He is moved with compassion toward the multitude because they are as sheep without a shepherd (vi. 84): he is touched with the need and fatigue of the many who had come from far (viii. 3): he shows his interest in the condition of the epileptic lad by inquiring into the history of his case (ix. 21): he is much displeased at the disciples’ rebuke of those who are bringing the young children to him (x. 14).
In like manner Mark describes the mental and emotional
states of those who were brought into contact with Christ. Those who witnessed the miracle of the loaves understood not, and their heart was hardened (vi. 52): the disciples were perplexed, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean (ix. 10): they were amazed at his words ‘about a rich man entering into the kingdom of heaven (x. 24): a sudden and mysterious awe fell upon them in their journey to Jerusalem (x. 32): Pilate marvelled at Jesus being already dead, and sent for the centurion in order to ask whether he had been any while dead (xv. 44). Compare i. 22, 27; v. 20, 42; vi. 90; vii. 87; xi. 18. He depicts the interest excited by the words and works of Christ ; describing the crowds which flocked to him, and their spreading abroad the fame of his power (15285 455541. Sissi 20215 awe ds ve 20, Di 4 wi Sk Svil; aL ; We find in Mark certain peculiarly forcible expressions in our Lord’s language, such as, “ Zo them that are without” (iv. 11); “Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradi- tion of men” (vii. 8) ; “ This adulterous and sinful generation ” (vill. 88); “ Be set at nought” (ix. 12); “ Quickly to speak evil of me” (ix. 39); “ Shall receive brethren and sisters and moth- ers,” ete., “ with persecutions ” (x. 80).
His narrative rwns. His style abounds in quick transitions. The word evIéws, strarghtway, occurs in his Gospel something like forty times. He imparts vividness to his narration by the use of the present tense instead of the historic (i. 40, 445 ii. 3, sq.; xi. 1, 2, 7; xiv. 48, 66). He often defines his meaning by coupling similar words or phrases. Beelzebub is called by two names (iii. 22), and by a third (iii. 830): The sick are brought a¢ even, when the sun did set (i. 32): The blasphemer hath no more