_CHRIST HEALETH THE WITHERED HAND, AND MANY OTHER INFIRMITIES: REBUKETH THE UNCLEAN SPIRITS: CHOOSETH HIS TWELVE APOSTLES: CONVINCETH THOSE OF BLASPHEMY WHO CHARGED HIM WITH CASTING OUT DEVILS BY BEELZEBUB; AND SHEWETH WHO ARE HIS BROTHER, SISTER, AND MOTHER._ _Anno Domini 31._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO THE MAN—STAND FORTH.— Our Lord ordered the man to shew himself to the whole congregation, that the sight of his distress might move them to pity him, and that they might be the more sensibly struck with the miracle, when theysaw the withered hand restored to its former dimensions an... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD LOOKED, &C.— Our Saviour looked about upon all, in such a manner, as to shew both his indignation at their wickedness, and his grief for their impenitence. He knew that his arguments did not prevail with his enemies present, because they wereresisting the conviction of their own mind... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS WITHDREW HIMSELF— The immense multitude which followed our Lord, did not all come together purely out of curiosity; it was principle, no doubt, which moved many; but others came merely to be healed of their diseases and infirmities; and as our Lord's fame had spread, not only through the whole... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY PRESSED UPON HIM, &C.— The phrase επιπιπτειν αυτω, strongly expresses this; they were ready to drive each other upon him! so that those nearest him could hardly stand, being pressed forward by those behind. The Syriac version joins the last clause of this verse to what follows; _as many as had—... [ Continue Reading ]
HE STRAITLY CHARGED THEM— _He strictly,_ &c. πολλα επετιμα αυτοις; which seems to imply a strictness of charge, with some appearance of severity... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE ORDAINED TWELVE,— See Luke 6:12; Luke 6:49. Our Saviour ordained the twelve to be always _with him,_ that they might learn from his mouth the doctrine which they were in due time to preach to the world;—_that they might see his glory,_ John 1:14 the transcendent glory of the virtues which ado... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY SAID, HE IS BESIDE HIMSELF.— _For they said, He fainted away._ So the version of 1729. Dr. Macknight observes, that most translators render this verse as we do; but the meaning which they give is false, and such as suggests a very unbecoming idea of our Lord, who on no other occasion behave... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STRONG MAN— _The strong one;_ Satan rightly so called, from his power in the hearts of men. Heylin.... [ Continue Reading ]
BLASPHEMIES—BLASPHEME— Or _revilings—revile. Mark 3:29. Is in danger of_] _Is liable to._ _INFERENCES.—_There is something peculiarly beautiful in the account which St. Mark gives us of our Lord's indignation in Mark 3:5. Even his anger was compassionate; he was _angry,_ and yet grieved; angry at th... [ Continue Reading ]