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Mark Chapter
Two
Mark 2
Afterwards, He goes again into the city, and immediately
the multitude gather together. What a living picture of the Lord's life of
service! He preaches to them. This was His object and His service (see chap.
1:38). But again, in devoting Himself to the humble accomplishment of it as
committed to Him, His service itself, His love-for who serves like God when He
deigns to do it?-bring out His divine rights. He knew the real source of all
these evils, and He could bring in its remedy. "Thy sins," said He to
the poor paralytic man, who was brought to Him with a faith that overcame
difficulties, persevering in spite of them-that perseverance of faith which is
fed by the sense of want, and certainty that power is to be found in Him who is
sought-"thy sins are forgiven thee." To the reasoning of the scribes
He gives an answer that silenced every gainsayer. He exercises the power that
authorised Him to pronounce the pardon of the poor sufferer. [1]
The murmuring of the scribes brought out doctrinally who was there; as
the verdict of the priests, who pronounce the leper clean, put the seal of
their authority upon the truth that Jehovah, the healer of Israel, was there.
That which Jesus carries on is His work, His testimony. The effect is to make
it manifest that Jehovah is there, and has visited His people. It is Psalm 103
which is fulfilled, with respect to the rights and the revelation of the Person
of Him who wrought.
Jesus leaves the city; the people flock around Him; and
again He teaches them. The call of Levi gives occasion for a new development of
His ministry. He was come to call sinners, and not the righteous. After this He
tells them that He could not put the new divine energy, unfolded in Himself,
into the old forms of Pharisaism. And there was another reason for it--the
presence of the Bridegroom. How could the children of the bridechamber fast
while the Bridegroom was with them? He should be taken from them, and then
would be the time to fast. He proceeds to insist on the incompatibility between
the old Jewish vessels and the power of the gospel. The latter would but
subvert Judaism, to which they sought to attach it. That which took place when
the disciples went through the cornfields confirms this doctrine.
Ordinances lost their authority in the presence of the
King ordained of God, rejected and a pilgrim on the earth. Moreover the
sabbath-a sign of the covenant between God and the Jews-was made for man, and
not man for the sabbath; therefore He, the Son of man, was Lord of the sabbath.
As Son of David rejected, the ordinances lost their force, and were subordinate
to Him. As Son of man possessor (in the sight of God) of all the rights which
God had bestowed on man, He was Lord of the sabbath, which was made for man. In
principle the old things were passed away. But this was not all. It was in fact
the new things of grace and power, which did not admit of the old order of
things. But the question was, whether God could act in grace, and bestow
blessing, in sovereignty, on His people-whether He must submit to the authority
of men availing themselves of His ordinances against His goodness, or do good
according to His own power and love as being above all. Was man to limit the
operation of God's goodness? And this, in truth, was the new wine which the
Lord brought to man.
[1] We
must distinguish between governmental forgiveness, and absolute pardon of sins.
Only, such as man is, there could not have been the former without the latter.
But till Christ was rejected and had died this was not fully brought out.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Mark》
Mark 2
Chapter Contents
Christ heals one sick of the palsy. (1-12) Levi's call,
and the entertainment given to Jesus. (13-17) Why Christ's disciples did not
fast. (18-22) He justifies his disciples for plucking corn on the sabbath.
(23-28)
Commentary on Mark 2:1-12
(Read Mark 2:1-12)
It was this man's misery that he needed to be so carried,
and shows the suffering state of human life; it was kind of those who so
carried him, and teaches the compassion that should be in men, toward their
fellow-creatures in distress. True faith and strong faith may work in various
ways; but it shall be accepted and approved by Jesus Christ. Sin is the cause
of all our pains and sicknesses. The way to remove the effect, is to take away
the cause. Pardon of sin strikes at the root of all diseases. Christ proved his
power to forgive sin, by showing his power to cure the man sick of the palsy.
And his curing diseases was a figure of his pardoning sin, for sin is the
disease of the soul; when it is pardoned, it is healed. When we see what Christ
does in healing souls, we must own that we never saw the like. Most men think
themselves whole; they feel no need of a physician, therefore despise or
neglect Christ and his gospel. But the convinced, humbled sinner, who despairs
of all help, excepting from the Saviour, will show his faith by applying to him
without delay.
Commentary on Mark 2:13-17
(Read Mark 2:13-17)
Matthew was not a good character, or else, being a Jew,
he would never have been a publican, that is, a tax-gatherer for the Romans.
However, Christ called this publican to follow him. With God, through Christ,
there is mercy to pardon the greatest sins, and grace to change the greatest
sinners, and make them holy. A faithful, fair-dealing publican was rare. And
because the Jews had a particular hatred to an office which proved that they
were subject to the Romans, they gave these tax-gatherers an ill name. But such
as these our blessed Lord did not hesitate to converse with, when he appeared
in the likeness of sinful flesh. And it is no new thing for that which is both
well done and well designed, to be slandered, and turned to the reproach of the
wisest and best of men. Christ would not withdraw, though the Pharisees were
offended. If the world had been righteous, there had been no occasion for his
coming, either to preach repentance, or to purchase forgiveness. We must not
keep company with ungodly men out of love to their vain conversation; but we
are to show love to their souls, remembering that our good Physician had the
power of healing in himself, and was in no danger of taking the disease; but it
is not so with us. In trying to do good to others, let us be careful we do not
get harm to ourselves.
Commentary on Mark 2:18-22
(Read Mark 2:18-22)
Strict professors are apt to blame all that do not fully
come up to their own views. Christ did not escape slanders; we should be
willing to bear them, as well as careful not to deserve them; but should attend
to every part of our duty in its proper order and season.
Commentary on Mark 2:23-28
(Read Mark 2:23-28)
The sabbath is a sacred and Divine institution; a
privilege and benefit, not a task and drudgery. God never designed it to be a
burden to us, therefore we must not make it so to ourselves. The sabbath was
instituted for the good of mankind, as living in society, having many wants and
troubles, preparing for a state of happiness or misery. Man was not made for
the sabbath, as if his keeping it could be of service to God, nor was he
commanded to keep it outward observances to his real hurt. Every observance
respecting it, is to be interpreted by the rule of mercy.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Mark》
Mark 2
Verse 2
[2] And
straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to
receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto
them.
And immediately many were gathered together — Hitherto continued the general impression on their hearts. Hitherto,
even at Capernaum, all who heard received the word with joy.
Verse 3
[3] And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of
four.
Verse 4
[4] And
when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof
where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the
sick of the palsy lay.
They uncovered the roof — Or, took up the covering, the lattice or trap door, which was on all
their houses, (being flat roofed.) And finding it not wide enough, broke the
passage wider, to let down the couch.
Verse 6
[6] But
there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
But certain of the scribes — See whence the first offence cometh! As yet not one of the plain
unlettered people were offended. They all rejoiced in the light, till these men
of learning came, to put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Wo to all
such blind guides! Good had it been for these if they had never been born. O
God, let me never offend one of thy simple ones! Sooner let my tongue cleave to
the roof of my mouth!
Verse 12
[12] And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all;
insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it
on this fashion.
They were all amazed — Even the scribes themselves for a time.
Verse 13
[13] And
he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him,
and he taught them.
All the multitude came to him — Namely, by the sea side. And he as readily taught them there as if they
had been in a synagogue.
Verse 14
[14] And
as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of
custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
Verse 15
[15] And
it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and
sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many,
and they followed him.
Many publicans and notorious sinners sat with
Jesus - Some of them doubtless invited by Matthew, moved with compassion for
his old companions in sin. But the next words, For there were many, and they
followed him, seem to imply, that the greater part, encouraged by his gracious
words and the tenderness of his behaviour, and impatient to hear more, stayed
for no invitation, but pressed in after him, and kept as close to him as they
could.
Verse 16
[16] And
when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they
said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans
and sinners?
And the scribes and Pharisees said — So now the wise men being joined by the saints of the world, went a
little farther in raising prejudices against our Lord. In his answer he uses as
yet no harshness, but only calm, dispassionate reasoning.
Verse 17
[17] When
Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the
physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance.
I came not to call the righteous — Therefore if these were righteous I should not call them. But now, they
are the very persons I came to save.
Verse 18
[18] And
the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say
unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy
disciples fast not?
Verse 23
[23] And
it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and
his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
Verse 26
[26] How
he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did
eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave
also to them which were with him?
In the days of Abiathar the high priest — Abimelech, the father of Abiathar, was high priest then; Abiathar
himself not till some time after. This phrase therefore only means, In the time
of Abiathar, who was afterward the high priest. 1 Samuel 21:6.
Verse 27
[27] And
he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
The Sabbath was made for man — And therefore must give way to man's necessity.
Verse 28
[28]
Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Moreover the Son of man is Lord even of the
Sabbath — Being the supreme Lawgiver, he hath power
to dispense with his own laws; and with this in particular.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Mark》
Chapter 2. Heal a Paralytic
Able to Speak
and Eat
But Unable to Walk
I. Fellowship
in Saving a Man
II. Call Levi
the Tax Collector
III. Parable of
New and Old
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》