OF THE SPIRIT] i.e. of the Holy Spirit. God Himself ordained that Jesus should be tempted or tried, because only through temptation can human nature attain to perfection. Even the angels had to pass through a similar trial. INTO THE WILDERNESS] Since Jesus was 'returning' towards Galilee (Lk), the t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TEMPTATION 1-11. The temptation (Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1). The narrative, which can only have come from our Lord's own lips, describes an actual historical fact, the great temptation which He underwent at the very beginning of His ministry. He was tempted at other times (Luke 4:13), perhaps at all t... [ Continue Reading ]
FASTED FORTY DAYS] It was God's will that before beginning His work Jesus should retire from the world and give Himself entirely to fasting and prayer, with meditation upon His future plan of action. We may suppose that He was so absorbed in contemplation of His Messianic work, that He was not consc... [ Continue Reading ]
IF TNOU BE] Probably Satan expressed doubt in order to tempt Jesus to prove Himself the Son of God by a miracle. 4. See prefatory remarks.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOLY CITY] This phrase, peculiar to this Gospel, marks a thoroughly Jewish affection for Jerusalem: see Matthew 27:53, and cp. Matthew 5:35. A (RV 'the') PINNACLE] see prefatory remarks. 6. The devil is a good theologian, and can quote Scripture to his purpose. Here he quotes Psalms 91:11, omit... [ Continue Reading ]
SEE Deuteronomy 6:16. Deuteronomy was one of Jesus' favourite books. 8. See prefatory remarks. 10. See Deuteronomy 6:13, and Deuteronomy 10:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
MINISTERED UNTO HIM] i.e. perhaps with spiritual refreshment. Cp. Luke 22:43. Note. (1) St. Matthew and St. Luke for the Temptation have access to some other authority than St. Mark, who is here very brief. The order of St. Matthew seems superior to that of St. Luke. (2) If the Temptation of Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
DEPARTED INTO GALILEE] i.e. from Judæa, where He was baptising (John 3:23). He took the route through Samaria (John 4:4), staying at Sychar two days to preach to the Samaritans. Jesus had probably intended to make Jerusalem and Judæa the chief scene of His ministry, but changed His policy owing to t... [ Continue Reading ]
BEGINNING OF THE GALILEAN MINISTRY (Mark 1:14; Luke 4:14; Luke 4:31). It might be thought from the synoptic account that Jesus began His Galilean ministry immediately after His Baptism and Temptation. But from the Fourth Gospel it is clear that this was not so. Jesus was baptised late in 26 a.d. He... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LEAVING NAZARETH] He went, as was natural, first to Nazareth, but on account of His unfavourable reception there (Luke 4:16), migrated to Capernaum, which is on the NW. coast of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum is generally identified with the modern Tell Hum. It is in the tribe of Naphtali, but th... [ Continue Reading ]
CALL OF SIMON, ANDREW, JAMES, AND JOHN (Mark 1:16 cp. Luke 5:1). Simon, Andrew, and John had already been disciples for some time, and so probably had James: see John 1:35. The call was therefore not so sudden and unexpected as it appears to be in the synoptic narrative. In Luke 5:1 a very similar c... [ Continue Reading ]
FISHERS OF MEN] 'The fisherman Peter did not lay aside his nets but changed them' (Aug.). 21. According to Lk the four fishermen were partners. 22. St. Mark mentions that there were hired servants in Zebedee's boat, which indicates that the family was not poor. St. John was known to the high pries... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL GALILEE] A preaching expedition of so comprehensive a character must have lasted several months. IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES] Synagogues had their origin during the captivity, and rapidly became a general institution after the return. In the time of Christ there was a synagogue not only in every town, b... [ Continue Reading ]
JOURNEYS OF JESUS THROUGH GALILEE: PREACHING AND HEALING THE SICK. St. Matthew interrupts his narrative of what took place at Capernaum to give a general sketch of the early period of the Galilean ministry. After the sermon on the mount he returns to what happened at Capernaum (Matthew 8:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL SYRIA] i.e. the Roman province of Syria. POSSESSED WITH DEVILS] See special note below. LUNATICK] (lit. 'moonstruck') RV 'epileptic.' Such sufferers were supposed to be influenced by changes of the moon. HE HEALED THEM] Great prominence is given in the Gospels to miracles of healing, and our Lor... [ Continue Reading ]
DECAPOLIS] i.e. 'ten towns,' a region beyond Jordan, containing originally ten allied or federated cities, among which were Gadara, Pella, Gerasa, and Damascus. It was part of Peræa, and its inhabitants were mainly Greeks. _NOTE ON DIABOLICAL POSSESSION_ In the NT. disease, except when it is a spec... [ Continue Reading ]