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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Beginning of the glad tidings of Jesus Christ, Son of God; |
The beginning of – In Mark there is no genealogy, for there Christ is spoken of not as a son, but as a servant. R1046:6*
The character of Mark as a writer is chronological. R1047:4*
The gospel – Mark is written to the Gentiles, and its theme is Christ's ministry, his works. R1046:3*
Supposed to have been indited by Peter, Mark being Peter's amanuensis. R2469:5
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| 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, *I* send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way. |
My messenger – The messenger of Jehovah to announce Messiah. R3712:1
Throughout the entire Gospel age the Church in the flesh has been doing a work similar to John's--announcing Messiah, not in the flesh, but the glorified Christ, Head and Body, and the kingdom which he will set up. R3713:1
Not "the messenger of the covenant." (Mal. 3:1) R3712:1
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| 3 Voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. |
The voice – Not the "Word." R2409:2
Make his paths – Arrangements, affairs. R3683:5
Straight – For a triumphal entry to his kingdom upon the earth. "An highway shall be there." (Isa. 35:8) R2563:5
The Church in the flesh, the greater Elijah, will be equally unsuccessful with that of the lesser antitype of Elijah, John the Baptizer. R2563:5
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| 4 There came John baptising in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. |
John – John's mission was pre-eminently that of a reprover and reformer. R4978:5
John's work at the first advent foreshadowed the closing work of the Church at the second advent. B253
Six months older than Jesus, thus beginning his preaching six months before Jesus' baptism. R3712:1, 562:1*
Did baptize – John's baptism was for Jews only, who were already recognized as typically cleansed by their Atonement day sin-offerings. HG732:5
In the wilderness – We are not sent forth as John was, to dwell in the wilderness and to criticize and denounce everything and everybody. We are to copy our Lord, not John the Baptist. R4978:5
And preach – The preaching and baptism of John were a special call to God's covenant people to repent of their sins and their failure as a nation, and as individuals to live up to their covenant. R1687:3
The greater John, the Church in the flesh, has exhorted as many as have ears to hear to repent of sin and reform their lives, that they may be prepared for the great changes imminent in Messiah's reign. R3713:1
The baptism – To bring the hearts of the people back into accord with the Law that thus they might be ready for transfer from Moses to Christ. R3712:4
Proclaiming that those who would be ready for Messiah and the Kingdom should not only renounce sin and reform their lives, but should publicly declare the same--symbolizing it by a baptism in water. R3712:2
Of repentance – Repentance from recognized sin, violations of their Law Covenant, and a typical cleansing from them, a return to a condition of righteousness of heart, as in the day when they were all "baptized into Moses in the sea and in the cloud." (1 Cor. 10:2) HG732:5
Not of baptism "into his death." F442
Remission of sins – All Scriptures in support of immersion for the remission of sins belonged to the Jews, none to the Gentiles. OV240:6; F428, F433; R2931:3
Sins against their covenant, and their share in the sin of their nation in rejecting and crucifying Christ. R1421:1
For the remission of avoidable sins, gross sins. The godly Jews were not intended, nor expected, to come to John to be baptized. Q34:3
Not original sin--"Without the shedding of blood there is no remission" (Heb. 9:22), but the sins of the Jews against the Law Covenant. R2931:3
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| 5 And there went out to him all the district of Judaea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. |
All the land of Judea – The prepared instruments of the Lord are powerful in his hand. The whole nation was aroused, the expectation of the immediate advent of the Messiah was everywhere evident. R1916:3
Multitudes confessed their sins and were baptized, but later, when they failed to see either the King or the kingdom in earthly glory, they lapsed into unbelief. R1688:1
Confessing their sins – The Jews thereby coming again into harmony with Moses, type of Christ, into whom they had all once been baptized. F432
John did not urge any to be baptized, except such as realized themselves to be transgressors against the Law. R3712:3
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| 6 And John was clothed in camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and ate locusts and wild honey. |
John was clothed – John's simplicity of dress indicated he was not seeking to serve earthly or selfish interests--he had nothing, wanted nothing, needed nothing. R3712:3
With camel's hair – Making him conspicuous, indicating that his entire life was devoted to the special service of the Lord. R3712:3
Adopting somewhat the manner and dress of Elijah of old, his prototype. R3712:3, 1687:6
Did eat locusts – Comparatively he had nothing, wanted nothing, needed nothing. R3712:3
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| 7 And he preached, saying, There comes he that is mightier than I after me, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to stoop down and unloose. |
And preached – For six months. R3712:1
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| 8 *I* indeed have baptised you with water, but *he* shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit. |
He shall baptize you – The baptism into death and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are distinctly separate. F442
With the Holy Spirit – At Pentecost, upon the Israelites indeed. R3712:2; E290
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| 9 And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptised by John at the Jordan. |
That Jesus – Having reached 30 years of age, manhood according to the Law, and therefore the right time to consecrate himself as a man. A179
And was baptized – Typifying his consecration. A179
A baptism unto entire consecration to the will of God, even unto death. R1687:3, 3712:4
As a perfect man Jesus had something to offer as a living sacrifice to God. His complete subjection was symbolized by his baptism. R1688:1
He sacrificed all the blessings and favors which were his under the Law Covenant. R5090:1
Of John – Our Lord's baptism was a new thing, totally distinct from John's baptism. It symbolized a baptism unto death. R3712:4, 1688:1,4
Baptism is valid even though the baptizer is not of the kingdom class. R1541:4
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| 10 And straightway going up from the water, he saw the heavens parting asunder, and the Spirit, as a dove, descending upon him. |
Out of the water – Symbolizing the beginning of a reckonedly new life as a reckonedly new creature. R3712:4
The heavens opened – He began to see deep spiritual truth, began to understand those things of which he had knowledge previously but not an understanding. CR145:6; 95:2; R4968:3, 4970:1, 5080:6
Similarly, the deep things of God are revealed to all who follow in his steps of consecration. R4970:1
Probably signifies that he was granted a vision of heaven, confirming his relationship to the Father, and connecting up the interim of his experience as a man with his prehuman experiences. R2565:5; Q547:4
And the Spirit – There the Redeemer became the antitypical Passover Lamb and the Bullock of the Atonement Day. There he, as the man Jesus, died. There he was begotten of the holy Spirit and became the antitypical priest--the Sacrificer. R4969:6
Like a dove – A manifestation representing the invisible. E212
The messenger of divine favor. R3712:5
The emblem of peace and purity, representing the fullness of Jehovah's Spirit of love in Jesus. E212
Not violently like lightning, but gently like a dove. R3296:6
John the Baptist alone witnessed the descent of the Spirit upon our Lord. E212; R3712:5
Descending upon him – Thus beginning the Gospel age or Spirit dispensation. A224
Giving him the earnest of his inheritance (Eph. 1:14) of the divine nature. A179
Anointing him: Jesus was not the Messiah, the Christ, until his baptism. B66; T27, T37
The same anointing, the same baptism, is promised to all who follow in his footsteps. R1688:4
"After the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus." (Acts 10:37, 38) B66
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| 11 And there came a voice out of the heavens: *Thou* art my beloved Son, in thee I have found my delight. |
My beloved Son – Jesus was the first son of God after Adam. R5623:5
John the Baptist alone witnessed the testimony of our Lord's relationship to God. R3712:5
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| 12 And immediately the Spirit drives him out into the wilderness. |
And immediately – Special trials follow consecration. R3296:3, 4970:1
The Spirit – He was first of all pressed of the spirit (his own spirit or mind) to go apart for awhile and to study out afresh the covenant he had just made. R4970:3, 3716:1, 3297:2
His own spirit, his own new mind. Thus, it is our new minds, the result of full consecration to the Lord, that lead us into temptations, trials and difficulties. R3716:1
Driveth – We should never voluntarily go into temptation, but knowing our weakness, should seek to avoid it. R3715:6
Him – Jesus, not God. "For God tempteth not, neither is tempted of any." (Jas. 1:13) R370:2
Into the wilderness – Away from every friend and acquaintance and distracting thing. R3297:3
That he might study the divine Word, treasured in a perfect memory, and now fully intelligible by the power of the Spirit. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." (1Cor. 2:14) R3297:2,3, 5054:2, 3716:4
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| 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him. |
In the wilderness – That he might understand the will of God. R5054:2
Forty days – Doubtless spent in meditation and prayer, our Lord being anxious to do the Father's will in the Father's way. R3716:4
To confer with the Father; to hear and see in the prophecies the great work mapped out for him. R3297:3
Studying carefully the types of the Passover Lamb, the Day of Atonement sacrifices, the Jubilees, that he would be lifted up as a brazen serpent, led as a lamb to the slaughter, be despised and rejected of men, be cut off not for his own sins, but for the sins of the world. R3716:5,6, 4970:1
He found it necessary, before attempting to serve God, to study to show himself approved. (2 Tim. 2:15) R3717:1
Ministered unto him – Strengthened him, revived him. R4970:6
From the moment of our positive resistance of temptation and positive standing up for the Lord, we acquire great helps and assistances by unseen powers. R3300:4
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| 14 But after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom of God, |
Now – Estimated at six months to a year after his baptism. R2245:2
After that John – John's work at the first advent foreshadowed the closing work of the Church at the second advent. B253
Preaching the gospel – Showing the overlapping of the ages--even so the Gospel age and the age of restitution will lap a little. HG55:5
Kingdom of God – An interchangeable expression with "Kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 4:17) R396:6
The Millennial age. HG315:3
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| 15 and saying, The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has drawn nigh; repent and believe in the glad tidings.
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And saying – The first three and a half years of the Jewish harvest had, as its special test, time, and the fact of the Messiah's presence--a parallel to the Gospel harvest. B236
The time – Greek: kairos; a fixed time, as in "Times of the Gentiles." (Luke 21:24) B78
The foreordained time when the offer of the kingdom would be made to the Jewish nation had arrived. R4969:1
The 69 weeks of Daniel's prophecy. (Dan. 9:24-27) R3630:2, 748:3
But when John asked if Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus did not say that we are living in the beginning of the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy, but referred him to the "signs" of his work. (Matt. 12:3-6) R629:2
God's times and seasons are important features of his plan. B25
Is fulfilled – The Deliverer has come. B236
"All things are now ready." (Luke 14:17) R1957:3
Our God is a God of order. Everything God does is in accordance with a definitely pre-arranged plan, and the times and seasons are no insignificant part of that plan. B25; R598:3
Is at hand – The Deliverer has come. B236
Believe the – Whoever believed this message recognized Jesus as the "Sent of God," the Messiah, who, in God's due time, will be the King of Israel and the monarch of the earth. R4969:1
Gospel – Good news. R887:1, 4594:3, 1957:3
The word "Gospel" means "good tidings," as the angel preaches it: "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people." (Luke 2:10) HG190:5
The good news of the feast now ready. (Luke 14:15-24) R1957:3
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| 16 And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon, and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting out a net in the sea, for they were fishers. |
Simon and Andrew – Though natives of Bethsaida, they evidently settled in Capernaum, perhaps because larger and more favorable to their business. R3309:1
Casting a net – Our Lord called men who were not idlers. R2246:1
They were fishers – The Lord's invitations have been chiefly to those in the humbler walks of life. R3720:5; F210
However able they were as men, they lacked the polish or education which people were accustomed to expect in religious teachers. R4969:3
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| 17 And Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you become fishers of men;
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Come ye after me – Called from amongst the "disciples" or general followers to become associates in the ministry of the Gospel. F210
Fishers of men – Spiritual fishing, like natural fishing, requires energy, tact, proper bait, and that the fisherman keep himself out of sight. Fish are easily alarmed when they find that anyone wishes to take them. R3308:3
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind." (Matt. 13:47) C214
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| 18 and straightway leaving their trawl-nets they followed him. |
Forsook their nets – Promptly leaving all to follow him. R1521:2; F210
Forsook their earthly all for the prospect of sharing with Messiah in his kingdom. R4969:4
The twelve who forsook all were called from amongst the general followers who espoused the Lord's cause without leaving their daily avocations. F210
Evidently retaining some sort of interest in them, however, as they had no difficulty in re-embarking in the fishing business after our Lord's death. R3308:2
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| 19 And going on thence a little, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, and these were in the ship repairing the trawl-nets; |
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| 20 and straightway he called them; and leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, they went away after him. |
And went after him – The boats and implements were not abandoned, but left in the care of associates, taking the necessary time to make proper arrangements. R3308:2, 3720:6
The same is true of us: we have duties and responsibilities which cannot be abruptly cast aside and ignored. R3721:1
The important thing decided at the moment, positively and permanently, was that they accepted the Lord's invitation. R3721:1
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| 21 And they go into Capernaum. And straightway on the sabbath he entered into the synagogue and taught. |
And they went – More than a year had elapsed since Jesus began his ministry. R3727:4
Into Capernaum – Jesus made Capernaum his home and the center of his work in Galilee for a considerable time. R2581:2
And straightway – At once, indicating our Lord's strict attention to the Father's business. R2581:3
On the sabbath day – Type of the seventh thousand-year day. B40
Into the synagogue – Jewish synagogues were very liberally governed, and afforded an opportunity for nearly everyone of reverent manner to present his views respecting the law and the prophets. R3726:3, 3309:1, 2581:3, 1722:1
This greater liberty was more favorable to the truth than the present circumscribed methods of Christendom. R3309:1, 2581:3
While jealously guarding against the overthrowing of faith by those who reject the Word of God, purity of truth would be greatly stimulated by full liberty of discussion of the meaning of the Scriptures in a reverent manner. R3309:1
Probably built by the Roman centurion, whose servant Jesus had healed. (Luke 7:5) R2581:2
Recently exhumed--a substantial structure with walls ten feet thick, seventy-four feet long and fifty-six feet wide. R2581:2
And taught – The Jewish synagogues afforded much greater freedom for presentation of the truth than do the churches today. R3909:1, 3726:3, 2581:3, 1722:1
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| 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. |
Were astonished – Both at the things which he taught, and at the manner in which he presented them. R2581:3
Never imagine that you can overturn an old lie without causing a terrible confusion and alarm among those not of the truth who are living under it, as illustrated by the confusion and scurrying of insects when you overturn a big, flat stone which had been in place for years. R3860:3*
He taught them – Our Lord's discourses were along the lines of divine revelations--the Law and the prophets, and the fulfillment of these. Similarly, the teachings of the Lord's representatives should not be on human speculations and philosophies, but on the Word of God. R3726:5
As one that had authority – As a master who thoroughly understood his subject. R3726:3; OV159:1
Jesus had a thorough grasp of the Word of God, and his applications and interpretations therefore were convincing to his hearers. R4969:5, 2581:3
Not as the scribes – The Doctors of the Law. OV159:1
The Jewish scribes then, as today, were evidently quite perfunctory and quite unable to give the people any understanding of the Law and the prophecies. R4969:5, 3726:3
The scribes and Pharisees haggled over the Scriptures, guessing and confusing their meaning, mystifying the people. R3726:3, 4969:5
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| 23 And there was in their synagogue a man possessed by an unclean spirit, and he cried out |
In their synagogue – The devil went to church then, as he not infrequently does now, and he was as opposed to having the truth preached then as he is now. R3309:2
A man – We fully believe that fully one-half or more of those who are dealt with as insane are cases of demoniacal possession--"obsession." R3727:1, 4976:3, 3771:3, 3310:4
Today Satan, acting more skillfully than in the past, is leading on as a scientist and is pooh-poohing suggestions that there are evil spirits, or a Beelzebub, or a prince of demons. R3310:5
An unclean spirit – "The angels which kept not their first estate." (Jude 6) R3727:1, 4969:5, 3309:3
Once an holy angel, fallen from divine favor through sinful relationship to humanity in the days of Noah. (Gen. 6:1-5) R4969:6, 3727:1, 3309:3
There are no such obsessions or possessions by holy spirits for they, like God, recognize the individuality of each member of the race, and do not intrude upon it. R3727:3
All who reverence God are warned against having anything to do with mediums, seances and every form of spirit communications as being of these demons--Satanic. R3726:1, 2582:1
Styled "unclean spirits" because they eventually reveal their true characters by unchaste, impure suggestions. R4969:5, 3338:4
Our Lord's dealings with the unclean spirits show: (1) the actual personal existence of invisible evil spirits; (2) the power, and limit of power, in such beings; (3) that the Lord's authority and power are known and recognized by the evil spirits. R1722:1
And he cried out – The demon recognized Jesus and his teaching and used the young man as his mouthpiece, his medium. R4969:5
He believed the Lord's teachings were condemnatory of himself and his associates. R3309:3
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| 24 saying, Eh! what have we to do with thee, Jesus, Nazarene? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God. |
Let us alone – We thus infer that our Lord was explaining to the people the origin of sin and the power of Satan and of the fallen angels in respect to humanity. R3309:3, 2581:5
No doubt Jesus had mentioned demoniacal possession in his sermon. R2581:5, 3309:3
When the two-edged sword of truth enters, it creates a division and an uproar. R1633:3,4
To do with thee – What have we in common? R3772:2
Come to destroy us – Their observation of mankind, dying on account of sin, would lead them to surmise that death might be their portion also. R1680:1
Manifesting the fact that the Lord's authority and power are known and recognized by the evil spirits. R1722:4
This demon seems to have had the thought that at the coming of Messiah all evil was to be abolished and destroyed. R3727:2
"Art thou come to destroy us before the time?" (Matt. 8:29)--implying that the demons had some information, or premonition, that the time of the manifestation of power through the Messiah was still future. R3727:2
Their statement does not prove that their supposition was correct. R697:1; HG729:6
They will not be destroyed without first being given an opportunity for repentance and reconciliation with God. R2581:6
Protesting Jesus' interference with their tormenting of the man as an injury to their rights and liberties. R3772:1
It is common today for some to claim interference with their vested rights and liberties when estopped from exploiting their fellow-men. R3772:2
I know thee – We may be sure that Satan and all the fallen angels knew the Lord and observed closely everything pertaining to his earthly life, death and resurrection. R4068:5, 2581:6
As Satan recognized Jesus in the temptation, so all of the fallen angels knew that the Holy One of God had become a man to redeem humanity. R3309:3
The Holy One of God – Recognizing Jesus' mission, his holiness, and that he was the representative of the Heavenly Father. R2581:6
His conduct toward our Lord was far more respectful than that of the strictest sect of the Jewish church. R1680:2
While the Pharisees said, "Thou hast a devil." (John 7:20) R1680:1
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| 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace and come out of him.
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Jesus rebuked him – The Lord recognized and addressed him as a person, thus proving the actual personal existence of invisible evil spirits. R1722:1
As St. Paul refused to allow a young woman medium to proclaim him and Silas servants of God (Acts 16:16-18), so Jesus refused to allow this demon to give testimony respecting himself--even though it was complimentary. R4969:6, 3309:4, 3122:3, 2182:1
Being unwilling to accept testimony from such a source. The Lord's people should resent the services of any who do not give evidence of heart-union with the Lord. R3309:4, 4969:6
Hold thy peace – Our Lord did not deign to hold conversation with these evil spirit beings. R2581:6
The same Greek word translated "Be still" in Mark 4:39, suggesting that the storm there depicted may have been the work of the Adversary. R3324:4
Come out of him – Give up your hold upon his mind and body. R3727:2
Evil spirits can do nothing except as God permits. R1722:1, 5540:2
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| 26 And the unclean spirit, having torn him, and uttered a cry with a loud voice, came out of him. |
The unclean spirit – Thus the malignity of evil spirits is manifested. There are no such possessions by holy spirits. R3727:3, 2582:2
Had torn him – Caused violent convulsions, a fit; and used the man's mouth in uttering a loud cry. R3310:3, 2582:1
The demon was not hindered from causing the man considerable torture in going from him. Luke 4:35 says that he threw him down in the midst of the crowd--manifesting his malignity. R3727:3
He came out – Apparently the first illustration of our Lord's miraculous power over disease and evil spirits. R3727:4
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| 27 And all were amazed, so that they questioned together among themselves, saying, What is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. |
They were all amazed – Not only the teachings of Jesus captivated them, but also his power to deal with evil spirits. R4969:6
The attendants at the Capernaum synagogue were seemingly nobler than those of Nazareth, who gnashed upon our Lord and sought to take his life. R3309:3
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| 28 And his fame went out straightway into the whole region of Galilee around. |
And immediately – The Revised Version of this verse is preferable: "And the report of him went out straightway everywhere in all that region of Galilee round about." R3310:6
His fame – Aiding greatly his ministry. R3310:6
As his fame increased, the opposition to him became more and more pronounced. R1735:3
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| 29 And straightway going out of the synagogue, they came with James and John into the house of Simon and Andrew. |
The synagogue – In Capernaum. R4979:2
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| 30 And the mother-in-law of Simon lay in a fever. And straightway they speak to him about her. |
A fever – One of the evangelists intimates that it was a violent form of fever. R3310:6
How many today are being consumed with a fever of ambition, pride or discontent? R2582:6
They tell him – Evidently the casting out of the demon suggested to the minds of the disciples the power of our Lord to heal diseases. R3727:4, 3310:6
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| 31 And he went up to her and raised her up, having taken her by the hand, and straightway the fever left her, and she served them. |
She ministered – This demonstrates that her cure was more than an operation of the mind, which could not have restored at once the strength lost by the fever. R3311:1, 3727:5
Instead of being weak and enervated, as is usually the case after a strong fever, she was strong and vigorous. This demonstrates that her cure could have been nothing short of miraculous. R3310:6
How many today, being released from spiritual fevers, arise to do vigorously the Lord's business? R2582:6
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| 32 But evening being come, when the sun had gone down, they brought to him all that were suffering, and those possessed by demons; |
When the sun did set – Because it was a cooler time of day. R3311:1, 2582:2
The Sabbath, being over, made it in the eyes of the people the more proper time to bring to Jesus the sick. R3727:5, 3311:1
All that were diseased – Let us not seek for the loaves and fishes and physical healing, for after all these things do the Gentiles seek; but let us seek for spiritual health, strength and vigor. R3728:6
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| 33 and the whole city was gathered together at the door. |
All the city – Many in Capernaum were healed, and thus it was exalted to heaven in privileges, blessings and opportunities. (Matt. 11:23) R3728:2
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| 34 And he healed many suffering from various diseases; and he cast out many demons, and did not suffer the demons to speak because they knew him. |
He healed – Expending his own vitality. R3727:5
"Virtue (vitality, power, strength) went out of him and healed them all." (Matt. 8:17) R3727:5
The healing of the sick was merely incidental, to attract the attention, to assist the faith, to point him out as the finger of God. R3728:2, 4980:2, 2583:2
The miracles which Jesus and the Apostles wrought were merely with a view to the establishment of the early church. R4979:3
He did not attempt to heal all sickness. This will be done in Messiah's reign of a thousand years. R4980:2
No miraculous healing at the present time is authorized by God's Word. R4979:3
Had our Lord Jesus performed none of the miracles recorded in the Scriptures, how could we today feel the confidence, the assurance, that we do feel respecting him? R3310:1
Illustrating the power he ultimately will use on a higher and grander scale in the blessing of all the families of the earth. R3728:4, 2583:1, 2582:4, 1722:4
Not only to prophecy the future, but more particularly as signs, evidences, witnesses, respecting his teachings. R2582:4
Today greater miracles witness to the truth of Christianity, such as the opening of the eyes of understanding. R2582:5
The general healing of disease will doubtless be a prominent feature of the work of Messiah's glorious kingdom after its establishment. R4979:5
People would be glad to be healed of disease, even if they were assured that the cures were performed by the power of Satan himself. Thus many false doctrines commend themselves by promises of relief from physical ailments. R4979:3
Many that were sick – But not all the sick of Palestine. His mission was not to heal the sick, but to preach the Gospel. The healing of the sick was merely incidental. R3728:2, 2582:3
There is no record of a single instance in which any of the apostles were healed of any disease. All, or nearly all, who were healed by Jesus and the apostles were "sinners." R4980:1, 3728:4
Suffered not the devils – The Lord does not desire the testimony of devils respecting himself or his plan. The same is true of all the unregenerate. (Psa. 50:16, 17) R3727:6, 3309:4, 2582:2
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| 35 And rising in the morning long before day, he went out and went away into a desert place, and there prayed. |
He went out – Leaving behind him in Capernaum many sick and disappointed. R4980:4
Departed – Jesus did not remain to increase and deepen the favorable impression that he had made. R4979:2
He left, that those not in a proper condition of heart might forget, lose their interest and cool their ardor, while only Israelites indeed would continue to watch and pray for the kingdom. R3728:1
And there prayed – The Lord frequently spent whole nights in prayer. (Luke 5:16; 6:12; Matt. 14:23; Mark 6:46; Heb. 5:7) R1865:5
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| 36 And Simon and those with him went after him: |
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| 37 and having found him, they say to him, All seek thee. |
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| 38 And he says to them, Let us go elsewhere into the neighbouring country towns, that I may preach there also, for for this purpose am I come forth.
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Preach there also – Our Lord's intention was to give evidences of divine favor to convince Israelites indeed. His mission was not to heal the sick but to preach the Gospel. R3728:1; 2583:2
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| 39 And he was preaching in their synagogues in the whole of Galilee, and casting out demons. |
Throughout all Galilee – His principal ministry was in Galilee. R4556:3
He must attend to the necessities and interests of the entire flock. R3728:1
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| 40 And there comes to him a leper, beseeching him, and falling on his knees to him, and saying to him, If thou wilt thou canst cleanse me. |
A leper – Leprosy was regarded by the Jews as an incurable disease, and as a type of sin. R4980:4
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| 41 But Jesus, moved with compassion, having stretched out his hand, touched him, and says to him, I will, be thou cleansed.
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I will – His prayer was answered, not because he was one of Jesus' disciples, nor because he promised to become one of them, but because of his exercise of faith, and in order to make of his case a testimony to the priests that Jesus exercised a power divine. R4980:4
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| 42 And as he spoke straightway the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. |
He was cleansed – Because of his exercise of faith, and in order to make of his case a testimony to the priests, that Jesus exercised a power divine. R4980:4
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| 43 And having sharply charged him, he straightway sent him away, |
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| 44 and says to him, See thou say nothing to any one, but go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing what Moses ordained, for a testimony to them.
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Say nothing – The testimony of his Messiahship was to be hidden from the people for a time, but to be promptly given first to their "rulers" who represented the Jewish church in the trial then in progress, giving them an opportunity to receive Jesus. C168
Shew thyself – To have the priest examine him as the Law required. R4980:4
To the priest – To the representative of that church-nation, as a test. C169
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| 45 But he, having gone forth, began to proclaim it much, and to spread the matter abroad, so that he could no longer enter openly into the city, but was without in desert places, and they came to him from every side. |
Publish it much – The result was that Jesus could not thereafter visit the large cities because he would be overwhelmed with the number of sick brought to him for healing. R4980:4
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