And (1) it came to pass, that, as the people (a) pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, (1) Christ reveals to the four disciples whom he had taken unto himself the office of the apostleship, which would be committed unto them in the future. (a) Did as it were... [ Continue Reading ]
And Simon answering said unto him, (b) Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. (b) The word signifies someone that has rule over anything.... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on [his] face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (2) Christ, by healing the leper with only his touch and sending him to the priest, witnesses that it is... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. (3) Christ would rather be well known by his doctrine than by miracles, and therefore he departs from those that seek him as a physician of the body, a... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord (c) was [present] to heal them. (4) Christ, in healing him that was sick from... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. (5) The Church is a company of sinners who are repentant through the grace of Christ, who banquet with him to the great offence of the proud and envious peopl... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise [the disciples] of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? (6) Hypocrites and ignorant men make a point of making fasting and unimportant things a matter of holiness.... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? (7) Laws generally made without any consideration of circumstances; for fasting and other things of like sort are not only tyrannous but very harmful to the Church.... [ Continue Reading ]