mh_parser/vol_split/41 - Mark/Chapter 16.xml

<div2 id="Mark.xvii" n="xvii" next="Luke" prev="Mark.xvi" progress="46.12%" title="Chapter XVI">
<h2 id="Mark.xvii-p0.1">M A R K.</h2>
<h3 id="Mark.xvii-p0.2">CHAP. XVI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Mark.xvii-p1">In this chapter, we have a short account of the
resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus: and the joys and
triumphs which it furnished all believers with, will be very
acceptable to those who sympathised and suffered with Christ in the
foregoing chapters. Here is, I. Christ's resurrection notified by
an angel to the women that came to the sepulchre to anoint him,
<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.1-Mark.16.8" parsed="|Mark|16|1|16|8" passage="Mk 16:1-8">ver. 1-8</scripRef>. II. His
appearance to Mary Magdalene, and the account she gave of it to the
disciples, <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.9-Mark.16.11" parsed="|Mark|16|9|16|11" passage="Mk 16:9-11">ver. 9-11</scripRef>.
III. His appearance to the two disciples, going to Emmaus, and the
report they made of it to their brethren, <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.12-Mark.16.13" parsed="|Mark|16|12|16|13" passage="Mk 16:12,13">ver. 12, 13</scripRef>. IV. His appearance to the
eleven with the commission he gave them to set up his kingdom in
the world, and full instructions and credentials in order
thereunto,, <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.14-Mark.16.18" parsed="|Mark|16|14|16|18" passage="Mk 16:14-18">ver. 14-18</scripRef>.
V. His ascension into heaven, the apostles' close application to
their work, and God's owning of them in it, <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.19-Mark.16.20" parsed="|Mark|16|19|16|20" passage="Mk 16:19,20">ver. 19, 20</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Mark.xvii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16" parsed="|Mark|16|0|0|0" passage="Mr 16" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Mark.xvii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.1-Mark.16.8" parsed="|Mark|16|1|16|8" passage="Mr 16:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.16.1-Mark.16.8">
<h4 id="Mark.xvii-p1.8">The Women at the Sepulchre; The Apostles
Reproved.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.xvii-p2">1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,
and Mary the <i>mother</i> of James, and Salome, had bought sweet
spices, that they might come and anoint him.   2 And very
early in the morning the first <i>day</i> of the week, they came
unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.   3 And they said
among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of
the sepulchre?   4 And when they looked, they saw that the
stone was rolled away: for it was very great.   5 And entering
into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side,
clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.   6
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of
Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold
the place where they laid him.   7 But go your way, tell his
disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there
shall ye see him, as he said unto you.   8 And they went out
quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were
amazed: neither said they any thing to any <i>man;</i> for they
were afraid.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p3">Never was there such a <i>sabbath</i> since
the sabbath was first instituted as this was, which the first words
of this chapter tell us was <i>now past;</i> during all this
sabbath our Lord Jesus lay in the grave. It was <i>to him</i> a
sabbath of <i>rest,</i> but a <i>silent</i> sabbath, it was to his
disciples a melancholy sabbath, spent in tears and fears. Never
were the sabbath services in the temple such an <i>abomination to
God,</i> though they had been often so, as they were now, when the
chief priests, who presided in them, had their hands full of blood,
the blood of Christ. Well, this sabbath is over, and the first day
of the week is the first day of a new world. We have here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p4">I. The affectionate visit which the good
women that had attended Christ, now made it to his sepulchre—not a
<i>superstitious</i> one, but a <i>pious</i> one. They set out from
their lodgings <i>very early in the morning,</i> at break of day,
or sooner; but either they had a long walk, or they met with some
hindrance, so that it was <i>sun-rising</i> by the time they got to
the sepulchre. The had <i>bought sweet spices</i> too, and came not
only to <i>bedew</i> the dead body with their tears (for nothing
could more renew their grief than this), but to <i>perfume</i> it
with their <i>spices,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.1" parsed="|Mark|16|1|0|0" passage="Mk 16:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. Nicodemus had bought a very large quantity of <i>dry
spices, myrrh</i> and <i>aloes,</i> which served to dry the wounds,
and dry up the blood, <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:John.19.39" parsed="|John|19|39|0|0" passage="Joh 19:39">John xix.
39</scripRef>. But these good women did not think that enough; they
bought spices, perhaps of another kind, some perfumed oils, to
<i>anoint him.</i> Note, The respect which others have showed to
Christ's name, should not hinder us from showing our respect to
it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p5">II. The care they were in about the rolling
away of the stone, and the superseding of that care (<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.3-Mark.16.4" parsed="|Mark|16|3|16|4" passage="Mk 16:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>); <i>They said among
themselves,</i> as they were coming along, and now drew near the
sepulchre, <i>Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the
sepulchre? For it was very great,</i> more than they with their
united strength could move. They should have thought of this before
they came out, and then discretion would have bid them not go,
unless they had those to go with them, who could do it. And there
was another difficulty much greater than this, to be got over,
which they knew nothing of, to wit, a guard of soldiers set to
<i>keep</i> the sepulchre; who, had they come before they were
frightened away, would have frightened them away. But their
gracious love to Christ carried them to the sepulchre; and see how
by the time they came thither, both these difficulties were
removed, both the <i>stone</i> which they <i>knew of,</i> and the
<i>guard</i> which they <i>knew not of.</i> They <i>saw that the
stone was rolled away,</i> which was the first thing that amazed
them. Note, They who are carried by a holy zeal, to seek Christ
diligently, will find the difficulties that lie in their way
strangely to vanish, and themselves helped over them beyond their
expectation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p6">III. The assurance that was given them by
an angel, that the Lord Jesus was risen from the dead, and had
taken leave of his sepulchre, and had left him there to tell those
so who came thither to enquire after him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p7">1. They <i>entered into the sepulchre,</i>
at least, a little way in, and saw that the body of Jesus was not
there where they had left it the other night. He, who by his death
undertook to pay our debt, in his resurrection took out our
acquittance, for it was a fair and legal discharge, by which it
appealed that his satisfaction was accepted for all the purposes
for which it was intended, and the matter in dispute was determined
by an incontestable evidence that he was the Son of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p8">2. They saw a <i>young man sitting on the
right side</i> of the sepulchre. The angel appeared in the likeness
of <i>a man,</i> of a <i>young man;</i> for angels, though created
in the beginning, grow not <i>old,</i> but are always the same
perfection of beauty and strength; and so shall glorified saints
be, when they are <i>as the angels.</i> This angel was
<i>sitting</i> on <i>the right hand</i> as they went into the
sepulchre, <i>clothed with a long white garment,</i> a garment down
to the feet, such as great men were arrayed with. The sight of him
might justly have encouraged them, but they were <i>affrighted.</i>
Thus many times that which should be matter of comfort to us,
through our own mistakes and misapprehensions proves a terror to
us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p9">3. He silences their fears by assuring them
that here was cause enough for triumph, but none for trembling
(<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.6" parsed="|Mark|16|6|0|0" passage="Mk 16:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>); <i>He saith
to them, Be not affrighted.</i> Note, As angels rejoice in the
conversation of sinners, so they do also in the consolation of
sinners. Be not affrighted, for, (1.) "Ye are faithful lovers of
Jesus Christ, and therefore, instead of being <i>confounded,</i>
out to be <i>comforted. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was
crucified.</i>" Note, The enquiries of believing souls after
Christ, have a particular regard to him as <i>crucified</i>
(<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.2.2" parsed="|1Cor|2|2|0|0" passage="1Co 2:2">1 Cor. ii. 2</scripRef>), that they
may know him, and the fellowship of his sufferings. His being
<i>lifted up from the earth,</i> is that which <i>draws all men
unto him.</i> Christ's cross is the ensign to which the Gentiles
seek. Observe, He speaks of Jesus as one that <i>was crucified;</i>
"The thing is <i>past,</i> that scene is over, ye must not dwell so
much upon the sad circumstances of his crucifixion as to be unapt
to believe the joyful news of his resurrection. He was <i>crucified
in weakness,</i> yet that doth not hinder but that he may be raised
in power, and therefore ye that seek him, be not <i>afraid of
missing</i> of him." He <i>was</i> crucified, but he <i>is</i>
glorified; and the shame of his sufferings is so far from lessening
the glory of his exaltation, that that glory perfectly wipes away
all the reproach of his sufferings. And therefore after his
entrance upon his glory, he never drew any veil over his
sufferings, nor was shy of having his cross spoken of. The angel
here that proclaims his resurrection, calls him Jesus that <i>was
crucified.</i> He himself owns (<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.18" parsed="|Rev|1|18|0|0" passage="Re 1:18">Rev. i.
18</scripRef>), <i>I am he that liveth, and was dead;</i> and he
appears in the midst of the praises of the heavenly host as a
<i>Lamb that had been slain,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.6" parsed="|Rev|5|6|0|0" passage="Re 5:6">Rev. v.
6</scripRef>. (2.) "It will therefore be good news to you, to hear
that, instead of anointing him dead, you may rejoice in him living.
<i>He is risen, he is not here,</i> not dead, but alive again. We
cannot as yet show you <i>him,</i> but hereafter you will see him,
and you may here see <i>the place where they laid him.</i> You see
he is gone hence, not stolen either by his enemies or by his
friends, but <i>risen.</i>"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p10">4. He orders them to give speedy notice of
this to his disciples. Thus they were made the apostles of the
apostles, which was a recompence of their affection and fidelity to
him, in attending him on the cross, to the grave, and in the grave.
They first came, and were first served; no other of the disciples
durst come near his sepulchre, or enquire after him; so little
danger was there of their coming by night to <i>steal him away,</i>
that none came near him but a few women, who were not able so much
as to <i>roll away the stone.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p11">(1.) They must tell the <i>disciples,</i>
that <i>he is risen.</i> It is a dismal time with them, their dear
Master is dead, and all their hopes and joys are buried in his
grave; they look upon their cause as sunk, and themselves ready to
fall an easy prey into the hands of their enemies, so that there
remains no more spirit in them, they are perfectly at their wits'
end, and every one is contriving how to shift for himself. "O, go
quickly to them," said the angel, "tell them that <i>their Master
is risen;</i> this will put some life and spirit into them, and
keep them from sinking into despair." Note, [1.] Christ is not
ashamed to own his poor disciples, no, not now that he is in his
exalted state; his preferment doth not make him shy of them, for he
took early care to have it <i>notified</i> to them. [2.] Christ is
not extreme to mark what <i>they</i> do amiss, whose hearts are
upright with him. The disciples had very unkindly deserted him, and
yet he testified this concern for them. [3.] Seasonable comforts
shall be sent to those that are lamenting after the Lord Jesus, and
he will find a time to manifest himself to them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p12">(2.) They must be sure to tell Peter. This
is particularly taken notice of by this evangelist, who is supposed
to have written by Peter's direction. If it were told the
disciples, it would be told Peter, for, as a token of his
repentance for disowning his Master, he still associated with his
disciples; yet he is particularly named: <i>Tell Peter,</i> for,
[1.] It will be good news to him, more welcome to him than to any
of them; for he is in sorrow for sin, and no tidings can be more
welcome to true penitents than to hear of the resurrection of
Christ, because he rose again for <i>their justification.</i> [2.]
He will be afraid, lest the joy of this good news do not belong to
him. Had the angel said only, <i>Go, tell his disciples,</i> poor
Peter would have been ready to sigh, and say, "But I doubt I cannot
look upon myself as one of them, for I disowned him, and deserve to
be disowned by him;" to obviate that, "Go to Peter by name, and
tell him, he shall be as welcome as any of the rest to <i>see</i>
him in Galilee." Note, A sight of Christ will be very welcome to a
true penitent, and a true penitent shall be very welcome to a sight
of Christ, for there is joy in heaven concerning him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p13">(3.) They must appoint them all, and Peter
by name, to give him the meeting in Galilee, as <i>he said unto
you,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.26.32" parsed="|Matt|26|32|0|0" passage="Mt 26:32">Matt. xxvi. 32</scripRef>. In
their journey down into Galilee they would have time to recollect
themselves, and call to mind what he had often said to them there,
that he should suffer and die, and <i>the third day be raised
again;</i> whereas while they were at Jerusalem, among strangers
and enemies, they could not recover themselves from the fright they
had been in, nor compose themselves to the due entertainment of
better tidings. Note, [1.] All the meetings between Christ and his
disciples are of his own appointing. [2.] Christ never forgets his
appointment, but will be sure to meet his people with the promised
blessing in every place where he records his name. [3.] In all
meetings between Christ and his disciples, he is the most forward.
<i>He goes before you.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p14">IV. The account which the women did bring
of this to the disciples (<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.8" parsed="|Mark|16|8|0|0" passage="Mk 16:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>); They <i>went out quickly,</i> and <i>ran from the
sepulchre,</i> to make all the haste they could to the disciples,
<i>trembling</i> and <i>amazed.</i> See how much we are enemies to
ourselves and our own comfort, in not considering and mixing faith
with that Christ hath said to us. Christ had often told them, that
<i>the third day he would rise again;</i> had they given that its
due notice and credit, they would have come to the sepulchre,
expecting to have found him risen, and would have received the news
of it with a joyful assurance, and not with all this terror and
amazement. But, being ordered to tell the disciples, because they
were to tell it to all the world, they would not tell it to any one
else, they showed not any thing of it to any man that they <i>met
by the way,</i> for <i>they were afraid,</i> afraid it was too good
news to be true. Note, Our disquieting fears often hinder us from
doing that service to Christ and to the souls of men, which if
faith and the <i>joy of faith</i> were strong, we might do.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.xvii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.9-Mark.16.13" parsed="|Mark|16|9|16|13" passage="Mr 16:9-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.16.9-Mark.16.13">
<h4 id="Mark.xvii-p14.3">Christ's Appearances to Mary Magdalene and
the Two Disciples.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.xvii-p15">9 Now when <i>Jesus</i> was risen early the
first <i>day</i> of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had cast seven devils.   10 <i>And</i> she went
and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
  11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had
been seen of her, believed not.   12 After that he appeared in
another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the
country.   13 And they went and told <i>it</i> unto the
residue: neither believed they them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p16">We have here a very short account of two of
Christ's appearances, and the little credit which the report of
them gained with the disciples.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p17">I. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, to her
first in the garden, which we have a particular narrative of,
<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:John.20.14" parsed="|John|20|14|0|0" passage="Joh 20:14">John xx. 14</scripRef>. It was she
<i>out of whom he had cast seven devils;</i> much was forgiven her,
and much was given her, and done for her, and she <i>loved
much;</i> and this honour Christ did her, that she was the first
that saw him after his resurrection. The closer we cleave to
Christ, the sooner we may expect to see him, and the more to see of
him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p18">Now, 1. She brings notice of what she had
seen, to the disciples; not only to the <i>eleven,</i> but to the
rest that followed him, <i>as they mourned and wept,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.10" parsed="|Mark|16|10|0|0" passage="Mk 16:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. Now was the time of
which Christ had told them, that they should <i>mourn and
lament,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:John.16.20" parsed="|John|16|20|0|0" passage="Joh 16:20">John xvi. 20</scripRef>.
And it was an evidence of their great love to Christ, and the deep
sense they had of their loss of him. But when their <i>weeping</i>
had <i>endured a night</i> or two, comfort returned, as Christ has
promised; <i>I will see you again, and your heart shall
rejoice.</i> Better news cannot be brought to disciples in tears,
than to tell them of Christ's resurrection. And we should study to
be comforters to disciples that are mourners, by communicating to
them our experiences, and what we have <i>seen of Christ.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p19">2. They could not give credit to the report
she brought them. They heard that <i>he was alive,</i> and had been
seen of her. The story was plausible enough, and yet <i>they
believed not.</i> They would not say that she made the story
herself, or designed to deceive them; but they fear that she is
<i>imposed upon,</i> and that it was but a fancy that she <i>saw
him.</i> Had they believed the <i>frequent</i> predictions of it
from his own mouth, they would not have been now so incredulous of
the report of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p20">II. He appeared to two of the disciples,
<i>as they went into the country,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.12" parsed="|Mark|16|12|0|0" passage="Mk 16:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. This refers, no doubt, to that
which is largely related (<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.13" parsed="|Luke|24|13|0|0" passage="Lu 24:13">Luke xxiv.
13</scripRef>, &amp;c.), of which passed between Christ and the two
disciples <i>going to Emmaus.</i> He is here said to have appeared
to them in <i>another form,</i> in another dress than what he
usually wore, in the form of a <i>traveller,</i> as, in the garden,
in such a dress, that Mary Magdalene took him for the gardener; but
that he had really his own countenance, appears by this, that
<i>their eyes were holden, that they should not know him;</i> and
when that restrain on <i>their</i> eyes was taken off, immediately
they <i>knew him,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.16-Luke.24.31" parsed="|Luke|24|16|24|31" passage="Lu 24:16-31">Luke xxiv.
16-31</scripRef>. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p21">1. These <i>two</i> witnesses gave in their
<i>testimony</i> to this proof of Christ's resurrection; <i>They
went and told it to the residue,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.13" parsed="|Mark|16|13|0|0" passage="Mk 16:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. Being <i>satisfied</i>
themselves, they were desirous to give their brethren the
<i>satisfaction</i> they had, that they might be comforted as they
were.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p22">2. This did not gain credit with all;
<i>Neither believed they them.</i> They suspected that their eyes
also deceived them. Now there was a wise providence in it, the
proofs of Christ's resurrection were given in thus
<i>gradually,</i> and admitted thus <i>cautiously,</i> that so the
assurance with which the apostles preached this doctrine afterward,
when they ventured their all upon it, might be the more satisfying.
We have the more reason to believe those who did themselves believe
so slowly: had they swallowed it presently, they might have been
thought <i>credulous,</i> and their testimony the less to be
<i>regarded;</i> but their <i>disbelieving</i> at first, shows that
they did not believe it afterward but upon a full conviction.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.xvii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.14-Mark.16.18" parsed="|Mark|16|14|16|18" passage="Mr 16:14-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.16.14-Mark.16.18">
<h4 id="Mark.xvii-p22.2">Christ's Appearance to the
Eleven.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.xvii-p23">14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they
sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of
heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he
was risen.   15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature.   16 He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not
shall be damned.   17 And these signs shall follow them that
believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues;   18 They shall take up serpents; and if
they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay
hands on the sick, and they shall recover.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p24">Here is, I. The <i>conviction</i> which
Christ gave his apostles of the truth of his resurrection
(<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.14" parsed="|Mark|16|14|0|0" passage="Mk 16:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>); He
<i>appeared to them</i> himself, when they were all together, <i>as
they sat at meat,</i> which gave him an opportunity to <i>eat and
drink with them,</i> for their full satisfaction; see <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.10.41" parsed="|Acts|10|41|0|0" passage="Ac 10:41">Acts x. 41</scripRef>. And still, when he
appeared to them, he <i>upbraided them with their unbelief and
hardness of heart,</i> for even at the general meeting in
<i>Galilee, some doubted,</i> as we find <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.17" parsed="|Matt|28|17|0|0" passage="Mt 28:17">Matt. xxviii. 17</scripRef>. Note, The evidences of the
truth of the gospel are so full, that those who receive it not, may
justly be <i>upbraided</i> with their unbelief; and it is owing not
to any weakness or deficiency in the proofs, but to the <i>hardness
of their heart,</i> its senselessness and stupidity. Though they
had not till now seen him themselves, they are justly blamed
<i>because they believed not them who had seen him after he was
risen;</i> and perhaps it was owing in part to the <i>pride of
their hearts,</i> that they did not; for they thought, "If indeed
he be risen, to <i>whom should he delight to do</i> the
<i>honour</i> of showing himself but to us?" And if he <i>pass them
by,</i> and show himself to <i>others</i> first, they cannot
believe it is he. Thus many disbelieve the doctrine of Christ,
because they think it <i>below them</i> to give credit to such as
he had chosen to be the witnesses and publishers of it. Observe, It
will not suffice for an excuse of our infidelity in the great day,
to say, "<i>We did not see him</i> after he was risen," for we
ought to have believed the testimony of those who did see him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p25">II. The <i>commission</i> which he gave
them to set up his kingdom among men by the preaching of his
<i>gospel,</i> the glad tidings of reconciliation to God through a
Mediator. Now observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p26">1. <i>To whom</i> they were to preach
<i>the gospel.</i> Hitherto they had been sent only to <i>the lost
sheep of the house of Israel,</i> and were forbidden to go into the
<i>way of the Gentiles,</i> or into any city of the Samaritans; but
now their commission is enlarged, and they are authorized to <i>go
into all the world,</i> into all parts of the world, the habitable
world, and to <i>preach the gospel</i> of Christ to <i>every
creature,</i> to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews; to every
human creature that is capable of receiving it. "Inform them
concerning Christ, the history of <i>his life,</i> and
<i>death,</i> and <i>resurrection;</i> instruct them in the
<i>meaning</i> and <i>intention</i> of these, and of the advantages
which the children of men have, or may have, hereby; and invite
them, without exception, to come and share in them. This is
<i>gospel.</i> Let this be <i>preached</i> in all places, to all
persons." These eleven men could not themselves preach it to all
the world, much less to <i>every creature</i> in it; but they and
the other disciples, seventy in number, with those who should
afterward to be added to them, must <i>disperse</i> themselves
several ways, and, wherever they went, carry the gospel along with
them. They must send <i>others</i> to those places whither they
could not <i>go themselves,</i> and, in short, make it the business
of their lives to send those glad tidings <i>up and down the
world</i> with all possible fidelity and care, not as an amusement
or entertainment, but as a solemn message from God to men, and an
appointed means of making men happy. "Tell as many as you can, and
bid them tell others; it is a message of universal concern, and
<i>therefore,</i> ought to <i>have</i> a universal welcome, because
it <i>gives</i> a universal welcome."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p27">2. What is the <i>summary of the gospel</i>
they are to preach (<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.16" parsed="|Mark|16|16|0|0" passage="Mk 16:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>); "Set before the world life and death, good and
evil. Tell the children of men that they are all in a state of
misery and danger, <i>condemned</i> by their prince, and
<i>conquered</i> and <i>enslaved</i> by their enemies." This is
supposed in their being <i>saved,</i> which they would not need to
be if they were not <i>lost.</i> "Now go and tell them," (1.) "That
if they <i>believe the gospel,</i> and give up themselves to be
Christ's disciples; if they <i>renounce</i> the devil, the world,
and the flesh, and be <i>devoted</i> to Christ as their prophet,
priest, and king, and to God in Christ a their God in covenant, and
evidence by their constant adherence to this covenant their
sincerity herein, they <i>shall be saved</i> from the guilt and
power of sin, it shall not <i>rule</i> them, it shall not
<i>ruin</i> them. He that is a true Christian, shall be saved
through Christ." <i>Baptism</i> was appointed to be the
<i>inaugurating</i> rite, by which those that embraced Christ owned
him; but it is here put rather for the <i>thing signified</i> than
for the sign, for Simon Magus <i>believed</i> and was
<i>baptized,</i> yet was not <i>saved,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.13" parsed="|Acts|8|13|0|0" passage="Ac 8:13">Acts viii. 13</scripRef>. <i>Believing with the heart,
and confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p27.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.10.9" parsed="|Rom|10|9|0|0" passage="Ro 10:9">Rom. x. 9</scripRef>), seems to be much the same
with this here. Or thus, We must <i>as</i>sent to gospel-truths,
and <i>con</i>sent to gospel-terms. (2.) "<i>If they believe
not,</i> if they receive not the record God gives concerning his
Son, they cannot expect any other way of salvation, but must
inevitably perish; <i>they shall be damned,</i> by the sentence of
a <i>despised</i> gospel, added to that of a broken law." And even
this is <i>gospel,</i> it is good news, that nothing else but
unbelief shall damn men, which is a sin against the remedy. Dr.
Whitby here observes, that they who hence infer "that the infant
seed of believers are not capable of baptism, because they cannot
believe, must hence also infer that they cannot be saved;
<i>faith</i> being here more expressly required to salvation than
to baptism. And that in the latter clause baptism is omitted,
because it is not simply the want of baptism, but the contemptuous
neglect of it, which makes men guilty of damnation, otherwise
infants might be damned for the mistakes or profaneness of their
parents."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p28">3. What power they should be endowed with,
for the confirmation of the doctrine they were to preach (<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.17" parsed="|Mark|16|17|0|0" passage="Mk 16:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>); <i>These signs shall
follow them that believe.</i> Not that all who believe, shall be
able to produce these signs, but some, even as many as were
employed in propagating the faith, and bringing others to it; for
signs are intended <i>for them that believe not;</i> see <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.14.22" parsed="|1Cor|14|22|0|0" passage="1Co 14:22">1 Cor. xiv. 22</scripRef>. It added much to the
glory and evidence of the gospel, that the preachers not only
wrought miracles themselves, but conferred upon others a power to
work miracles, which power <i>followed</i> some of them that
believed, wherever they went to preach. They shall do wonders <i>in
Christ's name,</i> the same name into which they were baptized, in
the virtue of power derived from him, and fetched in by prayer.
Some particular signs are mentioned; (1.) They shall <i>cast out
devils;</i> this power was more common among Christians than any
other, and lasted longer, as appears by the testimonies of Justin
Martyr, Origen, Irenæus, Tertullian Minutius Felix, and others,
cited by Grotius on this place. (2.) They shall <i>speak with new
tongues,</i> which they had never learned, or been acquainted with;
and this was both a <i>miracle</i> (a miracle <i>upon the
mind</i>), for the confirming of the truth of the gospel, and a
<i>means</i> of spreading the gospel among those nations that had
not heard it. It saved the preachers a vast labour in learning the
languages; and, no doubt, they who by <i>miracle</i> were made
<i>masters of languages,</i> were <i>complete</i> masters of them
and of all their native elegancies, which were proper both to
<i>instruct</i> and <i>affect,</i> which would very much recommend
them and their preaching. (3.) They shall <i>take up serpents.</i>
This was fulfilled in Paul, who was not hurt by the <i>viper</i>
that <i>fastened on his hand,</i> which was acknowledged a great
miracle by the barbarous people, <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.28.5-Acts.28.6" parsed="|Acts|28|5|28|6" passage="Ac 28:5,6">Acts
xxviii. 5, 6</scripRef>. They shall be kept unhurt by that
<i>generation of vipers</i> among whom they live, and by the malice
of the <i>old serpent.</i> (4.) If they be compelled by their
persecutors to <i>drink any deadly</i> poisonous thing, <i>it shall
not hurt them:</i> of which very thing some instances are found in
ecclesiastical history. (5.) They shall not only be preserved from
hurt themselves, but they shall be enabled to do good to others;
<i>They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover,</i> as
multitudes had done by their master's <i>healing</i> touch. Many of
the elders of the church had this power, as appears by <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p28.4" osisRef="Bible:Jas.5.14" parsed="|Jas|5|14|0|0" passage="Jam 5:14">Jam. v. 14</scripRef>, where, as an instituted
sign of this miraculous healing, they are said to <i>anoint</i> the
sick <i>with oil in the name of the Lord.</i> With what assurance
of success might they go about executing their commission, when
they had such credentials as these to produce!</p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.xvii-p28.5" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.19-Mark.16.20" parsed="|Mark|16|19|16|20" passage="Mr 16:19-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.16.19-Mark.16.20">
<h4 id="Mark.xvii-p28.6">The Ascension.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.xvii-p29">19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them,
he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
  20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord
working with <i>them,</i> and confirming the word with signs
following. Amen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p30">Here is, 1. Christ <i>welcomed</i> into the
<i>upper world</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.19" parsed="|Mark|16|19|0|0" passage="Mk 16:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>): <i>After the Lord had spoken</i> what he had to say
to his disciples, he <i>went up into heaven,</i> in a cloud; which
we have a particular account of (<scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.1.9" parsed="|Acts|1|9|0|0" passage="Ac 1:9">Acts i.
9</scripRef>), and he had not only an admission, but an abundant
<i>entrance,</i> into his kingdom there; he was <i>received up,</i>
received in state, with loud acclamations of the heavenly hosts;
and he <i>sat on the right hand of God:</i> sitting in a posture of
<i>rest,</i> for now he had finished his work, and a posture of
<i>rule,</i> for now he took possession of his kingdom; he sat
<i>at the right hand of God,</i> which denotes the sovereign
dignity he is advanced to, and the universal agency he is entrusted
with. Whatever God does concerning us, gives to us, or accepts from
us, it is <i>by his Son.</i> Now he is glorified with the glory he
had before the world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xvii-p31">2. Christ <i>welcomed</i> in this <i>lower
world;</i> his being <i>believed on in the world,</i> and
<i>received up into glory,</i> are put together, <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.16" parsed="|1Tim|3|16|0|0" passage="1Ti 3:16">1 Tim. iii. 16</scripRef>. (1.) We have here the
apostles working diligently for him; they <i>went forth, and
preached every where</i> far and near. Though the doctrine they
preached, was <i>spiritual</i> and <i>heavenly,</i> and directly
contrary to the <i>spirit</i> and <i>genius</i> of the world,
though it met with abundance of opposition, and was utterly
destitute of all secular supports and advantages, yet the preachers
of it were neither <i>afraid</i> nor <i>ashamed;</i> they were so
industrious in spreading the gospel, that within a few years the
sound of it <i>went forth into the ends of the earth,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.10.18" parsed="|Rom|10|18|0|0" passage="Ro 10:18">Rom. x. 18</scripRef>. (2.) We have here God
<i>working</i> effectually <i>with them,</i> to make their labours
successful, by <i>confirming the word with signs following,</i>
partly by the miracles that were wrought upon the <i>bodies</i> of
the people, which were divine seals to the Christian doctrine, and
partly by the influence it had upon the <i>minds</i> of the people,
through the operation of the Spirit of God, see <scripRef id="Mark.xvii-p31.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.2.4" parsed="|Heb|2|4|0|0" passage="Heb 2:4">Heb. ii. 4</scripRef>. These were properly <i>signs
following</i> the word—the reformation of the world, the
destruction of idolatry, the conversion of sinners, the comfort of
saints; and these signs still follow it, and that they may do so
more and more, for the honour of Christ and the good of mankind,
the evangelist prays, and teaches us to say <i>Amen.</i> Father in
heaven, thus let thy name be hallowed, and let thy kingdom
come.</p>
</div></div2>