Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
The Prcac/iiwf; and Baptism of John. MARK I. The liealinrj nf a Demonmn at Capcniaum.
DOrted Mark, as having long been a follower of his, and remembering what he liad said, to write wliat had been spoken
Rud that liaving prepared tlie Gospel, he delivered it to those who had asked him for it; which, wlitn Pelcr l uiiie lo llie knowledfjt' oC, he neither decidedly forbade uor encouraged him.' Eusebius' own testimony, however, from other accounts, is rather ditterent: that Peter's hearers were so penetrated by his preacliing thiit they gave Jlark, as being a folloicer of Peter, no rest till he consented to write his Gospel, as a memorial of liis oral teachir.f;; and ' that the apostle, wlien lie knew by the revelation of the Spirit what had been done, was deliglited with the zeal of tliose men, and sanctioned the reading of the writing (that is, of this Gospel of Mark) in the churches' (JEwjic.WascaJ .ffistor.y, 2. lo). And giving in anotlier of his works a similar statement, he says that ' Peter, from excess of humilily, did not tliink himself qualified to write the Gospel; but Mark, his acquaintance and pupil, is said to have recorded his relations of tlie actings of Jesus. And Peter testifies these things of himself; for all things that are recorded l)y Mark are said to he memoirs of Peter's discourses.' It is needless to go farther—lo ORiGBNwho says Mark composed his Gospe! 'as Peter guided' or 'directed him, who, in his Catholic Epistle, calls him his son,' &c. ; and to Jerome, who but echoes Euskbius.
This, certainly, is a remarkable chain of testimony; which, confirmed as it is by such striking internal evidence, niny be regarded as estalilishing the fact that the Second Gospel was drawn up mostly from materials furnished by Peter. In T'ik Uosta's 'Four Witnesses' the reader will find this internal evidence detailed at length, though all the examples are not equalljconvincing. But if the reader will refer to our remarks on Mark 16. 7, and John 18. 27, he will have convincing evidence of a Petrine hand in this Gospel.
It remains only to advert, in a word or two, to the readers for whom this Gospel was, in the first instance, designed, and the date of it. TlMit it was not for Jews but Gentiles, is evident from tlie great number of explanations of Jewish usages, opinions, and places, which to a Jew would at that time have been superfluous, but were higlily needful to a Gentile. We can here but refer to chs. 2. 18; 7. 3, 4; 12. 18; IS. 3; U. 12; 15. 42, for examples of these. Regarding the date of this Gospel—about which nothing certain is known—if the tradition reported by Ireneus can be relied on, that it was written at Rome, 'after the departure of Peter ar.d Paul,' and if l\v that word 'departure' we are to nnderstand their death, we may date it somewhere between the years 04 and 68; but in all likelihood this is too late.
It is probably nearer the truth to date It eight or ten years earlier.
CHAPTER I. is but a later development of the great primary one in Isaiah, from which the whole prophetical matter here quoted takes its name. But the received text is quoted by Iren.elts, before the end of the second century, and the evidence in its favour is greater in amouni, if not in weight. The chief objection to it is, that if this was the true reading, it is diflicnlt to see how the other one could have got in at all; whereas, if it be not the true reading, V'er. 1-8. TiiF, Preaching and Baptism of John. (=Mattliew :i. 1-12; Luke 3. 1-18.) 1. The Ix-gliinlikg of the gospel of .T<«us ChrUt, the Son of God—By the " Gospel'' of Jesus Christ here is evidently meant the blessed Story which our Evangelist is about to tell of His Life, Ministry, Death, Resurrection, and Glorificait is very easy to see how it found its way into the text, as it removes the startling ditficulty of a prophecy beginning with the words of Malachi being ascribed to Isaiah.] For the exposition, see on Matthew 3. 1-6, 11. tion, and of the begun Gathering of Believers in His Nanip. Tlie atjruptness with which he announces his gulije<'t, and the energetic brevity with which, passing by all preceding events, he hastens over the ministry of John Rnd records the Baptism and Temptation of Jesus—a.s if Impatient to come to the Public Life of the Lord of glory —have often been noticed as characteristic of this Gospel a Gospel whose direct, practical and singularly vivid setting impart to it a preciousness peculiar to itself. What strikes everyone is, that though the briefest of all the GosppK, this is in some of the principal scenes of our Lord's history the fullest. But what is not so obvious is, 9-11. Baptism of Christ, and Descent of the Spirit UPON Him immediately thereafter. v'=Matthew 3. 13-17 ; Luke 3. 21, 22.) See on Matthew 3. 13-17.
12, 13. Temptation of Christ. (=Matthew i. 1-11
Luke 4. 1-13.) See on Matthew 4. 1-11.
14-20. Christ begins His Galilean Ministry—Calling OF Simon and Andrew, James and John. See on Matthew 4. 12-22.
21-39. Healing of a Demoniac in the Synagogue of Capernaum, and thereafter of Simon's Mother-inlaw and many others—Jesus, next day, is found in a Solitary Place at Morning Prayers, and is entreated to return, but declines, and goes forth on His First Missionary Circuit. (=Luke 4. 31-44 ; Matthew 8. 14-17; i.23-Z3.) 31. And they went into Capernaum—see on Matthev 4, 13—and straiglitway on tlie sabbath day l2e entered into the synagogue, and taught —This should have been rendered, 'straightway on the sabbaths He entered into the synagogue and taught,' or tliat wherever tlie finer and subtler feelings of humanity, or the deeper and more peculiar hues of our Lord's character were brought out, these, though they should be lightly passed over by all the other Evangelists, are sure to be found here, and in touches of such quiet delicacy and power, that though scarce observed by the cursory reader, thcj' leave indelible impressions upon all the thouglitful, and furnish a key to much that is in the other Gospels. These few opening words of the Second Gospel are enough to sliow, that though It was the purpose of this Evangelist to record chiefly the outward and palpable facts of our Lord's public life, he recognized in Him, in common with the Fourth Evangelist, the glory of the Only begotten of the Father. !J. As it Is written in the Proplicta (Malachi 3. 1; and Isaiah 40. 3), Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare tliy way before thee. 3. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his patlis stral'ght The second of these quotations is given by JIattliew and Luke in the same connection, but thejreticrve the former quotation till they have occasion to return to the Baptist, after his imprisonment (Matthew 'continued to teach.' The meaning is, that as He began this practice on the very first sabbath after coming to settle at Capernaum, so Hecontiuued it regularly thereafter. 33. And they were astonislied at Ills doctrine—or ' t eaching'—referring quite as much to the manner as tlie matter of it—for he taught them as one that had autliority, and not as tlie scribes—See on Matthew 7. 28, 29. 33. And there was in tlieir syitagogue a man witli {lit., ' in') an anclean sjiirit i.e., so entirely under demoniacal power that his personality was sunk for the time in that of the spirit. The frequency with which this character of 'impurity' is ascribed to evil spirits—some twenty times in the Gospels—is not to be overlooked, and he cried out, 3*. Saying, Let [us] alone—or rather, perliaps, 'all !' expressive of mingled astonishment and terror, what Iiave we to do with tl»ee—an e.vpresslou of frequent occurrence In the Old Testament. (1 Kings 17. IS; 2 Kings 3.13; G6
11. lU; Luke 7. 27). [Instead of thewords, "as it is written in the Prophets," there Is weighty evidence in favour of the following reading: 'As it is written in Isaiah tlie prophet.' This reading is adopted by all the latest critic<il editors. If it be the true one, it is to be explained thus-that of the two quotations, the one from Malacbl
Tile Ilealiny of Peter's Molher-in-Law, MARK I. and of Many other Diseased Peisons. of His own disciples would not be less signally displayed than towards the demonized stranger in the synagogue. 31. And lie came and took her by the hand—rather, 'And advancing. He took her,' &c. The beloved physi<'ian again is very specilic: "And He stood over her"—and lifted hemp—This act of condescension, most felt doubt-
2 Chronicles 3.5. 21, &c.) It denotes 'entire separation of interests' :—q.d., "Thou and we have nothing in common; we want not Thee; what wouldst thou with us?' For tlie analogous application of it by our Lord to His mother, see on John '2.4. [thouj JesHs of NazaretUl '.Jesus, Na/.arene !' an epithet originally given to express contempt, but soon adopted as the current designation by less by Peter, is recorded onl.v by Mark — and Immediately tlic fever left her, and she ministered unto them—preparing their sabbath-meal: in token ))oth of the perfectness and immediateness of the cure, and of her gratitude to the glorious Healer. 32. And at even, when the sun did set-so Matthew 8. 16. Luke (4. 40) says it was setting—they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils—'tlie demonized.' From Luke 13. 14 we see how unlawful they would have deemed it to bring their sick to Jesus lor a cure during the sabbath hours. They wailed, therefore, tliose who held our Lord in honour (Luke 18.37; cli. 16.6; Acts 2. 22)—art tliou come to «lestroy lis T In the case of the Gadarcne demoniac the question was, "Art thou c-ome hither to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8.
29.) Themselves tormentors and destroyers of their victims, tliey discern in,Jesus their own destined Tormentor and destroyer, anticipating and dreading what they know and feel to be awaiting them ! Conscious, too, that their power was but permitted and temporary, and perceiving in Him, perhaps, the Woman's Seed that was to bruise the head and destroj' the works of the devil, they regard His approach to them on this occasion as a signal to let eo their grasp of this miserable victim. I know tliee wUo tJiou art, tlie Holy Oue of God—This and other even more glorious testimonies to our Lord were given, as we know, with no good will, but in hope that, by the acceptance of them He might appear to the people to be in league with evil spirits—a calumny which His enemies were read.v enough to throw out against Him. But a Wiser than either was here, who invariably rejected and silenced the testimonies that came to Him froan beneath, and tliuswas aljle to rebut the imputations of His enemies against Him (Matthew 12. 24-30). The expression, " HoI.y One of God," seems evidently taken from that Messianic Psalm (16. 10), in which He is styled "Thine Holy One." 23. Ami Jesus relmked Ulm, saying, Hold tliy peace, and come out of liiin—A glorious word of command. Bp;NGf;L remarks that it was only the testimony borne to Himself which our Lord meant to silence. till these were over, and then brought them in crowds. Our Lord afterwards took repeated occasion to teach the people by example, even at the risk of His own life, how superstitious a straining of the sabbath-rest this was. 33. And all tlie city was gathered together at tlie door —of Peter's house; i.e., the sick and those who brought them, and the wondering spectators. This bespeaks the presence of an eye-witness, and is one of those lively specimens of word-painting so frequent in this Gospel. 34. And he healed many that were sick of rtivera diseases, and cast out many devils—In Matthew .S. 16 it is said, ' He cast out the spirits witli His word ;" or rather, 'with a word' — a word of command—and suffered not tlie devils to speak, because tliey Uiiew lilin—Evidently they would have spoken, if permitted, proclaiming His Messiahship in such terms as In the synagogue; but once in one day, and that testimony immediately silenced, was enough. See on v. 24. After this account of His miracles of healing, we have in Matthew
8. 17 this pregnant tiuotation, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying (M. 4), Himself took our intirmities, and bare our sicknesses." 35. And In the morning—i. e., of the day after this remarkable sabbath; or, on the First day of the iv<'ck. His choosing this day to inaugurate a new and glorious stag© of His public work, should be noted by the reader—rising up a great while before day—'while it was yet night,' or long before daybreak — he went out — from I'eler's house, where He slept, all unperceived—and deiinrted Into a solitary place, and tliere prayed—or, 'continued in prajyer.' He was about to begin His first preaching and healing circuit ; and as on similar solemn occasions (Luke 5.16; 6.12; 9. KS, 28, 20; ch. 6. 46), He spent some time in special pra.ver, doubtless with a view to it. What would one not give to have been, during the stillness of tliose grey morning-hours, within hearing—not of His ".strong crying and tears," for He had scarce arrived at the stage for that—but of His calm, exalted anticipations of the work wliich lay immediately before Him, and the outpourings of His soul iibout it into the bosom of llim that sent Him ! He had doubtless enjoyed some uninterrupted hours of such communings with His heavenly p'atlier ere His friemis from Capernaum arrived in search of Him. As for them, they doubtless expected, after such a da.v of miracles, that the next day would witness similar manifestations. When morning came, Peter, loth to break in upon the repose of his glorious Guest, woulii await His appearance beyond the usual hour; but at length, wondering at the stillness, and gently coming to .see where the Jjord h\y, he finds it—like the .sepulchre afterwardsempty! .Spcedil.v a party is made up logo In seaivli of Him, Pi'ter iiiiturally li'ading the way. .W. And Simon and tliey that were witli llim followed alter llim— rather, ' pri'.ssed alter Him.' Luke (4. 42) says, "The multitudes sought after Him:'' but this would be a p:irty fr.oia the town. Mark, having his information from IVter him-
Tliat he should afterwards cry out for fear or rage (i'. 26)
He would right willingly permit. 26. And tvlicn tlie iintleoii spirit liad torn him—Luke (4.45) says, "When ne had thrown him in the midst." Malignant cruelty just showing what he would have done, if permitted to go
!—and cried with a loud voice —the voice of enforced submission and despair—lie came out of liim—Luke (4. .35) adds, "and hurt him not." Thus impotent were tlie malinit.vand rage of tlie impure spirit when under the restraint of" the Stronger than the strong one armed" (Luke 11.21, 22). 27. Wliat tiling is thlsJ ivliat new docti-iiie (' teaching') Is this!—The audience, rightly appreln-nding that the miracle was wrought to fartlier : it was a last fling illustrate the teaching and display the character and glory of the Teacher, begin by asking what novel kind of teacliing this could be,which was so marvellousl.v attested. 2^. And immediately ills fame spread abroad tliroiig Hout all tlie region round about (ialilee— ratlier, 'the whole region of Galilee;" thougli some, as JJeyer and Ellicoit, explain it of the country surrounding Galilee.
'29. And fortliwitii, wlieii they were come out of tlie synngogue—so also in Luke 4..'i,S—tJiey entered Into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and Jolm— The mention of these four—wliich is peculiar to Mark—is tlie first of those traces of Peter's hand in this GOspel, of wliich we shall come to many more. Tlie house being his, and the disease and cure so nearly affecting himself, it is Interesting to ol)serve tliis minute specification of the numljer and names of the witnesses ; intca-esting also as the first (Kicasion on which the sacred triumvirate of Peter and James and .John are selected from amongst the rest, to be a tlire<>fold cord of testim()n.y to (certain events iu tlieir Jjord's lile (.see on ch. 5. .'i7)—Andrew being prcsenton this occasion, as tlie occurrence toolt place in his own house. 30. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of n fever— Luke, as was natural In "the beloved p!i,i/.iiri(in" (Colossians 4. 14), describes it professionally; calling it a •great fever,"and tlnis distinguishing it from that lighter self, speaks onl.v of what related directly lo him. "They that were with him" would probabl.v be Andrew Ills l<4»d which the Greek physicians were wont to call "imiall fevers," as Gai-ion, <iuoted by Wetstkin, tells us nnd »iion—or bro.iier, James and John, with a few other choice brt threii, 37. And when they had found him—evidently ' immcrdiately'—they fell him of her—naturally hojilng that His compassion and power towards oue after .some search—they said unto lilin, All men seeb