Vol. 17 ·No. 41 · October 4, 2015
Barnes' New Testament Notes
Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical Part 23
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RPM Volume 17, Number 41, October 4 to October 10, 2015
Barnes' New Testament Notes
Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical Part 23
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1949.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 1
Verses 1-10. See this passage illustrated in Mt 21:1-16
{p} "And when they came nigh" Mt 21:1; Lu 19:29; Joh 12:14
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 2
Verse 2. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 3
Verse 3. No Barnes text on this verse.
{q} "need of him" Ac 17:25
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 4
Verse 4. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 5
Verse 5. What do ye, loosing the colt?. Or, why do ye do this? What authority have you for doing it?
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 6
Verse 6. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 7
Verse 7. No Barnes text on this verse.
{r} "and he sat" Zec 9:9
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 8
Verse 8. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 9
Verse 9. No Barnes text on this verse.
{s} "Blessed is"
#Ps 118:26
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 10
Verse 10. No Barnes text on this verse.
{u} "kingdom"
Ps 148:1
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 11
Verse 11-26. See Barnes "Mt 21:18" and Mt 21:19-22
Verse 11. Into the temple. Not into the edifice properly called the temple, but into the courts which surrounded the principal edifice. Our Saviour, not being of the tribe of Levi, was not permitted to enter into the holy or most holy place; and when, therefore, it is said that he went into the temple, it is always to be understood of the courts surrounding the temple. See Mt 21:12.
And when he had looked round about upon all. Having seen or examined everything. He saw the abominations and abuses which he afterwards corrected. It may be wondered at, that he did not at once correct them, instead of waiting to another day. But it may be observed that God is slow to anger, that he does not at once smite the guilty, but waits patiently before he rebukes and chastises.
The eventide. The evening; the time after three o'clock, P.M. It is very probable that this was before sunset. The religious services of the temple closed, without the offering of the evening sacrifice, at three o'clock, P. M., and Jesus probably soon left the city.
{v} "and when" Zep 1:12; Eze 8:9
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 12
Verse 12. No Barnes text on this verse.
{w} "And on the morrow" Mt 21:18
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 13
Verses 13,14. Afar off. See Barnes "Mt 21:19"
{x} "nothing but leaves" Isa 5:7
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 14
Verse 14. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 15
Verse 15.
See Barnes "Mt 21:12, also Mt 21:13-15
{y} "And they came" Mt 21:12; Lu 19:45; Joh 2:14
{z} "moneychangers" De 14:25,26
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 16
Verse 16. Any vessel. Any vessel used in cooking, or connected with the sale of their articles or merchandise.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 17
Verse 17. No Barnes text on this verse.
{a} "Is it not written" Isa 61:7
{1} "called" or, "an house of prayer for all nations"
{b} "den of thieves" Jer 7:11
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 18
Verse 18. All the people was astonished. He became popular among them. The Pharisees saw that their authority was lessened, or destroyed. They were therefore envious of him, and sought his life.
His doctrine. His teaching. He taught with power and authority so great that the multitudes were awed, and were constrained to obey.
{c} "astonished" Mt 7:28; Mr 1:22; Lu 4:32
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 19
Verse 19. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 20
Verse 20. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 21
Verse 21. Thou cursedst. To curse means to devote to destruction. This is the meaning here. It does not, in this place, imply blame; but simply that it should be destroyed.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 22
Verse 22. Have faith in God. Literally, "Have the faith of God." This may mean, Have strong faith. or have confidence in God; a strong belief that he is able to accomplish things that appear most difficult with infinite ease, as the fig-tree was made to wither away by a word.
{2} "Have faith in God" or, "Have the faith of God"
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 23
Verse 23. No Barnes text on this verse.
{d} "whosoever" Mt 17:20; Lu 17:6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 24
Verse 24. No Barnes text on this verse.
{e} "What things soever"
Mt 7:7; Lu 11:9; 17:1; Joh 14:13; 15:7; 16:24; Jas 1:5,6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 25
Verse 25. And when ye stand praying. When ye pray. It seems that the posture in prayer was sometimes standing and sometimes kneeling. God looks upon the heart rather than upon our position in worship; and if the heart be right, any posture may be proper. It cannot be doubted, however, that in private, in the family, and wherever it can be conveniently done, the kneeling posture is more proper, as expressing more humility and reverence, and more in accordance with Scripture examples, Compare Ps 95:6; 2 Ch 6:13; Da 6:10; Lu 22:41; Ac 7:60; 9:40.
Yet a subject like this may be regarded as of too much consequence, and we should be careful that anxiety about a mere form should not exclude anxiety about a far more important matter--the state of the soul.
Forgive, etc. See Barnes "Mt 6:12,15".
{f} "forgive" Mt 6:14; Col 3:13
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 26
Verse 26. No Barnes text on this verse.
{g} "But if ye do" Mt 18:35
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 27
Verse 27. No Barnes text on this verse.
{h} "and as he was walking" Mt 21:23; Lu 20:1
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 28
Verse 28. No Barnes text on this verse.
{i} "say unto him"
Nu 16:3
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 29
Verse 29. No Barnes text on this verse.
{1} "one question" or "one thing"
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 30
Verse 30. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 31
Verse 31. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 32
Verse 32. No Barnes text on this verse.
{k} "for all men counted John"
Mt 3:5,6; 14:5; Mr 6:20
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 11 - Verse 33
Verse 33. No Barnes text on this verse.
{l} "We cannot tell"
Isa 1:3; 29:14; Jer 8:7; Ho 4:6
{m} "Neither do I tell" Lu 10:21,22
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 1
Verses 1-12. See this parable explained in Barnes Notes on Mt 21:33-46
{n} "A certain man" Mt 21:33; Lu 20:9
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 2
Verse 2. No Barnes text on this verse.
{o} "fruit"
So 8:11; Mic 7:1; Lu 12:48; Joh 15:1-8
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 3
Verse 3. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 4
Verse 4. No Barnes text on this verse.
{p} "cast stones" Heb 11:37
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 5
Verse 5. No Barnes text on this verse.
{q} "and many others" Ne 9:30; Jer 7:25
{r} "killing some" Mt 23:37
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 6
Verse 6. No Barnes text on this verse.
{s} "he sent" Heb 13:12
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 7
Verse 7. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 8
Verse 8. No Barnes text on this verse.
{t} "cast him out"
Heb 13:12; 9:26
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 9
Verse 9. No Barnes text on this verse.
{u} "and destroy"
Pr 1:24-31
{v} "will give" Jer 17:3
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 10
Verse 10. No Barnes text on this verse.
{w} "stone which"
#Ps 118:22
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 11
Verse 11. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 12
Verse 12. No Barnes text on this verse.
{x} "And they sought"
Mr 11:18; Joh 7:30
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 13
Verses 13-17. See Barnes "Mt 22:15" and Mt 22:16-22
Verse 13. No Barnes text on this verse.
{y} "And they send"
Mt 22:15; Lu 20:20
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 14
Verse 14. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 15
Verse 15. No Barnes text on this verse.
{1} "penny" or "Valuing of our money, seven pence halfpenny, as
Mt 22:19
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 16
Verse 16. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 17
Verse 17. No Barnes text on this verse.
{z} "to Caesar"
Mt 17:25-27; Ro 13:7; 1 Pe 2:17
{a} "to God" Ec 5:4,5; Mal 1:6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 18
Verses 18-27. See this passage fully explained in Mt 22:23-33.
Verse 18. No Barnes text on this verse.
{b} "Then come unto him"
Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27
{c} "say there is" Ac 23:8
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 19
Verse 19. No Barnes text on this verse.
{d} "wrote unto us"
De 25:5
{e} "his brother should" Ru 1:11,13
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 20
Verse 20. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 21
Verse 21. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 22
Verse 22. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 23
Verse 23. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 24
Verse 24. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 25
Verse 25. Are as the angels. That is, as the angels in respect to connexions and relations. What that may be we know not; but this passage teaches that the peculiar relation of marriage will not exist. It does not affirm, however, that there will be no recollection of former marriages, or no recognition of each other as having existed in this tender relation.
{f} "but are" 1 Co 15:42-53
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 26
Verse 26. How in the bush. At the burning bush. See Ex 3:6. In that part of the book of Exodus which contains the account of the burning bush. When there were no chapters and verses, it was the easiest way of quoting a book of the Old Testament by the subject, and in this way it was often done by the Jews. Mr 12:28-34. See Mt 22:34-40.
{g} "saying, I am" Ex 3:6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 27
Verse 27. No Barnes text on this verse.
{h} "ye do therefore"
Mr 12:24
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 28
Verses 28-34. See Mt 22:34-40.
Verse 28. Perceiving that he answered them well. That is, with wisdom, and with a proper understanding of the law. In this case the opinion of the Saviour corresponded with that of the Pharisees; and this question seems to have been one of the very few candid inquiries made of him by the Jews, for the purpose of obtaining information. Jesus answered it in like spirit of kindness, and commend the conduct of the man.
{i} "And one of the Scribes" Mt 22:35
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 29
Verse 29. Hear, O Israel. This was said to call the attention of the to the great importance of the truth about to be proclaimed. See De 6:4,6.
The Lord our God, etc. Literally, "Jehovah, our God, is one Jehovah." The other nations worshipped many gods, but the God of the Jews was one, and one only. Jehovah was undivided; and this great truth it was the design of the separation of the Jewish people from other nations to keep in mind. This was the peculiar truth which was communicated to the Jews, and this they were required to keep and remember for ever.
{k} "commandments is" De 6:4,5; Lu 10:27
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 30
Verse 30. And thou shalt love. If Jehovah was the only God, then they ought not to love any other being supremely. Then they might not bow down before any idol. They were required to love God above all other beings or things, and with all the faculties of their minds.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 31
Verse 31. No Barnes text on this verse.
{l} "Thou shalt love" Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Ro 13:9
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 32
Verses 32-34. This answer of the scribe is not found in Matthew.
Verse 32. Is more than all. Is of more importance and value.
Discreetly. Wisely, according to truth.
Not far from the kingdom of God. Thou who dost prefer the internal to the external worship of God--who hast so just a view of the requirements of the law--canst easily become a follower of me, and art almost fit to be numbered among my disciples. This shows that a proper understanding of the Old Testament, of its laws and requirements, would prepare the mind for Christianity, and fit a man at once to embrace it when presented. One system is grafted on the other, agreeably to Ga 3:24.
No man durst ask him any question. That is, no one of the scribes, the Pharisees, or the Sadducees, durst ask him a question for the purpose of tempting him, or entangling him. He had completely silenced them. It does not appear, however, but that his disciples dared to ask him questions for the purpose of information.
{m} "and there is" De 4:39; Isa 45:5,6,14; 46:9
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 33
Verse 33. No Barnes text on this verse.
{n} "is more than"
1 Sa 15:22; Ho 6:6; Mic 6:6-8
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 34
Verse 34. No Barnes text on this verse.
{o} "ask him any question"
Mt 22:46
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 35
Verses 35-37. See Mt 22:41-46
Verse 35. No Barnes text on this verse.
{p} "And Jesus"
Mt 22:41; Lu 20:41
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 36
Verse 36. No Barnes text on this verse.
{q} "by the Holy Ghost"
2 Sa 23:2; 2 Ti 3:16
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 37
Verse 37. The common people heard him gladly. The success of our Saviour in his preaching was chiefly among the common or the poorer class of people. The rich and the mighty were too proud to listen to his instructions. So it is still. The chief success of the gospel is there, and there it pours down its chief blessings. This is not the fault of the gospel. It would bless the rich and the mighty as well as the poor, if they came with like humble hearts. God knows no distinctions of men in conferring his favours; and wherever there is a poor, contrite, and humble spirit--be it clothed in rags or in purple--be it on a throne or a dunghill--there he confers the blessings of salvation.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 38
Verse 38. In his doctrine. In his teaching, for so it should be rendered.
Beware of the Scribes. Be on your guard, Be cautious about hearing them, or following them.
Scribes. The learned men of the Jewish nation.
Which love to go in long clothing. In long flowing robes, as significant of their consequence, leisure, and learning.
Salutations, etc. See Mt 23:6,7.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 39
Verse 39. No Barnes text on this verse.
{u} "chief seats"
Lu 11:43
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 40
Verse 40. Which devour widows' houses. Which devour the families of widows, or the means of supporting their families. This they did under pretence of counselling them in the knowledge of the law, and in the management of their estates. They took advantage of their ignorance and unprotected state, and either extorted large sums for their counsel, or perverted the property to their own use. No wonder that our Saviour denounced them! If there is any sin of peculiar enormity, it is thus taking advantage of the circumstances of the poor, the needy, and the helpless, and wronging them out of the pittance on which they depend to support their families. And as God is the Friend of the widow and the fatherless, it may be expected that such will be visited with heavy condemnation.
For a pretence. For show, or pretending great devotion.
{v} "widow's houses" 2 Ti 3:6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 41
Verse 41. Sat over against. Opposite to, in full sight of.
The treasury. This was in the court of the women. See Mt 21:12. In that court there were fixed a number of places or coffers, made with a large open mouth, in the shape of a trumpet, for the purpose of receiving the offerings of the people; and the money thus contributed was devoted to the service of the temple--to incense, sacrifice, etc.
{w} "And Jesus sat" Lu 21:3 {1} "cast money" "A piece of brass money;" see Mt 10:9
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 42
Verse 42. Two mites. The word translated mite denotes a small coin made of brass, the smallest in use among the Jews. The precise value cannot now be easily estimated. It was much less than any coin we have, as the farthing was less than an English farthing. It was in value about three mills and a half, or one third of a cent.
{2} "two mites" "7th part of that piece of brass money"
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 43
Verse 43. This poor widow hath cast more in, etc. That is, more in proportion to her means, and therefore more that was acceptable to God. He does not mean that this was more in value than all which the others had put in, but it showed more love to the sacred cause, more self-denial, and of course more sincerity in what she did. This is the rule by which God will reward us. Compare 2 Co 8:12.
{x} "this poor widow" 2 Co 8:2,12
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 12 - Verse 44
Verse 44. Of their abundance. Of their superfluous store. They have given what they did not need. They could afford it as well as not; and in doing it they have shown no self-denial.
She of her want. Of her poverty.
All her living. All that she had to live on. She trusted in God to supply her wants, and devoted her little property entirely to him. From this passage we may learn:
(1.) That God is pleased with offerings made to him and his cause.
(2.) That it is our duty to devote our property to God. We received it from him; and we shall not employ it in a proper manner unless we feel that we are stewards, and ask of him what we shall do with it. Jesus approved the conduct of all who had given money to the treasury.
(3.) That the highest evidence of love to the cause of religion is not the amount given, but the amount compared with our means.
(4.) That it may be proper to give all our property to God, and to depend on his Providence for the supply of our wants.
(5.) That God does not despise the humblest offering, if made in sincerity, He loves a cheerful giver.
(6.) That there are none who may not in this way show their love to the cause of religion. There are few, very few scholars in all our Sabbath schools, who may not give as much to the cause of religion as this poor widow; and Jesus would be as ready to approve their offerings as he was hers, and the time to begin to be benevolent and to do good is in early life, in childhood.
(7.) That it is every man's duty to make inquiry, not how much he gives, but how much compared with what he has; how much self-denial he practises, and what is the motive with which it is done.
(8.) We may remark that few practise self-denial for the purposes of charity. Most give of their abundance--that is, what they can spare without feeling it--and many feel that this is the same as throwing it away. Among all the thousands who give to these objects, how few deny themselves of one comfort, even the least, that they may advance the kingdom of Christ!
{y} "abundance" 1 Ch 29:3,17; 2 Ch 24:10
{z} "even all her living" De 24:6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 1
Verse 1. The principal things in this chapter are fully explained in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew.
1. What manner of stones. The stones here referred to were those used in the building of the temple, and the walls on the sides of Mount Moriah on which the temple stood. The temple was constructed of white marble, and the blocks were of a prodigious size. Josephus says that these stones were some of them fifty feet long, twenty-four broad, and sixteen in thickness.
{a} "And as he went out" Mt 24:1, etc.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 2
Verse 2. No Barnes text on this verse.
{b} "great buildings"
Lu 19:44
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 3
Verse 3. Upon the mount of Olives over against the temple. The Mount of Olives was directly east of Jerusalem, and from it there was a fine view of the temple.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 4
Verse 4. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 5
Verse 5. No Barnes text on this verse.
{c} "Take heed" Jer 29:8; Eph 5:6; 2 Th 2:3; Re 20:7,8
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 6
Verse 6. No Barnes text on this verse.
{d} "come in my name"
Ac 5:36-39; 1 Jo 4:1
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 7
Verse 7. No Barnes text on this verse.
{e} "be ye not troubled"
Ps 27:3; 46:1,2; Pr 3:25; Joh 14:1,27
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 8
Verse 8. No Barnes text on this verse.
{1} "beginning of sorrows" "The word in the original importeth" the pains of a woman in travail.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 9
Verse 9. Take heed to yourselves. Be cautious that no man deceive you; or, take care of your lives, not to run into unnecessary danger.
To councils. The higher ecclesiastical courts of the Jews, including the Sanhedrim, or great council of the nation.
Rulers and kings. Referring to Roman officers.
For a testimony against them. Rather, to bear testimony to them; or to be witnesses before them of the truth. This was for the sake of Jesus, or because they were attached to him; and God would overrule it so that at the same time they should bear witness to the rulers of the truth, as was the case with Peter and John, Ac 4; iv.; with Stephen, Ac 6, Ac 7; and with Paul, Ac 23; Ac 24:24,25.
{f} "they shall deliver" Mt 10:17; Re 2:10
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 10
Verse 10. No Barnes text on this verse.
{g} "And the Gospel"
Mt 28:19; Re 14:6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 11
Verse 11. Neither do ye premeditate. Do not think beforehand, or prepare an answer. You know not what the accusations will be; and God will furnish you with a reply that shall be adapted to the occasion.
Not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. This is a full promise that they should be inspired; and consequently their defences recorded in the Acts of the Apostles are the words of the Holy Ghost. There could be no more explicit promise that they should be under an infallible guidance; and we are not left to doubt that they were taught of God. At the same time, this was a most desirable and gracious aid. They were illiterate, unknown, without power. They were unfit of themselves to make the important statements of religion which were requisite. But God gave them power, and they spake with a wisdom, fearlessness, pungency, and ability, which no other men have ever manifested--full proof that these illiterate fishermen were under the influence of the Holy Ghost.
{h} "Holy Ghost" Ac 2:4; 4:8,31; 6:10
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 12
Verse 12. The brother shall betray, etc. The brother shall give up in a treacherous manner his brother to be put to death, on account of his attachment to Jesus. Through fear, in the hope of reward and the hatred of the gospel, he will overcome all the natural ties of brotherhood, and give up his own kindred to be burnt or crucified. Perhaps nothing could more clearly show the dreadful evil of those times, as well as the natural opposition of the heart to the religion of Christ.
{i} "brother" Mic 7:6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 13
Verse 13. No Barnes text on this verse.
{k} "hated"
Lu 6:22; Joh 17:14
{l} "but he that shall endure" Da 12:12; Re 2:10
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 14
Verse 14. No Barnes text on this verse.
{m} "of by Daniel"
Da 9:27
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 15
Verse 15. On the housetop. See Mt 9:1-8.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 16
Verse 16. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 17
Verse 17. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 18
Verse 18. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 19
Verse 19. No Barnes text on this verse.
{n} "For in those days"
Da 12:1; Joe 2:2
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 20
Verse 20. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 21
Verse 21. No Barnes text on this verse.
{o} "Lo, here is"
Lu 17:23
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 22
Verse 22. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 23
Verse 23. No Barnes text on this verse.
{p} "take ye heed"
2 Pe 3:17
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 24
Verse 24. No Barnes text on this verse.
{q} "tribulation"
Da 12:1; Zep 1:15-17
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 25
Verse 25. No Barnes text on this verse.
{r} "the stars of heaven"
Isa 13:10; 24:20,23; Jer 4:28; 2 Pe 3:10,12
Re 6:12-14; 20:11
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 26
Verse 26. No Barnes text on this verse.
{s} "and then"
Da 7:9-14; Mt 16:27; 24:30; Mr 14:62; Ac 1:11; 1 Th 4:16
2 Th 1:7,10; Re 1:7
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 27
Verse 27. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 28
Verse 28. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 29
Verse 29. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 30
Verse 30. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 31
Verse 31. No Barnes text on this verse.
{t} "but my words"
Isa 40:8
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 32
Verse 32. Neither the Son. This text has always presented serious difficulties. It has been asked, If Jesus had a Divine nature, how could he say he knew not the day and hour of a future event? In reply, it has been said that the passage was wanting, according to Ambrose, in some Greek manuscripts. But it is now found in all, and there can be little doubt that the passage is genuine. Others have said that the verb rendered "knoweth," means sometimes to make known, or to reveal; and that the passage means, "That day and hour none makes known, neither the angels, nor the Son, but the Father." It is true, the word has sometimes that meaning, as in 1 Co 2:2; but then it is natural to ask where has the Father made it known? In what place did he reveal it? After all, the passage has no more difficulty than that in Lu 2:52, where it is said that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature. He had a human nature. He grew as a man in knowledge. As a man, his knowledge must be finite, for the faculties of the human soul are not infinite. As a man, he often spoke, reasoned, inquired, felt, feared, read, learned, ate, drank, and walked. Why are not all these, which imply that he was a man--that, as a man, he was not infinite --why are not these as difficult as the want of knowledge respecting the particular time of a future event; especially when that time must be made known by God, and when he chose that the man, Christ Jesus, should grow and think, and speak as a man?
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 33
Verse 33. No Barnes text on this verse.
{u} "Take ye heed" Mt 24:42; 25:13; Lu 12:40; 21:34; Ro 13:11,12
1 Th 5:6; Re 16:15
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 34
Verse 34. Who left his house. The word house often means family. Our Saviour here represents himself as going away, leaving his household the Church, assigning to the apostles and all his servants their duty, and leaving it uncertain when he would return. As his return was a matter of vast consequence--and as the affairs of his kingdom were entrusted to them, just as the affairs of a house are to servants, when the master is absent---so it was of Vast importance that they should be faithful at their post, defend the house from danger, and be ready for his return.
The porter. The door-keeper. To the janitor or door-keeper was entrusted, particularly, the faithful care of the house, whose duty it was to attend faithfully on those who came, and those who left the house.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 35
Verse 35. Watch ye. Be diligent, faithful, and waiting for the return of your Lord, who will come at an unexpected hour.
Master of the house. Denoting here the Lord Jesus.
At even, or at midnight or, at etc.: This refers to the four divisions into which the Jews divided the night.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 36
Verse 36. Find you sleeping. Inattentive to your post, neglecting your duty, and unprepared for his coming.
{v} "sleeping" Mt 25:5
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 13 - Verse 37
Verse 37. All, Watch. This command was proper, not only for those who were expecting the calamities that were soon to come upon the Jews, but for all who are soon to die, and to go to the judgment. We know not the time of our death. We know not how soon we shall be called to the judgment. The Son of man may come at any moment, and we should, therefore, be ready. If we are his friends-- if we have been renewed and pardoned--if we have repented of our sins, and have believed on him, and are leading a holy life--we are ready. If not, we are unprepared; and soon, probably while we are not expecting it, the cold hand of death will be laid on us, and we shall be hurried to the place where is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Oh, how important it is to be ready, and to escape the awful sufferings of an ETERNAL HELL!
{w} "Watch" Mr 13:33,35
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 1
Verses 1-11. See this passage explained in Mt 26:1-16
Verse 1. And of unleavened bread. So called because that at that feast no other bread was used but that which had been made without leaven or yeast.
By craft. By subtilty, (Matt.;) that is, by some secret plan that would secure possession of him without exciting the opposition of the people.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 2
Verse 2. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 3
Verse 3. Ointment. This word does not convey quite the proper meaning. This was a perfume: it was used only to give a pleasant odour, and was liquid.
Of spikenard. The nard, from which this perfume was made, is a plant of the East Indies, with a small slender stalk, and a heavy, thick root. The best perfume is obtained from the root, though the stalk and fruit are used for that purpose.
And she brake the box. This may mean no more than that she broke the seal of the box. so that it could be poured out. Boxes of perfumes are often sealed, or made fast with wax, to prevent the perfume from escaping. It was not likely that she would break the box itself when it was unnecessary; and when the unguent, being liquid, would have been wasted, when it was very precious. Nor from a broken box or phial, could she easily have poured it on his head.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 4
Verse 4. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 5
Verse 5. Three hundred pence. About 41 dollars 40 cents.
{1} "three hundred pence" Mt 18:28
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 6
Verse 6. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 7
Verse 7. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{y} "For ye"
De 15:11
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 8
Verse 8. She hath done what she could. She has showed the highest attachment in her power; and it was, as it is now, a sufficient argument against there being any real waste, that it was done for the honour of Christ.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 9
Verse 9. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 10
Verse 10. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{z} "Judas Iscariot" Mt 16:14; Lu 22:3 {a} "betray him" Joh 13:2
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 11
Verse 11. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{b} "him money"
1 Ki 21:20; Pr 1:10-16
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 12
Verses 12-16. See Mt 16:17-19
Verses 12,13. They killed the passover. The paschal lamb, which was slain in keeping the passover.
Go and prepare. Go and prepare a lamb, have it roasted, and properly prepared with the usual things to eat with it.
The city. The city of Jerusalem. They were now in Bethany, about two miles from the city.
A man bearing a pitcher of water. This could have been known only by the infinite knowledge of Christ. Such a thing could not have been conjectured, nor was there any concert between him and the man, that at that time he should be in a particular place to meet them, for the disciples themselves proposed the inquiry. If Jesus knew a circumstance like that, then he, in the same way, must have known all things. Then he sees all the actions of man; hears every word, and marks every thought. Then the righteous are under his care; and the wicked, much as they may wish to be unseen, cannot escape the notice of his eye.
{d} "unleavened bread" Ex 12:8 {1} "killed" or "sacrificed"
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 13
Verse 13. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{e} "Go ye"
Mr 11:2,3; Heb 4:13.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 14
Verse 14. The goodman of the house. This signifies simply the master of the house. The original word expresses nothing respecting his character, whether it was good or bad.
The guestchamber. A chamber for guests or friends--an unoccupied room.
{f} "Master saith" Joh 11:28; 13:13 {g} "shall eat" Re 3:20
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 15
Verse 15. A large upper room. The word used here denotes the upper room devoted to purposes of prayer, repose, and often of eating. See Barnes "Mt 9:2".
Furnished and prepared. Literally, spread and ready. Spread with a carpet, or with couches, such as were used in eating. See Barnes "Mt 23:6".
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 16
Verse 16. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{h} "found as" Joh 16:4
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 17
Verses 17-31. See Barnes "Mt 26:20" and Mt 26:21-35.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 18
Verse 18. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 19
Verse 19. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 20
Verse 20. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 21
Verse 21. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{k} "good were it"
Mt 18:6,7
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 22
Verse 22. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{l} "as they did eat"
Mt 26:26; Lu 22:19; 1 Co 11:23
{m} "Take, eat" Joh 6:48-58
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 23
Verse 23. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 24
Verse 24. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{n} "This is my blood"
1 Co 10:16; Joh 6:53
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 25
Verse 25. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{o} "it new"
Joe 3:18; Am 9:13,14
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 26
Verse 26. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{2} "hymn" or "psalm"
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 27
Verse 27. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{p} "it is written"
Zec 13:7
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 28
Verse 28. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{q} "But after that I am"
Mr 16:7
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 29
Verse 29. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{r} "But Peter"
Mt 26:33,34; Lu 22:33,34; Joh 13:37,38
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 30
Verse 30. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 31
Verse 31. More vehemently. More earnestly, more confidently.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 32
Verses 32-42. See Barnes "Mt 26:36-46"
{s} "And they came" Mt 26:36; Lu 22:39; Joh 18:1
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 33
Verse 33. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 34
Verse 34. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{t} "soul is"
Joh 12:27
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 35
Verse 35. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{u} "prayed"
Heb 5:7
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 36
Verse 36. Abba. This word denotes father. It is a Syriac word, and is used by our Saviour as a word denoting filial affection and tenderness. See Ro 8:15.
{v} "Said, Abba" Ro 8:15; Ga 4:6
{w} "nevertheless, not" Ps 40:8; Joh 4:34; 5:30; 6:38,39; 18:11; Php 2:8.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 37
Verse 37. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 38
Verse 38. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{x} "spirit truly"
Ro 7:18-25; Ga 5:17
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 39
Verse 39. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 40
Verse 40. Neither wist they, etc. Neither knew they. They were so conscious of the impropriety of sleeping at that time, that they could not find any answer to give to the inquiry why they had done it.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 41
Verse 41. It is enough. There has been much difficulty in determining the meaning of this phrase. Campbell translates it, "All is over;" i.e., the time when you could have been of service to me is gone by. They might have aided him by watching for him, when they were sleeping; but now the time was past, and he was already, as it were, in the hands of his enemies. It is not improbable, however, that after his agony some time elapsed before Judas came. He had required them to watch, i. e., to keep awake, during that season of agony. After that, they might have been suffered to sleep, while Jesus watched alone. As he saw Judas approach, he probably roused them, saying, It is sufficient--as much repose has been taken as is allowable--the enemy is near, and the Son of man is about to be betrayed.
{y} "hour is come" Joh 7:30; 8:20; 13:1
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 42
Verse 42. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 43
Verses 43-52.
See Barnes "Mt 26:47, Mt 26:48-56".
{z} "immediately" Mt 26:47; Lu 22:47; Joh 18:3
{a} "multitude with" Ps 2:2
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 44
Verse 44. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{c} "kiss"
2 Sa 20:9; Ps 55:21; Pr 27:6
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 45
Verse 45. Master, master. As if expressing great joy that he had found him again.
{d} "Master" Ps 22:1; Isa 53:1-12; Lu 24:44
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 46
Verse 46. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 47
Verse 47. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 48
Verse 48. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 49
Verse 49. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{e} "Scriptures"
Ps 22:1; Isa 53:1-12; Lu 24:44
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 50
Verse 50. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{f} "And they all"
Mr 14:27; Ps 88:8; Isa 63:3
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 51
Verse 51. A certain young man. Who this was, we have no means of determining. That he was not one of the apostles is dear. It is probable that he was of one of the neighbouring villages or houses, and was roused from sleep by the noise made by the rabble, and came to see what was doing; nor is it known why this circumstance is recorded by Mark. It is omitted by all the other evangelists. It may have been recorded to show that the conspirators had instructions to take the apostles as well as Jesus; and supposing him to be one of them, they laid hold of him to take him before the high priest.
A linen cloth cast about his naked body. He was roused from sleep, and probably threw around him what was most convenient. They slept in linen bedclothes commonly, and he seized a part of the clothes, and hastily threw it round him.
The young men. The Roman soldiers, They were called young men because they were made up chiefly of youth originally. This was a Jewish mode of speaking. See Ge 14:24; 2 Sa 2:14; Isa 13:18.
Laid hold on him. Supposing him to be one of the apostles.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 52
Verse 52. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{g} "left the linen" Mr 13:16
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 53
Verse 53. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{h} "And they led"
Mt 26:57; Lu 22:54; Joh 18:13
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 54
Verse 54. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 55
Verse 55. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 56
Verse 56. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{i} "For many bare"
Ps 35:11
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 57
Verse 57. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 58
Verse 58. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{k} "I will"
Mr 15:29; Joh 2:19
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 59
Verse 59. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 60
Verse 60. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{l} "against thee"
Mt 26:62
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 61
Verse 61. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{m} "But he held"
Ps 39:9; Isa 53:7; 1 Pe 2:23
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 62
Verse 62. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{n} "and ye shall"
Da 7:13; Mt 24:30; 26:64; Lu 22:69; Mr 15:19
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 63
Verse 63. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{o} "rent his"
# Isa 58:1
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 64
Verse 64. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 65
Verse 65. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{p} "spit on him"
Isa 1:6; Mr 15:19
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 66
Verse 66. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{q} "And as Peter"
Mt 26:69; Lu 22:55; Joh 18:16
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 67
Verse 67. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 68
Verse 68. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{r} "denied, saying"
2 Ti 2:12,13
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 69
Verse 69. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 70
Verse 70. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{s} "Galilean"
Ac 2:7
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 71
Verse 71. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 14 - Verse 72
Verse 72. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 1
Verses 1-15. See the principal events in this chapter explained in
Mt 27.
{u} "consultation" Ps 2:2; Mt 27:1; Lu 23:1; Joh 18:28; Ac 3:13; 4:26
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 2
Verse 2. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 3
Verse 3. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 4
Verse 4. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 5
Verse 5. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{v} "But Jesus"
Isa 53:7; Joh 19:9
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 6
Verse 6. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{w} "Now, at that"
Mt 27:15; Lu 23:17; Joh 18:39
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 7
Verse 7. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 8
Verse 8. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 9
Verse 9. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 10
Verse 10. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{x} "envy"
Pr 27:4; Ec 4:4; Ac 13:45; Tit 3:3
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 11
Verse 11. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{y} "release Barabbas"
Ac 3:14
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 12
Verse 12. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{z} "King of the Jews"
Ps 2:6; Jer 23:5; Ac 5:31
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 13
Verse 13. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 14
Verse 14. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{a} "what evil"
Isa 53:9
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 15
Verse 15. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 16
Verse 16. Called Praetorium. The hall of the praetor, or Roman governor, where he sat to administer justice.
Whole band. See Barnes "Mt 27:27".
{b} "the soldiers" Mt 27:27; Joh 18:28,33; 19:9
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 17
Verse 17. With purple. Matthew says scarlet. See Barnes "Mt 27:28".
About his head. In the form of a garland, or diadem. The whole head was not covered, but it was placed in a circle round the temples.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 18
Verse 18. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 19
Verse 19. Worshipped him. Mocked him with the appearance of homage. The word worship here denotes only the respect and honour done to princes and kings. It does not refer to any religious homage. They regarded him as foolishly and madly claiming to be a king--not as claiming to be Divine.
{c} "spit upon him" Mr 14:65
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 20
Verse 20. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 21
Verse 21. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 22
Verse 22. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{e} "And they brang"
Mt 27:33; Lu 23:33; Joh 19:17
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 23
Verse 23. Wine mingled, etc. Matthew says, vinegar. It was probably wine soured, so that it might be called either. This was the common drink of the Roman soldiers.
Myrrh. See Barnes "Mt 27:34".
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 24
Verse 24. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{f} "they parted" Ps 22:18
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 25
Verse 25. And it was the third hour, etc. In Joh 19:14, it is said, "And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour," etc. Much difficulty has been felt in reconciling these passages; and infidels have usually adduced them to prove that the evangelists have contradicted themselves. In reconciling them the following remarks may perhaps make the matter clear.
(1.) The Jews divided both the night and the day into four equal parts of three hours each. See Barnes "Mt 14:25".
The first division of the day commenced at six o'clock in the morning, and ended at nine; the second commenced at nine, and ended at twelve, etc. The third hour, mentioned by Mark, would therefore correspond with our nine o'clock; the sixth hour, mentioned by John, would correspond with our twelve, or noon.
(2.) Mark professes to give the time accurately; John does not. He says "it was about the sixth hour," without affirming that this was exactly the time.
(3.) A mistake in numbers is easily made; and if it should be admitted that such an error had crept into the text here, it would be nothing more than has occurred in many ancient writings. It has been proved, moreover, that it was common not to write the words indicating numbers at length, but to use letters. The Greeks designated numbers by the letters of the alphabet; and this mode of computation is found in ancient manuscripts, For example, the Cambridge Ms. of the New Testament has in this very place in Mark not the word third written at length, but the letter g, Gamma, the usual notation for third. Now, it is well known that it would be easy to mistake this for the mark denoting six, 6. All error of this kind in an early MS might be extensively propagated, and might have led to the present reading of the text. Such an error is actually known to exist in the "Chronicon" of Paschal, where Otho is said to have reigned 6 (six) months; whereas it is known that he reigned but three; and in this place therefore the g, three, was mistaken for 6, six.
(4.) There is some external authority for reading "third" in Joh 19:14. The Cambridge MS has this reading. Nonnus, who lived in the fifth century, says that this was the true reading. (Wetstein.) Peter of Alexandria, in a fragment concerning the passover, as quoted by Usher, says, "It was the preparation of the passover, and about the third hour, as," he adds, "the most accurate copies of the Bible have it; and this was the handwriting of the Evangelist (John) which is kept, by the grace of God, in his most holy church at Ephesus." (Mill.) It is to be admitted, however, that no great reliance is to be placed on this account. That a mistake might have occurred in the early MSS. is not improbable. No man can prove that it did not so occur; and as long as this cannot be proved, the passages should not be adduced as conclusive proof of contradiction.
After all, perhaps the whole difficulty may be removed by the following statements:
(1.) Calvary was without the walls of Jerusalem. It was a considerable distance from the place where Jesus was tried and condemned. Some time--more or less--would be occupied in going there, and in the preparatory measures for crucifying him.
(2.) It is not necessary to understand Mark as saying that it was precisely nine o'clock, according to our expression. With the Jews, it was six until seven; it was the third hour until the fourth commenced; it was the ninth until it was the tenth. They included in the third hour the whole time from the third to the fourth. The same mode they adopted in regard to their days. See Barnes "Mt 12:40".
(3.) It is not unduly pressing the matter to suppose that Mark spoke of the time when the process for crucifixion commenced; i. e., when he was condemned; when they entered upon it; when they made the preparation. Between that and the time when he was taken out of Jerusalem to Mount Calvary, and when he was actually nailed to the tree, there is no improbability in supposing that there might have been an interval of more than an hour. Indeed, the presumption is, that considerably more time than that would elapse.
(4.) John does not profess, as has been remarked, to be strictly accurate. He says, "it was about the sixth hour," etc.
(5.) Now suppose that John meant to indicate the tune when he was actually suspended on the cross; that he spoke of the crucifixion denoting the act of suspension, as it struck him, and there is no difficulty. Any other two men--many witnesses might give just such an account now. One man would speak of the time when the process for an execution commenced, another perhaps of the very act of the execution, and would both speak of it in general terms, and say that a man was executed at such a time. And the circumstantial variation would prove that there was no collusion--no agreement to impose on a court--that they were honest witnesses. That is prosed here,
(6.) That this is the true account of the matter is clear from the evangelists themselves; and especially from Mark. The three first evangelists concur in stating that there was a remarkable darkness over the whole land from the sixth to the ninth hour, Mt 27:45; Mr 15:33; Lu 23:44. This fact would seem to indicate that the actual crucifixion continued only during that time--that he was, in fact, suspended at about the sixth hour, though the preparations for crucifying him had been going on (Mark) for two hours before. The fact, that Mark (Mr 15:33) mentions this darkness as commencing at the sixth and not at the third hour, is one of the circumstances undesignedly occurring that seems to signify that the crucifixion then had actually taken place--though the various arrangements for it (Mr 15:26) had been going on from the third hour.
One thing is conclusively proved by this, that the evangelists did not conspire together to impose on the world. They are independent witnesses; and they were honest men. And the circumstance adverted to here is one that is allowed to be of great value in testimony in courts of justice--circumstantial variation with essential agreement.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 26
Verse 26. The superscription The writing over his head on the cross.
The King of the Jews. See Barnes "Mt 27:37".
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 27
Verse 27. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 28
Verse 28. And the Scripture was fulfilled, etc. This passage of Scripture is found in Isa 53:12. This does not mean that he was a transgressor, but simply, that in dying, he had a place with transgressors. Nor does it mean that God regarded him as a sinner; but that, at his death, in popular estimation, or by the sentence of the judge, he was regarded as a transgressor, and was treated in the same manner as the others put to death for their transgressions. Jesus died, "the just for the unjust," and in his death, as well as in his life, he was "holy, harmless, undefiled."
{g} "Scripture" Isa 53:12
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 29
Verse 29. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{h} "And they"
Ps 22:7
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 30
Verse 30. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 31
Verse 31. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 32
Verse 32. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{k} "may see and"
Ro 3:3; 2 Ti 2:13
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 33
Verse 33. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{l} "And when"
Mt 27:45; Lu 23:44
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 34
Verse 34. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{m} "saying"
Ps 22:1
{n} "forsaken me" Ps 42:9; 71:11; La 1:12
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 35
Verse 35. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 36
Verse 36. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{o} "and gave"
Ps 69:21
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 37
Verse 37. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{p} "And Jesus"
Mt 27:50; Lu 23:46; Joh 19:30
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 38
Verse 39. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 39
Verse 39. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 40
Verse 40. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{q} "afar off"
Ps 38:11
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 41
Verse 41. No notes from Barnes on this verse.
{r} "ministered"
Lu 8:2,3
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 42
Verse 42. The even. The time after three o'clock in the afternoon.
The preparation, etc. The following day was to be a day of peculiar solemnity, called the great day of the feast. More than ordinary preparation was, therefore, made for that sabbath on the day before. Hence the day was known as a day of preparation. This preparation consisted in food, etc., to be used on the sabbath.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 43
Verse 43. Joseph--an honourable counsellor. A distinguished man, who probably held a high office among the Jews, as one of their great council or a Jewish senator. The word honourable here is not a mere title of office, but is given in reference to his personal character, as being a man of integrity and blameless life.
Waited for the kingdom of God. Waited for, or expected, the coming of the Messiah. But this expression means more than an indefinite expectation that the Messiah would come, for all the Jews expected that. It implies that he believed Jesus to be the Messiah, and that he had waited for him to build up the kingdom of God; and this agrees with what John says, Joh 19:38 that he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews. He had retained his secret belief in the hope that Jesus would be proclaimed and treated as the Messiah, and then he probably proposed openly to acknowledge his attachment to him. But God called him to a public profession of attachment in a different manner, and gave this distinguished man grace to evince it. So men often delay a profession of attachment to Christ. They cherish a secret love; they indulge a hope in the mercy of God; but they conceal it for fear of man. Whereas God requires that the attachment should be made known. "He that is ashamed of me," said the Saviour, "and of my words before men, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed when he shall come in the glory of his Father and of the holy angels." Those who love the Saviour have no right to hide their light under a bushel. As soon as they have evidence, satisfactory to their own mind, that they are Christians, or have a prevalent belief, after faithful examination, that they truly love God, and depend on the Lord Jesus for salvation, so soon are they bound to profess Christ before men. This is the command of God, and this is the way of peace. None have the prospect of comfort in religion, who do not have respect to all of the commandments of God.
Went in boldly unto Pilate. God had raised up this distinguished counsellor and secret disciple for a special and most important vocation. The disciples of Jesus had fled; and if they had not, they had no influence with Pilate. Unless there had been a special application to Pilate in behalf of Jesus, his body would have been buried that night in the common grave with the malefactors: for it was a law of the Jews that the body of an executed man should not remain on the cross on the sabbath. At this critical juncture, God called forward this secret disciple--this friend of Jesus, though unknown as such to the world, and gave him confidence; he dared to express sympathy for the Saviour; he went in boldly, and begged the body of Jesus. It needed no small measure of courage to do this. Jesus had just been condemned, mocked, spit on, crucified--the death of a slave, or the most guilty wretch. To avow attachment for him now was proof of sincere affection; and the Holy Spirit has thought this worthy of special notice; and has set down this bold attachment of a senator for Jesus, for our imitation.
Craved the body. Begged, or asked.
{s} "also waited" Lu 2:25,38
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 44
Verse 44. And Pilate marvelled if, etc. Wondered if he was dead; or wondered that he was so soon dead. It was not common for persons crucified to expire under two or three days, sometimes not until the sixth or seventh. Joseph had asked for the body, implying that he was dead. That he was had been ascertained by the soldiers. See Joh 19:33.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 45
Verse 45. When he knew it of the centurion. Being informed by the centurion of the fact that he was dead. The centurion had charge of the soldiers who watched him, and could therefore give correct information.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 46
Verse 46. No Barnes text on this verse.
{t} "a stone" Mr 16:3,4
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 15 - Verse 47
Verse 47. Beheld where he was laid. The affection of these pious females never forsook them, in all the trials and sufferings of their Lord. With true love they followed him to the cross; they came as near to him as they were permitted to come, in his last moments; they followed him when taken down and laid in the tomb. The strong, the mighty, the youthful, had fled; but female love never forsook him, even in his deepest humiliation. This is the nature of true love. It is strongest in such scenes. While professed attachment will abound in prosperity, and live most in sunshine, it is only genuine love that will go into the dark shades of adversity, and flourish there. In scenes of poverty, want, affliction, and death, it shows its genuineness. That which lives there is genuine; that which turns away from such scenes is spurious.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 1
Verses 1-8. See this passage explained on Mt 28:1-8
Verse 1. Sweet spices. Aromatics. Substances used in embalming. The idea of sweetness is not, however, implied in the original, Many of the substances used for embalming were bitter; as, e.g., myrrh, and none of them perhaps could properly be called sweet. The word spices expresses all that there is in the original.
Anoint him. Embalm him. Or, apply these spices to his body to keep it from putrefaction. This is proof that they did not suppose he would rise again. And the fact that they did not expect he would rise gives more strength to the evidence for his resurrection.
{u} "And when the" Mt 28:1; Lu 24:1; Joh 20:1
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 2
Verse 2. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 3
Verse 3. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 4
Verse 4. It was very great. These words belong to the third verse: "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? for," the evangelist adds, "it was very great."
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 5
Verse 5. Sitting on the right side. As they entered. The sepulchre was large enough to admit persons to go into it; not unlike, in that respect, our vaults.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 6
Verse 6. No Barnes text on this verse.
{w} "he is risen" Ps 71:20
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 7
Verse 7. And Peter. It is remarkable that Peter is singled out for special notice. It was proof of the kindness and mercy of the Lord Jesus. Peter, just before the death of Jesus, had denied him. He had brought dishonour on his profession of attachment to him. He had been brought to see the crime, and to weep bitterly. It would have been right if the Lord Jesus had from that moment cast him off, and noticed him no more. But he loved him still. Having loved him once, he loved unto the end, Joh 13:1. As a proof that he forgave him, and still loved him, he sent him this special message---the assurance that though he had denied him, and had done much to aggravate his sufferings, yet he had risen, and was still his Lord and Redeemer. We are not to infer, because the angel said, "Tell his disciples and Peter," that Peter was not still a disciple. The meaning is, "Tell his disciples, and especially Peter:" sending to him a particular message. Peter was still a disciple. Before his fall, Jesus had prayed for him that his faith should not fail, (Lu 22:32;) and as the prayer of Jesus was always heard, Joh 11:42, so it follows that Peter still retained faith sufficient to be a disciple though, like other disciples, he was suffered to fall into sin.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 8
Verse 8. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 9
Verse 9. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 10
Verse 10. No Barnes text on this verse.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 11
Verse 11. Believed not. This is proof that they did not expect his resurrection; proof that they were not easily deceived; and that nothing but the clearest evidence could undeceive them.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 12
Verse 12. He appeared in another form. In a form unlike his ordinary appearance, so much so that they did not at first know him. See Barnes "Lu 24:13" and Lu 24:14-31.
As they walked, and went into the country. To Emmaus, Lu 24:13.
{x} "two of them" Lu 24:13
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 13
Verse 13. The residue. The remainder. Those who remained at Jerusalem.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 14
Verse 14. See Barnes "Mt 28:16"
and Mt 28:17-20.
As they sat at meat. The word meat here means food, or meals. As they were reclining at their meals.
And upbraided them, etc. Rebuked them, or reproached them. This was done because, after all the evidence they had had of his resurrection, still they did not believe. This is a most important circumstance in the history of our Lord's resurrection. Never were men more difficult to be convinced of anything, than they were of that fact. And this shows, conclusively, that they had not conspired to impose on the world; that they had given up all for lost when he died; that they did not expect his resurrection; and all this is the strongest proof that he truly rose. They were not convinced, until it was impossible for them longer to deny it. Had they expected it, they would have caught easily at the slightest evidence, and even turned every circumstance in favour of such an event. It may be added, that it was impossible that eleven men of good natural understanding should have been deceived in so plain a case. They had been with Jesus three years; they perfectly knew his features, voice, manner. And it was impossible that they should have been deceived by any one who might have pretended to have been the Lord Jesus.
{y} "Afterward" Lu 24:36; 1 Co 15:5
{1} "sat" or "together"
{z} "unbelief" Lu 24:25
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 15
Verse 15. Into all the world. To the Gentiles as well as the Jews. This was contrary to the opinions of the Jews, that the Gentiles should be admitted to the privileges of the Messiah's kingdom, or that the partition wall between them should be broken down. See Ac 22:21,22. It was long before the disciples could be trained to the belief that the gospel was to be preached to all men; and it was only by special revelation, even after this command, that Peter preached to the Gentile centurion, Ac 10:1. Jesus has graciously ordered that the preaching of the gospel shall be stopped by no barriers. Wherever there is man, there it is to be proclaimed. To every sinner he offers life; and all the world is included in the message of mercy, and every child of Adam offered eternal salvation.
Preach. Proclaim: make known: offer. To do this to every creature, is to offer pardon and eternal life to him on the terms of the plan of mercy--through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.
The Gospel. The good news. The tidings of salvation. The assurance that the Messiah is come, and that sin may be forgiven, and the soul saved.
To every creature. To the whole creation. That is, to every human being. Man has no right to limit this offer to any class of men. God commands his servants to offer the salvation to all men. If they reject it, it is at their peril. God is not to blame if they do not choose to be saved. His mercy is manifest; his grace is boundless in offering life to a creature so guilty as man.
{b} "creature" Ro 10:18; Col 1:23
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 16
Verse 16. He that believeth. That is, believeth the gospel. Credits it to be true, and acts as if it were true. This is the whole of faith. Man is a sinner, he should act on the belief of this truth, and repent. There is a God. Man should believe it, and fear and love him, and seek his favour. The Lord Jesus died to save him. To have faith in him, is to believe that this is true, and to act accordingly; i.e., to trust him, to rely on him, to love him, to feel that we have no merit, and to cast our all upon him. There is a heaven and a hell. To believe this, is to credit the account, and act as if it were true; to seek the one, and avoid the other. We are to die. To believe this, is to act as if this were so; to be in readiness for it, and to expect it daily and hourly. In one word, faith is feeling and acting as if there were a God, a Saviour, a heaven, a hell; as if we were sinners, and must die; as if we deserved eternal death, and were in danger of it; and, in view of all, casting our eternal interests on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. To do this, is to be a Christian; not to do it, is to be an infidel.
Is baptized. Is initiated into the church by the application of water, as significant that he is a sinner, and needs the purifying influences of the Holy Ghost. It is worthy of remark, that Jesus has made baptism of so much importance, he did not say, indeed, that a man could not be saved without baptism, but he has strongly implied that where this is neglected, knowing it to be a command of the Saviour, it endangers the salvation of the soul. Faith and baptism are the beginnings of a Christian life: the one the beginning of piety in the soul, the other of its manifestation before men, or of a profession of religion. And every man endangers his eternal interest by being ashamed of Christ before men. See Mr 8:38.
Shall be saved. Saved from sin, (Mt 1:21,) and from eternal death, (Joh 5:24; Joh 3:36, ) and raised to eternal life in heaven, Joh 5:28,29; Joh 17:2,24.
Shall be damned. That is, condemned by God, and cast off from his presence, 2 Th 1:6-9. It implies that they will be adjudged to be guilty by God in the day of judgment, Ro 2:12,16; Mt 25:41; that they will deserve to die for ever, (Ro 2:6,8) and that they will be cast out into a place of woe to all eternity, Mt 25:46. It may be asked how it can be just in God to condemn men for ever for not believing the gospel. I answer:
(1.) God has a right to appoint his own terms of mercy.
(2.) Man has no claim on him for heaven
(3.) The sinner rejects the terms of salvation knowingly, deliberately, and perseveringly.
(4.) He has a special disregard and contempt for the gospel.
(5.) His unbelief is produced by the love of sin.
(6.) He shows by this that he has no love for God, and his law, and for eternity.
(7.) He slights the objects dearest to God, and most like him; and,
(8.) he must be miserable. A creature who has no confidence in God, who does not believe that he is true or worthy of his regard, and who never seeks his favour, must be wretched. He rejects God, and he must go into eternity without a Father and without a God. And he has no source of comfort in himself, and must die for ever. There is no being in eternity but God that can make man happy; and without his favour the sinner must be wretched.
{c} "he that believeth" Joh 3:18,36; Ac 16:31-33; Ro 10:9; 1 Pe 3:21
{d} "but he" Joh 12:48; 2 Th 2:12
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 17
Verse 17. And these signs. These miracles. These evidences that they are sent from God.
Them that believe. The apostles and those in the primitive age who were endowed with like power. The promise is fulfilled if it can be shown that these signs followed in the case of any who believed, and it is not necessary to suppose that they would follow in the case of all. The meaning is, that they should be the result of faith, or of the belief of the gospel. It is true that they were. They were shown in the case of the apostles and early Christians. The infidel cannot say that the promise has not been fulfilled, unless he can show that it never occurred; the Christian should be satisfied that the promise was fulfilled if these miracles were ever actually wrought, though they do not occur now; and the believer now should not expect a miracle in his case. Miracles were necessary for the establishment of religion in the world; they are not necessary now.
In my name. By my authority, and using the power that would in such cases, if bodily present. This was done: and in this they differed essentially from the manner in which Jesus himself wrought miracles, He did it in his own name. He did it as possessing original, underived authority. See the account of his stilling the sea, (Mt 8:26, etc.) of his healing the sick, Mt 9:5,6; of his raising Lazarus, Joh 11:1. The prophets spoke in the name of the Lord. The apostles did likewise, Ac 3:6, etc. There was, therefore, an important difference between Jesus and all the other messengers that God has sent into the world, He acted in his own name; they in the name of another, he wielded his own power; they were the instruments by which God put forth the omnipotence of his arm to save. He was, therefore, God; they were men of like passions as other men, Ac 14:15.
Shall they cast out devils. See Barnes "Mt 4:24".
Comp. Ac 16:16-18.
Shall speak with new tongues. Shall speak other languages than their native language. This was remarkably fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, Ac 2:4-11. It existed also in other places. See 1 Co 12:10,18.
{e} "in my name" Lu 10:17; Ac 5:16; 8:7; 16:18; 19:12
{f} "speak with new" Ac 2:4; 10:46; 1 Co 12:10,28
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 18
Verse 18. They shall take up serpents. When it is necessary for the sake of establishing religion, they shall handle poisonous reptiles without injury: thus showing that God was with him, to keep them from harm. This was literally fulfilled when Paul shook the viper from his hand. See Ac 28:5,6.
Any deadly thing. Any poison usually causing death.
Shall not hurt them. There is a similar promise in Isa 43:2.
They shall lay hands on the sick, etc. See instances of this in the Acts of the Apostles, Ac 3:6,7; 5:15, etc.
{g} "serpents" Lu 10:19; Ac 28:5
{h} "they shall lay" Ac 5:15,16; 28:8; Jas 5:14,15
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 19
Verse 19. He was received up into heaven. In a cloud from the Mount of Olives. See Ac 1:9.
The right hand of God. We are not to suppose that God has hands, or that Jesus sits in any particular direction from God. This phrase is taken from the manner of speaking among men, and means that he was exalted to honour and power in the heavens. It was esteemed the place of the highest honour to be seated at the right hand of a prince. So, to be seated at the right hand of God, means only that Jesus is exalted to the highest honor of the universe. Compare Eph 1:20-22.
{i} "so then" Ac 1:2,3; Lu 24:51
{k} "on the right hand" Ps 110:1; 1 Pe 3:22; Re 3:21
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 16 - Verse 20
Verse 20. They went forth. The apostles.
Every where. In all parts of the world. See the account in the Acts and the Epistles.
The Lord working with them. By miracles; by removing obstacles; by supporting them, and by giving the gospel success, and making it effectual to saving men.
Confirming the word. Showing it to be the word of God, or a revelation from heaven.
With signs following. By attending miracles. By raising the dead, healing the sick, etc., as signs that God was with them, and had sent them forth to preach.
Amen. Truly, verily. So be it. This word here is of no authority. There is no reason to think that it was added by Mark.
Mark is more concise than any other of the evangelists. In most instances he coincides with Matthew, though he has added some circumstances which Matthew had omitted. There is no evidence, however, that he copied from Matthew. The last chapter in Mark contains some things omitted in Matthew, and some things of fearful import. We learn from it that the gospel is to be preached to all mankind. Every man is to be offered eternal life; and he rejects it at his peril. The condition of the man who will not believe is fearfully awful. The Son of God has solemnly declared that he shall be damned. He will judge the world; and there is none that can deliver out of his hand. No excuse will be allowed for not believing. Unless a man has faith, he must be lost for ever. This is the solemn assurance of the whole Bible, and in view of this awful declaration of the merciful Redeemer, how sad is the condition of him who has no confidence in Jesus, and who has never looked to him for eternal life! And how important that without delay he should make his peace with God, and possess that faith which is connected with eternal life!
{l} "the Lord" Ac 5:12; 14:3; Heb 2:4
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