PART VII

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

Matt. 8:5-13 |Luke 7:1-10 | 5 And when he was entered into | 1 After he had ended all his Capernaum, there came unto him | sayings in the ears of the a centurion, | people, he entered into | Capernaum. | 2 And a certain centurion's | [5]servant, who was [8]dear | unto him, was sick and at the | 3 point of death. And when he | heard concerning Jesus, he sent | unto him elders of the Jews, beseeching him, | asking him that he would come 6 and saying, Lord, my [1]servant| 4 and save his [5]servant. And lieth in the house sick of the | they, when they came to Jesus, palsy, grievously tormented. | besought him earnestly, saying, | He is worthy that thou shouldest | 5 do this for him: for he loveth | our nation, and himself built 7 And he saith unto him, I will | 6 us our synagogue. And Jesus come and heal him. | went with them. And when he was | now not far from the house, the | centurion sent friends to him, 8 And the centurion answered | saying unto him, Lord, trouble and said, Lord, I am not | not thyself: for I am not [2]worthy that thou shouldest | [2]worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but only | 7 come under my roof: wherefore say [3]the word, and my | neither thought I myself worthy [1]servant shall be healed. | to come unto thee: but say | [3]the word, and my [1]servant | 8 shall be healed. For I also am 9 For I also am a man [4]under | a man set under authority, authority, having under myself | having under myself soldiers: soldiers: and I say to this | and I say to this one, Go, and one, Go, and he goeth; and to | he goeth; and to another, Come, another, Come, and he cometh; | and he cometh; and to my and to my [5]servant, Do this, | [5]servant, Do this, and he 10 and he doeth it. And when Jesus| 9 doeth it. And when Jesus heard heard it, he marvelled, and | these things, he marvelled at said to them that followed, | him, and turned and said unto Verily I say unto you, [6]I | the multitude that followed have not found so great faith, | him, I say unto you, I have not 11 no, not in Israel. And I say | found so great faith, no, not unto you, that many shall come | in Israel. from the east and the west, and| shall [7]sit down with Abraham,| and Isaac, and Jacob, in the | kingdom of heaven [_see Ps. | 12 107:3; Isa. 49:12_]: but the | sons of the kingdom shall be | cast forth into the outer | darkness: there shall be | weeping and gnashing of teeth. | 13 And Jesus said unto the | centurion, Go thy way; as thou | hast believed _so_ be it done |10 And they that were unto thee. And the [1]servant | sent, returning to the house, was healed in that hour. | found the [5]servant whole.

[Footnote 1: Or, _boy_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _sufficient_.]

[Footnote 3: Gr. _with a word_.]

[Footnote 4: Some ancient authorities insert _set_: as in Luke 7:8.]

[Footnote 5: Gr. _bondservant_.]

[Footnote 6: Many ancient authorities read _With no man in Israel have I found so great faith_.]

[Footnote 7: Gr. _recline_.]

[Footnote 8: Or, _precious to him_; or, _honourable with him_.]

Sect. 56. HE RAISES A WIDOW'S SON AT NAIN

Luke 7:11-17

11 And it came to pass [1]soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great 12 multitude. Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with 13 her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said 14 unto her, Weep not. And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, 15 Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he 16 gave him to his mother. And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, 17 God hath visited his people. And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judea, and the region round about.

[Footnote 1: Many ancient authorities read _on the next day_.]

Sect. 57. THE MESSAGE[a] FROM THE BAPTIST AND THE EULOGY OF JESUS

Galilee

Matt. 11:2-19 |Luke 7:18-35 | 2 Now when John heard in the |18 And the disciples of John told prison[b] the works of the |19 him of all these things. And Christ, he sent by his | John calling unto him [10]two 3 disciples, and said unto him, | of his disciples sent them to Art thou he that cometh, or | the Lord, saying, Art thou he 4 look we for another? | that cometh, or look we for |20 another? And when the men were | come unto him, they said, John | the Baptist hath sent us unto | thee, saying, Art thou he that | cometh, or look we for another? |21 In that hour he cured many of | diseases and [11]plagues and | evil spirits; and on many that And Jesus | were blind he bestowed sight. answered and said unto them, Go|22 And he answered and said unto your way and tell John the | them, Go your way, and tell things which ye do hear and | John what things ye have seen 5 see: the blind receive their | and heard [_see Isa. 29:18-19; sight, and the lame walk, the | 35:5-6; 61:1_]; the blind lepers are cleansed, and the | receive their sight, the lame deaf hear, and the dead are | walk, the lepers are cleansed, raised up, and the poor have | and the deaf hear, the dead are [1]good tidings preached to | raised up, the poor have 6 them. And blessed is he, | [1]good tidings preached to whosoever shall find none |23 them. And blessed is he, occasion of stumbling in me. | whosoever shall find none | occasion of stumbling in me. 7 And as these went their way, |24 And when the messengers of Jesus began to say unto the | John were departed, he began to multitudes concerning John, | say unto the multitudes What went ye out into the | concerning John, What went ye wilderness to behold? a reed | out into the wilderness to 8 shaken with the wind? But what | behold? a reed shaken with the went ye out for to see? a man |25 wind? But what went ye out to clothed in soft _raiment_? | see? a man clothed in soft Behold, they that wear soft | raiment? Behold, they which are _raiment_ are in kings' houses.| gorgeously apparelled, and live 9 [2]But wherefore went ye out? | delicately, are in kings' to see a prophet? Yea, I say |26 courts. But what went ye out to unto you, and much more than a | see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto 10 prophet. This is he, of whom it| you, and much more than a is written, |27 prophet. This is he of whom it Behold, I send my messenger | is written, before thy face, | Behold, I send my messenger Who shall prepare thy way | before thy face, before thee. | Who shall prepare thy way 11 Verily I say unto you, Among | before thee [_see Mal. them that are born of women | 3:1_]. there hath not arisen a greater|28 I say unto you, Among them that than John the Baptist: yet he | are born of women there is none that is [3]but little in the | greater than John: yet he that kingdom of heaven is greater | is [3]but little in the kingdom 12 than he. And from the days of | of God is greater than he. John the Baptist until now the | kingdom of heaven suffereth | violence, and men of violence | take it by force [_see Luke | 13 16:17_]. For all the prophets | and the law prophesied until | 14 John. And if ye are willing to | receive [4]it, this is Elijah, | which is to come [_see Mal. | 15 4:5_]. He that hath ears [5]to | hear, let him hear. | |29 And | all the people when they heard, | and the publicans, justified | God, [12]being baptized with |30 the baptism of John. But the | Pharisees and the lawyers | rejected for themselves the | counsel of God, [13]being not |31 baptized of him. Whereunto then 16 But whereunto shall I liken | shall I liken the men of this this generation? It is like[c] | generation, and to what are unto children sitting in the |32 they like? They are like unto marketplaces, which call unto | children that sit in the 17 their fellows, and say, We | marketplace, and call one to piped unto you, and ye did not | another; which say, We piped dance; we wailed, and ye did | unto you, and ye did not dance; 18 not [6]mourn. | we wailed, and ye did not weep. For John came |33 For John the Baptist is come neither eating nor drinking, | eating no bread nor drinking and they say, He hath a | wine; and ye say, He hath a 19 [7]devil. The Son of man came |34 [7]devil. The Son of man is eating and drinking, and they | come eating and drinking; and say, Behold, a gluttonous man, | ye say, Behold, a gluttonous and a winebibber, a friend of | man, and a winebibber, a friend publicans and sinners! And |35 of publicans and sinners! And wisdom [8]is justified by her | wisdom [8]is justified of all [9]works. | her children.

[Footnote 1: Or, _the gospel_.]

[Footnote 2: Many ancient authorities read _But what went ye out to see? a prophet?_]

[Footnote 3: Gr. _lesser_.]

[Footnote 4: Or, him.]

[Footnote 5: Some ancient authorities omit _to hear_.]

[Footnote 6: Gr. _beat the breast_.]

[Footnote 7: Gr. _demon_.]

[Footnote 8: Or, _was_.]

[Footnote 9: Many ancient authorities read _children_: as in Luke 7:35.]

[Footnote 10: Gr. _certain two_.]

[Footnote 11: Gr. _scourges_.]

[Footnote 12: Or, _having been_.]

[Footnote 13: Or, _not having been_.]

[Footnote a: Observe that his fame as having raised the dead, and as being "a great prophet," spread widely, and reaching John, led to his message of inquiry (connect Luke 7:17 and 18).]

[Footnote b: John's prison was at Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea. Jesus was somewhere in Galilee, probably near Nain, which was in the southern part of Galilee.]

[Footnote c: Parable of the Children Playing in the Market Place.]

Sect. 58. WOES UPON THE CITIES OF OPPORTUNITY. THE CLAIMS OF CHRIST AS THE TEACHER ABOUT THE FATHER.

Galilee

Matt. 11:20-30

20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his [1]mighty 21 works were done, because they repented not. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the [1]mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would 22 have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Howbeit I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of 23 judgement, than for you [_see Isa. 14:13-15_]. And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt [2]go down unto Hades: for if the [1]mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day. 24 Howbeit I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgement, than for thee [_see Gen. 19:24_]. 25 At that season Jesus answered and said, I [3]thank thee, O Father [_see John 3:35; 17:2_], Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst 26 reveal them unto babes: yea, Father, [4]for so it was 27 well-pleasing in thy sight. All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the 28 Son willeth to reveal _him_. Come unto me, all ye that labour and 29 are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke[a] upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye 30 shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light [_see Jer. 6:16; Sirach 51:23_].

[Footnote 1: Gr. _powers_.]

[Footnote 2: Many ancient authorities read _be brought down_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _praise_.]

[Footnote 4: Or, _that_.]

[Footnote a: Rabbinical figure for going to school. Jesus thus definitely pictures himself as the expert on God in a Johannean passage (_cf._ Luke 10:21-24). He conceives himself as the Teacher who alone is able to interpret the Father.]

Sect. 59. THE ANOINTING[a] OF CHRIST'S FEET BY A SINFUL WOMAN IN THE HOUSE OF SIMON A PHARISEE. THE PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS

Galilee

Luke 7:36-50

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And behold, a woman which was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she 38 brought [1]an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and [2]kissed his feet, and 39 anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were [3]a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of 40 woman this is which toucheth him, that she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. 41 And he saith, [4]Master, say on. A certain lender had two debtors: 42 the one owed five hundred [5]pence, and the other fifty. When they had not _wherewith_ to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them 43 therefore will love him most? Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou 44 hast rightly judged. And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, 45 and wiped them with her hair. Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, 46 since the time I came in, hath not ceased to [6]kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet 47 with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is 48 forgiven, _the same_ loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins 49 are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say 50 [7]within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins? And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

[Footnote 1: Or, _a flask_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _kissed much_.]

[Footnote 3: Some ancient authorities read _the prophet_. See John 1:21, 25.]

[Footnote 4: Or, _Teacher_.]

[Footnote 5: The word in the Greek denotes a coin worth about seventeen cents.]

[Footnote 6: Gr. _kiss much_.]

[Footnote 7: Or, _among_.]

[Footnote a: This anointing in Galilee must be distinct from the anointing at Bethany, near Jerusalem, more than a year later. This sinful and penitent woman is represented by a very late tradition as being Mary Magdalene, and hence all the popular uses of the term Magdalen. But that notion has no historical support whatever, and it becomes violently improbable when we find that in the very next paragraph Luke introduces Mary Magdalene as a new figure in the history. Some men even identify Mary of Bethany with this woman that was a sinner and also with Mary Magdalene, a medley of medieval mysticism.]

_In sections 60 to 63 Jesus makes a second (three in all) tour of Galilee, this time with all the Twelve. Intense hostility of the Pharisees is aroused by the work. They make the blasphemous accusation that Jesus is in league with Satan. Even the kindred of Jesus fear that he is beside himself because of the excitement and the charges._

Sect. 60. THE SECOND TOUR OF GALILEE

Luke 8:1-3

1 And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the [1]good tidings of 2 the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve, and certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary that 3 was called Magdalene, from whom seven [2]devils had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto [3]them of their substance.

[Footnote 1: Or, _gospel_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _demons_.]

[Footnote 3: Many ancient authorities read _him_.]

_Notice that the events of Sects. 61-66 all occurred on the same day, called the Busy Day._[a]

[Footnote a: This "Busy Day" is just one of many such days in the Master's Ministry. See, for instance, the last day of his public ministry in the temple in Jerusalem. Observe Jesus in the _forenoon_ teaching a crowded audience (Mark 3:19), some of whom insult and blaspheme him, and others demand a sign, and at length his mother and brethren try to carry him off as insane (comp. Mark 3:21); in the _afternoon_ giving a group of most remarkable parables, several of which he interprets; towards night crossing the Lake in a boat, so tired and worn that he sleeps soundly amid the alarming storm; then healing the Gadarene demoniacs, and returning by boat, apparently the same evening. What a day of toil and trial.]

Sect. 61. BLASPHEMOUS ACCUSATION OF LEAGUE WITH BEELZEBUB

Galilee

Mark 3:19-30 |Matt. 12:22-37 | 19 And he cometh into a house. | 20 And the multitude cometh | together again, so that they | could not so much as eat bread.| 21 And when his friends heard it, | they went out to lay hold on | him: for they said, He is | beside himself. | |22 Then was brought unto him | [1]one possessed with a devil, 22 And the scribes which came | blind and dumb: and he healed down from Jerusalem said, He | him, insomuch that the dumb man hath Beelzebub, and, [3]By the |23 spake and saw. And all the prince of the [2]devils casteth| multitudes were amazed, and 23 he out the [2]devils. And he | said, Is this the son of David? called them unto him, and said |24 But when the Pharisees heard unto them in parables, How can | it, they said, This man doth 24 Satan cast out Satan? And if a | cast out [2]devils, but [3]by kingdom be divided against | Beelzebub the prince of the itself, that kingdom cannot | [2]devils [_see John 7:20; 25 stand. And if a house be |25 8:48, 52; 10:20_].[a] And divided against itself, that | knowing their thoughts he said house will not be able to | unto them, Every kingdom 26 stand. And if Satan hath risen | divided against itself is up against himself, and is | brought to desolation; and divided, he cannot stand, but | every city or house divided hath an end. | against itself shall not stand: |26 and if Satan casteth out Satan, | he is divided against himself; | how then shall his kingdom |27 stand? And if I [3]by Beelzebub | cast out [2]devils, [3]by whom | do your sons cast them out? 27 But no one can | therefore shall they be your enter into the house of the |28 judges. But if I [3]by the strong _man_, and spoil his | Spirit of God cast out goods, except he first bind the| [2]devils, then is the kingdom strong _man_; and then he will |29 of God come upon you. Or how 28 spoil his house. | can one enter into the house of | the strong _man_, and spoil his | goods, except he first bind the | strong _man_? and then he will Verily I say |30 spoil his house. He that is not unto you, All their sins shall | with me is against me; and he be forgiven unto the sons of | that gathereth not with me men, and their blasphemies |31 scattereth. Therefore I say wherewith soever they shall | unto you, Every sin and 29 blaspheme: but whosoever shall | blasphemy shall be forgiven blaspheme against the Holy | [4]unto men; but the blasphemy Spirit hath never forgiveness, | against the Spirit shall not be but is guilty of an eternal |32 forgiven. And whosoever shall 30 sin: because they said, He hath| speak a word against the Son of an unclean spirit. | man, it shall be forgiven him; | but whosoever shall speak | against the Holy Spirit, it | shall not be forgiven him, 33 neither in this [5]world, nor in that which is to come. Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and 34 its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit. Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of 35 the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man 36 out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give 37 account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

[Footnote 1: Or, _a demoniac_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _demons_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _in_.]

[Footnote 4: Some ancient authorities read _unto you men_.]

[Footnote 5: Or, _age_.]

[Footnote a: Luke (11:14-36) gives another blasphemous accusation later in Judea. Matthew (9:27-34) also has another blasphemous accusation. Note Christ's use of parables in replying to the accusations.]

Sect. 62. SCRIBES AND PHARISEES DEMAND A SIGN

Same day. Galilee

Matt. 12:38-45

38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, 39 [1]Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah the 40 prophet: for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the [2]whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth [_see Jonah 1:17; 2:1-2; 3:5; 41 4:3; 1 Kings 10:1-10_]. The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, [3]a greater than 42 Jonah is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and 43 behold, [3]a greater than Solomon is here. But the unclean spirit, when [4]he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless 44 places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. Then [4]he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when [4]he is come, 45 [4]he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth [4]he, and taketh with [5]himself seven other spirits more evil than [5]himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.

[Footnote 1: Or, _Teacher_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _sea-monster_.]

[Footnote 3: Gr. _more than_.]

[Footnote 4: Or, _it_.]

[Footnote 5: Or, _itself_.]

Sect. 63. CHRIST'S MOTHER AND BRETHREN SEEK TO TAKE HIM HOME

Same day. Galilee

Mark 3:31-35 |Matt. 12:46-50 |Luke 8:19-21 | | |46 While he was yet | 31 And there come his| speaking to the |19 And there came to mother and his | multitudes, behold, | him his mother and brethren; and, | his mother and his | brethren, and they standing without, | brethren stood | could not come at they sent unto him, | without, seeking to | him for the crowd. 32 calling him. And a |47 speak to him. [1]And|20 And it was told multitude was | one said unto him, | him, Thy mother sitting about him; | Behold, thy mother | and thy brethren and they say unto | and thy brethren | stand without, him, Behold, thy | stand without, | desiring to see mother and thy | seeking to speak to |21 thee. brethren without | thee. | 33 seek for thee. And |48 But he | But he he answereth them, | answered and said | answered and said and saith, Who is my| unto him that told | unto them, mother and my | him, Who is my | 34 brethren? And | mother? and who are | looking round on |49 my brethren? And he | them which sat round| stretched forth his | about him, he saith,| hand towards his | | disciples, and said,| Behold, my mother | Behold, my mother | My 35 and my brethren! For|50 and my brethren! For| mother and my whosoever shall do | whosoever shall do | brethren are these the will of God, the| the will of my | which hear the same is my brother, | Father which is in | word of God, and and sister, and | heaven, he is my | do it [_see John mother. | brother, and sister,| 15:14_]. | and mother. |

[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities omit ver. 47.]

_In Sects. 64 to 69 we have the first great group of Parables with the visit to Gerasa and the return to Nazareth._

Sect. 64. THE FIRST GREAT GROUP OF PARABLES[a]

Same day. Beside the Sea of Galilee. Introduction to the Group

Mark 4:1, 2 |Matt. 13:1-3 |Luke 8:4 | | 1 And again he began| 1 On that day went | to teach by the sea | Jesus out of the | side. And there is | house, and sat by | 8 And when a great gathered unto him a | 2 the sea side. And | multitude came very great | there were gathered | together, and they multitude, so that | unto him great | of every city he entered a boat, | multitudes, so that | resorted unto him, and sat in the sea; | he entered into a | and all the | boat, and sat; and | multitude were by | all the multitude | the sea on the land.| stood on the beach. | 2 And he taught them | 3 And he spake to them| many things in | many things in | he spake by a parables, and said | parables, saying, | parable: unto them in his | | teaching, Hearken: | |

[Footnote a: We have met various _separate_ parables heretofore, but here is a _group_ of at least ten. Two other great groups will occur hereafter, one group given in Luke only, and the last group during the last week of our Lord's public ministry.]

_1. To the Crowds by the Sea_

(a) Parable of the Sower

Mark 4:3-25 |Matt. 13:3-23 |Luke 8:5-18 | | 3 Behold, the sower | 3 Behold, the sower | 5 The sower went went forth to sow: | went forth to sow; | forth to sow his 4 and it came to pass,| 4 and as he sowed, | seed: and as he as he sowed, some | some _seeds_ fell by| sowed, some fell by _seed_ fell by the | the way side, and | the way side; and way side, and the | the birds came and | it was trodden birds came and | 5 devoured them: and | under foot, and 5 devoured it. And | others fell upon the| the birds of the other fell on the | rocky places, where | heaven devoured rocky _ground_, | they had not much | 6 it. And other fell where it had not | earth: and | on the rock; and much earth; and | straightway they | as soon as it straightway it | sprang up, because | grew, it withered sprang up, because | they had no deepness| away, because it it had no deepness | 6 of earth: and when | had no moisture. 6 of earth: and when | the sun was risen, | the sun was risen, | they were scorched; | it was scorched; and| and because they had| 7 And other fell because it had no | no root, they | amidst the thorns; root, it withered | 7 withered away. And | and the thorns 7 away. And other fell| others fell upon the| grew with it, and among the thorns, | thorns; and the | 8 choked it. And and the thorns grew | thorns grew up, and | other fell into up, and choked it, | 8 choked them: and | the good ground, and it yielded no | others fell upon the| and grew, and 8 fruit. And others | good ground, and | brought forth fell into the good | yielded fruit, some | fruit a ground, and yielded | a hundredfold, some | hundredfold. As he fruit, growing up | sixty, some thirty. | said these things, and increasing; and | | he cried, brought forth, | | thirtyfold, and | | sixtyfold, and a | | 9 hundredfold. And he | | said, Who hath ears | 9 He that hath | He that to hear, let him | ears[1], let him | hath ears to hear, hear. | hear. | let him hear. 10 And when he was |10 And the disciples | alone, they that | came, and said unto | 9 And his disciples were about him with | him, Why speakest | asked him what the twelve asked of | thou unto them in | this parable might him the parables. |11 parables? And he |10 be. And he said, 11 And he said unto | answered and said | Unto you it is them, Unto you is | unto them, Unto you | given to know the given the mystery of| it is given to know | mysteries of the the kingdom of God: | the mysteries of the| kingdom of God: but unto them that | kingdom of heaven, | but to the rest in are without, all | but to them it is | things are done in |12 not given. For | 12 parables: that | whosoever hath, to | | him shall be given, | | and he shall have | | abundance: but | | whosoever hath not, | | from him shall be | | taken away even that| | which he hath. | |13 Therefore speak I to| | them in parables; | parables; that seeing they may see,| because seeing they | seeing they may and not perceive; | see not, and hearing| not see, and and hearing they may| they hear not, | hearing they may hear, and not | neither do they | not understand. understand; lest |14 understand. And unto|11 Now the parable is haply they should | them is fulfilled | this: The seed is turn again, and it | the prophecy of | the word of God. should be | Isaiah, which saith,|12 And those by the forgiven[a] them. | By hearing ye | way side are they 13 And he saith unto | shall hear, and | that have heard; them, Know ye not | shall in no wise| then cometh the this parable? and | understand; | devil, and taketh how shall ye know | And seeing ye | away the word from all the parables? | shall see, and | their heart, that 14 The sower soweth the| shall in no wise| they may not 15 word. And these are | perceive: | believe and be they by the way |15 For this people's | saved. side, where the word| heart is waxed | is sown; and when | gross, | they have heard, | And their ears are| straightway cometh | dull of hearing,| Satan, and taketh | And their eyes they have closed; away the word which | Lest haply they should perceive with hath been sown in | their eyes, 16 them. And these in | And hear with their ears, like manner are they| And understand with their heart, that are sown upon | And should turn again, | And I should heal them [_see Isa. | 6:9-10_]. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they 17 hear. For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and 18 to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not. Hear then ye 19 the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, _then_ cometh the evil _one_, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is | he that was sown by | |20 the way side. And | | he that was sown |13 And those the rocky _places_, | upon the rocky | on the rock _are_ who, when they have | places, this is he | they which, when heard the word, | that heareth the | they have heard, | word, and | receive the word straightway receive | straightway with joy| with joy; and 17 it with joy; and |21 receiveth it; yet | these have no they have no root in| hath he not root in | root, which for a themselves, but | himself, but | while believe, and endure for a while; | endureth for a | in time of then, when | while; and when | temptation fall tribulation or | tribulation or | away. persecution ariseth | persecution ariseth | because of the word,| because of the word,| straightway they | straightway he | 18 stumble. And others |22 stumbleth. And he |14 And that are they that are | that was sown among | which fell among sown among the | the thorns, this is | the thorns, these thorns; these are | he that heareth the | are they that have they that have heard| | 19 the word, and the | | cares of the | word; and the care | heard, and as they [2]world, and the | of the [2]world, and| go on their way deceitfulness of | the deceitfulness of| they are choked riches, and the | riches, | with cares and lusts of other | | riches and things entering in, | | pleasures of choke the word, and | choke the | _this_ life, and it becometh | word, and he | bring no fruit to 20 unfruitful. And | becometh unfruitful.| perfection. those are they that |23 And he that was sown|15 And were sown upon the | upon the good | that in the good good ground; such as| ground, this is he | ground, these are hear the word, and | that heareth the | such as in an accept it, | word, and | honest and good | understandeth it; | heart, having and bear | who verily beareth | heard the word, fruit, thirtyfold, | fruit, and bringeth | hold it fast, and and sixtyfold, and a| forth, some a | bring forth fruit hundredfold. | hundredfold, some | with patience. | sixty, some thirty. |

21 And he said unto them, Is the |16 And no man, when he hath lamp[b] brought to be put under | lighted a lamp, covereth it the bushel, or under the bed, | with a vessel, or putteth it _and_ not to be put on the | under a bed; but putteth it on 22 stand? For there is nothing hid,| a stand, that they which enter save that it should be |17 in may see the light. For manifested; neither was | nothing is hid, that shall not _anything_ made secret, but that| be made manifest; nor 23 it should come to light. If any | _anything_ secret, that shall man hath ears to hear, let him | not be known and come to light. 24 hear. And he said unto them, | Take heed what ye hear: with |18 Take heed therefore how ye what measure ye mete it shall be| hear: for whosoever hath, to measured unto you: and more | him shall be given; and 25 shall be given unto you. For he | whosoever hath not, from him that hath, to him shall be | shall be taken away even that given: and he that hath not, | which he [3]thinketh he hath. from him shall be taken away | even that which he hath. |

[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities add here, and in ver. 43, _to hear_: as in Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _age_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _seemeth to have_.]

[Footnote a: Observe that Jesus spoke these words just after the blasphemous accusation and on the same day (Matt. 13:1).]

[Footnote b: Note here another brief parable of the lamp to enforce the lesson of the parable of the Sower. Preachers to-day sometimes tell one story to illustrate another.]

(b) Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself

Mark 4:26-29

26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast 27 seed upon the earth; and should sleep and rise night and day, and 28 the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. The earth [1]beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then 29 the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit [2]is ripe, straightway he [3]putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come [_see Joel 3:13_].

[Footnote 1: Or, _yieldeth_.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _alloweth_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _sendeth forth_.]

(c) Parable of the Tares

Matt. 13:24-30

24 Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven 25 is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed [1]tares also among the wheat, 26 and went away. But when the blade sprang up, and brought forth 27 fruit, then appeared the tares also. And the [2]servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good 28 seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? And he said unto them, [3]An enemy hath done this. And the [2]servants say unto 29 him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat 30 with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

[Footnote 1: Or, _darnel_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _bondservants_.]

[Footnote 3: Gr. _A man_ that is _an enemy_.]

(d) Parable of the Mustard Seed

Mark 4:30-32 |Matt. 13:31-32 | 30 And he said, How shall we liken|31 Another parable set he before the kingdom of God? or in what | them, saying, The kingdom of parable shall we set it forth? | heaven is like unto a grain of [1]It is like a grain of | mustard seed, which a man took, mustard seed, which, when it is| and sowed in his field: which sown upon the earth, though it | indeed is less than all seeds; be less than all the seeds that| but when it is grown, it is are upon the earth, yet when it| greater than the herbs, and is sown, groweth up, and | becometh a tree [_see Dan. becometh greater than all the | 4:12, 21_], so that the birds herbs, and putteth out great | of the heaven come and lodge in branches; so that the birds of | the branches thereof. the heaven can lodge under the | shadow thereof. |

[Footnote 1: Gr. _As unto_.]

(e) Parable of the Leaven and many such Parables

Mark 4:33-34 |Matt. 13:33-35 | |33 Another parable spake he unto | them; The kingdom of heaven is | like unto leaven, which a woman | took, and hid in three | [1]measures of meal, till it | was all leavened. 33 And with many[a] such |34 All these things spake Jesus parables spake he the word unto| in parables unto the multitudes; them, as they were able to hear| and without[a] a parable spake 34 it: and without a parable spake|35 he nothing unto them: that it he not unto them: but privately| might be fulfilled which was to his disciples he expounded | spoken [2]by the prophet, all things. | saying, | I will open my mouth in | parables; | I will utter things hidden | from the foundation [3]of | the world [_see Ps. 78:2_].

[Footnote 1: The word in the Greek denotes the Hebrew seah, a measure containing nearly a peck and a half.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _through_.]

[Footnote 3: Many ancient authorities omit _of the world_.]

[Footnote a: Note the expression. Matthew gives nine in Chapter 13 and Mark another. There may have been still others on this day.]

_2. To the Disciples in the House_

(a) Explanation of the Parable of the Tares

Matt. 13:36-43

36 Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of 37 the tares of the field. And he answered and said, He that soweth 38 the good seed is the Son of man; and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares 39 are the sons of the evil _one_; and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is [1]the end of the world; and the 40 reapers are angels. As therefore the tares are gathered up and 41 burned with fire; so shall it be in [1]the end of the world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do 42 iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there 43 shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father [_see Dan. 12:3_]. He that hath ears, let him hear.

[Footnote 1: Or, _the consummation of the age_.]

(b) The Parable of the Hid Treasure

Matt. 13:44

44 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and [1]in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

[Footnote 1: Or, _for joy thereof_.]

(c) The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

Matt. 13:45-46

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a 46 merchant seeking goodly pearls: and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

(d) The Parable of the Net

Matt. 13:47-50

47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a [1]net, that was cast 48 into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered 49 the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away. So shall it be in [2]the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever 50 the wicked from among the righteous, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth.

[Footnote 1: Gr. _dragnet_.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _consummation of the age_.]

(e) The Parable of the Householder

Matt. 13:51-53

51 Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea. And 52 he said unto them, Therefore every scribe who hath been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. 53 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables,[a] he departed thence.

[Footnote a: Eight of these ten parables go in pairs (the sower and the seed growing of itself, the tares and the net, the mustard seed and the leaven, the hid treasure and the pearl of great price). But nothing can be made out of the number of the parables spoken on this day. We do not even know what the number was. Jesus had spoken various shorter and more or less isolated parables before this occasion. An immediate occasion for the use of so many and such extended parables at this point was the hostility of the Pharisees and the need of special instruction for the disciples who were taught by Jesus how to interpret parables, though they had much difficulty later in applying the instruction about the parabolic teaching.]

Sect. 65. IN CROSSING THE LAKE, JESUS STILLS THE TEMPEST

Same day. Sea of Galilee

Mark 4:35-41 |Matt. 8:18, 23-27 |Luke 8:22-25 | | 35 And on that day, |18 Now when Jesus saw| when even was come, | great multitudes | he saith unto them, | about him, he gave | Let us go over unto | commandment to | the other side. | depart unto the |22 Now it came to | other side. | pass on one of 36 And leaving the |23 And when he was | those days, that multitude, they take| entered into a boat,| he entered into a him with them, even | his disciples | boat, himself and as he was, in the | followed him. | his disciples; and boat. And other | | he said unto them, boats were with him.| | Let us go over to | | the other side of | | the lake: and they | | launched forth. | |23 But as they sailed | | he fell asleep: 37 And there ariseth a |24 And | and there came great storm of wind,| behold, there arose | down a storm of and the waves beat | a great tempest in | wind on the lake; into the boat, | the sea, insomuch | and they were insomuch that the | that the boat was | filling _with boat was now | covered with the | water_, and were 38 filling. And he | waves: but he was | in jeopardy. himself was in the |25 asleep. And they | stern, asleep on the| came to him, and | cushion: and they | awoke him, saying, |24 And awake him, and say | Save, Lord; we | they came to him, unto him, Master, | perish. | and awoke him, carest thou not that| | saying, Master, 39 we perish? And he |26 And he saith | master, we perish. awoke, and rebuked | unto them, Why are | And he awoke, and the wind, and said | ye fearful, O ye of | rebuked the wind unto the sea, Peace,| little faith? Then | and the raging of be still. And the | he arose, and | the water: and wind ceased, and | rebuked the winds | they ceased, and there was a great | and the sea; and | there was a calm. 40 calm. And he said | there was a great | unto them, Why are | calm. |25 And he said unto ye fearful? have ye | | them, Where is not yet faith? | | your faith? | | And 41 And |27 And the men | being afraid they they feared | marvelled, saying, | marvelled, saying exceedingly, and | What manner of man | one to another, said one to another,| is this, that even | Who then is this, Who then is this, | the winds and the | that he commandeth that even the wind | sea obey him? | even the winds and and the sea obey | | the water, and him? | | they obey him?

Sect. 66. BEYOND THE LAKE JESUS HEALS THE GERASENE[a] DEMONIAC[b]

Gerasa (Khersa). Same day

Mark 5:1-20 |Matt. 8:28-34 |Luke 8:26-39 | | 1 And they came to |28 And when he was |26 And they arrived the other side of | come to the other | at the country of the sea, into the | side into the | the [4]Gerasenes, country of the | country of the | which is over 2 Gerasenes. And when | Gadarenes, there met| against Galilee. he was come out of | him two [1]possessed|27 And when he was the boat, | with devils, coming | come forth upon straightway there | forth out of the | the land, there met him out of the | tombs, exceeding | met him a certain tombs a man with an | fierce, so that no | man out of the 3 unclean spirit, who | man could pass by | city, who had had his dwelling in |29 that way. | [2]devils; and for the tombs: and no | | a long time he had man could any more | | worn no clothes, bind him, no, not | | and abode not in with a chain; | | _any_ house, but 4 because that he had | | in the tombs. been often bound | | with fetters and | | chains, and the | | chains had been rent| | asunder by him, and | | the fetters broken | | in pieces: and no | | man had strength to | | 5 tame him. And | | always, night and | | day, in the tombs | | and in the | | mountains, he was | | crying out, and | | cutting himself with| | 6 stones. And when he | |28 And saw Jesus from afar,| | when he saw Jesus, he ran and | | he cried out, and 7 worshipped him; and | And | fell down before crying out with a | behold, they cried | him, and with a loud voice, he | out, saying, What | loud voice said, saith, What have I | have we to do with | What have I to do to do with thee, | thee, thou Son of | with thee, Jesus, Jesus, thou Son of | God? art thou come | thou Son of the the Most High God? I| hither to torment us| Most High God? I adjure thee by God, | before the time? | beseech thee, 8 torment me not. For | | torment me not. he said unto him, | |29 For he commanded Come forth, thou | | the unclean spirit unclean spirit, out | | to come out of the of the man. | | man. For | | [5]oftentimes it | | had seized him: | | and he was kept | | under guard, and | | bound with chains | | and fetters; and | | breaking the bands | | asunder, he was | | driven of the | | [6]devil into the | |30 deserts. And Jesus 9 And he | | asked him, What is asked him, What is | | thy name? And he thy name? And he | | said, Legion; for saith unto him, My | | many [2]devils name is Legion; for | | were entered into 10 we are many. And he | |31 him. And they besought him much | | intreated him that that he would not | | he would not send them away out | | command them to of the country. | | depart into the 11 Now |30 Now |32 abyss. Now there there was there on | there was afar off | was there a herd the mountain side a | from them a herd of | of many swine great herd of swine | many swine feeding. | feeding on the 12 feeding. And they |31 And the [2]devils | mountain: and they besought him, | besought him, | intreated him that saying, Send us into| saying, If thou cast| he would give them the swine, that we | us out, send us away| leave to enter may enter into them.| into the herd of | into them. And he 13 And he gave them |32 swine. And he said | gave them leave. leave. And the | unto them, Go. And |33 And the [2]devils unclean spirits came| they came out, and | came out from the out, and entered | went into the swine:| man, and entered into the swine: and | and behold, the | into the swine: the herd rushed down| whole herd rushed | and the herd the steep into the | down the steep into | rushed down the sea, _in number_ | the sea, and | steep into the about two thousand; | perished in the | lake, and were and they were choked| waters. |34 choked. And when in the sea. | | they that fed them | | saw what had come | | to pass, they |33 And they | fled, and told it 14 And they| that fed them fled, | in the city and in that fed them fled, | and went away into |35 the country. And and told it in the | the city, and told | they went out to city, and in the | everything, and what| see what had come country. And they | was befallen to them| to pass; and they came to see what it | that were | came to Jesus, and was that had come to| [1]possessed with | found the man, 15 pass. And they come |34 devils. And behold, | from whom the to Jesus, and behold| all the city came | [2]devils were [3]him that was | out to meet Jesus: | gone out, sitting, possessed with | | clothed and in his devils sitting, | | right mind, at the clothed and in his | | feet of Jesus: and right mind, _even_ | | they were afraid. him that had the | | legion: and they | | 16 were afraid. And | |36 And they that saw they that saw it | | it told them how declared unto them | | he that was how it befell [3]him| | possessed with that was possessed | | [2]devils was with devils, and | |37 [7]made whole. And concerning the | | all the people of 17 swine. And they | and when they saw | the country of the began to beseech him| him, they besought | [4]Gerasenes round to depart from their| _him_ that he would | about asked him to 18 borders. And as he | depart from their | depart from them; was entering into | borders. | for they were the boat, he that | | holden with great had been possessed with | fear: and he entered into a [2]devils besought him that he |38 boat, and returned. But the man 19 might be with him. And he | from whom the [2]devils were suffered him not, but saith unto| gone out prayed him that he him, Go to thy house unto thy | might be with him: but he sent friends, and tell them how great|39 him away, saying, Return to thy things the Lord hath done for | house, and declare how great thee, and _how_ he had mercy on | things God hath done for thee. 20 thee. And he went his way, and | And he went his way, publishing began to publish in Decapolis | throughout the whole city how how great things Jesus had done | great things Jesus had done for for him: and all men did | him. marvel.[c] |

[Footnote 1: Or, _demoniacs_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _demons_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _the demoniac_.]

[Footnote 4: Many ancient authorities read _Gergesenes_; others _Gadarenes_.]

[Footnote 5: Or, _of a long time_.]

[Footnote 6: Gr. _demon_.]

[Footnote 7: Or, _saved_.]

[Footnote a: The long famous instance of "discrepancy" as to the _place_ in this narrative has been cleared up in recent years by the decision of textual critics that the correct text in Luke is Gerasenes, as well as in Mark, and by Dr. Thomson's discovery of a ruin on the lake shore, named Khersa (Gerasa). If this village was included (a very natural supposition) in the district belonging to the city of Gadara, some miles south-eastward, then the locality could be described as either in the country of the Gadarenes, or in the country of the Gerasenes.]

[Footnote b: Matthew mentions two demoniacs, Mark and Luke describe one, who was probably the prominent and leading one.]

[Footnote c: Note in Mark the numerous vivid details and fulness of narrative.]

Sect. 67. THE RETURN AND THE HEALING OF JAIRUS' DAUGHTER AND OF THE WOMAN WHO ONLY TOUCHED CHRIST'S GARMENT

Probably Capernaum

Mark 5:21-43 |Matt. 9:18-26 |Luke 8:40-56 | | 21 And when Jesus had| |40 And as Jesus crossed over again | | returned, the in the boat unto the| | multitude welcomed other side, a great | | him; for they were multitude was | | all waiting for gathered unto him: | | him. and he was by the | | sea. | | 22 And there cometh | | one of the rulers of| | the synagogue, |18 While he spake |41 And behold, there Jairus by name; and | these things unto | came a man named seeing him, he | them,[a] behold, | Jairus, and he was 23 falleth at his feet,| there came [1]a | a ruler of the and beseecheth him | ruler, and | synagogue: and he much, saying, My | worshipped him, | fell down at little daughter is | saying, My daughter | Jesus' feet, and at the point of | is even now dead: | besought him to death: _I pray | but come and lay thy| come into his thee_, that thou | hand upon her, and |42 house; for he had come and lay thy |19 she shall live. And | an only daughter, hands on her, that | Jesus arose, and | about twelve years she may be [2]made | followed him, and | of age, and she 24 whole, and live. And| _so did_ his | lay a dying. But he went with him; | disciples. | as he went the and a great | | multitudes multitude followed | | thronged him. him, and they | | thronged him. | | 25 And a woman, which|21 And |43 And a woman had an issue of | behold, a woman, who| having an issue of blood twelve years, | had an issue of | blood twelve years, 26 and had suffered | blood twelve years, | which [8]had spent many things of many | came behind him, and| all her living physicians, and had | touched the border | upon physicians, spent all that she |22 of his garment: for | and could not be had, and was nothing| she said within | healed of any, bettered, but rather| herself, If I do but|44 came behind him, 27 grew worse, having | touch his garment, I| and touched the heard the things | shall be [2]made | border of his concerning Jesus, | whole. | garment: and came in the crowd | | immediately the behind, and touched | | issue of her blood 28 his garment. For she| | stanched. said, If I touch but| | his garments, I | | shall be [2]made | | 29 whole. And | | straightway the | | fountain of her | | blood was dried up; | | and she felt in her | | body that she was | | healed of her | | 30 [5]plague. And | | straightway Jesus, | | perceiving in | | himself that the | | power _proceeding_ | | from him had gone | | forth, turned him | | about in the crowd, | |45 And and said, Who | | Jesus said, Who is touched my garments?| | it that touched 31 And his disciples | | me? And when all said unto him, Thou | | denied, Peter seest the multitude | | said, [9]and they thronging thee, and | | that were with sayest thou, Who | | him, Master, the 32 touched me? And he | | multitudes press looked round about | | thee and crush to see her that had | |46 _thee_. But Jesus 33 done this thing. But| | said, Some one did the woman fearing | | touch me: for I and trembling, | | perceived that knowing what had | | power had gone been done to her, | |47 forth from me. And came and fell down | | when the woman saw before him, and told| | that she was not him all the truth. | | hid, she came | | trembling, and | | falling down |23 But Jesus | before him 34 And he said unto | turning and seeing | declared in the her, Daughter, thy | her said, Daughter, | presence of all faith hath [3]made | be of good cheer; | the people for thee whole; go in | thy faith hath | what cause she peace, and be whole | [3]made thee whole. | touched him, and of thy [5]plague. | And the woman was | how she was healed | [2]made whole from |48 immediately. And | that hour. | he said unto her, | | Daughter, thy | | faith hath [3]made | | thee whole; go in | | peace. 35 While he yet | |49 While he yet spake, they come | | spake, there from the ruler of | | cometh one from the synagogue's | | the ruler of the _house_, saying, Thy| | synagogue's daughter is dead: | | _house_, saying, why troublest thou | | Thy daughter is the [6]Master any | | dead; trouble not 36 further? But Jesus, | |50 the [6]Master. But [7]not heeding the | | Jesus hearing it, word spoken, saith | | answered him, Fear unto the ruler of | | not: only believe, the synagogue, Fear | | and she shall be not, only believe. | |51 [2]made whole. And 37 And he suffered no | | when he came to man to follow with | | the house, he him, save Peter, and| | suffered not any James, and John the | | man to enter in brother of James. | | with him, save 38 And they come to the|24 And when | Peter, and John, house of the ruler | Jesus came into the | and James, and the of the synagogue; | ruler's house, and | father of the and he beholdeth a | saw the | maiden and her tumult, and _many_ | flute-players, and |52 mother. And all weeping and wailing | the crowd making a | were weeping, and 39 greatly. And when he|25 tumult, he said, | bewailing her: but was entered in, he | Give place: for the | he said, Weep not; saith unto them, Why| damsel is not dead, | for she is not make ye a tumult, | but sleepeth. And | dead, but and weep? the child | they laughed him to |53 sleepeth. And they is not dead, but | scorn. But when the | laughed him to 40 sleepeth. And they | | scorn, knowing laughed him to | | that she was dead. scorn. But he, |26 But when the | having put them all | crowd was put forth,| forth, taketh the | | father of the child | | and her mother and | | them that were with | | him, and goeth in | | where the child was.| he entered in, and | 41 And taking the child| took her by the |54 But he, taking her by the hand, he | hand; | by the hand, saith unto her, | | Talitha cumi; which | | is, being | | called, saying, interpreted, Damsel,| |55 Maiden, arise. And I say unto thee, | | her spirit 42 Arise. And | | returned, and she straightway the | and the damsel| rose up damsel rose up, and | arose. | immediately: and walked; for she was | | twelve years old. | | And they were amazed| | straightway with a | | he commanded that 43 great amazement. And|27 And [4]the | _something_ be he charged them much| fame hereof went | given her to eat. that no man should | forth into all that |56 And her parents know this: and he | land. | were amazed: but he commanded that | | charged them to _something_ should | | tell no man what be given her to eat.| | had been done.

[Footnote 1: Gr. _one ruler_.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _saved_.]

[Footnote 3: Or _saved thee_.]

[Footnote 4: Gr. _this fame_.]

[Footnote 5: Gr. _scourge_.]

[Footnote 6: Or, _Teacher_.]

[Footnote 7: Or, _overhearing_.]

[Footnote 8: Some ancient authorities omit _had spent all her living upon physicians, and_.]

[Footnote 9: Some ancient authorities omit _and they that were with him_.]

[Footnote a: Broadus felt that the language in Matt. 9:18 compelled him to place 9:18 after 9:17. I do not think so, for "while he spake" may be merely an introductory phrase for a new paragraph. It is best to follow Mark's order, as Luke does, for Matthew is not chronological in this part of his Gospel.]

Sect. 68. HE HEALS TWO BLIND MEN, AND A DUMB DEMONIAC. A BLASPHEMOUS ACCUSATION

Matt. 9:27-34

27 And as Jesus passed by from thence, two blind men followed him, 28 crying out, and saying, Have mercy on us, thou son of David. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They 29 say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, 30 According to your faith be it done unto you. And their eyes were opened. And Jesus [1]strictly charged them, saying, See that no 31 man know it. But they went forth, and spread abroad his fame in all that land. 32 And as they went forth, behold, there was brought to him a dumb 33 man possessed with a [2]devil. And when the [2]devil was cast out, the dumb man spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was 34 never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, [3]By the prince of the [4]devils casteth he out [4]devils.

[Footnote 1: Or, _sternly_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _demon_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _In_.]

[Footnote 4: Gr. _demons_.]

Sect. 69. THE LAST[a] VISIT TO NAZARETH

Mark 6:1-6 |Matt. 13:54-58 | 1 And he went out from thence; | and he cometh into his own | country; and his disciples | 2 follow him. And when the | sabbath was come, he began to |54 And coming into his own teach in the synagogue: and | country he taught them in their [3]many hearing him were | synagogue, insomuch that they astonished, saying, Whence hath| were astonished, and said, this man these things? and, | Whence hath this man this What is the wisdom that is | wisdom, and these [1]mighty given unto this man, and _what |55 works? Is not this the mean_ such [1]mighty works | carpenter's son? is not his 3 wrought by his hands? Is not | mother called Mary? and his this the carpenter, the son of | brethren, James, and Joseph, Mary, and brother of James, and|56 and Simon, and Judas? And his Joses, and Judas, and Simon? | sisters, are they not all with and are not his sisters here | us? Whence then hath this man with us? And they were |57 all these things? And they were 4 [2]offended in him. And Jesus | [2]offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is | said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his| not without honour, save in his own country, and among his own | own country, and in his own 5 kin, and in his own house. And |58 house. And he did not many he could there do no [4]mighty | [1]mighty works there because work, save that he laid his | of their unbelief. hands upon a few sick folk, and| 6 healed them. And he marvelled | because of their unbelief. |

[Footnote 1: Gr. _powers_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _caused to stumble_.]

[Footnote 3: Some ancient authorities insert _the_.]

[Footnote 4: Gr. _power_.]

[Footnote a: There is no sufficient occasion to identify this visit to Nazareth with that described by Luke. That was at the very beginning of the great ministry in Galilee, and this is near its close. The details are quite different. It is perfectly natural that after a long interval he should give the Nazarenes another opportunity to hear his teaching, and to witness miracles, which he would not work for them when demanded, but now voluntarily works in a few cases, so far as their now _wonderful_ unbelief left it appropriate.]

_In Sections 70 to 71 we have the Third Tour of Galilee (Jesus following the Twelve) and the effect on Herod Antipas._

Sect. 70. THE THIRD TOUR OF GALILEE AFTER INSTRUCTING THE TWELVE AND SENDING THEM FORTH BY TWOS

Mark 6:6-13 |Matt. 9:35 to 11:1 | 6 And he went round |35 And Jesus went about all the cities and about the villages | the villages,[a] teaching in their teaching. | synagogues, and preaching the gospel of | the kingdom, and healing all manner of 36 disease and all manner of sickness. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd 37 [_see Num. 27:17; Ezek. 34:5_]. Then saith he unto his disciples, 38 The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye | therefore the Lord | | of the harvest, that| | he send forth | | labourers into his |Luke 9:1-6 | harvest. | 7 And he called unto| 1 And he called unto| 1 And he called the him the twelve, and | him his twelve | twelve together, began to send them | disciples, and gave | and gave them forth by two and | them authority over | power and two; and he gave | unclean spirits, to | authority over all them authority over | cast them out, and | [3]devils, and to the unclean spirits;| to heal all manner | 2 cure diseases. And 8 and he charged them | of disease and all | he sent them forth | manner of sickness. | to preach the | | kingdom of God, 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are | and to heal these: The first, Simon, who is called | 3 [19]the sick. And Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the | he said unto them, 3 _son_ of Zebedee, and John his brother; | Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew| the publican; James the _son_ of Alphaeus, | 4 and Thaddaeus; Simon the [1]Cananaean, and | Judas Iscariot, who also [2]betrayed him. | 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged | them, saying, Go not into _any_ way of the | Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the| 6 Samaritans: but go rather to the lost sheep | 7 of the house of Israel. And as ye go, | preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at | | 8 hand. Heal the sick,| | raise the dead, | | cleanse the lepers, | that they should | cast out [3]devils: | take nothing for | freely ye received, | Take nothing for _their_ journey, | 9 freely give. Get you| your journey, save a staff only; | no gold, nor silver,| neither staff, nor no bread, no wallet,| nor brass in your | wallet, nor bread, no [17]money in |10 [4]purses; no wallet| nor money; neither 9 their [18]purse; but| for _your_ journey, | have two coats. _to go_ shod with | neither two coats, | sandals: and, _said | nor shoes, nor | he_, put not on two | staff: for the | coats. | labourer is worthy | | of his food. And | 10 And he said |11 into whatsoever city| 4 And into whatsoever unto them, | or village ye shall | house ye enter, Wheresoever ye enter| enter, search out | there abide, and into a house, there | who in it is worthy;| 5 thence depart. And abide till ye depart| and there abide till| 11 thence. And |12 ye go forth. And as | whatsoever place | ye enter into the | | house, salute it. | |13 And if the house be | | worthy, let your | | peace come upon it: | | but if it be not | | worthy, let your | | peace return to you.| shall not receive |14 And whosoever shall | as many as receive you, and they hear | not receive you, nor| you not, when ye you not, as ye go | hear your words, as | depart from that forth thence, shake | ye go forth out of | city, shake off off the dust that is| that house or that | the dust from your under your feet for | city, shake off the | feet for a a testimony unto | dust of your feet. | testimony against them. |15 Verily I say unto | them. | you, It shall be | | more tolerable for | | the land of Sodom | | and Gomorrah in the | | day of judgement, | | than for that city. | 16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye 17 therefore wise as serpents, and [5]harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their 18 synagogues they will scourge you; yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and 19 to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour 20 what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit 21 of your Father that speaketh in you. And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall 22 rise up against parents, and [6]cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that 23 endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 24 A disciple is not above his [7]master, nor a [8]servant above his 25 lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his [7]master, and the [8]servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house [9]Beelzebub, how much more _shall they call_ them of 26 his household! Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be 27 known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light: and 28 what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops. And be not afraid of them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and 29 body in [10]hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and 30 not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father: but 31 the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore; 32 ye are of more value than many sparrows. Every one therefore who shall confess [11]me before men, [12]him will I also confess 33 before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I came to [13]send peace on the earth: I came not 35 to [13]send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, 36 and the daughter in law against her mother in law: and a man's 37 foes _shall be_ they of his own household [_see Micah 7:6_]. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not 39 worthy of me. He that [14]findeth his [15]life shall lose it; and he that [16]loseth his [15]life for my sake shall find it [_see John 12:25_]. 40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me 41 receiveth him that sent me [_see John 13:20_]. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous 42 man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. | | 12 And they went out,| 1 And it came to | 6 And they and preached that | pass, when Jesus had| departed, and went _men_ should repent.| made an end of | throughout the And they cast out | commanding his | villages, many [3]devils, and | twelve disciples, he| preaching the anointed with oil | departed thence to | gospel, and healing many that were sick,| teach and preach in | everywhere. and healed them. | their cities. |

[Footnote 1: Or, _Zealot_. See Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _delivered him up_: and so always.]

[Footnote 3: Gr. _demons_.]

[Footnote 4: Gr. _girdles_.]

[Footnote 5: Or, _simple_.]

[Footnote 6: Or, _put them to death_.]

[Footnote 7: Or, _teacher_.]

[Footnote 8: Gr. _bondservant_.]

[Footnote 9: Gr. _Beelzebul_: and so elsewhere.]

[Footnote 10: Gr. _Gehenna_.]

[Footnote 11: Gr. _in me_.]

[Footnote 12: Gr. _in him_.]

[Footnote 13: Gr. _cast_.]

[Footnote 14: Or, _found_.]

[Footnote 15: Or, _soul_.]

[Footnote 16: Or, _lost_.]

[Footnote 17: Gr. _brass_.]

[Footnote 18: Gr. _girdle_.]

[Footnote 19: Some ancient authorities omit _the sick_.]

[Footnote a: This is certainly a _second_, and probably a _third_ journey about Galilee. Dwell on Matt. 9:35 and 11:1 (end of this section), and try to realize the extent of the Saviour's work in teaching and healing. He "crowded into three short years actions and labours of love that might have adorned a century." (Ro. Hall.)]

Sect. 71. THE GUILTY FEARS OF HEROD ANTIPAS IN TIBERIAS ABOUT JESUS BECAUSE HE HAD BEHEADED THE BAPTIST IN MACHAERUS

Mark 6:14-29 |Matt. 14:1-12 |Luke 9:7-9 | | 14 And king Herod | 1 At that season | 7 Now Herod the heard[a] _thereof_; | Herod the tetrarch | tetrarch heard of for his name had | heard the report | all that was done: become known: and | concerning Jesus, | and he was much [1]he said, John | 2 and said unto his | perplexed, because [2]the Baptist is | servants, This is | that it was said risen from the dead,| John the Baptist; he| by some, that John and therefore do | is risen from the | was risen from the these powers work in| dead; and therefore | 8 dead; and by some, 15 him. But others | do these powers work| that Elijah had said, It is Elijah. | in him. | appeared; and by And others said, _It| | others, that one is_ a prophet, | | of the old prophets _even_ as one of the| | was risen again. 16 prophets. But Herod,| | 9 And Herod said, when he heard | | John I beheaded: _thereof_, said, | | but who is this, John, whom I | | about whom I hear beheaded, he is | | such things? And he 17 risen. For Herod | | sought to see him. himself had sent | 3 For Herod had laid | forth and laid hold | hold on John, and | upon John, and bound| bound him, and put | him in prison for | him in prison for | the sake of | the sake of | Herodias, his | Herodias, his | brother Philip's | brother Philip's | wife: for he had | wife. | 18 married her. For | | John said unto | 4 For John said | Herod,[b] It is not | unto him, It is not | lawful for thee to | lawful for thee to | have thy brother's | 5 have her. And when | wife [_see Lev. | he would have put | 19 18:16; 20:21_]. And | him to death, he | Herodias set herself| feared the | against him, and | multitude, because | desired to kill him;| they counted him as | and she could not; | a prophet. | 20 for Herod feared | | John, knowing that | | he was a righteous | | man and a holy, and | | kept him safe. And | | when he heard him, | | he [3]was much | | perplexed; and he | | heard him gladly. | | 21 And when a | | convenient day was | | come, that Herod on | | his birthday made a | | supper to his lords,| | and the [4]high | | captains, and the | | chief men of | | 22 Galilee; and when | 6 But when Herod's | [5]the daughter of | birthday came, the | Herodias herself | daughter of Herodias| came in and danced, | danced in the midst,| [6]she pleased Herod| and pleased Herod. | and them that sat at| | meat with him; and | | the king said unto | | the damsel, Ask of | | me whatsoever thou | 7 Whereupon he | wilt, and I will | promised with an | 23 give it thee. And he| oath to give her | sware unto her, | whatsoever she | Whatsoever thou | 8 should ask. And she,| shalt ask of me, I | being put forward by| will give it thee, | her mother, saith, | unto the half of my | | 24 kingdom. And she | | went out, and said | | unto her mother, | | What shall I ask? | | And she said, The | | head of John [2]the | | 25 Baptist. And she | | came in straightway | | with haste unto the | | king, and asked, | | saying, I will that | | thou forthwith give | | me in a charger the | Give me here in a | head of John [2]the | 9 charger the head of | 26 Baptist. And the | John the Baptist. | king was exceeding | And the king was | sorry; but for the | grieved; but for the| sake of his oaths, | sake of his oaths, | and of them that sat| and of them which | at meat, he would | sat at meat with | 27 not reject her. And | him, he commanded it| straightway the king|10 to be given; and he | sent forth a soldier| sent, and beheaded | of his guard, and | John in the prison. | commanded to bring |11 And his head was | his head: and he | brought in a | went and beheaded | charger, and given | him in the prison, | to the damsel: and | 28 and brought his head| she brought it to | in a charger, and | | gave it to the | | damsel; and the | | damsel gave it to | | her mother. And when|12 her mother. And his | his disciples heard | disciples came, and | _thereof_, they came| took up the corpse, | and took up his | and buried him; and | corpse, and laid it | they went and told | in a tomb. | Jesus. |

[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _they_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _the Baptizer_.]

[Footnote 3: Many ancient authorities read _did many things_.]

[Footnote 4: Or, _military tribunes_. Gr. _chiliarchs_.]

[Footnote 5: Some ancient authorities read _his daughter Herodias_.]

[Footnote 6: Or, _it_.]

[Footnote a: Mark's connection shows that Herod Antipas was impressed by the account of miracles which the disciples had wrought, as well as by those of Jesus himself.]

[Footnote b: Josephus (_Antiquities_, Book XVIII, v., 2) says of John that Herod "thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it should be too late." Josephus in no wise controverts the picture in Mark where Herodias appears as the one who prods Antipas to put John out of the way to satisfy her resentment against him for his rebuke of her adulterous marriage. Josephus merely presents the public and political aspects of the imprisonment and death of John.]