Mark 6:2

he began to teach in the synagogue For his former visit here see Luke 4:6 sq. The conduct of His hearers on this occasion did not betray the frantic violence exhibited at His first visit.

mighty works Rather, powers. This is one of the four names given by the Evangelists to the miracles which the Lord was pleased to work while incarnate here on earth. They are called:

(α) "Wonders," a term never used alone, but always in conjunction with other names. They are continually styled "signs and wonders," or "signs" or "powers" alone, but never "wonders" alone. By this word the effect of astonishment, which the work produces on the beholder, is transferred to the work itself. The word only occurs once in St Mark, in Mark 13:22, and there it is in conjunction with "signs."

(β) "Signs," as being tokens and indications of something beyond themselves, of the near presence and working of God, the seals and credentials of a higher power. The word is an especial favourite with St John, though in our Version "sign" too often gives place to the vaguer "miracle," to the great detriment of the true meaning and force of the word. It occurs three times in St John, twice in St Mark 16:17; Mark 16:20 alone, and once in conjunction with "wonders," Mark 13:22.

(γ) "Powers," that is of God, coming into and working in this world of ours. As in the "wonder" the effect is transferred and gives a name to the cause, so here the cause gives its name to the effect. The word occurs four times in St Mark: Mark 5:30 (A. V. virtue), Mark 6:2; Mark 6:14; Mark 9:39. In our Version it is rendered sometimes "wonderful works" (Matthew 7:22), sometimes "mighty works" (Matthew 11:20; Mark 6:14; Luke 10:13), and still more frequently "miracles" (Acts 2:22; Acts 19:11; Galatians 3:5), thus doing away with a portion of its force.

(δ) "Works." This is a significant term very frequently used by St John. With him miracles are the natural form of workingfor Him, whose Name is Wonderful(Isaiah 9:6), and Who therefore doeth "works of wonder." Comp. John 6:28; John 7:21; John 10:25; John 10:32; John 10:38; John 14:11, &c. See Abp. Trench on the Parables, Introd.