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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO

ST. MARK.

INTRODUCTION.

"THIS Evangelist was not an apostle, or companion of Christ during his ministry, though Epiphanius and several other fathers affirm that he was one of the seventy disciples. All that we learn from the New Testament concerning him is, that he was sister's son to Barnabas (Col. iv. 10), and the son of Mary, a pious woman of Jeru salem, at whose house the apostles and first Christians often assembled. (Acts xii. 12.) His Hebrew name was John, and Michaelis thinks that he adopted the surname of Mark when he left Judea to preach the gospel in foreign countries, a practice not unusual among the Jews of that age, who frequently assumed a name more familiar to the nations which they visited, than that by which they had been distinguished in their own country. From Peter's styling him his son (1 Pet. v. 13), this evangelist is supposed to have been converted by him, and on his deliverance (recorded in Acts xii. 12.), Mark went from Jerusalem with Paul and Barnabas, and soon after accompanied them to other countries as their minister (Acts xiii. 5); but declining to attend them through their whole progress, he returned to Jerusalem, and there kept up an intercourse with Peter and the other apostles. Afterwards, however, when Paul and Barnabas settled at Antioch, we find Mark with them, and disposed to accompany them in their future journeys. He then went with Barnabas to Cyprus (Acts xv. 37—39); and subsequently accompanied Timothy to Rome, at the desire of Paul (2 Tim. iv. 11.) during his confinement in that city. From Rome he probably went into Asia, where he found Peter, with whom he returned to that city, in which he is supposed to have written and published his Gospel, Such are the outlines of this evangelist's history, as furnished to us by the New Testament. From Eusebius, Epiphanius, and Jerome, we learn that Mark, after he had written his Gospel, went to Egypt, and having planted a church at Alexandria, Jerome states that he died and was buried there in the eighth year of Nero." Some affirm that St, Mark suffered martyrdom; but this fact is not mentioned by Eusebius, or any other ancient writer, and is contradicted by Jerome.

That Mark was the author of the Gospel which bears his name, is proved by the una nimous testimony of ancient Christians, particularly Papias, and other writers of the three first and following centuries. Though not cited by name, this Gospel appears to have been alluded to by Clement of Rome in the first century; but the testimony of antiquity is not equally uniform concerning the order in which it should be placed.

S. MARK.

Clement of Alexandria affirms that the Gospels containing the genealogies were first written; according to this account, Mark wrote after Luke: but Papias, on the information of John the Presbyter, a disciple of Jesus, and a companion of the apostles, expressly states that it was the second in order; and with him agree Irenæus, and other fathers.

That this evangelist wrote in Greek, is attested by the uninterrupted voice of antiquity, and it is generally considered that he wrote for Gentile converts, on which account he has inserted several explanatory terms (as Corban, a gift, chap. vii. 11), and omitted many things of interest peculiar to the Jews, as Christ's genealogy, and miraculous conception, &c.

From the striking coincidences between Mark and Matthew, many learned men have supposed the former an epitomizer, or at least that he made great use of the latter's Gospel in the formation of his own. On the other hand, critics of equal eminence have contended, from the many seeming inconsistencies between them, that Mark never saw the Gospel of Matthew before his own was written, or such apparent discrepancies would have been avoided. It must be confessed, however, that the sacred-writers seem to discover a sovereign contempt for artificial arrangement; and no anxiety to avoid those apparent discrepancies, to which independent writers are always liable; but which persons combining to deceive, would certainly study to avoid. As to similarity of style and expression, if Mark was a disciple of St. Peter, as is generally believed, it is highly probably that he might have an early acquaintance with Matthew's Gospel, even if Mark had not: and that he wrote under Peter's counsel and inspection, is not only asserted by the ancients, but strongly argued from the particular account he gives of Peter's fall, and the caution with which he speaks of any circumstances to his honour.

With respect to the date of this Gospel, Mr. Horne places it between A. D. 60 and 63; but Dr. Lardner thinks it could not have been written before A, D. 64 or 65.

[See Horne's Crit. Introd. vol. iv. p. 252, et seq. 4th Ed., from which the above is copied and abridged, compared with Drs. Lardner and Campbell.]

In pursuing our course of Exposition, as many parts of Mark's Gospel repeat the same facts with Matthew, and often nearly in the same words, we shall follow the plan we pursued in the Old Testament, placing these in a smaller type, that they may be omitted by those who please in family reading, and confine our Exposition to new facts and cir cumstances; or to some of those very interesting parts of the history, on which we had not sufficient room for enlargement in going through the first gospel.

Those who wish to read the whole of this Gospel in their families can still do so, as nothing is omitted; and the Notes will refer to those parts of the Exposition of Matthew, where the same facts or discourses are considered. In the Notes also, which are numerous, and sometimes copious, the different accounts will be reconciled so far as the Editor has been able; for after all, from the antiquity of the writings there are many little apparent differences which defy the skill of the most learned. But while the leading facts are established beyond all reasonable contradictions, those minute cir cumstances will be found of no importance to either our faith or practice.

As to the term Gospel (iu Greek Evangelion), it is remarkable that St. Mark uses it more frequently than the other three Evangelists taken collectively. Both the Greek word and the English (or rather Saxon), signify good news, or glad tidings; namely, those of salvation by Jesus Christ.

The ministry of]

CHAP. I.

CHAP. I.

THE beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare 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 all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with the girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

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.

CHAP. I.

[John the Baptist.

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 Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

11 And there canie 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. (A)

EXPOSITION.

(A) Ver. 1-15. The baptism of John.— Mark, as well as John (ch. i. 1), begins his narrative of the Gospel history with asserting the dignity of his divine Master, as the Son of God; and this will appear the more clearly if we examine the prophetic announcement with which he is here introduced. Passages are quoted both from Isaiah and Malachi, announcing his approach in the name of the Lord, and clothed with his authority; and at the same time predicting the arrival of a prophet in the spirit and power of Elias (or Elijah), to prepare the way before him. (Isa. xl. 3, 4; Mal. iii. 1; iv. 5.) That John the Baptist was Elias we have the explicit testimony of Jesus Christ himself (Matt. xi. 14); and that Jesus was the august person whose

way he was to prepare, we have the no less express declaration of the Baptist. "This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me, for he was before me; and I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water," (John i. 30, 31.)

As we have already briefly noticed the character and mission of this prophet of the New Testament (Matt. chap. iii.), we shall carefully avoid repetition; but our readers will certainly be gratified by the parallel between Elijah and John the Baptist, as sketched by the masterly hand of Bp. Horne, though we have been obliged somewhat to condense, and to abridge it. "An ambassador of heaven (says the good prelate), sent to preach truth to those who

NOTES.

CHAP. I. Ver. 4. For (Marg. "unto ") the remission of sins.

Ver.6. John was clothed, &c.—See Note on Matt. fil. 4.

Ver. 7. The latchet of whose shoes.-See Note on Matt. iii. 11.

Ver. 10. The heavens opened-Marg. " Cloven, or rent." Compare this verse and next with Matt. iii. 16, 17.

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The commencement]

[Omit, and pass to Ver. 21.]

S. MARK.

16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 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 farther 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.

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21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

[of Christ's ministry.

22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the Scribes.

23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus 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, inso

EXPOSITION-Chapter I. Continued.

are captivated by error, and righteousness to those who are enamoured of sin, will never proceed far in the discharge of his trust, unless he be endued with a fervent zeal for the cause and for the honour of him that sent him. Every holy person is not blessed with a spirit, any more than he is invested with a commission, to appear in a public capacity to reprove rulers and kings, to look an angry world in the face, and overcome all the opposition it can raise against him. Zeal, without holiness to support it, like a meteor, will blaze and expire. Zeal, without knowledge to limit and direct it, will waste and destroy, like the element from the effect of which it takes its name, when that has burst its bounds and rules where it ought to be in subjection. But when knowledge and holiness are first obtained, it is zeal which must quicken and diffuse them, as the sun doth light and heat, for the benefit of the universe. Then stood up Elias us fire, saith the son of Sirach, and his word burnt like a lamp. And our Lord, speaking of the Baptist, gives this account of him. He was a burning and a shining light. His zeal was tempered with knowledge, for it gave light; and his knowledge was actuated by zeal, for it was burning as well as shining. His sermous came warm from the heart of the speaker, and therefore found their

way to that of the hearer, which was inflamed by them with the love, as well as enlightened with the knowledge, of beavenly things." But for the rest of this bean. tiful parallel, we must refer to our original. (Bp. Horne's Considerations on the Life and Death of John the Baptist, Sect. v.)

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Nor must we again here enter on the subject of Christ's baptism, farther than to. subjoin from the same pious author the fol lowing remark: "No sooner was Jesus baptized, but he came up straightway ou of the river, like another Joshua, leading his people through the waters of Jordan the land of promise. And as he was pray ing, doubtless for the success of the grea work he had undertaken, Lo! the hea vens were opened, and the Spirit of God, encompassed, we may presume, with blaze of glory,descended in a bodily shape, like a dove,' speaking better thing than that of Noah. In this form, emble matical of innocence and purity, it lighted, settled, and abode upon him; the Fathe thus consecrating him to his office, by anointing him with the Holy Ghost and with power, as the legal ministers were anointed with oil. And that no doubt might remain the appearance was farther explained by voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!'

NOTES-Chap. I. Con.

Ver. 16. As he walked-Matt. iv. 16–20. Ver. 22. As one that had authority. - See Matt. vii. 28, 29.

Ver. 23. An unclean spirit—that is, a wicked demon. On demons, see our Expos. and Notes on Matt. iv. 12-25; viii, 16-24.

Ver. 24. Let us alone.-Comp. Matt. viii. 29. Ver. 26. Had torn him- that is, convulsed him Doddr.

Ver. 29. The house of Simon — that is, Simo Peter. See Matt. viii. 14.

Ver. 30. Anon-that is, soon, quickly.

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28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

[Omit, and pass to Ver. 35.]

29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and 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 32 And at even, ministered unto them. when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that 33 And all were possessed with devils. the city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

[and casteth out demons.

36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. (B)

[Omit, and pass to Chap. vii. 31.]

39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. 40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou 41 And Jesus, canst make me clean. moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto 42 And as him, I will; be thou clean. soon as he had spoken, immediately the cleaused. leprosy departed from him, and he was 43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses comthem. manded, for a testimony unto

45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places and they came to him from every quarter.

EXPOSITION.

(B) Ver. 21-28; 35-39. Jesus preaches in a synagogue; casts out a demon, and retires for prayer early in the morning.-Here are two interesting facts on which we have not before remarked, for the demoniac here mentioned is evidently not one of those sent into the herd of swine, though their exclamation was to the same effect. (Mait. viii. 29.) Satan and his demons doubtless knew that one great object of Christ's incarnation was to destroy his power upon earth, or in the language of the first oracle, to "bruise his head." (Gen. iii. 15.) When, therefore, they saw the miracles that Jesus did, they trembled on that account, and cried out, "What have we to do with thee?" or, as Dr. Campbell renders it, "What hast thou to do with us?" The phrase, taken either way, seems equiva

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lent to saying, Why shouldest thou in-
We do not interfere with
terfere with us?
thee: we know and acknowledge thee to
be the Holy One of God: let us therefore
aloue, and interfere not with us.' Satan is
at all times ready to make a truce with
Christ, knowing that he would gain at
least time thereby : but there is no neu-
trality in this warfare. Our Prince and
Captain has declared," He that is not with
me is against me (Matt. xii. 30); aud all
who do not fight under his banners, he
will consider as confederate with his ene-
mies. Let those who endeavour to divide
their affections between Christ and the
world, and so to serve God and Mam-
mon," duly consider this. Such persons
may, indeed, be ready to say to Christ, "We
know that thou art the Holy One of God:"

NOTES.

Ver. 32. The sun did set-Doddr. "Was set;" i. e. when the sabbath was closed.

Ver. 34. Te speak because, &c -Marg. " To say So Wesley. He required that they knew him." not such witness.

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Ver. 35. A great while before day-Doddr. "In the morning, before it was light;" i. e. at the first dawn of day

Ver. 40. There came a leper.-See Matt. viii. 2.

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