The word GOSPEL signifies. message of glad tidings, and intimates to us, that the gospel of the doctrine contains the most gladsome tidings, the most joyful message, that ever was sent from God to mankind: happy tidings concerning our reconciliation with God, and salvation by Jesus Christ.. how high... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Mark begins his gospel with an account of St. John the Baptist's preaching and ministry, and declares, 1. That the prophets of old, particularly Isaiah and Malachi, did long before foretell the Baptist's message and ministry; that he should go before Christ as his harbinger to prepare the way fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Here note, 1. The title given to John the Baptist: he is called. VOICE, in respect of his ministerial office, which was to speak forth, to promulge and publish, the doctrine of salvation. 2. The quantity or kind of this voice,. CRYING voice, THE VOICE of one crying. THIS IMPLIES, 1. HIS EARNESTNES... [ Continue Reading ]
A twofold account is here given of St. John's execution of his ministry and office: First, his baptising; secondly, his preaching. JOHN DID BAPTISE; that is, admit persons into the church, by washing them with water: John baptised into the name of Christ, who was to come; the apostles baptised into... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have an account of the success of St. John's ministry; 1. In the general concourse and resort of the people to it, ALL JUDEA AND JERUSALEM; that is,. great many of all degrees and ranks, of all ages and sexes. John was famed for. prophet, and. prophet was now. great rarity. Malachi was the l... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse acquaints us with the strictness and austerity of St. John's life in the wilderness; which is laid down in two things; in his mean and frugal apparel, and in his sober and temperate diet. His apparel was rough and HAIRY, and his GIRDLE OF LEATHER; as Elijah his forerunner was clad before... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The high opinion that the Baptist had of Christ. HE IS MIGHTIER THAN I; that is,. Person of greater dignity and excellency by far than myself: whence may be gathered, that though Christ was Man, he was not mere man, but more than man: even very God, equal with his Father; for John B... [ Continue Reading ]
John showed the dignity of Christ's person above his own, in the former verse; in this he declares the excellency of Christ's office, and the meanness of his own;. wash the body with water, but Christ cleanses the soul by the operation of his Holy Spirit. Thence learn, That though the ministers of... [ Continue Reading ]
See the note on Matthew 3:13. Observe here, 1. The great condescension of Christ, in seeking and submitting to the baptism of John: Christ, though he was John's Lord and Master, yea, Lord of heaven and earth, yet cometh to hear John preach, and will be baptized of his messenger. Thence learn, That... [ Continue Reading ]
IMMEDIATELY, That is, 1. After his baptism. Christ is no sooner out of the water of baptism, but he is in the fire of temptation: such as are baptized with Christ, and entered into the profession of christianity, must look to be assaulted with Satan's temptations. Again, IMMEDIATELY, that is, 2. Af... [ Continue Reading ]
In this our Saviour's first beginning to preach the gospel, we have an account of the time when, the place where, and the sum of what, he preached. Observe, 1. The time when our Lord began to preach, and that was AFTER JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS CAST INTO PRISON, Where note, 1. The undue reward which th... [ Continue Reading ]
In this history of our Saviour's calling the four disciples, Peter and Andrew, James and John, observe these particulars. 1. The meanness of the persons whom he calls, illiterate fishermen: Christ took hereby effectual care that his gospel should be known to be the power of God, and not the wisdom a... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour having called his disciples, Peter and Andrew, James and John, to follow him, in order to their preaching of the gospel; here we may observe how he went himself along with them, teaching personally in the synagogues wherever he came: he did not send his apostles forth as his curates, and... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Mark having given an account of our Saviour's doctrine which he preached, verse 15, namely, the doctrine of faith and repentance, he now acquaints us in the remaining part of this chapter with the miracles which he wrought for the confirming of his doctrine, and they are three. First, The CASTI... [ Continue Reading ]
The second miracle which our Saviour wrought in this chapter, to confirm the truth and authority of his doctrine was his raising up of PETER'S WIFE'S MOTHER from her bed of sickness. Where note, 1. that St. Peter, now. disciple, and afterwards an apostle, was. married person. Neither the prophets o... [ Continue Reading ]
The evangelist here declares sundry other miracles wrought by our Saviour before the door of St. Peter's house, where he now was; he healed all the diseased that were brought unto him, and cast devils out of them that were possessed with them. But how comes it to pass, that we read of so many posse... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The duty performed by our Saviour, Namely, prayer, solitary and private prayer. He went by himself alone, out of the hearing of his disciples. The company of our best friends is not always seasonable, nor acceptable; there are times and cases when. Christian would not be willing tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here two things: First, the great end of Christ in his incarnation and coming into the world, namely, as. Prophet sent from God to reveal his will, and to publish the doctrine of the gospel. THEREFORE CAME. FORTH; that is, to preach and plant the gospel. Secondly, It being Christ's design n... [ Continue Reading ]
The last miracle of our Saviour's recorded in this chapter, is the healing of. leper; he came, beseeching Christ to heal him, saying, IF THOU WILT, THOU CANST MAKE ME CLEAN. Where observe, 1. He doth not question Christ's power, but distrusts Christ's willingness to heal him; LORD IF THOU WILT, THO... [ Continue Reading ]