PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels — St. Mark
Ryle, J. C. (John Charles), 1816–1900 · 128,053 words · 339 reading sections
MARK, CHAP. III. 55
and zeal about mere trifles for zeal about the truth. Nothing justifies separation from a church but the sepa- ration of that church from the Gospel. Let us be ready to concede much, and make many sacrifices for the sake of unity and peace. We ought to notice, in the second place, what a glori- ous declaration, our Lo…
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completely forgiven. " Though, our sins have been as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." (Isaiah i. 18.) Let us cleave firmly to this doctrine, if we have re- ceived it already. We may sometimes feel faint, and unworthy, and cast down. But if we have really come to Jesus by faith, our sins are clean forgiven. They …
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the old truth. Let us not be ashamed to believe that there is an eternal God — an eternal heaven — and an eternal hell. Let us recollect that sin is an infinite evil. It needed an atonement of infinite value to deliver the believer from its consequences — and it entails an infinite loss on the unbeliever who rejects th…
377 wordsSECTION 64MARK III. 31—35.
31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. 32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren ? 34 And he looked round about o…
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It is interesting to remark the quiet; firm perseverance of our Lord, in the face of all discouragements. None of these things moved Him. The slanderous suggestions of enemies, and the well-meant remonstrances of ignorant friends, were alike powerless to turn Him from His course. He had set His face as a flint towards …
370 wordsSECTION 66MARK, CHAP. III. 61
We learn from these verses one mighty lesson. We learn, who they are that are reckoned the relations of Jesus Christ. They are they who are His disciples, and " do the will of God." Of such the great Head of the Church says, " the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." How much there is in this single expression…
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cause of their religion, take warning by these words, and repent ? Whom are they persecuting and ridiculing ? The relations of Jesus the Son of G-od ! The family of the King of kings and Lord of lords ! — Surely they would do wisely to hold their peace, and consider well what they are doing. These whom they persecute h…
72 wordsSECTION 68MAEK IV. 1—20.
1 And lie began again to teach by the sea side : and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea ; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3 Hearken ; Behold, there went …
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unintelligible talk. It is neither money, nor meat, nor drink, nor clothes, nor company ; and as they sit under the sound of it, they are taken up with thinking of other things. It matters nothing whether it is Law or Gospel. It produces no more effect on them than water on a stone. And at the end they go away, knowing…
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Their conscience is affected by it. Their affections are in favor of it. They acknowledge that it is all right, and good, and worthy of all reception. They even abstain from many things which the Gospel condemns, and adopt many habits which the Gospel requires. But here unhappily they stop short. Something appears to c…
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seen — -uniform, plain, and unmistakeable results in heart and life. Sin will be truly hated, mourned over, resisted, and renounced. Christ will be truly loved, trusted in, followed, loved, and obeyed. Holiness will show itself in all their conversation, in humility, spiritual-minded- ness, patience, meekness, and char…
244 wordsSECTION 72MARK IV. 21—25.
21 And lie said unto them, Is a I bushel, or uuder a bed ? and not to be candle brought to be put under a I set on a candlestick ?…
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ye mete, it shall be measured to yon : and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given : and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. 22 For there is nothing hid, winch shall not be manifested ; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come …
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Hearing the truth is one principal avenue through which grace is conveyed to the soul of man. " Faith cometh hy hearing." (Rom. x. 17.) One of the first steps towards conversion is to receive from the Spirit a hearing ear. Seldom are men brought to repentance and faith in Christ without " hearing." The general rule is …
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as the muscles of the body are strengthened by regular exercise, so are the graces of the soul increased by dili- gence in using them. Do we wish to grow in grace ? Do we desire to have stronger faith, brighter hope, and clearer knowledge ? Beyond doubt we do, if we are true Christians. Then let us live fully up to ou…
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26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the grouud ; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knowetk not how. 28 For the earth hringeth forth fruit of herself; first the Made, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 Bu…
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not lay too much stress on lesser points. In the case be- fore us the main thing taught is the close resemblance between some familiar operations in the culture of corn, and the work of grace in the heart. To this let us rigidly confine our attention. We are taught, firstly, that, as in the growth of corn, so in the w…
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land, and covers it up, there will not be an ear of corn in time of harvest. But he cannot command the pros- perity of each grain. He cannot explain why some grains come up and others die. He cannot specify the hour or the minute when life shall begin to show itself. He can- not define what that life is. These are matt…
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weakness and infirmity he is alive. The seed of grace has really come up in his heart, though at present it be only in the blade. He is " alive from the dead." And the wise man says, " a living dog is better than a dead lion." (Eccles. ix. 4.) Let us mark this truth also, for it is full of consolation. Let us not desp…
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30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God ? or with what comparison shall we com- pare it ? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth : 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and s…
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cant. Our Lord calls it " less than all the seeds that be in the earth." Twice in the Gospels we find our Lord using the figure as a word of comparison, when speaking of a weak faith. (Matt, xvii 20 ; Luke xvii. 6.) The idea was doubtless familiar to a Jewish mind, however strange it may sound to us. Here, as in other …
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notwithstanding this, they offered life through His death to the world ! — In all this the mind of man can perceive nothing but weakness and feebleness. Truly the emblem of a grain of mustard seed was verified and fulfilled to the very letter. To the eyes of man the beginning of the visible church was contemptible, ins…
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but the finger of God. It grew wonderfully when three thousand souls were converted at once, and five thousand more in a few days afterwards. It grew wonderfully, when at Antioch, and Ephesus, and Philippi, and Corinth, and Kome, congregations were gathered together, and Christianity firmly established. It grew wonderf…
654 wordsSECTION 84MARK IV. 35—41.
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over uuto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was iu the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves heat into the ship, so…
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verses, that when the storm began, and the waves beat over the ship, he was in the hinder part " asleep." He had a body exactly like our own — a body that could hunger, and thirst, and feel pain, and be weary, and need rest. No wonder that His body needed repose at this time. He had been diligent in His Father's busine…
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simply asks the touching question, " Why are ye so fear- ful ? How is it that ye have no faith ?," Let us mark well this lesson. The Lord Jesus is very pitiful and of tender mercy. " As a father pitieth his children, even so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." (Psalm ciii. 13.) He does not deal with be- lievers acco…
311 wordsSECTION 87MAKE V. 1—17.
1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tomhs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tomhs ; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains : 4 Because that he had been…
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three evangelists who relate the history, none gives it so fully and minutely as St. Mark. We see, in the first place, in these verses, that the possession of a man's body by the devil, was a real and true thing in the time of our LoroVs earthly ministry. It is a painful fact, that there are never wanting professing …
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The cruelty of Satan appears in the miserable condition of the unhappy man, of whose body he had possession. We read that he dwelt " among the tombs," that " no man could bind him, no, not with chains" — that no man could tame him — and that he was " always night and day in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and …
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the word of the king is, there is power." (Eccles. viii. 4.) The truth here taught is full of strong consolation for all true Christians. We live in a world full of difficulties and snares. We are ourselves weak and compassed with infirmity. The awful thought that we have a mighty spiritual enemy ever near us, subtle, …
340 wordsSECTION 91MAKE V. 18— £
18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had "been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 1 9 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and …
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man from whom the devil was cast out in the country of the Gadarenes is one. The verses before us tell the story. Few as they are, they are full of precious instruction. We learn from these verses that the Lord Jesus knows better than His people what is the right position for them to be in. We are told that when our L…
319 wordsSECTION 93MARK, CHAP. V. 95
tion, seeing everything around them in a new light, knowing little yet of the depths of Satan and the weak- ness of their own hearts — knowing only that a little time ago they were blind, and now, through mercy, they see — of all people they are in the greatest danger of making mistakes. With the best intentions, they …
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We learn, for another thing, from these verses, that a believer's own home has the first claims on his attention. We are taught that in the striking words which our Lord addresses to the man who had heen possessed with the devil. " Go home/' He says, " to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath d…
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steps of the man of whom we have been reading, and in the steps of Andrew, and Philip, and the Samaritan woman. (John i. 41, 45, iv. 29.) Happy is he who is not ashamed to say to others, " Come and hear what the Lord hath done for my soul." (Psal. lxvi. 16.)…
53 wordsSECTION 96MAEK V. 21—34.
21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him : and he was nigh unto the sea. 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jai- rus by name ; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, say- ing, My little daughter lie…
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One, and only one, followed under a deep sense of her need, and of our Saviour's power to relieve her, and that one received a mighty blessing. We see the same thing going on continually in the Church of Christ at the present day. Multitudes go to our places of worship, and fill our pews. Hundreds come up to the Lord'…
297 wordsSECTION 98MARK, CHAP. V. 101
But at last he has found rest. — And where has he found it ? — He has found it, where this woman found her's, in Jesus Christ. He has ceased from his own works. He has given over looking to his own endeavors and doings for relief. He has come to Christ Himself, as a humble sinner, and committed himself to His mercy. At…
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streets, and force our experience on every body's notice. All that is required is a willingness to acknowledge Christ as our Master, without flinching from the ridi- cule or persecution which by so doing we may bring on ourselves. More than this is not required ; but less than this ought not to content us. If we are as…
296 wordsSECTION 100MARK V. 35-43.
35 While lie yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daugh- ter is dead : why troublest thou the Master any further ? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. _ 37 And he suffered no man to …
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beyond the reach of sorrow. Jairus was a " ruler ;" yet sickness and trouble came to his house. Jairus probably had wealth, and all the medical help that wealth can command ; yet money could not keep death away from his child. The daughters of rulers are liable to sickness, as well as the daughters of poor men. The dau…
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wife — thy husband — is dead." The former things will have passed away. Let us learn, for another thing, how almighty is the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. That message which pierced the ruler's heart, telling him that his child was dead, did not stop our Lord for a moment. At once he cheered the father's fainting sp…
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sons and daughters by the hand, and say to them, " arise/' and bid them live not to themselves, but to Him that died for them and rose again. Have we a dead soul in our family ? Let us call on the Lord to come and quicken him. (Eph. ii. 1.) Let us send to Him message after message, and entreat Him to help. He that came…
300 wordsSECTION 104MAEK VI. 1-
* 1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country ; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the syna- gogue : and many hearing Mm were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wis- dom is this which is given unto him, that even s…
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There is nothing in all this that need surprise us. The same thing is going on around us every day, in our own land. The holy Scriptures, the preaching of the Gospel, the public ordinances of religion, the abundant means of grace that England enjoys, are continually undervalued by English people. They are so accustomed…
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shows that it is so suicidal and unreasonable a sin, that even the Son of God regards it with surprise. We can never be too much on our guard against un- belief. It is the oldest sin in the world. It began in the garden of Eden, when Eve listened to the devil's prom- ises, instead of believing Grod's words, " ye shall…
325 wordsSECTION 107MAEK VI. 7—13.
11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodon and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. …
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yet with them. Thus, on the one hand, He was enabled to correct their mistakes. Thus, on the other, they were trained for the work they were one day to do, and were not novices, when finally left to themselves. Well would it be for the church, if all ministers of the Gospel were prepared for their duty in like manner, …
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One thing at all events is clear, and that is the duty of all workers for Christ to work together and help one another whenever they can. il As iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of a man his friend." Ministers and missionaries, and district visitors, and Sunday school teachers, should take opportunities for…
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must bid men repent, if we would walk in the steps of the apostles, and when they have repented, we must bid them repent more and more to their last day. Have we ourselves repented ? This, after all, is the question that concerns us most. It is well to know what the apostles taught. It is well to be familiar with the …
135 wordsSECTION 111MARK VI. 14—29.
14 And king Herod heard of Mm: (for his name was spread abroad :) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth them- selves in him. 15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16 But when Herod heard thereo…
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117 17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and hound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife : for he had married her. 18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have kille…
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thoughts within him accusing or excusing, according as he lives — 'thoughts that will not be shut out — thoughts that can make even kings, like Herod, restless and afraid. None ought to remember this so much as ministers and teachers. If they preach and teach Christ's truth, they may rest assured that their work is no…
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favor than lie that nattereth him with his tongue." (Prov. xxviii. 23.) We see, 'in the fourth place, how bitterly people hate a reprover, when they are determined to keep their sins. He- rodias, the king's unhappy partner in iniquity, seems to have sunk even deeper in sin than Herod. Hardened and seared in conscience…
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by faith, and not by sight ; and if he looks for the praise of man, he will be disappointed. Here, in this life, he must sow, and labor, and fight, and endure per- secution ; and if he expects a great earthly reward, lie expects what he will not find. But this life is not all. There is to be a day of retribution. There…
164 wordsSECTION 116MARK VI. 30—34.
30 And the apostles gathered them- selves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile : for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 And t…
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These words are deeply instructive. They are a bright example to all ministers of the Gospel, and to all laborers in the great work of doing good to souls. All such should daily do as the apostles did on this occasion. They should tell all their proceedings to the great Head of the Church. They should spread all their …
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Lord knows well that His servants are flesh as well as spirit, and have bodies as well as souls. He knows that at best they have a treasure in earthen vessels, and are themselves compassed with many infirmities. He shows them that He does not expect from them more than their bodily strength can do. He asks for what we …
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little, and do it well, is often the way to do most in the long run. Above all they should never forget to watch their own hearts jealously, and to make time for regular self-examination, and calm meditation. The prosperity of a man's ministry and public work is intimately bound up with the prosperity of his own soul. …
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willing to save them, and invites them to believe and be saved. Let us ask ourselves, as we leave the passage, whether we know anything of the mind of Christ ? Are we, like Him, tenderly concerned about the souls of the uncon- verted ? Do we, like Him, feel deep compassion for all who are yet as sheep without a shephe…
150 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1857). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.