mh_parser/vol_split/41 - Mark/Chapter 3.xml

<div2 id="Mark.iv" n="iv" next="Mark.v" prev="Mark.iii" progress="37.89%" title="Chapter III">
<h2 id="Mark.iv-p0.1">M A R K.</h2>
<h3 id="Mark.iv-p0.2">CHAP. III.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Mark.iv-p1">In this chapter, we have, I. Christ's healing a
man that had a withered hand, on the sabbath day, and the
combination of his enemies against him for it, <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.1-Mark.3.6" parsed="|Mark|3|1|3|6" passage="Mk 3:1-6">ver. 1-6</scripRef>. II. The universal resort of people
to him from all parts, to be healed, and the relief they all found
with him, <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.7-Mark.3.12" parsed="|Mark|3|7|3|12" passage="Mk 3:7-12">ver. 7-12</scripRef>. III.
His ordaining his twelve apostles to be attendants on him, and the
preachers of his gospel, <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.13-Mark.3.21" parsed="|Mark|3|13|3|21" passage="Mk 3:13-21">ver.
13-21</scripRef>. IV. His answer to the blasphemous cavils of the
scribes, who imputed his power to cast out devils to a confederacy
with the prince of the devils, <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.22-Mark.3.30" parsed="|Mark|3|22|3|30" passage="Mk 3:22-30">ver.
22-30</scripRef>. V. His owning his disciples for his nearest and
dearest relations, <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.31-Mark.3.35" parsed="|Mark|3|31|3|35" passage="Mk 3:31-35">ver.
31-35</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Mark.iv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3" parsed="|Mark|3|0|0|0" passage="Mr 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Mark.iv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.1-Mark.3.12" parsed="|Mark|3|1|3|12" passage="Mr 3:1-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.3.1-Mark.3.12">
<h4 id="Mark.iv-p1.8">The Withered Hand Restored; Multitudes
Healed.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.iv-p2">1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and
there was a man there which had a withered hand.   2 And they
watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that
they might accuse him.   3 And he saith unto the man which had
the withered hand, Stand forth.   4 And he saith unto them, Is
it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save
life, or to kill? But they held their peace.   5 And when he
had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the
hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth
thine hand. And he stretched <i>it</i> out: and his hand was
restored whole as the other.   6 And the Pharisees went forth,
and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how
they might destroy him.   7 But Jesus withdrew himself with
his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee
followed him, and from Judæa,   8 And from Jerusalem, and from
Idumæa, and <i>from</i> beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and
Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he
did, came unto him.   9 And he spake to his disciples, that a
small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they
should throng him.   10 For he had healed many; insomuch that
they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
  11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before
him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.   12 And he
straitly charged them that they should not make him known.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p3">Here, as before, we have our Lord Jesus
busy at work <i>in the synagogue</i> first, and then by <i>the sea
side;</i> to teach us that his presence should not be confined
either to the one or to the other, but, wherever any are gathered
together in his name, whether <i>in the synagogue</i> or any where
else, there is he in the midst of them. <i>In every place where he
records his name,</i> he will meet his people, and <i>bless
them;</i> it is his will that men <i>pray every where.</i> Now here
we have some account of what he did.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p4">I. When he <i>entered again into the
synagogue,</i> he improved the opportunity he had there, of doing
good, and having, no doubt, preached a sermon there, he wrought a
miracle for the confirmation of it, or at least for the
confirmation of this truth—that <i>it is lawful to do good on the
sabbath day.</i> We had the narrative, <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.9" parsed="|Matt|12|9|0|0" passage="Mt 12:9">Matt. xii. 9</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p5">1. The patient's case was piteous; he had a
<i>withered hand,</i> by which he was disabled to work for his
living; and those that are so, are the most proper objects of
charity; let those be helped that cannot help themselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p6">2. The spectators were very unkind, both to
the patient and to the Physician; instead of interceding for a poor
neighbour, they did what they could to hinder his cure: for they
intimated that if Christ cured him now on the sabbath day, they
would accuse him as a <i>Sabbath breaker.</i> It had been very
unreasonable, if they should have opposed a physician or surgeon in
helping any poor body in misery, by ordinary methods; but much more
absurd was it to oppose him that cured without any labour, but by a
word's speaking.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p7">3. Christ dealt very fairly with the
spectators, and dealt with them <i>first,</i> if possible to
<i>prevent</i> the offence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p8">(1.) He laboured to convince their
judgment. He bade the man <i>stand forth</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.3" parsed="|Mark|3|3|0|0" passage="Mk 3:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), that by the sight of him they
might be moved with compassion toward him, and might not, for
shame, account his cure a crime. And then he appeals to their own
consciences; though the thing <i>speaks itself,</i> yet <i>he</i>
is pleased to <i>speak</i> it; "<i>Is it lawful to do good on the
sabbath days,</i> as I design to do, <i>or to do evil,</i> as you
design to do? Whether is better, to <i>save life</i> or to
<i>kill?</i>" What fairer question could be put? And yet, because
they saw it would turn against them, <i>they held their peace.</i>
Note, Those are obstinate indeed in their infidelity, who, when
they can say nothing <i>against</i> a truth, will say nothing <i>to
it;</i> and, when they cannot <i>resist,</i> yet will not
<i>yield.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p9">(2.) When they rebelled against the light,
he <i>lamented their stubbornness</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.5" parsed="|Mark|3|5|0|0" passage="Mk 3:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>); <i>He looked round about on them
with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts.</i> The
<i>sin</i> he had an eye to, was, the <i>hardness of their
hearts,</i> their insensibleness of the evidence of his miracles,
and their inflexible resolution to persist in unbelief. We hear
what is said amiss, and see what is done amiss; but Christ looks at
the <i>root of bitterness</i> in the heart, the blindness and
hardness of <i>that.</i> Observe, [1.] How he was <i>provoked</i>
by the sin; he looked <i>round upon them;</i> for they were so
many, and had so placed themselves, that they surrounded him: and
he looked <i>with anger;</i> his anger, it is probable, appeared in
his countenance; his anger was, like God's, without the least
<i>perturbation</i> to himself, but not without great
<i>provocation</i> from us. Note, The sin of sinners is very
displeasing to Jesus Christ; and the way to be angry, and not to
sin, is it be angry, as Christ was, at nothing but sin. Let
hard-hearted sinners tremble to think of the anger with which he
will <i>look round</i> upon them shortly, when the <i>great day of
his wrath comes.</i> [2.] How he <i>pitied</i> the sinners; he was
<i>grieved for the hardness of their hearts;</i> as God was grieved
forty years for the hardness of the hearts of their fathers in the
wilderness. Note, It is a great grief to our Lord Jesus, to see
sinners bent upon their own ruin, and obstinately set against the
methods of their conviction and recovery, for he would not that any
should perish. This is a good reason why the hardness of our own
hearts and of the hearts of others, should be a grief to us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p10">4. Christ dealt very kindly with the
patient; he bade him <i>stretch forth his hand,</i> and it was
immediately <i>restored.</i> Now, (1.) Christ has hereby taught us
to go on with resolution in the way of our duty, how violent soever
the opposition is, that we meet with in it. We must deny ourselves
sometimes in our ease, pleasure, and convenience, rather than give
offence even to those who causelessly take it; but we must not deny
ourselves the satisfaction of serving God, and doing good, though
offence may unjustly be taken at it. None could be more tender of
giving offence than Christ; yet, rather than send this poor man
away uncured, he would venture offending all the scribes and
Pharisees that compassed him about. (2.) He hath hereby given us a
<i>specimen</i> of the cures wrought by his grace upon <i>poor
souls;</i> our hands are spiritually <i>withered,</i> the powers of
our souls weakened by sin, and disabled for that which is good. The
great healing day is the <i>sabbath,</i> and the healing place the
<i>synagogue;</i> the healing power is that of Christ. The gospel
command is like this recorded here; and the command is rational and
just; though our hands are withered, and we cannot of ourselves
<i>stretch them forth,</i> we must attempt it, must, as well as we
can, <i>lift them up</i> to God in prayer, <i>lay hold</i> on
Christ and eternal life, and employ them in good works; and if we
do our endeavour, power goes along with the word of Christ, he
effects the cure. Though our hands be <i>withered,</i> yet, if we
will not offer to <i>stretch them out,</i> it is our own fault that
we are not healed; but if we do, and are healed, Christ and his
power and grace must have all the glory.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p11">5. The enemies of Christ dealt very
barbarously with him. Such a work of <i>mercy</i> should have
engaged their love <i>to him,</i> and such a work of <i>wonder</i>
their faith <i>in him.</i> But, instead of that, the Pharisees, who
pretended to be oracles in the church, and the Herodians, who
pretended to be the supporters of the state, though of opposite
interests one to another, <i>took counsel together against him, how
they might destroy him.</i> Note, They that suffer for doing good,
do but suffer as their Master did.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p12">II. When he withdrew <i>to the sea,</i> he
did good there. While his enemies sought to <i>destroy him,</i> he
quitted the place; to teach us in troublous times to shift for our
own safety; but see here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p13">1. How he was followed into his retirement.
When some had such an enmity to him, that they drove him out of
their country, others had such a value for him, that they followed
him wherever he went; and the enmity of their leaders to Christ did
not cool their respect to him. <i>Great multitudes</i> followed him
from all parts of the nation; as far north, as <i>from Galilee;</i>
as far south, as from Judea and Jerusalem; nay, and from Idumea; as
far east, as from beyond Jordan; and west, as from about Tyre and
Sidon, <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.7-Mark.3.8" parsed="|Mark|3|7|3|8" passage="Mk 3:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>.
Observe, (1.) What induced them to follow him; it was the report
they heard of the <i>great things he did</i> for all that applied
themselves to him; some wished <i>to see</i> one that had done such
<i>great things,</i> and others hoped he would do great things
<i>for them.</i> Note, The consideration of the <i>great things</i>
Christ has done, should engage us to <i>come to him.</i> (2.) What
they followed him for (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.10" parsed="|Mark|3|10|0|0" passage="Mk 3:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>); They <i>pressed upon him, to touch him, as many as
had plagues.</i> Diseases are here called <i>plagues,</i>
<b><i>mastigas</i></b>—<i>corrections, chastisements;</i> so they
are designed to be, to make us <i>smart</i> for our sins, that
thereby we may be made <i>sorry</i> for them, and may be warned not
to return to them. Those that were under these <i>scourgings</i>
came to Jesus; this is the errand on which sickness is sent, to
quicken us to enquire after Christ, and apply ourselves to him as
our Physician. They <i>pressed upon him,</i> each striving which
should get <i>nearest to</i> him, and which should be <i>first
served.</i> They <i>fell down before him</i> (so Dr. Hammond), as
petitioners for his favour; they desired leave but to <i>touch
him,</i> having faith to be healed, not only by <i>his</i> touching
<i>them,</i> but by <i>their</i> touching him; which no doubt they
had many instances of. (3.) What provision he made to be ready to
attend them (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.9" parsed="|Mark|3|9|0|0" passage="Mk 3:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>); He
<i>spoke to his disciples,</i> who were fishermen, and had
fisher-boats at command, that a <i>small ship should</i> constantly
<i>wait on him,</i> to carry him from place to place on the same
coast; that, when he had despatched the necessary business he had
to do in one place, he might easily remove to another, where his
presence was requisite, without pressing through the crowds of
people that followed him for curiosity. Wise men, as much as they
can, decline a crowd.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p14">2. What abundance of good he did in his
retirement. He did not withdraw to be idle, nor did he send back
those who rudely crowded after him when he withdrew, but took it
kindly, and gave them what they came for; for he never said to any
that sought him diligently, <i>Seek ye me in vain.</i> (1.)
Diseases were effectually cured; He <i>healed many;</i> divers
sorts of patients, ill of divers sorts of diseases; though
numerous, though various, he <i>healed them.</i> (2.) <i>Devils</i>
were effectually <i>conquered;</i> those whom unclean spirits had
got possession of, <i>when they saw him,</i> trembled at his
presence, and they also <i>fell down before him,</i> not to
supplicate his favour, but to deprecate his wrath, and by their own
terrors were compelled to own that <i>he was the Son of God,</i>
<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.1" parsed="|Mark|3|1|0|0" passage="Mk 3:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. It is sad that
this great truth should be denied by any of the children of men,
who may have the benefit of it, when a confession of it has so
often been extorted from devils, who are excluded from having
benefit by it. (3.) Christ sought not applause to himself in doing
those great things, for <i>he strictly charged</i> those for whom
he did them, <i>that they should not make him known</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.12" parsed="|Mark|3|12|0|0" passage="Mk 3:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>); that they should not be
<i>industrious</i> to spread the notice of his cures, as it were by
advertisements in the newspapers, but let them leave <i>his own
works to praise him,</i> and let the report of them <i>diffuse
itself,</i> and make its own way. Let not those that are cured, be
forward to divulge it, lest it should feed their pride who are so
<i>highly favoured;</i> but let the <i>standers-by</i> carry away
the intelligence of it. When we do that which is
<i>praiseworthy,</i> and yet covet not to be <i>praised of men</i>
for it, then <i>the same mind is in us,</i> which was <i>in Christ
Jesus.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.iv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.13-Mark.3.21" parsed="|Mark|3|13|3|21" passage="Mr 3:13-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.3.13-Mark.3.21">
<h4 id="Mark.iv-p14.4">The Calling of the Apostles.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.iv-p15">13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth
<i>unto him</i> whom he would: and they came unto him.   14
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he
might send them forth to preach,   15 And to have power to
heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:   16 And Simon he
surnamed Peter;   17 And James the <i>son</i> of Zebedee, and
John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which
is, The sons of thunder:   18 And Andrew, and Philip, and
Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the <i>son</i> of
Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Canaanite,   19 And Judas
Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into a house.
  20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they
could not so much as eat bread.   21 And when his friends
heard <i>of it,</i> they went out to lay hold on him: for they
said, He is beside himself.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p16">In these verses, we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p17">I. The choice Christ made of the <i>twelve
apostles</i> to be his constant followers and attendants, and to be
sent abroad as there was occasion, to preach the gospel.
Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p18">1. The introduction to this <i>call</i> or
<i>promotion</i> of disciples; He <i>goes up into a mountain,</i>
and his errand thither was <i>to pray.</i> Ministers must be set
apart with solemn prayer for the pouring out of the Spirit upon
them; though Christ had authority to confer the gifts of the Holy
Ghost, yet, to set us an example, he prayed for them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p19">2. The rule he went by in his choice, and
that was his own good pleasure; <i>He called unto him whom he
would.</i> Not such as we should have thought <i>fittest to be
called, looking upon the countenance, and the height of the
stature;</i> but such as he <i>thought fit</i> to call, and
determined to <i>make fit</i> for the service to which he called
them: <i>even so,</i> blessed Jesus, <i>because it seemed good in
thine eyes.</i> Christ calls <i>whom he will;</i> for he is a free
Agent, and his grace is his own.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p20">3. The efficacy of the call; He <i>called
them</i> to separate themselves from the crowd, and stand by him,
and they <i>came unto him.</i> Christ calls those who were <i>given
him</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:John.17.6" parsed="|John|17|6|0|0" passage="Joh 17:6">John xvii. 6</scripRef>); and
<i>all that the Father gave him, shall come to him,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:John.6.37" parsed="|John|6|37|0|0" passage="Joh 6:37">John vi. 37</scripRef>. Those whom it was his
<i>will</i> to call, he made <i>willing to come;</i> his <i>people
shall be willing in the day of his power.</i> Perhaps they came to
him readily enough, because they were in expectation of <i>reigning
with him</i> in temporal pomp and power; but when afterward they
were <i>undeceived</i> in that matter, yet they had such a prospect
given them of better things, that they would not say they were
<i>deceived</i> in their Master, nor repented their leaving all to
be with him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p21">4. The end and intention of this call; He
<i>ordained them</i> (probably by the imposition of hands, which
was a ceremony used among the Jews), <i>that they should be with
him</i> constantly, to be witnesses of <i>his doctrine, manner of
life, and patience,</i> that they might <i>fully know it,</i> and
be able to give an account of it; and especially that they might
attest the truth of his miracles; they must be <i>with him</i> to
receive instructions <i>from him,</i> that they might be qualified
to give instructions <i>to others.</i> It would <i>require time</i>
to fit them for that which he designed them for; for they must be
<i>sent forth to preach;</i> not to preach till they were
<i>sent,</i> and not to be <i>sent</i> till by a long and intimate
acquaintance with Christ they were fitted. Note, Christ's ministers
must be much <i>with him.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p22">5. The power he gave them to work miracles;
and hereby he put a very great honour upon them, beyond that of the
great men of the earth. He ordained them to <i>heal sicknesses and
to cast out devils.</i> This showed that the power which Christ had
to work these miracles was an <i>original</i> power; that he had it
not <i>as a Servant,</i> but <i>as a Son in his own house,</i> in
that he could confer it upon others, and invest them with it: they
have a rule in the law, <i>Deputatus non potest deputare—He that
is only deputed himself, cannot depute another;</i> but our Lord
Jesus had <i>life in himself,</i> and the Spirit without measure;
for he could give this power even to the <i>weak</i> and <i>foolish
things</i> of the world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p23">6. Their number and names; He <i>ordained
twelve,</i> according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel.
They are here named not just in the same order as they were in
Matthew, nor by couples, as they were there; but as there, so here,
Peter is put first and Judas last. Here Matthew is put before
Thomas, probably being called in that order; but in that catalogue
which Matthew himself drew up, he puts himself after Thomas; so far
was he from insisting upon the precedency of his consecration. But
that which Mark only takes notice of in this list of the apostles,
is, that Christ called James and John <i>Boanerges,</i> which is,
<i>The sons of thunder;</i> perhaps they were remarkable for a loud
commanding voice, they were thundering preachers; or, rather, it
denotes the zeal and fervency of their spirits, which would make
them active for God above their brethren. These two (saith Dr.
Hammond) were to be special eminent ministers of the gospel, which
is called <i>a voice shaking the earth,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.26" parsed="|Heb|12|26|0|0" passage="Heb 12:26">Heb. xii. 26</scripRef>. Yet John, one of those <i>sons
of thunder,</i> was full of love and tenderness, as appears by his
epistles, and was the beloved disciple.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p24">7. Their retirement with their Master, and
close adherence to him; <i>They went into a house.</i> Now that
this jury was impanelled, they <i>stood together, to hearken to
their evidence.</i> They went together into the house, to settle
the orders of their infant college; and now, it is likely, the bag
was given to Judas, which pleased him, and made him easy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p25">II. The continual crowds that attended
Christ's motions (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.20" parsed="|Mark|3|20|0|0" passage="Mk 3:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>); The <i>multitude cometh together again,</i> unsent
for, and unseasonably pressing upon him, some with one errand and
some with another; so that he and his disciples could not get time
<i>so much as to eat bread,</i> much less for a set and full meal.
Yet he did not shut his doors against the petitioners, but bade
them welcome, and gave to each of them <i>an answer of peace.</i>
Note, They whose hearts are enlarged in the work of God, can easily
bear with great inconveniences to themselves, in the prosecution of
it, and will rather lose a meal's meat at any time than slip an
opportunity of doing good. It is happy when zealous <i>hearers</i>
and zealous <i>preachers</i> thus <i>meet,</i> and encourage one
another. Now the <i>kingdom of God was preached,</i> and men
pressed into it, <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.16.16" parsed="|Luke|16|16|0|0" passage="Lu 16:16">Luke xvi.
16</scripRef>. This was a gale of opportunity worth improving; and
the disciples might well afford to adjourn their meals, to lay hold
on it. It is good striking while the iron is hot.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p26">III. The care of his relations concerning
him (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.21" parsed="|Mark|3|21|0|0" passage="Mk 3:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>); <i>When
his friends</i> in Capernaum heard how he was followed, and what
pains he took, they <i>went out, to lay hold on him,</i> and fetch
him home, for they said, <i>He is beside himself.</i> 1. Some
understand it of an absurd preposterous care, which had more in it
of reproach to him than of respect; and so we must take it as we
read it, <i>He is beside himself;</i> either they suspected it
themselves, or it was suggested to them, and they gave credit to
the suggestion, that he was <i>gone distracted,</i> and therefore
his friends ought to bind him, and put him in a dark room, to bring
him to his right mind again. His kindred, many of them, had mean
thoughts of him (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:John.7.5" parsed="|John|7|5|0|0" passage="Joh 7:5">John vii.
5</scripRef>), and were willing to hearken to this ill construction
which some put upon his great zeal, and to conclude him crazed in
his intellects, and under that pretence to take him off from his
work. The prophets were called <i>mad fellows,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p26.3" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.9.11" parsed="|2Kgs|9|11|0|0" passage="2Ki 9:11">2 Kings ix. 11</scripRef>. 2. Others understand
it of a <i>well-meaning</i> care; and then they read
<b><i>exeste</i></b>—"<i>He fainteth,</i> he has no time to <i>eat
bread,</i> and therefore his strength will fail him; he will be
stifled with the crowd of people, and will have his spirits quite
exhausted with constant speaking, and the virtue that <i>goes out
of him</i> in his miracles; and therefore let us use a friendly
violence with him, and get him a little <i>breathing-time.</i>" In
his preaching-work, as well as his suffering-work, he was attacked
with, <i>Master, spare thyself.</i> Note, They who go on with
vigour and zeal in the work of God, must expect to meet with
hindrances, both from the groundless disaffection of their enemies,
and the mistaken affections of their friends, and they have need to
stand upon their guard against both.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.iv-p26.4" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.22-Mark.3.30" parsed="|Mark|3|22|3|30" passage="Mr 3:22-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.3.22-Mark.3.30">
<h4 id="Mark.iv-p26.5">The Blasphemy of the
Scribes.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.iv-p27">22 And the scribes which came down from
Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils
casteth he out devils.   23 And he called them <i>unto
him,</i> and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out
Satan?   24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that
kingdom cannot stand.   25 And if a house be divided against
itself, that house cannot stand.   26 And if Satan rise up
against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
  27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his
goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will
spoil his house.   28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be
forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever
they shall blaspheme:   29 But he that shall blaspheme against
the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal
damnation:   30 Because they said, He hath an unclean
spirit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p28">I. Here is, The impudent impious brand
which the scribes fastened upon Christ's casting out devils, that
they might evade and invalidate the conviction of it, and have a
poor excuse for not yielding to it. These <i>scribes came down from
Jerusalem,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.22" parsed="|Mark|3|22|0|0" passage="Mk 3:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>.
It should seem they came this long journey on purpose to hinder the
progress of the doctrine of Christ; such pains did they take to do
mischief; and, coming from Jerusalem, where were the most polite
and learned scribes, and where they had opportunity of
<i>consulting</i> together <i>against the Lord and his
Anointed,</i> they were in the greater capacity to do mischief; the
reputation of scribes from Jerusalem would have an influence not
only upon the <i>country people,</i> but upon the <i>country
scribes;</i> they had never thought of this base suggestion
concerning Christ's miracles till the <i>scribes from</i> Jerusalem
put it into their heads. They could not deny but that he cast out
devils, which plainly bespoke him sent of God; but they insinuated
that <i>he had Beelzebub</i> on his side, was in league with him,
and by <i>the prince of the devils cast out devils.</i> There is a
trick in the case; Satan is not <i>cast out,</i> he only <i>goes
out</i> by consent. There was nothing in the manner of Christ's
<i>casting out devils,</i> that gave any cause to suspect this; he
did it <i>as one having authority;</i> but so they will have it,
who resolve not to believe him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p29">II. The rational answer which Christ gave
to this objection, demonstrating the absurdity of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p30">1. Satan is so <i>subtle,</i> that he will
never voluntarily quit his possession; <i>If Satan cast out Satan,
his kingdom is divided against itself,</i> and it <i>cannot
stand,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.23-Mark.3.26" parsed="|Mark|3|23|3|26" passage="Mk 3:23-26"><i>v.</i>
23-26</scripRef>. He <i>called them to him,</i> as one desirous
they should be convinced; he treated them with all the freedom,
friendliness, and familiarity that could be; he vouchsafed to
reason the case with them, <i>that every mouth may be stopped.</i>
It was plain that the doctrine of Christ <i>made war</i> upon the
devil's kingdom, and had a direct tendency to break his power, and
crush his interest in the souls of men; and it was as plain that
the casting of him out of the bodies of people confirmed that
doctrine, and gave it the setting on; and therefore it cannot be
imagined that he should come into such a design; every one knows
that Satan is no <i>fool,</i> nor will act so directly against his
own interest.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p31">2. Christ is so <i>wise,</i> that, being
engaged in war with him, he will attack his forces wherever he
meets them, whether in the bodies or souls of people, <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.27" parsed="|Mark|3|27|0|0" passage="Mk 3:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. It is plain, Christ's
design is to <i>enter into the strong man's house,</i> to take
possession of the interest he has in the world, and to <i>spoil his
goods,</i> and convert them to his own service; and therefore it is
natural to suppose that he will thus <i>bind the strong man,</i>
will forbid him to <i>speak</i> when he would, and to <i>stay</i>
where he would, and thus show that he has gained a victory over
him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p32">III. The awful warning Christ gave them to
take heed how they spoke such dangerous words as these; however
they might make light of them, as only conjectures, and the
language of <i>free-thinking,</i> if they persisted in it, it would
be of fatal consequence to them; it would be found a sin against
the last remedy, and consequently <i>unpardonable;</i> for what
could be imagined possible to bring <i>them</i> to repentance for
their sin in blaspheming Christ, who would set aside such a
<i>strong</i> conviction with such a <i>weak</i> evasion? It is
true, the gospel <i>promiseth,</i> because Christ hath
<i>purchased,</i> forgiveness for the greatest sins and sinners,
<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.28" parsed="|Mark|3|28|0|0" passage="Mk 3:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>. Many of those
who reviled Christ on the cross (which was a <i>blaspheming of the
Son of man,</i> aggravated to the highest degree), found mercy, and
Christ himself prayed, <i>Father, forgive them;</i> but this was
<i>blaspheming the Holy Ghost,</i> for it was by the Holy Spirit
that he <i>cast out</i> devils, and they said, It was <i>by the
unclean spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.30" parsed="|Mark|3|30|0|0" passage="Mk 3:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>. By this method they would outface the conviction of
all the gifts of the Holy Ghost after Christ's ascension, and
defeat them all, after which there remained no more proof, and
therefore they should <i>never have forgiveness,</i> but were
<i>liable to eternal damnation.</i> They were in imminent danger of
that everlasting punishment, from which there was <i>no
redemption,</i> and in which there was no <i>intermission,</i> no
<i>remission.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.iv-p32.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.31-Mark.3.35" parsed="|Mark|3|31|3|35" passage="Mr 3:31-35" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.3.31-Mark.3.35">
<h4 id="Mark.iv-p32.4">The Family of Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.iv-p33">31 There came then his brethren and his mother,
and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.   32 And
the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy
mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.   33 And he
answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?   34
And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said,
Behold my mother and my brethren!   35 For whosoever shall do
the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and
mother.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p34">Here is, 1. The <i>disrespect</i> which
Christ's <i>kindred, according to the flesh,</i> showed to him,
when he was preaching (and they knew very well that he was then in
his element); they not only <i>stood without,</i> having no desire
to come in, and hear him, but they sent in a message to <i>call him
out to them</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.31-Mark.3.32" parsed="|Mark|3|31|3|32" passage="Mk 3:31,32"><i>v.</i> 31,
32</scripRef>), as if he must leave his work, to hearken to their
<i>impertinences;</i> it is probable that they had <i>no business
with him,</i> only sent for him on purpose to oblige him to
<i>break off,</i> lest he should <i>kill himself.</i> He knew how
far his strength would go, and preferred the salvation of souls
before his own life, and soon after made it to appear with a
witness; it was therefore an <i>idle thing</i> for them, under
pretence of his sparing himself, to interrupt him; and it was
worse, if really they had business with him, when they knew he
preferred his business, as a Saviour, so much before any other
business.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.iv-p35">2. The <i>respect</i> which Christ showed
to his spiritual kindred upon this occasion. Now, as at other
times, he put a <i>comparative neglect</i> upon his mother, which
seemed purposely designed to obviate the prevent the extravagant
respect which men in aftertimes would be apt to pay her. <i>Our</i>
respect ought to be guided and governed by Christ's; now the virgin
Mary, or Christ's mother, is not equalled with, but postponed to,
ordinary believers, on whom Christ here puts a <i>superlative</i>
honour. He looked upon those that <i>at about</i> him, and
pronounced those of them that not only heard, but did, the will of
God, to be to him as <i>his brother, and sister, and mother;</i> as
much esteemed, loved, and cared for, as his nearest relations,
<scripRef id="Mark.iv-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.33-Mark.3.35" parsed="|Mark|3|33|3|35" passage="Mk 3:33-35"><i>v.</i> 33-35</scripRef>. This is
a good reason why we should <i>honour those that fear the Lord,</i>
and choose them for our people; why we should be not hearers of the
word only, but doers of the work, that we may share with the saints
in this honour, Surely it is good to be akin to those who are thus
nearly allied to Christ, and to have fellowship with those that
have fellowship with Christ; and woe to those that hate and
persecute Christ's kindred, that are <i>his bone and his flesh,</i>
every one <i>resembling the children of a king</i> (see <scripRef id="Mark.iv-p35.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.8.18-Judg.8.19" parsed="|Judg|8|18|8|19" passage="Jdg 8:18,19">Judg. viii. 18, 19</scripRef>); for he will
with jealously plead their cause, and avenge their blood.</p>
</div></div2>