, 3.

Verse 9.

Be shod with sandals - As you usually are. Sandals were pieces of strong leather or wood, tied under the sole of the foot by thongs, something resembling modern clogs. The shoes which they are in St. Matthew forbidden to take, were a kind of short boots, reaching a little above the mid-leg, which were then commonly used in journeys. Our Lord intended by this mission to initiate them into their apostolic work. And it was doubtless an encouragement to them all their life after, to recollect the care which God took of them, when they had left all they had, and went out quite unfurnished for such an expedition. In this view our Lord himself leads them to consider it, Luke xxii, xxxv, When I sent you forth without purse or scrip, lacked ye any thing?

Verse 10.

Matt. x, 11; Luke ix, 4.

Verse 12.

Luke ix, 6.

Verse 13.

They anointed with oil many that were sick - Which St. James gives as a general direction, James v, 14, 15, adding those peremptory words, And the Lord shall heal him - He shall be restored to health: not by the natural efficacy of the oil, but by the supernatural blessing of God. And it seems this was the great standing means of healing, desperate diseases in the Christian Church, long before extreme unction was used or heard of, which bears scarce any resemblance to it; the former being used only as a means of health; the latter only when life is despaired of.

Verse 14.

Matt. xiv, 1; Luke ix, 7.

Verse 15.

A prophet, as one of the prophets - Not inferior to one of the ancient prophets.

Verse 16.

But Herod hearing thereof - Of their various judgments concerning him, still said, It is John.

Verse 20.

And preserved him - Against all the malice and contrivances of Herodias. And when he heard him - Probably sending for him, at times, during his imprisonment, which continued a year and a half. He heard him gladly - Delusive joy! While Herodias lay in his bosom.

Verse 21.

A convenient day - Convenient for her purpose. His lords, captains, and principal men of Galilee - The great men of the court, the army, and the province.

Verse 23.

To the half of my kingdom - A proverbial expression.

Verse 26.

Yet for his oath's sake, and for the sake of his guests - Herod's honour was like the conscience of the chief priests, Matt. xxvii, 6. To shed innocent blood wounded neither one nor the other.

Verse 30.

Luke ix, 10.

Verse 31.

Matt. xiv, 13; John vi, 1.

Verse 32.

They departed - Across a creek or corner of the lake.

Verse 34.

Coming out - of the vessel.

Verse 40.

They sat down in ranks - The word properly signifies a parterre or bed in a garden; by a metaphor, a company of men ranged in order, by hundreds and by fifties - That is, fifty in rank, and a hundred in file. So a hundred multiplied by fifty, make just five thousand.

Verse 43.

Full of the fragments - of the bread.

Verse 45.

He constrained his disciples - Who did not care to go without him. Matt. xiv, 22.

Verse 46.

Matt. xiv, 23; John vi, 15.

Verse 48.

And he saw them - For the darkness could veil nothing from him. And would have passed by them - That is, walked, as if he was passing by.

Verse 52.

Their heart was hardened - And yet they were not reprobates. It means only, they were slow and dull of apprehension.

Verse 53.

Matt. xiv, 34; John vi, 21.

MARK CHAPTER 7

Verse 1.

Coming from Jerusalem - Probably on purpose to find occasion against him. Matt. xv, 1.

Verse 4.

Washing of cups and pots and brazen vessels and couches - The Greek word (baptisms) means indifferently either washing or sprinkling. The cups, pots, and vessels were washed; the couches sprinkled.

Verse 5.

The tradition of the elders - The rule delivered down from your forefathers.

Verse 6.

Isaiah xxix, 13.

Verse 10.

Exod. xx, 12; Exod. xxi, 17.

Verse 15.

There is nothing entering into a man from without which can defile him - Though it is very true, a man may bring guilt, which is moral defilement, upon himself by eating what hurts his health, or by excess either in meat or drink yet even here the pollution arises from the wickedness of the heart, and is just proportionable to it. And this is all that our Lord asserts.

Verse 19.

Purging all meats - Probably the seat was usually placed over running water.

Verse 22.

Wickedness - The word means ill natured, cruelty, inhumanity, and all malevolent affections. Foolishness - Directly contrary to sobriety of thought and discourse: all kind of wild imaginations and extravagant passions.

Verse 24.

Matt. xv, 21.

Verse 26.

The woman was a Greek (that is, a Gentile, not a Jew) a Syrophenician or Canaanite. Canaan was also called Syrophenicia, as lying between Syria, properly so called, and Phenicia.

Verse 31.

Matt. xv, 29.

Verse 33.

He put his fingers into his ears - Perhaps intending to teach us, that we are not to prescribe to him (as they who brought this man attempted to do) but to expect his blessing by whatsoever means he pleases: even though there should be no proportion or resemblance between the means used, and the benefit to be conveyed thereby.

Verse 34.

Ephphatha - This was a word of SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY, not an address to God for power to heal: such an address was needless; for Christ had a perpetual fund of power residing in himself, to work all miracles whenever he pleased, even to the raising the dead, John v, 21, 26.

Verse 36.

Them - The blind man and those that brought him.

MARK CHAPTER 8

Verse 1.

Matt. xv, 32.

Verse 8.

So they did eat - This miracle was intended to demonstrate, that Christ was the true bread which cometh down from heaven; for he who was almighty to create bread without means to support natural life, could not want power to create bread without means to support spiritual life. And this heavenly bread we stand so much in need of every moment, that we ought to be always praying, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

Verse 11.

Tempting him - That is, trying to ensnare him. Matt. xvi, 1.

Verse 12.

Matt. xvi, 4.

Verse 15.

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, or of the Sadducees; two opposite extremes.

Verse 17, 18.

Our Lord here affirms of all the apostles, (for the question is equivalent to an affirmation, ) That their hearts were hardened; that having eyes they saw not, having ears they heard not; that they did not consider, neither understand: the very same expressions that occur in the thirteenth of Matthew. And yet it is certain they were not judicially hardened. Therefore all these strong expressions do not necessarily import any thing more than the present want of spiritual understanding.

Verse 23.

He led him out of the town - It was in just displeasure against the inhabitants of Bethsaida for their obstinate infidelity, that our Lord would work no more miracles among them, nor even suffer the person he had cured, either to go into the town, or to tell it to any therein.

Verse 24.

I see men as trees walking - He distinguished men from trees only by their motion.

Verse 27.

Matt. xvi, 13; Luke ix, 18.

Verse 30.

He enjoined them silence for the present.

Verse 1.

That he might not encourage the people to set him up for a temporal king.

Verse 2.

That he might not provoke the scribes and Pharisees to destroy him before the time and;

Verse 3.

That he might not forestall the bright evidence which was to be given of his Divine character after his resurrection.

Verse 31.

Matt. xvi, 21; Luke ix, 22.

Verse 32.

He spake that saying openly - Or in express terms. Till now he had only intimated it to them. And Peter taking hold of him - Perhaps by the arms or clothes.

Verse 33.

Looking on his disciples - That they might the more observe what he said to Peter.

Verse 34.

And when he called the people - To hear a truth of the last importance, and one that equally concerned them all. Let him deny himself - His own will, in all things small and great, however pleasing, and that continually: And take up his cross - Embrace the will of God, however painful, daily, hourly, continually. Thus only can he follow me in holiness to glory.

Verse 35.

Matt. xvi, 25; Luke ix, 24; Luke xvii, 33; John xii, 25.

Verse 38.

Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words - That is, avowing whatever I have said (particularly of self denial and the daily cross) both by word and action. Matt. x, 32; Luke ix, 26; Luke xii, 8.

MARK CHAPTER 9

Verse 1.

Till they see the kingdom of God coming with power - So it began to do at the day of pentecost, when three thousand were converted to God at once.

Verse 2.

By themselves - That is, separate from the multitude: Apart - From the other apostles: and was transfigured - The Greek word seems to refer to the form of God, and the form of a servant, {mentioned by St. Paul, Phil. ii, 6, 7} and may intimate, that the Divine rays, which the indwelling God let out on this occasion, made the glorious change from one of these forms into the other. Matt. xvii, 1; Luke ix, 28.

Verse 3.

White as snow, such as no fuller can whiten - Such as could not be equalled either by nature or art.

Verse 4.

Elijah - Whom they expected: Moses, whom they did not.

Verse 7.

There came a (bright, luminous) cloud, overshadowing them - This seems to have been such a cloud of glory as accompanied Israel in the wilderness, which, as the Jewish writers observe, departed at the death of Moses. But it now appeared again, in honour of our Lord, as the great Prophet of the Church, who was prefigured by Moses. Hear ye him - Even preferably to Moses and Elijah.

Verse 12.

Elijah verily coming first restoreth all things: and how it is written - That is, And he told them how it is written - As if he had said, Elijah's coming is not inconsistent with my suffering. He is come: yet I shall suffer. The first part of the verse answers their question concerning Elijah; the second refutes their error concerning the Messiah's continuing forever.

Verse 14.

Matt. xvii, 14; Luke ix, 37.

Verse 15.

All the multitude seeing him were greatly amazed - At his coming so suddenly, so seasonably, so unexpectedly: perhaps also at some unusual rays of majesty and glory, which yet remained on his countenance.

Verse 17.

And one of the multitude answering - The scribes gave no answer to our Lord's question. They did not care to repeat what they had said to his disciples. A dumb spirit - A spirit that takes his speech from him.

Verse 20.

When he saw him - When the child saw Christ; when his deliverance was at hand. Immediately the spirit tore him - Made his last grand effort to destroy him. Is it not generally so, before Satan is cast out of a soul, of which he has long had possession?

Verse 22.

If thou canst do any thing - In so desperate a case: Have compassion on us - Me as well as him.

Verse 23.

If thou canst believe - As if he had said, The thing does not turn on my power, but on thy faith. I can do all things: canst thou believe?

Verse 24.

Help thou mine unbelief - Although my faith be so small, that it might rather be termed unbelief, yet help me.

Verse 25.

Thou deaf and dumb spirit - So termed, because he made the child so. When Jesus spake, the devil heard, though the child could not. I command thee - I myself now; not my disciples.

Verse 26.

Having rent him sore - So does even the body sometimes suffer, when God comes to deliver the soul from Satan.

Verse 30.

They passed through Galilee - Though not through the cities, but by them, in the most private ways. He was not willing that any should know it: for he taught his disciples - He wanted to be alone with them some time, in order to instruct them fully concerning his sufferings. The Son of man is delivered - It is as sure as if it were done already. Matt. xvii, 22; Luke ix, 44.

Verse 32.

They understood not the word - They did not understand how to reconcile the death of our saviour (nor consequently his resurrection, which supposed his death) with their notions of his temporal kingdom.

Verse 33.

Luke ix, 46.

Verse 34.

Who should be greatest - Prime minister in his kingdom.

Verse 35.

Let him be the least of all - Let him abase himself the most.

Verse 36.

Matt. xviii, 2; Luke ix, 47.

Verse 37.

One such little child - Either in years or in heart.

Verse 38.

And John answered him - As if he had said, But ought we to receive those who follow not us? Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name - Probably this was one of John the Baptist's disciples, who believed in Jesus, though he did not yet associate with our Lord's disciples. And we forbad him, because he followeth not us - How often is the same temper found in us? How readily do we also lust to envy? But how does that spirit become a disciple, much more a minister of the benevolent Jesus! St. Paul had learnt a better temper, when he rejoiced that Christ was preached, even by those who were his personal enemies. But to confine religion to them that follow us, is a narrowness of spirit which we should avoid and abhor. Luke ix, 49.

Verse 39.

Jesus said - Christ here gives us a lovely example of candour and moderation. He was willing to put the best construction on doubtful cases, and to treat as friends those who were not avowed enemies. Perhaps in this instance it was a means of conquering the remainder of prejudice, and perfecting what was wanting in the faith and obedience of these persons. Forbid him not - Neither directly nor indirectly discourage or hinder any man who brings sinners from the power of Satan to God, because he followeth not us, in opinions, modes of worship, or any thing else which does not affect the essence of religion.

Verse 40.

For he that is not against you, is for you - Our Lord had formerly said, he that is not with me, is against me: thereby admonishing his hearers, that the war between him and Satan admitted of no neutrality, and that those who were indifferent to him now, would finally be treated as enemies. But here in another view, he uses a very different proverb; directing his followers to judge of men's characters in the most candid manner; and charitably to hope that those who did not oppose his cause wished well to it. Upon the whole, we are to be rigorous in judging ourselves, and candid in judging each other.

Verse 41.

For whosoever shall give you a cup - Having answered St. John, our Lord here resumes the discourse which was broken off at the 37th verse. Mark ix, 37. Matt. x, 42.

Verse 42.

On the contrary, whosoever shall offend the very least Christian. Matt. xviii, 6; Luke xvii, 1.

Verse 43.

And if a person cause thee to offend - (The discourse passes from the case of offending, to that of being offended) if one who is as useful or dear to thee as a hand or eye, hinder or slacken thee in the ways of God, renounce all intercourse with him. This primarily relates to persons, secondarily to things. Matt. v, 29; Matt. xviii, 8.

Verse 44.

Where their worm - That gnaweth the soul, (pride, self will, desire, malice, envy, shame, sorrow, despair) dieth not - No more than the soul itself: and the fire (either material, or infinitely worse!) that tormenteth the body, is not quenched forever. Isaiah lxvi, 24.

Verse 49.

Everyone - Who does not cut off the offending member, and consequently is cast into hell, shall be, as it were, salted with fire, preserved, not consumed thereby whereas every acceptable sacrifice shall be salted with another kind of salt, even that of Divine grace, which purifies the soul, (though frequently with pain) and preserves it from corruption.

Verse 50.

Such salt is good indeed; highly beneficial to the world, in respect of which I have termed you the salt of the earth. But if the salt which should season others, have lost its own saltness, wherewith will ye season it? - Beware of this; see that ye retain your savour; and as a proof of it, have peace one with another. More largely this obscure text might be paraphrased thus:- As every burnt offering was salted with salt, in order to its being cast into the fire of the altar, so every one who will not part with his hand or eye, shall fall a sacrifice to Divine justice, and be cast into hell fire, which will not consume, but preserve him from a cessation of being. And on the other hand, every one, who, denying himself and taking up his cross, offers up himself as a living sacrifice to God, shall be seasoned with grace, which like salt will make him savoury, and preserve him from destruction forever. As salt is good for preserving meats, and making them savoury, so it is good that ye be seasoned with grace, for the purifying your hearts and lives, and for spreading the savour of my knowledge, both in your own souls, and wherever ye go. But as salt if it loses its saltness is fit for nothing, so ye, if ye lose your faith and love, are fit for nothing but to be utterly destroyed. See therefore that grace abide in you, and that ye no more contend, Who shall be greatest. Matt. v, 13; Luke xiv, 34.

MARK CHAPTER 10

Verse 1.

He cometh thence - From Galilee. Matt. xix, 1.

Verse 2.

Matt. v, 31; Matt. xix, 7; Luke xvi, 18.

Verse 4.

Deut. xxiv, 1.

Verse 6.

From the beginning of the creation - Therefore Moses in the first of Genesis gives us an account of things from the beginning of the creation. Does it not clearly follow, that there was no creation previous to that which Moses describes? God made them male and female - Therefore Adam did not at first contain both sexes in himself: but God made Adam, when first created, male only; and Eve female only. And this man and woman he joined together, in a state of innocence, as husband and wife.

Verse 7.

Gen. ii, 24.

Verse 11, 12.

All polygamy is here totally condemned.

Verse 13.

Matt. xix, 13.

Verse 14.

Jesus seeing it was much displeased - At their blaming those who were not blame worthy: and endeavouring to hinder the children from receiving a blessing. Of such is the kingdom of God - The members of the kingdom which I am come to set up in the world are such as these, as well as grown persons, of a child-like temper.

Verse 15.

Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child - As totally disclaiming all worthiness and fitness, as if he were but a week old.

Verse 17.

Matt. xix, 16; Luke xviii, 18.

Verse 20.

He answering, said to him, Master - He stands reproved now, and drops the epithet good.

Verse 21.

Jesus looking upon him - And looking into his heart, loved him - Doubtless for the dawnings of good which he saw in him: and said to him - Out of tender love, One thing thou lackest - The love of God, without which all religion is a dead carcass. In order to this, throw away what is to thee the grand hindrance of it. Give up thy great idol, riches. Go, sell whatsoever thou hast.

Verse 24.

Jesus saith to them, Children - See how he softens the harsh truth, by the manner of delivering it! And yet without retracting or abating one tittle: How hard is it for them that trust in riches - Either for defense, or happiness, or deliverance from the thousand dangers that life is continually exposed to. That these cannot enter into God's glorious kingdom, is clear and undeniable: but it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a man to have riches, and not trust in them. Therefore, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom.

Verse 28.

Lo, we have left all - Though the young man would not.

Verse 30.

He shall receive a hundred fold, houses, etc. - Not in the same kind: for it will generally be with persecutions: but in value: a hundred fold more happiness than any or all of these did or could afford. But let it be observed, none is entitled to this happiness, but he that will accept it with persecutions.

Verse 32.

They were in the way to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed - At his courage and intrepidity, considering the treatment which he had himself told them he should meet with there: and as they followed, they were afraid - Both for him and themselves: nevertheless he judged it best to prepare them, by telling them more particularly what was to ensue. Matt. xx, 17; Luke xviii, 31.

Verse 35.

Saying - By their mother. It was she, not they that uttered the words. Matt. xx, 20.

Verse 38.

Ye know not what ye ask - Ye know not that ye ask for sufferings, which must needs pave the way to glory. The cup - Of inward; the baptism - Of outward sufferings. Our Lord was filled with sufferings within, and covered with them without.

Verse 40.

Save to them for whom it is prepared - Them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality. For these only eternal life is prepared. To these, only he will give it in that day; and to every man his own reward, according to his own labour.

Verse 45.

A ransom for many - Even for as many souls as needed such a ransom, 2 Cor. v, 15.

Verse 46.

Matt. xx, 29; Luke xviii, 35.

Verse 50.

Casting away his garment - Through joy and eagerness.

MARK CHAPTER 11

Verse 1.

To Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives - The limits of Bethany reached to the Mount of Olives, and joined to those of Bethphage. Bethphage was part of the suburbs of Jerusalem, and reached from the Mount of Olives to the walls of the city. Our Lord was now come to the place where the boundaries of Bethany and Bethphage met. Matt. xxi, 1; Luke xix, 29; John xii, 12.

Verse 11.

Matt. xxi, 10, 17.

Verse 12.

Matt. xxi, 18.

Verse 13.

For it was not a season of figs - It was net (as we say) a good year for figs; at least not for that early sort, which alone was ripe so soon in the spring. If we render the words, It was not the season of figs, that is, the time of gathering them in, it may mean, The season was not yet: and so (inclosing the words in a parenthesis, And coming to it, he found nothing but leaves) it may refer to the former part of the sentence, and may be considered as the reason of Christ's going to see whether there were any figs on this tree. Some who also read that clause in a parenthesis, translate the following words, for where he was, it was the season of figs. And it is certain, this meaning of the words suits best with the great design of the parable, which was to reprove the Jewish Church for its unfruitfulness at that very season, when fruit might best be expected from them.

Verse 15.

Matt. xxi, 12; Luke xix, 45.

Verse 16.

He suffered not that any should carry a vessel through the temple - So strong notions had our Lord, of even relative holiness! And of the regard due to those places (as well as times) that are peculiarly dedicated to God.

Verse 17.

Isaiah lvi, 7; Jer. vii, 11.

Verse 18.

They feared him - That is, they were afraid to take him by violence, lest it should raise a tumult; because all the people were astonished at his teaching - Both at the excellence of his discourse, and at the majesty and authority with which he taught.

Verse 20.

Matt. xxi, 20.

Verse 22.

Have faith in God - And who could find fault, if the Creator and Proprietor of all things were to destroy, by a single word of his mouth, a thousand of his inanimate creatures, were it only to imprint this important lesson more deeply on one immortal spirit?

Verse 25.

When ye stand praying - Standing was their usual posture when they prayed. Forgive - And on this condition, ye shall have whatever you ask, without wrath or doubting. Matt. vi, 14.

Verse 27.

Matt. xxi, 23; Luke xx, 1.

MARK CHAPTER 12

Verse 1.

Matt. xxi, 43; Luke xx, 9.

Verse 10.

Psalm cxviii, 22.

Verse 12.

They feared the multitude - How wonderful is the providence of God, using all things for the good of his children! Generally the multitude is restrained from tearing them in pieces only by the fear of their rulers. And here the rulers themselves are restrained, through fear of the multitude!

Verse 13.

Matt. xxii, 15; Luke xx, 20.

Verse 17.

They marvelled at him - At the wisdom of his answer.

Verse 18.

Matt. xxi, 23; Luke xx, 27.

Verse 19.

Deut. xxv, 5.

Verse 25.

When they rise from the dead, neither men marry nor women are given in marriage.

Verse 26.

Exod. iii, 6.

Verse 27.

He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living - That is, (if the argument be proposed at length, ) since the character of his being the God of any persons, plainly intimates a relation to them, not as dead, but as living; and since he cannot be said to be at present their God at all, if they are utterly dead; nor to be the God of human persons, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, consisting of souls and bodies, if their bodies were to abide in everlasting death; there must needs be a future state of blessedness, and a resurrection of the body to share with the soul in it.

Verse 28.

Which is the first commandment? - The principal, and most necessary to be observed. Matt. xxii, 34; Luke x, 25.

Verse 29.

The Lord our God is one Lord - This is the foundation of the first commandment, yea, of all the commandments. The Lord our God, the Lord, the God of all men, is one God, essentially, though three persons. From this unity of God it follows, that we owe all our love to him alone. Deut. vi, 4.

Verse 30.

With all thy strength - That is, the whole strength and capacity of thy understanding, will, and affections.

Verse 31.

The second is like unto it - Of a like comprehensive nature: comprising our whole duty to man. There is no other moral, much less ceremonial commandment, greater than these. Lev. xix, 18.

Verse 33.

To love him with all the heart - To love and serve him, with all the united powers of the soul in their utmost vigour; and to love his neighbour as himself - To maintain the same equitable and charitable temper and behaviour toward all men, as we, in like circumstances, would wish for from them toward ourselves, is a more necessary and important duty, than the offering the most noble and costly sacrifices.

Verse 34.

Jesus said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God - Reader, art not thou? then go on: be a real Christian: else it had been better for thee to have been afar off.

Verse 35.

Matt. xxii, 41; Luke xx, 41.

Verse 36.

Psalm cx, 1.

Verse 38.

Beware of the scribes - There was an absolute necessity for these repeated cautions. For, considering their inveterate prejudices against Christ, it could never be supposed the common people would receive the Gospel till these incorrigible blasphemers of it were brought to just disgrace. Yet he delayed speaking in this manner till a little before his passion, as knowing what effect it would quickly produce. Nor is this any precedent for us: we are not invested with the same authority. Matt. xxiii, 5; Luke xx, 46.

Verse 41.

He beheld how people cast money into the treasury - This treasury received the voluntary contributions of the worshippers who came up to the feast; which were given to buy wood for the altar, and other necessaries not provided for in any other way. Luke xxi, 1.

Verse 43.

I say to you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all - See what judgement is cast on the most specious, outward actions by the Judge of all! And how acceptable to him is the smallest, which springs from self-denying love!

MARK CHAPTER 13

Verse 1.

Matt. xxiv, 1; Luke xxi, 5.

Verse 4.

Two questions are here asked; the one concerning the destruction of Jerusalem: the other concerning the end of the world.

Verse 9.

Luke xxi, 12.

Verse 10.

Matt. xxiv, 14.

Verse 11.

The Holy Ghost will help you. But do not depend upon any other help For all the nearest ties will be broken.

Verse 14.

Where it ought not - That place being set apart for sacred use. Matt. xxiv, 15; Luke xxi, 20; Dan. ix, 27.

Verse 19.

In those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation - May it not be doubted, whether this be yet fully accomplished? Is not much of this affliction still to come?

Verse 20.

The elect - The Christians: whom he hath chosen - That is, hath taken out of, or separated from, the world, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. He hath shortened - That is, will surely shorten.

Verse 21.

Matt. xxiv, 23.

Verse 24.

But in those days - Which immediately precede the end of the world: after that tribulation - Above described.

Verse 28.

Matt. xxiv, 32; Luke xxi, 28.

Verse 29.

He is nigh - The Son of man.

Verse 30.

All these things - Relating to the temple and the city.

Verse 32.

Of that day - The day of judgment is often in the Scriptures emphatically called that day. Neither the Son - Not as man: as man he was no more omniscient than omnipresent. But as God he knows all the circumstances of it.

Verse 33.

Matt. xxiv, 42; Luke xxi, 34.

Verse 34.

The Son of man is as a man taking a far journey - Being about to leave this world and go to the Father, he appoints the services that are to be performed by all his servants, in their several stations. This seems chiefly to respect ministers at the day of judgment: but it may be applied to all men, and to the time of death. Matt. xxv, 14; Luke xix, 12.

MARK CHAPTER 14

Verse 1.

Matt. xxvi, 1; Luke xxii, 1.

Verse 3.

Matt. xxvi, 6.

Verse 4.

Some had indignation - Being incited thereto by Judas: and said - Probably to the women.

Verse 10.

Judas went to the chief priests - Immediately after this reproof, having anger now added to his covetousness. Matt. xxvi, 14; Luke xxii, 3.

Verse 12.

Matt. xxvi, 17; Luke xxii, 7.

Verse 13.

Go into the city, and there shall meet you a man - It was highly seasonable for our Lord to give them this additional proof both of his knowing all things, and of his influence over the minds of men.

Verse 15.

Furnished - The word properly means, spread with carpets.

Verse 17.

Matt. xxvi, 20; Luke xxii, 14.

Verse 24.

This is my blood of the New Testament - That is, this I appoint to be a perpetual sign and memorial of my blood, as shed for establishing the new covenant, that all who shall believe in me may receive all its gracious promises.

Verse 25.

I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till I drink it new in the kingdom of God - That is, I shall drink no more before I die: the next wine I drink will not be earthly, but heavenly.

Verse 26.

Matt. xxvi, 30; Luke xxii, 39; John xviii, 1.

Verse 27.

This night - The Jews in reckoning their days began with the evening, according to the Mosaic computation, which called the evening and the morning the first day, Gen. i, 5. And so that which after sunset is here called this night is, ver. 30, called today. The expression there is peculiarly significant. Verily I say to thee, that thou thyself, confident as thou art, today, even within four and twenty hours; yea, this night, or ever the sun be risen, nay, before the cock crow twice, before three in the morning, wilt deny me thrice. Our Lord doubtless spoke so determinately, as knowing a cock would crow once before the usual time of cock crowing. By chap. xiii, 35, it appears, that the third watch of the night, ending at three in the morning, was commonly styled the cock crowing. Zech. xiii, 7.

Verse 32.

Matt. xxvi, 36.

Verse 33.

Sore amazed - The original word imports the most shocking amazement, mingled with grief: and that word in the next verse which we render sorrowful intimates, that he was surrounded with sorrow on every side, breaking in upon him with such violence, as was ready to separate his soul from his body.

Verse 36.

Abba, Father - St. Mark seems to add the word Father, by way of explication.

Verse 37.

Saith to Peter - The zealous, the confident Peter.

Verse 43.

Matt. xxvi, 47; Luke xxii, 47; John xviii, 2.

Verse 44.

Whomsoever I shall kiss - Probably our Lord, in great condescension, had used (according to the Jewish custom) to permit his disciples to do this, after they had been some time absent.

Verse 47.

Matt. xxvi, 51; Luke xxii, 49; John xviii, 10.

Verse 51.

A young man - It does not appear, that he was one of Christ's disciples. Probably hearing an unusual noise, he started up out of his bed, not far from the garden, and ran out with only the sheet about him, to see what was the matter. And the young men laid hold on him - Who was only suspected to be Christ's disciple: but could not touch them who really were so.

Verse 53.

Matt. xxvi, 57; Luke xxii, 54; John xviii, 12.

Verse 55.

All the council sought for witness and found none - What an amazing proof of the overruling providence of God, considering both their authority, and the rewards they could offer, that no two consistent witnesses could be procured, to charge him with any gross crime. Matt. xxvi, 59.

Verse 56.

Their evidences were not sufficient - The Greek words literally rendered are, Were not equal: not equal to the charge of a capital crime: it is the same word in the 59th verse.

Verse 58.

We heard him say - It is observable, that the words which they thus misrepresented, were spoken by Christ at least three years before, John ii, 19. Their going back so far to find matter for the charge, was a glorious, though silent attestation of the unexceptionable manner wherein he had behaved, through the whole course of his public ministry.

Verse 61.

Matt. xxvi, 63; Luke xxii, 67.

Verse 66.

Matt. xxvi, 69; Luke xxii, 56; John xviii, 25.

Verse 72.

And he covered his head - Which was a usual custom with mourners, and was fitly expressive both of grief and shame.

MARK CHAPTER 15

Verse 1.

Matt. xxvii, 1, 2; Luke xxii, 66; Luke xxiii, 1; John xviii, 28.

Verse 3.

Matt. xxvii, 12.

Verse 7.

Insurrection - A crime which the Roman governors, and Pilate in particular, were more especially concerned and careful to punish.

Verse 9.

Will ye that I release to you the king of the Jews - Which does this wretched man discover most? Want of justice, or courage, or common sense? The poor coward sacrifices justice to popular clamour, and enrages those whom he seeks to appease, by so unseasonably repeating that title, The king of the Jews, which he could not but know was so highly offensive to them.

Verse 16.

Praetorium - The inner hall, where the praetor, a Roman magistrate, used to give judgment. But St. John calls the whole palace by this name. Matt. xxvii, 27; John xix, 2.

Verse 17.

Purple - As royal robes were usually purple and scarlet, St. Mark and John term this a purple robe, St. Matthew a scarlet one. The Tyrian purple is said not to have been very different from scarlet.

Verse 20.

Matt. xxvii, 31; John xix, 16.

Verse 21.

The father of Alexander and Rufus - These were afterward two eminent Christians, and must have been well known when St. Mark wrote.

Verse 22.

Matt. xxvii, 33; Luke xxiii, 33; John xix, 17.

Verse 24, 25.

St. Mark seems to intimate, that they first nailed him to the cross, then parted his garments, and afterward reared up the cross.

Verse 28.

Isaiah liii, 12.

Verse 29.

Matt. xxvii, 39.

Verse 33.

Matt. xxvii, 45; Luke xxiii, 44.

Verse 34.

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me - Thereby claiming God as his God; and yet lamenting his Father's withdrawing the tokens of his love, and treating him as an enemy, while he bare our sins.

Verse 37.

Matt. xxvii, 50; Luke xxiii, 46; John xix, 30.

Verse 41.

Who served him - Provided him with necessaries.

Verse 42.

Because it was the day before the Sabbath - And the bodies might not hang on the Sabbath day: therefore they were in haste to have them taken down.

Verse 43.

honourable - A man of character and reputation: A counsellor - A member of the sanhedrim. Who waited for the kingdom of God - Who expected to see it set up on earth. Matt. xxvii, 57; Luke xxiii, 50; John xix, 38.

Verse 46.

He rolled a stone - By his servants. It was too large for him to roll himself.

MARK CHAPTER 16

Verse 1.

Matt. xxviii, 1; Luke xxiv, 1; John xx, 1.

Verse 2.

At the rising of the sun - They set out while it was yet dark, and came within sight of the sepulchre, for the first time, just as it grew light enough to discern that the stone was rolled away, Matt. xxviii, 1; Luke xxiv, 1; John xx, 1. But by the time Mary had called Peter and John, and they had viewed the sepulchre, the sun was rising.

Verse 3.

Who shall roll us away the stone - This seems to have been the only difficulty they apprehended. So they knew nothing of Pilate's having sealed the stone, and placed a guard of soldiers there.

Verse 7.

And Peter - Though he so oft denied his Lord. What amazing goodness was this!

Verse 9.

John xx, 11.

Verse 10.

Luke xxiv, 9; John xx, 18.

Verse 12.

Luke xxiv, 13.

Verse 13.

Neither believed they them - They were moved a little by the testimony of these, added to that of St. Peter, Luke xxiv, 34; but they did not yet fully believe it.

Verse 14.

Luke xxiv, 36; John xx, 19.

Verse 15.

Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature - Our Lord speaks without any limitation or restriction. If therefore every creature in every age hath not heard it, either those who should have preached, or those who should have heard it, or both, made void the counsel of God herein. Matt. xxviii, 19.

Verse 16.

And is baptized - In token thereof. Everyone that believed was baptized. But he that believeth not - Whether baptized or unbaptized, shall perish everlastingly.

Verse 17.

And these signs shall follow them that believe - An eminent author sub-joins, "That believe with that very faith mentioned in the preceding verse." (Though it is certain that a man may work miracles, and not have saving faith, Matt. vii, 22, 23.) "It was not one faith by which St. Paul was saved, another by which he wrought miracles. Even at this day in every believer faith has a latent miraculous power; (every effect of prayer being really miraculous;) although in many, both because of their own littleness of faith, and because the world is unworthy, that power is not exerted. Miracles, in the beginning, were helps to faith; now also they are the object of it. At Leonberg, in the memory of our fathers, a cripple that could hardly move with crutches, while the dean was preaching on this very text, was in a moment made whole." Shall follow - The word and faith must go before. In my name - By my authority committed to them. Raising the dead is not mentioned. So our Lord performed even more than he promised.

Verse 18.

If they drink any deadly thing - But not by their own choice. God never calls us to try any such experiments.

Verse 19.

The Lord - How seasonable is he called by this title! After he had spoken to them - For forty days. Luke xxiv, 50.

Verse 20.

They preached everywhere - At the time St. Mark wrote, the apostles had already gone into all the known world, Rom. x, 18; and each of them was there known where he preached: the name of Christ only was known throughout the world.

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