THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL - The word “gospel” literally signifies good news, and particularly the good tidings respecting the way of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ. Some have understood the word “gospel” here to mean “history” or “life - the beginning of the history,” etc.; but Mark says nothi... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE PROPHETS - Mark mentions “prophets” here without specifying which. The places are found in Malachi 3:1, and in Isaiah 41:3. See the notes at Matthew 3:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 3:3, Matthew 3:5, Matthew 3:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 3:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Mark relates concisely what Matthew has recorded more at length in Mark 4. THE SPIRIT DRIVETH - The word “driveth” does not mean that he was compelled forcibly against his will to go there, but that he was inclined to go there by the Spirit, or was led there. The Spirit of God, for important p... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AFTER THAT JOHN WAS PUT IN PRISON - John was imprisoned by Herod, Matthew 14:3. JESUS CAME INTO GALILEE - He left Judea and went into the more retired country of Galilee. He supposed that if he remained in Judea, Herod would also persecute him and attempt to take his life. His time of death had... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TIME IS FULFILLED - That is, the time for the appearance of the Messiah, the time so long foretold, has come. “The kingdom of God is at hand.” See the notes at Matthew 3:2. REPENT YE - Exercise sorrow for sins, and turn from them. AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL - Literally, trust in the gospel, or bel... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 4:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
See also Luke 4:31. Mark 1:21 AND THEY WENT INTO CAPERNAUM - For the situation of Capernaum see the notes at Matthew 4:13. STRAIGHTWAY - Immediately. On the following Sabbath. THE SYNAGOGUE - See the notes at Matthew 4:23. AND TAUGHT - In the synagogue, the presiding elder, after reading the Scr... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 8:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 8:16. AND AT EVEN, WHEN THE SUN DID SET - See the notes at Matthew 8:16. Mark 1:33 ALL THE CITY - A great part of the city. A great multitude from the city. Mark 1:34 AND SUFFERED NOT THE DEVILS TO SPEAK, BECAUSE THEY KNEW HIM - They knew that he was the Messiah. If the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN THE MORNING, RISING UP A GREAT WHILE BEFORE DAY - Luke says Luke 4:42, “when it was day.” The passage in Mark means, in the original, not literally “a great while before day,” but very early, or while there was yet “much appearance of night.” The place in Luke means “at daybreak,” at the begi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO THEM ... - This was said in answer to their “implied” request that he would go and meet the multitudes. “Since the anxiety to hear the truth is so great, since such multitudes are waiting to hear the word, let us go into the next towns,” etc. NEXT TOWNS - Towns in the neighborhood... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE PREACHED IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES - See Matthew 4:23. ALL GALILEE - See Matthew 1:22. AND CAST OUT DEVILS - See Matthew 4:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE CAME A LEPER ... - See the notes at Matthew 8:1. KNEELING DOWN TO HIM - He kneeled and inclined his face to the ground, in token of deep humiliation and earnest entreaty. Compare Luke 5:12. IF THOU WILT - This was an acknowledgment of the almighty power of Jesus, and an appeal to his ben... [ Continue Reading ]