The beginning [α ρ χ ε]. There is no article in the Greek. It is possible that the phrase served as a heading or title for the paragraph about the ministry of the Baptist or as the superscription for the whole Gospel (Bruce) placed either by Mark or a scribe. And then the Gospel of Jesus Christ mean... [ Continue Reading ]
In Isaiah, the prophet [ε ν τ ω ι ε σ α ι ? ι τ ω ι π ρ ο φ ε τ ε ι]. The quotation comes from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. The Western and Neutral classes read Isaiah, the Alexandrian and Syrian, "the prophets," an evident correction because part of it is from Malachi. But Isaiah is mentioned as th... [ Continue Reading ]
The voice of one crying [φ ο ν ε β ο ω ν τ ο σ]. God is coming to his people to deliver them from their captivity in Babylon. So the prophet cries like a voice in the wilderness to make ready for the coming of God. When the committee from the Sanhedrin came to ask John who he was, he used this very... [ Continue Reading ]
John came [ε γ ε ν ε τ ο ι ω α ν ε σ]. His coming was an epoch [ε γ ε ν ε τ ο], not a mere event [ε ν]. His coming was in accordance with the prophetic picture [κ α θ ω σ, 1:2]. Note the same verb about John in John 1:6. The coming of John the Baptizer was the real beginning of the spoken message ab... [ Continue Reading ]
Then went out unto him [ε ξ ε π ο ρ ε υ ε τ ο π ρ ο σ α υ τ ο ν]. Imperfect indicative describing the steady stream of people who kept coming to the baptism [ε β α π τ ι ζ ο ν τ ο, imperfect passive indicative, a wonderful sight]. In the river Jordan [ε ν τ ω ι ι ο ρ δ α ν ε ι π ο τ α μ ω ι]. In the... [ Continue Reading ]
Clothed with camel's hair [ε ν δ ε δ υ μ ε ν ο σ τ ρ ι χ α σ κ α μ ε λ ο υ]. Matthew (Matthew 3:4) has it a garment [ε ν δ υ μ α] of camel's hair. Mark has it in the accusative plural the object of the perfect passive participle retained according to a common Greek idiom. It was, of course, not came... [ Continue Reading ]
Mightier than I [η ο ι σ χ υ ρ ο τ ε ρ ο σ μ ο υ]. In each of the Synoptics. Gould calls it a skeptical depreciation of himself by John. But it was sincere on John's part and he gives a reason for it. The Latchet [τ ο ν η ι μ α ν τ α]. The thong of the sandal which held it together. When the guest c... [ Continue Reading ]
With water [η υ δ α τ ι]. So Luke (Luke 3:16) the locative case, in water. Matthew (Matthew 3:11) has en (in), both with (in) water and the Holy Spirit. The water baptism by John was a symbol of the spiritual baptism by Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the Jordan [ε ι σ τ ο ν ι ο ρ δ α ν ε ν]. So in verse 10, ek tou hudatos, out of the water, after the baptism into the Jordan. Mark is as fond of "straightway" [ε υ θ υ σ] as Matthew is of "then" [τ ο τ ε]. Rent asunder [σ χ ι ζ ο μ ε ν ο υ σ]. Split like a garment, present passive participle. Je... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou art [σ υ ε ι]. So 2 Timothy 3:17 has this is [η ο υ τ ο σ ε σ τ ι ν] which see. So both Mark and Luke have "in thee," while Matthew has "in whom.... [ Continue Reading ]
Driveth him forth [α υ τ ο ν ε κ β α λ λ ε ι]. Vivid word, bolder than Matthew's "was led up" [α ν ε χ θ ε] and Luke's "was led" [ε γ ε τ ο]. It is the same word employed in the driving out of demons (Mark 1:34; Mark 1:39). Mark has here "straightway" where Matthew has "then" (see on verse ?9). The... [ Continue Reading ]
With the wild beasts [μ ε τ α τ ω υ θ ε ρ ι ω ν]. Mark does not give the narrative of the three temptations in Matthew and Luke (apparently from the Logia and originally, of course, from Jesus himself). But Mark adds this little touch about the wild beasts in the wilderness. It was the haunt at nigh... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus came into Galilee [ε λ θ ε ν η ο ι ε σ ο υ σ ε ι σ τ ε ν γ α λ ι λ α ι α ν]. Here Mark begins the narrative of the active ministry of Jesus and he is followed by Matthew and Luke. Mark undoubtedly follows the preaching of Peter. But for the Fourth Gospel we should not know of the year of work... [ Continue Reading ]
And passing along by the Sea of Galilee [κ α ι π α ρ α γ ω ν π α ρ α τ ε ν θ α λ α σ σ α ν τ ε σ γ α λ ι λ α ι α σ]. Mark uses para (along, beside) twice and makes the picture realistic. He catches this glimpse of Christ in action. Casting a net [α μ φ ι β α λ λ ο ν τ α σ]. Literally casting on both... [ Continue Reading ]
Become [γ ε ν ε σ θ α ι]. Mark has this word not in Matthew. It would be a slow and long process, but Jesus could and would do it. He would undertake to make fishers of men out of fishermen. Preachers are made out of laymen who are willing to leave their business for service for Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
A little further [ο λ ι γ ο ν]. A Marcan detail. Mending their nets [κ α τ α ρ τ ι ζ ο ν τ α σ τ α δ ι κ τ υ α]. See on ?Matthew 4:21. Getting ready that they might succeed better at the next haul.... [ Continue Reading ]
With the hired servants [μ ε τ α τ ω ν μ ι σ θ ω τ ω ν]. One hired for wages [μ ι σ θ ο σ], a very old Greek word. Zebedee and his two sons evidently had an extensive business in co - operation with Andrew and Simon (Luke 5:7; Luke 5:10). Mark alone has this detail of the hired servants left with Ze... [ Continue Reading ]
And taught [ε δ ι δ α σ κ ε ν]. Inchoative imperfect, began to teach as soon as he entered the synagogue in Capernaum on the sabbath. The synagogue in Capernaum afforded the best opening for the teaching of Jesus. He had now made Capernaum (Tell Hum) his headquarters after the rejection in Nazareth... [ Continue Reading ]
They were astonished [ε ξ ε π λ ε σ σ ο ν τ ο]. Pictorial imperfect as in Luke 4:32 describing the amazement of the audience, "meaning strictly to strike a person out of his senses by some strong feeling, such as fear, wonder, or even joy" (Gould). And not as their scribes [κ α ι ο υ χ η ω σ η ο ι γ... [ Continue Reading ]
With an unclean spirit [ε ν π ν ε υ μ α τ ι α κ α θ α ρ τ ω ι]. This use of en "with" is common in the Septuagint like the Hebrew _be_, but it occurs also in the papyri. It is the same idiom as "in Christ," in the Lord "so common with Paul. In English we speak of our being in love, in drink, in his... [ Continue Reading ]
What have we to do with thee? [τ ι η ε μ ι ν κ α ι σ ο ι ?] The same idiom in Matthew 8:29. Ethical dative. Nothing in common between the demon and Jesus. Note "we." The man speaks for the demon and himself, double personality. The recognition of Jesus by the demons may surprise us since the rabbis... [ Continue Reading ]
Hold thy peace [φ ι μ ω θ ε τ ι]. First aorist passive imperative of fimow. "Be quiet," Moffatt translates it. But it is a more vigorous word, "Be muzzled" like an ox. So literally in Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18. It is common in Josephus, Lucian, and the LXX See Matthew 22:12... [ Continue Reading ]
Tearing him [σ π α ρ α ξ α ν α υ τ ο ν]. Margin, convulsing him like a spasm. Medical writers use the word for the rotating of the stomach. Luke 4:35 adds "when the demon had thrown him down in the midst." Mark mentions the "loud voice" [φ ο ν ε ι μ ε γ α λ ε ι], a screech, in fact. It was a moment... [ Continue Reading ]
They questioned among themselves [σ υ ν ζ ε τ ε ι ν α υ τ ο υ σ]. By look and word. A new teaching [δ ι δ α χ ε κ α ι ν ε]. One surprise had followed another this day. The teaching was fresh [κ α ι ν ε], original as the dew of the morning on the blossoms just blown. That was a novelty in that synago... [ Continue Reading ]
The report of him [η ε α κ ο ε α υ τ ο υ]. Vulgate, _rumor_. See Matthew 14:1; Matthew 24:6. They had no telephones, telegraphs, newspapers or radio, but news has a marvellous way of spreading by word of mouth. The fame of this new teacher went out "everywhere" [π α ν τ α χ ο υ] throughout all Galil... [ Continue Reading ]
The house of Simon and Andrew [τ ε ν ο ι κ ι α ν σ ι μ ω ν ο σ κ α ι α ν δ ρ ε ο υ]. Peter was married and both he and Andrew lived together in "Peter's house" (Matthew 8:14) with Peter's wife and mother - in - law. Peter was evidently married before he began to follow Jesus. Later his wife accompan... [ Continue Reading ]
When the sun did set [η ο τ ε ε δ υ σ ε ν η ο η ε λ ι ο σ]. This picturesque detail Mark has besides "at even" [ο ψ ι α σ γ ε ν ο μ ε ν ε σ, genitive absolute, evening having come]. Matthew has "when even was come," Luke "when the sun was setting." The sabbath ended at sunset and so the people were... [ Continue Reading ]
At the door [π ρ ο σ τ ε ν θ υ ρ α ν]. At the door of Peter's house. The whole city was gathered together there ( n episun gmen, past perfect passive periphrastic indicative, double compound epi and sun). Mark alone mentions this vivid detail. He is seeing with Peter's eyes again. Peter no doubt... [ Continue Reading ]
Devils [δ α ι μ ο ν ι α]. Demons it should be translated always. Suffered not [ο υ κ ε φ ι ε ν]. Would not allow, imperfect tense of continued refusal. The reason given is "because they knew him" [η ο τ ι ε ι δ ε ι σ α ν α υ τ ο ν]. Whether "to be Christ" [χ ρ ι σ τ ο ν ε ι ν α ι] is genuine or not,... [ Continue Reading ]
In the morning, a great while before day [π ρ ω ι ε ν ν υ χ α λ ι α ν]. Luke has only "when it was day" [γ ε ν ο μ ε ν ε σ η ε μ ε ρ α σ]. The word pr "i in Mark means the last watch of the night from three to six A. M. Ennucha lian means in the early part of the watch while it was still a bit dark... [ Continue Reading ]
Followed after him [κ α τ ε δ ι ω ξ ε ν α υ τ ο ν]. Hunted him out (Moffatt). Perfective use of the preposition kata (down to the finish). The verb di "k" is used for the hunt or chase, pursuit. Vulgate has _persecutus est_. The personal story of Peter comes in here. "Simon's intention at least was... [ Continue Reading ]
Into the next towns [ε ι σ τ α σ ε χ ο μ ε ν α σ κ ω μ ο π ο λ ε ι σ]. It was a surprising decision for Jesus to leave the eager, excited throngs in Capernaum for the country town or village cities without walls or much importance. Only instance of the word in the N. T. Late Greek word. The use of e... [ Continue Reading ]
Throughout all Galilee [ε ι σ η ο λ ε ν τ ε ν γ α λ ι λ α ι α ν]. The first tour of Galilee by Jesus. We are told little about this great preaching tour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Kneeling down to him [κ α ι γ ο ν υ π ε τ ω ν]. Picturesque detail omitted by some MSS. Luke 5:12 has "fell on his face.... [ Continue Reading ]
Being moved with compassion [σ π λ α γ χ ν ι σ θ ε ι σ]. Only in Mark. First aorist passive participle.... [ Continue Reading ]
Strictly charged [ε μ β ρ ι μ ε σ α μ ε ν ο σ]. Only in Mark. Luke 5:14 has par ggeilen (commanded). Mark's word occurs also in 14:5 and in Matthew 9:30 and John 11:38. See on ?Matthew 9:30. It is a strong word for the snorting of a horse and expresses powerful emotion as Jesus stood here face to f... [ Continue Reading ]
For a testimony unto them [ε ι σ μ α ρ τ υ ρ ι ο ν α υ τ ο ι σ]. Without the formal testimony of the priests the people would not receive the leper as officially clean.... [ Continue Reading ]
Began to publish it much [ε ρ ξ α τ ο κ ε ρ υ σ σ ε ι ν π ο λ λ α]. Luke 5:15 puts it, "so much the more" [μ ? λ λ ο ν]. One of the best ways to spread a thing is to tell people not to tell. It was certainly so in this case. Soon Jesus had to avoid cities and betake himself to desert places to avoid... [ Continue Reading ]