The Evangelist, intending to narrate our Lord's ministry without
dwelling upon the earlier part of His life, prefaces the whole with a
_title_ (Mark 1:1), which is followed by a reference to the preaching
of John the Baptist (Mark 1:2-8). This was necessary, since, in one
sense, John's appearance wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:1. THE TITLE. THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL. This is regarded by
some as the title of the whole book: here begins the Gospel. But the
word ‘gospel' in the New Testament is not applied to a book. See the
Matthew Book Comments: “Introduction”, “Special Introduction to
the Gospels”, “§ 7. The Gosp... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:2-3. IN ISAIAH THE PROPHET. The common reading (‘prophets')
arose from the fact that only the second prophecy (Mark 1:3) is from
Isaiah; the first is from Malachi (Mark 3:1). Isaiah is named, because
his prediction is the more important and striking, and the key note of
Malachi's prophecy. Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:4. JOHN APPEARED _._ The connection is with what precedes, as
is indicated by the emphatic position of the word we translate
‘appeared,' usually rendered: came to pass. ‘As it was written,'
so it was, so there appeared, or came, the one spoken of, John. The
common version obscures the emphati... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:5. AND ALL THEY OF JERUSALEM, lit., ‘the Jerusalemites.' This
expression is peculiar to Mark. These are made prominent among the
inhabitants of Judea, since they lived in the capital city. Comp.
Matthew 3:5.
CONFESSING THEIR SINS; since ‘repentance' was the main theme of
this preparatory mi... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:6. LOCUSTS. See on Matthew 3:4, and accompanying cut.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:7. THERE COMETH HE THAT IS _,_ etc. The English version does
not give the definite idea of the original. The denunciation and
warning recorded by Matthew (Matthew 3:7-12) and Luke (Luke 3:7-14)
are omitted by Mark, who merely gives the sum of John's preaching as a
forerunner of the Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:8. WITH THE HOLY GHOST. In Matthew's account the word ‘in' is
used, but not here: On the day of Pentecost, when the great fulfilment
of this prophecy occurred (Acts 2:3), the Apostles were baptized
‘with,' not ‘in' the Holy Ghost ‘With fire' is omitted here,
because the Evangelist has not men... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:9. FROM NAZARETH. Peculiar to Mark.
IN JORDAN _,_ lit., ‘into the Jordan.' Comp. ‘out of the water'
(Mark 1:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:10. STRAIGHTWAY _._ A favorite expression in this Gospel.
HE SAW, _i.e._, Jesus Himself, though John also saw it (John 1:32).
RENDING. A stronger expression than that used by Matthew and Luke.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:11. See Matthew 3:17.
CAME OUT OF THE HEAVENS. The latter phrase is to be joined with
‘came,' not with ‘voice' as in the E. V.
IN THEE (compare Luke 3:22) is the better supported reading.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:12. STRAIGHTWAY _._ The same favorite word as in Mark 1:10. The
E. V. uses seven different words to represent this one Greek word,
which may always be rendered ‘straightway.'
THE SPIRIT DRIVETH HIM FORTH. Comp. Matthew 4:1. The expression here
used is stronger than ‘led up' (Matthew), ‘led'... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:13. TEMPTED _._ It is implied here, as in Luke, that the
temptation continued during the forty days, although the more personal
assault was made at the close of the fast.
SATAN, the prince of darkness, was personally engaged.
WITH THE WILD BEASTS. A graphic touch peculiar to Mark, enhanci... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:14. NOW AFTER JOHN WAS DELIVERED UP _,i.e._, put in prison. On
the reason of this imprisonment, see chap. Mark 6:17.
JESUS CAME INTO GALILEE _._ See Matthew 4:12. Not from fear of Herod,
but on account of the opposition of the Pharisees, and also to reach
the Galilean masses who had been im... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRONOLOGY. This Gospel presents the fewest deviations from the
chronological order. In the whole narrative of the ministry in
Galilee, we find but one such: in the case of the feast at Levi's
house; chap. Mark 2:15-22. On the occurrences between the temptation
and the appear once in Galilee, see In... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:15. THE TIME IS FULFILLED _._ The right time, already
predicted, has come in fulfilment of prophecy.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND. Matthew: ‘the kingdom of heaven.'
The reign of the Messiah, which is the kingdom of God, has approached.
Comp. Matthew 3:2.
REPENT. Comp, the preaching of Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:16 _._ See on Matthew 4:18, etc. The form of the original shows
entire independence of Matthew, and the more graphic style of Mark.
IN THE SEA, not ‘into;' the net was in the water, and they were
moving it there.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:17. COME YE AFTER ME _._ A more literal rendering of the
command recorded by Matthew: ‘Follow me.'
TO BECOME. More strictly accurate than Matthew 4:19, hence not copied
nor condensed from that account.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:19. A LITTLE FURTHER _._ An exact statement, peculiar to Mark.
Matthew mentions in this connection that Zebedee was in the boat; Mark
inserts that fact in the next verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:20. WITH THE HIRED SERVANTS. Peculiar to Mark. Zebedee was not
poor, and was not left helpless by this act of his sons
WENT AFTER HIM _,_ not simply ‘followed Him' (Matt. and Luke). The
great particularity of the brief account suggests that Peter himself
told Mark the story. ‘Simon,' withou... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:21. AND THEY GO INTO CAPERNAUM. See on Matthew 4:13. This was
probably the beginning of our Lord's ministry in that place. The
events recorded by Matthew, chaps, Mark 5:1 to Mark 8:13, occurred
later.
SYNAGOGUE _._ See on Matthew 4:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:22. See on Matthew 7:28-29; comp. Luke 4:32.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:23. Comp. Luke 4:31-37.
A MAN WITH AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT _._ Lit., ‘in an unclean spirit,' in
his power, in intimate union with him. See on Matthew 4:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:24. WHAT HAVE WE TO DO WITH THEE. _Lit.,_ ‘what to us and to
thee,' what have we in common; comp. Matthew 8:29.
TO DESTROY US. The language of the demon, overbearing the
consciousness of the man. The plural indicates, either the presence of
more than one evil spirit, or that this one speaks... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:25. REBUKED HIM. Our Lord refuses the testimony of demons to
His Person.
HOLD THY PEACE. Lit., ‘be thou muzzled,' silenced. A command joined
with enforcing power.
COME OUT OF HIM. Two distinct personalities are spoken of, the demon
and the possessed man.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:26. HAD TORN HIM _._ A paroxysm attended the dispossession
(comp. chap. Mark 9:26; Luke 9:42); not a natural convulsion, but the
malicious act of the demon. _Cried with a loud voice._ The act of the
demon, not a cry of pain from the demoniac. Luke (Luke 4:35) adds that
the demon ‘hurt him not... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:27. THEY QUESTIONED AMONG THEMSELVES. Only a miracle could
produce this effect. The people began to think and argue for
themselves, not to ask the scribes.
WHAT IS THIS? A NEW TEACHING! This is the rendering of the more
lively report of Mark. They rightly inferred, that such new and
unexampl... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:28. AND THE REPORT OF HIM STRAIGHTWAY WENT OUT EVERYWHERE. The
correct reading presents most graphically the effect of the miracle.
REGION OF GALILEE ROUND ABOUT. Not the regions adjacent to Galilee,
but the adjacent regions of Galilee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:29. AND STRAIGHTWAY. On the ‘sabbath day' (Mark 1:21) after
the occurrence in the synagogue.
THE HOUSE OF SIMON AND ANDREW. Now living in Capernaum (see on
Matthew 8:14).
WITH JAMES AND JOHN. Mark alone mentions these. The particularity
favors the theory that Peter had told Mark of it. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:29-34. This miracle and those in the evening following are
mentioned by Matthew (Matthew 8:14-17) and Luke (Luke 4:38-41). The
order of the latter agrees with that of Mark, and the time is
definitely indicated. The deviations from the correct order made by
Matthew can easily be explained (see... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:30. AND STRAIGHTWAY THEY TELL HIM OF HER. Matthew omits this
telling; Luke says: ‘they besought Him for her.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:31. TOOK HER BY THE HAND, AND RAISED HER UP. Mark is here more
minute than Matthew or Luke. See on Matthew 8:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:32. AND WHEN EVENING WAS COME, AFTER THE SUN WAS SET. The
Sabbath had ended, and they felt at liberty to bring the sick and
possessed.
THEM THAT WERE POSSESSED WITH DEMONS, or, more literally, ‘those
demonized, under the power of evil spirits.' The two afflicted classes
are distinguished.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:33. GATHERED TOGETHER AT THE DOOR. Peculiar to Mark, and
suggesting the impression made on Peter looking out from the house.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:34. AND HE HEALED MANY, etc. This does not imply that some were
not healed, either because there was not time, or because they lacked
faith; both Matthew (Matthew 8:16) and Luke (Luke 4:40) say that all
were healed.
SUFFERED NOT THE DEMONS TO SPEAK. This was usual. See Mark 1:25;
comp. the m... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:35. A GREAT WHILE BEFORE DAY, or, ‘while it was still night'
Luke: ‘when it was day,' or literally, ‘it becoming day.' Both
refer to the same point of time, the earliest dawn. Between this and
the parallel passage in Luke there is a great difference in words,
though none in matter. A proof of... [ Continue Reading ]
The journey through Galilee here spoken of (Mark 1:35-39) is the first
one recorded in the Gospels and is identical with that mentioned in
Luke 4:42-44; Matthew 4:23-25. Mark and Luke, however, are more
definite than Matthew; the passage just cited from the latter may be a
more general description o... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:36. THEY THAT WERE WITH HIM. ‘Simon,' mentioned first as head
of the house from which Jesus had withdrawn; the others were: James
and John and Andrew, though perhaps more may have been with them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:37. AND THEY FOUND HIM. Search and uncertainty is implied,
since He had retired to an unfrequented spot.
ALL ARE SEEKING THEE. The crowd soon followed Simon and his friends.
See Luke 4:42. Peter said this to induce Him to return, and the crowd
besought Him to stay. The will of the multitude... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:38. LET US GO ELSEWHERE INTO THE NEXT TOWNS _._ Spoken to the
disciples, who are invited to go with Him. The answer to the multitude
is given by Luke (Luke 4:43): ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to
other cities also.'
THAT I MAY PREACH THERE ALSO. Not to work miracles, but to preach;
thou... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:39. IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES. Lit, ‘into,' implying that He went
into them and reached the ears of the people.
ALL GALILEE. Not the next towns only, but throughout the whole
region; comp. Matthew 4:23, and especially Luke 4:44.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:40. A LEPER. See on Matthew 8:2. The variations from that
account are only in the choice of words and the omission of ‘Lord'
here.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:40-45. See on Matthew 8:2-4. Mark's account is fuller, showing
independence, and confirming the view that Matthew has deviated from
the chronological order. From Luke 5:12-14 we conclude that the
miracle occurred at some other place than Capernaum, although Mark 2:1
suggests that it was not f... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:41. MOVED WITH COMPASSION. Peculiar to Mark, suggesting the
report of an eye witness (Peter).... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:43. SOLEMNLY CHARGED HIM. This implies strong emotion. Our Lord
perceived the man's disobedient spirit.
STRAIGHTWAY SENT HIM AWAY. Not out of the house, for there is no
evidence that the miracle was performed in a house. Possibly out of
the city into which the leper had come (Luke 4:12); bu... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:44. The purport of our Lord's charge to the healed leper is now
given. See on Matthew 8:4. Such prohibitions (comp. Matthew 9:31; Mark
5:43) were called forth by circumstances. Evidently this man needed
the warning.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 1:45. AND BEGAN TO PUBLISH IT MUCH. This he did at once
(‘began'). Whether he went to the priest at all is not mentioned;
but he was disobedient at all events in this matter, which is
mentioned by Mark only.
SPREAD ABROAD THE MATTER. Lit., ‘the word,' _i.e._, the account of
what had happened,... [ Continue Reading ]