Mark 9:1
_Some that stand here shall not taste of death_, &c. See on Matthew 16:28; _till they see the kingdom of God come with power_ So it began to do when three thousand were converted to God at once.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Some that stand here shall not taste of death_, &c. See on Matthew 16:28; _till they see the kingdom of God come with power_ So it began to do when three thousand were converted to God at once.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus taketh with him Peter, &c., apart by themselves_ That is, separate from the multitude, apart from the apostles; _and was transfigured before them_ The word μετεμορφωθη, here used, seems to refer to _the form_ of God, and _the form_ of a servant, mentioned by St. Paul, Philippians 2:6, and may... [ Continue Reading ]
_Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things, and how it is written_ That is, _And_, he told them, _how it is written._ As if he had said, Elijah's coming is not inconsistent with my suffering. He is come; yet I shall suffer. The first part of the verse answers their question concerning Elij... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he came to his disciples he saw a great multitude_ Probably this multitude had remained there all night, waiting till Jesus should return from the mountain, _and the scribes questioning_ Greek, συζητουντας, _disputing with them_, namely, with the nine who remained on the plain. Doubtless they... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when he saw him_ When the child saw Jesus, being brought to him by his father: when his deliverance was at hand; _immediately the spirit tore him_ Made his last, grand effort to destroy him. Is it not generally so, before Satan relinquishes his power over a soul of which he has long had possess... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus said, If thou canst believe_, &c. As if he had said, The question is not respecting my power, but thy faith. I can do all things: canst thou believe? _If thou canst believe_ Canst rely with confidence on my power, love, and faithfulness, and be persuaded that I can and will grant thy request,... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he was come into the house, his disciples asked him,_ &c. See notes on Matthew 17:19. _This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting_ “Some doubts have been raised in regard to the meaning of the words, _this kind._ The most obvious interpretation is, doubtless, that which refe... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they departed thence_ From the country of Cesarea Philippi; _and passed through Galilee_ Not through the cities, but by them, in the most private ways; for _he would not that any man should know it_ Lest the important conversation into which he then intended to enter with his disciples should b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Being in the house_ With his apostles, with a view to introduce the discourse he intended; _he asked, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves_, &c. Our Lord's late prediction concerning his sufferings had made the disciples exceeding sorry, Matthew 17:23; but their grief soon went off, or the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And John answered him_ As if he had said, But ought we to receive those who _follow not us? Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name_ Probably this was one of John the Baptist's disciples, who believed in Jesus, though he did not yet associate with our Lord's disciples. _And we forbade him... [ Continue Reading ]
_For whosoever shall give you a cup of water_, &c. Having answered John, our Lord resumes the discourse, which was broken off at Mark 9:37. And to show the apostles further, that they had been in the wrong to discourage this person, who must have entertained a great veneration for their Master, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_And if thy hand offend thee_, &c. The discourse here passes from the case of offending to that of being offended. If one who is as useful or dear to thee as a hand or eye, prevent thee from walking in the ways of God, or hinder thee therein, renounce all intercourse with him. This primarily relates... [ Continue Reading ]
_For every one shall be salted with fire_ These words seem to refer to the preceding, respecting the punishment of those who will not cut off the offending members, which render them obnoxious to future punishment: and so the import of them must be, that all such shall be “seasoned with fire itself,... [ Continue Reading ]