WHEN HE WAS COME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN - That is, immediately on his descending from the mountain. His discourse had attracted great attention, and the fame of it drew together great multitudes, who were convinced that he had come from God. Then follows, in this chapter and the chapter succeeding,... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE CAME A LEPER - No disease with which the human family has been afflicted has been more dreadful than that which is often mentioned in the Bible “as the leprosy.” It first exhibits itself on the surface of the skin. The appearance is not always the same, but it commonly resembles the spot made... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESUS ...TOUCHED HIM - It was an offence to the Jews to “touch” a leprous person, and was regarded as making him who did it ceremonially impure, Leviticus 13:3. The act of putting forth his hand and “touching” him, therefore, expressed the intention of Jesus to cure him, and was a pledge that he... [ Continue Reading ]
SEE THOU TELL NO MAN - This command is to be understood as extending only to the time until he had made the proper representation to the priest. It was his duty to hasten to him immediately Leviticus 14:2; not to delay by talking about it, but, as the first thing, to obey the laws of God, and make p... [ Continue Reading ]
CAPERNAUM - See the notes at Matthew 4:13. THERE CAME UNTO HIM A CENTURION - A centurion was the commander of 100 men in the Roman armies. Judea was a Roman province, and garrisons were kept there to preserve the people in subjection. This man was probably by birth a pagan. See Matthew 8:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
SICK OF THE PALSY - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. The particular form which the palsy assumed in this case is not mentioned. It seems it was a violent attack. Perhaps it was the painful form which produced violent “cramps,” and which immediately endangered his life.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM NOT WORTHY ... - This was an expression of great humility. It refers, doubtless, to his view of his “personal” unworthiness, and not merely to the fact that he was a “Gentile.” It was the expression of a conviction of the great dignity and power of the Saviour, and of a feeling that he was so u... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM A MAN ... - He had full confidence in the ability of Jesus to heal his servant, and requested him simply to give the command. This request he presented in a manner appropriate to a soldier. I am a man, says he, under authority. That is, I am subject to the commands of others, and know how to ob... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN JESUS HEARD IT, HE MARVELED - He wondered at it, or he deemed it remarkable. I HAVE NOT FOUND SO GREAT FAITH - The word “faith,” here, means “confidence” or belief that Christ had power to heal his servant. It does not of “necessity” imply that he had saving faith; though, from the connection... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY SHALL COME FROM THE EAST ... - Jesus takes occasion from the faith of a Roman centurion to state that this conversion would not be solitary; that many pagans - many from the east and west would be converted to the gospel, and be saved, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were. The phrase “from the eas... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM - That is, the children, or the people, who “expected the kingdom,” or to whom it properly belonged; or, in other words, the Jews. they supposed themselves to be the special favorites of heaven. They thought that the Messiah would enlarge their nation and spread the trium... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS HEALED IN THAT SELF-SAME HOUR - This showed decisively the goodness and power of Jesus. No miracle could be more complete. There could be no imposition or deception. This account, or one similar to this, is found in Luke 7:1. There has been a difference of opinion whether the account in Luke... [ Continue Reading ]
This account is contained also in Mark 1:29, and Luke 4:38. Mark says that Simon and Andrew lived together, and that James and John went with them to the house. He adds, also, that before the miracle they spake to him about the sick person. The miracle was direct and complete. She that had been sick... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE EVEN WAS COME ... - The fame of the miracles of Jesus would probably draw together a crowd, and those who had friends that were afflicted would bring them. All that were brought to him he healed. This was proof of two things: first, of his great benevolence; and, secondly, of his divine mis... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED ... - This passage is found in Isaiah 53:4. Our English translation of that important passage is, “Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” The Greek in Matthew is an exact translation of the Hebrew, and the same translation should have been made in both p... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THE OTHER SIDE - Jesus was now in Capernaum, a city at the northwest corner of the Sea of Tiberias, or Sea of Galilee. See the notes at Matthew 4:18. The country to which he purposed to go was the region on the east of the Sea of Tiberias.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND A CERTAIN SCRIBE CAME ... - It is not improbable that this man had seen the miracles of Jesus, and had formed an expectation that by following him he would obtain some considerable worldly advantage. Christ, in reply to his professed purpose to follow him, proclaimed his own poverty, and dashed... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ANOTHER OF HIS DISCIPLES ... - The word “disciple” properly signifies “learner,” and was given to the followers of Jesus because they received him as their teacher. See the notes at Matthew 5:1. It does not of necessity mean that a “disciple” was a pious man, but only one of the multitude, who,... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR DEAD - The word “dead” is used in this passage in two different senses. It is apparently a paradox, but is suited to convey the idea very distinctly to the mind. The Jews used the word “dead” often to express indifference toward a thing; or, rather, to show that that thing ha... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO A SHIP - This was on the Sea of Tiberias. The “ship” in which they sailed was probably a small open boat with sails, such as was commonly used for fishing on the lake. HIS DISCIPLES - Not merely the apostles, but probably many others. There were many other ships in company with him, Mark 4:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT TEMPEST - A violent storm; or a “wind” so strong as to endanger their lives. This lake was subject to sudden squalls. Dr. Thomson (“The Land and the Book,” vol. ii. p. 59) says: “Small as the lake is, and placid, in general, as a molten mirror, I have repeatedly seen it quiver, and leap, and... [ Continue Reading ]
SAVE US - Save our lives. WE PERISH - We are in danger of perishing. This showed great confidence in the Saviour. It shows, also, where sinners and Christians should always go who feel that they are in danger of perishing. There is none that can save from the storms of divine wrath but the Son of G... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY ARE YE FEARFUL? - You should have remembered that the Son of God, the Messiah, was on board. You should not have forgotten that he had power to save, and that with him you are safe. So Christians should never fear danger, disease, or death. With Jesus they are safe. No enemy can reach him; and a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MEN MARVELED - Wondered, or were amazed. WHAT MANNER OF MAN - What kind of a personage. How unlike other men! What a vast display of power! and how far exalted above mortals must he be! Jesus spake to the winds; rebuked their raging, and the sea was suddenly calm. The storm subsided; the ship g... [ Continue Reading ]
The same account of the demoniacs substantially is found in Mark 5:1, and Luke 8:26. Matthew 8:28 THE OTHER SIDE - The other side of the Sea of Tiberias. COUNTRY OF THE GERGESENES - Mark Mark 5:1 says that he came into the country of the “Gadarenes.” This difference is only apparent. “Gadara” was... [ Continue Reading ]