PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1
Edward Henry Bickersteth [1925-1906] · 331,482 words · 374 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 121
-not know this so clearly, but tbe.t, con- later on (see eh. vi. 7), so that here St. ·eidering, on the other hand, the greatness Mark speaks by anticipation, But this of the mystery, they heMitated. It is pro- shows how much importance was attached bable that they were ignorant of the end to this part of their missi…
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thunder to rouse unbelieven, and t.o bring whioh Jx.,ars his name, and he beoe.me them to repentance a.nd a. holy life. It wl\8 Bishop of Jerusalem. 'l'haddmne, ce.lled also no donbt on account of this zea.l that James Lebbmus e.nd Juda.a; whence St. Jerome fell eo early a vi<-tim to the wrath of Herod. de•cribes hi…
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Ing to the most approved rending, the words tween the tbonghts of the multitude and o{ are (tpxE-ro., Eh ol1<ov), He c<Ymeth into an those who professed to be their teMhers, thi, house, or, He comet/, home. There is here scribes and Pharisees. The multitude, free a oonsidera.ble ga.p in St. Ma.rk's narrative. from prej…
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be im11.gined ? And snrely they must be his enemies, the soribes 11.nd Pharisees; and guilty of this sin who e.scribe the fruits 11.nd so she WR8 willingly pursue.ded to come and !lotions of the Holy Spirit to 11.n impure 11.nd use her inllueuce with him to induce him to unholy source, and so strive to m11.r his wor…
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L THE CONDITION OF THIS MAN IN THE SYNAGOGUE IS A SYMBOL OF THE STATE AXD fiEED OF MAN. He was a ma.n " with a. withered hand." 1. The hand is the symbol of man's practical nature. The husha.ndman, the mecha.nic, the pa.inter, the musician, every craftsman of every grade, makes use of the hand in executing works of art…
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aidcnce of our Lord's popula1ity. The people left their cities and villa"es their hotnes and occupations, in order to follow Jesus. From various parta of th~ province of Galilee, through which he had just been travelling upon an evangelistic tour the people flocked to the neighbourhood of the lake. They came also fr…
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esteem, to bring religion and the profession of the scribes into contempt. 2. We gather from the Gospel record that the chief cause of complaint ac,ainst JesUB was bi>. neglect and violation of the ceremonial Law. This Law was to the°rabbis the breath of their nostrils; and our Lord and his disciples, doubtless under h…
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IIL CHRIST CHOSE HIS TRUSTED APOSTLES FROM A LOWLY POSITION OF SOCIETY. Only one of the band-and he the unworthy member-was from Judma. All the others were Galilea.ns; and the inhabitants of this northern province were comparatively rude, unlettered, unpolished. Some rabbis would fain have been received into the nu…
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APPLI0ATION, 1. Christ's first call is to discipleship. We must first learn that we may teach ; obey and serve that we may guide and aid others. 2. vVe are summoned to conijecrate all our gifts and acquirements to the service and cause of Immanuel. 3. It is the highest honour end the purest happiness to be employed by …
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t.o think and speak of him with reverence and gmtitude,faith, and love. This is just and right; and though Christ does not need our homo.ge and honour, he will accept it and reward it. Vers. 31-35.-Kindred of Olwist. The feeling with regard to Ohrist had, by this time, become extremely strong. On the one hand, the …
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-6.-The man with the. withered hand ; or, keeping the sabbath. 1n •the most sacred and joyous scenes there may be circumstances of pain and sorrow. There are often some iu God's house who are hindered in their enjoyment by personal affliction. But even these may be of service in te…
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t?,idence. The l1mguage used by their intended Victim conveys the impression tha• tbis "hardening" was in process whilst the scene lasted. It is impossible to dissooiate religious opinion from character. Prejudice and malice incapacitate the mind for the reception of truth. Here the most cogent evidence was resisted…
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II. REPUTATION WAS RECEIVED FROM CHRIST BY ms SERVANTS, NOT CONFERRED BY THEM, 'l'ho no.mes e.ree.11 of men in humble life, with no previous distinction of any kind. They were names common enough in Palestine, But their connection with Christ has i=ortalized them. How many have come to the Saviour in similar circumstan…
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Vers. 28--30.-Tiui u:nforgivab'le sin. I. AN ACI'UAL OFFENCE, It Is not mentioned again in the Gospel, but the warning was called forth by the actual transgression. There is no mere theorizing abont it therefore. It is an exposure and denunciation. This gives us an idea of ;the fearful unbelief and bitter hatred of …
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said that the human affections of llather, mother, etc., do not fully manifest or realize themselves in the merely human life; it is the Divine life in which the ideal of each is rendered possible. II. IN WHAT BEBPEOTS DIFFEBING J'BOH THESE. 1. The affection, characteristic of the hwman family will spring from a ,pi,…
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revealed God as the Dispenser of health and the Giver of all blessincre, 3. It was a mirack having special significance for the spectators. By means of it Ch~ist taught more cle,arly the nature and design of the sabbath day, His foes had followed him from Jerusalem,_ with the resolute determination to destroy his in…
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evil dny for a man when he becomes callous even to those wickcdnesscs which will never affect him personally; for this is distinctly contrary to the feeling which moved the Saviour to effect the world's redemption. As his disciples, we must never be gooci- naturedly easy about sin ; we must not put on an air of worldly…
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unthankful and to the unworthy." We will regard the restoration of the man with the withered hand to health and soundness as a typical example of what our graci.ous Lord is ever doing. It reminds us of the following truths respecting him:- I. OUR LORD GIVES STRENGTH FOR DAILY LABOUR. The apocryphal" Gospel accord- …
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Vere. 13, 14.-The helpers of Jesus, Our Lord was fulfillin" the prophecy Simeon had uttered concerning him. From the cradle to the cross he ';,as "set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, ... that the thoughts of many hearts may h<J revealed." As a new element introduced into a chemical solution will detect…
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unthankful and to the unworthy." We will regard the restoro.tion of the man with the withered hand to health and soundness as a typical example of what our gracfous Lord is ever doing. It reminds us of the following truths respecting him:- I. Otra LORD GIVES STRENGTH FOR DAILY LABOUR. The apocryphal" Gospel accord- …
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Vere. 13, 14.-The helpers of Jesus. Our Lord was fulfilling the prophecy Simeon had uttered concerning him. From the cradle to the cross he was "set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, , .. that the thoughts of many hearts may b11 revealed." As a new element introduced in.to a chemical solution will detect…
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Vers. 7-35.-Retfrement. In the calm and sn<'cessful prosecution of his work, Jesus has excited various feelings in the minds of the different classes around him. He has wrought many miracles-all of them miracles of mercy; almost all, so far as recorded miracles of healing. Of necessity his presence is hailed by the …
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Lord Christ which is secured to him who keeps the commandments of God, concerni!l"0 whom the Lord BO.ye, "The same is my brother, and sister, and mother."-G. Vors. 1-6.-Babbath observance. I. THE SABBATH MAY BE OBSERVED TO THE LETTER wmLE BROKEN IN THE SPIRIT. Here were men watching to see whether a man would dare to …
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II. THE WORST DEGREE OF SIN. Sin has its scalo, its climax. There are sine of instinct and of passion and of ignorance. When there is little light to be guided by there is little light to sin against. The next step in sin is where there is deliberation before the wrong is done. Last and worst is where not only the deli…
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put to death," that is,immediately or instantaneously; but Moth tamuth, "Thou shalt die," nRmely, by a process now commenced, and, though slow, yet sure; for sin has planted the germ of death in the system. It ie as though, simultaneously with the breath of life, the process of decay and death bega.n, part after par…
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punctuation: either (1) "I will ask you, further, W71at is allowable on the sabbath-to do i;:ood or to do evil?" or (2) "I will ask you, further, a certain thing: Is it allowable on the sabbath to do good or to do evil?" 'l'he firft is favoured by being nearly the same as the Peshito-Syriac, which is to the effect, …
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somewhat to the meaning of the whole. 2. This additional significancy, however, may be variously understood. The preposition ,r{n, may mean (1) that he grieved with o.nd so within himself-in his own spirit; or (2) that his grief was simultaneous with his o.ngcr and accompanied it; or (3) that, angry though he was, he g…
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XI. LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM THIS SECTION. 1. The first lesson we learn here is the multitude of witnesses that are watching the movements of the disciples of Christ• for as it was with the Master so is it with ourselves. The eye of God is upon us, according to the language ofe.ncient piety, "Thou God seest us;" the e…
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III. PK0ULUBITY OF TBE SYBJ.Ao VERSION IN TBIS PLAOE. It strangely combines the two lBBt clBBses in its rendering, namely, "Those that had plagues of unclean spirits, a.s often as they saw him, kept falling down before him." Our Lord, however, invariably reprobated and rejected their testimony, BB if there were somethi…
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Vers. 20-30. Parallel passages: Matt. xii. 22-87; Luke xi. 14-23.-Mistaken friends and malignant foes, I. MlsTAKEN FRIENDS. 1. The connection, Between the appointment of the apostles and the transactions here narrated several important matters intervened. There was the sermon on the mount, recorded in the Gospel of …
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"the messengers ofNician." But the expression cannot mean (1) his apostles, who though eent out by him and selected for this purpose, as we read in ver. 14, were now with him in the house; nor can it mean (2) his disciples, or those about him, for this would confound the expression with al •r<pl 11b.-&11, It must, it a…
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would have adopted that course; but facts are stubborn things, a.nd denil\l in the face of facts is impossible. The miracle was too plain, too palpable, and too public to admit denial. The next best thing for their nefarious purpose was depreciation or det.raction. "He casteth out devils," they say-they could not de…
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that same power of which they claim the exercise to God, they will be your judges, and condemn you of hostility to me, while you are guilty of such :partiality to themselves. There was no escaping from this argument. But he urges (4) yet another argument -one from human experience: How can I rob Satan of his subjects u…
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Satan rules and reigns. But what are the goods, or vessels, or spoils, If the unrenewed heart itself be the palace where Satan resides, and which he has made his dwelling, then the powers of that heart-for the Hebrews referred to the heart what we attribute to the head-its faculties so noble, its feelings so tender,…
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delusive fancy that it was too soon; now he drives them to the desperate notion that it is too late. Once he flattered them with the false hope of a long and happy future, with death in the remote distance, and with means of grace not only ample but abundant, and power at pleasure to tum to God; now he tortures them wi…
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oins in general; his words are nci,,,,.a ,-c\ •Y8'1 'l"ijs lµ.ap-rlas, a11.,, "t"P 3..-11.a ,-oii /1ua/3oll.ou, equivalent to "All forms of sin, for this is the arms of the devil." By such armour he defends his possessions and maintains his interest in them; by such armour he repels all attacks on his goods, opposin…
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collects his flock and pens them in the fold, we are scattering the sheep a.way from and lee.ving them without the place of se.fety. IV. THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GuoeT. 1. Patristic ezpl/1/M,tions of this sin. Some he.ve understood it of apostasy in time of persecution. This was the opinion of Cyprian (.A.D. …
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the absence of such timely repentance it will be-punished both here and hereafter. Augus- tine has 1,everal refereno~s to this sin, but his opinion of the matter may be briefly 1mmmed up in eontinued resistance to the influences of the Holy Spirit by insuperable hardness of heart, and in perseverance in obduracy and im…
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Spirit co11ld not then be in ignorance or for lack of sufficient demonstration; but pre- aumptuous against light and agaiast knowledge, from sheer malevolence and unaccount- able malignity. The Pharisees were preparing for this-they were approaching the brink of this fearful abyss, and 011r Lord warns them back befo…
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schola~ an~ the most_ eloquent theologians, it is better _that every one should be per- suaded m his own mind. We may, however, be permitted to state that view which has ~m?1end~d itself most _to our mind, and some grounds for the preference to which we think 1t entitled. The view held by the first class above menti…
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there mentioned ae tending unto (•I•) death is regarded by some to be the act of denying Jesus to be the Ohrist, the Son of God, or the state of apostasy indicated by that act; others hold it to be apostasy from Christianity, combined with diabolical enmity, and that in the face of extraordinary evidence; but it appear…
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him." The Greek adjective, aooording to but for want of depth of soil puts forth no the most approved reading, ie ""'"',-or, root, an_d is e?ou scorched,by the rising sun, the superlative of ,ro,-ur, and should be ,md, bemg without root, withers away. 3, rendered "a very great" multitude. They But further, not e.ll who…
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Vera. II, 12.-To know the mystery. The ner's responsibility with respect to his own Greek verb -yvwv111, to know, is not conversion. found in the best me.nuscripts, in which the Ver. 13.-Xnow ye not this parable 1 worde e.re (vµ,iv .-b µ,urr.-1,p,ov ti,60.-11,), unto and how she.II ye know all the parables 1 you. i…
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growth of the seed than the rooky ground tritri.,). The light is to be set on " a lamp- does. This similitude indiai.tes the heart of stand," and in like manner the light which that bearer who is beset with the cares of we have received is to shine before men. As this world and the deooitfuln888 of riches Christians…
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ueee them not, God will gradually tako because the harvest is oome. As soon aa them away. Obrist here encourages his Christ's work is completed, whether in the apostles and disciples to diligent and earnest Church or in the,individual, "immediately" preaching of hie gospel, by promising them the sickle is sent forth…
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Vere. 83, 84.-With many auoh pe.rable1 ; 188.Son for the allusion to these boats; o.nd the such, that is, a.a he had just been delivering wider the reach of the tempest, tho gree.ter -phlin and simple illustrations whioh 11,ll would appear the Divine power of Obrist in might understand; not e.bstruse e.nd difll- sti…
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HOMILETICS. Vcrs. 1-20.-Spirieual sowing. It is a picturesque and memorable sight. Multi- tudes of people, of all classes and from every part of the land, have assembled on the western shore of the Galilean lake, where Jesus is daily occupied in teaching and in healing. To protect himself from the pressure of the crow…
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Holy Spirit vouchsafed, co-opemt.e oftentimes to most blessed results, even as In nature seed and soil, showers and sunshine, produce a vigorous growth. VI. THB HARVEST. What is the end of sowing and tilling, of culture and toil ? It is fruit. And, in the spiritual kingdom, what is the aim and recompense of the Divine…
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sometimes reason to exclaim, "Who bath believed our report?" But sometimeR h(J has occasion to lament over those who apparently have believed but whose goo<lnc~~ proves, a.a time passes, "IL8 the morning cloud and as the early dew, which gucth away." Our Lord warns us that we shall meet with such casee, which first exc…
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mental and dis11strous. This ie the special temptation of the poor and hard working. Well are we directed to be" careful for nothing," etc., and" to take no thought for the morrow,'' etc. 2. "TM dereitfulnus of riches" is depicted under the figul'8 of the thorns. The possession of wealth may be a curse to the rich, and…
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So with the honest and good heart, prepared by Divine influences and responsive to Divine culture and care. There is in this figurative language no countenance given to fata)is?1, W~ meet with good ~rou~d sometimes ~mongst those brought up in the Chr1st1an family and Church, as m Timothy; sometimes amongst those not sp…
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truth, made a secret of it, enclosed it like a jewel in a casket. Dut it was never intended that the truth should remain concealed; the intention was that it should be mani- fested, that it should come to light (ver. 22). And, as a matter of fact, the figurative and pictorial form has served to display and illumine …
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does lte work within tke hearts of those for whom they care I Yet "the kingdom of God comes without observation." Convictions of their own spiritual nature and immortal destiny, of the obaracter and government of God, of the love and reign of Christ, are all forming within, becoming part of the spiritual being. And the…
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cbiiracter and it renews the world, Perhaps it is fair to regard the preceding parable of" the seed growing secretly" as a parable of the history of the Word in the heare; and this of the mustard seed as a p1m1ble of the fortunes and destiny of the Word ID the world. Our attention is here directed to- I. THE SMALL …
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experiencing his friendly and effectual Interposition. He reproached the faithless; and for ue too he hae often a word of expostulation. Hie authority impressed tbe disciples' minds with reverence ; and never can we contemplate his character anrl his savi11g might without renewing our faith and adoration. There are two…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers, 1, 2.-The nature-preaching of Christ. I. CmcuMBTANOES OOOABIONING IT. The order of Matthew and Mark preferable and explanatory. Various considerations led him to adopt this method of teaching. 1. .A 1•easona,ble prudence. His enemies were busy, and scarcely suffered a single oppor…
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Vere. 3-9; 18-23.-Tlie parabk of the sower. As exhibiting the kingdom oC God.- I. IN 1TB BEGINNINGS, II. I TB PRO0EBSEB. III. ITB BEBULTB.-M. Vere. 3, 9.-0hrist's claim upon the attention of=· "Hearken I" " Who hath ears to hear, let him hear!" A frequent peculiarity in Christ's speech. It is well to note when he u…
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Vers. 26-29.-Man wed and then dispensed 'With. I. WHAT GoD DOES BY AND THROUGH RIB SERVANTS. The mere sowing of the seed. 1. Receiving the seed for one's self. 2. Imparting it vitally to other minds. II. WHAT GoD DOES WITHOUT HIS SERVANTS. The pre-existence and independent growth of the seed a great mystery. Its hidde…
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Vers. 30-32,-Th., grain of mustard seed; or, the growth of the kingdom of God relatively to its beginnings. I. TnE DEGINNINGS OP' THE KINGDOM OF Goo, AS COMPARED WITil THOSE OF OTIIEB INFLUENCES AFFECTING TIIE WORLD'S LIFE, ARE VERY SMALL AND INSlGNIFIOANT. A parable and a prophecy. 'l'wo plants, either of which might …
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warning and an undeniable demonstration, which may make them, with the devils, " believe and tremble" even in their rebellion.-M. Vere. 38, 40.-Hwnan and Divirni r"1M71,Strances. Christ and his disciples chide ons another, yet gently and affectionately. Representative positions- !. As SUGGESTING THE OPPOSITE STANDPOI…
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Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.