The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 281

yokes and other agricultural implements. But they knew his family and friends- knew them so well that familiarity begat contempt. They knew who Mary was, Joseph having in all probability died before this time. They knew his brethren: sons of Joseph and Mary; or possibly his half-brothers"""'"sons of Joseph by a previous marriage; if not his cousins, children of Clopas and Mary. They knew his sisters. They could not brook his great and manifest superiority. Verily envy is a green-eyed monster ; and so "they were offended in him." Our Lord, no doubt, felt all this acutely, but accounted for it by the principle embodied in the proverb, that a prophet is without honour in three circles-his neighbours, relatives, and members of his household. No wonder he could not do mighty works there; not that there was any physical inability in the Saviour himself, but the forth-putting of his power was conditioned by the faithful disposition or otherwise of his hearers. Thus Theophylact makes this want of ability relative and owing to the want of faith in the recipients, "Not," he says, "because he was weak, but because they were faithless." Here there was a want of receptivity to such an extent that he marvelled-not at their unbelief, but on account of it. It was not the object, but the cause (li,a), of his astonishment. He wondered, as we read, at the faith of some no less than at the unbelief of others.-J. J. G. Vers. 7-13. Parallel passages: Matt. ix. 35-38; x. 5-42; Luke ix. 1-6.-The mission of the twelve. I. THEm FIRST MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE. Our Lord had already, as recorded in eh. iii., made choice of his twelve disciples, to accompany i.iimself during their time of training, and subsequently to go forth on their apostolic mission and with indubitable credentials of their commission. The time had now come for their first brief and tentative effort in that direction. They go "forth by rwo and two "-in pairs (060 lioo, a Hebraism for ,cc,.,-c\ lioo, orb" li6o). The wisdom of this method is obvious for many reasons. It was the condition of true testimony according to the statement of the Old Testament, that "at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word should be established" or confirmed. Two are better than one for counsel and encouragement. Two would numerically warrant the expectation of the Divine presence in prayer, for "where two or three are met" together in God's name, his presence is promised. In many ways two would be mutually helpful, and abundantly justify the prudence of the arrangement. Endued with miraculous power, they had no need of human recommendation; the powers they possessed were amply sufficient to certify the Divine origin of their mission; while the works of Leavenly beneficence to suffering humanity were well adapted to gain them acceptance. With such abundant spiritual equipmen~, they received the Master's word of command ( r.c,pmEIAEII) to set out on their first expedition. II. THEIR PIIYSICAL EQUIPMENT. Their physical equipment, however, was of the scantiest kind. In fact, they were to make no special provision for themselves what- ever; such provision might delay them when setting out, and impede them on their journey. Consequently they proceeded at once to their sphere of labour, without delay and encumbrance of any kind. Without staff, except the one in common or daily use-they were even expressly forbidden to acquire or provide for themselves (µi/ ,rri,0-71,;8,) another in addition, or for the particular purpose of their present mission; without shoes, save the sandals they every day wore (woli,li,µlvous); without bread for immediate use; without scrip for provisions by the way, or copper in their purse to procnre such; without two tunics, or under-garments,-they set out on their first mission, pensioners on the providence of God and the pious hospitality of his people. IIL TRE ABBANGEMENT FOB THEIR LODGING. They w4;1re not at liberty to lodge in any or every house that might open its door to them. They were to act circum- bpectly in this matter, and carefully inquire, on entering a city or village, who in it was worthy. By acting without due discrimination in this particular, and lodging in disreputable quarters, they might imperil their own reputation or bring discredit on their mission. Once they had obtained a suitable stopping-place, they were not to change for another, even if the offer of a better place of sojourn or superior accommo- dation should tempt them to such a step. Their wants were few, their mode of life t1irnple, and with the humblest hospitality it behoved them to be content, In case such Oriental and usual hospitality was denied them, or in the event of their being refi.wed ou. VI. 1-56.] THE GOSPEL AOJORDING TO ST. MAP.K, 279