See this explained in Matthew 12:9. Mark 3:4 OR TO DO EVIL? TO SAVE LIFE, OR TO KILL? - It seems to have been a maxim with the Jews that not to do good when we have an opportunity is to do evil; not to save life is to kill or to be guilty of murder. If a man has an opportunity of saving a man’s lif... [ Continue Reading ]
STRAIGHTWAY - Immediately, or as soon as possible. TOOK COUNSEL - Laid a plan. Consulted with them. Literally, “made a consultation.” THE HARRIDANS - See the notes at Matthew 22:16. HOW THEY MIGHT DESTROY HIM - They hated him, he was so holy; because he reproved them; because he laid open their h... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE SEA - The Sea of Galilee, or to the lonely regions which surrounded the sea, where he might be in obscurity, and avoid their designs against his life. His time had not yet come, and he prudently took care of his life, thus showing that we are not needlessly to throw ourselves into danger. GA... [ Continue Reading ]
A SMALL SHIP - Rather a “boat.” There were properly speaking, no “ships” on the Sea of Tiberias. This was probably a small boat that belonged to the disciples, in which he could draw off from the shore, and teach the people without being pressed by them. LEST THEY SHOULD THRONG HIM - They pressed u... [ Continue Reading ]
AS MANY AS HAD PLAGUES - As many as had diseases or maladies of body or mind. The word plague, now confined to the pestilence, does not express the meaning of the original, and tends to mislead.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNCLEAN SPIRITS - Persons who were possessed of evil spirits. THOU ART THE SON OF GOD - The Son of God, by way of eminence. In this place it is equivalent to the Messiah, who was, among the Jews, called the Son of God. Hence, they were charged not to make him known, because he was not desirous that... [ Continue Reading ]
For an account of the appointment of the apostles, see the notes at Matthew 10:1. AND CALLETH UNTO HIM WHOM HE WOULD - Those whom he chose; whom he was about to appoint to the apostleship. See the notes at John 15:16. Mark 3:14 HE ORDAINED TWELVE - The word rendered “ordained” here does not expre... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY COULD NOT SO MUCH AS EAT BREAD - Their time and attention were so occupied that they were obliged to forego their regular meals. The affairs of religion may so occupy the attention of ministers and others as to prevent their engaging in their customary pursuits. Religion is all-important - far... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HIS FRIENDS - Greek, “they who were of him.” Not the apostles, but his relatives, his friends, who were in the place of his nativity. HEARD OF IT - Heard of his conduct: his preaching; his appointing the apostles; his drawing such a multitude to his preaching. This shows that by “his friends”... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SCRIBES ... - See the notes at Matthew 12:24. The occasion of their saying this was, that he had healed a man possessed with a devil. The scribes, who came from Jerusalem to watch his conduct, charged him with having made a compact or agreement with the prince of the devils.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 12:46.... [ Continue Reading ]