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And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 2

12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders he answered nothing.

13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

14 And he answered him to never a word, insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

15 Now, at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barab'bas.

nor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe."

29 ¶ And when they had platted a crown of thorns they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, king of the Jews!

30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

31 And after that they had mocked him they took the robe off from him and put his own raiment on him, and led 17 Therefore, when they were ga-him away to crucify him. thered together, Pilate said unto them, 32 And, as they came out, they Whom will ye that I release unto you? found a man of Cyrene, Simon by Barabbas, or Jesus, which is called name; him they compelled to bear his Christ?

18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

19 ¶ When he was set down on the judgment-seat his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

cross.

33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, A place of a scull,

34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall; and, when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots; that it 20 But the chief priests and elders might be fulfilled which was spoken persuaded the multitude that they by the prophet, They parted my garshould ask Barabbas, and destroy Je-ments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

sus.

21 The governor answered, and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said Barab'bas.

22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

23 And the governor said, Why? what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

36 And sitting down, they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation10 written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him; one on the right hand, and another on the left. /

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests, mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

in mockery was put upon our Saviour, because 7 The scarlet robe was worn by kings, and he said he was king of the Jews. So also the 26 Then released he Barabbas reed or cane, that in derision was put into his unto them; and when he had scourged hand, denoted a sceptre, which was an ensign Jesus he delivered him to be crucified. of royalty.

27 Then the soldiers of the gover-west of Jerusalem. Golgotha signifies the 8 Golgotha or Calvary was a small hill 2 Thou sayest. Thou sayest right; or, as place of a scull, so called from its resemblance thou hast said, I am a

king.

3 He answered him not a word.

4 Was wont. Was accustomed, was used. 5 Barabbas, a person guilty of robbery, sedition, and murder.

6 Washing the hands was a custom among the Jews designed to declare their innocence.

to the scull of a man, or because it was the place where malefactors were executed.

9 Vesture was generally the outer garment. 10 Accusation. The phrase "King of the placed over the head of Jesus, showing for Jews" was according to the Roman custom what crime he was executed.

42 He saved others, himself he can- 57 When the even13 was come, not save. If he be the King of Israel there came a rich man of Arimathea, let him now come down from the named Joseph, who also himself was cross, and we will believe him: Jesus' disciple:

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him; for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

45 Now, from the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.11

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 The rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50 T Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

62 1 Now, the next day that followed the day of the preparation,14 the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

64 Command, therefore, that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night and steal him away, and say unto the people,. He is risen from the dead; so the last error shall be worse than the

51 And, behold, the vail of the tem-first. ple was rent in twain from the top to 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have the bottom;12 and the earth did quake, a watch; go your way, make it as and the rocks rent, sure as ye can.

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now, when the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was, the Son of God.

55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

11 Sixth hour. Twelve o'clock, or noon. Ninth hour; three o'clock.

66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

Questions. Who was the Roman governor that condemned Jesus?

What did Judas when he saw that Jesus was condemned?

What said the chief priests?

What then did Judas?

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1 Christ's resurrection; 9 he appeareth to the women, 16 and to his disciples, 18 and sendeth them to baptize. IN the end of the sabbath1 as it be

12 The vail or veil of the temple was a fine strong hanging, or curtain, which separated between the holy and most holy apartments. The rending of this veil at the death of our gan to dawn toward the first day of Saviour shewed that the ceremonial law, which the week,2 came Mary Magdale'ne, separated between Jews and Gentiles, was, from that time, to be abolished; and that the benefits of revelation, and of the Christian religion were in future to be equally enjoyed by all nations.

13 Even. Evening.

14 The day of preparation was our Friday.
1 The Sabbath was our Saturday.
2 The first day, &c. Our Sunday.

and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre.

2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5 And the angel answered, and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6 He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay:

7 And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him; lo, I have told you.

8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and did run to bring his disciples word. 9 T And as they went to tell his disciples, behold Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped

him.

10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

11 ¶ Now, when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept.

14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.3

16 T Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Questions. Who appeared to the women

that came early to the sepulchre ?

To whom did Jesus first appear after his resurrection?

What did the chief priests and elders hire the soldiers to say?

Whither did the disciples go that they might see Jesus?

What did he say to them?

3 Until this day. Until the time Matthew wrote his Gospel.

4 Galilee was a large and fertile territory was on one of its mountains our Saviour was including the northern parts of Canaan. It transfigured; and after his resurrection, he

was here seen of five hundred of his followers.

PREFATORY REMARKS

TO THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK.

ST. MARK probably wrote his Gospel next in order of time to St. Matthew, and not many years after. He was not an Apostle of Jesus Christ, but was taught his religion by St. Peter, who made him an intimate companion, and affectionately called him his son. As St. Matthew wrote his Gospel in the common language of the Jews in that age, for the benefit and encouragement of Jewish Christians in a time of great persecution; so St. Mark wrote his in Greek, the general language of learned and polite nations, and published it at Rome, the metropolis and centre of the civilized world, for the use, confirmation, and comfort of the Christians there, and in that empire, who were suffering the same calamities their brethren were in Judea.

Nothing with certainty is known of the death of St. Mark. Some say he travelled into Egypt, and while preaching, was seized in the pulpit, and bound, and dragged through the streets, till he died.

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK.

CHAP. I.

1 John Baptist's office. 9 Jesus baptized; 12 he is tempted, 14 preacheth, 16 calleth Peter and others, 32 and cureth many.

This of the

THE beginning of the Gospel of

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.

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.

16 T 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 Zeb'edee, 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.

6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about 21 And they went into Capernahis loins ;3 and he did eat locusts and um;6 and straightway on the sabbathwild honey; day he entered into the synagogue and taught.

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.

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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,

9 ¶ And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth 24 Saying, let us alone; what have of Galilee, and was baptized of John we to do with thee, thou Jesus of in Jordan. Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

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 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.

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of hini.

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, inso13 And he was there in the wilder- much that they questioned among ness forty days tempted of Satan; and themselves, saying, What thing is was with the wild beasts; and the this? what new doctrine is this? for angels ministered unto him.4 with authority commandeth he even 14 Now after that John was put the unclean spirits, and they do obey in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,

1 Gespel literally signifies good news. But the word Gospel here, as in many other places, denotes the inspired history of our Saviour's birth, life, death, resurrection, and exaltation. 2 In the prophets. Malachi iii, 1. Isaiah xl. 3, &c.

him.

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

29 T And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they en5 The time predicted for the appearing of 4 Ministered unto him, waited upon, or the Messiah is accomplished. served him. 6 Capernaum. See Matt. iv. 13.

3 Loins, waist.

tered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon7 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 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.

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

forth.

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 canst make me clean.

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be

thou clean.

42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

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 commanded, for a testimony unto them.

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. Questions. What did John preach? Who came to him and were baptized? By whom was Jesus baptized?

Anon, immediately.

What did the voice from heaven say of him?

What did Jesus preach ?

Why were the people astonished at his doctrine?

CHAP. II.

Jesus healeth the palsy, 14 calleth Matthew, 15 and eateth with publicans and sinners.

AND again he entered into Caper'naum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door; and he preached the word unto them.

3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.1

4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was; and, when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8 And immediately, when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine

house.

12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

13 And he went forth again by the sea-side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

14 And as he passed by he saw Levi the son of Alphe'us sitting at the re

1 Borne of four, carried by four men.
2 For the press, crowd or multitude,

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