Spurgeon's Notes on MARK

 

Chapter 1

Verses 14-35

Mark 1:14. Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, —

When one servant of God is laid aside, it is a call to the rest to be the more earnest. So after John the Baptist was put into prison, "Jesus came into Galilee." Sometimes a loss may be a gain, and if the loss of John was the means of bringing out Jesus, certainly both the Church and the world were the gainers: "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God," —

Mark 1:15. And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.

It is clear, from this passage, that our Lord exhorted men to repent, and to believe the gospel. There are some, who profess to be his followers, who will not suffer us to do this. We may teach men, and warn them, they say, but we must not exhort them to repent and believe. Well, as the contention of these people is not in accordance with the Scriptures, we are content to follow the Scriptures, and to do as Jesus did, so we shall say to sinners, "Repent you, and believe the gospel."

Mark 1:16-18. Now as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them; Come you after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And immediately they forsook their nets, and followed him.

The gospel minister is like the fisherman with a net. I have sometimes heard the comparison drawn as though the gospel fisherman had a hook and a line, which he has not. His business is not to entice a fish to swallow his bait but to cast the net all round him, and lift him, by his grace, out of the element in which he lies in sin, into the boat where Christ still sits, as he sat, in the olden days, in the boat on the sea of Galilee. To shut the sinner up to faith in Jesus Christ, — that is the main work of the true gospel fisherman.

Mark 1:19-20. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And immediately he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

They never had cause to regret that they did so. Whatever they left, they were abundantly rewarded. They had a rich reward here on earth; and they have a far richer reward in Heaven. Whatever a man gives up for Christ is a blessed investment, which will, sooner or later, bring him good interest.

Mark 1:21-22. And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

He did not do as the scribes did, who made a great parade of learning by quoting this Rabbi and the other, but Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say unto you." He spoke as one who felt that he had authority to speak in his own name, and in the name of God his Father. This method of teaching quite astonished the Jews. I wish that those who now hear the gospel, might be astonished at it, and be astonished into the belief of it by the power with which it comes home to their consciences and hearts.

Mark 1:23-24. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, Let us alone;

How often that is still the cry of sinners, "Let us alone. Why do not you hold your own views, and let us alone? "Yes the devils, and those whom they control, still say, "Let us alone." But it is a part of the gospel to attack that which is not the gospel, and it is as much the duty of the minister of the gospel to denounce error as to proclaim truth. If we do so, the old cry will still be heard, "Let us alone. Let us alone."

Mark 1:24-25. What have we to do with you, you Jesus of Nazareth? Are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, —

He did not want any testimony from the devil. When a man of ill character once praised Plato, the philosopher said, "What can I have done wrong that such a fellow as that speaks well of me?" So when the devil bore testimony to the divinity of Christ, "Jesus rebuked him," —

Mark 1:25-26. Saying, Hold your peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

For, if Satan must come out of a man, he will do him as much mischief as ever he can before he departs. His wrath is all the greater because his time is so short.

"He worries whom he can’t devour,
With a malicious joy."

Mark 1:27. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commands he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

It was the authority of his preaching which first astonished them; and then the authority with which he wrought his miracle, and subdued the world of demons. Blessed be God. Christ has not abdicated his authority. He is still the great Messenger of God, full of divine authority to save men, and to deliver them from the power of Satan.

Mark 1:28-30. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

Christ was a house-to-house missionary, as well as an open-air preacher. There is much good to be done by those who know how to visit, and to look after individual cases; there is great good to be done in that way, as well as by dealing with mankind in the bulk.

Mark 1:31-35. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils: and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

His hard day’s work probably ran on far into the night. Yet, "a great while before day," he was up at the sacred work of supplication. The more work we have to do with men for God, the longer we ought to be at work with God for men. If you plead with men, you cannot hope to prevail unless you first plead with God. And, inasmuch as our Lord had great success the day before, it teaches us that the greatest success does not release us from the necessity of still waiting upon God. If God has given you much, my brother, go with your basket, and ask for more. Never stay your prayer. Increase your spiritual hunger, and God will increase the richness of the gift he will bestow upon you.

Verses 28-45

Mark 1:28. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

"Immediately." That is, as soon as Jesus had healed the man with an unclean spirit, his fame spread like wildfire. The miracle was reported from mouth to mouth until everybody in that region knew of it. It was said that the words and writings of Martin Luther were carried as by the wings of angels, so speedily was everything that he said and wrote made known far and wide. On this occasion, it was so with our Lord’s wondrous deed of mercy and power: "Immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee."

Mark 1:29. And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

"Forthwith," or, again, "immediately." Simon and Andrew and James and John were intimately connected, we are told that they were "partners" in their fishing business. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, seem to have been in a good position in life; we read that their father had "hired servants" employed in the boats. So James and John went with Simon and Andrew into their partners’ house when Christ went there after performing that notable miracle in the synagogue.

Mark 1:30. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

There were at least four of Christ’s followers in the house, yet the mother of the wife of one of them lay sick of a fever. Grace does not prevent suffering in the body; there will still be physical diseases even though in the soul there is spiritual health.

Mark 1:31. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Jesus was very calm; he was not afraid of catching the fever. See how deliberately, and with what solemn, kindly dignity he deals with this sick woman: "He came and took her by the hand." I think I see him doing it "and lifted her up." He gently raises her, and she yields to his tender uplifting hand, and suddenly finds herself cooled of the burning fever, and perfectly restored to health and strength; so she rises from her bed, and the first thing she does is to minister unto them. I am sure that, whenever the Lord helps any of his people out of their temporal or spiritual distresses, they feel at once that they must say, "What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward us?" Her ministering unto them proved that the fever was quite gone, and gone in a way in which it does not ordinarily go; for, as you all know, fever usually leaves behind it extreme weakness. It seems to burn up the strength that is in one; and after it is gone, one is not fit even to wait at table for a long while. But Peter’s wife’s mother immediately when the fever was gone, rose and "ministered unto them." Christ’s cures are always complete. If he saves us from the burning fever, he saves us from the weakness that follows it, and when he deals with soul maladies, his cures are equally complete, there are no after-affects to the soul as there are in many diseases that afflict the body. When the great Physician restores the soul, he restores it completely.

Mark 1:32. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

It was the Sabbath, and they would not even bring out their sick folk until the day of rest was over. The Jewish Sabbath ended at the setting of the sun, so these people were all watching and waiting until the sun dipped below the horizon, and then, straightaway, they brought their suffering ones to Jesus. What a mass of misery filled the streets of Capernaum that memorable night! The whole city was turned into a hospital.

Mark 1:33. And all the city was gathered together at the door.

It seemed as if everybody had come either to be healed or to witness the healing of others: "All the city was gathered together at the door." Oh, when shall we see our places of worship thronged in this fashion with the spiritually sick? When will this great city of London begin to turn towards the Lord Jesus Christ? Will any of us live to see all our fellow-citizens gathered together around the Savior to be healed by him of all the wounds that sin has made?

Mark 1:34. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

They would persist in acknowledging him; perhaps with the design of injuring his cause, for nothing hurts the cause of Christ more than to have it praised by bad men or evil spirits. I do not know that an outrageous sinner, if he will not repent, can do Christ a better turn than to abuse him for then he is speaking after his own natural manner but when the devil or his servants go into the pulpit, and begin to speak in praise of Christ, then is Christ’s cause in an evil case indeed; so he "suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him;" or, as the margin puts it, even to say that they knew him."

Mark 1:35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day,

While it was yet dark, he stole away even from his favored disciples that he might be alone with his Father.

Mark 1:35-37. He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him,--

For he had endeavored to conceal himself in the loneliest spot that he could find. Possibly, the disciples overheard his groans, his cries, his supplications, as he poured out his very soul in prayer to his Father: "when they had found him," —

Mark 1:37-38. They said unto him, All men seek for you. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

Jesus Christ came forth from God the Father that he might proclaim throughout the land the message of redeeming grace and dying love.

Mark 1:39-40. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If you will, you can make me clean.

It is a pity that he could not go further than to say to Christ. "If you will," but it is a great mercy that he could go as far as that, so, if you, dear friend, cannot pray a prayer that is full of faith, pray one that has at least some faith in it. If you cannot go as far as some do, go as far as you can. I have often told you to bless God for moonlight, and then he will give you sunlight; but for anyone to say, "I will not pray at all because I cannot pray as I would like to pray," is a very foolish thing. Say what you can, even as this poor leper said to Jesus, "If you will, you can make me clean."

Mark 1:41. And Jesus, moved with compassion,--

This is a wonderful expression: "moved with compassion." The face of Jesus and his whole person showed that his very soul was stirred by an intense fellow-feeling for this poor leper: Jesus, moved with compassion,-

Mark 1:41. Put forth his hand, and touched him, and says unto him, I will; be you clean.

If you or I were to touch a leper, his uncleanliness would at once be communicated to us, but when Christ touches a leper, his cleanliness is communicated to the leper. Oh, how high our blessed Lord stands above us! When we have to deal with certain peculiarly sad cases, we ought to go to the work with much earnest prayer that we ourselves may not be contaminated by contact with gross sinners, but Christ has such virtue in himself that he can even touch the fevered and the leprous, and yet sustain no injury.

Mark 1:42. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

This was another very wonderful miracle. All that dryness of the skin, that scurf, that peeling, that inward foulness that eats into the bones, and pollutes the very current of the blood — all this was quite gone, the Lord Jesus Christ made this foul, unclean leper perfectly clean and whole in a single moment.

Mark 1:43-44. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; and says unto him, See you say nothing to any man: but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

That was all he was to do, — to go and show himself to the priest, so that it might be officially known and certified that he was clean, and he was not to tell anyone else of his cure. He was disobedient to Christ; perhaps you will think that he was very naturally and excusably so, but we must never make excuses for doing what Christ tells us not to do. Our duty is not to judge whether such-and-such a course will be profitable or beneficial, but to consider whether such-and-such a course is in accordance with the Word of the Lord. This man ought to have held his tongue, for Christ had told him to do so. I have no doubt that he said within himself, "The more I talk about this miracle, the more good I shall do, and the more famous Christ’s name will become." But he had no business to think that, his business was to obey Christ’s command.

Mark 1:45. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter the city,-

There were such crowds that he could not work his miracles of healing. The disobedient man was no doubt moved by gratitude, which seems a very proper motive; yet his disobedience caused Christ serious inconvenience, and hindered his work; and I have no doubt that there are many things done in the Church of God today of which many say, "They are very proper, and very nice;" yes, but are they Scriptural? Did the Master command them? If not, they will cause him and his kingdom serious inconvenience and loss at some time or other. We cannot too fully realize that, as Christ’s disciples, we are to obey him implicitly; and the best proof of our gratitude is to do exactly as Christ bids us. This man blazed abroad the news of his cure, so that "Jesus could no more openly enter into the city," —

Mark 1:45. But was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 1:28-45; Mark 2:1-12,

Chapter 2

Verses 1-12

Mark 2:1-2. And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And immediately many were gathered together, inasmuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

He could not be hid; the healed leper had made his name so famous that men crowded to see him, and he took advantage of their curiosity, and "preached the word unto them."

Mark 2:3-5. And they came unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come near 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. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, your sins be forgiven you.

Those who brought this man to Jesus believed that he could and would heal him, and Christ delighted to honor their faith, and perhaps also the faith of the man himself.

Mark 2:6-9. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason you these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?

It was just as easy to say either the one or the other.

Mark 2:10-12. But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he says to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house. 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.

This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 1:28-45; Mark 2:1-12,

Verses 1-14

Mark 2:1-2. And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And immediately 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.

We expect to see the crowd round the door, but there was not room, even for the doorway hearers, when Jesus Christ was preaching. There is an attracting power about the voice of Jesus. We may expect that if we will let Jesus speak in the ministry, and not speak too much our own thought and our own words, there will still be the same attraction about the gospel. "He preached the Word unto them."

Mark 2:3. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy,

A paralyzed person: that is the exact word — one, who could not come himself, but had a very anxious desire to come. They came to him, bringing a paralytic.

Mark 2:3. Which was borne of four.

Your neighbors agreed to lift him

Mark 2:4. And when they could not come near unto him for the press,

They had tried the door very many times, but could not possibly enter.

Mark 2:4. They uncovered the roof where he was:

They, perhaps, went up the stairway of the next house, and then from one flat roof to another until they came to the top of the verandah which sheltered Christ while he preached to the people in the court. They uncovered this roof where he was.

Mark 2:4. And when they had broken it up,

For it does not seem to have been a very light structure, but to have required some labor; yet they broke it up.

Mark 2:4. They let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

Where there is a will there is a way, and when there is no way a resolute will, will make one. Better to come to Christ through the ceiling than not to come at all. Better to be let down to him by a rope than not to be in his presence.

Mark 2:5. When Jesus saw their faith,

For he has a very quick eye to faith: and though we do not read that they had said anything, and, therefore, they had not expressed their faith, yet this bold and venturous action in breaking up the roof and letting all the dust fall about the Savior’s head, not fearing that they should provoke him, but trusting in his gentleness and patience, showed their confidence that they had only to get the man where Christ could see him, and good would come of it. "When he saw their faith."

Mark 2:5-6. He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, your sins be forgiven you. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts.

They had come with a bad motive. They wanted to find fault, and they took their seats that they might hear everything very carefully, take notes of it, and put it down, and make as much mischief of it as ever they could.

They had all their ears open. They did not know, however, that he could read their hearts, or they might not have been so forward in coming into his presence. They were "sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts."

Mark 2:7. Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only.

Which was quite true, but then he was God, and therefore it was not blasphemy. Blasphemy it would have been had he not been divine.

Mark 2:8-9. And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason you these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?

Do they not each require a divine power? If I be divine, I shall prove I am by healing this man. Then I have a right to say, "Your sins be forgiven you."

Mark 2:10-12. But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he says to the sick of the palsy, ) I say unto you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house. 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.

Admire and imitate the faith and the obedience of this paralytic, He did better than some, for there have been some who, out of very gratitude, have disobeyed Christ. I mean, when he said to one that he should not tell what Christ had done. He did tell it, but this man, though no doubt his gratitude would have prompted him to stay and throw himself at his benefactor’s feet, or to stop at least and sing a hymn of thankfulness to God, yet he knows that to obey is the best form of gratitude, and as Christ had told him, "Go your way into your house," he did just that. The best thing to do for Christ is to do what Christ bids you. There are many glittering forms of gratitude, but all is not gold that glitters. The most golden gratitude is that which scrupulously renders obedience to every command of Jesus Christ. Take this to heart, and do you so.

Mark 2:13. And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

Better air than there was in the house, and more room, but he kept to the same gospel. He taught them.

Mark 2:14. 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.

Swept up his shekels — gathered up his account books — stopped no longer. He rose from taking toll to follow the Master. Oh! for just such a word tonight to some here present. "Follow me." And would to God there would be such a heart in them as there was in this man named Levi, alias Matthew, that they may come and follow Jesus too.

Verses 1-28

Mark 2:1-2. And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightaway 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.

It is a very singular feat that, although man, in his natural state of heart, is opposed to the gospel, yet he is drawn to hear it. Even though he abhors it, yet oftentimes he cannot help listening to it. Wherever Jesus Christ is, whether he is present in person, or in the preaching of the Word, it will be certain to be noised abroad, and multitudes will come to hear. The grandest attraction either in or out of Heaven, is still the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark 2:3-5. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come near 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. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, your sins be forgiven you.

In Luke’s account of this gathering, we read that "the power of the Lord was present to heal them," and when we ask, "Why was that power so remarkably present?" We think that one reason was, because there were persons present who were anxious about the good of others; and, today, wherever four persons come together praying for some poor soul, you may rest assured that the power of the Lord will there be present to heal. I do not think that so much of the success of sermons depends upon the preacher, as upon those model hearers who are all the while praying for a blessing, and who are making other members of the congregation — those who are converted, — the constant subject of their supplication. Christ blessed this man because of the faith of the four who carried him, and possibly because of his own faith. Notice that our Lord did not at first say to the sick man, "You are healed of your palsy;" but he said, "Your sins be forgiven you." This was laying the axe at the root, because sin is at the bottom of sorrow; and where sin is pardoned, even the effects of sin will be removed.

Mark 2:6-9. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason you these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?

Whichever is spoken, Omnipotence is implied. The presence and power of God alone could give efficacy to either sentence; but, to him, the one is as easy as the other.

Mark 2:10-14. But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he says to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house. 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. And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 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.

There is a change in the method of displaying Christ’s power, but his power is always the same. To the palsied man, he said "Arise, and take up your bed, and walk;" but to the man engaged in a galling which degraded him, Christ said, "Follow me;" and "he arose and followed him." Blessed be God, still we have in our midst the living Lord, who is as able to work miracles of mercy today as when he was upon the earth; and we have not merely to exhort, to persuade, and to entreat, though we have to do all that, but we have also to speak with authority in the name of this glorious Son of God, and to command men to repent and believe in him. He is with us, by his Spirit, to make his Word mighty, so that, to this day, palsied men do arise, and walk, and sinful men are led to turn from evil, and to follow Christ.

Mark 2:15-17. 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. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he says 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.

For ordinary Christians to associate with those who are like the publicans and sinners of Christ’s day, might be dangerous, for "evil communications corrupt good manners;" and Christians should be careful as to the company in which they are found; but for Christians to go among such people to try to do them good, is Christlike. The Church of Christ always fails in her duty when she looks upon any class of persons as being beneath her observation, or too far gone for her to reach. Our Lord’s mission was to find out, and to supply the needs of mankind, and he seems to have paid particular attention to the very worst of men because they needed him most; and his Church should always be guided in her choice of work by the necessity of the objects that need her care. And brethren, you and I, who are in the ministry, will do well to choose, not that sphere in which we may be most happy and comfortable, but that one in which we are most needed. If I were a lamp, and had my choice of where I would be hung, I should prefer to be hung up in the darkest place in London, where I could be of most service, and I think that every one of us would make just such a choice if we judged rightly, and desired to be where we were wanted, and to do as the Savior did when he was on the earth.

Mark 2:18-20. 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 your disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, If the children of the bride chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

While Christ was with his people in person, they could not help having joy and gladness; but when he was gone from them, they must lament his absence.

Mark 2:21-22. The man also sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man puts new wine into old bottles: else the new wine does burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

The bottles were made of skin, and the wine put into them must be of a suitable port. To prescribe fasting to his disciples, while he was making them glad with his personal presence, would have been incongruous and absurd; and there are some things that we ought not to expect from young Christians, and other things that we ought not to expect from old and mature Christians. We should not expect to find new wine in old bottles, nor old wine in new bottles. "A place for everything, and everything in its place," is not only a rule for the home and the merchant’s counting-house, but it is also a rule which should be observed in the Church of Christ; for God, as a God of order, always puts things in their proper places, and in due order.

Mark 2:23. 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.

They had offended the Pharisees by not fasting, and now they were offending them again in a similar way, though with reference to a different matter.

Mark 2:24. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?

According to some Rabbis, you might pick an ear of wheat on the Sabbath-day, but if you rubbed it between your hands, they said that was a sort of thieving which was a kind of labor that must not be performed on the Sabbath. They made all sorts of ingenious restrictions, too ridiculous for us to quote. These disciples were therefore, according to them, chargeable with sin, because they had plucked ears of corn, and had performed the operation of threshing them on the Sabbath-day, and we have some of that sort of folk living now who take the smallest matter, which is altogether insignificant, and in which there is neither good nor harm, and magnify and distort it, and then make a man a grave offender all for next to nothing. We have learned not to be very much troubled by anything that they choose to say.

Mark 2:25-28. And he said unto them, have you never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungry, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the High priest, and did eat the showbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.

He has made it to be no longer a day of bondage, but a day of blessed rest and holy service for God. Works of necessity, works of piety, and works of mercy, are not only allowed to be done, but are commanded to be done upon the Sabbath-day.

Chapter 3

Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.

Chapter 4

Verses 1-25

Mark 4:1. And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

You can easily picture that scene, — the Master sitting down in the vessel, with a little breathing space of water between himself and the crowd, and then the multitude on the rising bank, standing one above another, and all gazing upon the Teacher who sat down and taught them. It ought to reconcile any of you who have to stand in the crowd here when you remember that the hearers all stood in those days, and only the preacher sat down.

Mark 4:2-3. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

He did not go out to show himself, to let people see how dexterous he was at the are of sowing seed; but he "went out to sow." And every true preacher should go out with this one design, — to scatter broadcast the good seed of the kingdom, and to try to obtain for it an entrance into the hearts of their hearers.

Mark 4:4. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and devoured it up.

He could not help that; it was not his fault, but the fault of the way side and of the birds. So, when the Word of God is denied entrance into men’s hearts, if it be faithfully preached, the preacher shall not be blamed by his Master; the fault shall lie between the hard heart that will not let the seed enter in and the devil who came and took it away.

Mark 4:5. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

Persons with shallow characters are often very quick in receiving religious impressions, but they also lose them just as quickly. Those who are hasty and impulsive are as easily turned the wrong way as the right way.

Mark 4:6-8. But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root,. it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

Thank God for that! There were three failures, but there was one success; or, perhaps we might more correctly say, three successes. There were three sorts of ground that yielded nothing, but at last the sower came to a piece of soil that had been well prepared, and therefore was good ground, which yielded fruit, though the quantity varied even there: "some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred."

Mark 4:9. Had he said unto them, He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Some people have ears, but they have not "ears to hear." They have ears, but they close them to that which they ought to hear. When a man is really willing to listen to the truth, then may God help him to listen with all his heart, and spiritually!

Mark 4:10-12. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

This judicial blindness had happened to the Jews; they had so long closed their eyes to the light that, at last, God closed them, and they were blinded. They had refused to heed so many messages sent to them from the great God that, at last, this sentence was pronounced as the punishment of their sin, — that they should die in their sins, and that even the preaching of the Word by the mouth of the Lord Jesus himself, should be of no use to them. That is one of the most awful judgments that can ever happen to anyone, when God puts a curse even on a man’s blessings; and when the gospel, which should be a savor of life unto life, becomes a savor of death unto death.

Mark 4:13. And he said unto them, Know you not this parable? and how then will you know all parables?

"For this is one of the simplest of them all; if you do not understand this parable, what will you understand?"

Mark 4:14-15. The sower sows the word. And these are they by the wayside, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts,

There is always a bird where there is a seed lying on the road, and there is always a devil where there is a sermon heard, but not received into the heart. "Satan comes immediately." He is very prompt; we may delay, but the devil never does: "When they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts."

Mark 4:16-17. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

These are the people that trouble and grieve the hearts of earnest ministers; and there are some revivalists who never go to a place without getting quite a lot of persons to come forward and say that they are converted. Why, I know a town where, according to the accounts that were put forth by certain preachers, there were so many professed converts every night that all the people in the town must have been converted, and a good many more from the surrounding villages; but nobody can find them now. Were they converted, then? I trow not; but that is the style in which much has been done by some whom I might name. Yet there is some good even in their work. The sower in the parable is not blamed because his work was so evanescent; how could he prevent it? As the soil was so shallow, the apparent result was very quick, and the disappointment was equally quick. I do trust, dear friends, that you will never be satisfied with temporary godliness, with slight impressions, soon received and soon lost. Beware of that is not the work of the Holy Spirit. There must be a breaking up of the iron pan of the heart, there must be a tearing out of the rocks that underlie the soil; or else there will be no harvest unto God.

Mark 4:18-19. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

The seed cannot grow in such soil as that. The man is too busy, or he is wholly taken up with pleasure; the women are too proud of themselves, or even of the clothes that cover them. How can there be room for Christ in the inn when it is crowded with other guests?

Mark 4:20. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

All converts are not equally good. I am afraid that, in our churches, there is a large number of the thirty-fold people. We are glad to have them, but they are not very brilliant Christians. Oh, for some sixty-fold converts, —some who are fit to be very leaders in the Church of God! And when we get up to a hundred-fold, — when it is not merely one hundred percent, but one hundred gathered for every one sown, — then are we indeed rejoiced. When everything that is good is multiplied over, and over, and over, and over, and over again, a hundred for one, and when each one of that hundred bears another hundred, that is the blessing we long to see. This hundred-fold seed has in it the capacity for almost boundless multiplication; at the first sowing, we get a hundred-fold return; but what comes of the next sowing, and the next, and the next? God send us this style of wheat. May we have a great quantity of it!

Mark 4:21. 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?

So this wheat, then, is meant to be sown; the Word of God is intended to be spread. "Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed?" If it were put under a bed, it would set the bed on fire; and so, if you have true grace in your heart, there is nothing that can smother its light; the fire and the light together will force their way out.

Mark 4:22-23. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither anything kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Tell out, then, what God has told to you; and let everybody hear from you the truth as you yourself have heard it. See the compound interest that there is to be in this blessed trading for Christ.

Mark 4:24-25. And he said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he who has, to him shall be given: and he who has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has.

When the gospel is not received, when a man refuses it, it becomes a positive loss to him. There is a way by which it so works that, what a man thought he had, disappears. Some have been made worse by the preaching of that Word which ought to have made them better. May it not be so with any one of us!

Verses 35-41

Mark 4:35-36 And the same day, when the even was come, he says unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude,--

Telling them that Christ would give them no more instruction that day, and that they had better go back to their homes. There are some preachers who have great gifts of dispersion, it does not take them long to scatter a congregation; but I expect that Christ’s disciples found it to be no easy task to send away the crowds that had been listening to their Master’s wondrous words. But, " when they had sent away the multitude,"-

Mark 4:36. They took him even a he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

Christ was Lord High Admiral of the Galilean lake that night, and he had quite a little fleet of vessels around his flagship.

Mark 4:37. And there arose a great storm of wind,--

Our friend, John Macgregor, "Rob Roy," tells us that the lake is subject to very sudden and severe storms; it lies in a deep hollow, and down from the surrounding ravines and valleys the air comes with a tremendous rush seldom experienced even upon a real sea; for this was, of course, only a lake though sometimes called a sea. I have been told that, on some Scotch lochs, the wind will occasionally come from three or four quarters at once, lifting the boat bodily out of the water, and sometimes seeming to lift the water up towards Heaven, with the boat and all in it; so was it, that night, when "there arose a great storm of wind,"-

Mark 4:37. And the wave beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

No doubt they baled out the boat with all their might, and did their best to prevent it from sinking, yet " it was now full of water." But where was their Lord and Master, and what was he doing while the storm was raging?

Mark 4:38. And he waves in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow:

He was quite at home upon the wild waves,-"Rocked in the cradle of the deep,"-for winds and waves were but his Father’s servants, obeying his commands. "He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow;" doubtless weary and worn with the labors of the day. We do not always think enough of the weariness of Christ’s human body. There was not only the effort of preaching, but his preaching was so full of high thought, and the expressions he used were so pregnant with meaning, that it must have taken much out of him to preach thus from the heart, with intense agony of spirit, and with his brain actively at work all the while. Remember that he was truly man as well as the Son of God, and that what he did was of so high an order, not to be reached by any of us, that it must have exhausted him and therefore he needed sleep to refresh him; and there he was wisely taking it, and serving God by sleeping soundly, and thus preparing himself for the toil of the following day.

Mark 4:38-39. And they awake him, and say unto him, Master, care you not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind,--

It was boisterous and noisy, and he bade it obey its Master’s will;

Mark 4:39. And said unto the sea, Peace, be still.

Can you not almost fancy that you can hear that commanding voice addressing the raging, roaring, tumultuous winds and waves?

Mark 4:39. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Not only was the wind quieted, and the sea hushed to slumber, but a deep, dead, mysterious calm transformed the lake into a molten looking glass. When Christ stills winds and waves, it is "a great calm." Did you ever feel "a great calm"? It is much more than ordinary peace of mind; it is to your heart as if there were no further possibilities of fear. Your troubles have so completely gone that you can scarcely recollect them. There is no one but the Lord himself who can speak so to produce "a great calm." Master, we entreat you to speak such a calm so that for those of us who need it.

Mark 4:40. And he said unto them,-

When he had calmed the winds and the waves, he had to speak to another fickle set, more fickle than either winds or waves: "and he said unto them,"-

Mark 4:40-41. Why are you so fearful? how is it that you have no faith? And they feared exceedingly,--

They went from one fear to another, but this time it was the fear of awe-a hallowed dread of what might happen to a ship which had "oh a mysterious Person on board. Though there was probably in their minds no fear of death, it seemed to them a fearsome thing to live in the presence of One who had such power over the raging elements." They feared exceedingly,-

Mark 4:41. And said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Blessed God-man, we worship and adore you!

Chapter 5

Verses 1-20

Mark 5:1. And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.

Our Lord crossed the Sea of Galilee on purpose to rescue this poor man from the power of the unclean spirit that possessed him. He knew that there were many who needed him on the Galilean side of the lake, and he could foresee the storm that would threaten to sink the little ship; yet he calmly said to his disciples (see chapter 4:Verse 35), "Let us pass over unto the other side." As soon as the great Physician landed, a dreadful apparition appeared. "Out of the tombs", an uncanny place, rushed a man, howling and yelling like some wild beast; or worse still, under the influence of Satan, who had taken possession of him.

Mark 5:3. Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains; because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

See how the world deals with furiously guilty men. It tries to fetter them, or else to tame them; to keep them in check by fear of punishment, or else to subdue them to a gentleness of morality: poor work this! Christ neither binds nor tames; he changes and renews. Oh, that everywhere his aid were sought, and not so much reliance placed on the fetters of law, or the power of morals!

Mark 5:5. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

It must have been dreadful for travelers to pass that way at night, or to meet with this terrible madman at any hour of the day. But how terrible must have been the poor creature’s own condition! We get just a glimpse of it from the words, "always in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying and cutting himself with stones." See what Satan does with those who are in his power.

Mark 5:6. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshiped him,

The devil does not like doing it; but if it will serve his purpose, he will pretend to be a worshiper of Christ. He comes here sometimes; he goes to all sorts of places of worship, and makes men turn worshipers who have no worship in their hearts; for there is no end to the depth of his cunning, and many are they that have served the devil best when they have pretended to worship Christ.

Mark 5:7. And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with you, Jesus, you son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, that you torment me not.

Using the lips of this poor man, Satan spoke in him and through him. He is afraid of Christ. This dog of Hell knows his Master, and crouches at his feet. He beseeches the "Son of the Most High God" not to torment him before his time.

Mark 5:8. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.

Christ never wastes words over the devil. He speaks to him very shortly and very sharply. It would be well sometimes if we could be more laconic when we are dealing with evil. It does not deserve our words as it did not observe Christ’s words. Jesus said to the devil, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit."

Mark 5:9-10. And he asked him, What is your name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

The devil can pray; he did so in this case. It is not because a man is fluent in prayer that we are sure of his salvation. It is not because a man prays with such fervor that his knees knock together, that we may conclude that he is a saint. It may be that he is trembling through fear of God’s judgment. Satan besought Christ much.

Mark 5:11. Now there was there near unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Satan would rather vex swine than do no mischief at all. He is so fond of evil that he would work it upon animals if he cannot work it upon men. What unanimity there is among the evil spirits! "All the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them."

Mark 5:13. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave.

The devil cannot enter even a pig without Christ’s leave. So he cannot tempt you, my friend, without our Lord’s permission. You may rest assured that even this great monster of evil is under Christ’s control. He cannot molest you until Jesus gives him leave. There is a chain around the roaring lion, and he can only go just as far as the Lord allows him.

Mark 5:13-14. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a deep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled,

At which we do not at all wonder. Who would not flee when they thus saw the power of Christ?

Mark 5:14-15. And told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

You would have thought that it would have been said, "They marveled, and they praised Christ for this great and wonderful deed." No, "They were afraid." If you see another converted, do not be afraid; but rather have hope that you may be saved yourself. What a beautiful sight these people saw: "they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind."! That thought ought to have made them rejoice instead of being afraid. There are still people who are afraid of what will happen when they see those whom Christ has blessed spiritually as he had healed this man.

Mark 5:16-17. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

If Jesus should come to you tonight, do not ask him to go away. Open wide the door of your heart, and entreat the Lord to come in, and dwell there forever and ever. This narrative teaches us that the Lord Jesus Christ will go away if he is asked to do so; he will not remain where his room is preferred to his company.

Mark 5:18-20. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but says unto him, Go home to your friends, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you, and has had compassion with you. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

He was told to publish what great things the Lord had done for him. He went and published what great things Jesus had done for him. Did he make any mistake? Oh, no! It is but another name for the same Person: for Jesus is the Lord; and when you speak of him as divine, and talk of him in terms fit only for God, you do but speak rightly; for so he deserves to be praised. "And all men did marvel." So our Lord left them all wondering. Leaving this one messenger to bear testimony to him, he went his way elsewhere, to carry blessings to many others on the other side of the sea. The man appears to have gone through the wide district that bore the name Decapolis, and his testimony to the power of Christ was so convincing that, when the Savior revisited that part of the country, he had a very different reception from that which he received on this occasion. (see chapters 7:31-37, 8:1-10).

Verses 1-43

Mark 5:1. And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

They had had a very eventful passage across that small but stormy sea, and Christ had proved himself to be the Lord High Admiral of the seas; but now that he steps ashore they are to see his power quite as distinctly displayed as upon the stormy wave.

Mark 5:2-3. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Those ancient graveyards were in remote places, for the people were too wise to bury their dead inside their cities. Very often, the tombs were hewn in caverns in the sides of hills and rocks, and here the dead were laid. Of course, every man who touched a tomb was thereby ceremonially defiled, so that the tombs were fit places for an unclean person possessed by an unclean spirit. What a ghastly dwelling-place! What a grim abode for the man, and yet most fitting, for he was dangerous to all who passed by, — a raving lunatic, who could not be restrained by any bonds or chains that could be put upon him!

Mark 5:4-5. Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Poor creature! His howlings must have made night hideous indeed. Those who passed that way were startled by his unearthly cries, he was a terror to the whole district, persons could not bear to live anywhere near the places where he resorted. "Night and day" he was a misery to himself and a terror to all around him, — sad type of some whom we know, to our sorrow, who have gone madly into sin. It certainly is madness, whatever else it may be; and when madness and badness go together, what a terror such a man becomes!

Mark 5:6. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshiped him, —

There is a wondrous attraction in the person of our Divine Lord and Master. Though he was a long way off, yet a gracious magnetic influence proceeded from him by which he drew this poor object of pity to him: "When he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshiped him."

Mark 5:7. And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the most high God? I adjure you by God, that you torment me not.

Who was speaking then? The man himself, or the devil within him? It is very hard to tell; the man and the devil were two personalities, but they were so effectually blended into one that it is scarcely possible to tell when it was the man speaking, and when it was the devil. So, when sin enters into a man, it gets so completely into his very nature that, sometimes, we feel it must be the evil spirit speaking in the man, and yet it is not easy to be quite sure that it is so, and we cannot free the man himself from the guilt of his words and actions.

Mark 5:8. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.

Whenever Christ speaks to the devil, his message is a very short and very sharp one. The Lord treats him like the dog that he is: "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit." Christ has no compliment for devils; and it is a pity that some of his servants have such soft words when they are dealing with unbelief, which is but a devil, or one of the devil’s imps.

Mark 5:9. And he asked him, What is your name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

The devil is obliged to tell his name when Christ treats him like a catechized child, and he is compelled to crouch before Christ like a whipped cur at his master’s feet.

Mark 5:10. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Satan clings to this world, and to any place where he has had a signal triumph, as he had among those tombs and those rocky ravines.

Mark 5:11-12. Now there was near unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Such is the malice of these evil spirits, that they would rather do mischief among swine than nowhere. But notice their unanimity; with all the faults that can be laid at the door of demons, you cannot find them divided and quarreling. They are unanimous in evil, and it is a shame that those who are the followers of Christ should often be divided, whereas the kingdom of Satan is not divided against itself. Let us learn from our great enemy at least this one lesson.

Mark 5:13. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;)

It was strange that there should be so many swine in the country where lived God’s people Israel, and as they had no right to be there, and were there contrary to Jewish law, it was well that they should be destroyed.

Mark 5:13-15. And were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Ah, me! How variously different people look upon the same thing! If you and I, who are Christ’s disciples, had gone there, and seen this poor lunatic fully restored, we should have been filled with holy joy, and we would have composed new hymns of praise in honor of the great Physician who had cured him. But these people, in their alienation of heart from the Lord Jesus Christ, "were afraid." They feared and trembled in the presence of almighty mercy; omnipotent love awoke no joy in their hearts, but the spirit of bondage was upon them.

Mark 5:16. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

You may be sure that they dwelt upon the latter part of the story, for the loss of the swine touched them more than the healing of the demoniac.

Mark 5:17. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

O dear friends, let none of us ever get into such a state of mind and heart as to pray Christ to go away from us! Yet we have known people act in such a dreadful way as that; a person troubled in conscience has said, "I will never go and hear that preacher again; I cannot sleep at nights after listening to him. I will never read such and such a book again, it disturbs me so that I cannot enjoy myself." This is, in effect, to pray Christ to depart out of your coasts. What! is salvation worth so little that you have no care to possess it? Is Christ himself so small a blessing that you even tremble lest he should change your nature, and save you? I think there were more lunatics than one on that Gadarene shore, the people were all as mad at heart as that one poor man was mad in brain.

Mark 5:18. And when he was come into the ship, —

Christ will go from you if you want him to go. He forces himself upon no man; the grace of God does not violate the will of man, it acts in accordance with man’s nature, and achieves the divine purpose without disturbing the individuality of the man. So Christ went from Gadara: "And when he was come into the ship," —

Mark 5:18. He who had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

Was not that a proper prayer? I think, dear friends, that not only nature, but the man’s new nature must have suggested this petition; he prayed Christ that he might be with him. In our day, it is very natural that, as soon as we are converted, we should wish to go home to Heaven; but what is the reason why we should not do so? It is in order that we may bear witness for Christ here on earth, and gather in others unto him.

Mark 5:19. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but says unto him, Go home to your friends, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you, and has had compassion on you.

That is one of the chief points on which we ought always to speak, not only to tell of the greatness of the change which the grace of God has wrought in us, but especially to testify to the tenderness of God to us. Oh, how gently did he handle our broken bones! That good Physician of ours has a lion’s heart, but he has a lady’s hand; he does not spare us needful pain, but he never inflicts even a twinge that is unnecessary. And, oh! the pity of his heart toward us when he sees the sorrow which our sin has brought upon us.

Mark 5:20. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis —

In the ten little cities that were in that region: "he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis" —

Mark 5:20. How great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

This is the kind of ready-made preacher whose service for his Lord is usually most effectual. The man who, though he has studied little on many points, yet knows by experience what the grace of God has done for him, and keeps to that one theme, and tells out the story with simple untrained eloquence, is the man who will do much for his Master, as we read here: "all men did marvel." If he had plunged into deep doctrinal subjects, it may be that men would have ridiculed him; but inasmuch as he spoke of what he did know, and told of the greatness and graciousness of God, "all men did marvel."

Mark 5:21-22. And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was near unto the sea. And, behold, —

Wherever we see that word, "behold," it is saying to us, "Mark well what is coming." "Behold," —

Mark 5:22-24. There comes one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lies at the point of death: I pray you, come and lay your hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Mark 5:35-36. While he yet spoke, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Your daughter is dead: why trouble you the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he says unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

I can imagine that, if Jairus had not been a man of much faith, he would have looked at the Savior with a meaning glance, as much as to say, "’ Only believe’? Could you ask more of me when my child is dead? Yet you bid me, ‘Only believe.’" But, brethren, here is the very sphere of faith. Where there is no wading, there must be swimming; and where there is no hope in the creature, then we must throw ourselves upon the Creator. So, the child’s death made room for the father’s faith.

Mark 5:37; Mark 5:39. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he comes to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and sees the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he says unto them, Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.

She was dead, but not dead as far as Christ’s intention was concerned; she was not so dead as to remain dead. He meant soon to bring her back again to life, and therefore to him it was as if she were but sleeping.

Mark 5:40. And they laughed him to scorn.

What a wonderful picture this must have been, — The Lord of glory in the center of a ribald crew who laughed him to scorn! But it is not the man who is laughed at who is necessarily contemptible, it is often the laughers who are the most deserving of scorn. It was so here in Christ’s day, and it has often been so since.

Mark 5:40. But when he had put them all out,

They were not worthy to be answered in any other fashion.

Mark 5:40-42. He takes the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and enters in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto you, arise. And immediately the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

How very often persons were "astonished" in Christ’s day! Sometimes it is put, "they marveled;" at other times, "they were amazed," or, "they wondered." It would have been well if wonder had always turned to faith; but sometimes it corrupted into hate. God grant that our wonder at Christ may always be of that kind which crystallizes into love!

Mark 5:43. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Life must be nourished; young life especially needs frequent food. If Christ has spiritually quickened your child, see that you feed the child with food convenient. If you have won a convert to Christ in the Sabbath-school, take care that the unadulterated milk of the Word is brought forth, that the new-born child may be fed and nourished until it comes unto the perfect stature of a man in Christ Jesus.

Chapter 6

Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.

Chapter 7

Verses 24-30

Mark 7:24-29. And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: the woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go your way; the devil is gone out of your daughter.

Christ capitulated at once, yielded to the strong arms of conquering prayer and faith, and so the pleading woman had her will.

Mark 7:30. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

This exposition consisted of readings from Genesis 32:22-30; Exodus 32:7-14; and Mark 7:24-30.

Chapter 8

Verses 1-30

Mark 8:1-4. In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and says unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness.

Why did they not ask their Master what he could do in such an emergency as that" After so much experience of his power as they had already had, it is wonderful that they did not refer the matter to him, and say, "Lord, you can feed the multitude; we beseech you do it." But they did not act so wisely; instead, they began questioning about ways and means. "From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?"

Mark 8:5-9. And he asked them, How many loaves have you? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

Christ is the great Master of the are of multiplication. However small is the stock with which we begin, we have only to dedicate it all to him, and he will multiply and increase it until it will go far beyond our utmost expectations, and there will be more left after the feast is over than there was before it began. Bring your small talents, bring the little grace you have, to Christ, for he can so increase your store that you will never know any lack, but shall have all the greater abundance the greater the demand that is made upon that store. Had these four thousand people not been miraculously fed by Christ, the seven loaves and the few small fishes would have remained just as they were; but now that the four thousand have to be fed, the loaves and fishes are multiplied by Christ in a very extraordinary manner, so that, in the end, there is far more provision than they had at the beginning. Expect, beloved, to be enriched by your losses, to grow by that which looks as if it would crush you, and to become greater by that which threatens to annihilate you. Only put yourself into Christ’s hands, and he will make good use of you, and leave you better than you were before he used you as the means of helping and blessing others.

Mark 8:10-12. And immediately he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from Heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and says, Why does this generation seek after a sign? truly I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

Unbelief always pricked him to the heart, and greatly grieved him. When men trusted him, he delighted to exhibit his matchless grace; but when they caviled and questioned, his heart was heavy, and he turned away from them.

Mark 8:13. And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

But, alas! even on board that little ship there was unbelief; and from the small and select circle of his own disciples he had fresh reason for sorrow from the same cause.

Mark 8:14-21. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he says unto them, Why reason you, because you have no bread? perceive you not yet, neither understand? have you your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see you not? and having ears, hear you not? and do you not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that you do not understand?

Can we not learn from past experience? If the Lord has helped us before, is he not equally ready to help us again? What! when there are only a few of you disciples on board ship, do you begin to distrust your Lord because you have only one loaf, when he found enough food for five thousand and for four thousand out of a few scanty loaves? O you unbelieving children of God, what infinite patience your gracious God has with you, though you so often and so shamefully doubt him! "Do you not remember?" "How is it that you do not understand?" Can it be that all your Lord’s lessons of love and deeds of kindness have taught you nothing? Do you still doubt him,-still distrust him? Has he delivered you in six troubles, and can you not trust him in the seventh? Has he kept you, by his grace, until you are seventy years of age, and can you not trust him for the few remaining years of your earthly pilgrimage? Oh, shame upon us that we are such dull scholars in the school of Christ!

Mark 8:22-26. And he comes to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

"Your house is outside Bethsaida, so go round-about, and get home without going into the town; and if any of your neighbors call to see you, say nothing about me to them, for I wish to remain concealed for the present."

Mark 8:27. And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

It was Christ’s usual way, when he took a walk with his disciples, to beguile the time with holy conversation. It would be well if we always did the same. We might do much good, and we might get much good, if we made our Lord Jesus the theme of our talks "by the way." It was an important question that he put to his disciples, "Whom do men say that I am?"

Mark 8:28-29. And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elijah; and others, One of the prophets. And he says unto them, But whom say you that I am?

"That is the main point. It matters little to you what other men say about me;-whether they are right, or wrong, may not concern you; but what is your own opinion? What do you know about me? ‘Whom say you that I am?’"

Mark 8:29. And Peter answers and says unto him, You are the Christ.

"You are the Messiah." We know, from Matthew’s Gospel, that it was this confession of which our Lord said to Peter, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah," son of Jonas:-"for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in Heaven."

Mark 8:30. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

He wished, at that time, to remain in comparative retirement; he was not anxious that his miracles should be blazoned abroad. By-and-by, he was to die; and he preferred to derive his fame from his death rather than from his life, and to gather his honors from his cross rather than from his miracles.

He never bade any man to be silent about his death on the cross; but when honor was likely to come to him among men from his miracles, he frequently "charged them that they should tell no man of him." That restriction is no longer in force; it was entirely abrogated after our Lord’s resurrection, when he said to his disciples, "All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Chapter 9

Verses 2-21

Mark 9:2-7. And after six days Jesus takes with him Peter, and James, and John, and leads them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his clothing became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. For he knew not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

You and I have sometimes wished that we could see Christ in his earthly glory. We need not however wish it; for, if such a sight were permitted to us, in all probability we should be more full of fear than of joy. These three men, the elect out of the elect, the very choicest of the apostles, yet had little delight in what they saw at the time, for the glory was too bright for their overwhelmed natures.

"At the too transporting sight,

Darkness rushes o’er my sight."

We had better wait awhile until these eyes shall have been cleansed, and our whole fabric shall be fit for such a weight of glory as the sight of our exalted Lord will be.

Mark 9:8. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

Unhappy, indeed, would they have been if they had looked about and seen none but Moses, for poor comfort could Moses bring. Or if, looking around, they had seen none but Elijah, for the stern prophet of fire would have been but a poor consolation to them in their life struggles. But Moses may go, and Elijah may go. Lawgiver and prophet may vanish so long as Jesus Christ remains, it is enough. Jesus only is enough for all our wants, —for all our desires.

Mark 9:9-10. And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, until the Son of man were risen from the dead. And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

For they did not understand the Master’s words — not even these apostles for the Spirit of God was not yet fully given. Happy indeed is he upon whom the spirit of God rests, and in whom he dwells, for as John says "You have an anointing from the Holy One, and know all things", and these men without that measure of anointing did not know at that time even such a simple word as this — that the Son of man should rise again from the dead. Brethren, we must be taught of the Holy Spirit, or we shall never know anything profoundly. We might go to school to Christ himself —now, mark this word — we might go to school to Christ himself and yet learn nothing until the Holy Spirit should come upon us to write the truth upon our heart which Christ has spoken to the ear. Oh, if you lack wisdom, ask of God, and he will give you of his Spirit.

Mark 9:11-13. And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come? And he answered and told them, Elijah truly comes first, and restores all things, and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at naught. But I say unto you, That Elijah is indeed come, —

John the Baptist was he.

Mark 9:13. And they have done unto him whatever they listed, as it is written of him.

It is rather singular that the disciples should begin to ask about the scribes, for this was, as it were, a sort of warning note for a battle into which they were about to plunge. They talked about the scribes, but the scribes were down below in conflict with the rest of the apostolic brotherhood, and now, while they are talking about them, they find themselves immediately in their presence.

Mark 9:14-15. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And immediately all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

The probability is that the face of Jesus Christ was shining like the face of Moses when he came down from the mount, and the people were amazed though not with that same amazement which seized upon Israel when they saw the face of Moses, for Moses had to cover his face with a veil. But they ran to him and saluted him. The glory of Christ attracts, whereas the glory of Moses repels. The glory of the law is terrible, but the glory of the Gospel is cheering and attractive.

Mark 9:16. And he asked the scribes, What question you with them?

Like some great commander stepping into the field when his under followers are being beaten, he comes right to the front and charges the foe boldly. Christ said, "What question you with them?" — as much as to say, "Why did you not wait a bit and ask me. I could have answered you if they can not."

Mark 9:17-18. And one the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto you my son, which has a dumb spirit; and wherever he takes him, he tears him: and he foams, and gnashes with his teeth, and pines away:

A case of dreadful epilepsy accompanied with satanic possession.

Mark 9:18-19. And I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answers him, and says, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

That is a grand piece of advice, and a blessed word of permit — "Bring him unto me." There is no case so bad but, if you bring it to Jesus, he can meet it. "Bring him unto me." Now, good woman, bring your daughter’s case to Christ tonight in prayer while you are sitting in the pew. Now, come, brother, bring the case of your son who seems utterly to be abandoned to vice. Bring the case before Christ tonight. "Bring him unto me." Oh, who would not bring his friend — his wife? Who would not bring her husband or her child unto Jesus Christ? "Bring him unto me."

Mark 9:20. And they brought him unto him:

Some came to help the father, probably the bringing of the young man was too much an effort for one alone. "They brought him unto him." Two or three of you with united prayer can do what, perhaps, one man’s prayer would not. Come, help one another. "Bear you one another’s burdens" in prayer. I would suggest that, if one of you should have an ungodly son who causes you trouble, you should communicate with some few of your brethren and sisters in Christ, and say, "Let us conjointly make this case a matter of prayer until God hears us." And then you must take up a case of theirs, you know, turn and turn about, and see whether God does not in answer to prayer bless one after another that you thus bring to Christ. I know what the result will be, if it be honestly tried in simple confidence in the power of Jesus.

Mark 9:20-21. And when he saw him, immediately the spirit tare him, and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, how long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, of a child.

A terrible case.

Verses 2-29

Mark 9:2-6. And after six days Jesus takes with him Peter, and James, and John, and leads them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his clothing became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. For he knew not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

Brethren, like these disciples of our Lord, we are not yet fit to be favored with a sight of his glory. As we now are, we could not bear it. As our poet says, —

"At the too-transporting light,

Darkness rushes o’er my sight."

These three apostles of Christ were too bewildered to know what to say, they were quite lost, and I suppose that, if we could go to Heaven as we are, our bewilderment would even exceed our bliss. But we may rest assured that God will prepare us for that which he has prepared for us.

Mark 9:7-8. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

And although this was not so ravishing or so astonishing a sight, yet it was more encouraging to them, — something which they could more easily bear with joy and peace: "they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves." May God grant to us, as long as we are here below, that, If no Moses or Elijah shall ever come to visit us, at any rate Jesus may never be absent from us! May our fellowship with him be unbroken!

Mark 9:9-10. And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, until the Son of man were risen from the dead. And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

These were Peter, and James, and John, the three most privileged disciples of Christ, — probably, the best scholars in that class which had the Lord Jesus Christ himself for its Teacher; yet his plain language, was without meaning to them: "questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean." I wonder whether, when our Lord comes the second time, we shall discover that the prophecies concerning his advent were wonderfully clear, but that we could not understand them until he came. Plain as his teaching concerning his resurrection was, his disciples could not understand it until that great event had really occurred.

Mark 9:11-13. And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come? And he answered and told them, Elijah truly comes first, and restores all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nothing. But I say unto you, That Elijah is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatever they listed, as it is written of him.

John the Baptist had come, in the spirit and power of Elijah, and had reconstituted matters, and prepared the people for the advent of the Savior, whose herald he was.

Mark 9:14; Mark 9:16. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And immediately all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

Some relics of the glory on the mount still remained upon his face, and the people were astounded; so, though deeply interested in the battle which was proceeding between the scribes and the disciples, they left them, and turned to look upon that mysterious radiance which hovered about his brow.

Mark 9:16. And he asked the scribes, What question you with them?

The circumstances of the disciples resembled a battlefield on which the enemy was winning the day, and the loyal troops were about to die defeated; when suddenly, the great Commander himself appears for their relief. His presence is worth more than a thousand battalions of men; and he charges at once upon the adversary, and puts them to rout: "He asked the scribes, What question you with them?"

Mark 9:17. And one of the multitude answered —

One who had a peculiar reason for answering; just as, I trust there will be one in this multitude before me who will have a peculiar reason for listening to my message, and a peculiar reason for remembering it after it is delivered: "One of the multitude answered" —

Mark 9:17-19. And said, Master, I have brought unto you my son, which has a dumb spirit; and wherever he takes him, he tears him: and he foams, and gnashes with his teeth, and pines away: and I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answers him, and says, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

I suppose our Lord’s rebuke was meant specially for his disciples. It was something like the speech of a schoolmaster, who, having taught his pupils the same lesson a great many times, and labored hard with them, from year to year, yet finds them failing in the very elements of knowledge. Christ does not speak as if he were tired of his life, and wished to get away from his disciples; but this is his way of saying how disappointed he is that these learners have learned so little.

"How long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me" Those words struck my heart very forcibly as I read them: "How long shall I suffer you?" Does not the Lord Jesus Christ have to put up with a great deal from every one of us? I applied his words to myself, and I thought I heard him saying to me, "How long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?" Often, he must derive more pain than pleasure from fellowship with many of his people. How grieved he often must be to see their slowness to learn, their readiness to forget, and the difficulty with which they can be brought to live the lessons which he so carefully imparts to them! Then note what his action is concerning the poor child: "Bring him unto me."

Mark 9:20. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, immediately the spirit tare him;

As soon as ever Christ looked at him, "the spirit tare him." One look from Christ awakes the devil. Sometimes, sinners are worse for a time when Christ looks upon them. The devil always has great wrath, when he knows that his time is short; and he rages and tears most violently when he is about to be ejected. The Jews have a proverb, "When the tale of bricks is doubled, Moses appears," and we may make it into a Scriptural proverb, "When the devil’s torment of the heart is doubled, then Jesus appears to cast him out."

Mark 9:20. And he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

And Jesus, instead of curing him at once, gave his first attention to the other patient before him, namely, the father of the child, He was suffering from an equally bad disease, though the symptoms were different, and Jesus meant to cure him as well as his boy.

Mark 9:21-22. And he asked his father, how long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And often it has cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

He put himself on a level with his child, and that is the best way to pray for your children: "Have compassion on us, and help us." It will be compassion on you, as well as upon your son, if the Lord saves him.

Mark 9:23. Jesus said unto him, —

Catching at his words, "If you can do anything," —

Mark 9:23-29. If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. And immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help you mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, You dumb and deaf spirit, I charge you, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

There are some things, which we are not fit to do until we have drawn very near to God, and have been deeply humbled, and, with sincere repentance, and the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit, have been cleansed so as to receive so great a blessing. Faith alone will not accomplish everything. Faith must be accompanied by prayer, and prayer must be at least sometimes, in special cases, attended with fasting. The Lord makes reserves of his mercies, which he does not give immediately even to the request of faith, he demands importunity on our part, and heart-searching, and heart-cleansing, before the blessing will be bestowed.

Verses 14-48

Our Lord had been absent from the people, and transfigured on the top of the mountain; when he came down from this manifestation of his glory, he was brought face to face with Satan’s work at almost the first step he took.

Let us read about what he did.

Mark 9:14-15. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And immediately all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

There was a glory about his face not altogether unlike that of Moses when he came down from the other mountain, so that the people were struck with wonder when they looked upon him.

Mark 9:16. And he asked the scribes, What question you with them?

The battle had been raging between Christ’s enemies and his disciples but now that their Captain has come, he rallies his forces, and at once attacks his foes: "What question you with them?"

Mark 9:17. And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto you my son, which has a dumb spirit;

We do not know if the scribes gave any answer to Christ’s question; and it does not signify at all. What does always signify is practical, living, earnest prayer. So what the scribes may have said is not recorded, but the prayer of the poor father is: "Master, I have brought unto you my son, which has a dumb spirit." If any of you have come here to cavil, we shall take no notice of that; but if there is a soul that has come here to pray, the recording angel will write it down in the eternal book.

Mark 9:18. And wherever he takes him, he tears him: and he foams, and gnashes with his teeth, and pines away: and I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

No, it was no use going to the disciples, it is of no avail to pray to saints and angels; go to the Master himself. "Straightforward makes the best runner." There is nothing like carrying your case to headquarters. Get to the Court of King’s Bench as soon as you can, for there the matter will be finally settled.

Mark 9:19. He answers him, and says, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

Grand words: "Bring him unto me." Lord, he has a dumb spirit. "Bring him unto me." It is the devil who is his enemy. "Bring him unto me."

Mark 9:20. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, immediately the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

What a dreadful sight! He struggled on the ground, like one in a fit of epilepsy.

Mark 9:21-22. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him?. And he said, Of a child. And often it has cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

"Help us," he cries, identifying himself with his child. Father, mother, when you pray, use the plural, as this man did, "Have compassion on us and help us." That is the way to pray for every sinner whom you bring before Christ. Join yourself to the poor soul for whom you are pleading and say, "Have compassion on us, and help us."

Mark 9:23. Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.

Hear that, any of you who have come in here, desiring to be delivered from sin, to be made holy, to break off old habits, and to become new men in Christ Jesus. "All things are possible to him that believes." So, take courage, trust in Christ, and cry unto him to save you.

Mark 9:24. And immediately the father of the child, cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help you mine unbelief.

There were within him two men, as it were, a believing man, and an unbelieving man, and the two struggled for mastery; "Lord, I do believe; but there is so much unbelief in me, I pray you to drive it out, that I may believe in you wholly."

Mark 9:25-26. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, You dumb and deaf spirit, I charge you, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him:

It must obey Christ. The Master bids that dog of a devil to lie down, and he must do so. It shows what an abject creature, after all, the prince of darkness is; he must obey the voice of Christ. Lord, speak to him at this moment, and drive him out of other souls by your omnipotent word!

Mark 9:26. And he was as one dead; inasmuch that many said, He is dead.

It was not a case of "kill or cure," but it seemed to be one of "cure and kill," and, sometimes, poor sinners, in their struggles with sin and Satan are brought to such despair that they are afraid that they will die before they get a glimpse of hope. "Many said, He is dead;" but he was not.

Mark 9:27. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

So may the Lord come, and take by the hand any here who seem to be dead in despair! A touch of his hand will enable them to stand.

Mark 9:28-29. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

The watchword for Christ’s disciples is "intensity." Here was the devil in an intensely terrible form, and he could only be driven out by intense grace. There must be prayer and fasting. Even Christ himself must exert the greatness of his power to work a cure in such a case as this. Oh, for more intensity in us all! Carry that word in your ear as we read on.

Mark 9:30-32. And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

See how intense he was; always thinking of his approaching death, that cruel, bitter death, yet he hastened towards it, longed for that baptism to be accomplished, for the great redeeming price to be paid. Oh, that you and I were as fully absorbed in the service of God as our great Master was!

Now let us see what intensity he requires of us.

Mark 9:43. And if your hand offend you, cut it off: it is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into Hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Anything is better than the loss of your soul. It is better to lose the greatest joy, skill, comfort, honor, that you ever had, than to lose your soul forever.

Mark 9:44-46. Where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot offend you, cut it off; it is better for you to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into Hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.

That is the second time he said these words. Our Lord was not fond of dreadful metaphors and terrible language, but he knew that they must be used, though some of his servants shrink from the use of them. Are they more loving than he is? Is it, after all, a greater love for souls that makes men keep back terrible truths? Is it not more honest and loving to tell the whole truth, whatever it may be? It is harder to speak, but does it not show a tenderer heart to be able to speak so as to warn men of their peril? If anything should seem as necessary to you as your foot, so that you can make no progress in life without it, yet if it would cost you your soul, give it up. Just as it would be better to live without a foot than to die, so is it better to go to Heaven without even the necessities of life on the road than to perish everlastingly.

Mark 9:47. And if your eye offend you, pluck it out:

Notice how severe our Savior is, how deep he goes. He does not say, "Shut it, cover it up with a green shade;" but, "Pluck it out."

Mark 9:47-48. It is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hellfire: where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.

That is the third time he has uttered those terrible words; then they must mean something, what do they mean? Can they mean anything less than everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord? Oh, that we might be prepared to sacrifice everything rather than be lost forever! Dear hearts, are you saved or not? If you are not saved, see first to this all-important business; let everything else go sooner than that, in eternity, you should find yourself forever shut in where hope can never come.

Verses 20-41

This miracle is one that shows the transforming power of the Savior in a remarkable fashion.

Mark 9:20-21. And when he saw him, immediately the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

A terrible case.

Mark 9:22-25. And often it has cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. And immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help you mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, You dumb and deaf spirit, I charge you, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

That is one way in which Christ cures. When he drives the devil out of a man, he adds, "Enter no more into him." I believe in the final perseverance of the saints, because I believe in the omnipotent ejection of Satan out of men, when Christ speaks the word, "Come out of him, and enter no more into him."

Mark 9:26-29. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, —

According to another evangelist, it was from want of faith. Howbeit, he added: —

Mark 9:29. This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

God does not give us everything in answer to one prayer. It may be necessary for some blessings that the prayer should be reiterated — that it should deepen — that it should grow into an aching. It may be even necessary, in order that a blessing should come, that fasting should be used with prayer in order to show the intense eagerness and earnestness of the petitioner.

Now notice the 38th verse.

Mark 9:38. And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name, and he follows not us: and we forbad him, because he follows not us.

John in this case was like a good many people at the present day. You notice it. They could not cast out the devils themselves, and when they found somebody else that did it, they forbade his doing it because he did not follow with them. I have known learned, eloquent, respectable ministers who cannot save sinners. And they hear that certain poor, illiterate, uneducated men have snatched sinners like brands from the burning, and they forbid them to do what they cannot do themselves. It is insanity — that would stop any man from doing what God enables him to do; and we ought to be the very last to forbid others from doing it.

Mark 9:39. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

These people were dissenters, we may say — a sort of outsiders. And John puts forth the whole power of his apostolical authority to put them down; and then Jesus Christ puts forth the full power of his divine authority to give them liberty to go on.

Mark 9:40-41. For he who is not against us is on our part. For whoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, truly I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Verses 30-40

Mark 9:30-32. And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Here is the ruling passion of Christ which was ever prominent throughout his life; though he has just won a glorious victory over Satan, he does not stay to congratulate himself upon it, but his heart is still away to the cross where he is to suffer. He is thinking of his dying for his people,-and lodging until he shall have paid the ransom price for their redemption, and set them free. Oh, the heights and depths of the love of Christ! See how steadfastly he sets his face to go unto Jerusalem where he must die. Let us imitate him; let us think as much of his passion now it is over as he thought of it before it was come.

Mark 9:33-34. And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that you disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

It was a dreadful descent from communing with Moses and Elijah on the mount of transfiguration to meeting the furious demon at the hill-foot; but this looks like a far greater descent, from the self-sacrifice of the Divine Master to the petty jealousies and self-seeking of his chosen servants. Oh, sometimes, it makes our hearts sick - when we have been almost lost in rapturous meditation, when we have been taken up well-near to Heaven in communion with the Lord, and then we have had to attend to some paltry squabble between two brothers or two sisters! It does seem such a terrible come-down, yet our Lord and Master does not disdain thus to come down, for in tenderness he deals with these diseases of the sheep like a good shepherd.

Mark 9:35-37. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and says unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receives me: and whoever shall receive me, receives not me, but him that sent me.

Perhaps they were jealous of Peter; possibly they were even more jealous of James and John. So the Lord gently pacifies them; he does not impatiently say, "I cannot enter into your disputes, I cannot be worried with you." Oh, no! but he just sits down, and talks with them. I like that picture, it is almost as grand as the group of Christ and his disciples at the supper table in the upper room. "He sat down, and called the twelve, and says unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all." That is the way they come to be first, by being willing to be last of all, and the servant of all. This is the only way to get to the front of Christ’s army; he who would be chief, must always be aiming at the rear rank, willing to do the most humble service, and to be the lowest menial in his Master’s service. Only in this way can we rise. In Christ’s kingdom, the way to go up is to go down. Sink self, and you shall surely rise.

Mark 9:38. And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name, and he follows not us: and we forbad him, because he follows not us.

He did it, I daresay, in love to his Master; but not in the love of his Master. He did it, no doubt, with the desire to honor his Master, but he did not honor his Master by what he did.

Mark 9:39-40. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he who is not against us is on our part.

Thus the Master had to talk to his poor disciples after having conversed with Moses and Elijah. Again, I say, what a come-down it was from fellowship with the great law-giver of Israel, and with the mighty prophet of fire, to talk with these childish men who had fallen out among themselves, and fallen out with other people! O blessed Master, we may gladly hope that you will commune with us as you did commune with them! We may also trust that some poor sinner, even though the devil may be in him, may catch your eye of pity and love, and that you may heal him.

Chapter 10

Verses 13-52

Mark 10:13. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

They thought them too little, too insignificant, and that the Master had greater things to do; but he thinks not so. None are too little for him. He receives even childish honors to himself.

Mark 10:14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Many of them come into that kingdom, and all who some think must be like them. The child is not the hardest subject of conversion; nay, rather:

Mark 10:15. Truly I say unto you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Instead of growing wiser, in order to be fit for Christ, we must be more conscious of ignorance, more trustful towards him, more dependent upon him, mere childlike.

Mark 10:16-18. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why call you me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

He did not here unveil his Deity to that young man, but if he had thought a while, he might have seen it. However, he answered his question. "If you are to be saved by your doings, this is what you have to do — not attend to sacraments and go through performances, but this."

Mark 10:19-20. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

And he probably had very cautiously and anxiously done so, yet, for all that, he had not really kept all those commands without a flaw. We are right well sure of that, but as yet his eyes were not open to see his own shortcomings.

Mark 10:21. Then Jesus beholding him loved him,

There was so much that was amiable about him.

Mark 10:21. And said unto him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

He knew that there was a weak point in the young man’s character — that he did not yet supremely love God, but loved his wealth — that he was living for this world, after all. And are there not many such — most correct in character? No one could point to a single flaw in their morals, but they are living purely for self — altogether that they may buy and sell, and get gain. No thought of God, except a fear lest they should come under his rod, but no thought of serving him, and laying themselves out for his glory, nor much thought, either, for their fellow-men. Christ had hit the blot —marked it out for him.

Mark 10:23-24. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and says unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words.

For the Rabbis had pretty well taught that money would answer every-thing — that if you could give so much, and pay so much, it was all well with you. Christ went against all such teaching, and showed that, in this respect, money was of no service — in fact, that it often was a hindrance.

Mark 10:24. But Jesus answers again, and says unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is an impossibility. Only God can do it.

Mark 10:25-27. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them says, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:32-34. And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed: and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took the twelve again, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

From the number of these sentences it is clear that our Savior entered into a very detailed account of his sufferings, dwelling upon each particular which he plainly foresaw, wherein we see his prophetic character. But it is more to our point to see that he knew beforehand what it would cost him to redeem our souls. "When the Savior knew the price of pardon was his blood, his pity ne’er withdrew." He knew not only that he must die, but he knew all the circumstances of pain and shame with which that death should be attended. They should condemn him: should deliver him to the Gentiles; mock him; scourge him; spit upon him; kill him. Thus we learn that we also should dwell in holy, grateful meditation upon every point of our Lord’s passion. There is something in it. He would not himself thus have divided it out, and laid it, as it were, piece by piece, if he had not intended us to do with it as they did with the burnt-offering of old, when they divided it — a picture of what every intelligent, instructed believer should do with the passion of his Master. He should try to look into the details of the great sacrifice, and have communion with God therein. Now, albeit that this revelation of his coming shame, and sorrow, and death afflicted the hearts of his disciples, yet, for all that, observe what they did.

Mark 10:35. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that you should do for us whatever we shall desire.

Strange request! First of all, read those words, "We would that you should do for us." Now the genuine spirit of a Christian is not to ask that something should be done to him, but to ask his Master, especially in such a time as that, what they could do for him. Christ was all unselfishness, but his disciples had not yet learned the lesson. "We would that you should do for us." And then see how much they indulged their ambition. "We would that you should do for us whatever we desire." And yet I question whether we are, any of us, free from this spirit; for when the Lord reproves us a little, and we have not everything our own way, how apt we are to rebel! The fact is, we have got this tincture — this gall — in us — we would that he should do for us whatever we shall desire. Should it be according to your mind? Should the disciple dictate to his Master? Should the child Be lord of the family?

Mark 10:36-39. And he said unto them, What would you that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left hand, in your glory. But Jesus said unto them, You know not what you ask: can you drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can.

Again, he might have said, "You know not what you say."

Mark 10:39-40. And Jesus said unto them, You shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall you be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

They are not content, you see, with being ambitious themselves: they would fire him with ambition — that humble, lowly servant of God, who had laid aside for a while the power to distribute crowns and thrones. But he does not forget himself, nor the position which he had taken up in reference to the Father, but said, "It is not mine to give."

Mark 10:41-43. And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and says unto them, You know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you:

However, how sad the contrast is — the Master’s thoughts all taken up with his death for others, and their thoughts occupied with little petty jealousies as to who should be the greatest! It is a sad thing when this creeps into Christian churches (and it still does), when souls are perishing, and this poor world wants our weeping eyes and our laborious hands, and we get quarreling about points of precedence. This brother thinks the other too forward. This one has not enough respect paid to him. This one has spoken sharply, and the other cannot bear it. Oh! what poor disciples we are! What a blessing it is we have a patient. Master, who still bears with us, and will not leave us until he has infused his own spirit into us, which spirit is the spirit of self-denial, self-abnegation — the spirit which desires not its own, but looks on the things of others. God grant us all to be full of it.

Mark 10:43. But whoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

Your servant.

Mark 10:44. And whoever of you will be the chief, shall be servant of all.

And that is the way to be truly great in the Church of God. It is to be less and less in your own esteem, and willing to be nothing. The way up is downward That is not a contradiction, but it is a paradox. Sink, and you shall rise. Be willing to serve the very least, and you shall have honor among your brethren. Remember that the King of kings was the servant of servants. "Whoever of you will be the chief, shall be servant of all."

Mark 10:45-49. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, you son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort,

"Cheer up." That would be a very exact translation.

Mark 10:49-51. Rise; he calls you. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What will you that I should do unto you?

Do you notice here a sort of gentle rebuke that the Savior gives to James and John? Read the 36th verse, and then read this again. "He said unto them, What would you that I should do for you?" And now here is a blind beggar, and he sweetly puts the same question to him, "What will you that I should do unto you?"

Mark 10:51. The blind man said unto him,

And here he might well have shamed John and James. He asked for no thrones or kingdoms.

Mark 10:51. Lord, that I might receive my sight.

"Lord, that I might look up." That was the word he used exactly; for no doubt he had been conscious that the light came from the sun as he felt its warmth upon him as he sat by the wayside; and, therefore, he thought that seeing must be looking up towards the place whence the sunlight came. "Lord, that I might look up."

Mark 10:52. And Jesus said unto him, Go your way; your faith has made you whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

It is a very remarkable thing that you will not often find the Lord Jesus Christ granting a favor without ascribing it to some excellency in that person to whom he grants it. It is generally "Great is your faith," or something of that sort — "I have not seen such faith." Now this is a very remarkable thing, because we know there really was nothing whatever in the persons that they should deserve his great favor.

Verses 17-45

Mark 10:17-18. And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why call you me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

This was a hint that Christ was more than man. If he was really worthy of the title that the enquirer gave him, he was God as well as man, for "there is none good but one, that is God."

Mark 10:19-20. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

Possibly, in the ordinary sense of the words, he had observed these commandments, but Christ tested the reality of his declaration.

Mark 10:21-22. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Thus he proved that he had not kept either table of the law perfectly, for he did not love the Lord with all his heart, nor did he love his neighbor as himself.

Mark 10:23-27. And Jesus looked round about, and says unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answers again, and says unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them says, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

It is impossible for man, unaided by the Spirit of God, to enter the kingdom of Heaven, but that which is impossible to man by himself is made possible by the grace and power of God.

Mark 10:28. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed you.

He spoke as if they had done what the rich man had failed to do, and evidently he thought they should be rewarded, for, according to Matthew, he added, "What shall we have therefore?"

Mark 10:29-31. And Jesus answered and said, Truly I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospels, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

In the final account, it shall be found that no man has been a loser through giving up anything for the Lord Jesus Christ though he has his own method of deciding who are to be first and who are to be last.

Mark 10:32. And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem;

It was well known to them all that the crisis of our Savior’s history was close at hand and a sort of indefinable dread was upon them all. The bravest spirit in the whole company was their blessed Lord and Master. He knew that he was going up to Jerusalem to die, so you may view him as the Sacrifice going to the altar, or as the Hero going to the conflict in which he would die and yet conquer. They were in the way going up to Jerusalem; —

Mark 10:32. And Jesus went before them:

The disciples might well have been filled with holy courage as their Leader was in the van. This is true concerning the whole life of all the saints: Jesus went before them." What if trials lie beyond, and the dark river itself is in front of them, yet Jesus goes before them, so they need not fear to follow.

Mark 10:32. And they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid.

They did not know much about what was to happen, but a great depression was upon their spirits. They must have wondered at the cheerful bravery of their Master when all of them were ready to turn back from this mournful march.

Mark 10:32-34. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: and they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

He thought it right that the twelve, who led the way, should be better acquainted than the rest with the sad history that was so soon to be enacted. So he tells them about it in private, and I want you to notice how he dwells in detail upon his sufferings. He does not describe them in general terms, but he brings out into strong relief each separate set of infamy: "they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him and shall kill him;" — from which we learn that our Savior knew all that he had to endure, yet he went bravely forward to bear it for our sakes. For this reason, we should admire his divine courage and complete self-sacrifice. Mere men may promise to do a certain thing without knowing what it will involve, but —

"This was compassion like a God,
 That when the Savior knew The price of pardon was his blood,
 His pity ne’er withdrew."

I think, too, that as our Lord thus dwells upon each point, he means us also to dwell upon the details of his redeeming griefs. We should not be strangers at the cross-foot, nor in Gethsemane; but should hear each one of these notes ring out its sorrowful yet joyful music: "They shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him." But what a glad note that concluding one is: "and the third day he shall rise again." Death cannot hold him in her bands, the sepulcher cannot continue to enclose him in her gloomy prison This is the glory and boast of our Christianity, our hope and our joy, for —

"As the Lord our Savior rose,

So all his followers must."

Mark 10:35-36. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him saying, Master, we would that you should do for us whatever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would you that I should do for you?

Our Savior’s question suggests to us the prudent lesson, never to promise in the dark. If anyone shall say to you, "Promise that you will do whatever I ask," follow the example of Christ and first ask, "What would you that I should do for you?" Otherwise, you may entangle yourself with your own words. These young men evidently needed to have this question put to them, for they had not themselves thoroughly considered what they were asking their Lord to do for them.

Mark 10:37. They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left hand, in your glory.

There was, undoubtedly, much that was wrong about this request, and you have often heard that view of the matter dwelt upon, so I will call your attention to that which was right about it. These disciples showed their faith that this same Jesus, who was to be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon, and killed, would yet reign; and I think it was wonderful faith that, after they had heard from his own lips, in sorrowful detail, the description of how he should die, yet nevertheless they so fully believed in his kingdom that they asked to have a share in its honors. It is true that they were ambitious, but their ambition was to be near the Savior. It would be well if all those, who ask for right hand and left hand places, wanted them at the right hand and the left hand of the Savior.

Mark 10:38. But Jesus said unto them, You know not what you ask:

Has the Lord ever said to us, when we have been praying, "You know not what you ask"? I suppose that is usually true in a certain sense; we do not fully understand the compass of the most of our prayers, and sometimes we ask so unadvisedly that we prove that we know not what we are asking.

Mark 10:38. Can you drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

"Can you share my drinking in Gethsemane and my sinking on Golgotha?"

Mark 10:39. And they said unto him, We can.

They knew not what they said, but they felt that such was the strength of their love, that they could share anything that had to do with Christ! His throne! Yes, they would like to sit at the right hand of it. His cup! Yes, they can drink of it. Immersion into his suffering! Yes, they can endure that baptism.

Mark 10:39. And Jesus said unto them, You shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall you be baptized:

And so they were, for James was soon put to death, and John lived, the last and longest of the apostles, a life-long martyrdom for the Master’s sake.

Mark 10:40-41. But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

Why were they displeased? Because they were of the same spirit as James and John. As they were displeased with James and John, it is evident that they wanted those places themselves, and many a man is thus displeased with his own faults. Did you ever see a dog bark at himself in a glass? You and I have often done that; we have even grown very angry with what was, after all, only our own image.

Mark 10:42-45. But Jesus called them to him, and says unto them, You know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whoever of you will be the chief, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Christ instituted bishops, that is, overseers; but never prelates. He never had any idea of setting some men in his Church over the heads of others, but he put all his servants upon an equality. They are to exercise no lordship the one over the other, nor to seek it, for the truest honor in the Church of God is found in service. He who serves most is the greatest He that will occupy the lowest office, he who will bear patiently to be the most put upon, he who is readiest to be despised, and to be the servant of all, shall be the chief of all. The way to rise in the kingdom of Heaven is to descend, for even so was it with our Lord himself. God give to all of us the humble and lowly spirit that will make us willing to be the least of all!

Verses 46-52

We have several records of blind men being cured by the Lord Jesus Christ. One of them is in Mark 10:46-52.

10:46. And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, —

For, now, his march to the battle was like a triumphal march, which was by-and-by to be attended with the waving of palms and the shout of Hosannas: "as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people,"-

Mark 10:46-47. Blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, —

That is all that the crowd called him "Jesus of Nazareth —

Mark 10:47. He began to cry out, and say, Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me.

He had advanced much further than the mass of the people. To him it was not "Jesus of Nazareth," but it was "Jesus, you Son of David."

Mark 10:49-50. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, You son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calls you. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Blind as he was, he found his way to the Savior: I suppose the ear directed by the voice helped him to do so.

Mark 10:51. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What will you that I should do unto you? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

His request was plainly put, but it was most respectfully and even adoringly addressed to Christ.

Mark 10:52. And Jesus said unto him, Go your way; your faith has made you whole.

You will find that it is often the Savior’s way thus to give the credit of his own work, to the patient’s faith. "Your faith," says he, "has made you whole." Whereas, you and I, if we do a good thing, are very anxious that nobody else should take the credit of it. We are very willing to have all the honor put upon ourselves, but Jesus does not say, "I have made you whole," though that was true enough; but, "Your faith has made you whole." And why is it, think you, that Christ takes the crown of his own head to put it on the head of faith? Why? Because he loves faith, and because faith is quite certain not to wear that crown, but to lay it at his feet; for, of all the graces, faith is the surest to deny herself, and ascribe all to him in whom she trusts.

Mark 10:52. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Another of these records is in John 9:1-7.

This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 10:46-52; and John 9:1-7.

Chapter 11

Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.

Chapter 12

Verses 12-44

Mark 12:12. And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Christ’s enemies could not injure him then, partly because the people heard him gladly, and were ready to protect him, but still more because the appointed time for his suffering and death had not fully come.

Mark 12:13-14. And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his word. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that you are true, and care for no man: for you regard not the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth:

They meant "to catch him in his words," if they could, so they baited their trap with flattery. Whenever a man begins to flatter you, be on your guard against him. If he tries to commence a conversation with you by uttering words of excessive admiration, depend upon it that he admires something that you have got more than he admires you; and, therefore, be on the watch against him. Our Savior must, in his heart, have utterly despised men who were so foolish as to imagine that they could entrap him by their flattering words. After that preface, they asked the questions which they thought would impale him upon the horns of a dilemma: —

Mark 12:14-15. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?

They knew very well that, if Christ said, "Do not give tribute to Caesar," the Romans would have taken him up, and imprisoned him for preaching sedition, but, on the other hand, if he said, "Pay tribute to Caesar," the Jews would have said that he was their enemy, and not a true patriot, or else he would not have admitted that the chosen people were bound to pay taxes to their Roman conquerors.

Mark 12:15-17. But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt you me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he says unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.

He had answered them with matchless wisdom without committing himself in any way.

Mark 12:18-23. Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them, for the seven had her to wife.

No doubt they thought that they had completely entangled him that time. How could he answer such a difficult question as that? But, you see, they had based their inquiry upon the erroneous supposition that things are to be in another state as they are here; so Jesus was able at once to answer them as effectively as he had just answered the Pharisees and Herodians.

Mark 12:24-27. And Jesus answering said unto them, Do you not therefore err, because you know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in Heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have you not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spoke unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: you therefore do greatly err.

His answer carried the war into the enemies’ camp. They professed to believe in Moses, yet they denied the existence of spirits and the fact of the resurrection; but Jesus Christ proved to a demonstration that God cannot be the God of the dead. If, therefore, he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are still alive; and if he be your God, and my God, dear friends, we need not fear extinction; we must live, and we must live forever.

Mark 12:28-34. And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, you have said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that dared ask him any question.

He had so decidedly put all his questioners to the rout that no other man had the audacity to court defeat at his hands. The infallible wisdom of Christ had put all his accusers and tempters to flight.

Mark 12:35-36. And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit, —

In Psalms 110:1, —

Mark 12:36-37. The Lord said to my Lord, Sit you on my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. David therefore himself calls him Lord; and whence is he then his son?

They could not answer that riddle, but we can. We know that Jesus is both David’s son and David’s Lord; a man like ourselves, of the great human race, yet "very God of very God," blessed be his holy name!

Mark 12:37-40. And the common people heard him gladly. And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

We often hear foolish people say "You must always preach in love, and not say anything against anybody; Jesus did not denounce anybody." Oh, dear! then what about this denunciation of the scribes? Were Jesus here today, he would not be the molluscus creature that some people want us to be. He had a backbone, and a conscience, and a very heavy right hand, and he brought that hand down, like a sledge-hammer, upon cant and hypocrisy and error, and if we would be like Christ, we must be manly, and bold, and outspoken. They tell us this in order that we may easily glide through the world, and that all men may speak well of us. But so did their fathers to the false prophets; and do you suppose that we who preach God’s Word, are going to keep back any part of our testimony because it will bring us into ill repute with the ungodly? God forbid! We live for something higher and nobler than being fed upon the breath of evil men. If there be error in high places, if there be vice anywhere, it is the duty of the minister of Christ, in his Master’s name, to attack it with all his might. Here we find our Lord and Master plainly declaring that the scribes, the great masters of the law, were a set of pretentious hypocrites who robbed even the widow and the fatherless, and who would, in due time, "receive greater damnation." Even so must the truth still be spoken, whoever may be offended by it.

Mark 12:41-42. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, —

Doubly poor, because she was not only a widow, but in poverty: "a certain poor widow," —

Mark 12:42-44. And she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and says unto them, Truly I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; —

Christ measures what we really give by what we have left, — by the proportion which what we give bears to what we possess: "For all they did cast in of their abundance;" —

Mark 12:44. But she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

So she gave more than any or all the others did.

Chapter 13

Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.

Chapter 14

Verses 1-9

Mark 14:1-3. After two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,

A well-known person. There were plenty of Simons, and so they had to put another name to distinguish him. You remember Simon the Pharisee, in whose house Christ was anointed by a woman, who washed his feet with tears. This is another Simon. Not Simon the Pharisee, but Simon the Leper.

A healed man, no doubt, or he could not have entertained guests. There can be no question by whom he was healed; for there was nobody else that could heal leprosy, except our Divine Lord. "And being at Bethany in the house of Simon the Leper."

Mark 14:3. As he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

It does not want any "it," "poured on his head." The liquid nard flowed over his locks, and, as it was with Aaron, it went, doubtless, down his beard to the utmost skirts of his garments.

Mark 14:4. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

Matthew says that they were disciples. Shame upon them. The ointment was put to its proper use. It was more wasted when it was in the box than when it was out of it, for it was doing nothing inside the alabaster box. But when it came out, it was answering its purpose. It was perfuming all round about. "Why was this waste of the ointment made?" When lives are lost in Christ’s honor, or strength is spent in his service there is no waste. It is what life and strength are made for — that they may be spent for him.

Mark 14:5-6. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble you her? she has wrought a good work on me.

Or "in me."

Mark 14:7. For you have the poor with you always,

If you help them one day, they are poor, and they want helping the next. Or if you help them and leave them, leaving them because they go home to God, there are other poor people sure to come, for they will never cease out of the land. "You have the poor with you always."

Mark 14:7. And whensoever you will you may do them good: but me you have not always.

"You can only do this for me during the few days that I shall be with you.

Within a week I shall be crucified. Forty more days I shall be gone from you. Me you have not always."

Mark 14:8-9. She has done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Truly I say unto you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she has done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

And it is so to this day. Christ’s gospel is preached tonight, and this woman’s love will be remembered. John also speaks of this in his 12th chapter.

This exposition consisted of readings of readings from John 8:29-59. Mark 14:1-9. John 12:1-7.

Verses 22-41

Mark 14:22. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

It was part of a meal. It was no celebration. It was no sacrifice, bloody or unbloody. It was simply a commemorative ceremony, of which he would now give them a specimen even before it became commemorative. "As they did eat, Jesus took bread." No seeking for consecrated wafers or some special food, but such bread as they had been eating. "Blessed" — thanking God for it. "And break it and gave it to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body."

Mark 14:23-24. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

There was no fear of their making the mistake, which had been made by Humanists, of taking these words literally, because Jesus Christ was sitting there. They could not imagine that, as he took bread, he would say literally, "This bread is my body." Why, there was his body sitting there before them. Had he two bodies? When he gave them the cup and said, "This is my blood in the new covenant," they never dreamt of such a thing as that the wine in the cup was really and literally his blood. His blood was in his veins. They saw him living there, not bleeding. No, it is an extraordinary thing that men who have the life of God in them, and have some spiritual discernment, have, nevertheless, in some instances, been found driving their faith into the belief of the absurd fable of transubstantiation. Jesus Christ means "This represents my body. This represents my blood" — the usual way of uttering such a sense both in the Old and New Testament, even as Christ said, "I am the door." Yet nobody thought that he was a door. "I am the way." Nobody thought he was a roadway. "I am the shepherd," and yet nobody supposed that he carried a crook, and that he literally kept sheep. So says he, "This is my body, this is my blood" and they who sat there were in their senses, and they were not superstitious. They knew what he meant.

Mark 14:25-26. Truly I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

I cannot resist repeating the remark I have often made about that singing of a hymn. It seems to me such a grand, brave thing for the Savior to sing a hymn after the last meal that he would eat with his disciples before his death when he knew that he was going forth to all the torture of Pilate’s hall, and to death at Calvary. Yet he says, "Let us sing a hymn." He chose a Psalm of David, and, I dare say, himself pitched a tune. "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the Mount of Olives."

Mark 14:27. And Jesus says unto them,

As they walked along.

Mark 14:27-28. All you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

What sweet comfort was there — as much as to say, "Though you are scattered, I will gather you. Though you forsake me, I will not forsake you. I will go before you into our old haunts, into that Galilee of the Gentiles where I was accustomed to preach aforetime. I will go before you into Galilee."

Mark 14:29-30. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus says unto him, Truly I say unto you, that this day, even in this night,

The day begins at sunset.

Mark 14:30-31. Before the rooster crow twice, you shall deny me thrice, But he spoke the more vehemently, if I should die with you, I will not deny you in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

So Peter was not alone in his intense, though rash expression of attachment. They did mean, all of them, to stand to their Master, and to die with him, as you and I mean to. But shall we carry it out better than they, think you? Not if our resolve, like theirs, is made in our own strength.

Mark 14:32. And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane:

The garden on the side of the hill of Olivet.

Mark 14:32. And he says to his disciples, Sit you here, while I shall pray.

Eight of you keep watching at the garden gate to let me know when my betrayer comes.

Mark 14:33. And he takes with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

They had not seen him in that state before. He seemed like one distracted, so amazed — like one astonished out of all composure unable to collect himself or to contain himself, and to be very heavy, as if an awful weight pressed on his soul.

Mark 14:34. And says unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry you here, and watch.

These three were to make his closest bodyguard, to intimate to him if any came.

Mark 14:35. And he went forward a little,

A stone’s cast, so as to be retired from them.

Mark 14:35-36. And fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will.

That was the point of the prayer, the very pith and marrow of it not what I will, but what you will.

Mark 14:37. And he comes, and finds them sleeping.

Three choice guards — his bosom companions.

Mark 14:37. And says unto Peter, Simon, sleep you? could not you watch one hour?

Matthew and Luke tell us that he said "Could you not watch with me one hour?" and Mark tells us here that he especially said that to Peter. Now remember that Mark is the gospel of Peter. No doubt Mark was the great friend of Peter, and writes his gospel from Peter’s point, so Peter in the Gospel of Mark records the worst things about himself, and he just puts it here that the Master said, "Simon, sleep you?" Bad enough for the others to be asleep, but "Simon, sleep you? Could not you watch one hour?"

Mark 14:38. Watch you and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Oh! that was a kind excuse to make for them — to say something good about them, even though they slept when they ought to have comforted him. He did see that their spirit was ready, but the flesh was weak.

Mark 14:39-40. And again he went away, and prayed, and spoke the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy), neither knew they what to answer him.

How could they excuse their conduct? A second time asleep! They were in a muddled state.

Mark 14:41. And he comes the third time, and says unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

This exposition consisted of readings from 2 Samuel 15:13-23; Isaiah 61.; Mark 14:22-41.

Verses 27-72

Mark 14:27-29. And Jesus says unto them, All you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

There was love in that utterance, and so far it was commendable; but there was also much self-trust in it, but there was great presumption, for Peter dared even to contradict his Master to his face; and, at the same time, he contradicted the inspired Scripture, for Jesus had told the disciples that it was written that the sheep should be scattered. Yet Peter boldly denied both what God had written and what Christ had said. Alas! there is nothing of evil which proud self-confidence will not make us do. God save us from such a spirit as that!

Mark 14:30-31. And Jesus says unto him, Truly I say unto you, That this day, even in this night, before the rooster crow twice, you shall deny me thrice. But he spoke the more vehemently, If I should die with you, I will not deny you in any wise.

See how positive he was, how reliant upon the strength of his own love. It was well to feel such love, but it was ill to mix with it such self-confidence.

Mark 14:31. Likewise also said they all.

Whenever a man, who is called to be a leader, goes astray, others are pretty sure to follow him. It was so on this occasion, for when Peter made his boastful speech, "Likewise also said they all," all the rest of his brethren chimed in, and so shared in his sin, but he was chief in the wrong-doing, for he led them all. In the 53rd verse, we read what happened after Christ’s agony and betrayal in Gethsemane:—

Mark 14:53-54. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and, the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Meanwhile, Christ was being put to the utmost derision and contempt. In the 66th verse, we are told more concerning the boastful apostle:—

Mark 14:66-70. And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there comes one of the maids of the high priest: and when she saw Peter warming Himself, she looked upon him, and said, And you also were with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what you say. And he went out into the porch; and the rooster crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely you are one of them: for you are a Galilean, and your speech agrees thereto.

He could not hold his tongue, you see. He was always fast and forward in speech; and no sooner did he begin to speak than the people said, "That is the Galilean brogue; you come from that part of the country, your speech betrays you."

Mark 14:71-72. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom you speak. And the second time the rooster crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the rooster crow twice, you shall deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 14:27-31; Mark 14:53-54; Mark 14:66-72; and John 18:15-18; John 18:25-27.

Verses 53-65

Mark 14:53-54. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

We may regard what was said to Jesus, by Annas and Caiaphas, as a sort of unofficial preliminary examination; and, meanwhile, their fellow conspirators were scouring the streets of Jerusalem to gather together the members of the Sanhedrin, and also searching among the slums in order to find witnesses who could be bribed to give false evidence against Jesus.

Mark 14:55. And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

A pretty court that was, occupied in seeking for witnesses who might enable them to condemn to death a prisoner against whom no charge had yet been formulated.

Mark 14:56-59. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witness agree together.

It was a rule that they should be examined separately, and there had not been time for them to be coached up as to what they were to say, so one contradicted the other, and it looked as if the trial must break down.

Mark 14:60. And the high priest stood up in the midst,

Losing all patience, he stood up, in a furious rage at the turn things were taking.

Mark 14:60-61. And asked Jesus, saying, Answered you nothing? what is it which these witness against you? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

This time, according to Matthew’s account, the high priest said to Jesus, "I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God." Being thus, as it were, put upon his oath, the Savior felt compelled to answer. He could not remain silent when such a great and important question was at stake.

Mark 14:62-65. And Jesus said, I am: and you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and says, What need we any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy: what think you? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Perhaps we have the same narrative in Luke; possibly, however, he gives us a continuation of the sad story; it is difficult to say which is the case. (See Luke 22:63-71 )

This exposition consisted of readings from John 18:12-14; John 18:19-26; Mark 14:53-65; and Luke 22:63-71; Luke 3:1.

Verses 53-72

Mark 14:53-54. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Thus we learn what a cold night it was,-that night in which the Savior’s "sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Often, at Jerusalem, the days are extremely hot, yet the nights are as cold as if it were winter, through the abundant dews that fall, and cause a dampness everywhere.

Mark 14:66-67. And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there comes one of the maids of the high priest: and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him,-

I think I see her, with her eyes fixed upon him, as he was warming himself at the fire: "She looked upon him,"-

Mark 14:67-68. And said, And you also were with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what you say. And he went out into the porch; and the rooster crew.

This first time was not the regular season of cock-crowing, but those birds crow when they please. Before the fixed period called the cock-crowing, Peter was to deny his Master three times; this was the first time.

Mark 14:69-70. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely you are one of them: for you are a Galilean, and your speech agrees thereto.

"You have the peculiar brogue of that part of the country: ‘You are a Galilean, and your speech agrees thereto.’"

Mark 14:71-72. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom you speak. And the second time the rooster crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cockcrow twice, you shall deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

He does not say that he went out, and wept bitterly, as Luke says in his version of the incident. This is Peter’s own account of it, so he says as little as he can to his own credit, while he tells all that is to his discredit. You notice that there seem to be some slight differences between these two accounts, and it is quite natural that it should be so. If any two honest men here were to describe any scene that they had witnessed, the two would be sure to differ in some particulars, yet both accounts might be true. Matthew tells us that Jesus said to Peter, "Before the rooster crow, you shall deny me thrice;" but Mark tells us that he said, "Before the rooster crow twice, you shall deny me thrice." Yes; but there is no real contradiction, and the incident introduced by Mark shows how, to the very letter, both of those utterances of our Savior were fulfilled, So is it with regard to those who spoke to Peter; when we come to another account, you will see that they differ very considerably, yet they are all true, for all that. (See Luke 22:54-62)

This exposition consisted of readings from Matthew 26:31-35; Matthew 26:57-58; Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:53-54; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 1:54-62; and John 18:15-18; John 18:25-27.

Chapter 15

Verses 1-41

Let us read again what we have often read before, that saddest of all stories which, nevertheless, is the fountain of the highest gladness,-the story of our Savior’s death, as recorded by Mark.

Mark 15:1. And immediately in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

"The whole council" could be there, so early in the morning, for such an evil purpose. Wicked men are very diligent in carrying out their sinful schemes; so, when Christ was to be murdered, his enemies were there, as Luke tells us, "as soon as it was day." How much more diligent ought the followers of Christ to be to give him their devoted service! It is a good thing to begin the day with united prayer and holy converse with his people. Let these wicked men, who were so early in the morning seeking to secure the death of Christ, make us ashamed that we are not more diligent in his blessed service.

Mark 15:2-3. And Pilate asked him, Are you the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, You say it. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

Silence was the best answer, the most eloquent reply, that he could give to each accusers; they deserved no other answer. Moreover, by his silence, he was fulfilling the prophecy, "As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth."

Mark 15:4-5. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answer you nothing? behold how many things they witness against you. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marveled.

You will often find that your highest wisdom, when you are slandered, will lie in the imitation of your Lord and Master. Live a blameless life, and it shall be the best reply to the false charges of the wicked.

Mark 15:6-10. Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will you that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

And he therefore hoped that the people, who were not moved by the same envy, would have chosen to have Jesus set at liberty.

Mark 15:11-13. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will you then that I shall do unto him whom you call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him.

This was the very best reply to the charge of high treason; for, if Jesus had really set himself up as a king in the place of Caesar, the people; when they were thus publicly appealed to, would not have cried out, "Crucify him." If there had been and truth in the allegation that he was the ringleader of a sedition, the Jews would not have said again and again, "Crucify him." Thus Christ gave Pilate a much more effectual answer than if he had himself spoken.

Mark 15:14-16. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil has he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium;-

The hall of the Praetorian guard; —

16; 17. And they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple,

The uniform of the Roman soldiers was purple, as if to indicate that they belonged to an imperial master; so, when these soldiers, in mockery put on our Lord the old cloak of one of their comrades, it sufficed to clothe him with the royal purple to which, as King, he was fully entitled.

Mark 15:17-19. And platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshiped him.

All this homage was paid to him in mockery yet what stern reality there was in that mockery! That band of soldiers really preached to Christ such homage as a whole world could give him.

Mark 15:20. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

They "led him out to crucify him." It seems as if Christ had to lean upon those who led him; the word almost signifies as much as that; at least, it might be the word employed concerning anyone leading a child or a sick man who needed support, for the Savior’s weakness must have been very apparent by that time. After the agony and bloody sweat in Gethsemane, and the night and morning trials, and scourging, and mockery, and the awful strain upon his mind and heart in being made a sacrifice for sin, it was no wonder that he was weak. Besides, he was not like the rough, brutal criminals that are often condemned to die for their crimes; he was a man of gentle mold and more delicate sensibilities than they were, and he suffered much more than any ordinary man would have done in similar circumstances.

Mark 15:21. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

Christ would not bear it himself; the soldiers saw that he was faint and weary, so they laid the cross, or at least one end of it, on Simon’s shoulders.

Mark 15:22. And they bring him-

Here the word almost implies that they lifted him, and-carried him, for his faintness had increased. They "led him out to crucify him," but now they bear him —

Mark 15:22. Unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

We sometimes speak of it as mount Calvary, but it was not so; it was a little rising ground, the common place of execution, the Tyburn or Old Bailey of Jerusalem.

Mark 15:23. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

He did not wish to have his sufferings abated, but to bear them to the bitter end. Christ forbids not that pain should be alleviated, in the case of others, wherever that is possible; but, in his own case, it was not fit that it should be so relieved, since he was to bear the full brunt of the storm of vengeance that was due on account of sin.

Mark 15:24. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

Christ’s garments must go to his executioners in order to carry out the full shame associated with his death as well as to fulfill the prophecy, "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."

Mark 15:25-27. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

As if, in carrying out that ordinary etiquette which gives the central place to the chief criminal, they gave to Christ the place of greatest contempt and scorn.

Mark 15:28. And the scripture was fulfilled, which says, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

You could not count the "transgressors" on those crosses without counting him, there were three, and the One in the middle could not be passed by as you counted the others.

Mark 15:29-32. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, you that destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.

That is the world’s way: "that we may see and believe." But Christ’s way is, "Believe, and you shall see." Christ off the cross is admired by worldlings, but Christ on the cross is our hope and stay, especially as we know that this same Christ is now on the throne waiting for the time when he should return to claim his own, all who have trusted in the Crucified.

Mark 15:32. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

Out of their black hearts and mouths came words of obloquy and scorn even then.

Mark 15:33. And when the sixth hour was come,--

When the sun had reached the zenith, at high noon, —

Mark 15:33-41. There was darkness over the whole land until this ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calls Elijah. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the Spirit. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the Spirit, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome (who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

We can read further about these gracious women if we turn to Luke 8.

This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 15:1-41, and Luke 8:1-3.

Verses 15-23

Mark 15:15-23. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshiped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, the place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

I shall have to show you that this was given to him in mercy. The Romans always gave, before crucifixion, a cup of myrrhed wine, in order to lessen the sensibilities of the victim. In this case there was not only myrrh in the cup, but gall; a second cup of gall Christ did drink, but this cup, being intoxicating, he would not receive; when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. He needed the possession of all his faculties, and in their clearest state, in order to do combat with the dreadful powers of darkness.

This exposition consisted of readings of readings from Psalms 69:1-21. Mark 15:15-23. Luke 23:26-33.

Verses 15-39

We will read two short passages from the Gospels this evening. May the blessed Spirit, who taught the Evangelists to record the sad story of our Lord’s sufferings and death, give us fully to enter into the blessed meaning of it while we read it! First turn to Mark 15:15.

Mark 15:15-16. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium;

The guard-room of Herod’s palace, where the Praetorian guards were accustomed to gather.

Mark 15:16-20. And they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshiped him. And when they had mocked him,

To the utmost, and gone the full length of their cruel scorn,

Mark 15:20-23. They took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

They did for him what they did for others who were crucified, they gave him myrrhed wine, as a stupefying draught; "but he received it not." He came to suffer, and he would bear even to the end the full tale of his suffering.

Mark 15:24-27. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

They gave him the place of eminence, as if he were a greater offender than either of the two thieves.

Mark 15:28. And the scripture was fulfilled, which says, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

Sinners to the right of him, sinners to the left of him, sinners all round him, compassed about with those who sinned in the very highest degree by putting him to death: "He was numbered with the transgressors." Oh, that sweet word! It is the hope of transgressors now that he was counted with them, and for his sake all the benefactions of Heaven now descend upon transgressors who accept him as their Substitute and Savior.

Mark 15:29. And they that passed by railed on him,

Not only those who sat down to gloat their cruel eyes upon his miseries,

but even the passers-by, "They that passed by, railed on him,"-

Mark 15:29-30. Wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, you that destroy the temple, and build it in three day, Save yourself, and come down from the cross.

He never said he would destroy the literal temple. He did, however, say concerning the temple of his body, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," and he did raise it up in three days after they had destroyed it.

Mark 15:31. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

What they said in bitter scorn was true; for mighty love had bound his hands for self-salvation. Infinite in love, found guilty of excess of love to men, "He saved others; himself he could not save."

Mark 15:32-33. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

A supernatural darkness, which could not have occurred according to the laws of nature. It did, as it were, "set a tabernacle for the sun,"-the Sun of Righteousness was canopied a while in darkness, that no longer might those horrible eyes gaze upon his terrible anguish.

Mark 15:34. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

There was a denser darkness over his spirit than was over all the land, and out of that darkness came this cry of agony.

Mark 15:35. And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calls Elijah.

Ah, me! This was either a cruel jest upon our Savior’s prayer, or an utter misapprehension of it.

Mark 15:36. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.

Jesus did receive this vinegar, and so fulfilled Psalms 69:21 : "In my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."

Mark 15:37-38. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the Spirit. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Even as the flesh of Christ, which is the veil of the Incarnate God, was rent, so now was the veil of mystery taken away. The temple in her sorrow rent her veil. The old ceremonial law passed away with this token of grief by the rending of the veil. It was a strong, I might say, a massive veil; it could not have been rent by any ordinary means; but when the hand of God takes hold upon the veil of Jewish types, it readily rends, and into the innermost mystery of the holy of holies we may gaze, yes, and through it we may enter.

Mark 15:39. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the Spirit, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Convinced by the cross. Oh, the triumphs of Christ! The last word he speaks won this testimony from the centurion in charge of the crucifixion. Now we will read part of Luke’s narrative.

This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 15:15-39; and Luke 23:27-49.

Verses 34-47

Concerning the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall read in three portions of the New Testament. First, in the Gospel according to Mark, the fifteenth chapter, beginning at the thirty-fourth verse.

Mark 15:34. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

It is, "My El, my strong God, my mighty One, why have you forsaken me?" — the bitterest words that were ever uttered by mortal lips, and expressing the quintessence of agony. Alas! that my Savior should ever have had to say as much as this when he hung upon the cross, suffering and dying for me.

Mark 15:35. And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calls Elijah.

Did they misunderstand his bitter cry of woe? Could they mistake what he meant? Was it not, on the part of these people that stood by, a willful wicked witticism upon what our Lord Jesus had said? We fear that it was so.

Mark 15:36-37. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the Spirit.

His last words were, "It is finished."
"It is finished!"
— Oh what pleasure Do these charming words afford!
Heavenly blessings without measure Flow to us from Christ the Lord:
"It is finished!"
Saints, the dying words record."

Mark 15:38-39. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him,

The officer who had charge of the arrangements for the execution: "when the centurion, which stood over against him," —

Mark 15:39. Saw that he so cried out, and gave up the Spirit, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Probably saying a great deal more than he understood. There was something so extraordinary about this central Sufferer that the Centurion could not understand who he could be unless he was truly "the Son of God."

Mark 15:40-41.There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

Where was Peter? We know that John was near the cross; but James and the rest of the apostles were apparently hiding away; yet the holy women were there.

Mark 15:42-43. And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable counselor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

I have no doubt that Pilate was very surprised that a member of the Sanhedrin should come and ask for the body of Jesus, when, a little while before, he had put him to death really by the mandate of that body of men.

Mark 15:44; Mark 15:46. And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

This very centurion, who had declared that Jesus was the Son of God now came forward to bear witness that he had seen him die; and then Pilate told Joseph that he might go and take the body.

Mark 15:46. And he bought fine linen,

This was probably the first time that fine linen had touched the flesh of the Son of man; he had been accustomed to much coarser stuff in his lifetime, but now Joseph "bought fine linen."

Mark 15:46-47. And took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulcher which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulcher. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

That is Mark’s account of our Lord’s death and burial, very terse, and very suggestive. Let us now read John’s description of the sad scene.

This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 15:34-47; John 19:38-42; John , 1 CORINTHIAN 5:1-9.

Chapter 16

Verses 1-14

Mark 16:1-2. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in. the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun.

Their love made them prompt. Their affection was about to attempt a needless, and, indeed, impossible thing; yet I do not doubt that it was acceptable before God. Oh, that we had such hove that even the dead body of the Christ should be so dear to us that we should be ready at great expense to anoint it! I fear that, nowadays, even his living Word is not valued as it should be. How few, therefore, should we be likely to find who would have cared for his dead body! These holy women had had cause enough to love their Lord, and they showed that their hearts were full of affection for him even after he had been taken from them.

Mark 16:3. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?

A question that has puzzled many other people concerning many other things perplexed these holy women, yet there was no reason for the question to be raised at all. Perhaps, some of you are at this time distressed when there is no cause for distress, and in fear where no fear is. It was so with these women, who said, one to another, "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?"

Mark 16:4. And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

And, therefore, hard to roll away; and, therefore, the more easily seen when it was rolled away; and, therefore, the greater cause for joy that it was rolled away. In the greatness of our troubles there may often be space for the greater display of the goodness of God; a great trial may be nothing more than the prelude of a great joy. Do not dread the foaming billows, for they may wash you ashore; it is the worst that they can do, and it is the best also. The stone at the door of the sepulcher was very great, but it was rolled away, so that it mattered not to the women how great it was.

Mark 16:5. And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

An angel had been allowed to assume the appearance of a man; that usually seems to be the way in which angels appear to men. I suppose there is, after all, a great kinship between angels and men; otherwise, angelic beings would not so constantly assume that form when they appear to men. At the sight of the young man clothed in a long white garment, these good women were affrighted.

Mark 16:6-7. And he says unto them, Be not affrighted: You such Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee: there shall you see him, as he said unto you.

Make sure, beloved, that you know the truth for yourselves, and then hasten to tell it to others. I pray you, run not without knowing what your errand is to be; but I also pray you, when you have an errand for the Lord, do not tarry, but, "Go your way, tell his disciples." It was very thoughtful of this angel to say "and Peter," thus linking with the disciples the name of him who had most glaringly transgressed, and denied his Master,

Mark 16:8. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulcher; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they anything to any man; for they were afraid.

But, after this, they summoned up courage, and did tell the story of their Lord’s resurrection.

Mark 16:9-13. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

Unbelief is very hard to kill, even in hearts that are right with God; so we need not wonder that divine grace is required to expel unbelief from the hearts of the unregenerate.

Mark 16:14. 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.

The story of our Lord’s appearance to the disciples is more fully told by Luke in the twenty-fourth chapter of his Gospel, to which let us turn.

This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 16:1-14; Luke 24:32-44.

Verses 1-20

Mark 16:1. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

True love had made a mistake; but it was true love for all that, and the Lord accepted it, although he had no need of the sweet spices that the women brought.

Mark 16:2. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun.

There had already been another rising of the sun that morning, for the Sun of righteousness had risen; and, with his rising, our hopes had risen, and eternal life had come to light. These holy women proved their affection to their Lord by being there so early. Love will not wait; it delights to render its service as speedily as ever it can: "They came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun."

Mark 16:3-4. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

Take comfort from this verse, you who are seeking to serve your Lord. There will be sure to be stones in your way, and some of them may be very great ones; but they will be rolled away in the Lord’s good time, and in the rolling away often you will have all the greater joy. If the effort shall need the strength of an angel, then an angel will be sent from Heaven for the purpose. There might have been no angel if there had been no stone; and you might have no revelation of the power of Heaven to help you if you had not first had a revelation of your own weakness and inability to roll away the stone.

Mark 16:5. And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man silting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

An angel had assumed the appearance of a young man sitting inside the sepulcher.

Mark 16:6. And he says unto them, Be not affrighted:

Why should they be affrighted? They had come to serve their Lord, and so had the angel, so there was no cause for fear. Those who love Jesus need never be afraid of angels; nor, for the matter of that, of devils either; for the Lord, whom they serve, will take care of them.

Mark 16:6. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified:

This was the first gospel sermon preached after the resurrection, so note particularly how the angel describes Christ. He calls him by his lowly name, "Jesus of Nazareth," and does not speak of him as the risen or reigning Christ, but as "Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified." The angels are evidently not ashamed of the cross of Christ, they do not attempt to hide the shame of it; for this one speaks of "Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified."

Mark 16:6. He is risen; he is not here:

That is the epitaph inscribed on Christ’s tomb: "He is not here." On other people’s graves it is written, "Here lies so-and-so;" but on Christ’s sepulcher it is recorded, "He is not here." He is everywhere else, but "he is not here." He is with us in our solitude, he is with us in our public assemblies; but there is one place where he is not; and that is, in the empty tomb. Thank God that he is not there; we do not worship a dead man lying in the grave. He, on whom we rely, has risen from the dead, and gone up into the glory, where he ever lives to carry out the great design of salvation. "He is not here."

Mark 16:6-8. Behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee: there shall you see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulcher; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they anything to any man; for they were afraid.

There was a mixture of joy with their fear, and of fear with their joy, and that tended to keep them silent for a while. Some people tell all they know, even when it would be wiser not to speak; but these godly women waited until they reached those to whom they were bidden to speak. They said nothing to anybody by the way, but hurried on to find the disciples, that they might give them the blessed tidings of their Lord’s resurrection.

Mark 16:9. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Where grace had wrought its greatest wonders, there Christ paid his first visit: "He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils."

Mark 16:10-11. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

I can imagine that scone,-the weeping and mourning disciples, and this eager woman telling out her story, and telling it with evident truthfulness and deep pathos, but they believed her not. Do you expect to be believed whenever you tell the story of your Lord’s resurrection, or any other part of the gospel message? You have to tell it, not to Christ’s disciples, but to those who are aliens from the commonwealth of Israel; and, probably, you do not tell it as well as Mary Magdalene did. Marvel not, therefore, if many a time those who hear your message believe it not. Mind that you believe it yourself, and keep on telling it whether others believe it or not, and God will bless it to some of them by-and-by

Mark 16:12-13. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

Unbelief is not easily driven out of even true disciples; but let none of us ever harbor it in our hearts. As we see how unbelieving these disciples were, and know how wrong their unbelief was, let us not be like them.

Mark 16:14-20. 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. And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.

Amen God bless to us the reading of his holy Word! Amen.