Parable of the mustard seed, &c. MARK V. The wind and sea rebuked. the other side." And when they had sent away 36 the multitude, they took him with them in a ship. And there were with him other little ships also. And there arose a great storm of 37 the seed should spring and grow up, he know28 eth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of itself; first the blade, then the ear, after 29 that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he putteth in the sic-wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that kle, because the harvest is come." 30 He said also, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God, or what comparison shall 31 we use concerning it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the 32 earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the 33 air may lodge under the shadow of it." And with many such parables spoke he the word to 34 them, as they were able to understand. But REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER IV. 1. In reading or hearing the Gospel we should attend with seriousness, and aim to profit by it. However plain or interesting any truth may be, unless it be heard with suitable regard, it can produce no fruit to perfection. When the mind is vain and trifling, Satan snatcheth away the good seed sown; or when it is filled with wordly cares and anxieties, the good seed is choked. From the parable of the sower and the explanation, we learn how few comparatively so attend and receive the word, as to be saved by it. How much then should every one, who is concerned for his own soul, and for the blessings of the Gospel, "take heed how and what he beareth." 2. We are taught to value the Gospel of Christ as a lamp that shineth to give light to those who otherwise would have remained in darkness. It was not our Lord's design to keep secret any part of divine truth which might be profitable to men; but to spread abroad the gladtidings even to the remotest parts of the world. If the law was a lamp, much more is the Gospel; for the light and glory of the former were nothing in comparison of the superior light and glory of the latter. Let us then come to this light, and walk by it and in some degree reflect it, by our knowledge, spirituality and piety. How powerful a motive to engage our attention is it, that as we deal out, so will it was now filled with water. And he was in 38 the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say to him, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" And he arose, 39 and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, "Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said to them, 40 "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, 41 and said one to another, "What man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him!" CHAPTER V. A. D. 31. Christ delivereth him possessed with a legion of demons; healeth the woman of a bloody issue, and raiseth the daughter of Jairus, And they came over to the other side of the I lake, into the country of the Gadarenes. And 2 when he had come out of the ship, immediately God measure again to us; and in proportion as we improve the light shall more be given, This is the equitable and gracious rule of the Gospel, 3. We also learn that both the kingdom of God in the world and the heart take their rise from small beginnings, but through the divine influence they grow imperceptibly, and at length will attain perfection, Who would have supposed that the doctrine of our Lord, considering the state of the Jews and Gentiles, would have spread so widely, and taken such deep root? After his resurrection the word of God mightily grew and prevailed; and in our day it is spreading to the east and the west, to the north and the south, Lord let this thy kingdom come. If we regard these parables as illustrating the work of grace, and its progress in the heart, they are instructive. This work is sometimes begun we know not how. We know not how the spirit changeth the heart, or cherisheth and maketh the inner man to grow, any more than we do, whence the wind cometh or whither it goeth. As time shows, that the seed doth grow, first the blade appears, then the ear, then the full ear so does grace show itself in the blade of repentance, next in the ear of faith and love, and lastly in the ripe ear of universal holiness and spirituality, when the wheat will be separated and gathered into the garner. prolific power of the elements, constantly, though imperceptibly, so should the Gospel spread and increase in the world; and in its influence on the minds of believers. 30-34. To what shall we liken, &c. Comp. Matt. xiii. 31, 32, 35. And the same day. Comp. Matt. viii. 18. If Mark has given us the very day on which our Lord delivered the parable of the sower, &c. it is clear that Matthew's account of what we have here is not given in the order of time. See Doddridge's Note. 36. They took him with them, &c. Literally, "They took him, as he was in a ship." I suppose that our Lord had gone into a vessel while his apostles had dismissed the multitude; and that they then entered and took him away, Comp. Matt. viii. 23. See Campbell's note.-There were with there met him out of the tombs a man with an 3 unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him not even 4 with chains: For he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters 5 broken in pieces, nor could any man tame him. And always night and day, he was in the tombs and in the mountains, crying out, and 6 cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus at a distance, he ran and did him homage. 7 And cried out with a loud voice and said, "What hast thou to do with me Jesus, Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou tor8 ment me not." (For he had said to him, Come 9 out of the man, thou unclean spirit!) And he asked him, "What is thy name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is legion; for we 10 are many." And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now near to the mountains there was a great him, &c. Or with it; for the pronoun may refer either to our Lord or to the ship. 38. Carest thou not, &c. Matthew, Master, save us; we are perishing.' Luke, 'Master, Master, we are perishing? Perhaps some of the disciples might say as Mark has it, and others as Matthew. The sense of all is the same. CHAP, V. 2. Gadarenes. Comp. Matt. viii. 28, and Note there. 2-20. A man with an, &c. Matthew connected this miracle with the storm ou the Lake of Genesereth, and mentions two demoniacs; but as one was a most remarkable case, and his cure a singular miracle, Mark dwells upon this, and gives a more particular account of the man and of the miracle. The particulars related clearly prove that this man was not only mad, but furious, whatever was the cause of it. They who hold real possession consider this as the strongest instance of it; but others consider that as the man thought himself possessed according to the then prevailing opinion, he spoke as follows: Any disease, the cause of which was then unknown, and which could not be cured, was ascribed to the agency of demons. The woman who was crooked, or by some complaint bowed together, is said to have a spirit of infirmity; and our Lord speaking according to the common notion, says, "Satan had bound her." Luke xiii. 11-16. See Lardner, Vol. 1. Mede. on 1 Tim. iv, 1. Pearce on 1 Cor. x. 20. and his second Letter to Waterland. Michaelis queries, whether as the heathens admitted such persons to be inhabited by their gods, the design of our Lord might not be to ridicule such pretensions? From the language of this demoniac, it appears that the lake and country around it, was regarded as full of demons. "He besought him much that he would not send them out of the country," verse 10. Luke informs us that the demons intreat him, "not to send them into the deep or abyss," the place of punishment; but to suffer them to go into the swine. Josephus informs us, "That demons are the souls of bad men, who enter into living men, and destroy them, unless they obtain speedy relief." De Bell. Jud. L. vii. c. 25. Justin Martyr says, "Men seized and tormented by the souls of the dead, are they whom all call demoniacs and madmen." The heathens held similar opinions. Demones putant animas corporeo munere liberatos. The heathens had both good and evil demons; but the Jews only the latter. Hence their exorcists. Our Lord in healing persons, who sup restored to his right mind. herd of swine feeding. And the demons be- 12 sought him, saying, "Send us into the swine that we may enter into them." And immediately 13 Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine; and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, (they were about two thousand ;) and were choked in the lake. And they that fed 14 the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the villages. And the people went out to see what had been done. And they come to Jesus, and see 15 him that had the demon, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those that had seen it told them how it had 16 befallen him that had the demon, and also concerning the swine. And they began to intreat 17 Jesus to depart out of their borders. And when 18 he had come into the ship, he that had the demon besought Jesus that he might be with him. Yet Jesus suffered him not, but saith to him, 19 "Go unto thy house to thy friends, and tell them posed themselves to be possessed, and the Evangelists in relating such miracles, do it according to the opinion which was then common. 3. Bind him, &c. That is, keep him bound, as his strength was so great as to break even the chains, with which he was fettered. 5. In the tombs, &c. Perhaps he was in the tombs by night, and in the mountains by day. The tombs being cut out of the rocks might afford him shelter. 7. Son of the most, &c. The preceding verse renders it certain, that it was the man, and not the demons, who made the confession; and it is remarkable that he should confess Jesus "to be the Son of God." He might previously have heard Jesus and seen his miracles, and now recollecting them, might thus speak. 9. What is thy name? Our Lord had said, Come out of the man, unclean spirit. He speaks of only one spirit; but the man in reply to the question, answers, That his name was legion, about 6000 demons or spirits. By the question Jesus might intend only what was his own name; and the answer shows, that the unhappy man conceived that he might be called legion, as he thought himself possessed by so many spirits. 12. The demons besought him, &c. According to popular opinion, they spoke through the organs of the man, and requested permission to enter into the swine; and when this was granted they entered. The spectators supposed this, as the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea or lake. They have a natural dread of water, and they must have been impelled by some uncommon agency. Some have thought that the man himself might drive them, before he had recovered his reason; but the language implies that they ran of their own accord. Others therefore conceive that our Lord by his power produced this effect as a judgment on the owners of the herd, and with the design to make the miracle wrought on the man more known. 15. Clothed, and in his right mind. This man must have been well known, and so signal a miracle could not fail to make a considerable impression; and though the people intreated Jesus to depart out of their borders, it might be through fear, lest some judgment should be inflicted on them. 19. And tell them, &c. Our Lord had usually forbidden the person healed to tell it, but here he commands the man to publish the mercy shown to him. The reason might be that this country was inhabited by heathens as The bloody issue cured. MARK V. how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and 20 hath had compassion on thee." And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him; and all men wondered. 21 66 And when Jesus had passed over again by ship to the other side, much people gathered 22 to him, and he was near to the lake. And behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus; and when he saw 23 him, fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray that thou wouldst come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be recovered, 24 and live. And Jesus went with him; and much 25 people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman who had had an issue of blood 26 twelve years, And had suffered much from many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and had received no relief but had rather grown 27 worse, When she heard of Jesus, came in the crowd behind him, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, "If I may but touch his garments, 29 I shall be restored." And immediately the source of her disorder was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was cured of that plague. 30 And Jesus immediately knowing in himself the power which had gone from him, turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my 31 garments?" And his disciples said to him, "Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest 32 thou, "Who touched me?" And he looked ་ REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTEr v. 1. The first miracle recorded in this chapter may remind us of the miseries to which our nature is subject, because of sin. Some diseases are affecting from their loathsome nature; and others from their excruciating pains almost insupportable; but none are more deplorable than those which affect the well as Jews, and was remote from Jerusalem, where his most inveterate enemies resided. Josephus reckons Decapolis a part of Syria. It was so called because it contained ten cities, which Pliny names Damascus, Philadelphia, Rappana, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippo, Dio, Pella, Galasa, and Canatho. The man published his cure round about Gadara. 21. Passed over again. That is, to Capernaum. Comp. Matt, iv. 13. 23. And live. Some of the best copies read (non, and I think this reading more agreeable to the idiom and construction. 25-34. A certain woman, &c. Comp. Matt. ix, 20-22. Lukę viii. 43— 48. Luke nearly agrees with Mark in relating this miracle, while Matthew V. · Daughter of Jairus raised. around to see her that had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, know- 33 ing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, "Daughter, thy faith hath 34 made thee well; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." While he yet spoke, there came 35 from the ruler of the synagogue's house, some who said, "Thy daughter is dead, why troublest thou the master any further?" And as soon as 36 Jesus heard the word which was spoken, he saith to the ruler of the synagogue, “Be not afraid; only believe." And he suffered no man 37 to follow him, but Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. the brother of James. And he cometh to the 38 house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth a disturbance, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he had come in, he saith 39 to them, "Why make ye this disturbance and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth." And they derided him. And they derided him. But when he had put 40 them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with him, and entereth in where the child was. And 41 he took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha cumi;" which is, being interpreted; "Damsel, (I say unto thee,) arise." And immedi- 42 ately the damsel arose, and walked; for she was twelve years old. And they were amazed with great amazement. And he charged them strict- 43 ly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. understanding, and either deprive us of reason or disorder it. To see a human being in the state of the man who dwelt in the mountains and tombs, inflicting self-torment, and avoiding all the comforts of social life, is truly affecting. Is not the conduct of this unhappy man an emblem of that of every obstinate sinner? Does not he by his folly omits many circumstances, and describes it very briefly. She had been afflicted with the disease twelve years, and all the art of medicine had proved ineffectual. Indeed the disease had become worse. Having heard of Jesus, and the wonders which he performed, she thought that if she could but touch his garment, she should be healed. She did so, and was healed. How striking, and how instantaneous the miracle! 30. The power which had, &e. He knew what he had done, was conscious of the healing power which had been exerted, in answer to the confidence reposed in him; and the question, Who touched me? was designed to lead the woman to declare before all this surprising miracle. 39. Not dead, but sleepeth, Comp, Matt. ix. 24, and note. 1 He sends forth the disciples. that he put his hands upon a few sick, and cured them. And he wondered because of 6 their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teach AND he went out thence, and came to Naza-ing. reth his own country; and his disciples follow 2 him. And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue; and many hearing him were astonished, saying, "Whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which hath been given to him? and whence are such mighty works wrought by his 3 hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judah, and Simon? and are not his sisters here 4 with us?" And they were offended at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among 5 his own kindred, and in his own house." And he could not do any mighty work there except CHAP. VI. 11.° Verily I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for eparate himself from the most endearing friendship and society? Is he not by his crimes inflicting the deepest wounds on his own soul? Is he not a stranger to real peace of mind? Is he not heaping up wrath against the day of wrath? O that such, like the prodigal, may recover their reason, and come as sincere penitents to their heavenly father. And he called to him the twelve, and 7 began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And 8 commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only; no bag, no food, no money in their purse: But to be 9 shod with sandals; and not to put on two coats. And he said to them, "In what place soever 10 ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever will not re- II ceive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony unto them." And they went out and preach- 12 ed that men should repent. And they cast 13 out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and cured them. Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judyment, than for that city. Griesb. heart changed, and his sins forgiven, he should adopt the line of conduct recommended, and tell his friends, his neighbours, tell all what God hath done for him, and what compassion and mercy he hath showed him. 3. The other miracles show the power and grace of our Lord, and that where there was confidence reposed in him, it was not disappointed. The woman thought and said, that is, believed, If she could but touch his garment, she should be healed,' and she was so. Jesus said to Jairus, when informed that his daughter was dead, "Be not affraid; only believe." Rely on my power and grace, and thy daughter shall live. He did so, and received his daughter back to life, The Lord Jesus is still as able and willing to save, not from bodily infirmities only, but to save from death, sin, and eternal misery. He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him. Repose 2. Our Lord's address to the man ought to teach us never to forget any of God's benefits.". Of whatever nature they are, they should be thankfully acknowledged; but peculiar and distinguishing favours more especially so. Our Lord had gone into the country of the Gadarenes unsolicited, and doubtless with the kind intention of working this miracle. How proper was it that the man should go home to his friends, and tell them how great things the Lord had done. for him, that others might be induced to apply to him? In like manner, when a sinner is converted, when his mind is informed, his thy confidence in him, O my soul, and thou shalt never perish, 40. Those who were with him. Peter, James and John, as is clear from verse 37. CHAP. VI. 1. Went out thenee. From Capernaum, where he had sometime resided. I have supplied Nazareth, as what is clearly implied. 2. And whence are such, &c. For or all the best mss. have xal; and this reading supposes zó implied. 3. This the carpenter? Matthew has the son of the carpenter,' and Pearce thought this the more probable. Some of the people might say as Matthew has it, and others as Mark. It is known that it was usual with the Jews, whatever their circumstances were, to teach their children some trade; and it is not in the least improbable that our Lord was a carpenter. Grotius says, “ since Christ is thus called by the people of Nazareth, among whom he grew up, I cannot dissent from those who report that he assisted Joseph in his occupation, and as Justin says, made ploughs and yokes. That the ancient christians thought so appears from the reply of one, who, being con tumeliously asked, what the son of the carpenter was doing, answered, "He is making a bier for Julian."His brethren. See note, Matt. xiii. 55. 4. A prophet is not, &c. See note, Matt. xiii, 57. When an individual, whom we have known in circumstances like to our own, is afterwards distinguished by peculiar gifts and endowments, we are more prejudiced against him than strangers usually are. 5. Could not do, &c. Their prejudices and unbelief might prevent them from bringing their sick in general to him for relief, as appears from Matt. xiii. 58. 7-13. He called to him, &c. Comp. Matt. x. 1-14, 11. Testimony unto them. As a testimony of their unbelief, and a de. claration that you leave them as unworthy of your further regard. This very act might lead them to reflect and repent. Acts xiii. 51.; xviii. 6. 13. Anointed with oil. From this and James v. 14, 15, it appears that it was then usual to anoint sick persons with oil or some unguent, which was John the baptist beheaded. 14 MARK VI. And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, "John the baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty 15 works are wrought by him." Others said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is a prophet 16 like one of the old prophets." But when Herod heard of him, he said, "It is John, whom I 17 beheaded; he is risen from the dead." For this Herod had sent and apprehended John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. 18 For John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful 19 for thee to have thy brother's wife." Herodias therefore was greatly incensed against him, and 20 would have killed him but she could not: For Herod regarded John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and protected him; and after hearing him, he did many things; 21 and he heard him gladly. But a convenient day being come, when Herod on his birth-day made a supper for his great men, commanders, 22 and chiefs of Galilee; And the daughter of this Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the damsel, "Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, 23 and I will give it thee." And he swore to her, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give 24 it thee, to the half of my kingdom." And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall 1 ask?" And she said, "The head of John the 25 Baptist." And she immediately came with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I desire that thou give me presently in a basin the head of 26 John the Baptist." And the king was exceedingly grieved; yet because of his oath and of 27 his guests, he would not reject her. And im 4 And his head brought to Herodias. mediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought; and he went and beheaded him in the prison, And 28 brought his head in a basin, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came 29 and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. Then the apostles came together to Jesus, 30 and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said 31 to them, "Come ye yourselves privately to a desert place, and rest a short time: " for there were many coming and going, and they had not leisure even to eat. And they departed 32 into a desert place by ship privately. But the 33people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran by land out of all the cities, and came thither to him. And Jesus came out of 34 the ship, and saw much people, and was moved with compassion towards them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when 35 the day was now far spent, his disciples came to him, and said, "This is a desert place, and the day, is far spent: Send them away, that 36 they may go into the country, and into the villages round about, and buy for themselves food: for they have nothing to eat." He answered 37 and said to them, "Give ye them food to eat." And they say to him, "Shall we go and buy bread for two hundred denarii, and give them to eat?" He saith to them, “ How many loaves 38 have ye? go and see." And when they knew, they say, "Five, and two fishes." And he 39 commanded them to make all place themselves by companies upon the green grass. And they 40 most probably rubbed into the part affected. Some think, that the oil might denote the unction of the spirit; for what is here said, as well as in James, implies that the cure was miraculous; and the reason of the rite, whatever it was, has now ceased. 14-29. King Herod, &c. Comp. Matt. xiv. 1-12. 18. It is not lawful. Comp. Note. Matt. xiv. 4. 19. Incensed against him. For this sense of vux, see Hesych.— She could not. For some time Herod resisted her arts and intreaties. 20. He did many things. Did many things according to the admonitions and instructions which John gave him; and took some pleasure in attending on his ministry. 21. A convenient day, &c. Convenient for the purpose of Herodias. See Matt. xiv. 6. 23. To the half of my kingdom. See Matt. xiv. 9. and Note. Doubt less this rash oath was made, when his passions were inflamed by wine.. 25. Give me presently. She desired this might be done quickly, fearing: lest Herod should change his miud. 30. Then the apostles, &c. They had fulfilled the commission given. to them, and now tell him what miracles they had wrought in his name, and what they had taught the people. 33. And ran by land, &c. For the text, see Griesbach. Our Lord' sailed near the coast, to the desert place mentioned, and did not cross the lake. 34-44. And Jesus came, &c. Comp. Matt. xiv. 13-21. Mark is much more particular in the relation of this miracle than the former evangelist. 40. In squares by hundreds, &c. I follow Campbell in this version; and |