PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2
Edward Henry Bickersteth, 1825–1906 · 320,775 words · 302 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 121
still more forced interpretation of those who read the clause interrogatively, viz. “ for was it not the time of figs ?” and the no less objectionable explanation of xa:pds in the sense of a favourable season, for in that case the season, not the tree, would have deserved the malediction; or in the significatien of …
869 wordsSECTION 122The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 122
the too common defect of profession without practice, naming the name of Christ and not departing from iniquity. Others, again, it is to be feared, are downrightly insincere; they put religion on like a cloak, and lay it aside when it suits them ; like their Sun- day clothes, they wear it on the sabbath, but lay it …
1,206 wordsSECTION 123The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 123
IV. APPLICATION OF THE WHOLE. 1. Think for a moment of the awful doom of this withered fig tree. It is the doom of every hypocrite and of every false professor. The first blessing pronounced on man was fruitfulness; one of the severest curses is barrenness. The leaf of the merely nominal Christian will soon wither; …
1,179 wordsSECTION 124The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 124
IV. THE UNFAIRNESS OF THE QUESTION oF THE SanHEDRIM. Had they not had evidence of Jesus’ authority in his exceptionally sinless life in the midst of all the ae of a sinful world? Had they not evidence of his Divine authority in his teaching ?—“ for he taught as One having authority, and not as the scribes ;” in “ th…
1,060 wordsSECTION 125The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 125
Vers. 6—8.—Having ‘yet therefore one gon, his well-beloved. There is strong evidence in favour of @ different reading here, namely (&r: éva cixev, viby ayanntdy), he had yet one, @ beloved son. There is something very touching in this form of ex- pression. Many messages had been sent ; many means had been tried.…
1,192 wordsSECTION 126The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 126
Ver. 17.—Render unto Cesar the things that are Casar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s. it is as though our Lord said, ‘Since you Jews are now subject to Ceaar—and there is here this evidence of it, that his coin is current amongst you; you would not use it were you not obliged, be- cause all Gentile rit…
1,228 wordsSECTION 127The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 127
Ver. 26.—St. Mark is here careful to state that what St. Matthew describes as “the word spoken by God” was to be found in the book of Moses (Exod. iii. 5), in the place concerning the Bush (én) rs Barov), as it is correctly rendered in the Revised Version. Our Lord might have brought yet clearer roofs out of Job…
1,104 wordsSECTION 128The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 128
Ver. 34.—And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly (vouveyds), he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. It would appear from this answer that our Lord regarded him as one who approached him with the sincere desire to know the truth, and so he encouraged him, This shows how powerful an inf…
1,102 wordsSECTION 129The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 129
Vers. 43, 44.—This poor widow hath oast in more. The right reading of the verb here is €Bade, not BéBAnxe; this aoristic render- ing has very good authority—this poor widow cast in more. Her act is completed, and has gone up for a memorial before God. She “gave” more than all the others who are casting (tév BadA…
1,105 wordsSECTION 130The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 130
III. Gov’s REQUIREMENT AND DEMAND UPON MEN, BY HIS MESSENGERS AND BY HIS Son. Our Lord appeals to us both by the Law and by the gospel. The teaching of his Word brings before us his rightful claims, and shows us how much it is for our highest advantage that we should not be unmindful of them. He summons us by the l…
1,121 wordsSECTION 131The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 131
Vers. 18—27.—Sadducees confuted. Of all the subjects which awaken the specula- tive curiosity and inquiry of men, none approaches, in dignity and importance, the fatare life. The nobler spirits, in every civilized and cultured community, have either held as an article of faith, or have cherished with fondest hope, t…
991 wordsSECTION 132The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 132
Vers. 28—34.—The great’ commandments. This passage of the Gospel affords common ground, upon which those who lay the greatest stress upon Christian doctrine may meet with conciliation and harmony those who are wont to insist most upon Christian morality. Here is a statement, upon the highest authority, as to what Go…
1,078 wordsSECTION 133The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 133
indifference. The whole of our nature is expected to combine, so to speak, in this exercise. Not only so, but God is to be regarded as the supreme Object of affection and devotion. He demands the first place in our heart; and those who see his grace in Christ cannot find it hard to offer what he demands. 4. Love to …
1,203 wordsSECTION 134The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 134
Appiioation. 1, Let faith work by love in Christian natures; and let those who love Christ prove by their spirit and their actions the sincerity of their love. 2. Let those who are near the kingdom, instead of resting in their nearness, regard this as a reason why they should, without delay, enter the gates before w…
1,131 wordsSECTION 135The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 135
il. THE MULTITUDE WERE ATTBACTED AND DELIGHTED. Whilst the self-confident and the self-righteous were put to shame and confusion, the common people, or rather the multitude, “the people” (as we say), heard him gladly. There were several sufficient reasons for this. 1. He spoke to them as one of themselves. Not froma…
1,006 wordsSECTION 136The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 136
a rose in the wilderness. It is a touching picture, this of the lonely woman, who had lost her husband, and whose heart was sad, whose means were scanty, and whose life waa obscure and cheerless. But she had found strength and consolation in waiting upon Ged. And the temple, the appointed place for worship, with its…
961 wordsSECTION 137The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 137
lL. A vTRaP Lain ror Curist. 1. By whom? Ultimately and originally by the Pha- risees, the leaders of ultra-Judaism and advocates of a restored theocracy and national independence. But that this view, having its root at first in profound spirituality of aim and motive, had been subsidized by baser considerations, is…
1,072 wordsSECTION 138The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 138
Il. Wk ARE ENCOURAGED AND COMMANDED TO BRING SMALL THINGS TO CHRIST Do not say he has no interest in them. See how he looks at that widow with her two mites. Hear how he calls the little children, We need a more thorough Christianity, and if we follow this rule of bringing our daily concerns, our griefs, our moral d…
1,168 wordsSECTION 139The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 139
whole, to be accepted as real. Were it not that there are moral as well as purely intel- lectual and constitutional causes for this ignorance, no fault need be found with it. But any view of mental error which omitted consideration of the fact of human depravity could not be considered adequate. The natural mind “lo…
984 wordsSECTION 140The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 140
IL THE BEST MODE OF ANSWERING SUCH INQUIRY IS THAT WHICH PRESENTS THE SPIRIT AND SUBSTANCE OF DUTY, OR TRUE RELIGION IN ITS UNITY AND UNIVERSALITY. “ Deut. vi. 4, This is not given as a part of the Law of Moses, but as the principle of all service. Lev. xix. 18 contains a similar principle for all social duties” (Go…
1,188 wordsSECTION 141The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 141
that the “glad tidings” are practically and permanently experienced by the human heart.—M. Vers, 41—44.— The widow's two mites. The treasury, “in front of the sanctuary,” consisted of thirteen brazen chests, called “trumpets” from their peculiar shape, “swelling out beneath, and tapering upward into a narrow mouth …
1,052 wordsSECTION 142The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 142
TL Tes serenrry or Cunist. His calmness was like the blue of the heavens, unruffied and unchanged by storms that stir the lower atmosphere. An ordinary man, after uttering a rebuke which enraged his foes to madness, would put himself out of reach. He would not linger in their stronghold, which was full of perils to …
876 wordsSECTION 143The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 143
& substitute for sacrifices, or for distribution to the poor, they were given towards what was regarded as the work of God. But there was nothing in the offering of the rich which called for the special praise bestowed on the widow. 1. It ts to be observed here that Christ commended what most people would blame. You…
1,197 wordsSECTION 144The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 144
Il. A PAINFUL INSTANCE OF HUMAN UNFAITHFULNESS. This, as in all instances of a want of fidelity to important trusts, was sadly disastrous. But not only to them to whom the trust was committed, for all men expiate the sins of every unfaithful one. The condition of society is lowered; good fruits are blighted and cann…
1,125 wordsSECTION 145The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 145
Vers. 18—27.—The resurrection from the dead. A new class of antagonists now assail the great “Master” with a case of casuistry, designed evidently to bring the doctrine of the resurrection into contempt. “In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of them?” Was this one of the flimsy difficulties on which they reli…
1,147 wordsSECTION 146The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 146
every one who is controlled by so worthy an endeavour. It ensures the recognition of the soul’s subjection to the authority of God; it makes the Divine excellences objects of ceaseless contemplation; it subordinates all the aims and activities of life to the holiest purposes; and, while withdrawing the life from the…
1,220 wordsSECTION 147The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 147
IV. THE scaALEs oF DIVINE AND OF HUMAN ESTIMATION OFTEN DIFFER. A lesson often suggested by Christ. ‘Men are not what they seem.” In science, in literature, in politics, the greatest men often rise up, untrained in the schools, to confute the von- ventional judgment of the time about education. So in religion. It is…
1,119 wordsSECTION 148The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 148
afterward we have the touching prayer, “ Return, we beseech thee, O God of Hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine, and the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch which thou madest strong for thyself.” In the fifth chapter of Isaiah we have the parable of a vineyard and its …
904 wordsSECTION 149The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 149
brightest beams, and spiritual life is cherished; a place where the Word of truth is possessed, perused, and faithfully preached; where the gospel of his grace is proclaimed ; where his Spirit is poured dewn ; where gracious influences are at work and Divine power felt; where the Divine presence is promised and enjo…
1,084 wordsSECTION 150The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 150
5. Gospel ordinances. The wine-fat, or vat, was a large stone trough deposited in the ground, to receive the juice of the grape squeezed out in the winepress placed over it. The winepress thus consisted of two parts—a receiver for the grapes, and beneath that a receptacle for the expressed juice. The press above, or…
985 wordsSECTION 151The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 151
Ill. Gop’s EXPECTATIONS FROM THE VINEYARD OF THE CHURCH. 1. He sends his servants to claim a portion of the fruit. The parable shows in its immediate applica- tion the privileges of the Jews, their perversion and abuse of those privileges, and the consequent punishment. If, then, by the husbandmen we understand the …
1,134 wordsSECTION 152The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 152
IV. Gov’s PUNISHMENT OF UNFAITHFULNESS. 1. Shameful treatment of God's ser- vamts. ‘These wicked husbandmen went from bad to worse. They were determined that God should get no fruit from his vineyard; and accordingly they maltreated, in the most scandalous and barbarous manner, the servants sent by the proprietor to…
1,161 wordsSECTION 153The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 153
kindness, our privileges and means of instruction and improvement? Or, like certain vines in the land of Palestine, which, as we read in Scripture, produced poisonous herries, are we bearing fruit of similar poisonous quality? It may be that, instead of grapes, good grapes and proper fruit, we may be bearing grapee—…
827 wordsSECTION 154The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 154
“Ts it lawful to give tribute, or not? Shall we give, or shali we not give?” The double question is to emphasize their earnestness, and to invite a prompt reply, affirmative or negative; tough the first question may refer to the lawfulness of the payment, and the second to its expediency or advisability. 2. The moti…
841 wordsSECTION 155The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 155
and narrow sense, ercording to some, pay the civil taxes to the government of Cwsar, and the didrachma, or temple-tribute, for the support of the sanctuary and sérvice of God. We understand it in the larger sense of obedience to our earthly sovereign and duty to our heavenly King, as co-ordinate and coexistent, perf…
1,154 wordsSECTION 156The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 156
V. ConrizmaTion. This view of the subject derives some confirmation from a custom of the ancient Egyptians. They embalmed the bodies of their dead, and so preserved them for centuries. Their object, as is with strong probability supposed, was that the mummy corpse might be prepared for the reception of the returning…
1,128 wordsSECTION 157The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 157
II. THe WHOLE DUTY oF MAN. Our Lord rebuked by his answer those miserable trivialities of the Pharisees, who seemed disposed to bring him into conflict with one or other of the contending parties, headed respectively by Hillel and Shammai. The subject of the question was one about which the schools of these great Je…
1,031 wordsSECTION 158The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 158
I. PeacricaL vsE oF THE QuEsTIon. “ What think ye of Christ ?” was his question, as recorded by St. Matthew. We repeat to ourselves and others the same question —What think we—“ What think ye of Christ?” What think ye of his life—that sin- less life, that surprising life, that life which believer and unbeliever alik…
1,235 wordsSECTION 159The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 159
than wars themselves; according to the say- ing, “ Pejor est bello timor ipse belli.” Be not troubled; be not troubled, that is, so as to let go your faith in me, through fear of the enemy, or through despair of any fruit of your apostolic labours; but persevere steadfastly to preach faith in me and in my gospel…
1,158 wordsSECTION 160The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 160
Ver. 14,—-But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not, In the Authorized Version, after the word “desolation,” the words “spoken of by Daniel the prophet,” are introduced, but without sufficient authority. They were probably interpolated from St. Matthew, where there is abundant aut…
1,085 wordsSECTION 161The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 161
Ver. 19.—For those days shall be tribula- tion, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation. These expressions are very remarkable. To begin with, the tribulation would be so unexampled and so severe that the days themselves would be called “ tribulation.” They would be known ever aft…
1,189 wordsSECTION 162The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 162
Ver. 25.—And the stars shall be falling from heaven (Ecovra:éx Tov obpavod mimrorres), and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken. In the great events of the crea- tion recorded in Gen. i. the sun and the moon and the stars did not show their light until that period which is called the fourth day, So…
896 wordsSECTION 163The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 163
are other prophecies which show that with { hypostatic union. The eternal Son, as their national conversion to Christianity | God, by his omniscience, and as man, by will be associated all that is most glorious | knowledge imparted to him, knows per- in the future Church of God. fectly the day and the hour of the fu…
1,181 wordsSECTION 164The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 164
IJ, AN UNFAITHFUL NATION'S GLORY I8, IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GoD, MADE THE SYMBOL OF ITs SHAME, ‘There was nothing which the Jews so valued and reverenced as their temple and all the paraphernalia of the temple-worship. The national life seemed to flow from that sacred spot as from a beating heart. Not only was it, in …
1,172 wordsSECTION 165The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 165
TIL, STEADFASTNESS AMID THE HOSTILITY oF FoRS. The first followers of Christ were forewarned that they should incur the enmity of authorities, both civil and ecclesiastical. Before councils and in synagogues, at the bar of governors and in the presence of kings, they should be arraigned upon charges true or false, b…
1,205 wordsSECTION 166The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 166
Vers. 24-—32.— The second coming. It is very difficult exactly to discriminate between some words of Christ which refer to the destruction of Jerusalem, and others which refer to our Lord’s coming to judge all mankind. There seems to be a designed blending of the references to these events. We are thus taught to rem…
1,077 wordsSECTION 167The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 167
Il. WatcH! FOR THERE Is A PROSPECT OF CHRIST’? REVELATION IN THE FUTURE. Whilst we look back to the Lord’s departure, and his solemn injunctions and his sacred trust, we look forward to his return, according to his promise. 1. This is an assured fact. Our Lord’s second coming has been declared by him under many figu…
1,133 wordsSECTION 168The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 168
II. THaT WHICH FAILS OF ITs DIVINE IDEA, OR OPPOSES THE DIVINE PURPOSE, SHALL BE DESTROYED. ‘The splendid building upon which they were gazing had ceased to minister to the higher spiritual life of the people, and had, through its officers and tepresentatives, rejected the Son of God. It had thereby sealed the warra…
1,164 wordsSECTION 169The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 169
Ver. 31.—The words of Christ and the world-revolution with which they were associated. I. A PREDICTION oF IT, The date of these utterances and their authorship beyond all reasonable question. A daring forecast, identifying the fortunes of Chris- tianity with vast cosmical movements. Insight such as this more than hu…
1,098 wordsSECTION 170The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 170
the last time, and in the waning light was walking home to Bethany, when he sat himself down to gaze with lingering love on Jerusalem, The evening sun was still glorifying her palaces; but the light was fading, darkness was coming ; and he talked with his disciples of darker shadows about to fall, which would leave …
1,157 wordsSECTION 171The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 171
Il. In ovk IGNORANCE OF THE TIMES OF GREAT AND SUDDEN CHANGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, OUR HIGHEST WISDOM I8 A DILIGENT ATTENTION TO THE DUTY OF THE HOUR. The hour is always uncertain when the Lord cometh to judgment. The indolent spirit that is deluded into neglect because there is no sign of h…
1,196 wordsSECTION 172The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 172
ence throughout, and according to which they are so bleuded and intermingled that separation is all but impossible. 2. Practical observations. There is (1) the duty of diligently studying prophecy, as a very important and deeply interesting portion of the Divine Word; thus St. Peter says, “ We have the Word of proph…
867 wordsSECTION 173The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 173
in their strict, unfigurative sense, The statement is past their comprehension, a Their inquiry. And aoe they have left the temple courts, descended the side of Moriah, crossed the Kedron, and are seated on a slope of Olivet. What a lovely pros- t is there presented to their gaze! Right opposite and full in view was…
1,113 wordsSECTION 174The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 174
eaps.” 8. The perspective of prophecy. There is avery general agreement that in the predictions contained in this chapter of St. Mark and the corresponding chapters of the other synoptists, the two events of Christ’s coming at the fall of Jerusalem, and of hia coming at the end of the world or present dispensation, …
608 wordsSECTION 175The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 175
people after them in multitndes into solitudes and deserts, to see the signs and miracles which they promised to show by the power of God.” Several names, more- over, are expressly mentioned, of such persons as Dositheus, Simon Magus, Theudas, Barchochab ; but it is objected that somé of these were too early, and ot…
873 wordsSECTION 176The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 176
jailor “thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks; ”in Acts xviii. 12 of Paul being brought to the judgment, and in xxiii. 1 of his appearing before the council and being smitten on the mouth, by command of the high priest Ananias, One of the duties of the Ciazzan, a minister of the s…
883 wordsSECTION 177The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 177
during that season, short as it is, they donot satisfy. Often instead of pleasure it brings us pain; and it is always pain in the end. In the second of its occurrences, as above specified, the warning related to the deportment of the disciples themselves, in the extremely trying circumstances in which they would oft…
1,062 wordsSECTION 178The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 178
Il, Preoavrions sueerstep. It is not the duty of Christians more than of non- Christians to rush unnecessarily into peril any more than into temptation; we are not to endanger life and limb recklessly and negligently. Our first duty is self-preservation when no principle is compromised and no matter of spiritual mom…
1,128 wordsSECTION 179The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 179
Y. Gop’s PROVIDENTIAL DEALINGS WITH HIS PZOPLE. The dispensations of God’s providence prove, while they illustrate, his goodness to his people. In the present instance the Saviour warned his followers; this was the first link in the chain of his love. Acting on this warning, they fied ; and God, in his mercy, favour…
1,134 wordsSECTION 180The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 2 — Section 180
majesty. They represented their deities as clothed with clouds, or seated on clouds, or surrounded with clouds, as if to hide from mortal gaze their excessive splendour. In Scripture, also, the true God is represented as making the clouds his chariot, and walking upon the wings of the wind; and, again, we read that …
1,147 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Text from OCR of an original historical scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.