1καιG2532{CONJ} εισηλθενG1525{V-2AAI-3S} παλινG3825{ADV} ειςG1519{PREP} τηνG3588{T-ASF} συναγωγηνG4864{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} ηνG2258{V-IXI-3S} εκειG1563{ADV} ανθρωποςG444{N-NSM} εξηραμμενηνG3583{V-RPP-ASF} εχωνG2192{V-PAP-NSM} τηνG3588{T-ASF} χειραG5495{N-ASF} 2καιG2532{CONJ} παρετηρουνG3906{V-IAI-3P} αυτονG846{P-ASM} ειG1487{COND} τοιςG3588{T-DPN} σαββασινG4521{N-DPN} θεραπευσειG2323{V-FAI-3S} αυτονG846{P-ASM} ιναG2443{CONJ} κατηγορησωσινG2723{V-AAS-3P} αυτουG846{P-GSM} 3καιG2532{CONJ} λεγειG3004{V-PAI-3S} τωG3588{T-DSM} ανθρωπωG444{N-DSM} τωG3588{T-DSM} τσβεξηραμμενηνG3583{V-RPP-ASF} τσβεχοντιG2192{V-PAP-DSM} τηνG3588{T-ASF} αξηρανG3584{N-ASF} χειραG5495{N-ASF} αεχοντιG2192{V-PAP-DSM} αεγειρεG1453{V-PAM-2S} τσβεγειραιG1453{V-AMM-2S} ειςG1519{PREP} τοG3588{T-ASN} μεσονG3319{A-ASN} 4καιG2532{CONJ} λεγειG3004{V-PAI-3S} αυτοιςG846{P-DPM} εξεστινG1832{V-PQI-3S} τοιςG3588{T-DPN} σαββασινG4521{N-DPN} ααγαθονG18{A-ASN} αποιησαιG4160{V-AAN} τσβαγαθοποιησαιG15{V-AAN} ηG2228{PRT} κακοποιησαιG2554{V-AAN} ψυχηνG5590{N-ASF} σωσαιG4982{V-AAN} ηG2228{PRT} αποκτειναιG615{V-AAN} οιG3588{T-NPM} δεG1161{CONJ} εσιωπωνG4623{V-IAI-3P} 5καιG2532{CONJ} περιβλεψαμενοςG4017{V-AMP-NSM} αυτουςG846{P-APM} μετG3326{PREP} οργηςG3709{N-GSF} συλλυπουμενοςG4818{V-PNP-NSM} επιG1909{PREP} τηG3588{T-DSF} πωρωσειG4457{N-DSF} τηςG3588{T-GSF} καρδιαςG2588{N-GSF} αυτωνG846{P-GPM} λεγειG3004{V-PAI-3S} τωG3588{T-DSM} ανθρωπωG444{N-DSM} εκτεινονG1614{V-AAM-2S} τηνG3588{T-ASF} χειραG5495{N-ASF} τσβσουG4675{P-2GS} καιG2532{CONJ} εξετεινενG1614{V-AAI-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} ααπεκατεσταθηG600{V-API-3S} τσβαποκατεσταθηG600{V-API-3S} ηG3588{T-NSF} χειρG5495{N-NSF} αυτουG846{P-GSM} τσβυγιηςG5199{A-NSF} τσβωςG5613{ADV} τσβηG3588{T-NSF} τσβαλληG243{A-NSF} 6καιG2532{CONJ} εξελθοντεςG1831{V-2AAP-NPM} οιG3588{T-NPM} φαρισαιοιG5330{N-NPM} αευθυςG2117{ADV} τσβευθεωςG2112{ADV} μεταG3326{PREP} τωνG3588{T-GPM} ηρωδιανωνG2265{N-GPM} συμβουλιονG4824{N-ASN} αεδιδουνG1325{V-IAI-3P} τσβεποιουνG4160{V-IAI-3P} κατG2596{PREP} αυτουG846{P-GSM} οπωςG3704{ADV} αυτονG846{P-ASM} απολεσωσινG622{V-AAS-3P} 7καιG2532{CONJ} οG3588{T-NSM} ιησουςG2424{N-NSM} τσβανεχωρησενG402{V-AAI-3S} μεταG3326{PREP} τωνG3588{T-GPM} μαθητωνG3101{N-GPM} αυτουG846{P-GSM} αανεχωρησενG402{V-AAI-3S} προςG4314{PREP} τηνG3588{T-ASF} θαλασσανG2281{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} πολυG4183{A-NSN} πληθοςG4128{N-NSN} αποG575{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} γαλιλαιαςG1056{N-GSF} α[ηκολουθησεν]G190{V-AAI-3S} τσβηκολουθησανG190{V-AAI-3P} τσβαυτωG846{P-DSM} καιG2532{CONJ} αποG575{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} ιουδαιαςG2449{N-GSF} 8καιG2532{CONJ} αποG575{PREP} ιεροσολυμωνG2414{N-GPN} καιG2532{CONJ} αποG575{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} ιδουμαιαςG2401{N-GSF} καιG2532{CONJ} περανG4008{ADV} τουG3588{T-GSM} ιορδανουG2446{N-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} τσβοιG3588{T-NPM} περιG4012{PREP} τυρονG5184{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} σιδωναG4605{N-ASF} πληθοςG4128{N-NSN} πολυG4183{A-NSN} αακουοντεςG191{V-PAP-NPM} τσβακουσαντεςG191{V-AAP-NPM} οσαG3745{K-APN} εποιειG4160{V-IAI-3S} ηλθονG2064{V-2AAI-3P} προςG4314{PREP} αυτονG846{P-ASM} 9καιG2532{CONJ} ειπενG2036{V-2AAI-3S} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} μαθηταιςG3101{N-DPM} αυτουG846{P-GSM} ιναG2443{CONJ} πλοιαριονG4142{N-NSN} προσκαρτερηG4342{V-PAS-3S} αυτωG846{P-DSM} διαG1223{PREP} τονG3588{T-ASM} οχλονG3793{N-ASM} ιναG2443{CONJ} μηG3361{PRT-N} θλιβωσινG2346{V-PAS-3P} αυτονG846{P-ASM} 10πολλουςG4183{A-APM} γαρG1063{CONJ} εθεραπευσενG2323{V-AAI-3S} ωστεG5620{CONJ} επιπιπτεινG1968{V-PAN} αυτωG846{P-DSM} ιναG2443{CONJ} αυτουG846{P-GSM} αψωνταιG680{V-AMS-3P} οσοιG3745{K-NPM} ειχονG2192{V-IAI-3P} μαστιγαςG3148{N-APF} 11καιG2532{CONJ} ταG3588{T-NPN} πνευματαG4151{N-NPN} ταG3588{T-NPN} ακαθαρταG169{A-NPN} οτανG3752{CONJ} αυτονG846{P-ASM} αεθεωρουνG2334{V-IAI-3P} τσβεθεωρειG2334{V-IAI-3S} απροσεπιπτονG4363{V-IAI-3P} τσβπροσεπιπτενG4363{V-IAI-3S} αυτωG846{P-DSM} καιG2532{CONJ} αεκραζονG2896{V-IAI-3P} τσβεκραζενG2896{V-IAI-3S} αλεγοντεςG3004{V-PAP-NPM} τσβλεγονταG3004{V-PAP-NPN} οτιG3754{CONJ} συG4771{P-2NS} ειG1488{V-PXI-2S} οG3588{T-NSM} υιοςG5207{N-NSM} τουG3588{T-GSM} θεουG2316{N-GSM} 12καιG2532{CONJ} πολλαG4183{A-APN} επετιμαG2008{V-IAI-3S} αυτοιςG846{P-DPM} ιναG2443{CONJ} μηG3361{PRT-N} ατσαυτονG846{P-ASM} φανερονG5318{A-ASM} βαυτονG846{P-ASM} ποιησωσινG4160{V-AAS-3P} 13καιG2532{CONJ} αναβαινειG305{V-PAI-3S} ειςG1519{PREP} τοG3588{T-ASN} οροςG3735{N-ASN} καιG2532{CONJ} προσκαλειταιG4341{V-PNI-3S} ουςG3739{R-APM} ηθελενG2309{V-IAI-3S} αυτοςG846{P-NSM} καιG2532{CONJ} απηλθονG565{V-2AAI-3P} προςG4314{PREP} αυτονG846{P-ASM} 14καιG2532{CONJ} εποιησενG4160{V-AAI-3S} δωδεκαG1427{A-NUI} α[ουςG3739{R-APM} ακαιG2532{CONJ} ααποστολουςG652{N-APM} αωνομασεν]G3687{V-AAI-3S} ιναG2443{CONJ} ωσινG5600{V-PXS-3P} μετG3326{PREP} αυτουG846{P-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} ιναG2443{CONJ} αποστελληG649{V-PAS-3S} αυτουςG846{P-APM} κηρυσσεινG2784{V-PAN} 15καιG2532{CONJ} εχεινG2192{V-PAN} εξουσιανG1849{N-ASF} τσβθεραπευεινG2323{V-PAN} τσβταςG3588{T-APF} τσβνοσουςG3554{N-APF} τσβκαιG2532{CONJ} εκβαλλεινG1544{V-PAN} ταG3588{T-APN} δαιμονιαG1140{N-APN} 16α[καιG2532{CONJ} αεποιησενG4160{V-AAI-3S} ατουςG3588{T-APM} αδωδεκα]G1427{A-NUI} καιG2532{CONJ} επεθηκενG2007{V-AAI-3S} αονομαG3686{N-ASN} τωG3588{T-DSM} σιμωνιG4613{N-DSM} τσβονομαG3686{N-ASN} πετρονG4074{N-ASM} 17καιG2532{CONJ} ιακωβονG2385{N-ASM} τονG3588{T-ASM} τουG3588{T-GSM} ζεβεδαιουG2199{N-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} ιωαννηνG2491{N-ASM} τονG3588{T-ASM} αδελφονG80{N-ASM} τουG3588{T-GSM} ιακωβουG2385{N-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} επεθηκενG2007{V-AAI-3S} αυτοιςG846{P-DPM} α{ονοματα}G3686{N-APN} τσβονοματαG3686{N-APN} αβοανηργεςG993{N-PRI} τσββοανεργεςG993{N-PRI} οG3739{R-NSN} εστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} υιοιG5207{N-NPM} βροντηςG1027{N-GSF} 18καιG2532{CONJ} ανδρεανG406{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} φιλιππονG5376{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} βαρθολομαιονG918{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} αμαθθαιονG3156{N-ASM} τσβματθαιονG3156{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} θωμανG2381{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} ιακωβονG2385{N-ASM} τονG3588{T-ASM} τουG3588{T-GSM} αλφαιουG256{N-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} θαδδαιονG2280{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} σιμωναG4613{N-ASM} τονG3588{T-ASM} ακαναναιονG2581{N-ASM} τσβκανανιτηνG2581{N-ASM} 19καιG2532{CONJ} ιουδανG2455{N-ASM} αισκαριωθG2469{N-PRI} τσβισκαριωτηνG2469{N-ASM} οςG3739{R-NSM} καιG2532{CONJ} παρεδωκενG3860{V-AAI-3S} αυτονG846{P-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} αερχεταιG2064{V-PNI-3S} τσβερχονταιG2064{V-PNI-3P} ειςG1519{PREP} οικονG3624{N-ASM} 20καιG2532{CONJ} συνερχεταιG4905{V-PNI-3S} παλινG3825{ADV} α[ο]G3588{T-NSM} οχλοςG3793{N-NSM} ωστεG5620{CONJ} μηG3361{PRT-N} δυνασθαιG1410{V-PNN} αυτουςG846{P-APM} αμηδεG3366{CONJ} τσβμητεG3383{CONJ} αρτονG740{N-ASM} φαγεινG5315{V-2AAN} 21καιG2532{CONJ} ακουσαντεςG191{V-AAP-NPM} οιG3588{T-NPM} παρG3844{PREP} αυτουG846{P-GSM} εξηλθονG1831{V-2AAI-3P} κρατησαιG2902{V-AAN} αυτονG846{P-ASM} ελεγονG3004{V-IAI-3P} γαρG1063{CONJ} οτιG3754{CONJ} εξεστηG1839{V-2AAI-3S} 22καιG2532{CONJ} οιG3588{T-NPM} γραμματειςG1122{N-NPM} οιG3588{T-NPM} αποG575{PREP} ιεροσολυμωνG2414{N-GPN} καταβαντεςG2597{V-2AAP-NPM} ελεγονG3004{V-IAI-3P} οτιG3754{CONJ} βεελζεβουλG954{N-PRI} εχειG2192{V-PAI-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} οτιG3754{CONJ} ενG1722{PREP} τωG3588{T-DSM} αρχοντιG758{N-DSM} τωνG3588{T-GPN} δαιμονιωνG1140{N-GPN} εκβαλλειG1544{V-PAI-3S} ταG3588{T-APN} δαιμονιαG1140{N-APN} 23καιG2532{CONJ} προσκαλεσαμενοςG4341{V-ADP-NSM} αυτουςG846{P-APM} ενG1722{PREP} παραβολαιςG3850{N-DPF} ελεγενG3004{V-IAI-3S} αυτοιςG846{P-DPM} πωςG4459{ADV-I} δυναταιG1410{V-PNI-3S} σαταναςG4567{N-NSM} σατανανG4567{N-ASM} εκβαλλεινG1544{V-PAN} 24καιG2532{CONJ} εανG1437{COND} βασιλειαG932{N-NSF} εφG1909{PREP} εαυτηνG1438{F-3ASF} μερισθηG3307{V-APS-3S} ουG3756{PRT-N} δυναταιG1410{V-PNI-3S} σταθηναιG2476{V-APN} ηG3588{T-NSF} βασιλειαG932{N-NSF} εκεινηG1565{D-NSF} 25καιG2532{CONJ} εανG1437{COND} οικιαG3614{N-NSF} εφG1909{PREP} εαυτηνG1438{F-3ASF} μερισθηG3307{V-APS-3S} ουG3756{PRT-N} αδυνησεταιG1410{V-FDI-3S} τσβδυναταιG1410{V-PNI-3S} τσβσταθηναιG2476{V-APN} ηG3588{T-NSF} οικιαG3614{N-NSF} εκεινηG1565{D-NSF} ασταθηναιG2476{V-APN} 26καιG2532{CONJ} ειG1487{COND} οG3588{T-NSM} σαταναςG4567{N-NSM} ανεστηG450{V-2AAI-3S} εφG1909{PREP} εαυτονG1438{F-3ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} αεμερισθηG3307{V-API-3S} τσβμεμερισταιG3307{V-RPI-3S} ουG3756{PRT-N} δυναταιG1410{V-PNI-3S} αστηναιG2476{V-2AAN} τσβσταθηναιG2476{V-APN} αλλαG235{CONJ} τελοςG5056{N-ASN} εχειG2192{V-PAI-3S} 27ααλλG235{CONJ} ατσουG3756{PRT-N} ατσδυναταιG1410{V-PNI-3S} ουδειςG3762{A-NSM} βδυναταιG1410{V-PNI-3S} τσβταG3588{T-APN} τσβσκευηG4632{N-APN} τσβτουG3588{T-GSM} τσβισχυρουG2478{A-GSM} τσβεισελθωνG1525{V-2AAP-NSM} ειςG1519{PREP} τηνG3588{T-ASF} οικιανG3614{N-ASF} ατουG3588{T-GSM} αισχυρουG2478{A-GSM} αεισελθωνG1525{V-2AAP-NSM} αταG3588{T-APN} ασκευηG4632{N-APN} αυτουG846{P-GSM} διαρπασαιG1283{V-AAN} εανG1437{COND} μηG3361{PRT-N} πρωτονG4412{ADV} τονG3588{T-ASM} ισχυρονG2478{A-ASM} δησηG1210{V-AAS-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} τοτεG5119{ADV} τηνG3588{T-ASF} οικιανG3614{N-ASF} αυτουG846{P-GSM} βδιαρπασηG1283{V-AAS-3S} ατσδιαρπασειG1283{V-FAI-3S} 28αμηνG281{HEB} λεγωG3004{V-PAI-1S} υμινG5213{P-2DP} οτιG3754{CONJ} πανταG3956{A-NPN} αφεθησεταιG863{V-FPI-3S} τσβταG3588{T-NPN} τσβαμαρτηματαG265{N-NPN} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} υιοιςG5207{N-DPM} τωνG3588{T-GPM} ανθρωπωνG444{N-GPM} αταG3588{T-NPN} ααμαρτηματαG265{N-NPN} καιG2532{CONJ} ααιG3588{T-NPF} βλασφημιαιG988{N-NPF} αοσαG3745{K-APN} τσβοσαςG3745{K-APF} αεανG1437{COND} τσβανG302{PRT} βλασφημησωσινG987{V-AAS-3P} 29οςG3739{R-NSM} δG1161{CONJ} ανG302{PRT} βλασφημησηG987{V-AAS-3S} ειςG1519{PREP} τοG3588{T-ASN} πνευμαG4151{N-ASN} τοG3588{T-ASN} αγιονG40{A-ASN} ουκG3756{PRT-N} εχειG2192{V-PAI-3S} αφεσινG859{N-ASF} ειςG1519{PREP} τονG3588{T-ASM} αιωναG165{N-ASM} ααλλαG235{CONJ} τσβαλλG235{CONJ} ενοχοςG1777{A-NSM} εστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} αιωνιουG166{A-GSF} ααμαρτηματοςG265{N-GSN} τσβκρισεωςG2920{N-GSF} 30οτιG3754{CONJ} ελεγονG3004{V-IAI-3P} πνευμαG4151{N-ASN} ακαθαρτονG169{A-ASN} εχειG2192{V-PAI-3S} 31τσβερχονταιG2064{V-PNI-3P} τσβουνG3767{CONJ} τσβοιG3588{T-NPM} τσβαδελφοιG80{N-NPM} καιG2532{CONJ} αερχεταιG2064{V-PNI-3S} ηG3588{T-NSF} μητηρG3384{N-NSF} αυτουG846{P-GSM} καιG2532{CONJ} αοιG3588{T-NPM} ααδελφοιG80{N-NPM} ααυτουG846{P-GSM} ακαιG2532{CONJ} εξωG1854{ADV} αστηκοντεςG4739{V-PAP-NPM} τσβεστωτεςG2476{V-RAP-NPM} απεστειλανG649{V-AAI-3P} προςG4314{PREP} αυτονG846{P-ASM} ακαλουντεςG2564{V-PAP-NPM} τσβφωνουντεςG5455{V-PAP-NPM} αυτονG846{P-ASM} 32καιG2532{CONJ} εκαθητοG2521{V-INI-3S} τσβοχλοςG3793{N-NSM} περιG4012{PREP} αυτονG846{P-ASM} αοχλοςG3793{N-NSM} ακαιG2532{CONJ} αλεγουσινG3004{V-PAI-3P} τσβειπονG2036{V-2AAI-3P} τσβδεG1161{CONJ} αυτωG846{P-DSM} ιδουG2400{V-2AAM-2S} ηG3588{T-NSF} μητηρG3384{N-NSF} σουG4675{P-2GS} καιG2532{CONJ} οιG3588{T-NPM} αδελφοιG80{N-NPM} βσουG4675{P-2GS} βκαιG2532{CONJ} βαιG3588{T-NPF} βαδελφαιG79{N-NPF} σουG4675{P-2GS} α[καιG2532{CONJ} ααιG3588{T-NPF} ααδελφαιG79{N-NPF} ασου]G4675{P-2GS} εξωG1854{ADV} ζητουσινG2212{V-PAI-3P} σεG4571{P-2AS} 33καιG2532{CONJ} ααποκριθειςG611{V-AOP-NSM} τσβαπεκριθηG611{V-ADI-3S} αυτοιςG846{P-DPM} αλεγειG3004{V-PAI-3S} τσβλεγωνG3004{V-PAP-NSM} τιςG5101{I-NSM} εστινG2076{V-PXI-3S} ηG3588{T-NSF} μητηρG3384{N-NSF} μουG3450{P-1GS} ακαιG2532{CONJ} τσβηG2228{PRT} οιG3588{T-NPM} αδελφοιG80{N-NPM} α[μου]G3450{P-1GS} τσβμουG3450{P-1GS} 34καιG2532{CONJ} περιβλεψαμενοςG4017{V-AMP-NSM} τσβκυκλωG2945{N-DSM} τουςG3588{T-APM} περιG4012{PREP} αυτονG846{P-ASM} ακυκλωG2945{N-DSM} καθημενουςG2521{V-PNP-APM} λεγειG3004{V-PAI-3S} ιδεG1492{V-AAM-2S} ηG3588{T-NSF} μητηρG3384{N-NSF} μουG3450{P-1GS} καιG2532{CONJ} οιG3588{T-NPM} αδελφοιG80{N-NPM} μουG3450{P-1GS} 35οςG3739{R-NSM} α[γαρ]G1063{CONJ} τσβγαρG1063{CONJ} ανG302{PRT} ποιησηG4160{V-AAS-3S} τοG3588{T-ASN} θελημαG2307{N-ASN} τουG3588{T-GSM} θεουG2316{N-GSM} ουτοςG3778{D-NSM} αδελφοςG80{N-NSM} μουG3450{P-1GS} καιG2532{CONJ} αδελφηG79{N-NSF} τσβμουG3450{P-1GS} καιG2532{CONJ} μητηρG3384{N-NSF} εστινG2076{V-PXI-3S}
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 Here, as before, we have our Lord Jesus busy at work
in the synagogue first, and then by
the sea side; to teach us that his presence should not be confined either to the one or to the other, but, wherever any are gathered together in his name, whether
in the synagogue or any where else, there is he in the midst of them.
In every place where he records his name, he will meet his people, and
bless them; it is his will that men
pray every where. Now here we have some account of what he did.
I. When he
entered again into the synagogue, he improved the opportunity he had there, of doing good, and having, no doubt, preached a sermon there, he wrought a miracle for the confirmation of it, or at least for the confirmation of this truth - that
it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day. We had the narrative,
Matt 12:9.
1. The patient's case was piteous; he had a
withered hand, by which he was disabled to work for his living; and those that are so, are the most proper objects of charity; let those be helped that cannot help themselves.
2. The spectators were very unkind, both to the patient and to the Physician; instead of interceding for a poor neighbour, they did what they could to hinder his cure: for they intimated that if Christ cured him now on the sabbath day, they would accuse him as a
Sabbath breaker. It had been very unreasonable, if they should have opposed a physician or surgeon in helping any poor body in misery, by ordinary methods; but much more absurd was it to oppose him that cured without any labour, but by a word's speaking.
3. Christ dealt very fairly with the spectators, and dealt with them
first, if possible to
prevent the offence.
(1.) He laboured to convince their judgment. He bade the man
stand forth (
Mark 3:3), that by the sight of him they might be moved with compassion toward him, and might not, for shame, account his cure a crime. And then he appeals to their own consciences; though the thing
speaks itself, yet
he is pleased to
speak it;
Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, as I design to do,
or to do evil, as you design to do? Whether is better, to
save life or to
kill? What fairer question could be put? And yet, because they saw it would turn against them,
they held their peace. Note, Those are obstinate indeed in their infidelity, who, when they can say nothing
against a truth, will say nothing
to it; and, when they cannot
resist, yet will not
yield. (2.) When they rebelled against the light, he
lamented their stubbornness (
Mark 3:5);
He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts. The
sin he had an eye to, was, the
hardness of their hearts, their insensibleness of the evidence of his miracles, and their inflexible resolution to persist in unbelief. We hear what is said amiss, and see what is done amiss; but Christ looks at the
root of bitterness in the heart, the blindness and hardness of
that. Observe, [1.] How he was
provoked by the sin; he looked
round upon them; for they were so many, and had so placed themselves, that they surrounded him: and he looked
with anger; his anger, it is probable, appeared in his countenance; his anger was, like God's, without the least
perturbation to himself, but not without great
provocation from us. Note, The sin of sinners is very displeasing to Jesus Christ; and the way to be angry, and not to sin, is it be angry, as Christ was, at nothing but sin. Let hard-hearted sinners tremble to think of the anger with which he will
look round upon them shortly, when the
great day of his wrath comes. [2.] How he
pitied the sinners; he was
grieved for the hardness of their hearts; as God was grieved forty years for the hardness of the hearts of their fathers in the wilderness. Note, It is a great grief to our Lord Jesus, to see sinners bent upon their own ruin, and obstinately set against the methods of their conviction and recovery, for he would not that any should perish. This is a good reason why the hardness of our own hearts and of the hearts of others, should be a grief to us.
4. Christ dealt very kindly with the patient; he bade him
stretch forth his hand, and it was immediately
restored. Now, (1.) Christ has hereby taught us to go on with resolution in the way of our duty, how violent soever the opposition is, that we meet with in it. We must deny ourselves sometimes in our ease, pleasure, and convenience, rather than give offence even to those who causelessly take it; but we must not deny ourselves the satisfaction of serving God, and doing good, though offence may unjustly be taken at it. None could be more tender of giving offence than Christ; yet, rather than send this poor man away uncured, he would venture offending all the scribes and Pharisees that compassed him about. (2.) He hath hereby given us a
specimen of the cures wrought by his grace upon
poor souls; our hands are spiritually
withered, the powers of our souls weakened by sin, and disabled for that which is good. The great healing day is the
sabbath, and the healing place the
synagogue; the healing power is that of Christ. The gospel command is like this recorded here; and the command is rational and just; though our hands are withered, and we cannot of ourselves
stretch them forth, we must attempt it, must, as well as we can,
lift them up to God in prayer,
lay hold on Christ and eternal life, and employ them in good works; and if we do our endeavour, power goes along with the word of Christ, he effects the cure. Though our hands be
withered, yet, if we will not offer to
stretch them out, it is our own fault that we are not healed; but if we do, and are healed, Christ and his power and grace must have all the glory.
5. The enemies of Christ dealt very barbarously with him. Such a work of
mercy should have engaged their love
to him, and such a work of
wonder their faith
in him. But, instead of that, the Pharisees, who pretended to be oracles in the church, and the Herodians, who pretended to be the supporters of the state, though of opposite interests one to another,
took counsel together against him, how they might destroy him. Note, They that suffer for doing good, do but suffer as their Master did.
II. When he withdrew
to the sea, he did good there. While his enemies sought to
destroy him, he quitted the place; to teach us in troublous times to shift for our own safety; but see here,
1. How he was followed into his retirement. When some had such an enmity to him, that they drove him out of their country, others had such a value for him, that they followed him wherever he went; and the enmity of their leaders to Christ did not cool their respect to him.
Great multitudes followed him from all parts of the nation; as far north, as
from Galilee; as far south, as from Judea and Jerusalem; nay, and from Idumea; as far east, as from beyond Jordan; and west, as from about Tyre and Sidon,
Mark 3:7,
Mark 3:8. Observe, (1.) What induced them to follow him; it was the report they heard of the
great things he did for all that applied themselves to him; some wished
to see one that had done such
great things, and others hoped he would do great things
for them. Note, The consideration of the
great things Christ has done, should engage us to
come to him. (2.) What they followed him for (
Mark 3:10); They
pressed upon him, to touch him, as many as had plagues. Diseases are here called
plagues, mastigas -
corrections, chastisements; so they are designed to be, to make us
smart for our sins, that thereby we may be made
sorry for them, and may be warned not to return to them. Those that were under these
scourgings came to Jesus; this is the errand on which sickness is sent, to quicken us to enquire after Christ, and apply ourselves to him as our Physician. They
pressed upon him, each striving which should get
nearest to him, and which should be
first served. They
fell down before him (so Dr. Hammond), as petitioners for his favour; they desired leave but to
touch him, having faith to be healed, not only by
his touching
them, but by
their touching him; which no doubt they had many instances of. (3.) What provision he made to be ready to attend them (
Mark 3:9); He
spoke to his disciples, who were fishermen, and had fisher-boats at command, that a
small ship should constantly
wait on him, to carry him from place to place on the same coast; that, when he had despatched the necessary business he had to do in one place, he might easily remove to another, where his presence was requisite, without pressing through the crowds of people that followed him for curiosity. Wise men, as much as they can, decline a crowd.
2. What abundance of good he did in his retirement. He did not withdraw to be idle, nor did he send back those who rudely crowded after him when he withdrew, but took it kindly, and gave them what they came for; for he never said to any that sought him diligently,
Seek ye me in vain. (1.) Diseases were effectually cured; He
healed many; divers sorts of patients, ill of divers sorts of diseases; though numerous, though various, he
healed them. (2.)
Devils were effectually
conquered; those whom unclean spirits had got possession of,
when they saw him, trembled at his presence, and they also
fell down before him, not to supplicate his favour, but to deprecate his wrath, and by their own terrors were compelled to own that
he was the Son of God, Mark 3:11. It is sad that this great truth should be denied by any of the children of men, who may have the benefit of it, when a confession of it has so often been extorted from devils, who are excluded from having benefit by it. (3.) Christ sought not applause to himself in doing those great things, for
he strictly charged those for whom he did them,
that they should not make him known (
Mark 3:12); that they should not be
industrious to spread the notice of his cures, as it were by advertisements in the newspapers, but let them leave
his own works to praise him, and let the report of them
diffuse itself, and make its own way. Let not those that are cured, be forward to divulge it, lest it should feed their pride who are so
highly favoured; but let the
standers-by carry away the intelligence of it. When we do that which is
praiseworthy, and yet covet not to be
praised of men for it, then
the same mind is in us, which was
in Christ Jesus. 13 In these verses, we have,
I. The choice Christ made of the
twelve apostles to be his constant followers and attendants, and to be sent abroad as there was occasion, to preach the gospel. Observe,
1. The introduction to this
call or
promotion of disciples; He
goes up into a mountain, and his errand thither was
to pray. Ministers must be set apart with solemn prayer for the pouring out of the Spirit upon them; though Christ had authority to confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost, yet, to set us an example, he prayed for them.
2. The rule he went by in his choice, and that was his own good pleasure;
He called unto him whom he would. Not such as we should have thought
fittest to be called, looking upon the countenance, and the height of the stature; but such as he
thought fit to call, and determined to
make fit for the service to which he called them:
even so, blessed Jesus,
because it seemed good in thine eyes. Christ calls
whom he will; for he is a free Agent, and his grace is his own.
3. The efficacy of the call; He
called them to separate themselves from the crowd, and stand by him, and they
came unto him. Christ calls those who were
given him (
John 17:6); and
all that the Father gave him, shall come to him, John 6:37. Those whom it was his
will to call, he made
willing to come; his
people shall be willing in the day of his power. Perhaps they came to him readily enough, because they were in expectation of
reigning with him in temporal pomp and power; but when afterward they were
undeceived in that matter, yet they had such a prospect given them of better things, that they would not say they were
deceived in their Master, nor repented their leaving all to be with him.
4. The end and intention of this call; He
ordained them (probably by the imposition of hands, which was a ceremony used among the Jews),
that they should be with him constantly, to be witnesses of
his doctrine, manner of life, and patience, that they might
fully know it, and be able to give an account of it; and especially that they might attest the truth of his miracles; they must be
with him to receive instructions
from him, that they might be qualified to give instructions
to others. It would
require time to fit them for that which he designed them for; for they must be
sent forth to preach; not to preach till they were
sent, and not to be
sent till by a long and intimate acquaintance with Christ they were fitted. Note, Christ's ministers must be much
with him. 5. The power he gave them to work miracles; and hereby he put a very great honour upon them, beyond that of the great men of the earth. He ordained them to
heal sicknesses and to cast out devils. This showed that the power which Christ had to work these miracles was an
original power; that he had it not
as a Servant, but
as a Son in his own house, in that he could confer it upon others, and invest them with it: they have a rule in the law,
Deputatus non potest deputare- He that is only deputed himself, cannot depute another; but our Lord Jesus had
life in himself, and the Spirit without measure; for he could give this power even to the
weak and
foolish things of the world.
6. Their number and names; He
ordained twelve, according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel. They are here named not just in the same order as they were in Matthew, nor by couples, as they were there; but as there, so here, Peter is put first and Judas last. Here Matthew is put before Thomas, probably being called in that order; but in that catalogue which Matthew himself drew up, he puts himself after Thomas; so far was he from insisting upon the precedency of his consecration. But that which Mark only takes notice of in this list of the apostles, is, that Christ called James and John
Boanerges, which is,
The sons of thunder; perhaps they were remarkable for a loud commanding voice, they were thundering preachers; or, rather, it denotes the zeal and fervency of their spirits, which would make them active for God above their brethren. These two (saith Dr. Hammond) were to be special eminent ministers of the gospel, which is called
a voice shaking the earth, Hebre 12:26. Yet John, one of those
sons of thunder, was full of love and tenderness, as appears by his epistles, and was the beloved disciple.
7. Their retirement with their Master, and close adherence to him;
They went into a house. Now that this jury was impanelled, they
stood together, to hearken to their evidence. They went together into the house, to settle the orders of their infant college; and now, it is likely, the bag was given to Judas, which pleased him, and made him easy.
II. The continual crowds that attended Christ's motions (
Mark 3:20); The
multitude cometh together again, unsent for, and unseasonably pressing upon him, some with one errand and some with another; so that he and his disciples could not get time
so much as to eat bread, much less for a set and full meal. Yet he did not shut his doors against the petitioners, but bade them welcome, and gave to each of them
an answer of peace. Note, They whose hearts are enlarged in the work of God, can easily bear with great inconveniences to themselves, in the prosecution of it, and will rather lose a meal's meat at any time than slip an opportunity of doing good. It is happy when zealous
hearers and zealous
preachers thus
meet, and encourage one another. Now the
kingdom of God was preached, and men pressed into it,
Luke 16:16. This was a gale of opportunity worth improving; and the disciples might well afford to adjourn their meals, to lay hold on it. It is good striking while the iron is hot.
III. The care of his relations concerning him (
Mark 3:21);
When his friends in Capernaum heard how he was followed, and what pains he took, they
went out, to lay hold on him, and fetch him home, for they said,
He is beside himself. 1. Some understand it of an absurd preposterous care, which had more in it of reproach to him than of respect; and so we must take it as we read it,
He is beside himself; either they suspected it themselves, or it was suggested to them, and they gave credit to the suggestion, that he was
gone distracted, and therefore his friends ought to bind him, and put him in a dark room, to bring him to his right mind again. His kindred, many of them, had mean thoughts of him (
John 7:5), and were willing to hearken to this ill construction which some put upon his great zeal, and to conclude him crazed in his intellects, and under that pretence to take him off from his work. The prophets were called
mad fellows, 2Kgs 9:11. 2. Others understand it of a
well-meaning care; and then they read
exeste -
He fainteth, he has no time to
eat bread, and therefore his strength will fail him; he will be stifled with the crowd of people, and will have his spirits quite exhausted with constant speaking, and the virtue that
goes out of him in his miracles; and therefore let us use a friendly violence with him, and get him a little
breathing-time. In his preaching-work, as well as his suffering-work, he was attacked with,
Master, spare thyself. Note, They who go on with vigour and zeal in the work of God, must expect to meet with hindrances, both from the groundless disaffection of their enemies, and the mistaken affections of their friends, and they have need to stand upon their guard against both.
22 I. Here is, The impudent impious brand which the scribes fastened upon Christ's casting out devils, that they might evade and invalidate the conviction of it, and have a poor excuse for not yielding to it. These
scribes came down from Jerusalem, Mark 3:22. It should seem they came this long journey on purpose to hinder the progress of the doctrine of Christ; such pains did they take to do mischief; and, coming from Jerusalem, where were the most polite and learned scribes, and where they had opportunity of
consulting together
against the Lord and his Anointed, they were in the greater capacity to do mischief; the reputation of scribes from Jerusalem would have an influence not only upon the
country people, but upon the
country scribes; they had never thought of this base suggestion concerning Christ's miracles till the
scribes from Jerusalem put it into their heads. They could not deny but that he cast out devils, which plainly bespoke him sent of God; but they insinuated that
he had Beelzebub on his side, was in league with him, and by
the prince of the devils cast out devils. There is a trick in the case; Satan is not
cast out, he only
goes out by consent. There was nothing in the manner of Christ's
casting out devils, that gave any cause to suspect this; he did it
as one having authority; but so they will have it, who resolve not to believe him.
II. The rational answer which Christ gave to this objection, demonstrating the absurdity of it.
1. Satan is so
subtle, that he will never voluntarily quit his possession;
If Satan cast out Satan, his kingdom is divided against itself, and it
cannot stand, Mark 3:23-
Mark 3:26. He
called them to him, as one desirous they should be convinced; he treated them with all the freedom, friendliness, and familiarity that could be; he vouchsafed to reason the case with them,
that every mouth may be stopped. It was plain that the doctrine of Christ
made war upon the devil's kingdom, and had a direct tendency to break his power, and crush his interest in the souls of men; and it was as plain that the casting of him out of the bodies of people confirmed that doctrine, and gave it the setting on; and therefore it cannot be imagined that he should come into such a design; every one knows that Satan is no
fool, nor will act so directly against his own interest.
2. Christ is so
wise, that, being engaged in war with him, he will attack his forces wherever he meets them, whether in the bodies or souls of people,
Mark 3:27. It is plain, Christ's design is to
enter into the strong man's house, to take possession of the interest he has in the world, and to
spoil his goods, and convert them to his own service; and therefore it is natural to suppose that he will thus
bind the strong man, will forbid him to
speak when he would, and to
stay where he would, and thus show that he has gained a victory over him.
III. The awful warning Christ gave them to take heed how they spoke such dangerous words as these; however they might make light of them, as only conjectures, and the language of
free-thinking, if they persisted in it, it would be of fatal consequence to them; it would be found a sin against the last remedy, and consequently
unpardonable; for what could be imagined possible to bring
them to repentance for their sin in blaspheming Christ, who would set aside such a
strong conviction with such a
weak evasion? It is true, the gospel
promiseth, because Christ hath
purchased, forgiveness for the greatest sins and sinners,
Mark 3:28. Many of those who reviled Christ on the cross (which was a
blaspheming of the Son of man, aggravated to the highest degree), found mercy, and Christ himself prayed,
Father, forgive them; but this was
blaspheming the Holy Ghost, for it was by the Holy Spirit that he
cast out devils, and they said, It was
by the unclean spirit, Mark 3:30. By this method they would outface the conviction of all the gifts of the Holy Ghost after Christ's ascension, and defeat them all, after which there remained no more proof, and therefore they should
never have forgiveness, but were
liable to eternal damnation. They were in imminent danger of that everlasting punishment, from which there was
no redemption, and in which there was no
intermission, no
remission. 31 Here is, 1. The
disrespect which Christ's
kindred, according to the flesh, showed to him, when he was preaching (and they knew very well that he was then in his element); they not only
stood without, having no desire to come in, and hear him, but they sent in a message to
call him out to them (
Mark 3:31,
Mark 3:32), as if he must leave his work, to hearken to their
impertinences; it is probable that they had
no business with him, only sent for him on purpose to oblige him to
break off, lest he should
kill himself. He knew how far his strength would go, and preferred the salvation of souls before his own life, and soon after made it to appear with a witness; it was therefore an
idle thing for them, under pretence of his sparing himself, to interrupt him; and it was worse, if really they had business with him, when they knew he preferred his business, as a Saviour, so much before any other business.
2. The
respect which Christ showed to his spiritual kindred upon this occasion. Now, as at other times, he put a
comparative neglect upon his mother, which seemed purposely designed to obviate the prevent the extravagant respect which men in aftertimes would be apt to pay her.
Our respect ought to be guided and governed by Christ's; now the virgin Mary, or Christ's mother, is not equalled with, but postponed to, ordinary believers, on whom Christ here puts a
superlative honour. He looked upon those that
at about him, and pronounced those of them that not only heard, but did, the will of God, to be to him as
his brother, and sister, and mother; as much esteemed, loved, and cared for, as his nearest relations,
Mark 3:33-
Mark 3:35. This is a good reason why we should
honour those that fear the Lord, and choose them for our people; why we should be not hearers of the word only, but doers of the work, that we may share with the saints in this honour, Surely it is good to be akin to those who are thus nearly allied to Christ, and to have fellowship with those that have fellowship with Christ; and woe to those that hate and persecute Christ's kindred, that are
his bone and his flesh, every one
resembling the children of a king (see
Judg 8:18,
Judg 8:19); for he will with jealously plead their cause, and avenge their blood.