INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK. THE writer of this Gospel was not an apostle; yet it is the uniform testimony of antiquity, that he composed it under the inspection of the Apostle Peter, and published it with his sanction. See Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., B. II., ch. 15. It comes to us, therefore, with the same authority as if written by Peter himself. It is not improbable that Mark was converted by this apostle, as he is styled his son. 1 Peter v. 13. The Hebrew name of Mark was John; Acts xii. 12; but he seems to have assumed the Roman name Marcus, or Mark, when he travelled among the Gentiles. Such changes of name were not unusual. Thus, Saul of Tarsus, after his conversion took the name Paulus, or Paul, as some think in honor of Sergius Paulus. Acts xiii. 7-9. The mother of Mark was named Mary; she resided at Jerusalem, Acts xii. 12, and was sister to Barnabas, Col. iv. 10. While Paul and Barnabas travelled together, Mark was an associate; but he left them at Pamphylia, Acts xv. 38; this occasioned a separation between Paul and Barnabas; and Mark afterwards accompanied Barnabas to Cyprus. Acts xv. 39. At some time in his life, he is supposed by some to have travelled to Babylon, in company with Peter; but I believe the only proof is contained in 1 Pet. v. 13. And in this place the apostle is by many supposed to mean Rome, using the term Babylon figuratively. Paul desired Mark to go to Rome, 2 Tim. iv. 11, having apparently forgiven him for his withdrawal at Pamphylia; and described him as being at Rome, Col. iv. 10. While at Rome, according to the general opinion of the Fathers, he wrote his gospel. Ecclesiastical historians represent that he went from Rome to Alexandria, and there died, some say by martyrdom. The time when this Gospel was written is not known with certainty. Some fix it as early as A. D. 44; others, as late as A. D. 64. But that it was written by the person whose name it bears, that it had the sanction of Peter, and that it should be received as a canonical book, entitled to apostolic authority, has been agreed in all ages of the church. This Gospel is more brief in its narrative, generally speaking, than that of Matthew. Many of the parables and discourses of our Lord are omitted 340 INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK. by Mark; see Matt. ch. v., vi., vii., xvi., xviii. On the other hand, he sometimes gives additional particulars, omitted by Matthew. From the similarity between this Gospel and that of Matthew, some have regarded this as an abridgement or abstract of that. But the more probable opinion is, that Mark relates the circumstances, as communicated to him by Peter, perhaps at different times, which may account for the fact that the same order of events is not always observed; and that, being familiar with Matthew's Gospel, he very naturally adopted the same or similar phraseology, when describing the same events. "Critics are divided concerning the language in which it was written, and the people to whom it was sent. Some have contended for a Latin original, because of several Latin words found in it. But such words are better accounted for, by supposing that his Gospel was written for the use of the Roman people; and that it is on this account that he wholly passes by the Genealogy of our Lord, as being a point of no consequence to Gentile converts, though very necessary for the Jews, and especially the Jews of Palestine. That it was originally written in Greek, is a point now acknowledged by almost all learned men."—Clarke. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK. CHAPTER I. Christ the Son of HE beginning of the gospel To God; all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, con fessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with 2 As it is written in the proph- camel's hair, and with a girdle of ets, Behold, I send my messenger a skin about his loins; and he did before thy face, which shall pre-eat locusts and wild honey; pare thy way before thee; 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him CHAPTER I. 1. THIS verse is generally regarded as the title to the book, descriptive of its contents. It was customary thus to affix titles to books or discourses. See note on Matt. i. 1. The gospel. Literally, good news, or a joyful message; now almost exclusively applied to the doctrine revealed in the Scriptures of the New Testament, especially in the writings of the four evangelists; to which last named writings themselves, the same name is applied, by a common figure of speech. Some have understood gospel here, like generation in Matt. i. 1, to mean history; and to indicate that what follows is a history of the life of Jesus Christ. This seems improbable, because Mark does not, in fact, give any history of his life previous to the commencement of his public ministry. The word should rather be understood according to its usual import, indicating the character of the revelation made by the Son of God, whose approach was heralded by John 7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. 9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Naza the Baptist, as in ver. 4. ¶ Son of God. In the outset, Mark announces not only the character of the doctrine revealed, but the dignity of the person by whom it was revealed. He bespeaks the reader's attention by an assurance that the subject of his narrative is of the highest importance. 2-6. Parallel with Matt. iii. 1-6; Luke iii. 1-4. 2, 3. As it is written in the prophets. It has been disputed, whether this should not rather be Esaias the prophet. Griesbach and Knapp both adopt this reading; but because the quotation is from two prophets, (Isa. xl. 3; Mal. iii. 1,) many reputable critics prefer the common reading. See note on Matt. iii. 3. 4-6. See notes on Matt. iii. 1—6. 7, 8. Parallel with Matt. iii. 11; Luke iii. 16. ¶ Latchet of whose shoes. Or, sandals. See note on Matt. iii. 11. The latchet was the string, by which the sandal was confined on the foot. To unloose and bear away the sandals was a menial office. By professing reth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon, and 10 And straightway coming up Andrew his brother, casting a net out of the water, he saw the heav-into the sea: for they were fishens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. 14 Now, after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand repent ye, and believe the gospel. his unworthiness to perform this office, John expresses the deepest humility. John iii. 27-36. 9-11. See notes on Matt. iii. 13-17. See also Luke iii. 21, 22. ers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway he called them and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. 21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath-day he entered into the synagogue and taught. And 22 And they were astonished at notes on Matt. xiv. 3, 4. ¶ Came into Galilee. That is, from Judea. Until his "hour" came, our Lord retired from danger and from persecution. thus he admonished his disciples to do. Matt. x. 23. No man should voluntarily court danger; but when he can conscientiously avoid it, he should not hesitate to do so; even as Jesus retired to Galilee, to avoid the power of Herod, who had cast John into prison. 15. The time is fulfilled. That is, the full time, the time predicted, for the manifestation of the Messiah, is accomplished. Believe the gospel. Give full credit to the good tidings of the Messiah's coming and kingdom. 12, 13. Mark very briefly refers to what is more fully narrated by Matthew and Luke. See notes on Matt. iv. 1-11, where the several temptations encountered by our Lord are explained without the intervention of a personal devil, or the passions of vanity and ambition. Spirit driveth him. We are not to suppose our Lord was compelled or driven, in the ordinary sense of the word. It was part of the divine plan that he should be tempted in the wilderness; and he was moved by the spirit to go thither. The same idea is expressed by Luke: he "was led by the 21. Capernaum. A town on the westspirit into the wilderness." Luke iv. ern border of Galilee, where Jesus 1. And was with the wild beasts. chiefly resided, after he left_Nazareth. Indicating the peculiarly uncultivated See note on Matt. iv. 13. ¶ Straightand inhospitable character of that por- way. Immediately. It may be obtion of the wilderness to which Jesus served, that this word, in the original, retired. is used by Mark forty times; just as 14-20. See notes on Matt. iv. 12-many times as it is used by all the 22. 14. John was put in prison. For the causes of John's imprisonment, see 21-28. Parallel with Luke iv. 31 -37. other writers of the New Testament, T Taught. Religious teaching was not confined exclusively to the Levitical his doctrine: for he taught them | its, and they do obey him. 23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. 29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what they entered into the house of Sihave we to do with thee, thou Je-mon and Andrew, with James and sus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spir priesthood; but the presiding officer in the synagogue was accustomed to invite strangers to give a "word of exhortation." See Acts xiii. 15. 22. As one that had authority. See note on Matt. vii. 29. John. 30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever; and anon they tell him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. 32 And at even when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many that instead of continuing a considerable time as usual. ¶ They were all amazed. Not simply because he cast out devils, or unclean spirits, or, more properly, healed those diseases which they supposed were produced by demons; for they professed to be able to do the same thing by proper medical treat See note on Matt. xii. 27. But they were amazed because he effected such cures instantaneously, by a word, commanding with authority. In short, they were amazed not at the cure itself, but at the evidently miraculous manner in which it was ac complished. 23-27. For remarks on unclean spirits, possessions, &c., see notes on Mark ch. v. A man with an unclean spir-ment. it. His disease was probably epilepsy, which the Jews attributed to an evil spirit. See Luke iv. 35. Let us alone. Believing, in common with his countrymen, that he was afflicted by a demon, or rather, as it would seem, by a number of them, the diseased man addressed Jesus, as if the demons themselves were speaking, let us alone; but it may be observed, while the man speaks in the plural number, Jesus addresses him in the singular, ver. 25. The Holy one of God. The Messiah; the long expected Prophet of the Most High. He had probably heard of our Lord previously, and of his announcing the kingdom of God. T Had torn him. "Thrown him in the midst." Luke iv. 35. The man had a convulsion or spasm, such as the disease occasions. The cure, in such case, would be more manifest; as it would seem that the spasm left him immediately, 28. His fame, &c. It was immediately reported that a mighty prophet had arisen. And, even from that early day, there seems to have been a strong impression on the minds of the common people, that Jesus was the true Messiah. Taking a common-sense view of the subject, they discerned the truth; while the worldly-wise were blinded. 16. 29-34. See notes on Matt. viii. 14See also Luke iv. 38-41. 32. The sun did set. This was the sabbath, ver. 21; and although Jesus did not hesitate to perform works of mercy, when an opportunity offered, as |