Mark 2:21

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? For the exposition, see the notes at Luke 5:33....

18-22 Strict professors are apt to blame all that do not fully come up to their own views. Christ did not escape slanders; we should be willing to bear them, as well as careful not to deserve them; but should attend to every part of our duty in its proper order and season....

Verse 21. _NO MAN - SEWETH_] Matthew 9:16. _No man seweth a piece of unscoured cloth upon an old garment_. In the common editions this verse begins with και, _and_, but this is omitted by almost every MS. and version of note. The construction of the whole verse is various in the MSS. The translation given here, and in Matthew 9:16, is intelligible, and speaks for itself....

See the notes at Matthew 9:15....

EXPOSITION MARK 2:1 The first sentence of this verse is better rendered thus: AND WHEN HE ENTERED again (εἰσελθῶν πάλιν) INTO CAPERNAUM AFTER SOME DAYS; literally, after days (δι ̓ ἡμερῶν). It is probable that a considerable interval had taken place since the events recorded in the former chapter. IT WAS NOISED THAT HE WAS IN THE HOUSE (ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστὶ); or, if the ὅτι be regarded as recitative, it was noised, _He is in the house_,_ at home_,_ _in his usual place of residence at Capernaum. MARK 2:2 MANY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER, so that there was no longer room for

NO MAN ALSO SEWETH A PIECE OF NEW CLOTH, The traditions of the elders are meant, particularly concerning eating and drinking, and fasting, things before spoken of; and which occasioned this parable, and which were new things in comparison of the commands of God: some of them were of very short standing, devised in, that age; and most, if not all of them, were since the times of Ezra. ON AN OLD GARMENT; the moral and ceremonial righteousness of the Jews, in obedience to the law of God; signifying, that the former were not to be joined with these, to make up a justifying righteousness before God; which were not sufficient for such a purpose, either singly, or both together: ELSE THE NEW PIECE THAT FILLED IT UP, TAKETH AWAY FROM THE OLD, AND THE RENT IS MADE WORSE; for by attendance to the traditions of the elders, the Jews were taken off from, and neglected the commandments of God; nay,...

Mark 2:1. _And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightaway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them._ It is a very singular feat that, although man, in his natural state of heart, is opposed to the gospel, yet he is drawn to hear it. Even though he abhors it, yet oftentimes he cannot help listening to it. Wherever Jesus Christ is, whether he is present in person, or in the preaching of the Word, it will be certain to be noised abroad, and multitudes will come to hear. The grandest attraction either in or out of heaven, is still the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Mark 2:3. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the pals

CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The Servant again in Capernaum. The healing of the Paralytic. (Mark 2:1 .Matthew 9:1; Luke 5:17 .)_ 2. Levi called. With the Publicans and Sinners. (Mark 2:13. Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27 .) 3. The Question concerning Fasting. (Mark 2:18 .Matthew 9:14;...

THE QUESTION OF FASTING. Both the followers of John and the Pharisees agree in the practice of fasting to express repentance. Jesus called men into an experience of joy, surely the joy of forgiveness. By His presence and call He made men feel as if they were taking part in a bridal feast while they waited for the kingdom. They were keeping festival in anticipation of yet intenser joy. This new life could not consort with the old traditional forms of religion. This is the broad sense of the section. In many details it is difficult. The union of disciples of John and the Pharisees seems unnatural. Mark 2:20 is clearly a prediction of the Master's death. But it is only after the great confession (Mark 8:29) that Jesus begins to speak of His death even to His disciples. If genuine, the saying belongs to a later period. Some

A FAITH THAT WOULD NOT BE DENIED (Mark 2:1-6)...