Then (1) he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power
and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
(1) The twelve apostles are sent forth only at the commandment of
Christ and equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit: both that none
of the Israelites might pretend ignoranc... [ Continue Reading ]
And whatsoever house ye enter into, there (a) abide, and thence
depart.
(a) When you depart out of any city, depart from that place where you
first took up your lodging: so that in these few words the Lord
forbids them to change their lodgings: for this publishing of the
gospel was as it were a pub... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he
(b) was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was
risen from the dead;
(2) As soon as the world hears tidings of the gospel it is divided
into differing opinions, and the tyrants especially are afraid.
(b) He stu... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they
had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a (c) desert
place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
(3) They that follow Christ will lack nothing, not even in the
wilderness.
(c) The word signifies a desert: not... [ Continue Reading ]
But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no
more but five loaves and two fishes; (d) except we should go and buy
meat for all this people.
(d) This is said imperfectly, and therefore we must understand it to
mean something like this: "We cannot give them to eat unless we g... [ Continue Reading ]
Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to
heaven, (e) he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to
set before the multitude.
(e) He gave God thanks for these loaves and fishes, and prayed at the
same time that God would feed this multitude which was so great wit... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) And it came to pass, as he was (f) alone praying, his disciples
were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I
am?
(4) Although the world be tossed up and down between different errors,
yet we ought not to condemn the truth but be all the more desirous to
know it, and be m... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of
the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised
the third day.
(5) Christ himself attained to the heavenly glory, by the cross and
invincible perseverance.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross (g) daily, and follow me.
(g) Even as one day follows another, so does one cross follow another,
and the cross is by the figure of speech metonymy taken for the
miseries of this life: for to be h... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he
took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
(6) So that his disciples do not stumble at his debasing himself in
his flesh, he teaches them that it is voluntary, showing in addition
for a moment the brightnes... [ Continue Reading ]
Who appeared in glory, and spake of his (h) decease which he should
accomplish at Jerusalem.
(h) What death he would die in Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept [it]
close, and told no man in (i) those days any of those things which
they had seen.
(i) Until Christ was risen again from the dead.... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come
down from the hill, much people met him.
(7) Nothing offends Christ as much as incredulity, although he bears
with it for a time.... [ Continue Reading ]
And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it
teareth him that he foameth again, and (k) bruising him hardly
departeth from him.
(k) As it happens in the falling sickness.... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while
they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto
his disciples,
(8) We have no reason to promise ourselves rest and quietness in this
world, seeing that they themselves who seemed to fawn upon Christ
crucify him s... [ Continue Reading ]
(l) Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man
shall be delivered into the hands of men.
(l) Give diligent ear to them, and once you have heard them see that
you keep them.... [ Continue Reading ]
(9) Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be
greatest.
(9) Ambition results in dishonour, but the result of modest obedience
is glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils
in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
(10) Extraordinary things are neither rashly to be allowed nor
condemned.... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be
received up, he stedfastly (m) set his face to go to Jerusalem,
(11) Christ goes willingly to death.
(m) Literally, "he hardened his face": that is, he resolved with
himself to die, and therefore ventured upon his journey and cast... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said,
Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and
consume them, even as Elias did?
(12) We must take heed of zeal and fond imitation which is not
moderated, even in good causes, that whatever we do, we do it to God's... [ Continue Reading ]
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of
(n) spirit ye are of.
(n) So the Hebrews say, that is, you do not know what will, mind, and
counsel you are of: so the gifts of God are called the spirit because
they are given by God's Spirit, and so are the things that are
cont... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain
[man] said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou
goest.
(13) Those who follow Christ must prepare themselves to endure all
discomforts.... [ Continue Reading ]
(14) And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me
first to go and bury my father.
(14) The calling of God ought to be preferred without any question,
before all duties that we owe to men.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury (o) their dead: but go thou and
preach the kingdom of God.
(o) Who, even though they live in this frail life of man, yet are
strangers from the true life, which is everlasting and heavenly.... [ Continue Reading ]
(15) And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first
go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
(15) Those who follow Christ must at once renounce all worldly cares.... [ Continue Reading ]