THE BEGINNING] It is clear that at first the elementary preaching of the gospel by the apostles began with the baptism of Jesus by John, and that it was only subsequently, and to the initiated alone, that the secret of our Lord's miraculous birth was disclosed. The reasons for this prudential reserv... [ Continue Reading ]
BAPTISM OF JESUS. BEGINNING OF THE MINISTRY 1-8. Appearance of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1; Luke 3:1). See on Mt and Lk. St. Mark's Gospel, being based on the reminiscences of Peter, begins with the public ministry of Jesus, or, rather, with His connexion with the Baptist, through which Peter and... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE PROPHETS] RV 'in Isaiah the prophet.' The quotation, however, is not entirely taken from Isaiah, but partly from Malachi 3:1 and partly from Isaiah 40:3. The quotation from Malachi does not occur in the parallels. BEFORE THY FACE] In the Heb. 'before _my_ face.' This was clearly a Christian a... [ Continue Reading ]
BAPTISM OF JESUS (Matthew 3:13; Luke 3:21). See on Mt. 12, 13. THE TEMPTATION (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1). See on Mt. St. Mark alone has the graphic touch that He was 'with the wild beasts.' 14, 15. ARREST OF JOHN AND BEGINNING OF THE GALILEAN MINISTRY (Matthew 4:18; Luke 4:14; John 4:1). See on Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]
CALL OF SIMON, ANDREW, JAMES, AND JOHN (Matthew 4:18, cp. Luke 5:1). See on Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]
A DEMONIAC HEALED IN THE SYNAGOGUE AT CAPERNAUM (Luke 4:31). A striking point in this miracle is the testimony of the demon to Christ's Messiahship, which, however, He refused to accept. If the possession was real, the demon's confession of Christ as 'the Holy One of God' was probably extorted by fe... [ Continue Reading ]
TAUGHT] To teach with authority, as distinguished from mere exhortation, was only allowed to those who had received rabbinical ordination. Christ was probably allowed to teach, like John, as a prophet, not as a rabbi.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT HAVE WE, etc.] The plural is generally understood to prove the actual existence of the indwelling evil spirit. At the same time, it is a well-known fact that if an insane person is the victim of a delusion, he adapts all his words and actions to accord with it. If the insane person believed tha... [ Continue Reading ]
It was not expedient that Christ or the apostles should receive what was generally supposed to be diabolical testimony (Matthew 10:25; Matthew 12:24).... [ Continue Reading ]
TORN] better, 'convulsed.'... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT NEW DOCTRINE] RV 'A new teaching.'... [ Continue Reading ]
HEALING OF SIMON'S WIFE'S MOTHER AND OTHERS (Matthew 8:14; Luke 4:38). See on Mt. Observe St. Mark's graphic touch, AND ALL THE CITY WAS GATHERED TOGETHER AT THE DOOR. 35-39. Tours through Galilee (Luke 4:42). See on Matthew 4:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAYED] To spend a night, or a great part of a night, in prayer, was our Lord's way of preparing for preaching (Mark 1:38), for working miracles (Mark 9:29), and for other important actions, such as the choice of the Twelve (Luke 6:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LEPER CLEANSED (Matthew 8:1; Luke 5:12). See on Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]
(Peculiar to Mk.) It explains the reason why Jesus so often enjoined secrecy on those who were healed. He was afraid that the popular enthusiasm would lead to political complications.... [ Continue Reading ]