The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 338

Bia obarootcr and actions were fresh in their inexpedient for such II disclosure at that memories; and Herod himself had given time. Those who were favourable to his currency to the idea that the Baptist had cause would h11.ve wanted at once to take him risen again in the person of our Lord. Then by force 11.nd make him a. king. In fad, some there w11.a Elij11.h. Some thought that our of them made no secret of their intentions Lord WII.B Elijah, bec11.uee it wll.B known that (John vi. 15). Those, on the other hand Elij11.h had not died, 11.nd because there was who were opposed t.o him were only watching an expectation, founded on M11.loohi's pro- their opportunity to destroy him. Moreover, phecy (iv. 5), that he would return. They his own disciples had yet many things t.o thought, therefore, that Elijah had returned, learn; and besides a.II this, faith in his God- &nd that our Lord was Elijah. head would be easier when his death should Ver. 29.-By this second putting of the have been followed by his glorioua resurrec- question, our Lord warned his disciples that tion and ascension, they who had been better instructed ought Ver. 31.-And he began to teach them, to think greater things of him thnn these. It that the Son of man must suffer many things, w11,s necessary that he should show them that etc. In St. Matthew's narrative he says these current opinions and floating notions (xvi. 21), "From th&t time began Jesus to were far below his real claims. Therefore he show unto his disciples," etc.-from the time, says with emphasis, But who say ye that I that is, of this great confession ; from the e.m 'I-ye, my disciples, who, being 11.lwe.ys time when he had openly 11.cknowle<lged to with me, have seen me do far greater things his disciples the truth of his essential than they; ye, who have listened to my Divinity; from th11.t time he beg-::m to in- teaching, confirmed 11.B it has been by those struct them as to his passion and his death. mirecles; ye, who yourselves also have been There arti two great princi plea of faith, en11.bled to work many miracles in my name; namely, (1) the Divinity and the humanity -who say ye that I am? Peter answereth of Christ, 11,nd (2) his cross and pa.ssion, R.Ild se.ith unto him, Thou a.rt the Christ, St. whereby lie has redeemed the world. And Peter here spoke as the mouthpiece of the it wo.s necessary that the disciples should be rest. The suddenness and terseness of the thus instructed in his amazing dignity as answer is eminently characteristic of St. the Son of God, lest, when they saw him put Peter. In St. Matthew's narrative it is giv,m to death, they might doubt as to his God- a little more in full, " Thou art the Christ, head. And after three days rise aga.in. St. the Son of the living God." But the Matthew and St. Luke say, "on the third strength of the answer really lies in St. Mark's d11.y "-the <lay of his death counting for one, words, "Thou art the Christ," that is, the and the day of his resurrection for another, promised Messi11.h. What, however, St. Mark with one clear day intervening. does omit here-a circumstance not to be Ver. 32. -And he spake the saying passed without notice-is the great blessing openly (,rapf,71crltf); literally, without reserr,e. pronounced by our Lord upon St. Peter (l\fatt. '!'his sudden announcement excited St. xvi. 17-19) as the reward of his confession. Peter. It was a new e.nd st11.rtling com- The explanation of this omission is to be munication. Peter took him, and began found in the fact that this Gospel is really for to rebuke him. The word ,rpocr>-af36µ,v0< the most p11.rt St. Pater's Gospel, recorded by indicates that he "took hold of him," to St, Mark. It has &!ready been observed, le11.d him apart, WJ though to have the that, as far as it is possible to do so, consider- opportunity of warning him with the ing Pater's prominent position amongst the gre11.ter familiarity and secrecy. So say St. other apostles, he retires into the background. Chrysostom and others. Peter would not It wns necessary that it should be recorded have his own confession of Christ thus th11.t he me.de the good confession of our evacuated, 11.S it were; uor does he think it Lord as the Messi11.h; bnt beyond this the possible that the Son of God could be slain. ev11.ngelist suppresses all mention of the l:>o he takes him apart, lest he should distinction subsequently conferred upon him, seem to reprove him in the presence of the although the rebuke which he afterwards other disciples; 11,nd then he says (Matt. received is recorded in full It is, moreover, xvi. 2'..!), "Mercy on thee, Lord (Y>..,w, era,, a signifioont oircumst11.nce (noticed in the Kop«): this sh11.ll never be unto thee." 'Speaker's Commento.ry ') that this Gospel Ver. 83.-But he turning 11.bout, and aeeing was written at Rome, e.ud in the first instance his disoiplea, rebuked Peter. The words in- for Roman readers. dicate a sudden movement (cl 8, <71't1T'rpa,<f,els), Ver, SO.-And he ohe.rged them UirETC- accompanied by a keen searching look at .u11u•11)-a strong word, implying 11,lmost re- his disciple&. Then he singles out Peter, buke, he atrictly charged them-that they and addresses to him, in their presence, the should tell no man of him. Why was this? severe rebuke, Get thee behind. me, Sat11.n: There were many reasons for this reticence. for thou aavourest not (o/, <f,pov,i',)-literally, '.l'he state of parties io Palestine was most thou minded not-the things of God, but the 836 TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING '1'0 ST. MARK. [cH. vm. 1-38.