Mark 5:35-43

35-37 Compare Luk_8:49-50.

38-43 Compare Mat_9:23-36; Luk_8:51-56.

1-4 Compare Mat_13:53-57; Luk_4:16-30.

1 On a former occasion (Luk_4:16) He had gone to Nazareth to speak, and found His old neighbors and friends actually hostile to Him, so that they sought to push Him over the precipice near which the city was built. At that time He simply walked away through the midst of them. Now He returns. They have doubtless heard of His fame and marvel at His wisdom. Yet such is the perversity of human nature that they could not bring themselves to believe that their townsman and relatlve could possibly be the Elect of God. It is even so with others who seek to speak the word of God. Spiritual values are at an enormous discount among familiars.

3 See Joh_6:42; Gal_1:19.

3 There is a delightful contrast between our Lord, the Servant of the Circumcision (Rom_15:8)

and Paul, His minister for the nations (Rom_15:16). Christ was a carpenter, Who built permanent habitations on earth, since the Circumcision, to whom He ministered, will have their eonian dwellings on the earth. Paul was a tent maker, for those to whom he was sent have no allotment down here, but are merely camping, waiting for their eonian dwelling in the heavens. In fullest harmony with this is the fact that we do not know Christ according to the flesh. We are not related to Him by physical ties (as the Circumcision were) nor do we enter any but a purely spiritual association, not on earth, but in the heavens. How fitting, then, that we should make His acquaintance, not on earth, in humiliation, but in the heavens, whither we shall go to meet Him. God has wisely planned that all of these physical details shall be counterparts of spiritual truths. Even Paul's own career changed from an itinerant ministry, to an epistolary, spiritual one.

4 See Joh_4:44.

5-6 Compare Mat_13:58.

7-13 Compare Mat_10:5-15; Luk_9:1-6.

8 See Luk_22:35.

8 The wisdom of these instructions is not apparent to us of the West. They were going to their fellow countrymen in the neighboring villages, and it would be much the best way to get to their hearts and gain their confidence to throw themselves wholly on their hospitality. It was a point of honor to entertain wayfarers. The villagers would gladly provide them all with bread, they were not to collect anything by begging, and even small sums of money would be refused for such hospitality as they would receive. An extra pair of sandals would only be a burden, and, as they slept in the same tunic which they wore during the day, one would suffice. Their main equipment was the lack of encumbrances which we regard as necessities.

10 Indeed so hospitable were the villagers, that each one wanted the privilege of entertaining a guest, and so much time would be wasted in useless entertainment, as each new host would insist on some special token of hospitality. So the Lord limited them to a single home in each village. Later, our Lord asked them if they had wanted anything, and they answered, "Nothing" (Luk_22:35).

11 See Act_13:51; Act_18:6.

13 See Jam_5:14.

14 Compare Mat_14:1-2; Luk_9:7-9.

14 John the baptist did not perform miracles or wonders. He came in the spirit and power of Elijah. Now, if he was empowered to perform mighty deeds such as Elijah did, Herod might well be afraid. In that case fifty men might be sent to behead him and lose their lives in the attempt. It was well for Herod that John did no mighty deeds, since the baptist had not been slow to denounce him for his sins, and would not have hesitated to judge him accordingly. It seems that John himself was disappointed in the outcome of his work, especially that he should be imprisoned by the man whom he had denounced. He was an intermediate between the sternness of the prophet and the grace of Christ.

15 Compare Mat_16:14.

15 Even the disciples did not distinguish His gracious spirit from Elijah's stern and destructive ministry. No wonder some thought Him the greatest prophet of their history.

17 Compare Mat_14:3-5; Luk_3:19-20.