PART VIII
THE SPECIAL TRAINING OF THE TWELVE IN DISTRICTS AROUND GALILEE
Probably Passover in A.D. 29[a] to near Tabernacles in A.D. 29 or a year earlier (six months from spring to autumn). Just a year from the beginning of this Period till the Crucifixion. Emphasis now on the King of the Kingdom (the Person of the Messiah).
_Sects. 72-95. Four separate withdrawals[b] from Galilee are given, in Sects. 72, 78, 79, 81. Notice that in every case he keeps out of Herod's territory, and in every case he goes to the mountains._
[Footnote a: If the ministry of Jesus was three and a half years in length. If there were only three passovers in the ministry, then the year would be A.D. 28. This period begins just before a passover (John 6:4).]
[Footnote b: There are five reasons for the withdrawals from Galilee. He withdraws from the jealousy of Herod Antipas (Sect. 71), from the fanaticism of would-be followers in Galilee (John 6:15), and the hostility of the Jewish rulers; and leaving the hot shores of the Lake of Galilee, he spent the summer in mountain districts around, resting, and _instructing the Twelve_.]
Sect. 72. THE FIRST RETIREMENT. THE TWELVE RETURN, AND JESUS RETIRES WITH THEM BEYOND THE LAKE TO REST. FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND
Mark 6:30-44 |Matt. 14:13-21 |Luke 9:10-17 |John 6:1-13 | | | 30 And the | |10 And the | apostles | | apostles, when| gather | | they were | themselves | | returned, | together unto | | declared unto | Jesus; and | | him what | they told him | | things they | all things, | | had done. | whatsoever | | | they had done,| | | and whatsoever| | | they had | | | 31 taught. And he| | | saith unto | | | them, Come ye | | | yourselves | | | apart into a | | | desert place, | | | and rest a | | | while. For | | | there were | | | many coming | | | 1 After these and going, and| | | things Jesus they had no |13 Now when | | went away to leisure so | Jesus heard | And he took | the other much as to | _it_, he | them, and | side of the 32 eat. And they | withdrew from| withdrew apart| sea of went away in | thence in a | to a city | Galilee, the boat to a | boat, to a | called | which is _the desert place | desert place | Bethsaida.[a] | sea_ of 33 apart. And | apart: and | | 2 Tiberias. And _the people_ | when the |11 But the | a great saw them | multitudes | multitudes | multitude going, and | heard | perceiving it | followed him, many knew | _thereof_, | followed him: | because they _them_, and | they followed| and he | beheld the they ran there| him [1]on | welcomed them,| signs which together [1]on| foot from the| and spake to | he did on foot from all |14 cities. And | them of the | them that the cities, | he came | kingdom of | were sick. and outwent | forth, and | God, and them | 3 And Jesus 34 them. And he | saw a great | that had need | went up into came forth and| multitude, | of healing he | the saw a great | and he had | healed. | mountain, multitude, and| compassion on| | and there he he had | them, and | | sat with his compassion on | healed their | | disciples. them, because | sick. | | they were as | | | sheep not | | | having a | | | shepherd: and | | | he began to | | | teach them |15 And |12 And | 4 Now the many things. | when even was| the day began | passover, the 35 And when the | come, the | to wear away; | feast of the day was now | disciples | and the twelve| Jews was at far spent, his| came to him, | came, and said| 5 hand. Jesus disciples came| saying, The | unto him, Send| therefore unto him, and | place is | the multitude | lifting up said, The | desert, and | away, that | his eyes, and place is | the time is | they may go | seeing that a desert, and | already past;| into the | great the day is now| send the | villages and | multitude far spent: | multitudes | country round | cometh unto 36 send them | away, that | about, and | him, saith away, that | they may go | lodge, and get| unto Philip, they may go | into the | victuals: for | Whence are we into the | villages, and| we are here in| to buy country and | buy | a desert | [4]bread, that villages round| themselves | place. | these may eat? about, and buy| food. | | themselves | | | somewhat to | | | 37 eat. But he |16 But | | 6 And answered and | Jesus said |13 But he | this he said said unto | unto them, | said unto | to prove him: them, Give ye | They have no | them, Give ye | for he them to eat. | need to go | them to eat. | himself knew And they say | away; give ye| | what he would unto him, | them to eat. | | 7 do. Philip Shall we go | | | answered him, and buy two | | | Two hundred hundred | | | [3]pennyworth [3]pennyworth | | | of [4]bread of bread, and | | | is not give them to | | | sufficient 38 eat? And he | | | for them, saith unto | | | that every them, | | | one may take | | | 8 a little. One How many |17 And they say | And they said,| of his loaves have | unto him, We | We have no | disciples, ye? go _and_ | have here but| more than five| Andrew, Simon see. And when | five loaves, | loaves and two| Peter's they knew, | and two | fishes; except| brother, they say, |18 fishes. And | we should go | saith unto Five, and two | he said, | and buy food | 9 him, There is 39 fishes. And he| Bring them | for all this | a lad here, commanded them| hither to me.|14 people. For | which hath that all |19 And he | they were | five barley should [2]sit | commanded the| about five | loaves, and down by | multitudes to| thousand men. | two fishes: companies upon| [2]sit down | And he said | but what are the green | on the grass;| unto his | these among 40 grass. And | | disciples, | so many? they sat down | | Make them |10 Jesus said, in ranks, by | | [2]sit down in| Make the hundreds, and | | companies, | people sit by fifties. | | about fifty | down. | |15 each. And they| Now | | did so, and | there was | | made them all | much grass in | | [2]sit down. | the place. So 41 And he took | and he took |16 And he took | the men sat the five | the five | the five | down, in loaves and the| loaves, and | loaves and the| number about two fishes, | the two | two fishes, | five and looking up| fishes, and | and looking up| thousand. to heaven, he | looking up to| to heaven, he |11 Jesus blessed, and | heaven, he | blessed them, | therefore brake the | blessed, and | and brake; and| took the loaves; and he| brake and | gave to the | loaves; and gave to the | gave the | disciples to | having given disciples to | loaves to the| set before the| thanks, set before | disciples, | multitude. | distributed them; and the | and the | | to them that two fishes | disciples to | | were set divided he | the | | down; among them | multitudes. |17 And | likewise also 42 all. And they |20 And they did | they did eat, | of the fishes did all eat, | all eat, and | and were all | as much as and were | were filled: | filled: and | they would. 43 filled. And | and they took| there was |12 And when they they took up | up that which| taken up that | were filled, broken pieces,| remained over| which remained| he saith unto twelve | of the broken| over to them | his basketfuls, | pieces, | of broken | disciples, and also of | twelve | pieces, twelve| Gather up the the fishes. | baskets full.| baskets. | broken pieces 44 And they that |21 And they that| | which remain ate the loaves| did eat were | | over, that were five | about five | | nothing be thousand men. | thousand men,| |13 lost. So they | beside women | | gathered them | and children.| | up, and | | | filled twelve | | | baskets with | | | broken pieces | | | from the five | | | barley | | | loaves, which | | | remained over | | | unto them | | | that had | | | eaten.[b]
[Footnote 1: Or, _by land_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _recline_.]
[Footnote 3: The word in the Greek denotes a coin worth about seventeen cents.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _loaves_.]
[Footnote a: The Bethsaida of Luke 9:10 was evidently the eastern Bethsaida, which the Tetrarch Philip had named Bethsaida Julias, while that of Mark 6:45 was the western Bethsaida, near Capernaum. The territory belonging to Bethsaida Julias would naturally extend some distance down the lake.]
[Footnote b: Note that here for the first time John runs parallel with all the synoptic gospels. All four report this incident. See Passion Week.]
Sect. 73. THE PREVENTION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PURPOSE TO PROCLAIM JESUS KING (A POLITICAL MESSIAH)
Mark 6:45-46 |Matt. 14:22-23 |John 6:14-15 | | 45 And straightway he|22 And straightway he|14 When therefore constrained his | constrained the | the people saw the disciples to enter | disciples to enter | [1]sign which he into the boat, and | into the boat, and | did, they said, to go before _him_ | to go before him | This is of a truth unto the other side | unto the other side,| the prophet that to Bethsaida, while | till he should send | cometh into the he himself sendeth | the multitudes away.| world [_see Deut. the multitude away. |23 And after he had | 18:15_]. 46 And after he had | sent the multitudes |15 Jesus therefore taken leave of them,| away, he went up | perceiving that he departed into the| into the mountain | they were about to mountain to pray. | apart to pray: and | come and take him | when even was come, | by force, to make | he was there alone. | him king, withdrew | | again into the | | mountain himself | | alone.
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _signs_.]
Sect. 74. THE PERIL TO THE TWELVE IN THE STORM AT SEA AND CHRIST'S COMING TO THEM ON THE WATER IN THE DARKNESS
Mark 6:47-52 |Matt. 14:24-33 |John 6:16-21 | | 47 And when even was |24 But the boat [1]was |16 And when evening come, the boat was | now in the midst of | came, his in the midst of the | the sea, distressed | disciples went sea, and he alone on| by the waves; for | down unto the sea; 48 the land. And seeing| the wind was |17 and they entered them distressed in | contrary. | into a boat, and rowing, for the wind| | were going over was contrary unto | | the sea unto them, about the |25 And in the| Capernaum. And it fourth watch of the | fourth watch of the | was now dark, and night he cometh unto| night he came unto | Jesus had not yet them, walking on the| them, walking upon |18 come to them. And sea; and he would | the sea. | the sea was rising have passed by them:| | by reason of a 49 but they, when they |26 And when | great wind that saw him walking on | the disciples saw |19 blew. When the sea, supposed | him walking on the | therefore they had that it was an | sea, they were | rowed about five apparition, and | troubled, saying, It| and twenty or 50 cried out: for they | is an apparition; | thirty furlongs, all saw him, and | and they cried out | they behold Jesus were troubled. | for fear. | walking on the | | sea, and drawing But |27 But | nigh unto the he straightway spake| straightway Jesus | boat: and they with them, and saith| spake unto them, |20 were afraid. But unto them, Be of | saying, Be of good | he saith unto good cheer: it is I;| cheer; it is I; be | them, It is I; be 51 be not afraid. |28 not afraid. And | not afraid. | Peter answered him | | and said, Lord, if | | it be thou, bid me | | come unto thee upon | |29 the waters. And he | | said, Come. And | | Peter went down from| | the boat, and walked| | upon the waters, | | [2]to come to Jesus.| |30 But when he saw the | | [3]wind, he was | | afraid; and | | beginning to sink, | | he cried out, | | saying, Lord, save | |31 me. And immediately | | Jesus stretched | | forth his hand, and | | took hold of him, | | and saith unto him, | | O thou of little | | faith, wherefore | And | didst thou doubt? | he went up unto them|32 And when they were |21 They into the boat; and | gone up into the | were willing the wind ceased: and| boat, the wind | therefore to they were sore |33 ceased. And they | receive him into amazed in | that were in the | the boat: and 52 themselves; for they| boat worshipped him,| straightway the understood not | saying, Of a truth | boat was at the concerning the | thou art the Son of | land whither they loaves, but their | God. | were going. heart was hardened. | |
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _was many furlongs distant from the land_.]
[Footnote 2: Some ancient authorities read _and came_.]
[Footnote 3: Many ancient authorities add _strong_.]
Sect. 75. THE RECEPTION AT GENNESARET
Mark 6:53-56 |Matt. 14:34-36 | 53 And when they had [1]crossed |34 And when they had crossed over, they came to the land | over, they came to the land, unto Gennesaret, and moored to | unto Gennesaret. 54 the shore. And when they were | come out of the boat, | straightway _the people_ knew | 55 him, and ran about that whole | region, and began to carry | about on their beds those that | were sick, where they heard he | 56 was. And wheresoever[a] he |35 And when the men of entered, into villages, or into| that place knew him, they sent cities, or into the country, | unto all that region round they laid the sick in the | about, and brought unto him all marketplaces, and besought him |36 that were sick; and they that they might touch if it | besought him that they might were but the border of his | only touch the border of his garment: and as many as touched| garment: and as many as touched [2]him were made whole. | were made whole.
[Footnote 1: Or, _crossed over to the land, they came unto Gennesaret_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _it_.]
[Footnote a: This general characterization applies to the Galilean work as a whole in Part VII rather than to the precise time at this juncture. But one must allow his imagination to enlarge upon the scope of Christ's work.]
Sect. 76. THE COLLAPSE OF THE GALILEAN CAMPAIGN BECAUSE JESUS WILL NOT CONFORM TO POPULAR MESSIANIC EXPECTATIONS
_The next day in the Synagogue in Capernaum. The same crowd that had eaten the Loaves and the Fishes leave Christ in disgust on learning that He is the Bread of Life and not a Political Messiah._
John 6:22-71
22 On the morrow the multitude which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other [1]boat there, save one, and that Jesus entered not with his disciples into the boat, but 23 _that_ his disciples went away alone (howbeit there came [2]boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they ate the bread after 24 the Lord had given thanks): when the multitude therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they themselves got 25 into the [2]boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, 26 Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw 27 signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. Work not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him 28 the Father, _even_ God, hath sealed. They said therefore unto him, 29 What must we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on 30 him whom [3]he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What then doest thou for a sign, that we may see, and believe thee? what 31 workest thou? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat [_see Ex. 32 16:4, 15; Ps. 78:24; Neh. 9:15_]. Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out 33 of heaven. For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of 34 heaven, and giveth life unto the world. They said therefore unto 35 him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he 36 that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, that 37 ye have seen me, and yet believe not. All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in 38 no wise cast out. For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine 39 own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I 40 should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and [4]I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am 42 the bread which came down out of heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? 43 how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven? Jesus answered 44 and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw him: and I will raise 45 him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets [_see Isa. 54:13_], And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath 46 heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is from God, he hath 47 seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth 48 hath eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat 49 the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread 50 which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and 51 not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this 53 man give us his flesh to eat? Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son 54 of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life; and 55 I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is [5]meat 56 indeed, and my blood is [6]drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh 57 and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that 58 eateth me, he also shall live because of me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers did eat, and 59 died: he that eateth this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in [7]the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard _this_, said, 61 This is a hard saying; who can hear [8]it? But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said unto them, Doth 62 this cause you to stumble? _What_ then if ye should behold the Son 63 of man ascending where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have 64 spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they 65 were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father. 66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more 67 with him. Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go 68 away? Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou 69 [9]hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and know 70 that thou art the Holy One of God. Jesus answered them, Did not I 71 choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? Now he spake of Judas _the son_ of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, _being_ one of the twelve.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _little boat_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _little boats_.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _he sent_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _that I should raise him up_.]
[Footnote 5: Gr. _true meat_.]
[Footnote 6: Gr. _true drink_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, _a synagogue_.]
[Footnote 8: Or, _him_.]
[Footnote 9: Or, _hast words_.]
Sect. 77. PHARISEES FROM JERUSALEM REPROACH JESUS FOR ALLOWING HIS DISCIPLES TO DISREGARD THEIR TRADITIONS ABOUT CEREMONIAL DEFILEMENT OF THE HANDS. A PUZZLING PARABLE IN REPLY
Probably in Capernaum
Mark 7:1-23 |Matt. 15:1-20 |John 7:1 | | 1 And there are gathered | 1 Then there | 1 And after together unto him the | come to Jesus| these things Pharisees, and certain of the | from | Jesus walked scribes, which had come from | Jerusalem | in Galilee: 2 Jerusalem, and had seen that | Pharisees and| for he would some of his disciples ate their| scribes, | not walk in bread with [6]defiled, that is,| saying, | Judea, because 3 unwashen, hands. For the | | the Jews Pharisees, and all the Jews, | | sought to kill except they wash their hands | | him. [7]diligently, eat not, holding| | the tradition of the elders: | | 4 and _when they come_ from the | | marketplace, except they | | [8]wash themselves, they eat | | not: and many other things | | there be, which they have | | received to hold, [9]washings | | 5 of cups, and pots, and brasen | | vessels.[10] And the Pharisees | | and the scribes ask him, Why | 2 Why do thy disciples transgress walk not thy disciples | the tradition of the elders? for according to the tradition of | they wash not their hands when the elders, but eat their bread| 3 they eat bread. And he answered 6 with [6]defiled hands? And he | 7 and said unto them, Ye said unto them, Well did Isaiah| hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as | prophesy of you, saying [_see it is written, | Isa. 29:13_], This people honoureth me with| 8 This people honoureth me with their lips, | their lips; But their heart is far from | But their heart is far from me. | me. 7 But in vain do they worship | 9 But in vain do they worship me, | me, Teaching _as their_ doctrines| Teaching _as their_ doctrines the precepts of men. | the precepts of men. 8 Ye leave the commandment of | 3 Why do ye also transgress the God, and hold fast the | commandment of God because of 9 tradition of men. And he said | your tradition? unto them, Full well do ye | reject the commandment of God, | that ye may keep your | 10 tradition. For Moses [_see Ex. | 20:12; Deut. 5:16_] said, | 4 For God said, Honour thy father and thy | Honour thy father and thy mother; and, He that speaketh | mother: and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let | evil of father or mother, let 11 him [1]die the death: but ye | 5 him [1]die the death. But ye say, If a man shall say to his | say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, That | father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have | wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban, | been profited by me is given that is to say, Given _to God_ | _to God_; he shall not honour [_see Ex. 21:17; Lev. 20:9_]; | 6 his father[2]. And ye have made 12 ye no longer suffer him to do | aught for his father or his | 13 mother; making void the word of| void the [3]word of God because God by your tradition, which ye| of your tradition. have delivered: and many such | 14 like things ye do. And he |10 And he called to him the multitude | called to him the multitude, again, and said unto them, Hear| and said unto them, Hear, and me all of you, and understand: |11 understand: Not that which 15 there is nothing from without | the man, that going into him | entereth into the mouth can defile him: but the things | defileth the man; but that which proceed out of the man | which proceedeth out of the are those that defile the | mouth, this defileth the man. 17 man.[11] And when he was | entered into the house from the| multitude, his disciples asked | of him the parable. |12 Then came the disciples, and | said unto him, Knowest thou | that the Pharisees were | [4]offended, when they heard |13 this saying? But he answered | and said, Every [5]plant which | my heavenly Father planted not, |14 shall be rooted up. Let them | alone: they are blind guides. | And if the blind guide the | blind, both shall fall into a |15 pit. And Peter answered and 18 And he | said unto him, Declare unto us saith unto them, Are ye so |16 the parable. And he said, Are without understanding also? | ye also even yet without Perceive ye not, that |17 understanding? Perceive ye not, whatsoever from without goeth | that whatsoever goeth into the into the man, _it_ cannot | 19 defile him; because it goeth | not into his heart, but into | mouth passeth into the belly, his belly, and goeth out into | and is cast out into the the draught? _This he said_, | draught? 20 making all meats clean. And he | said, That which proceedeth out|18 But the things which of the man, that defileth the | proceed out of the mouth come 21 man. For from within, out of | forth out of the heart; and the heart of men, [12]evil |19 they defile the man. For out of thoughts proceed, fornications,| the heart come forth evil thefts, murders, adulteries, | thoughts, murders, adulteries, 22 covetings, wickednesses, | fornications, thefts, false deceit, lasciviousness, an evil| witness, railings: eye, railing, pride, | 23 foolishness: all these evil |20 these are things proceed from within, and| the things which defile the defile the man. | man: but to eat with unwashen | hands defileth not the man.
[Footnote 1: Or, _surely die_.]
[Footnote 2: Some ancient authorities add _or his mother_.]
[Footnote 3: Some ancient authorities read _law_.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _caused to stumble_.]
[Footnote 5: Gr. _planting_.]
[Footnote 6: Or, _common_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, _up to the elbow_. Gr. _with the fist_.]
[Footnote 8: Gr. _baptize_. Some ancient authorities read _sprinkle themselves_.]
[Footnote 9: Gr. _baptizings_.]
[Footnote 10: Many ancient authorities add _and couches_.]
[Footnote 11: Many ancient authorities insert ver. 16 _If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear._]
[Footnote 12: Gr. _thoughts that are evil_.]
Sect. 78. THE SECOND WITHDRAWAL TO THE REGION OF TYRE AND SIDON AND THE HEALING OF THE DAUGHTER OF A SYRO-PHOENICIAN WOMAN
Mark 7:24-30 |Matt. 15:21-28 | 24 And from thence he arose, and|21 And Jesus went out thence, and went away into the borders of | withdrew into the parts of Tyre Tyre [3]and Sidon. And he | and Sidon.[a] entered into a house, and would|22 And behold, a have no man know it: and he | Canaanitish woman came out from 25 could not be hid. But | those borders, and cried, straightway a woman, whose | saying, Have mercy on me, O little daughter had an unclean | Lord, thou son of David; my spirit, having heard of him, | daughter is grievously vexed came and fell down at his feet.|23 with a [1]devil. But he 26 Now the woman was a [4]Greek, a| answered her not a word. And Syrophoenician by race. And she| his disciples came and besought besought him that he would cast| him, saying, Send her away; for forth the [1]devil out of her |24 she crieth after us. But he daughter. | answered and said, I was not | sent but unto the lost sheep of |25 the house of Israel. But she | came and worshipped him, 27 And he said unto her, |26 saying, Lord, help me. And he Let the children first be | answered and said, It is not filled: for it is not meet to | meet to take the children's take the children's [2]bread | [2]bread and cast it to the 28 and cast it to the dogs. But | she answered and saith unto | him, Yea, Lord: even the dogs |27 dogs. But she said, Yea, Lord: under the table eat of the | for even the dogs eat of the 29 children's crumbs. And he said | crumbs which fall from their unto her, For this saying go |28 masters' table. Then Jesus thy way; the [1]devil is gone | answered and said unto her, O 30 out of thy daughter. And she | woman, great is thy faith: be went away unto her house, and | it done unto thee even as thou found the child laid upon the | wilt. And her daughter was bed, and the [1]devil gone out.| healed from that hour.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _demon_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _loaf_.]
[Footnote 3: Some ancient authorities omit _and Sidon_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _Gentile_.]
[Footnote a: It used to be questioned whether he actually left the land of Israel. Matthew's expression ought to have settled the question, and the corrected text of Mark 7:31 leaves no doubt.]
Sect. 79. THE THIRD WITHDRAWAL NORTH THROUGH PHOENICIA AND EAST TOWARDS HERMON AND SOUTH INTO DECAPOLIS (KEEPING OUT OF THE TERRITORY OF HEROD ANTIPAS) WITH THE HEALING OF THE DEAF AND DUMB MAN AND THE FEEDING OF THE FOUR THOUSAND
Mark 7:31-8:9 |Matt. 15:29-38 | 31 And again he went out from |29 And Jesus departed thence, and the borders of Tyre, and came | came nigh unto the sea of through Sidon unto the sea of | Galilee; and he went up into Galilee, through the midst of | the mountain, and sat there. the borders of Decapolis.[a] | 32 And they bring unto him one | that was deaf, and had an | impediment in his speech; and | they beseech him to lay his | 33 hand upon him. And he took him | aside from the multitude | privately, and put his fingers | into his ears, and he spat, and| 34 touched his tongue; and looking| up to heaven, he sighed, and | saith unto him, Ephphatha, that| 35 is, Be opened. And his ears | were opened, and the bond of | his tongue was loosed, and he | 36 spake plain. And he charged |30 And there came unto him great them that they should tell no | multitudes, having with them man: but the more he charged | the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, them, so much the more a great | and many others, and they cast 37 deal they published it. And | them down at his feet; and he they were beyond measure |31 healed them: insomuch that the astonished, saying, He hath | multitude wondered, when they done all things well: he maketh| saw the dumb speaking, the even the deaf to hear, and the | maimed whole, and the lame dumb to speak. | walking, and the blind seeing: 1 In those days, when there was| and they glorified the God of again[b] a great multitude, and| Israel. they had nothing to eat, he | called unto him his disciples, |32 And Jesus called unto him his 2 and saith unto them, I have | disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, | compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me | because they continue with me now three days, and have | now three days and have nothing 3 nothing to eat: and if I send | to eat: and I would not send them away fasting to their | them away fasting, lest haply home, they will faint in the | they faint in the way. way; and some of them are come |33 And the 4 from far. And his disciples | disciples say unto him, Whence answered him, Whence shall one | should we have so many loaves be able to fill these men with | in a desert place, as to fill [1]bread here in a desert |34 so great a multitude? And Jesus 5 place? And he asked them, How | saith unto them, How many many loaves have ye? And they | loaves have ye? And they said, 6 said, Seven. And he commandeth | Seven, and a few small fishes. the multitude to sit down on |35 And he commanded the multitude the ground: and he took the |36 to sit down on the ground; and seven loaves, and having given | he took the seven loaves and thanks, he brake, and gave to | the fishes; and he gave thanks his disciples, to set before | and brake, and gave to the them; and they set them before | disciples, and the disciples to 7 the multitude. And they had a | multitudes. few small fishes: and having | blessed them, he commanded to | 8 set these also before them. And|37 And they did all they did eat, and were filled: | eat, and were filled: and they and they took up, of broken | took up that which remained pieces that remained over, | over of the broken pieces, seven 9 seven baskets. And they were |38 baskets full. And they that did about four thousand: and he | eat were four thousand men, sent them away. | beside women and children.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _loaves_.]
[Footnote a: Observe how carefully he keeps away from the territory ruled by Herod Antipas. The tetrarch Philip, who governed the districts east of the Lake of Galilee and of the upper Jordan, was a better man than Antipas, and moreover had no cause to feel uneasy about Jesus.]
[Footnote b: It is to be noted that Mark and Matthew give the feeding of the five thousand and of the four thousand. Mark and Matthew likewise report Jesus as referring to both incidents (Mark 8:19-20 = Matt. 16:9-10). Hence, it is hard to think of a mere confusion in the use of the data. There is no real reason why both incidents could not be true.]
Sect. 80. THE BRIEF VISIT TO MAGADAN (DALMANUTHA) IN GALILEE AND THE SHARP ATTACK BY THE PHARISEES AND THE SADDUCEES (NOTE THEIR APPEARANCE NOW AGAINST JESUS)
Mark 8:10-12 |Matt. 15:39-16:4 | 10 And straightway he entered into|39 And he sent away the the boat with his disciples, | multitudes, and entered into and came into the parts of | the boat, and came into the Dalmanutha. | borders of Magadan.[a] 11 And the Pharisees came forth,| 1 And the Pharisees and began to question with him, | Sadducees came, and tempting seeking of him a sign from | him[b] asked him to shew them a heaven, tempting him. | 2 sign from heaven. But he | answered and said unto them, | [1]When it is evening, ye say, | _It will be_ fair weather: for | 3 the heaven is red. And in the | morning, _It will be_ foul | weather to-day: for the heaven | is red and lowring. Ye know how 12 And he | to discern the face of the sighed deeply in his spirit, | heaven; but ye cannot _discern_ and saith, Why doth this | 4 the signs of the times. An evil generation seek a sign? verily | and adulterous generation I say unto you, There shall no | seeketh after a sign; and there sign be given unto this | shall no sign be given unto it, generation. | but the sign of Jonah [_see | Jonah 3:4_]. And he left them, | and departed.
[Footnote 1: The following words, to the end of ver. 3, are omitted by some of the most ancient and other important authorities.]
[Footnote a: The situation of Magadan was unknown to some early students or copyists, as it is to us, and so they changed it to the familiar Magdala, found in our common texts.]
[Footnote b: The moment he returns to Galilee the Jewish leaders begin to attack him.]
Sect. 81. THE FOURTH RETIREMENT TO BETHSAIDA JULIAS IN THE TETRARCHY OF HEROD PHILIP WITH SHARP REBUKE OF THE DULNESS OF THE DISCIPLES ON THE WAY ACROSS AND THE HEALING OF A BLIND MAN IN BETHSAIDA
Mark 8:13-26 |Matt. 16:5-12 | 13 And | he left them, and again | entering into _the boat_ | departed to the other side. | 14 And they forgot to take | 5 And the disciples came to the bread; and they had not in the | other side and forgot to take boat with them more than one | 6 [1]bread. And Jesus said unto 15 loaf. And he charged them, | them, Take heed and beware of saying, Take heed, beware of | the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of the Pharisees and| 7 Sadducees. And they reasoned 16 the leaven of Herod. And they | among themselves, saying, [2]We reasoned one with another, | 8 took no [1]bread. And Jesus 17 [4]saying. [5]We have no bread.| perceiving it said, O ye of And Jesus perceiving it saith | little faith, why reason ye unto them, Why reason ye, | among yourselves, because ye because ye have no bread? do ye| 9 have no [1]bread? Do ye not yet not yet perceive, neither | perceive, neither remember the understand? have ye your heart | five loaves of the five 18 hardened? Having eyes, see ye | thousand, and how many not? and having ears, hear ye |10 [3]baskets ye took up? Neither not? and do ye not remember | the seven loaves of the four 19 [_see Jer. 5:21; Ezek. 12:2_]? | thousand, and how many When I brake the five loaves |11 [3]baskets ye took up? How is among the five thousand, how | it that ye do not perceive that many [6]baskets full of broken | I spake not to you concerning pieces took ye up? They say | [1]bread? But beware of the 20 unto him, Twelve. And when the | leaven of the Pharisees and seven among the four thousand, |12 Sadducees. Then understood they how many [6]basketfuls of | how that he bade them not broken pieces took ye up? And | beware of the leaven of 21 they say unto him, Seven. And | [1]bread, but of the teaching he said unto them, Do ye not | of the Pharisees and Sadducees. yet understand? 22 And they come unto Bethsaida.[a] And they bring to him a blind 23 man, and beseech him to touch him. And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, 24 Seest thou aught? And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I 25 behold _them_ as trees, walking. Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked stedfastly, and was restored, and saw all 26 things clearly. And he sent him away to his home, saying, Do not even enter into the village.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _loaves_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, It is _because we took no bread_.]
[Footnote 3: _Basket_ in ver. 9 and 10 represents different Greek words.]
[Footnote 4: Some ancient authorities read _because they had no bread_.]
[Footnote 5: Or, It is _because we have no bread_.]
[Footnote 6: _Basket_ in ver. 19 and 20 represents different Greek words.]
[Footnote a: Jesus goes on to the region of Caesarea Philippi on Mount Hermon, where no hostility had been aroused, and he could quietly instruct the Twelve. He probably remained in that vicinity several months, as this whole period of retirement lasted six months. He was near Bethsaida Julias in the First Retirement and now he stops here again on his way to Caesarea Philippi. Each of the four retirements is into heathen territory (Ituraea twice, Phoenicia, Decapolis), where Greek influence prevails, and where the Greek language is dominant.]
Sect. 82. NEAR CAESAREA PHILIPPI JESUS TESTS THE FAITH OF THE TWELVE IN HIS MESSIAHSHIP
Mark 8:27-30 |Matt. 16:13-20 |Luke 9:18-21 | | 27 And Jesus went |13 Now when Jesus |18 And it came to forth, and his | came into the parts | pass, as he was disciples, into the | of Caesarea | praying alone, the villages of Caesarea| Philippi, he asked | disciples were Philippi: and in the| his disciples, | with him: and he way he asked his | saying, Who do men | asked them, disciples, saying | say [1]that the Son | saying, Who do the unto them, Who do |14 of man is? And they | multitudes say men say that I am? | said, Some _say_ |19 that I am? And 28 And they told him, | John the Baptist; | they answering saying, John the | some, Elijah: and | said, John the Baptist: and others,| others, Jeremiah, or| Baptist; but Elijah: but others, | one of the prophets.| others _say_, One of the prophets.|15 He saith unto them, | Elijah; and 29 And he asked them, | But who say ye that | others, that one But who say ye that |16 I am? And Simon | of the old I am? Peter | Peter answered and | prophets is risen answereth and saith | said, Thou art the |20 again. And he said unto him, Thou art | Christ,[a] the Son | unto them, But who the Christ. | of the living God. | say ye that I am? |17 And Jesus answered | And Peter | and said unto him, | answering said, | Blessed art thou, | The Christ of God. | Simon Bar-Jonah: for| | flesh and blood hath| | not revealed it unto| | thee, but my Father | | which is in heaven. | |18 And I also say unto | | thee, that thou art | | [2]Peter, and upon | | this [3]rock I will | | build[b] my church | | [_see Ps. 89:4, 26, | | 38, 48_]; and the | | gates of Hades shall| | not prevail against | |19 it. I will give unto| | thee the keys of the| | kingdom of heaven: | | and whatsoever thou | | shalt bind on earth | | shall be bound in | | heaven: and | | whatsoever thou | | shalt loose on earth| | shall be loosed in | |20 heaven. Then charged|21 But he charged 30 And he | he the disciples | them, and charged them that | that they should | commanded _them_ they should tell no | tell no man that he | to tell this to no man of him. | was the Christ. | man;
[Footnote 1: Many ancient authorities read _that I the Son of man am_. See Mark 8:27; Luke 9:18.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _Petros_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _petra_.]
[Footnote a: Some understand ver. 16f. as showing that they had never before believed him to be the Messiah, and so hold that the other Gospels here utterly conflict with John, who represents the first disciples (Sects. 28, 35) as believing Jesus to be the Messiah. But it is easy to suppose that their early faith in his Messiahship was shaken by his continued failure to gather armies and set up the expected temporal kingdom, and while still believing him to have a divine mission they had questioned whether he was the Messiah, as John the Baptist did in prison (Sect. 57). Observe that in Matthew and Luke he long before this time distinctively _implied_ that he was the Messiah, in response to the Forerunner's inquiries (Sect. 57). Besides, at the Baptism and the Temptation, the Synoptic Gospels represent Jesus as the Son of God.]
[Footnote b: It is interesting to note that the imagery employed by Jesus here all appears in Ps. 89, a Messianic Psalm built on 2 Sam. 7. Thus note "build" in Ps. 89:4, "rock" in 89:26, "anointed" in 89:38, "the power of Sheol" in 89:48, and the Psalm discusses the perpetuity of the Davidic throne (Kingdom). Jesus applies this imagery to the spiritual Kingdom that He is building.]
Sect. 83. JESUS DISTINCTLY FORETELLS THAT HE, THE MESSIAH, WILL BE REJECTED AND KILLED, AND WILL RISE THE THIRD DAY
Mark 8:31-37 |Matt. 16:21-26 |Luke 9:22-25 | | |21 From that time | 31 And he began to | began [1]Jesus to | teach them, that the| shew unto his | Son of man must | disciples, how that |22 saying, The Son of suffer many things, | he must go unto | man must suffer and be rejected by | Jerusalem, and | many things, and the elders, and the | suffer many things | be rejected of the chief priests, and | of the elders and | elders and chief the scribes, and be | chief priests and | priests and killed, and after | scribes, and be | scribes, and be three days rise | killed, and the | killed, and the 32 again. And he spake | third day be raised | third day be the saying openly. | up. | raised up. And Peter took him, |22 And Peter took | and began to rebuke | him, and began to | 33 him. But he turning | rebuke him, saying, | about, and seeing | [2]Be it far from | his disciples, | thee, Lord: this | rebuked Peter, and | shall never be unto | saith, Get thee |23 thee. But he turned,| behind me, Satan: | and said unto Peter,| for thou mindest not| Get thee behind me, | the things of God, | Satan: thou art a | but the things of | stumbling-block unto| 34 men. And he called | me: for thou mindest| unto him the | not the things of | multitude with his | God, but the things | disciples, and said |24 of men. Then said |23 And he | Jesus unto his | said unto all, If unto them, If any | disciples, If any | any man would come man would come after| man would come after| after me, let him me, let him deny | me, let him deny | deny himself, and himself, and take up| himself, and take up| take up his cross his cross, and | his cross, and | daily, and follow 35 follow me. For |25 follow me. For |24 me. For whosoever whosoever would save| whosoever would save| would save his his [3]life shall | his [3]life shall | [3]life shall lose lose it; and | lose it: and | it; but whosoever whosoever shall lose| whosoever shall lose| shall lose his his [3]life for my | his [3]life for my | [3]life for my sake and the | sake shall find it. | sake, the same gospel's shall save | |25 shall save it. For 36 it. For what doth it|26 For what shall a man| what is a man profit a man, to | be profited, if he | profited, if he gain the whole | shall gain the whole| gain the whole world, and forfeit | world, and forfeit | world, and lose or 37 his [3]life? For | his [3]life? or what| forfeit his own what should a man | shall a man give in | self? give in exchange for| exchange for his | his [3]life? | [3]life? |
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _Jesus Christ_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, God _have mercy on thee_.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _soul_.]
Sect. 84. THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN IN THAT GENERATION
Mark 8:38-9:1 |Matt. 16:27-28 |Luke 9:26-27 | | 38 For whosoever | |26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of | | shall be ashamed me and of my words | | of me and of my in this adulterous |27 For the Son of man | words, of him and sinful | shall come in the | shall the Son of generation, the Son | glory of his Father | man be ashamed, of man also shall be| with his angels; | when he cometh in ashamed of him, when| and then shall | his own glory, and he cometh in the | he render unto every| _the glory_ of the glory of his Father | man according to | Father, and of the with the holy | his [1]deeds [_see | holy angels. 1 angels. And he said | Ps. 62:12; Prov. |27 But I unto them, Verily I |28 24:12_]. Verily I | tell you of a say unto you, There | say unto you, There | truth, There be be some here of them| be some of them that| some of them that that stand _by_, | stand here, which | stand here, which which shall in no | shall in no wise | shall in no wise wise taste of death,| taste of death, till| taste of death, till they see the | they see the Son of | till they see the kingdom of God come | man coming in his | kingdom of God. with power. | kingdom. |
[Footnote 1: Gr. _doing_.]
Sect. 85. THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS ON A MOUNTAIN (PROBABLY HERMON[a]) NEAR CAEESAREA PHILIPPI
Mark 9:2-8 |Matt. 17:1-8 |Luke 9:28-36 | | 2 And after six days| 1 And after six days|28 And it came to Jesus taketh with | Jesus taketh with | pass about eight him Peter, and | him Peter, and | days after these James, and John, and| James, and John his | sayings, he took bringeth them up | brother, and | with him Peter and into a high mountain| bringeth them up | John and James, apart by themselves:| into a high mountain| and went up into and he was | 2 apart: and he was | the mountain to transfigured before | transfigured before |29 pray. And as he 3 them: and his | them: and his face | was praying, the garments became | did shine as the | fashion of his glistering, | sun, and his | countenance was exceeding white; so | garments became | altered, and his as no fuller on | white as the light. | raiment _became_ earth can whiten | 3 And behold, there | white _and_ 4 them. And there | appeared unto them |30 dazzling. And appeared unto them | Moses and Elijah | behold, there Elijah with Moses: | talking with him. | talked with him and they were | | two men, which talking with Jesus. | | were Moses and | |31 Elijah; who | | appeared in glory, | | and spake of his | | [2]decease which | | he was about to | | accomplish at | |32 Jerusalem. Now | | Peter and they | | that were with | | him, were heavy | | with sleep: but | | [3]when they were | | fully awake, they | | saw his glory, and 5 And Peter | 4 And Peter | the two men that answereth and saith | answered, and said | stood with him. to Jesus, Rabbi, it | unto Jesus, Lord, it|33 And it came to is good for us to | is good for us to be| pass, as they were be here: and let us | here: if thou wilt, | parting from him, make three | I will make three | Peter said unto [1]tabernacles,[b] | [1]tabernacles; one | Jesus, Master, it one for thee, and | for thee, and one | is good for us to one for Moses, and | for Moses, and one | be here: and let 6 one for Elijah. For | for Elijah. | us make three he wist not what to | 5 While he was yet | [1]tabernacles; answer; for they | speaking, behold, a | one for thee, and became sore afraid. | bright cloud | one for Moses, and 7 And there came a | overshadowed them: | one for Elijah: cloud overshadowing | and behold, a voice | not knowing what them: and there came| out of the cloud, |34 he said. And while a voice out of the | saying, This is my | he said these cloud, This is my | beloved Son, in whom| things, there came beloved Son: hear ye| I am well pleased; | a cloud, and him [_see Deut. | 6 hear ye him. And | overshadowed them: 18:15; Isa. 42:1; | when the disciples | and they feared as Ps. 2:7_].[c] | heard it, they fell | they entered into | on their face, and |35 the cloud. And a | were sore afraid. | voice came out of | 7 And Jesus came and | the cloud, saying, | touched them and | This is [4]my Son, 8 And | said, Arise, and be | my chosen: hear ye suddenly looking | 8 not afraid. And | him. round about, they | lifting up their |36 And when the saw no one any more,| eyes, they saw no | voice [5]came, save Jesus only with| one, save Jesus | Jesus was found themselves. | only. | alone.
[Footnote 1: Or, _booths_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _departure_.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _having remained awake_.]
[Footnote 4: Many ancient authorities read _my beloved Son_. See Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7.]
[Footnote 5: Or, _was past_.]
[Footnote a: The tradition which places the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor is beyond question false.]
[Footnote b: Probably not long before the feast of tabernacles (near end of September) and Peter may have meant that they celebrate the feast on the mountains instead of going to Jerusalem.]
[Footnote c: See Sect. 24 for similar language at the Baptism of Jesus.]
Sect. 86. THE PUZZLE OF THE THREE DISCIPLES ABOUT THE RESURRECTION AND ABOUT ELIJAH ON THEIR WAY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
Mark 9:9-13 |Matt. 17:9-13 |Luke 9:36 | | 9 And as they were | 9 And as they were | coming down from the| coming down from the| mountain, he charged| mountain, Jesus | them that they | commanded them, |36 And they held should tell no man | saying, Tell the | their peace, and what things they had| vision to no man, | told no man in seen, save when the | until the Son of man| those days any of Son of man should | be risen from the | the things which have risen again |10 dead. And his | they had seen. 10 from the dead. And | disciples asked him,| they kept the | saying, Why then say| saying, questioning | the scribes that | among themselves | Elijah must first | what the rising | come [_see Mal. | again from the dead |11 4:5-6_]? And he | 11 should mean. And | answered and said, | they asked him, | Elijah indeed | saying, [1]The | cometh, and shall | scribes say that | restore all things: | Elijah must first |12 but I say unto you, | 12 come. And he said | that Elijah is come | unto them, Elijah | already,[a] and they| indeed cometh first,| knew him not, but | and restoreth all | did unto him | things: and how is | whatsoever they | it written of the | listed [_see 1 Kings| Son of man, that he | 19:2, 10_]. Even so | should suffer many | shall the Son of man| things and be set at| also suffer of them.| 13 nought? But I say |13 Then understood the | unto you, that | disciples that he | Elijah is come, and | spake unto them of | they have also done | John the Baptist. | unto him whatsoever | | they listed, even as| | it is written of | | him. | |
[Footnote 1: Or, How is it _that the scribes say ... come?_]
[Footnote a: The Baptist's disclaimer about being Elijah (John 1:21) means only that he was not Elijah in person come back to earth according to popular expectation.]
Sect. 87. THE DEMONIAC BOY, WHOM THE DISCIPLES COULD NOT HEAL
In the region of Caesarea Philippi
Mark 9:14-29 |Matt. 17:14-20 |Luke 9:37-43 | | 14 And when they came| | to the disciples, | | they saw a great | | multitude about | | them, and scribes | | questioning with | | 15 them. And | |37 And it came to straightway all the | | pass, on the next multitude, when they| | day, when they saw him, were | | were come down greatly amazed, and | | from the mountain, running to him |14 And when they | a great multitude 16 saluted him. And he | were come to the | met him. asked them, What | multitude, there | question ye with | came to him a man, |38 And 17 them? And one of the| kneeling to him, and| behold, a man from multitude answered |15 saying, Lord, have | the multitude him, [3]Master, I | mercy on my son: for| cried, saying, brought unto thee my| he is epileptic, and| [3]Master, I son, which hath a | suffereth | beseech thee to 18 dumb spirit; and | grievously: for | look upon my son; wheresoever it | oft-times he falleth| for he is mine taketh him, it | into the fire, and |39 only child: and [4]dasheth him down:| oft-times into the | behold, a spirit and he foameth, and |16 water. And I brought| taketh him, and he grindeth his teeth, | him to thy | suddenly crieth and pineth away: and| disciples, and they | out; and it I spake to thy | could not cure him. | [9]teareth him that disciples that they | | he foameth, and it should cast it out; | | hardly departeth and they were not | | from him, bruising 19 able. And he |17 And Jesus answered |40 him sorely. And I answereth them and | and said, O | besought thy saith, O faithless | faithless and | disciples to cast generation, how long| perverse generation,| it out; and they shall I be with you?| how long shall I be |41 could not. And how long shall I | with you? how long | Jesus answered and bear with you? bring| shall I bear with | said, O faithless 20 him unto me. And | you? bring him | and perverse they brought him | hither to me. | generation, how unto him: and when | | long shall I be he saw him, | | with you, and bear straightway the | | with you? bring spirit [5]tare him | |42 hither thy son. And grievously; and he | | as he was yet a fell on the ground, | | coming, the and wallowed | | [1]devil 21 foaming. And he | | [10]dashed him asked his father, | | down, and [5]tare How long time is it | | _him_ grievously. since this hath come| | unto him? And he | | said, From a child. | | 22 And oft-times it | | hath cast him both | | into the fire and | | into the waters, to | | destroy him: but if | | thou canst do | | anything, have | | compassion on us, | | 23 and help us. And | | Jesus said unto him,| | If thou canst! All | | things are possible | | to him that | | believeth. | | 24 Straightway the | | father of the child | | cried out, and | | said[6], I believe; | | help thou mine | | 25 unbelief. And when | | Jesus saw that a | | multitude came | | running together, he| | rebuked the unclean |18 And Jesus rebuked | But Jesus rebuked spirit, saying unto | him; and the | the unclean him, Thou dumb and | [1]devil went out | spirit, and healed deaf spirit, I | from him: and the | the boy, and gave command thee, come | boy was cured from | him back to his out of him, and | that hour. |43 father. And they enter no more into | | were all 26 him. And having | | astonished at the cried out, and | | majesty of God. [5]torn him much, he| | came out: and _the | | child_ became as one| | dead; insomuch that | | the more part said, | | 27 He is dead. But | | Jesus took him by | | the hand, and raised| | him up; and he | | 28 arose. And when he | | was come into the |19 Then came | house, his disciples| the disciples to | asked him privately,| Jesus apart, and | [7]_saying_, We | said, Why could not | could not cast it |20 we cast it out? And | 29 out. And he said | he saith unto them, | unto them, This kind| Because of your | can come out by | little faith: for | nothing, save by | verily I say unto | prayer.[8] | you, If ye have | | faith as a grain of | | mustard seed, ye | | shall say unto this | | mountain, Remove | | hence to yonder | | place; and it shall | | remove; and nothing | | shall be impossible | | unto you.[2] |
[Footnote 1: Gr. _demon_.]
[Footnote 2: Many authorities, some ancient, insert ver. 21 _But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting._ See Mark 9:29.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _Teacher_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _rendeth him_.]
[Footnote 5: Or, _convulsed_.]
[Footnote 6: Many ancient authorities add _with tears_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, How is it _that we could not cast it out?_]
[Footnote 8: Many ancient authorities add _and fasting_.]
[Footnote 9: Or, _convulseth_.]
[Footnote 10: Or, _rent him_.]
Sect. 88. RETURNING PRIVATELY THROUGH GALILEE, HE AGAIN FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION
Mark 9:30-32 |Matt. 17:22-23 |Luke 9:43-45 | | 30 And they went | |43 But while all forth from thence, | | were marvelling at and passed through | | all the things Galilee; and he | | which he did, he would not that any | | said unto his man should know it. |22 And while they |44 disciples, Let 31 For he taught his | [1]abode in Galilee,| these words sink disciples, and said | Jesus said unto | into your ears: unto them, The Son | them, The Son of man| for the Son of man of man is delivered | shall be delivered | shall be delivered up into the hands of| up into the hands of| up into the hands men, and they shall |23 men; and they shall | of men. kill him; and when | kill him, and the | he is killed, after | third day he shall | three days he shall | be raised up. And | 32 rise again. But they| they were exceeding |45 But they understood not the | sorry. | understood not saying, | | this saying, and | | it was concealed | | from them, that | | they should not | | perceive it: and and were | | they were afraid afraid to ask him. | | to ask him about | | this saying. | |
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _were gathering themselves together_.]
_The season of retirement from Galilee is now ended (Sects. 72-88). The remaining events at this time (Sects. 89-95) probably occupied only a few days._
Sect. 89. JESUS, THE MESSIAH, PAYS THE HALF-SHEKEL FOR THE TEMPLE
Capernaum
Matt. 17:24-27
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the [1]half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your [2]master 25 pay the [1]half-shekel [_see Ex. 30:11-15_]? He saith, Yea. And when he came into the house, Jesus spake first to him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings of the earth, from whom do they receive toll or tribute? from their sons, or from strangers? 26 And when he said, From strangers, Jesus said unto him, Therefore 27 the sons are free. But, lest we cause them to stumble, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a [3]shekel: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _didrachma_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _teacher_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _stater_.]
Sect. 90. THE TWELVE CONTEND AS TO WHO SHALL BE THE GREATEST UNDER THE MESSIAH'S REIGN. HIS SUBJECTS MUST BE CHILDLIKE
Capernaum
Mark 9:33-37 |Matt. 18:1-5 |Luke 9:46-48 | | 33 And they came to | 1 In that hour came |46 And there arose Capernaum: and when | the disciples unto | a reasoning among he was in the house | Jesus, saying, Who | them, which of he asked them, What | then is [1]greatest | them should be were ye reasoning in| in the kingdom of | [1]greatest. 34 the way? But they | heaven? | held their peace: | | for they had | | disputed one with | | another in the way, | | who _was_ the | 2 And he |47 But 35 [1]greatest. And he | called to him a | when Jesus saw the sat down, and called| little child, and | reasoning of their the twelve; and he | set him in the midst| heart, he took a saith unto them, If | 3 of them, and said, | little child, and any man would be | Verily I say unto | set him by his first, he shall be | you, Except ye turn,|48 side, and said last of all, and | and become as little| unto them, 36 minister of all. And| children, ye shall | he took a little | in no wise enter | child, and set him | into the kingdom of | in the midst of | 4 heaven. Whosoever | them: and taking him| therefore shall | in his arms, he said| humble himself as | unto them, | this little child, | | the same is the | | [1]greatest in the | | kingdom of heaven. | 37 Whosoever shall | 5 And whoso shall | Whosoever shall receive one of such | receive one such | receive this little children in | little child in my | little child in my my name, receiveth | name receiveth me: | name receiveth me: me: and whosoever | | and whosoever receiveth me, | | shall receive me receiveth not me, | | receiveth him that but him that sent | | sent me: for he me. | | that is [2]least | | among you all, the | | same is great.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _greater_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _lesser_.]
Sect. 91. THE MISTAKEN ZEAL OF THE APOSTLE JOHN REBUKED BY JESUS IN PERTINENT PARABLES
Capernaum
Mark 9:38-50 |Matt. 18:6-14 |Luke 9:49-50 | | 38 John said unto | |49 And John answered him, [7]Master, we | | and said, Master, saw one casting out | | we saw one casting [8]devils in thy | | out [8]devils in name: and we forbade| | thy name; and we him, because he | | forbade him, 39 followed not us. But| | because he Jesus said, Forbid | | followeth not with him not: for there | |50 us. But Jesus said is no man which | | unto him, Forbid shall do a [9]mighty| | _him_ not: for he work in my name, and| | that is not be able quickly to | | against you is for speak evil of me. | | you. 40 For he that is not | against us is for | 41 us. For whosoever | shall give you a cup| of water to drink, | [10]because ye are | Christ's, verily I | say unto you, he shall in no | 42 wise lose his reward. And | whosoever shall cause one of | 6 but whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe | these little ones which believe [11]on me to stumble, it were | on me to stumble, it is better for him if [2]a great | profitable for him that [2]a millstone were hanged about his| great millstone should be neck, and he were cast into the| hanged about his neck, and sea. | _that_ he should be sunk in the | 7 depth of the sea. Woe unto the | world because of occasions of | stumbling! for it must needs be | that the occasions come; but | woe to that man through whom | 8 the occasion cometh! And if thy 43 And if thy hand cause thee| hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off: it is | to stumble, cut it off, and good for thee to enter into | cast it from thee: it is good life maimed, rather than having| for thee to enter into life thy two hands to go into | maimed or halt, rather than [12]hell, into the unquenchable| having two hands or two feet to 45 fire.[13] And if thy foot cause| be cast into the eternal fire. thee to stumble, cut it off: it| is good for thee to enter into | life halt, rather than having | thy two feet to be cast into | 47 [12]hell. And if thine eye | 9 And if thine eye causeth thee cause thee to stumble, cast it | to stumble, pluck it out, and out: it is good for thee to | cast it from thee: it is good enter into the kingdom of God | for thee to enter life with one with one eye, rather than | eye, rather than having two having two eyes to be cast into| eyes to be cast into the 48 [12]hell; where their worm | [3]hell of fire. dieth not, and the fire is not |10 See that ye despise not one of quenched [_see Isa. 66:24_]. | these little ones; for I say 49 For every one shall be salted | unto you, that in heaven their with fire[14] [_see Lev. | angels do always behold the 50 2:13_]. Salt is good: but if | face of my Father which is in the salt have lost its |12 heaven.[4] How think ye? if any saltness, wherewith will ye | man have a hundred sheep,[a] season it? Have salt in | and one of them be gone astray, yourselves, and be at peace one| doth he not leave the ninety with another. | and nine, and go unto the | mountains, and seek that which 13 goeth astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which have 14 not gone astray. Even so it is not [5]the will of [6]your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _greater_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _a millstone turned by an ass_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _Gehenna of fire_.]
[Footnote 4: Many authorities, some ancient, insert ver. 11 _For the Son of man came to save that which was lost._ See Luke 19:10.]
[Footnote 5: Gr. _a thing willed before your father_.]
[Footnote 6: Some ancient authorities read _my_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, _Teacher_.]
[Footnote 8: Gr. _demons_.]
[Footnote 9: Gr. _power_.]
[Footnote 10: Gr. _in name that ye are_.]
[Footnote 11: Many ancient authorities omit _on me_.]
[Footnote 12: Gr. _Gehenna_.]
[Footnote 13: Ver. 44 and 46 (which are identical with ver. 48) are omitted by the best ancient authorities.]
[Footnote 14: Many ancient authorities add _and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt_. See Lev. 2:13.]
[Footnote 15: Gr. _lesser_.]
[Footnote a: Parable of the Lost Sheep.]
Sect. 92. RIGHT TREATMENT OF A BROTHER WHO HAS SINNED AGAINST ONE, AND DUTY OF PATIENTLY FORGIVING A BROTHER (PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT)
Matt. 18:15-35
15 And if thy brother sin [1]against thee, go, shew him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy 16 brother. But if he hear _thee_ not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may 17 be established [_see Deut. 19:15_]. And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the [2]church: and if he refuse to hear the [2]church 18 also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican. Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and what things soever ye shall loose on earth 19 shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, 20 it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 21 Then came Peter, and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother 22 sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until 23 [3]seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened[a] unto a certain king, which would make a reckoning with 24 his [4]servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought 25 unto him, which owed him ten thousand [5]talents. But forasmuch as he had not _wherewith_ to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be 26 made. The [6]servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, 27 saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that [6]servant, being moved with compassion, released 28 him, and forgave him the [7]debt. But that [6]servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him a hundred [8]pence: and he laid hold on him, and took _him_ by the throat, 29 saying, Pay what thou owest. So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he 31 should pay that which was due. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto 32 their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him unto him, and saith unto him, Thou wicked [6]servant, I forgave thee all 33 that debt, because thou besoughtest me: shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on 34 thee?[b] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the 35 tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities omit _against thee_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _congregation_.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _seventy times and seven_.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _bondservants_.]
[Footnote 5: This talent was probably worth about $1200.]
[Footnote 6: Gr. _bondservant_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, _loan_.]
[Footnote 8: The word in the Greek denotes a coin worth about seventeen cents.]
[Footnote a: Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.]
[Footnote b: The king forgave the servant $1,200,000; the servant refused to forgive $17. We might say in round numbers, a million, and ten dollars.]
Sect. 93. THE MESSIAH'S FOLLOWERS MUST GIVE UP EVERYTHING FOR HIS SERVICE
Matt. 8:19-22 |Luke 9:57-62 | 19 And there came [1]a scribe, |57 And as they went in the way, a and said unto him, [2]Master, I| certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever | will follow thee whithersoever 20 thou goest. And Jesus saith |58 thou goest. And Jesus said unto unto him, The foxes have holes,| him, The foxes have holes, and and the birds of the heaven | the birds of the heaven _have_ _have_ [3]nests; but the Son of| [3]nests; but the Son of man man hath not where to lay his | hath not where to lay his head. 21 head. And another of the |59 And he said unto another, disciples saith unto him, Lord,| Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury | suffer me first to go and bury 22 my father. But Jesus saith unto|60 my father. But he said unto him, Follow me; and leave the | him, Leave the dead to bury dead to bury their own dead. | their own dead; but go thou and | publish abroad the kingdom of |61 God. And another also said, I | will follow thee, Lord; but | first suffer me to bid farewell | to them that are at my house. |62 But Jesus said unto him, No man, | having put his hand to the | plough, and looking back, is fit | for the kingdom of God.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _one scribe_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _Teacher_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _lodging-places_.]
Sect. 94. THE UNBELIEVING BROTHERS OF JESUS COUNSEL HIM TO EXHIBIT HIMSELF IN JUDEA, AND HE REJECTS THE ADVICE
John 7:2-9
2 Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou 4 doest. For no man doeth anything in secret, [1]and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself 5 to the world. For even his brethren did not believe on him. Jesus 6 therefore saith unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time 7 is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, 8 because I testify of it, that its works are evil. Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up [2]yet unto this feast; because my time is 9 not yet fulfilled. And having said these things unto them, he abode _still_ in Galilee.
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _and seeketh it to be known openly_.]
[Footnote 2: Many ancient authorities omit _yet_.]
Sect. 95. HE GOES PRIVATELY TO JERUSALEM THROUGH SAMARIA
Luke 9:51-56 |John 7:10 | 51 And it came to pass, when |10 But when his brethren were the days [1]were well-nigh come| gone up unto the feast, then that he should be received up, | went he also up, not publicly, he stedfastly set his face to | but as it were in secret. 52 go to Jerusalem,[a] and sent | messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a 53 village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was _as though he were_ going to 54 Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw _this_, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, 55 and consume them[2] [_see 2 Kings 1:10-12_]? But he turned, and 56 rebuked them[3]. And they went to another village.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _were being fulfilled_.]
[Footnote 2: Many ancient authorities add, _even as Elijah did_.]
[Footnote 3: Some ancient authorities add, _and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of._ Some, but fewer, add also _For the Son of man came not to destroy men's lives, but to save_ them.]
[Footnote a: See note 10 at end of Harmony for the combination of Luke and John and the three journeyings in Luke toward Jerusalem.]