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1150 lines
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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Mark IV].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC41003.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC41005.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>M A R K.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter, we have,
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I. The parable of the seed, and the four sorts of ground
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>),
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with the exposition of it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:10-20">ver. 10-20</A>),
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and the application of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:21-25">ver. 21-25</A>.
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II. The parable of the seed growing gradually, but insensibly,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:26-29">ver. 26-29</A>.
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III. The parable of the grain of mustard-seed, and a general account
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of Christ's parables,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:30-34">ver. 30-34</A>.
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IV. The miracle of Christ's sudden stilling a storm at sea,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:35-41">ver. 35-41</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Mr4_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr4_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Parable of the Sower.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was
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gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a
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ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea
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on the land.
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2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto
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them in his doctrine,
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3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
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4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side,
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and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
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5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth;
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and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
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6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had
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no root, it withered away.
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7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and
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choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
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8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that
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sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some
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sixty, and some a hundred.
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9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him
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hear.
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10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the
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twelve asked of him the parable.
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11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the
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mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without,
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all <I>these</I> things are done in parables:
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12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they
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may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be
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converted, and <I>their</I> sins should be forgiven them.
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13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how
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then will ye know all parables?
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14 The sower soweth the word.
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15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown;
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but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh
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away the word that was sown in their hearts.
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16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground;
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who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with
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gladness;
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17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a
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time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the
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word's sake, immediately they are offended.
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18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear
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the word,
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19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of
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riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the
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word, and it becometh unfruitful.
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20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as
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hear the word, and receive <I>it,</I> and bring forth fruit, some
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thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The foregoing chapter began with Christ's <I>entering into the
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synagogue</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>);
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this chapter begins with Christ's <I>teaching again by the sea
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side.</I> Thus he changed his method, that if possible all might be
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reached and wrought upon. To gratify the nice and more genteel sort of
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people that had seats, <I>chief seats, in the synagogue,</I> and did
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not care for hearing a sermon any where else, he did not preach always
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by the <I>sea side,</I> but, having liberty, went often <I>into the
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synagogue,</I> and taught there; yet, to gratify the poor, the mob,
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that could not get room in the synagogue, he did not always preach
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there, but <I>began again to teach by the sea side,</I> where they
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could come <I>within hearing.</I> Thus are we <I>debtors both to the
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wise and to the unwise,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:14">Rom. i. 14</A>.</P>
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<P>
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Here seems to be a new convenience found out, which had not been used
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before, though he had before preached by the sea side
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+2:13"><I>ch.</I> ii. 13</A>),
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and that was--his standing <I>in a ship,</I> while his hearers <I>stood
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upon the land;</I> and that inland sea of Tiberias having no tide,
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there was no ebbing and flowing of the waters to disturb them. Methinks
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Christ's carrying his doctrine into a ship, and preaching it thence,
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was a presage of his sending the gospel to the <I>isles of the
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Gentiles,</I> and the shipping off of the kingdom of God (that rich
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cargo) from the Jewish nation, to be sent to a people that would bring
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forth more of the fruits of it. Now observe here,</P>
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<P>
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I. The <I>way of teaching</I> that Christ used with the
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<I>multitude</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>);
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He <I>taught them many things,</I> but it was <I>by parables</I> or
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similitudes, which would <I>tempt them to hear;</I> for people love to
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be spoken to in their own language, and careless hearers will catch at
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a plain comparison borrowed from common things, and will retain and
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repeat that, when they have <I>lost,</I> or perhaps never <I>took,</I>
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the truth which it was designed to explain and illustrate: but unless
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they would take pains to search into it, it would but amuse them;
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<I>seeing they would see, and not perceive</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>);
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and so, while it gratified their curiosity, it was the punishment of
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their stupidity; they wilfully shut their eyes against the light, and
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therefore justly did Christ put it into the dark lantern of a parable,
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which had a bright side toward those who applied it to themselves, and
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were willing to be guided by it; but to those who were only <I>willing
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for a season to play with it,</I> it only gave a flash of light now and
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then, but sent them away in the dark. It is just with God to say of
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those that <I>will not see,</I> that they <I>shall not see,</I> and to
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hide from their eyes, who only look about them with a great deal of
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carelessness, and never look before them with any concern upon the
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things that belong to their peace.</P>
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<P>
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II. The way of <I>expounding</I> that he used with his <I>disciples;
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When he was alone</I> by himself, not only the <I>twelve,</I> but
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others that were <I>about him with the twelve,</I> took the opportunity
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to <I>ask him</I> the meaning of the parables,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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They found it good to be <I>about Christ;</I> the nearer him the
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better; good to be <I>with the twelve,</I> to be conversant with those
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that are intimate with him. And he told them what a distinguishing
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favour it was to them, that they were made acquainted with the
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<I>mystery of the kingdom of God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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<I>The secret of the Lord was with them.</I> That <I>instructed</I>
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them, which others were only <I>amused</I> with, and they were made to
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increase in knowledge by every parable, and understood more of the way
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and method in which Christ designed to set up his kingdom in the world,
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while others were dismissed, never the wiser. Note, Those who know the
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<I>mystery</I> of the <I>kingdom of heaven,</I> must acknowledge that
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it is <I>given to them;</I> they receive both the light and the sight
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from Jesus Christ, who, after his resurrection, both <I>opened the
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scriptures,</I> and <I>opened the understanding,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+24:27,45">Luke xxiv. 27, 45</A>.</P>
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<P>
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In particular, we have here,</P>
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<P>
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1. The parable of the sower, as we had it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:3">Matt. xiii. 3</A>,
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&c. He begins
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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with, <I>Hearken,</I> and concludes
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>)
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with, <I>He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.</I> Note, The words
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of Christ demand attention, and those who speak from him, may command
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it, and should stir it up; even that which as yet we do not
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<I>thoroughly</I> understand, or not <I>rightly,</I> we must carefully
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attend to, believing it to be both intelligible and weighty, that at
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length we may understand it; we shall find more in Christ's sayings
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than at first there seemed to be.</P>
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<P>
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2. The exposition of it to the disciples. Here is a question Christ put
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to them before he expounded it, which we had not in Matthew
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
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"<I>Know ye not this parable?</I> Know ye not the meaning of it? <I>How
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then will ye know all parables?</I>"
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(1.) "If ye know not this, which is so plain, how will ye understand
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other parables, which will be more dark and obscure? If ye are
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gravelled and run aground with this, which bespeaks so plainly the
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different success of the word preached upon those that hear it, which
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ye yourselves may see easily, how will ye understand the parables which
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hereafter will speak of the rejection of the Jews, and the calling of
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the Gentiles, which is a thing ye have no idea of?" Note, This should
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quicken us both to prayer and pains that we may get knowledge, that
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there are a great many things which we are concerned to know; and if we
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understand not the plain truths of the gospel, how shall we master
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those that are more difficult? <I>Vita brevis, ars longa--Life is
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short, art is long. If we have run with the footmen, and they have
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wearied us,</I> and run us down, then <I>how shall we contend with
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horses?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+12:5">Jer. xii. 5</A>.
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(2.) "If ye know not this, which is intended for your direction in
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hearing the word, that ye may profit by it; how shall ye profit by what
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ye are further to hear? This parable is to teach you to be attentive to
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the word, and affected with it, that you may <I>understand</I> it. If
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ye receive not this, ye will not know how to use the key by which ye
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must be let into all the rest." If we understand not the rules we are
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to observe in order to our profiting by the word, how shall we profit
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by any other rule? Observe, Before Christ expounds the parable,
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[1.] He shows them how sad <I>their</I> case was, who were not let into
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the meaning of the doctrine of Christ; <I>To you it is given, but not
|
||
|
|
to them.</I> Note, It will help us to put a value upon the privileges
|
||
|
|
we enjoy as disciples of Christ, to consider the deplorable state of
|
||
|
|
those who want such privileges, especially that they are out of the
|
||
|
|
ordinary way of conversion; <I>lest they should be converted, and their
|
||
|
|
sins should be forgiven them.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Those only who are <I>converted,</I> have <I>their sins forgiven
|
||
|
|
them:</I> and it is the misery of <I>unconverted</I> souls, that they
|
||
|
|
lie under <I>unpardoned</I> guilt.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] He shows them what a shame it was, that they needed such
|
||
|
|
particular explanations of the word they heard, and did not apprehend
|
||
|
|
it at first. Those that would improve in knowledge, must be made
|
||
|
|
sensible of their ignorance.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Having thus prepared them for it, he gives them the interpretation of
|
||
|
|
the parable of the sower, as we had it before in Matthew. Let us only
|
||
|
|
observe here,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> That in the great field of the church, the word of God is
|
||
|
|
dispensed to all promiscuously; <I>The sower soweth the word</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
sows it at a venture, <I>beside all waters,</I> upon all sorts of
|
||
|
|
ground
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:20">Isa. xxxii. 20</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
not knowing where it will light, or what fruit it will bring forth. He
|
||
|
|
<I>scatters</I> it, in order to the <I>increase</I> of it. Christ was
|
||
|
|
awhile <I>sowing</I> himself, when he went about teaching and
|
||
|
|
preaching; now he sends his ministers, and sows by their hand.
|
||
|
|
Ministers are sowers; they have need of the skill and discretion of the
|
||
|
|
husbandman
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+28:24-26">Isa. xxviii. 24-26</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they must not observe winds and clouds
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+11:4,6">Eccl. xi. 4, 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and must look up to God, who <I>gives seed to the sower,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+9:10">2 Cor. ix. 10</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> That of the many that hear the word of the gospel, and
|
||
|
|
read it, and are conversant with it, there are, comparatively, but few
|
||
|
|
that receive it, so as to bring forth the fruits of it; here is but one
|
||
|
|
in four, that comes to good. It is sad to think, how much of the
|
||
|
|
precious seed of the word of God is lost, and <I>sown in vain;</I> but
|
||
|
|
there is a day coming when <I>lost sermons</I> must be accounted for.
|
||
|
|
Many that have heard Christ himself <I>preach in their streets,</I>
|
||
|
|
will hereafter be bidden to depart from him; those therefore who place
|
||
|
|
all their religion in hearing, as if that alone would save them, do but
|
||
|
|
deceive themselves, and build their hope upon the sand,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+1:22">Jam. i. 22</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> Many are much affected with the word for the present,
|
||
|
|
who yet receive no abiding benefit by it. The motions of soul they
|
||
|
|
have, answerable to what they hear, are but a mere flash, like the
|
||
|
|
crackling of thorns under a pot. We read of hypocrites, that they
|
||
|
|
<I>delight to know God's ways</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:2">Isa. lviii. 2</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
of Herod, that he heard John gladly
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+6:20"><I>ch.</I> vi. 20</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
of others, that they <I>rejoiced in his light</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:35">John v. 35</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
of those to whom Ezekiel was a <I>lovely song</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+33:32">Ezek. xxxiii. 32</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and those represented here by the stony ground, received the word
|
||
|
|
<I>with gladness,</I> and yet came to nothing.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> The reason why the word doth not leave commanding,
|
||
|
|
abiding, impressions upon the minds of the people, is, because their
|
||
|
|
hearts are not duly disposed and prepared to receive it; the fault is
|
||
|
|
in themselves, not in the word; some are careless forgetful hearers,
|
||
|
|
and these get <I>no good at all</I> by the word; it comes in at one
|
||
|
|
ear, and goes out at the other; others have their convictions
|
||
|
|
overpowered by their corruptions, and they lose the good impressions
|
||
|
|
the word has made upon them, so that they get no <I>abiding</I> good by
|
||
|
|
it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Fifthly,</I> The devil is very busy about loose, careless hearers,
|
||
|
|
as the fowls of the air go about the seed that lies above ground; when
|
||
|
|
the heart, like the <I>highway,</I> is unploughed, unhumbled, when it
|
||
|
|
<I>lies common,</I> to be trodden on by every passenger, as theirs that
|
||
|
|
are great company-keepers, then the devil is <I>like the fowls;</I> he
|
||
|
|
comes swiftly, and carries away the word ere we are aware. When
|
||
|
|
therefore these fowls come down upon the sacrifices, we should take
|
||
|
|
care, as <I>Abram</I> did, to <I>drive them away</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+15:11">Gen. xv. 11</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that, though we cannot keep them from hovering over our heads, we may
|
||
|
|
not let them nestle in our hearts.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Sixthly,</I> Many that are not openly <I>scandalized,</I> so as to
|
||
|
|
throw off their profession, as they on the stony ground did, yet have
|
||
|
|
the efficacy of it secretly <I>choked</I> and stifled, so that it comes
|
||
|
|
to nothing; they continue in a barren, hypocritical profession, which
|
||
|
|
brings nothing to pass, and so go down as certainly, though more
|
||
|
|
plausibly, to hell.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Seventhly,</I> Impressions that are not <I>keep,</I> will not be
|
||
|
|
<I>durable,</I> but will wear off in suffering, trying times; like
|
||
|
|
footsteps on the sand of the sea, which are gone the next high tide of
|
||
|
|
persecution; when <I>that</I> iniquity doth abound, the love of many to
|
||
|
|
the ways of God waxeth cold; many that keep their profession in fair
|
||
|
|
days, lose it in a storm; and do as those that go to sea only for
|
||
|
|
pleasure, come back again when the wind arises. It is the ruin of
|
||
|
|
hypocrites, that they <I>have no root;</I> they do not act from a
|
||
|
|
living fixed principle; they do not mind <I>heart-work,</I> and without
|
||
|
|
that religion is nothing; for he is the Christian, that is <I>one
|
||
|
|
inwardly.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Eighthly, Many are hindered from profiting by the word of God, by their
|
||
|
|
abundance of the world. Many a good lesson of humility, charity,
|
||
|
|
self-denial, and heavenly-mindedness, is choked and lost by that
|
||
|
|
prevailing complacency in the world, which <I>they</I> are apt to have,
|
||
|
|
on whom it smiles. Thus many professors, that otherwise might have come
|
||
|
|
to something, prove like Pharaoh's <I>lean kine</I> and <I>thin
|
||
|
|
ears.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Ninthly, Those that are not encumbered with the cares of the world, and
|
||
|
|
the deceitfulness of riches, may yet lose the benefit of their
|
||
|
|
profession by the <I>lusts of other things;</I> this is added here in
|
||
|
|
Mark; <I>by the desires which are about other things</I> (so Dr.
|
||
|
|
Hammond), an inordinate appetite toward those things that are pleasing
|
||
|
|
to sense or to the fancy. Those that have but little of the world, may
|
||
|
|
yet be ruined by an indulgence of the body.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Tenthly,</I> Fruit is the thing that God expects and requires from
|
||
|
|
those that enjoy the gospel: fruit according to the <I>seed;</I> a
|
||
|
|
temper of mind, and a course of life, agreeable to the gospel;
|
||
|
|
Christian graces daily exercised, Christian duties duly performed. This
|
||
|
|
is <I>fruit,</I> and it will abound to our account.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> No good fruit is to be expected but from good seed. If
|
||
|
|
the seed be sown on <I>good ground,</I> if the heart be humble, and
|
||
|
|
holy, and heavenly, there will be <I>good fruit,</I> and it will
|
||
|
|
<I>abound</I> sometimes even to a <I>hundred fold,</I> such a crop as
|
||
|
|
Isaac reaped,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+26:12">Gen. xxvi. 12</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_24"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_25"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_26"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_27"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_28"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_29"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_30"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_31"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_32"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_33"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_34"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Gradual Advance of the Gospel.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a
|
||
|
|
bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
|
||
|
|
22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested;
|
||
|
|
neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come
|
||
|
|
abroad.
|
||
|
|
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
|
||
|
|
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what
|
||
|
|
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that
|
||
|
|
hear shall more be given.
|
||
|
|
25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath
|
||
|
|
not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
|
||
|
|
26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should
|
||
|
|
cast seed into the ground;
|
||
|
|
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed
|
||
|
|
should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
|
||
|
|
28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the
|
||
|
|
blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
|
||
|
|
29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth
|
||
|
|
in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
|
||
|
|
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or
|
||
|
|
with what comparison shall we compare it?
|
||
|
|
31 <I>It is</I> like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown
|
||
|
|
in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
|
||
|
|
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater
|
||
|
|
than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the
|
||
|
|
fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
|
||
|
|
33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as
|
||
|
|
they were able to hear <I>it.</I>
|
||
|
|
34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they
|
||
|
|
were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The lessons which our Saviour designs to teach us here by parables and
|
||
|
|
figurative expressions are these:--</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. That those who <I>are good</I> ought to consider the obligations
|
||
|
|
they are under to <I>do good;</I> that is, as in the parable before, to
|
||
|
|
<I>bring forth fruit.</I> God expects a grateful return of his gifts to
|
||
|
|
us, and a useful improvement of his gifts in us; for
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed?</I>
|
||
|
|
No, but that it may be <I>set on a candlestick.</I> The apostles were
|
||
|
|
ordained, to receive the gospel, not for themselves only, but for the
|
||
|
|
good of others, to communicate it to them. All Christians, as they have
|
||
|
|
<I>received the gift,</I> must <I>minister the same.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Gifts and graces make a man <I>as a candle;</I> the <I>candle of the
|
||
|
|
Lord</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+20:27">Prov. xx. 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
lighted by the Father of lights; the most eminent are but candles, poor
|
||
|
|
lights, compared with the <I>Sun of righteousness.</I> A candle gives
|
||
|
|
light but a <I>little way,</I> and but a <I>little while,</I> and is
|
||
|
|
easily blown out, and continually burning down and wasting.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Many who are <I>lighted</I> as candles, put themselves <I>under a
|
||
|
|
bed, or under a bushel:</I> they do not <I>manifest</I> grace
|
||
|
|
themselves, nor <I>minister</I> grace to others; they have estates, and
|
||
|
|
do no good with them; have their limbs and senses, wit and learning
|
||
|
|
perhaps, but nobody is the better for them; they have spiritual gifts,
|
||
|
|
but do not use them; like a taper in an urn, they burn to themselves.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. Those who are lighted as candles, should set themselves <I>on a
|
||
|
|
candlestick;</I> that is, should improve all opportunities of doing
|
||
|
|
good, as those that were made for the glory of God, and the service of
|
||
|
|
the communities they are members of; we are not born for ourselves.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The reason given for this, is, because <I>there is nothing hid, which
|
||
|
|
shall not be manifested,</I> which <I>should not</I> be made manifest
|
||
|
|
(so it might better be read),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
There is no treasure of gifts and graces lodged in any but with design
|
||
|
|
to be communicated; nor was the gospel made a <I>secret</I> to the
|
||
|
|
apostles, to be concealed, but that it should <I>come abroad,</I> and
|
||
|
|
be divulged to all the world. Though Christ expounded the parables to
|
||
|
|
his disciples privately, yet it was with design to make them the more
|
||
|
|
publicly useful; they were <I>taught,</I> that they might teach; and it
|
||
|
|
is a general rule, that <I>the ministration of the Spirit is given to
|
||
|
|
every man to profit withal,</I> not himself only, but others also.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. It concerns those who hear the word of the gospel, to <I>mark</I>
|
||
|
|
what they hear, and to <I>make a good use</I> of it, because their
|
||
|
|
<I>weal</I> or <I>woe</I> depends upon it; what he had said before he
|
||
|
|
saith again, <I>If any man have ears to hear, let him hear,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Let him give the gospel of Christ a fair hearing; but that is not
|
||
|
|
enough, it is added
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Take heed what ye hear,</I> and give a due regard to that which ye
|
||
|
|
do hear; <I>Consider what ye</I> hear, so Dr. Hammond reads it. Note,
|
||
|
|
What we hear, doth us no good, unless we consider it; those especially
|
||
|
|
that are to teach others must themselves be very observant of the
|
||
|
|
things of God; must take notice of the message they are to deliver,
|
||
|
|
that they may be exact. We must likewise <I>take heed what we hear,</I>
|
||
|
|
by <I>proving</I> all things, that we may <I>hold fast that which is
|
||
|
|
good.</I> We must be <I>cautious,</I> and stand upon our guard, lest we
|
||
|
|
be imposed upon. To enforce this caution, consider,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. As we deal with God, God will deal with us, so Dr. Hammond explains
|
||
|
|
these words, "<I>With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to
|
||
|
|
you.</I> If ye be faithful servants to him, he will be a faithful
|
||
|
|
Master to you: <I>with the upright he will show himself
|
||
|
|
upright.</I>"</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. As we improve the talents we are entrusted with, we shall increase
|
||
|
|
them; if we make use of the knowledge we have, for the glory of God and
|
||
|
|
the benefit of others, it shall sensibly grow, as stock in trade doth
|
||
|
|
by being turned; <I>Unto you that hear, shall more be given; to you
|
||
|
|
that have, it shall be given,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If the disciples <I>deliver</I> that to the church, which they have
|
||
|
|
<I>received of the Lord,</I> they shall be <I>led</I> more into the
|
||
|
|
<I>secret of the Lord.</I> Gifts and graces multiply by being
|
||
|
|
exercised; and God has promised to bless the <I>hand of the
|
||
|
|
diligent.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. If we do not <I>use,</I> we <I>lose,</I> what we have; <I>From him
|
||
|
|
that hath not,</I> that doeth no good with what he hath, and so hath it
|
||
|
|
in vain, is as if he had it not, <I>shall be taken even that which he
|
||
|
|
hath.</I> Burying a talent is the betraying of a trust, and amounts to
|
||
|
|
a forfeiture; and gifts and graces <I>rust</I> for want of
|
||
|
|
<I>wearing.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The good seed of the gospel sown in the world, and sown in the
|
||
|
|
heart, doth by degrees produce wonderful effects, but without noise
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
&c.); <I>So is the kingdom of God;</I> so is the gospel, when it is
|
||
|
|
sown, and received, as seed in good ground.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It will <I>come up;</I> though it seem lost and buried under the
|
||
|
|
clods, it will find or make its way through them. The seed <I>cast into
|
||
|
|
the ground will spring.</I> Let but the word of Christ have the place
|
||
|
|
it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself, as the <I>wisdom
|
||
|
|
from above</I> doth in a <I>good conversation.</I> After a field is
|
||
|
|
sown with corn, how soon is the surface of it altered! How gay and
|
||
|
|
pleasant doth it look, when it is covered with green!</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The husbandman cannot describe how it comes up; it is one of the
|
||
|
|
mysteries of nature; It <I>springs and grows up, he knows not how,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He sees it has grown, but he cannot tell in what manner it grew, or
|
||
|
|
what was the cause and method of its growth. Thus we know not how the
|
||
|
|
Spirit by the word makes a change in the heart, any more than we can
|
||
|
|
account for the blowing of the wind, which we hear the sound of, but
|
||
|
|
cannot tell whence it comes, or whither it goes. Without controversy,
|
||
|
|
great is the mystery of godliness; how <I>God manifested in the
|
||
|
|
flesh</I> came to be <I>believed on in the world,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:16">1 Tim. iii. 16</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The husbandman, when he hath sown the seed, doth nothing toward the
|
||
|
|
springing of it up; <I>He sleeps, and rises, night and day;</I> goes to
|
||
|
|
sleep <I>at night,</I> gets up <I>in the morning,</I> and perhaps never
|
||
|
|
so much as thinks of the corn he hath sown, or ever looks upon it, but
|
||
|
|
follows his pleasures or other business, and yet <I>the earth brings
|
||
|
|
forth fruit of itself,</I> according to the ordinary course of nature,
|
||
|
|
and by the concurring power of the God of nature. Thus the <I>word of
|
||
|
|
grace,</I> when it is received in faith, is in the heart a <I>work of
|
||
|
|
grace,</I> and the preachers contribute nothing to it. The Spirit of
|
||
|
|
God is carrying it on when <I>they sleep,</I> and can do no business
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:15,16">Job xxxiii. 15, 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
or when they rise to go about other business. The prophets do not
|
||
|
|
<I>live for ever;</I> but the word which they preached, is doing its
|
||
|
|
work, when they are in their graves,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+1:5,6">Zech. i. 5, 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The dew by which the seed is brought up <I>tarrieth not for man, nor
|
||
|
|
waiteth for the sons of men,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+5:7">Mic. v. 7</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. It grows gradually; <I>first the blade, then the ear, after that the
|
||
|
|
full corn in the ear,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When it is sprung up, it will go forward; nature will have its course,
|
||
|
|
and so will grace. Christ's interest, both in the world and in the
|
||
|
|
heart, is, and will be, a <I>growing</I> interest; and though <I>the
|
||
|
|
beginning be small, the latter end will greatly increase.</I> Though
|
||
|
|
thou sowest not that body that shall be, but <I>bare grain,</I> yet God
|
||
|
|
<I>will give to every seed its own body;</I> though at first it is but
|
||
|
|
a tender <I>blade,</I> which the frost may nip, or the foot may crush,
|
||
|
|
yet it will increase to <I>the ear,</I> to the <I>full corn in the ear.
|
||
|
|
Natura nil facit per saltum--Nature does nothing abruptly.</I> God
|
||
|
|
carries on his work insensibly and without noise, but insuperably and
|
||
|
|
without fail.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. It comes to perfection at last
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>When the fruit is brought forth,</I> that is, when it is
|
||
|
|
<I>ripe,</I> and ready to be <I>delivered</I> into the owner's hand;
|
||
|
|
then he <I>puts in the sickle.</I> This intimates,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That Christ <I>now accepts</I> the services which are done to him
|
||
|
|
by an honest heart from a good principle; from the fruit of the gospel
|
||
|
|
taking place and working in the soul, Christ <I>gathers in</I> a
|
||
|
|
harvest of honour to himself. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:35">John iv. 35</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That he will reward them in eternal life. When those that receive
|
||
|
|
the gospel aright, have finished their course, the harvest comes, when
|
||
|
|
they shall be gathered as <I>wheat into God's barn</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:30">Matt. xiii. 30</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as a shock of corn <I>in his season.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. The work of grace is small in its beginnings, but comes to be great
|
||
|
|
and considerable at last
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:30-32"><I>v.</I> 30-32</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God,</I> as now to be set up
|
||
|
|
by the Messiah? How shall I make you to understand the designed method
|
||
|
|
of it?" Christ speaks as one considering and consulting with himself,
|
||
|
|
how to illustrate it with an apt similitude; <I>With what comparison
|
||
|
|
shall we compare it?</I> Shall we fetch it from the motions of the sun,
|
||
|
|
or the revolutions of the moon? No, the comparison is borrowed from
|
||
|
|
this earth, it is <I>like a grain of mustard-seed;</I> he had compared
|
||
|
|
it before to <I>seed sown,</I> here to <I>that seed,</I> intending
|
||
|
|
thereby to show,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That the beginnings of the <I>gospel kingdom</I> would be very
|
||
|
|
small, like that which is <I>one of the least of all seeds.</I> When a
|
||
|
|
Christian church was <I>sown in the earth</I> for God, it was all
|
||
|
|
contained in one room, and the <I>number of the names</I> was but one
|
||
|
|
hundred and twenty
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:15">Acts i. 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as the children of Israel, when they went down into Egypt, were but
|
||
|
|
seventy souls. The work of grace in the soul, is, at first, but the
|
||
|
|
<I>day of small things;</I> a <I>cloud</I> no <I>bigger than a man's
|
||
|
|
hand.</I> Never were there such great things undertaken by such an
|
||
|
|
inconsiderable handful, as that of the discipling of the nations by the
|
||
|
|
ministry of the apostles; nor a work that was to end in such great
|
||
|
|
glory, as the work of grace raised from such weak and unlikely
|
||
|
|
beginnings. <I>Who hath begotten me these?</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That the perfection of it will be very great; <I>When it grows up,
|
||
|
|
it becomes greater than all herbs.</I> The gospel kingdom in the world,
|
||
|
|
shall increase and spread to the remotest nations of the earth, and
|
||
|
|
shall continue to the latest ages of time. The <I>church</I> hath
|
||
|
|
<I>shot out great branches,</I> strong ones, spreading far, and
|
||
|
|
fruitful. The <I>work of grace</I> in the soul has mighty products, now
|
||
|
|
while it is in its growth; but what will it be, when it is perfected in
|
||
|
|
heaven? The difference between a <I>grain of mustard seed</I> and a
|
||
|
|
<I>great tree,</I> is nothing to that between a <I>young convert</I> on
|
||
|
|
earth and a <I>glorified saint</I> in heaven. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:24">John xii. 24</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
After the parables thus specified the historian concludes with this
|
||
|
|
general account of Christ's preaching--that <I>with many such parables
|
||
|
|
he spoke the word unto them</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
probably designing to refer us to the larger account of the parables of
|
||
|
|
this kind, which we had before,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:1-52">Matt. xiii.</A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He spoke in parables, <I>as they were able to hear them;</I> he fetched
|
||
|
|
his comparisons from those things that were familiar to them, and level
|
||
|
|
to their capacity, and delivered them in plain expressions, in
|
||
|
|
condescension to their capacity; though he did not let them into the
|
||
|
|
<I>mystery</I> of the parables, yet his manner of expression was easy,
|
||
|
|
and such as they might hereafter recollect to their edification. But,
|
||
|
|
for the present, <I>without a parable spoke he not unto them,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The glory of the Lord was covered with a cloud, and God speaks to us in
|
||
|
|
the language of the <I>sons of men,</I> that, though not <I>at
|
||
|
|
first,</I> yet <I>by degrees,</I> we may understand his meaning; the
|
||
|
|
disciples themselves understood those sayings of Christ afterward,
|
||
|
|
which at first they did not rightly take the sense of. But these
|
||
|
|
parables <I>he expounded to them, when they were alone.</I> We cannot
|
||
|
|
but wish we had had that exposition, as we had of the parable of the
|
||
|
|
sower; but it was not so needful; because, when the church should be
|
||
|
|
enlarged, that would <I>expound</I> these parables to us, without any
|
||
|
|
more ado.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_35"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_36"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_37"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_38"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_39"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_40"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mr4_41"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ and His Disciples in the Storm.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto
|
||
|
|
them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
|
||
|
|
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him
|
||
|
|
even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other
|
||
|
|
little ships.
|
||
|
|
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat
|
||
|
|
into the ship, so that it was now full.
|
||
|
|
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a
|
||
|
|
pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou
|
||
|
|
not that we perish?
|
||
|
|
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea,
|
||
|
|
Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
|
||
|
|
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that
|
||
|
|
ye have no faith?
|
||
|
|
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What
|
||
|
|
manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This miracle which Christ wrought for the relief of his disciples, in
|
||
|
|
stilling the storm, we had before
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:23">Matt. viii. 23</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
&c.); but it is here more fully related. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It was <I>the same day</I> that he had preached out of a ship,
|
||
|
|
<I>when the even was come,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When he had been <I>labouring in the word and doctrine</I> all day,
|
||
|
|
instead of <I>re</I>posing himself, he <I>ex</I>poseth himself, to
|
||
|
|
teach us not to think of a constant remaining rest till we come to
|
||
|
|
heaven. The end of a toil may perhaps be but the beginning of a toss.
|
||
|
|
But observe, the ship that Christ made his pulpit is taken under his
|
||
|
|
special protection, and, though in danger, cannot sink. What is used
|
||
|
|
for Christ, he will take particular care of.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He himself proposed putting to sea at night, because he would lose
|
||
|
|
no time; <I>Let us pass over to the other side;</I> for we shall find,
|
||
|
|
in the next chapter, he has work to do there. Christ went about doing
|
||
|
|
good, and no difficulties in his way should hinder him; thus
|
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|
industrious we should be in serving him, and our generation according
|
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|
to his will.</P>
|
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<P>
|
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3. They did not put to sea, till <I>they had sent away the
|
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|
multitude,</I> that is, had given to each of them that which they came
|
||
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|
for, and answered all their requests; for he sent none home complaining
|
||
|
|
that they had attended him <I>in vain.</I> Or, They sent them away
|
||
|
|
<I>with a solemn blessing;</I> for Christ came into the world, not only
|
||
|
|
to pronounce, but to <I>command,</I> and to <I>give,</I> the
|
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|
blessing.</P>
|
||
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||
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<P>
|
||
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4. They took him <I>even as he was,</I> that is, in the same dress that
|
||
|
|
he was in when he preached, without any cloak to throw over him, which
|
||
|
|
he ought to have had, to keep him <I>warm,</I> when he went to sea at
|
||
|
|
night, especially after preaching. We must not hence infer that we may
|
||
|
|
be careless of our health, but we may learn hence not to be over nice
|
||
|
|
and solicitous about the body.</P>
|
||
|
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||
|
|
<P>
|
||
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|
||
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5. The storm was so great, that the ship was <I>full of water</I>
|
||
|
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|
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>),
|
||
|
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|
||
|
|
not by springing a leak, but perhaps partly with the shower, for the
|
||
|
|
word here used signifies a <I>tempest of wind with rain;</I> however,
|
||
|
|
the ship being little, the waves beat into it so that <I>it was
|
||
|
|
full.</I> Note, It is no new thing for that ship to be greatly hurried
|
||
|
|
and endangered, in which Christ and his disciples, Christ and his name
|
||
|
|
and gospel, are embarked.</P>
|
||
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|
|
||
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|
<P>
|
||
|
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|
||
|
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6. There were <I>with him other little ships,</I> which, no doubt,
|
||
|
|
shared in the distress and danger. Probably, these <I>little ships</I>
|
||
|
|
carried those who were desirous to go along with Christ, for the
|
||
|
|
benefit of his preaching and miracles on the other side. The
|
||
|
|
<I>multitude went away</I> when he put to sea, but some there were,
|
||
|
|
that would venture upon the water with him. Those follow the Lamb
|
||
|
|
aright, that follow him <I>wherever he goes.</I> And those that hope
|
||
|
|
for a happiness in Christ, must be willing to take their lot with him,
|
||
|
|
and run the same risks that he runs. One may boldly and cheerfully put
|
||
|
|
to sea in Christ's company, yea though we foresee a storm.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
7. Christ was asleep in this storm; and here we are told that it was
|
||
|
|
<I>in the hinder part of the ship,</I> the pilot's place: he lay at the
|
||
|
|
helm, to intimate that, as Mr. George Herbert expresses it,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<CENTER>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD>When winds and waves assault my keel,
|
||
|
|
<BR> He doth preserve it, he doth steer,
|
||
|
|
<BR>Ev'n when the boat seems most to reel.
|
||
|
|
<BR> Storms are the triumph of his art;
|
||
|
|
<BR> Though he may close his eyes, yet not his heart.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
</CENTER>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He had a <I>pillow</I> there, such a one as a fisherman's ship would
|
||
|
|
furnish him with. And he <I>slept,</I> to try the faith of his
|
||
|
|
disciples and to stir up prayer: upon the trial, their faith appeared
|
||
|
|
<I>weak,</I> and their prayers <I>strong.</I> Note, Sometimes when the
|
||
|
|
church is in a storm, Christ seems as if he were asleep, unconcerned in
|
||
|
|
the troubles of his people, and regardless of their prayers, and doth
|
||
|
|
not presently appear for their relief. <I>Verily he is a God that
|
||
|
|
hideth himself,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:15">Isa. xlv. 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But as, when he tarries, he doth not tarry
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+2:3">Hab. ii. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so when he sleeps he doth not sleep; the keeper of Israel doth not so
|
||
|
|
much as slumber
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+121:3,4">Ps. cxxi. 3, 4</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
he slept, but his heart was awake, as the spouse,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+5:2">Cant. v. 2</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
8. His disciples encouraged themselves with their having his presence,
|
||
|
|
and thought it the best way to improve that, and appeal to that, and
|
||
|
|
ply the oar of prayer rather than their other oars. Their confidence
|
||
|
|
lay in this, that they had their Master with them; and the ship that
|
||
|
|
has Christ in it, though it may be <I>tossed,</I> cannot <I>sink;</I>
|
||
|
|
the bush that has God in it, though it may <I>burn,</I> shall not
|
||
|
|
<I>consume.</I> Cæsar encouraged the master of the ship, that had
|
||
|
|
him on board, with this, <I>Cæsarem vehis, et fortunam
|
||
|
|
Cæsaris--Thou hast Cæsar on board, and Cæsar's
|
||
|
|
fortune.</I> They <I>awoke Christ.</I> Had not the necessity of the
|
||
|
|
case called for it, they would not have <I>stirred up</I> or
|
||
|
|
<I>awoke</I> their Master, <I>till he had pleased</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+2:7">Cant. ii. 7</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but they knew he would <I>forgive them this wrong.</I> When Christ
|
||
|
|
seems as if he slept in a storm, he is awaked by the prayers of his
|
||
|
|
people; when we know not what to do, our eye must be to him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+20:12">2 Chron. xx. 12</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
we may be at our wits' end, but not at our faith's end, while we have
|
||
|
|
such a Saviour to go to. Their address to Christ is here expressed very
|
||
|
|
emphatically; <I>Master, carest thou not that we perish?</I> I confess
|
||
|
|
this sounds somewhat harsh, rather like chiding him for sleeping than
|
||
|
|
begging him to awake. I know no excuse for it, but the great
|
||
|
|
familiarity which he was pleased to admit them into, and the freedom he
|
||
|
|
allowed them; and the present distress they were in, which put them
|
||
|
|
into such a fright, that they knew not what they said. <I>They</I> do
|
||
|
|
Christ a deal of wrong, who suspect him to be <I>careless</I> of his
|
||
|
|
people in distress. The matter is not so; he is not willing that any
|
||
|
|
should perish, much less any of his little ones,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+18:14">Matt. xviii. 14</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
9. The word of command with which Christ rebuked the storm, we have
|
||
|
|
here, and had not in Matthew,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+4:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He says, <I>Peace, be still</I>--<B><I>Siopa, pephimoso</I></B>--<I>be
|
||
|
|
silent, be dumb.</I> Let not the wind any longer roar, nor the sea
|
||
|
|
rage. Thus he <I>stills the noise of the sea, the noise of her
|
||
|
|
waves;</I> a particular emphasis is laid upon the noisiness of them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+65:7,93:3,4">Ps. lxv. 7, and xciii. 3, 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The noise is threatening and terrifying; let us hear no more of it.
|
||
|
|
This is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) A word of command to us; when our wicked hearts are <I>like the
|
||
|
|
troubled sea which cannot rest</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+57:20">Isa. lvii. 20</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
when our passions are up, and are unruly, let us think we hear the law
|
||
|
|
of Christ, saying, <I>Be silent, be dumb.</I> Think not confusedly,
|
||
|
|
speak not unadvisedly; but <I>be still.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) A word of comfort to us, that, be the storm of trouble ever so
|
||
|
|
loud, ever so strong, Jesus Christ can lay it with a word's speaking.
|
||
|
|
When without are fightings, and within are fears, and the spirits are
|
||
|
|
in a tumult, Christ can <I>create the fruit of the lips, peace.</I> If
|
||
|
|
he say, <I>Peace, be still,</I> there is a <I>great calm</I> presently.
|
||
|
|
It is spoken of as God's prerogative to command the seas,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+31:35">Jer. xxxi. 35</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
By this therefore Christ proves himself to be God. He that made the
|
||
|
|
seas, can make them <I>quiet.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
10. The reproof Christ gave them for their fears, is here carried
|
||
|
|
further than in Matthew. There it is, <I>Why are ye fearful?</I> Here,
|
||
|
|
<I>Why are ye so fearful?</I> Though there may be cause for some fear,
|
||
|
|
yet not for fear to such a degree as this. There it is, <I>O ye of
|
||
|
|
little faith.</I> Here it is, <I>How is it that ye have no faith?</I>
|
||
|
|
Not that the disciples were without faith. No, they believed that
|
||
|
|
<I>Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;</I> but at this time their
|
||
|
|
fears prevailed so that they seemed to <I>have no faith</I> at all. It
|
||
|
|
was out of the way, when they had occasion for it, and so it was as if
|
||
|
|
they had not had it. "<I>How is it, that in this matter ye have no
|
||
|
|
faith,</I> that ye think I would not come in with seasonable and
|
||
|
|
effectual relief?" Those may suspect their faith, who can entertain
|
||
|
|
such a thought as that Christ <I>careth not</I> though his <I>people
|
||
|
|
perish,</I> and Christ justly takes it ill.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> The impression this miracle made upon the disciples, is
|
||
|
|
here differently expressed. In Matthew it is said, <I>The men
|
||
|
|
marvelled;</I> here it is said, <I>They feared greatly.</I> They
|
||
|
|
<I>feared a great fear;</I> so the original reads it. Now their fear
|
||
|
|
was rectified by their faith. When they feared the winds and the seas,
|
||
|
|
it was for want of the reverence they ought to have had for Christ. But
|
||
|
|
now that they saw a demonstration of his power over them, they feared
|
||
|
|
<I>them</I> less, and <I>him</I> more. They <I>feared</I> lest they had
|
||
|
|
offended Christ by their unbelieving fears; and therefore studied now
|
||
|
|
to give him honour. They had <I>feared</I> the power and wrath of the
|
||
|
|
Creator in the storm, and that fear had torment and amazement in it;
|
||
|
|
but now they feared the power and grace of the Redeemer in the calm;
|
||
|
|
they <I>feared the Lord and his goodness,</I> and it had pleasure and
|
||
|
|
satisfaction in it, and by it they gave glory to Christ, as Jonah's
|
||
|
|
mariners, who, when the <I>sea ceased from her raging, feared the Lord
|
||
|
|
exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jon+1:16">Jon. i. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This sacrifice they offered to the honour of Christ; they said, <I>What
|
||
|
|
manner of man is this?</I> Surely more than a man, <I>for even the
|
||
|
|
winds and the seas obey him.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
||
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|
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|
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<HR>
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|
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
||
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[<A HREF="MHC41003.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC41005.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
||
|
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TABLE>
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