The Evangelist, intending to narrate our Lord's ministry without dwelling upon the earlier part of His life, prefaces the whole with a _title_ (Mark 1:1), which is followed by a reference to the preaching of John the Baptist (Mark 1:2-8). This was necessary, since, in one sense, John's appearance wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:1. THE TITLE. THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL. This is regarded by some as the title of the whole book: here begins the Gospel. But the word ‘gospel' in the New Testament is not applied to a book. See the Matthew Book Comments: “Introduction”, “Special Introduction to the Gospels”, “§ 7. The Gosp... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:2-3. IN ISAIAH THE PROPHET. The common reading (‘prophets') arose from the fact that only the second prophecy (Mark 1:3) is from Isaiah; the first is from Malachi (Mark 3:1). Isaiah is named, because his prediction is the more important and striking, and the key note of Malachi's prophecy. Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:4. JOHN APPEARED _._ The connection is with what precedes, as is indicated by the emphatic position of the word we translate ‘appeared,' usually rendered: came to pass. ‘As it was written,' so it was, so there appeared, or came, the one spoken of, John. The common version obscures the emphati... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:5. AND ALL THEY OF JERUSALEM, lit., ‘the Jerusalemites.' This expression is peculiar to Mark. These are made prominent among the inhabitants of Judea, since they lived in the capital city. Comp. Matthew 3:5. CONFESSING THEIR SINS; since ‘repentance' was the main theme of this preparatory mi... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:6. LOCUSTS. See on Matthew 3:4, and accompanying cut.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:7. THERE COMETH HE THAT IS _,_ etc. The English version does not give the definite idea of the original. The denunciation and warning recorded by Matthew (Matthew 3:7-12) and Luke (Luke 3:7-14) are omitted by Mark, who merely gives the sum of John's preaching as a forerunner of the Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:8. WITH THE HOLY GHOST. In Matthew's account the word ‘in' is used, but not here: On the day of Pentecost, when the great fulfilment of this prophecy occurred (Acts 2:3), the Apostles were baptized ‘with,' not ‘in' the Holy Ghost ‘With fire' is omitted here, because the Evangelist has not men... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:9. FROM NAZARETH. Peculiar to Mark. IN JORDAN _,_ lit., ‘into the Jordan.' Comp. ‘out of the water' (Mark 1:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:10. STRAIGHTWAY _._ A favorite expression in this Gospel. HE SAW, _i.e._, Jesus Himself, though John also saw it (John 1:32). RENDING. A stronger expression than that used by Matthew and Luke.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:11. See Matthew 3:17. CAME OUT OF THE HEAVENS. The latter phrase is to be joined with ‘came,' not with ‘voice' as in the E. V. IN THEE (compare Luke 3:22) is the better supported reading.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:12. STRAIGHTWAY _._ The same favorite word as in Mark 1:10. The E. V. uses seven different words to represent this one Greek word, which may always be rendered ‘straightway.' THE SPIRIT DRIVETH HIM FORTH. Comp. Matthew 4:1. The expression here used is stronger than ‘led up' (Matthew), ‘led'... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:13. TEMPTED _._ It is implied here, as in Luke, that the temptation continued during the forty days, although the more personal assault was made at the close of the fast. SATAN, the prince of darkness, was personally engaged. WITH THE WILD BEASTS. A graphic touch peculiar to Mark, enhanci... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:14. NOW AFTER JOHN WAS DELIVERED UP _,i.e._, put in prison. On the reason of this imprisonment, see chap. Mark 6:17. JESUS CAME INTO GALILEE _._ See Matthew 4:12. Not from fear of Herod, but on account of the opposition of the Pharisees, and also to reach the Galilean masses who had been im... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRONOLOGY. This Gospel presents the fewest deviations from the chronological order. In the whole narrative of the ministry in Galilee, we find but one such: in the case of the feast at Levi's house; chap. Mark 2:15-22. On the occurrences between the temptation and the appear once in Galilee, see In... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:15. THE TIME IS FULFILLED _._ The right time, already predicted, has come in fulfilment of prophecy. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND. Matthew: ‘the kingdom of heaven.' The reign of the Messiah, which is the kingdom of God, has approached. Comp. Matthew 3:2. REPENT. Comp, the preaching of Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:16 _._ See on Matthew 4:18, etc. The form of the original shows entire independence of Matthew, and the more graphic style of Mark. IN THE SEA, not ‘into;' the net was in the water, and they were moving it there.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:17. COME YE AFTER ME _._ A more literal rendering of the command recorded by Matthew: ‘Follow me.' TO BECOME. More strictly accurate than Matthew 4:19, hence not copied nor condensed from that account.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:19. A LITTLE FURTHER _._ An exact statement, peculiar to Mark. Matthew mentions in this connection that Zebedee was in the boat; Mark inserts that fact in the next verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:20. WITH THE HIRED SERVANTS. Peculiar to Mark. Zebedee was not poor, and was not left helpless by this act of his sons WENT AFTER HIM _,_ not simply ‘followed Him' (Matt. and Luke). The great particularity of the brief account suggests that Peter himself told Mark the story. ‘Simon,' withou... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:21. AND THEY GO INTO CAPERNAUM. See on Matthew 4:13. This was probably the beginning of our Lord's ministry in that place. The events recorded by Matthew, chaps, Mark 5:1 to Mark 8:13, occurred later. SYNAGOGUE _._ See on Matthew 4:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:22. See on Matthew 7:28-29; comp. Luke 4:32.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:23. Comp. Luke 4:31-37. A MAN WITH AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT _._ Lit., ‘in an unclean spirit,' in his power, in intimate union with him. See on Matthew 4:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:24. WHAT HAVE WE TO DO WITH THEE. _Lit.,_ ‘what to us and to thee,' what have we in common; comp. Matthew 8:29. TO DESTROY US. The language of the demon, overbearing the consciousness of the man. The plural indicates, either the presence of more than one evil spirit, or that this one speaks... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:25. REBUKED HIM. Our Lord refuses the testimony of demons to His Person. HOLD THY PEACE. Lit., ‘be thou muzzled,' silenced. A command joined with enforcing power. COME OUT OF HIM. Two distinct personalities are spoken of, the demon and the possessed man.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:26. HAD TORN HIM _._ A paroxysm attended the dispossession (comp. chap. Mark 9:26; Luke 9:42); not a natural convulsion, but the malicious act of the demon. _Cried with a loud voice._ The act of the demon, not a cry of pain from the demoniac. Luke (Luke 4:35) adds that the demon ‘hurt him not... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:27. THEY QUESTIONED AMONG THEMSELVES. Only a miracle could produce this effect. The people began to think and argue for themselves, not to ask the scribes. WHAT IS THIS? A NEW TEACHING! This is the rendering of the more lively report of Mark. They rightly inferred, that such new and unexampl... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:28. AND THE REPORT OF HIM STRAIGHTWAY WENT OUT EVERYWHERE. The correct reading presents most graphically the effect of the miracle. REGION OF GALILEE ROUND ABOUT. Not the regions adjacent to Galilee, but the adjacent regions of Galilee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:29. AND STRAIGHTWAY. On the ‘sabbath day' (Mark 1:21) after the occurrence in the synagogue. THE HOUSE OF SIMON AND ANDREW. Now living in Capernaum (see on Matthew 8:14). WITH JAMES AND JOHN. Mark alone mentions these. The particularity favors the theory that Peter had told Mark of it. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:29-34. This miracle and those in the evening following are mentioned by Matthew (Matthew 8:14-17) and Luke (Luke 4:38-41). The order of the latter agrees with that of Mark, and the time is definitely indicated. The deviations from the correct order made by Matthew can easily be explained (see... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:30. AND STRAIGHTWAY THEY TELL HIM OF HER. Matthew omits this telling; Luke says: ‘they besought Him for her.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:31. TOOK HER BY THE HAND, AND RAISED HER UP. Mark is here more minute than Matthew or Luke. See on Matthew 8:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:32. AND WHEN EVENING WAS COME, AFTER THE SUN WAS SET. The Sabbath had ended, and they felt at liberty to bring the sick and possessed. THEM THAT WERE POSSESSED WITH DEMONS, or, more literally, ‘those demonized, under the power of evil spirits.' The two afflicted classes are distinguished.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:33. GATHERED TOGETHER AT THE DOOR. Peculiar to Mark, and suggesting the impression made on Peter looking out from the house.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:34. AND HE HEALED MANY, etc. This does not imply that some were not healed, either because there was not time, or because they lacked faith; both Matthew (Matthew 8:16) and Luke (Luke 4:40) say that all were healed. SUFFERED NOT THE DEMONS TO SPEAK. This was usual. See Mark 1:25; comp. the m... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:35. A GREAT WHILE BEFORE DAY, or, ‘while it was still night' Luke: ‘when it was day,' or literally, ‘it becoming day.' Both refer to the same point of time, the earliest dawn. Between this and the parallel passage in Luke there is a great difference in words, though none in matter. A proof of... [ Continue Reading ]
The journey through Galilee here spoken of (Mark 1:35-39) is the first one recorded in the Gospels and is identical with that mentioned in Luke 4:42-44; Matthew 4:23-25. Mark and Luke, however, are more definite than Matthew; the passage just cited from the latter may be a more general description o... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:36. THEY THAT WERE WITH HIM. ‘Simon,' mentioned first as head of the house from which Jesus had withdrawn; the others were: James and John and Andrew, though perhaps more may have been with them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:37. AND THEY FOUND HIM. Search and uncertainty is implied, since He had retired to an unfrequented spot. ALL ARE SEEKING THEE. The crowd soon followed Simon and his friends. See Luke 4:42. Peter said this to induce Him to return, and the crowd besought Him to stay. The will of the multitude... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:38. LET US GO ELSEWHERE INTO THE NEXT TOWNS _._ Spoken to the disciples, who are invited to go with Him. The answer to the multitude is given by Luke (Luke 4:43): ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also.' THAT I MAY PREACH THERE ALSO. Not to work miracles, but to preach; thou... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:39. IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES. Lit, ‘into,' implying that He went into them and reached the ears of the people. ALL GALILEE. Not the next towns only, but throughout the whole region; comp. Matthew 4:23, and especially Luke 4:44.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:40. A LEPER. See on Matthew 8:2. The variations from that account are only in the choice of words and the omission of ‘Lord' here.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:40-45. See on Matthew 8:2-4. Mark's account is fuller, showing independence, and confirming the view that Matthew has deviated from the chronological order. From Luke 5:12-14 we conclude that the miracle occurred at some other place than Capernaum, although Mark 2:1 suggests that it was not f... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:41. MOVED WITH COMPASSION. Peculiar to Mark, suggesting the report of an eye witness (Peter).... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:43. SOLEMNLY CHARGED HIM. This implies strong emotion. Our Lord perceived the man's disobedient spirit. STRAIGHTWAY SENT HIM AWAY. Not out of the house, for there is no evidence that the miracle was performed in a house. Possibly out of the city into which the leper had come (Luke 4:12); bu... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:44. The purport of our Lord's charge to the healed leper is now given. See on Matthew 8:4. Such prohibitions (comp. Matthew 9:31; Mark 5:43) were called forth by circumstances. Evidently this man needed the warning.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:45. AND BEGAN TO PUBLISH IT MUCH. This he did at once (‘began'). Whether he went to the priest at all is not mentioned; but he was disobedient at all events in this matter, which is mentioned by Mark only. SPREAD ABROAD THE MATTER. Lit., ‘the word,' _i.e._, the account of what had happened,... [ Continue Reading ]