THE GREAT GALILEAN MINISTRY
Probably[a] Autumn of A.D. 27 to Spring of 29
(Apparently about a year and a half)
_Sects. 37-71. Great fulness of detail in Mark for this period and
condensed report in Luke while Matthew is chiefly topical in this
portion. Mark's Gospel plunges at once into the Great Galilean Ministry
(cf. Peter's summary of Christ's life in Acts 10:36-43 to the household
of Cornelius). The mass of material makes clear grouping difficult, but
there is progress[b] in the development of events._
1. The Rejection at Nazareth and the New Home in Capernaum, Sects.
37-43.
2. The First Tour of Galilee with the Four Fishermen and the Call
of Matthew (Levi) on the Return with the Growing Fame of
Jesus, Sects. 44-48.
3. The Sabbath Controversy in Jerusalem and in Galilee, Sects. 49-51.
4. The Choice of the Twelve and the Sermon on the Mount, Sects.
52-54.
5. The Spread of Christ's Influence and the Inquiry from John in
Prison, Sects. 55-59.
6. The Second Tour of Galilee (now with the Twelve) and the Intense
Hostility of the Pharisees, Sects. 60-63.
7. The First Great Group of Parables with the Visit to Gerasa
(Khersa) and to Nazareth (final one), Sects. 64-69.
8. The Third Tour of Galilee (Following the Twelve) and the Effect
on Herod Antipas, Sects. 70-71.
[Footnote a: We cannot confidently determine the length of the ministry
in Galilee. We are not sure whether it _began_ in summer or late autumn
(see footnote 7 in Explanatory Notes at end of Harmony). If the feast of
John 5:1 was a passover or there is an unknown passover, the Galilean
ministry lasted at least sixteen months, for it _ended_ when another
passover was near (John 6:4). Otherwise we should not certainly know that
it lasted more than some six or eight months. About the two subsequent
periods of our Lord's ministry we shall find no room to question that
each lasted six months; but _here_ we have to admit much uncertainty as
to the time. After all, a determination of the time employed would be a
matter of very little importance to our study of this period. But the
immense amount of material in this period argues for a length of over a
year.]
[Footnote b: Throughout this great ministry in Galilee, and the periods
that will follow after, the reader ought to trace carefully the
_progress_ of the history along several lines: (1) the Saviour's
progressive self-manifestation; (2) the gradual training of the Twelve
who are to carry on his teaching and work after his death; (3) the
deepening and spreading hostility of the Jewish influential classes and
official rulers. By constantly observing these parallel lines of
progress, it will be seen that the history and teachings of our Lord
exhibit a vital growth, moving on to an end by him foreseen (Luke 12:50),
when the hostility of the rulers will culminate as he before the
Sanhedrin avows himself to be the Messiah, and the Twelve will be almost
prepared to succeed him.]
Sect. 37. GENERAL ACCOUNT OF HIS TEACHING IN GALILEE
Mark 1:14-15 |Matt. 4:17 |Luke 4:14-15
| |
14 [Now after that |17 From that time |14 [And Jesus
John was delivered | began Jesus to | returned in the
up, Jesus came into | preach, and to say, | power of [_see
Galilee], preaching | Repent ye; for the | John 4:3, 43_] the
the gospel of God, | kingdom of heaven is| Spirit into
15 and saying, The time| at hand. | Galilee]: and a
is fulfilled, and | | fame went out
the kingdom of God | | concerning him
is at hand: repent | | through all the
ye, and believe in | | region round
the gospel. | |15 about. And he
| | taught in their
| | synagogues, being
| | glorified of all.
_In sections 38-43 (the Rejection at Nazareth and the New Home in
Capernaum) Jesus revisits Cana and Nazareth, recalls the four fishermen
by the Sea of Galilee, and begins his ministry of teaching and healing in
Capernaum._
Sect. 38. THE HEALING AT CANA OF THE SON OF A COURTIER OF CAPERNAUM
John 4:46-54
46 He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the
water wine. And there was a certain [1]nobleman, whose son was
47 sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea
into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought _him_ that he would
come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.
48 Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye
49 will in no wise believe. The [1]nobleman saith unto him. [2]Sir,
50 come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy
son liveth. The man believed the word that Jesus spake unto him,
51 and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his [3]servants
52 met him, saying, that his son lived. So he inquired of them the
hour when he began to amend. They said therefore unto him,
53 Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father
knew that _it was_ at that hour in which Jesus said unto him, Thy
54 son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is
again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea
into Galilee.
[Footnote 1: Or, _king's officer_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _Lord_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _bondservants_.]
Sect. 39. THE FIRST REJECTION AT NAZARETH
Luke 4:16-31
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he
entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day,
17 and stood up to read. And there was delivered unto him [1]the book
of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the [2]book, and found the
place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
[3]Because he anointed me to preach [4]good tidings to the poor:
He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovering of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [_see Isa. 58:6;
61:1-2_].
20 And he closed the [2]book, and gave it back to the attendant, and
sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on
21 him. And he began to say unto them, To-day hath this scripture
22 been fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and
wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth:
23 and they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them,
Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal
thyself [_see John 6:42; 7:15_]: whatsoever we have heard done at
24 Capernaum, do also here in thine own country. And he said, Verily
I say unto you, No prophet is acceptable in his own country [_see
25 John 4:44_]. But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows
in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three
years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the
26 land [_see 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1-2_]; and unto none of them was
Elijah sent, but only to [5]Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, unto
27 a woman that was a widow [_see 1 Kings 17:8-9_]. And there were
many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none
of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian [_see 2 Kings
28 5:1-14_]. And they were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as
29 they heard these things; and they rose up, and cast him forth out
of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their
30 city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. But he
31 passing through the midst of them went his way. And he came down
to Capernaum, a city of Galilee.
[Footnote 1: Or, _a roll_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _roll_.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _Wherefore_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _the gospel_.]
[Footnote 5: Gr. _Sarepta_.]
Sect. 40. THE NEW HOME IN CAPERNAUM
Matt. 4:13-16
13 And leaving Nazareth,[a] he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is
14 by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali: that it might
be fulfilled which was spoken [1]by Isaiah the prophet [_see Isa.
8:23; 9:1-2_], saying,
15 The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
[2]Toward the sea, beyond Jordan,
Galilee of the [3]Gentiles,
16 The people which sat in darkness
Saw a great light,
And to them which sat in the region and shadow of death,
To them did light spring up.
[Footnote 1: Or, _through_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _The way of the sea_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _nations_: and so elsewhere.]
[Footnote a: Nazareth was never the Saviour's residence during his public
ministry. After the wedding at Cana he lived a short time at _Capernaum_,
and henceforth that city will be his abode, till he leaves Galilee six
months before the crucifixion--most of the time, however, being actually
spent in several journeys throughout Galilee, together with a trip to
Jerusalem, and retirement to districts around Galilee.]
Sect. 41. JESUS FINDS FOUR FISHERS OF MEN IN FOUR FISHERMEN[a]
By the Sea of Galilee, near Capernaum
Mark 1:16-20 |Matt. 4:18-22 |Luke 5:1-11
| |
16 And passing |18 And walking by | 1 Now it came to pass,
along by the sea | the sea of | while the multitude
of Galilee, he saw| Galilee, he saw | pressed upon him and
Simon and Andrew | two brethren, | heard the word of God,
the brother of | Simon who is | that he was standing
Simon casting a | called Peter, and | by the lake of
net in the sea: | Andrew his | 2 Gennesaret; and he saw
for they were | brother, casting a| two boats standing by
17 fishers. And Jesus| net into the sea; | the lake: but the
said unto them, | for they were | fishermen had gone out
Come ye after me, |19 fishers. And he | of them, and were
and I will make | saith unto them, | washing their nets.
you to become | Come ye after me, | 3 And he entered into
fishers of men. | and I will make | one of the boats,
18 And straightway | you fishers of | which was Simon's and
they left the |20 men. And they | asked him to put out a
nets, and followed| straightway left | little from the land.
19 him. And going on | the nets, and | And he sat down and
a little further, |21 followed him. And | taught the multitudes
he saw James the | going on from | 4 out of the boat. And
_son_ of Zebedee, | thence he saw | when he had left
and John his | other two | speaking, he said unto
brother, who also | brethren, [1]James| Simon, Put out into
were in the boat | the _son_ of | the deep, and let down
mending the nets. | Zebedee, and John | your nets for a
20 And straightway he| his brother, in | 5 draught. And Simon
called them: and | the boat with | answered and said,
they left their | Zebedee their | Master, we toiled all
father Zebedee in | father, mending | night, and took
the boat with the | their nets; and he| nothing: but at thy
hired servants, |22 called them. And | word I will let down
and went after | they straightway | 6 the nets. And when
him. | left the boat and | they had this done,
| their father, and | they inclosed a great
| followed him.[a] | multitude of fishes;
| | and their nets were
7 breaking; and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat,
that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both
8 the boats, so that they began to sink. But Simon Peter, when he saw
it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a
9 sinful man, O Lord. For he was amazed, and all that were with him,
10 at the draught of the fishes which they had taken; and so were also
James and John, sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon.
And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt
11 [2]catch men. And when they had brought their boats to land, they
left all, and followed him.
[Footnote 1: Or, _Jacob_: and so elsewhere.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _take alive_.]
[Footnote a: Three of these two pairs of brothers (Andrew and Peter, John
and James) had already become disciples of Jesus at Bethany beyond Jordan
(James probably soon afterwards), but now they leave their prosperous
fish business and follow Jesus continuously as many business men since
have given up a lucrative business for the ministry. They, along with
Philip and Nathaniel, had been with Jesus in the early ministry (the year
of obscurity).]
Sect. 42. THE EXCITEMENT IN THE SYNAGOGUE BECAUSE OF THE TEACHING OF
JESUS AND THE HEALING OF A DEMONIAC ON THE SABBATH
Mark 1:21-28 |Luke 4:31-37
|
21 And they go into Capernaum; |31 [And he came down to Capernaum,
and straightway on the sabbath| a city of Galilee.] And he was
day he entered into the | teaching them on the sabbath
22 synagogue and taught. And they|32 day: and they were astonished at
were astonished at his | his teaching; for his word was
teaching: for he taught them |33 with authority. And in the
as having authority, and not | synagogue there was a man, which
23 as the scribes. And | had a spirit of an unclean
straightway there was in their| [3]devil; and he cried out with
synagogue a man with an |34 a loud voice, [4]Ah! what have
24 unclean spirit; and he cried | we to do with thee, thou Jesus
out, saying, What have we to | of Nazareth? art thou come to
do with thee, thou Jesus of | destroy us? I know thee who thou
Nazareth? art thou come to | art [_see Ps. 16:10_], the Holy
destroy us? I know thee who | One of God.
thou art, the Holy One of God.|35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying,
25 And Jesus rebuked [1]him, | Hold thy peace, and come out of
saying, Hold thy peace, and | him. And when the [3]devil had
26 come out of him. And the | thrown him down in the midst, he
unclean spirit, [2]tearing him| came out of him, having done him
and crying with a loud voice, |36 no hurt. And amazement came upon
27 came out of him. And they were| all, and they spake together,
all amazed, insomuch that they| one with another, saying, What
questioned among themselves, | is [5]this word? for with
saying, What is this? a new | authority and power he
teaching! with authority he | commandeth the unclean spirits,
commandeth even the unclean |37 and they come out. And there
spirits, and they obey him. | went forth a rumour concerning
28 And the report of him went out| him into every place of the
straightway everywhere into | region round about.
all the region of Galilee |
round about. |
[Footnote 1: Or, _it_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _convulsing_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _demon_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _Let alone_.]
[Footnote 5: Or, _this word, that with authority ... come out?_]
Sect. 43. HE HEALS PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MANY OTHERS
At Capernaum, in Peter's Home
Mark 1:29-34 |Matt. 8:14-17 |Luke 4:38-41
| |
29 And straightway | |
[3]when they were | |38 And he rose up
come out of the | | from the synagogue,
synagogue, they came | | and entered into the
into the house of | | house of Simon. And
Simon and Andrew, |14 And when Jesus | Simon's wife's
with James and John. | was come into | mother was holden
30 Now Simon's wife's | Peter's house, he | with a great fever;
mother lay sick of a | saw his wife's | and they besought
fever; and | mother lying sick |39 him for her. And he
straightway they tell|15 of a fever. And he| stood over her, and
31 him of her: and he | touched her hand, | rebuked the fever;
came and took her by | and the fever left| and it left her:
the hand, and raised | her; and she | and immediately she
her up; and the fever| arose, and | rose up and
left her, and she | ministered unto | ministered unto
ministered unto them.| him. | them.
32 And at even, when |16 And when even |40 And when the sun
the sun did set, they| was come, they | was setting, all
brought unto him all | brought unto him | they that had any
that were sick, and | many [1]possessed | sick with divers
them that were | with devils: and | diseases brought
[1]possessed with | he cast out the | them unto him; and
33 devils. And all the | spirits with a | he laid his hands
city was gathered | word, and healed | on every one of
together at the door.| all that were | them, and healed
34 And he healed many |17 sick: that it |41 them. And [4]devils
that were sick with | might be fulfilled| also came out from
divers diseases, and | which was spoken | many, crying out,
cast out many | [2]by Isaiah the | and saying, Thou
[4]devils; and he | prophet [_see Isa.| art the Son of God.
suffered not the | 53:4_], saying, | And rebuking them,
[4]devils to speak, | Himself took our | he suffered them
because they knew | infirmities, and | not to speak,
him.[5] | bare our diseases.| because they knew
| | that he was the
| | Christ.
[Footnote 1: Or, _demoniacs_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _through_.]
[Footnote 3: Some ancient authorities read _when he was come out
of the synagogue, he came &c._]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _demons_.]
[Footnote 5: Many ancient authorities add _to be Christ_. See Luke
4:41.]
_In sections 44-52 Jesus makes his first tour of Galilee with the Four
Fishermen whom he has now called to follow him continuously. On the
return to Capernaum Matthew is called and various miracles arouse the
enthusiasm of the multitudes and the hostility of the Pharisees to
Christ's teachings._
Sect. 44. THE FIRST TOUR OF GALILEE WITH THE FOUR FISHERMEN
Mark 1:35-39 |Matt. 4:23-25 |Luke 4:42-44
| |
35 And in the | |42 And when it was
morning, a great | | day, he came out
while before day, he| | and went into a
rose up and went | | desert place: and
out, and departed | | the multitudes
into a desert place,| | sought after him,
36 and there prayed. | | and came unto him,
And Simon and they | | and would have
that were with him | | stayed him, that
followed after him; | | he should not go
37 and they found him, | |43 from them. But he
and say unto him, | | said unto them, I
All are seeking | | must preach the
38 thee. And he saith | | [5]good tidings of
unto them, Let us go| | the kingdom of God
elsewhere into the | | to the other
next towns, that I | | cities also: for
may preach there | | therefore was I
also; for to this | | sent.
end came I forth. | |
39 And he went into |23 And [1]Jesus went |44 And he was
their synagogues | about in all | preaching in the
throughout all | Galilee,[a] teaching| synagogues of
Galilee, preaching | in their synagogues,| [6]Galilee.
and casting out | and preaching the |
[4]devils. | [2]gospel of the |
| kingdom, and healing|
| all manner of |
| disease and all |
| manner of sickness |
| among the people. |
|24 And the report of |
| him went forth into |
| all Syria: and they |
| brought unto him all|
| that were sick, |
| holden with divers |
| diseases and |
| torments, |
| [3]possessed with |
| devils, and |
| epileptic, and |
| palsied; and he |
|25 healed them. And |
| there followed him |
| great multitudes |
| from Galilee and |
| Decapolis and |
| Jerusalem and Judea |
| and _from_ beyond |
| Jordan. |
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _he_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _good tidings_: and so elsewhere.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _demoniacs_.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _demons_.]
[Footnote 5: Or, _gospel_.]
[Footnote 6: Very many ancient authorities read _Judea_.]
[Footnote a: This journey about all Galilee included a _great mass_ of
teaching and healing (dwell on Matt. 4:23-25), of which only a few
specimens are recorded, and these apparently occurred at Capernaum, his
headquarters. The journey given by Luke only (8:1-3) is probably distinct
from this, and if so it would be a _second_, while that of Luke 9:1-6 (=
Mark 6:6-13 = Matt. 9:35-11:1), which is quite certainly distinct, would
then be a _third_ journey about Galilee. The reader ought to expand his
imagination and take in these extended labors.]
Sect. 45. A LEPER HEALED, AND MUCH POPULAR EXCITEMENT
Mark 1:40-45 |Matt. 8:2-4 |Luke 5:12-16
| |
40 And there cometh to| 2 And behold, there |12 And it came to
him a leper, | came to him a leper| pass, while he was
beseeching him, | and worshipped him,| in one of the
[1]and kneeling down | saying, Lord, if | cities, behold, a
to him, and saying | thou wilt, thou | man full of
unto him, If thou | canst make me | leprosy: and when
wilt, thou canst make| clean. | he saw Jesus, he
41 me clean. And being | | fell on his face,
moved with | | and besought him,
compassion, he | | saying, Lord, if
stretched forth his | 3 And he stretched | thou wilt, thou
hand, and touched | forth his hand, | canst make me
him, and saith unto | and touched him, |13 clean. And he
him, I will; be thou | saying, I will; be | stretched forth
42 made clean. And | thou made clean. | his hand, and
straightway the | And straightway | touched him,
leprosy departed from| his leprosy was | saying, I will; be
him, and he was made | cleansed. | thou made clean.
43 clean. And he | | And straightway
[2]strictly charged | | the leprosy
him, and straightway | | departed from him.
44 sent him out, and | 4 And Jesus |14 And he charged him
saith unto him, See | saith unto him, See| to tell no man:
thou say nothing to | thou tell no man; | but go thy way,
any man: but go thy | but go thy way, | and shew thyself
way, shew thyself to | shew thyself to the| to the priest, and
the priest, and offer| priest, and offer | offer for thy
for thy cleansing the| the gift that Moses| cleansing,
things which Moses | commanded, for a | according as Moses
commanded, for a | testimony unto | commanded, for a
testimony unto them. | them. | testimony unto
| | them [_see Lev.
| | 13:49; 14:2-32_].
45 But he went out, and | |15 But so much the
began to publish it | | more went abroad
much, and to spread | | the report
abroad the [3]matter,| | concerning him:
insomuch that | | and great
[4]Jesus could no | | multitudes came
more openly enter | | together to hear,
into [5]a city, but | | and to be healed
was without in desert| | of their
places: and they came| |16 infirmities. But
to him from every | | he withdrew
quarter. | | himself in the
| | deserts, and
| | prayed.
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities omit _and kneeling down to
him_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _sternly_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _word_.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _he_.]
[Footnote 5: Or, _the city_.]
Sect. 46. THRONGED IN CAPERNAUM, HE HEALS A PARALYTIC LOWERED THROUGH THE
ROOF OF PETER'S HOUSE
Mark 2:1-12 |Matt. 9:1-8 |Luke 5:17-26
| |
1 And when he | 1 And he entered |17 And it came to
entered again into | into a boat, and | pass on one of
Capernaum after some| crossed over, and | those days, that
days, it was noised| came into his own | he was teaching;
that he was [4]in | city. | and there were
2 the house. And many | | Pharisees and
were gathered | | doctors of the law
together, so that | | sitting by, which
there was no longer | | were come out of
room _for them_, no,| | every village of
not even about the | | Galilee and Judea
door: and he spake | | and Jerusalem: and
the word unto them. | | the power of the
3 And they come, | | Lord was with him
bringing unto him a | 2 And behold, they |18 [6]to heal. And
man sick of the | brought to him a man| behold, men bring
palsy, borne of | sick of the palsy, | on a bed a man
4 four. And when they | lying on a bed: | that was palsied:
could not [5]come | | and they sought to
nigh unto him for | | bring him in, and
the crowd, they | | to lay him before
uncovered the roof | |19 him. And not
where he was: and | | finding by what
when they had broken| | _way_ they might
it up, they let down| | bring him in
the bed whereon the | | because of the
sick of the palsy | | multitude, they
lay. | | went up to the
| | housetop, and let
| | him down through
| | the tiles with his
| | couch into the
5 And Jesus | and | midst before
seeing their faith | Jesus seeing their |20 Jesus. And seeing
saith unto the sick | faith said unto the | their faith, he
of the palsy, | sick of the palsy, | said, Man, thy
[1]Son, thy sins are| [1]Son, be of good | sins are forgiven
6 forgiven. But there | cheer; thy sins are |21 thee. And the
were certain of the | 3 forgiven. And | scribes and the
scribes sitting | behold, certain of | Pharisees began to
there, and reasoning| the scribes said | reason, saying,
7 in their hearts, Why| within themselves, | Who is this that
doth this man thus | This man | speaketh
speak? he | blasphemeth. | blasphemies? Who
blasphemeth: who can| | can forgive sins,
forgive sins but | | but God alone?
8 one, _even_ God? And| |22 But
straightway Jesus, | 4 And | Jesus perceiving
perceiving in his | Jesus [2]knowing | their reasonings,
spirit that they so | their thoughts said,| answered and said
reasoned within | | unto them, [7]What
themselves, saith | | reason ye in your
unto them, Why | | hearts?
reason ye these | |
things in your | Wherefore think ye |
9 hearts? Whether is | evil in your hearts?|23 Whether is
easier, to say to | 5 For whether is | easier, to say, Thy
the sick of the | easier, to say, Thy | sins are forgiven
palsy, Thy sins are | sins are forgiven; | thee; or to say,
forgiven; or to say,| or to say, Arise, | Arise and walk?
Arise, and take up | and walk? |
thy bed, and walk? | |
10 But that ye may know| 6 But that ye |24 But that ye may
that the Son of man | may know that the | know that the Son
hath [3]power on | Son of man hath | of man hath
earth to forgive | [3]power on earth to| [3]power on earth
sins (he saith to | forgive sins (then | to forgive sins
the sick of the | saith he to the sick| (he said unto him
11 palsy),[a] I say | of the palsy), | that was palsied),
unto thee, Arise, | Arise, and take up | I say unto thee,
take up thy bed, and| thy bed, and go unto| Arise, and take up
go unto thy house. | thy house. | thy couch, and go
| | unto thy house.
12 And he arose, and | 7 And he |25 And immediately he
straightway took up | arose, and departed | rose up before
the bed, and went | to his house. | them, and took up
forth before them | | that whereon he
all; insomuch that | | lay, and departed
they were all | | to his house,
amazed, and | | glorifying God.
glorified God, | |26 And amazement took
saying, We never saw| 8 But | hold on all, and
it on this fashion. | when the multitudes | they glorified
| saw it, they were | God; and they were
| afraid, and | filled with fear,
| glorified God, which| saying, We have
| had given such | seen strange
| [3]power unto men. | things to-day.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _Child_.]
[Footnote 2: Many ancient authorities read _seeing_.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _authority_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _at home_.]
[Footnote 5: Many ancient authorities read _bring him unto him_.]
[Footnote 6: Gr. _that he should heal_. Many ancient authorities
read _that_ he _should heal them_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, _Why_.]
[Footnote a: Note the parenthetic explanation of the writers in the
middle of the saying of Jesus. It is proof that each of the Gospels had
the same written source here or rather, as we know otherwise, that
Matthew and Luke had Mark before them.]
Sect. 47. THE CALL OF MATTHEW (LEVI) AND HIS RECEPTION IN HONOR OF JESUS
Capernaum
Mark 2:13-17 |Matt. 9:9-13 |Luke 5:27-32
| |
13 And he went forth | |27 And after these
again by the sea | | things he went
side; and all the | | forth, and beheld
multitude resorted | | a publican, named
unto him, and he | | Levi, sitting at
14 taught them. And as | 9 And as Jesus | the place of toll,
he passed by, he saw| passed by from | and said unto him,
Levi the _son_ of | thence, he saw a | Follow me.
Alphaeus sitting at | man, called Matthew,|
the place of toll, | sitting at the place|
and he saith unto | of toll: and he |
him, Follow me. And | saith unto him, |28 And he
he arose and | Follow me. And he | forsook all, and
followed him. | arose, and followed | rose up and
| him. | followed him.
15 And it |10 And it came to |29 And
came to pass, that | pass, as he [1]sat | Levi made him a
he was sitting at | at meat in the | great feast in his
meat in his house, | house, behold, many | house: and there
and many | publicans and | was a great
[4]publicans and | sinners came and sat| multitude of
sinners sat down | down with Jesus and | publicans and of
with Jesus and his | his disciples. | others that were
disciples: for there| | sitting at meat
were many, and they | | with them.
16 followed him. And |11 And |30 And
the scribes [5]of | when the Pharisees | [8]the Pharisees
the Pharisees, when | saw it, they said | and their scribes
they saw that he was| unto his disciples, | murmured against
eating with the | Why eateth your | his disciples,
sinners and | [2]Master with the | saying, Why do ye
publicans, said unto| publicans and | eat and drink with
his disciples, [6]He| sinners? | the publicans and
eateth [7]and | | sinners?
drinketh with | |
publicans and | |
17 sinners. And when |12 But when he |31 And Jesus
Jesus heard it, he | heard it, he said, | answering said
saith unto them, | They that are | unto them, They
They that are | [3]whole have no | that are [3]whole
[3]whole have no | need of a physician,| have no need of a
need of a physician,| but they that are | physician; but
but they that are |13 sick. But go ye and | they that are
sick: I came not to | learn what _this_ |32 sick. I am not
call the righteous, | meaneth,[a] I desire| come to call the
but sinners. | mercy, and not | righteous but
| sacrifice: for I | sinners to
| came not to call the| repentance.
| righteous, but |
| sinners. |
[Footnote 1: Gr. _reclined_: and so always.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _Teacher_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _strong_.]
[Footnote 4: That is, _collectors or renters of Roman taxes_: and
so elsewhere.]
[Footnote 5: Some ancient authorities read _and the Pharisees_.]
[Footnote 6: Or, How is it _that he eateth ... sinners?_]
[Footnote 7: Some ancient authorities omit _and drinketh_.]
[Footnote 8: Or, _the Pharisees and the scribes among them_.]
[Footnote a: Hos. 6:6.]
Sect. 48. JESUS IN THREE PARABLES DEFENDS HIS DISCIPLES FOR FEASTING[a]
INSTEAD OF FASTING
Mark 2:18-22 |Matt. 9:14-17 |Luke 5:33-39
| |
18 And John's |14 Then come to him |33 And they said
disciples and the | the disciples of | unto him, The
Pharisees were | John, saying, Why do| disciples of John
fasting: and they | we and the Pharisees| fast often, and
come and say unto | fast [1]oft, but thy| make supplications;
him, Why do John's | disciples fast not? | likewise also the
disciples and the | | _disciples_ of the
disciples of the | | Pharisees; but
Pharisees fast, but | | thine eat and
thy disciples fast | |34 drink. And Jesus
19 not? And Jesus said |15 And Jesus said unto | said unto them,
unto them, Can the | them, Can the sons | Can ye make the
sons of the | of the bride-chamber| sons of the
bride-chamber fast, | mourn, as long as | bride-chamber fast
while the | the bridegroom is | while the
bridegroom is with | with them? | bridegroom is
them? as long as | | with them?
they have the | |
bridegroom with | |
them, they cannot | |
20 fast. But the days | but the |35 But the
will come, when the | days will come, when| days will come;
bridegroom shall be | the bridegroom | and when the
taken away from | shall be taken away | bridegroom shall
them, and then they | from them, and then | be taken away from
will fast in that | will they fast. | them, then will
day. | | they fast in those
| | days.
| |36 And he spake also
| | a parable[b] unto
21 No man seweth a |16 And | them; No man
piece of undressed | no man putteth a | rendeth a piece
cloth on an old | piece of undressed | from a new garment
garment: else that | cloth upon an old | and putteth it
which should fill it| garment; for that | upon an old
up taketh from it, | which should fill it| garment; else he
the new from the | up taketh from the | will rend the new,
old, and a worse | garment, and a worse| and also the piece
22 rent is made. And no| rent is made. | from the new will
man putteth new wine|17 Neither do _men_ put| not agree with the
into old | new wine into old |37 old. And no man
[2]wine-skins: else | [2]wine-skins: else | putteth new wine
the wine will burst | the skins burst, and| into old
the skins, and the | the wine is spilled,| [2]wine-skins;
wine perisheth, and | and the skins | else the new wine
the skins: but _they| perish: but they put| will burst the
put_ new wine into | new wine into fresh | skins, and itself
fresh wine-skins. | wine-skins, and both| will be spilled,
| are preserved. | and the skins will
| |38 perish. But new
| | wine must be put
| | into fresh
| |39 wine-skins. And no
| | man having drunk
| | old _wine_
| | desireth new: for
| | he saith, The old
| | is [3]good.
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities omit _oft_.]
[Footnote 2: That is, _skins used as bottles_.]
[Footnote 3: Many ancient authorities read _better_.]
[Footnote a: It was probably the presence of the disciples of Christ at
Matthew's feast on one of the Jewish fast days that occasioned the
complaint of John's disciples and the Pharisees. It is sad to see
disciples of John aligned with the Pharisees against Jesus.]
[Footnote b: Note the use of the term parable in Luke. There are three
parables (the sons of the bride-chamber, the new patch on an old garment,
the new wine in old wine-skins) here together. A few isolated ones have
already occurred as in John 2:19.]
_In sections 49 to 51 we see the Pharisees attacking Jesus both in
Jerusalem and in Galilee with great hostility and with the purpose of
killing him because of violation of the Pharisaic regulations about the
Sabbath. Jesus defends himself and his disciples by various arguments and
personal claims._
Sect. 49. AT A FEAST IN JERUSALEM (POSSIBLY THE PASSOVER) JESUS HEALS A
LAME MAN ON THE SABBATH AND DEFENDS THIS ACTION TO THE PHARISEES IN A
GREAT DISCOURSE
John 5:1-47
1 After these things there was [1]a feast[a] of the Jews; and Jesus
went up to Jerusalem.[b]
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep _gate_ a pool, which is
3 called in Hebrew [2]Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a
5 multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered[3]. And a
certain man was there, which had been thirty and eight years in
6 his infirmity. When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been
now a long time _in that case_, he saith unto him, Wouldst thou be
7 made whole? The sick man answered him, [4]Sir, I have no man, when
the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am
8 coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him,
9 Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. And straightway the man was made
whole, and took up his bed and walked.
10 Now it was the sabbath on that day. So the Jews said unto him
that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to
11 take up thy bed [_see Ex. 20:10; Deut. 5:14_]. But he answered
them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy
12 bed, and walk. They asked him, Who is the man that said unto thee,
13 Take up _thy bed_, and walk? But he that was healed wist not who
it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in
14 the place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said
unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse
15 thing befall thee. The man went away, and told the Jews that it
16 was Jesus which had made him whole. And for this cause did the
Jews persecute Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I
18 work. For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill
him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God
his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of
himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever
20 he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. For the Father
loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and
21 greater works than these will he shew him, that ye may marvel. For
as the Father raiseth the dead and quickeneth them, even so the
22 Son also quickeneth whom he will. For neither doth the Father
23 judge any man, but he hath given all judgement unto the Son; that
all may honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that
honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which sent him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into
25 judgement, but hath passed out of death into life. Verily, verily,
I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall
hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son
27 also to have life in himself: and he gave him authority to execute
28 judgement, because he is [5]the Son of man. Marvel not at this:
for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear
29 his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto
the resurrection of life; and they that have [6]done ill, unto the
resurrection of judgement.
30 I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement
is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of
31 him that sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not
32 true. It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that
33 the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye have sent unto
34 John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth. But the witness
which I receive is not from man: howbeit I say these things, that
35 ye may be saved. He was the lamp that burneth and shineth: and ye
36 were willing to rejoice for a season in his light. But the witness
which I have is greater than _that of_ John: for the works which
the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do,
37 bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father
which sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard
38 his voice at any time, nor seen his form. And ye have not his word
39 abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not. [7]Ye search
the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal
40 life; and these are they which bear witness of me; and ye will not
41 come to me, that ye may have life. I receive not glory from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in yourselves. I
43 am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another
44 shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye
believe, which receive glory one of another, and the glory that
45 _cometh_ from [8]the only God ye seek not? Think not that I will
accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, _even_
46 Moses, on whom ye have set your hope. For if ye believed Moses, ye
47 would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his
writings, how shall ye believe my words?[c]
[Footnote 1: Many ancient authorities read _the feast_.]
[Footnote 2: Some ancient authorities read _Bethsaida_, others
_Bethzatha_.]
[Footnote 3: Many ancient authorities insert, wholly or in part,
_waiting for the moving of the water: 4 for an angel of the Lord
went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the
water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water
stepped in was made whole, with whatsoever disease he was
holden._]
[Footnote 4: Or, _Lord_.]
[Footnote 5: Or, _a son of man_.]
[Footnote 6: Or, _practised_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, _Search the scriptures_.]
[Footnote 8: Some ancient authorities read _the only one_.]
[Footnote a: This feast of John 5:1 was _most probably_ a Passover (see
note at end of volume, note 7). If so, we should know that our Lord's
public ministry lasted three years and a fraction, and that the great
ministry in Galilee lasted some 18 to 20 months. Otherwise, we should
know of only two years and a fraction for the former, and 6 to 8 months
for the latter; as John gives three passovers beyond question (John 2:13;
6:4; 12:1), and our Lord's ministry began some time before the first of
these. If the feast of 5:1 was not a passover, it is quite impossible to
determine what other feast it was. While one would be glad to settle
these questions, if it were possible, yet it really does not matter as
regards understanding our Lord's _recorded_ history and teachings during
the great ministry in Galilee, the only point of difference being that if
this feast was a Passover (or if there is an unmentioned Passover) we
should conceive of the three journeys about Galilee as occupying a longer
time, and including more extensive _unrecorded_ labors in preaching and
healing.]
[Footnote b: It is to be noted that John's Gospel gives the Jerusalem
Ministry of Jesus almost entirely except Galilee in ch. 2, Samaria and
Galilee in ch. 4, Galilee in ch. 6 and again in ch. 21. It seems clear
that John wrote with full knowledge of the Synoptic Gospels and
supplements them at certain points. Both Luke and John were thus critics
of the Gospel records.]
[Footnote c: Observe that here more than a year before the crucifixion,
and probably two years (_i.e._ if the feast of 5:1 was a passover or if
an unnamed passover is granted), the hostility of the Jews _at Jerusalem_
(comp. John 4:1) has reached the point of a desire to kill him, as a
sabbath breaker and a blasphemer (5:16-18). So we shall find him staying
away from Jerusalem at the passover of John 6:4, and until the
Tabernacles six months before the crucifixion (John 7:1-10). Meantime,
the hostility will go on increasing in other parts of the country (Mark
3:6, etc.).--Notice also that in this discourse at Jerusalem our Lord
repeatedly declares himself in a high sense the Son of God, and the
appointed judge of mankind (ver. 27), and says that Moses wrote
concerning him (ver. 46). All this indicated that he was the Messiah, but
he did not here expressly assert it as he did in Samaria (John 4:26).
That would have precipitated the collision, for to claim to be the
Messiah would in the view of the Jewish rulers involve _political_
consequences. Comp. John 11:48.]
Sect. 50. ANOTHER SABBATH CONTROVERSY WITH THE PHARISEES WHEN THE
DISCIPLES PLUCK EARS OF GRAIN IN THE FIELDS
Probably in Galilee on the Way Back from Jerusalem[a]
Mark 2:23-28 |Matt. 12:1-8 |Luke 6:1-5
| |
23 And it came to | 1 At that season | 1 Now it came to
pass, that he was | Jesus went on the | pass on a
going on the sabbath| sabbath day through | [5]sabbath, that
day through the | the cornfields; and | he was going
cornfields; and his | his disciples were | through the
disciples [3]began, | an hungred, and | cornfields [_see
as they went, to | began to pluck ears | Deut. 23:25_]; and
pluck the ears of | of corn, and to eat.| his disciples
24 corn. And the | 2 But the Pharisees, | plucked the ears
Pharisees said unto | when they saw it, | of corn, and did
him, Behold, why do | said unto him, | eat, rubbing them
they on the sabbath | Behold, thy | in their hands.
day that which is | disciples do that | 2 But certain of the
not lawful? | which it is not | Pharisees said,
| lawful to do upon | Why do ye that
25 And he | 3 the sabbath. But he | which is not
said unto them, Did | said unto them, Have| lawful to do on
ye never read what | ye not read what | the sabbath day
David did, when he | David did, when he | [_see John 5:10;
had need, and was an| was an hungred, and | Ex. 20:10; Deut.
hungred, he, and | they that were with | 3 5:14_]? And Jesus
they that were with | 4 him; how he entered | answering them
26 him? How he entered | into the house of | said, Have ye not
into the house of | God, and [1]did eat | read even this,
God [4]when Abiathar| the shewbread, which| what David did,
was high priest, and| it was not lawful | when he was an
did eat the | for him to eat, | hungred, he, and
shewbread, which is | neither for them | they that were
not lawful to eat, | that were with him, | with him [_see
save for the | but only for the | Lev. 24:9; 1 Sam.
priests, and gave | 5 priests? Or have ye | 4 21:1-6_]; how he
also to them that | not read in the law,| entered into the
were with him? | how that on the | house of God, and
| sabbath day the | did take and eat
| priests in the | the shewbread, and
| temple profane the | gave also to them
| sabbath [_see Num. | that were with
| 28:9-10_], and are | him; which it is
| 6 guiltless? But I | not lawful to eat
| say unto you, that | save for the
| [2]one greater than | priests alone?
| the temple is here. |
| 7 But if ye had known |
| what this meaneth |
27 And | [_see Hos. 6:6_], I |
he said unto them, | desire mercy, and |
The sabbath was made| not sacrifice, ye |
for man, and not man| would not have | 5 And
28 for the sabbath: so | condemned the | he said unto them,
that the Son of man | 8 guiltless. For the | The Son of man is
is lord even of the | Son of man is lord | lord of the
sabbath.[b] | of the sabbath. | sabbath.
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _they did eat_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _a greater thing_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _began to make_ their _way plucking_.]
[Footnote 4: Some ancient authorities read _in the days of
Abiathar the high priest_.]
[Footnote 5: Many ancient authorities insert _second-first_.]
[Footnote a: Because in Mark 3:7 Jesus withdraws to the Sea of Galilee.]
[Footnote b: Note the five arguments made by Jesus in defence of the
conduct of the disciples on the Sabbath (the historical appeal in the
conduct of David, the appeal to the law about the temple service, the
voice of prophecy, the purpose of God in the Sabbath, and the lordship of
the Messiah over the Sabbath). Jesus had already (John 5:17) argued that
he was equal to the Father and hence had the right to do certain things
(acts of mercy) on the Sabbath.]
Sect. 51. A THIRD[a] SABBATH CONTROVERSY WITH THE PHARISEES OVER THE
HEALING OF A MAN WITH A WITHERED HAND IN A SYNAGOGUE
In Galilee
Mark 3:1-6 |Matt. 12:9-14 |Luke 6:6-11
| |
1 And he entered | 9 And he departed | 6 And it came to
again into the | thence, and went | pass on another
synagogue; and there| into their | sabbath, that he
was a man there |10 synagogue: and | entered into the
which had his hand | behold, a man having| synagogue and
withered. | a withered hand. | taught: and there
| | was a man there,
2 And they watched | And | and his right hand
him, whether he | they asked him, | 7 was withered. And
would heal him on | saying, Is it lawful| the scribes and
the sabbath day; | to heal on the | the Pharisees
that they might | sabbath day? that | watched him,
accuse him. | they might accuse | whether he would
3 And he |11 him. And he said | heal on the
saith unto the man | unto them, What man | sabbath; that they
that had his hand | shall there be of | might find how to
withered, [1]Stand | you, that shall have| 8 accuse him. But he
4 forth. And he saith | one sheep, and if | knew their
unto them, Is it | this fall into a pit| thoughts; and he
lawful on the | on the sabbath day, | said to the man
sabbath day to do | will he not lay hold| that had his hand
good, or to do harm?| on it, and lift it | withered, Rise up,
to save a life, or |12 out? How much then | and stand forth in
to kill? But they | is a man of more | the midst. And he
held their peace. | value than a sheep! | arose and stood
5 And when he had | Wherefore it is | 9 forth. And Jesus
looked round about | lawful to do good on| said unto them, I
on them with anger, | the sabbath day. | ask you, Is it
being grieved at the| | lawful on the
hardening of their | | sabbath to do
heart, he saith | | good, or to do
unto the man, | | harm? to save a
| | life, or to
| |10 destroy it? And he
| | looked round about
|13 Then saith he to the| on them all, and
Stretch forth thy | man, Stretch forth | said unto him,
hand. And he | thy hand. And he | Stretch forth thy
stretched it forth: | stretched it forth; | hand. And he did
and his hand was | and it was restored | _so_: and his hand
6 restored. And the | whole, as the other.|11 was restored. But
Pharisees went out, |14 But the Pharisees | they were filled
and straightway with| went out, and took | with [2]madness;
the Herodians took | counsel against him,| and communed one
counsel against him,| how they might | with another what
how they might | destroy him. | they might do to
destroy him.[b] | | Jesus.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _Arise into the midst_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _foolishness_.]
[Footnote a: On three other later occasions controversies arise with the
Pharisees concerning Sabbath observance (John 9:1-34; Luke 13:10-21;
14:1-24). In John 7:20-24 Jesus refers to the miracle in John 5 and adds
another argument (circumcision on the Sabbath) for his conduct on the
Sabbath.]
[Footnote b: Here at some point near the sea of Galilee, there is already
a plot to kill him, as some had wished to do in Jerusalem (comp. on Sect.
49).]
_In sections 52 to 54 we see Christ choosing the Twelve Apostles and
delivering the Sermon on the Mount to them and to the multitudes._
Sect. 52. JESUS TEACHES AND HEALS GREAT MULTITUDES BY THE SEA OF GALILEE
Mark 3:7-12 |Matt. 12:15-21
|
7 And Jesus with his disciples |15 And Jesus perceiving _it_
withdrew to the sea: and a | withdrew from thence: and many
great multitude from Galilee | followed him;
8 followed: and from Judea, and |
from Jerusalem, and from |
Idumaea, and beyond Jordan, and|
about Tyre and Sidon,[a] a |
great multitude, hearing |
[2]what great things he did, |
9 came unto him. And he spake to |
his disciples, that a little |
boat should wait on him because|
of the crowd, lest they should |
10 throng him: for he had healed | and he healed them all,
many; insomuch that as many as |
had [3]plagues [4]pressed upon |
him that they might touch him. |
11 And the unclean spirits, |
whensoever they beheld him, |
fell down before him, and |
cried, saying, Thou art the Son|
12 of God. And he charged them |
much that they should not make |16 and charged them that
him known. | they should not make him known:
|17 that it might be fulfilled
| which was spoken [1]by
| Isaiah[b] the prophet, saying,
|18 Behold, my servant whom I have chosen;
| My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased:
| I will put my Spirit upon him,
| And he shall declare judgement to the Gentiles.
|19 He shall not strive, nor cry aloud;
| Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets.
|20 A bruised reed shall he not break,
| And smoking flax shall he not quench,
| Till he send forth judgement unto victory.
|21 And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.
[Footnote 1: Or, _through_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _all the things that he did_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _scourges_.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _fell_.]
[Footnote a: Note the wide territory from which the crowds now come, from
Idumea in the south to Phoenicia in the north and from Perea in the
east.]
[Footnote b: Isaiah 42:1-4.]
Sect. 53. AFTER A NIGHT OF PRAYER, JESUS SELECTS TWELVE APOSTLES
Mark 3:13-19 |Luke 6:12-16
|
13 And he goeth up into the |12 And it came to pass in these
mountain, and calleth unto him | days, that he went out into the
whom he himself would: and they| mountain to pray; and he
14 went unto him. And he appointed| continued all night in prayer
twelve[1], that they might be |13 to God. And when it was day,
with him, and that he might | he called his disciples: and he
15 send them forth to preach, and | chose from them twelve, whom
to have authority to cast out | also he names apostles;[a]
16 [2]devils; [3]and Simon he |14 Simon, whom he also named
17 surnamed Peter; and James the | Peter, and Andrew his brother,
_son_ of Zebedee, and John the | and James and John, and Philip
brother of James; and them he | and Bartholomew,
surnamed Boanerges, which is, |
18 Sons of thunder: and Andrew, |
and Philip, and Bartholomew, |15 and Matthew
and Matthew, and Thomas, and | and Thomas, and James _the son_
James the _son_ of Alphaeus, | of Alphaeus, and Simon which was
and Thaddaeus, and Simon the |16 called the Zealot, and Judas,
19 [4]Cananaean, and Judas | _the [5]son_ of James, and
Iscariot, which also betrayed | Judas Iscariot, which was the
him. | traitor.
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities add _whom also he named
apostles_. See Luke 6:13.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _demons_.]
[Footnote 3: Some ancient authorities insert _and he appointed
twelve_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _Zealot_. See Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13.]
[Footnote 5: Or, brother. See Jude 1.]
[Footnote a: Matthew postpones giving the names of the Twelve till they
are sent out to preach in Galilee (Matt. 10:1-4. Sect. 70). There is a
fourth list in Acts 1:13. See the four compared in note at the end of
this volume, note 8.]
Sect. 54. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. PRIVILEGES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE
MESSIANIC REIGN. CHRIST'S STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
_Matthew, chapters 5-7. Luke 6:17-49._[a]
A level place on a mountain, not far from Capernaum
[Footnote a: There is little doubt that the discourses given by Matthew
and Luke are the same, Matthew locating it on "the mountain," and Luke
"on a level place," which might easily be a level spot on a mountain.
(See note at end of this book, note 9.) Observe that they begin and end
alike, and pursue the same general order. Luke omits various matters of
special interest to Matthew's Jewish readers (_e.g._ Matt. 5:17-42), and
other matters that he himself will give elsewhere (_e.g._ Luke 11:1-4;
12:22-31); while Luke has a few sentences (as ver. 24-26, 38-40), which
are not given by Matthew.]
_The Place and the Audience_
Matt. 5:1-2 |Luke 6:17-19
|
1 And seeing the multitudes, he|17 And he came down with them,
went up into the mountain: and | and stood on a level place, and
when he had sat down, his | a great multitude of his
2 disciples came unto him: and he| disciples, and a great number
opened his mouth and taught | of the people from all Judea
them, saying, | and Jerusalem, and the sea
| coast of Tyre and Sidon, which
| came to hear him, and to be
|18 healed of their diseases; and
| they that were troubled with
| unclean spirits were healed.
|19 And all the multitude sought to
| touch him: for power came forth
| from him, and healed _them_
| all.
_1. The Introduction: The Beatitudes and the Woes. Privileges of the
Messiah's Subjects_
Matt. 5:3-12 |Luke 6:20-26
|
3 Blessed are the poor in |20 And he lifted up his eyes on
spirit: for theirs is the | his disciples, and said,
4 kingdom of heaven. [1]Blessed | Blessed _are_ ye poor: for
are they that mourn [_see Isa. | yours is the kingdom of God.
61:3_]: for they shall be |21 Blessed _are_ ye that hunger
5 comforted. Blessed are the | now: for ye shall be filled.
meek: for they shall inherit | Blessed _are_ ye that weep now:
the earth [_see Ps. 37:11_]. |22 for ye shall laugh. Blessed are
6 Blessed are they that hunger | ye, when men shall hate you,
and thirst after righteousness:| and when they shall separate
for they shall be filled [_see | you _from their company_, and
7 Ps. 55_]. Blessed are the | reproach you, and cast out your
merciful: for they shall obtain| name as evil, for the Son of
mercy [_see Ps. 18:25; Prov. |23 man's sake. Rejoice in that
8 11:17_]. Blessed are the pure | day, and leap _for joy_: for
in heart: for they shall see | behold, your reward is great in
9 God [_see Ps. 24:3-5_]. Blessed| heaven: for in the same manner
are the peacemakers: for they | did their fathers unto the
shall be called sons of God. |24 prophets. But woe unto you that
10 Blessed are they that have been| are rich! for ye have received
persecuted for righteousness' |25 your consolation. Woe unto you,
sake: for theirs is the kingdom| ye that are full now! for ye
11 of heaven. Blessed are ye when | shall hunger. Woe _unto you_,
_men_ shall reproach you, and | ye that laugh now! for ye shall
persecute you, and say all |26 mourn and weep. Woe _unto you_,
manner of evil against you | when all men shall speak well
12 falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, | of you! for in the same manner
and be exceeding glad: for | did their fathers to the false
great is your reward in heaven:| prophets.
for so persecuted they the |
prophets which were before you.|
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities transpose verses 4 and 5.]
_2. The Theme of the Sermon: Christ's Standard of Righteousness in
Contrast with that of the Scribes and Pharisees_
Matt. 5:13-20
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its
savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for
nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men [_see
14 Mark 9:50; Jesus often repeated his sayings_]. Ye are the light of
15 the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do _men_
light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and
it shineth unto all that are in the house [_see Mark 4:21; Luke
16 8:16_]. Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came
18 not to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till
heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise
19 pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. Whosoever
therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall
teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but
whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the
20 kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your
righteousness shall exceed _the righteousness_ of the scribes and
Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
_3. Christ's Ethical Teaching Superior to that of the Scribes (both the
Old Testament and the Oral Law) in Six Items or Illustrations (Murder,
Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliation, Love of Enemies)_
Matt. 5:21-48
21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt
not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the
22 judgement [_see Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17_]: but I say unto you, that
every one who is angry with his brother[1] shall be in danger of
the judgement; and whosoever shall say to his brother, [2]Raca,
shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, [3]Thou
23 fool, shall be in danger [4]of the [5]hell of fire. If therefore
thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest
24 that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift
before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy
25 brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine
adversary quickly, whiles thou art with him in the way; lest haply
the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge [6]deliver
26 thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say
unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have
paid the last farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery
28 [_see Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18_]: but I say unto you, that every one
that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery
29 with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye causeth thee
to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not
30 thy whole body be cast into [7]hell. And if thy right hand causeth
thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not
31 thy whole body go into [7]hell. It was said also, Whosoever shall
put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement [_see
32 Deut. 24:1_]: but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away
his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an
adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away
committeth adultery.[a]
33 Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou
shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine
oaths [_see Lev. 19:12; Num. 30:2; Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11; 23:21_]:
34 but I say unto you, Swear not at all [_see Matt. 26:63-64_];
35 neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the
earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor [8]by Jerusalem,
36 for it is the city of the great King [_see Isa. 66:1_]. Neither
shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair
37 white or black [_see Ps. 48:2_]. [9]But let your speech be, Yea,
yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of [10]the
evil _one_.
38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth
39 for a tooth [_see Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21_]: but I say
unto you, Resist not [11]him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also [_see John
40 18:23_]. And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away
41 the coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall
42 [12]compel thee to go one mile, go with him twain. Give to him that
asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou
away.
43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour
[_see Lev. 19:18; Deut. 23:6; 25:19_], and hate thine enemy:
|Luke 6:27-30, 32-36
|
44 but I say unto you [_see Luke |27 But I say unto you which hear,
23:34_], Love your enemies, and| Love your enemies, do good to
pray for them that persecute |28 them that hate you, bless them
45 you; that ye may be sons of | that curse you, pray for them
your Father which is in heaven:|29 that despitefully use you. To
for he maketh his sun to rise | him that smiteth thee on the
on the evil and the good, and | _one_ cheek offer also the
sendeth rain on the just and | other; and from him that taketh
the unjust. | away thy cloke withhold not thy
|30 coat also. Give to every one
| that asketh thee; and of him
| that taketh away thy goods ask
46 For if ye love them|32 them not again. And if ye love
that love you, what reward have| them that love you, what thank
ye? do not even the | have ye? for even sinners love
47 [13]publicans the same? And if |33 those that love them. And if ye
ye salute your brethren only, | do good to them that do good to
what do ye more _than others_? | you, what thank have ye? for
do not even the Gentiles the |34 even sinners do the same. And
48 same? Ye therefore shall be | if ye lend to them of whom ye
perfect, as your heavenly | hope to receive, what thank
Father is perfect. | have ye? even sinners lend to
| sinners, to receive again as
|35 much. But love your enemies,
| and do _them_ good, and lend,
| [14]never despairing; and your
| reward shall be great, and ye
| shall be sons of the Most High:
| for he is kind toward the
|36 unthankful and evil. Be ye
| merciful, even as your Father
| is merciful.
[Footnote 1: Many ancient authorities insert _without cause_.]
[Footnote 2: An expression of contempt.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _Moreh_, a Hebrew expression of condemnation.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _unto_ or _into_.]
[Footnote 5: Gr. _Gehenna of fire_.]
[Footnote 6: Some ancient authorities omit _deliver thee_.]
[Footnote 7: Gr. _Gehenna_.]
[Footnote 8: Or, _toward_.]
[Footnote 9: Some ancient authorities read _But your speech shall
be_.]
[Footnote 10: Or, _evil_: as in ver. 39; 6:13.]
[Footnote 11: Or, _evil_.]
[Footnote 12: Gr. _impress_.]
[Footnote 13: That is, _collectors or renters of Roman taxes_:
and so elsewhere.]
[Footnote 14: Some ancient authorities read _despairing of no
man_.]
[Footnote a: See further Mark 9:43-47; 10:11-12; Matt. 18:8-9; 19:9.]
_4. The Practice of Real Righteousness unlike the Ostentatious Hypocrisy
of the Pharisees, as in Almsgiving, Prayer, Fasting_
Matt. 6:1-18
1 Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be
seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father which is in
heaven.
2 When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that
they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have
3 received their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left
4 hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in
secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall recompense
thee.
5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they
love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the
streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They
6 have received their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter
into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy
Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret
7 shall recompense thee. And in praying use not vain repetitions, as
the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their
8 much speaking. Be not therefore like unto them: for [1]your Father
9 knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this
manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed
10 by thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so
11 on earth. Give us this day [2]our daily bread. And forgive us our
12 debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And bring us not into
13 temptation, but deliver us from [3]the evil _one_.[4] For if ye
14 forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
15 forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither
will your Father forgive your trespasses.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad
countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen
of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their
17 reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy
18 face; that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father
which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall
recompense thee.
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _God your Father_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _our bread for the coming day_.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _evil_.]
[Footnote 4: Many authorities, some ancient, but with variations,
add _For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for
ever. Amen._]
_5. Single-hearted Devotion to God, as Opposed to Worldly Aims and
Anxieties_
Matt. 6:19-34
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth
and rust doth consume, and where thieves [1]break through and
20 steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not [1]break
21 through nor steal: for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart
22 be also. The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be
23 single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be
evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the
24 light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness! No
man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the
25 other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you,
Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall
drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the
26 life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? Behold
the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap,
nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are
27 not ye of much more value than they? And which of you by being
28 anxious can add one cubit unto his [2]stature? And why are ye
anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how
29 they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto
you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one
30 of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which
to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, _shall he_ not
31 much more _clothe_ you, O ye of little faith? Be not therefore
anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or,
32 Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the
Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need
33 of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his
34 righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be
not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be
anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _dig through_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _age_.]
_6. Captious Criticism, or Judging Others_
Matt. 7:1-6 |Luke 6:37-42
|
1 Judge not, that ye be not |37 And judge not, and ye shall not
2 judged. For with what judgement| be judged: and condemn not, and
ye judge, ye shall be judged: | ye shall not be condemned:
and with what measure ye mete, | release, and ye shall be
it shall be measured unto you. |38 released: give, and it shall be
| given unto you; good measure,
| pressed down, shaken together,
| running over, shall they give
| into your bosom. For with what
| measure ye mete it shall be
| measured to you again.
|39 And he spake also a parable
| unto them, Can the blind guide
| the blind? shall they not both
|40 fall into a pit? The disciple
| is not above his [1]master: but
| every one when he is perfected
|41 shall be as his [1]master. And
3 And why beholdest thou the | why beholdest thou the mote
mote that is in thy brother's | that is in thy brother's eye,
eye, but considerest not the | but considerest not the beam
beam that is in thine own eye? |42 that is in thine own eye? Or
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy | how canst thou say to thy
brother, Let me cast out the | brother, Brother, let me cast
mote out of thine eye; and lo, | out the mote that is in thine
the beam is in thine own eye? | eye, when thou thyself
5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first | beholdest not the beam that is
the beam out of thine own eye; | in thine own eye? Thou
and then shalt thou see clearly| hypocrite, cast out first the
to cast out the mote out of thy| beam out of thine own eye, and
brother's eye. | then shalt thou see clearly to
6 Give not that which is holy | cast out the mote that is in
unto the dogs, neither cast | thy brother's eye.
your pearls before the swine, |
lest haply they trample them |
under their feet, and turn and |
rend you. |
[Footnote 1: Or, _teacher_.]
_7. Prayer, and the Golden Rule_
Matt. 7:7-12
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
8 and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh
receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh
9 it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, who, if his son
10 shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone; or if he shall
11 ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil,
know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall
your Father which is in heaven |
give good things to them that |
12 ask him? All things therefore |Luke 6:31
whatsoever ye would that men |
should do unto you, even so do |31 And as ye would that men
ye also unto them: for this is | should do to you, do ye also to
the law and the prophets. | them likewise.
_8. The Conclusion of the Sermon. The Lesson of Personal Righteousness
Driven Home by Powerful Parables_
Matt. 7:13 to 8:1
13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide [1]is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many be they
14 that enter in thereby. [2]For narrow is the gate, and straitened
the way, that leadeth unto life, and few be they that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
16 but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits ye shall know
17 them. Do _men_ gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even
so every good tree bringeth |
forth good fruit: but the |Luke 6:43-49
corrupt tree bringeth forth |
18 evil fruit. A good tree cannot |43 For there is no good tree that
bring forth evil fruit, neither| bringeth forth corrupt fruit;
can a corrupt tree bring forth | nor again a corrupt tree that
19 good fruit. Every tree that |44 bringeth forth good fruit. For
bringeth not forth good fruit | each tree is known by its own
is hewn down, and cast into the| fruit. For of thorns men do not
20 fire. Therefore by their fruits| gather figs, nor of a bramble
21 ye shall know them. Not every |45 bush gather they grapes. The
one that saith unto me, Lord, | good man out of the good
Lord, shall enter the kingdom | treasure of his heart bringeth
of heaven; but he that doeth | forth that which is good; and
the will of my Father which is | the evil _man_ out of the evil
22 in heaven. Many will say to me | _treasure_ bringeth forth that
in that day, Lord, Lord, did we| which is evil: for out of the
not prophesy by thy name, and | abundance of the heart his mouth
by thy name cast out [3]devils,| speaketh.
and by thy name do many |46 And why call ye me, Lord,
23 [4]mighty works? And then will | Lord, and do not the things
I profess unto them, I never | which I say?
knew you: depart from me, ye |
24 that work iniquity. Every one |47 Every one that cometh unto me,
therefore which heareth these | and heareth my words, and doeth
words of mine, and doeth them, | them, I will shew you to whom
shall be likened unto a wise |48 he is like: he is like a man
man, which built his house upon| building a house, who digged
25 the rock: and the rain | and went deep, and laid a
descended, and the floods came,| foundation upon a rock: and
and the winds blew, and beat | when a flood arose, the stream
upon that house; and it fell | brake against that house, and
not: for it was founded upon | could not shake it: [5]because
26 the rock. And every one that |49 it had been well builded. But
heareth these words of mine, | he that heareth, and doeth not,
and doeth them not, shall be | is like a man that built a
likened unto a foolish man, | house upon the earth without a
which built his house upon the | foundation; against which the
27 sand: and the rain descended, | stream brake, and straightway
and the floods came, and the | it fell in; and the ruin of
winds blew, and smote upon that| that house was great.
house; and it fell: and great |
was the fall thereof. |
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus ended these words, the multitudes
29 were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as _one_
having authority, and not as their scribes.
1 And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes
followed him.
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities omit _is the gate_.]
[Footnote 2: Many ancient authorities read _How narrow is the
gate, &c._]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _demons_.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _powers_.]
[Footnote 5: Many ancient authorities read _for it had been
founded upon the rock:_ as in Matt. 7:25.]
_In sections 55 to 58 we see the rapid spread of Christ's influence and
the inquiry from the Baptist in prison._[a]
[Footnote a: Here we have only Matthew and Luke, a block from the Logia
of Matthew.]
Sect. 55. JESUS HEALS A CENTURION'S SERVANT AT CAPERNAUM