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| 1 And he went forth thence, and came to his own country, and his disciples do follow him, |
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| 2 and sabbath having come, he began in the synagogue to teach, and many hearing were astonished, saying, 'Whence hath this one these things and what the wisdom that was given to him, that also such mighty works through his hands are done |
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| 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon and are not his sisters here with us ' and they were being stumbled at him. |
The carpenter – Tradition declares Joseph died while Jesus was yet young. This scripture gives it support. Jesus is called a carpenter, Joseph is ignored. R2559:5
His sisters – Showing the fallacy to the Roman doctrine that teaches that Mary is "ever a virgin." R560:2*
They were offended – Although his first miracle was performed in Galilee, his first reputation was gained in Judea and at Jerusalem, and he had more honor on his return from there to his home country. R4132:3
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| 4 And Jesus said to them 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his kindred, and in his own house;'
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| 5 and he was not able there any mighty work to do, except on a few infirm people having put hands he did heal [them]; |
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| 6 and he wondered because of their unbelief. And he was going round the villages, in a circle, teaching, |
And he marvelled – The only other instance where Jesus "marvelled" was at the faith shown by the Roman centurion. R3755:6
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| 7 and he doth call near the twelve, and he began to send them forth two by two, and he was giving them power over the unclean spirits, |
Unclean spirits – The fallen angels. R2173:2
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| 8 and he commanded them that they may take nothing for the way, except a staff only no scrip, no bread, no brass in the girdle, |
Take nothing – Israel was a covenant people and it was their duty to receive and entertain the messengers of the Lord. The receiving or rejecting of them would be a test of their fidelity to God. R1988:2, 1743:1
An instruction reversed at the end of his ministry. Henceforth they should go out in no wise dependant upon the people. (Luke 22:35-37) R1988:4
No scrip – Valise or satchel. They were not to take up any collections or have anything wherein to carry a surplus. R2261:6
These instructions, afterwards changed by the Lord, are not applicable to the present time. R2500:2
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| 9 but having been shod with sandals, and ye may not put on two coats. |
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| 10 And he said to them, 'Whenever ye may enter into a house, there remain till ye may depart thence,
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| 11 and as many as may not receive you, nor hear you, going out thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony to them; verily I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom or Gomorrah in a day of judgment than for that city.'
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Shake off the dust – To symbolize renouncement of all responsibility for the consequences of their rejecting the message. R2262:4
A testimony against them – Their receiving or rejecting of the apostles would be a test of their fidelity to God as his covenant people. R1988:2, 1743:1
More tolerable – Implying that it will be tolerable for both classes in any event. R1618:4, 5076:4
The Sodomites will be of the class to be restored by resurrection processes. R5314:5; HG647:6
Day of judgment – So now; professed followers of Christ who have turned a deaf ear to the message of truth will be less favored in the kingdom than will the heathen. R5980:4
Than for that city – The people of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum were regular attendants of the synagogues--decent people, having a form of godliness, but knowing little or nothing of its power. HG647:6
The destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrah was less awful than that upon Jerusalem at the close of the Jewish "harvest." R2262:4
In the Millennium conditions will be favorable even for the people of Galilee who were not moved to repentance and discipleship by the Lord's miracles; but still more tolerable for those of Sodom. R3348:5
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| 12 And having gone forth they were preaching that [men] might reform, |
Repent – A prerequisite to salvation. R1437:2
Nowhere in the Scripture is eternal life promised to any except on conditions of faith in Christ the Redeemer, and repentance, or change of heart from sin to righteousness. R1437:2
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| 13 and many demons they were casting out, and they were anointing with oil many infirm, and they were healing [them]. |
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| 14 And the king Herod heard, (for his name became public,) and he said 'John the Baptist out of the dead was raised, and because of this the mighty powers are working in him.' |
King Herod – A tetrarch, the ruler of a fourth part of the kingdom. R3777:6
Antipas; the son of "Herod the Great" who slew the babes of Bethlehem. R3777:6
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| 15 Others said 'It is Elijah,' and others said 'It is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.' |
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| 16 And Herod having heard, said 'He whom I did behead John this is he; he was raised out of the dead.' |
It is John – Possibly his evil experiences brought him some lessons. R2638:1
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| 17 For Herod himself, having sent forth, did lay hold on John, and bound him in the prison, because of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, because he married her, |
For Herod himself – Typifying the kings of the earth; civil power. B261; R2280:4, 1754:4
Laid hold upon John – He had preached only about a year. R3325:2
Typifying the Church in the harvest of the Gospel age. B261; R2280:4, 1754:4
There is a gradual beginning where the voice of conscience is heard, but if unheeded its voice grows more and more faint and its influence in the control of life less and less potent. R3777:2
Bound him in prison – In the palace at Machaerus, which was also a fortress. R3778:5
Where he remained about a year before execution. R3325:2
No doubt fearing that, unreproved and unchecked, this conduct might lead to disorders in the realm. R3778:3
Typifying the "dark night" in which no man can labor in the "harvest" work. (John 9:4) R1754:5
Typifying the coming restraint of the Church's liberties. B261; R2280:5
For Herodias' sake – A beautiful and ambitious woman, a descendant of Cleopatra, a granddaughter of Herod the Great. R3777:6
A vain woman, without conscience, who, for ambition's sake, had dared everything that she might occupy the place of a queen. R5068:3, 3778:4
In the case of Herodias we see illustrated the power of ambition, and how important it is that our ambitions be noble, true and pure. R2636:3
Typifying the unfaithful nominal church. B261
Philip's wife – Her oldest uncle, supposing that to him would fall the kingdom honors at the hands of the Roman emperor. R3777:6, 2636:2
For he had married her – King Herod had put away his own wife, and was living unlawfully with the wife of his brother Philip. R5068:3
When Herod came to Rome to be invested with royal honors, she arranged to entertain him, and there entangled him with her personal charms, so that when he departed for his personal dominion, she eloped with him. R3777:6, 2636:2
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| 18 for John said to Herod 'It is not lawful to thee to have the wife of thy brother;' |
For John had said – Perhaps acting imprudently and exceeding his duty. R3326:2
A seeming lack of wisdom on John's part until we recall the typical character of John. R1754:4
The Greek text intimates that this was not said once merely, but rather as though it read, "John was saying"--was teaching continuously that there was wrong at the very head of the nation. R3778:2
Unto Herod – Who was not an Israelite, but a Gentile. R1754:4
It is not lawful – Also mentioning that this was likely to bring upon the people a war, for his wife whom he had put away was the daughter of King Aretas. R5068:6, 3780:1, 3778:1, 2637:6
As the Jewish nation was a covenant nation, John was probably within the proprieties of the case in denouncing a ruler of the Jews, while making no criticism of the other rulers of the earth not under divine law and covenant. R3778:2
We are to remember that Jesus made no comment along this line. Nothing in John's course should be construed as a special example of what we should do today in respect to public functionaries. R3778:2
John's mission was that of a reprover and reformer and, as a prophet, he was supernaturally guided in his course. Our Lord's mission was a different one. R2621:5
For church and civil power to be united. B261; R1754:4
It is not for us to sit in judgment on the course of John the Baptist, but we are inclined to think that he exceeded his duty in his criticism of the king and queen. R3326:2
We, like John, must by our teachings and example declare unlawful the proposed and sure-to-come union between church and civil govern- ment. R1754:4
Thy brother's wife – His own niece. R3778:2
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| 19 and Herodias was having a quarrel with him, and was willing to kill him, and was not able, |
A quarrel – Herodias was both angry and fearful--angry that he should dare speak of her relationship to the king; fearful, lest his eloquent words, moving the masses, might alienate her from the king. R5068:6
As the course of John incurred her wrath, so the course of the John class--the true Church--will incur the wrath of the ecclesiastical power. R1754:5
But she could not – Intimating that John's imprisonment was in part at least to protect him from the wrath of Herodias, who might have hired assassins. R3778:3
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| 20 for Herod was fearing John, knowing him a man righteous and holy, and was keeping watch over him, and having heard him, was doing many things, and hearing him gladly. |
Herod feared John – There is an intimation that John's imprisonment was in part at least to protect him from the anger of Herodias. R3778:3
Herod feared John and the people who believed John to be a prophet, but Herodias feared neither God nor man. R5069:1
Two great characters contrasted. (See article for details of the contrast.) R3779:2
A just man – A man who was following his conscience in a right course to the best of his ability. R3778:3
And observed him – The Revised Version expresses it, "kept him safe," possibly fearing that if John were set at liberty Herodias would find agents for his destruction. R2637:2
He did many things – Apparently John had unusual liberties in prison. His disciples had opportunities to come and bear messages to and from him. R2637:2
Heard him gladly – The intimation of the Greek is that Herod gave John frequent hearings, heard him willingly, but was much perplexed. R3778:4, 5069:1, 2637:2
It was a shock to Herodias that the king would have heard John patiently, and even have seemed interested in him, and considered him a prophet of the Lord God. R2637:1
Thus we presume it will be more tolerable for the King of Sodom than for King Herod in the day of judgment. R3779:5
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| 21 And a seasonable day having come, when Herod on his birthday was making a supper to his great men, and to the chiefs of thousands, and to the first men of Galilee, |
On his birthday – These birthday feasts were occasions of carousal. R2637:3
A supper – Such festivals were attended by men alone, and bountifully supplied not only with food but also with beverages, as a result of which the whole company would become quite convivial. R3778:6
At the palace fortress of Machaerus where Herod was preparing for the war with the King of Arabia. R3778:5
Lords, high captains – A patriotic rally to assure himself of the favor and good will of all his under lords and influential subordinates. R3778:5
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| 22 and the daughter of that Herodias having come in, and having danced, and having pleased Herod and those reclining (at meat) with him, the king said to the damsel, 'Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give to thee,' |
Daughter of the said Herodias – Probably fourteen at the time of their marriage of Herod and Herodias. R2636:3
Educated in Rome, beautiful and attractive. R2637:3
The dancing girls were usually from the lower classes. She would make a special impression upon all by sending her daughter, a granddaughter of Herod the Great, to perform this part. R3778:6, 2637:3
Typifying united Protestantism. R2280:5
Danced – A rare treat, a high honor to the king. R2637:3
So great a condescension by Herodias' own daughter implied that the king should make some return. R5069:1
Whatsoever thou wilt – It was customary to remunerate the dancing girls liberally on such occasions, in proportion to the dignity of the entertainer. R2637:3, 3778:6
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| 23 and he sware to her 'Whatever thou mayest ask me, I will give to thee unto the half of my kingdom.' |
Unto the half – Similarly, many a wealthy voluptuary has foolishly spent thousands and hundreds of thousands upon actresses and other conscienceless women in our day. R3778:6
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| 24 And she, having gone forth, said to her mother, 'What shall I ask for myself ' and she said, 'The head of John the Baptist;' |
What shall I ask? – The crafty woman had kept the design wholly within her own grasp. Her daughter should not know in advance, lest she should make some error. R2637:4
An illustration of parental influence. Evil as Herodias was, she evidently had retained the affection of her daughter and her absolute confidence and obedience. R3326:4
Not even Salome knew of the price she was expected to ask. R3778:6
If she demurred to ask for John's head, the mother probably told her that both of them would sooner or later be outcasts; that his death was necessary. R5069:2
And she said – Yet Herodias was not saved from the fate she dreaded. History records that within ten years her ambition prompted Herod to solicit Rome for an additional dignity. His request was refused, he was deprived of his dominion and banished to Lyons in Gaul, where he died. R3326:6, 2637:6
The head of John – Someone has paraphrased it thus: "Little fool, you know not what you ask; what would all these things be to you and me unqueened and outcast, as we may be any day if John the Baptist live?" R3326:5
Her ambition had not thus far hesitated at anything, why should it hesitate even at murder, now in its greatest extremity? R2637:1
The beginning of temptation is to be drawn away of desire, of ambition--enticed thereby. When it has conceived it bringeth forth sin; and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death. (Jas. 1:14, 15) R2637:4
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| 25 and having come in immediately with haste unto the king, she asked, saying, 'I will that thou mayest give me presently, upon a plate, the head of John the Baptist.' |
With haste – Haste was deemed necessary lest the king's ardor should cool and his better judgment take control. R3326:5
In a charger – One of the large platters used at the feast. R3326:5
John the Baptist – A great and holy man, a prophet of the Lord, he will have a great reward in the future with all the holy prophets, coming forth from the death-state perfect because he was found faithful, even unto death. R5069:2
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| 26 And the king made very sorrowful because of the oaths and of those reclining (at meat) with him, would not put her away, |
Was exceeding sorry – He was grieved, yet not being humble or God-fearing, but merely proud and man-fearing, he felt bound by his oath. R5069:2
Even the weak and despicable Herod was shocked by the request. R2637:4
An indication that his heart was not utterly corrupt; but that he should yield to what he knew to be wrong, through pride, is an evidence of utter lack of character. R2637:6
Many have found themselves like Herod, led step by step, by what seems to them to be fate, beyond their control. R2637:5
For his oath's sake – The king's honor (?) was maintained. R5069:2
From his wrong standpoint of view, duty appeared to lie on the other side. R2637:5
For a king to break his oath, made in the presence of his nobles, would imply that he was a man devoid of all principle and character. R3779:1
Many things that are highly esteemed amongst men are an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15) R3779:1
For their sakes – The only proper method is to recognize and obey the voice of the Lord, regardless of how matters may seem to fallen man. R2637:6
And, we might add, for pride's sake. R3779:1
Alas, poor world! How many are its snares of pride in the wrong things, and in fear of the wrong person! R5069:2
Would not reject her – Not being a humble man, nor God-fearing; but merely a proud man with a man-fearing spirit, he found himself bound to comply with his own oath given in the presence of those great men. R5069:4
In proportion as Herod had great opportunities and defiled and degraded his conscience, in the same proportion he will awaken in the resurrection morning in a low condition morally. R3779:4
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| 27 and immediately the king having sent a guardsman, did command his head to be brought, |
Sent an executioner – Thus showing his greatness as a king, his respect for his illustrious company, and his high standard of value for his oath and his authority--but the Scriptures declare that things highly esteemed amongst men are an abomination in the sight of God. R3779:1
Beheaded him – John the Baptist was the last of the prophets. R1754:1
As John never emerged from that prison, save to enter the deeper dungeon of the grave, so the Church's only deliverance in the "dark night" will be through the valley of the shadow of death. R1754:5
Evidently John's course was finished. Consequently their was no effort on the Lord's part to interfere with the powers of darkness that for a year restrained John's liberty and finally took his life. R1754:2
He had fulfilled his mission, proving his worthiness of a distinguished place in the earthly phase of the kingdom. R1754:2
We anticipate an attack upon the true Church, not upon the nominal system, and, as in the case of John, a seemingly complete victory of the Babylonish woman and her paramour, the world, over the faithful members of the Body of Christ in the flesh. R3326:6
In the prison – In the palace fortress of Machaerus, where he had sought to remove him from Herodias and her particular influence. R3778:5
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| 28 and he having gone, beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head upon a plate, and did give it to the damsel, and the damsel did give it to her mother; |
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| 29 and having heard, his disciples came and took up his corpse, and laid it in the tomb. |
His disciples – John's disciples who had become disciples of Jesus. R1754:2
Laid it in a tomb – John will get everlasting life as a glorious portion, but he will not be a member of the Bride class. R5069:4
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| 30 And the apostles are gathered together unto Jesus, and they told him all, and how many things they did, and how many things they taught, |
And the apostles – Returning at the time when Herod had cruelly beheaded John, and astonished that God would permit such an unjust procedure. So we, too, are frequently astonished to note to how great an extent providence permits the prosperity of the "prince of this world." R4890:2,3
Gathered themselves together – Returned from the mission work to which the Lord sent them two by two. No doubt there was a fixed time for their return and Capernaum was probably the rendezvous. R3779:3
From preaching in Galilee to take counsel of the Lord. R1754:2
By the news of John's death and the possible effect upon their work of this sudden outburst of royal wrath. R1754:2
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| 31 and he said to them, 'Come ye yourselves apart to a desert place, and rest a little,'
for those coming and those going were many, and not even to eat had they opportunity, |
Come ye yourselves apart – Not turning aside from sin, for they had already done this. CR34:3
As at conventions--while they cost considerable money, they nevertheless are sources of great spiritual profit and refreshment. We should estimate spiritual strength above financial cost, though not to the extent of contracting debt. R3779:6
At conventions we turn aside from the busy scenes of daily life and strife to fellowship with God and with each other. CR34:1
A desert place – Just outside the border of Herod's dominion, near Bethsaida. R2435:3, 1754:3
And rest a while – Applies to merely physical rest from arduous and incessant toil as preachers, and by no means an intimation that preaching was not proper, not their special work. R890:2
He would not have us rest too long when other weary hearts are waiting for our ministries of love and consolation. R1754:3
Here commune with me and the Father. Here tell us of what you have done and what you have taught. Here examine carefully to see how correctly, how truthfully, you have presented my message. R4890:3, 3779:3
The Lord never asks of us such busy labor as finds no time for resting at his feet. R1754:3
Rest in the midst of your cares, trials and perplexities, a sweet rest of mind, and peace. R1754:3
Many coming and going – Being fully engaged in divine service, even though greatly enjoying it, sometimes we do not have sufficient time for eating the spiritual food that we may be properly refreshed and upbuilt. R4890:4, 3779:3
So much as to eat – Sometimes, when busy in the Lord's service and in making provisions for our temporal needs, we do not have sufficient time for eating the spiritual food. R4890:4
It is only to those who are serving the others, that the Master directly hands the precious viands. R890:3
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| 32 and they went away to a desert place, in the boat, by themselves. |
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| 33 And the multitudes saw them going away, and many recognised him, and by land from all the cities they ran thither, and went before them, and came together to him, |
Many knew him – Jesus' fame had spread abroad. R1754:3
Unto him – On the mountain slopes on the north-eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. R2435:3
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| 34 and having come forth, Jesus saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion on them, that they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach many things. |
Saw much people – In some respects pictures the world during the Millennial age. R3781:4, 5087:6
Augmented by large caravans, which at that time were en route to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. R3780:5, 2435:3
Moved with compassion – Instead of being angry that his endeavor for privacy and rest should be thus intruded upon by people for whom he had already done so much. R3780:1
Such will be the spirit of all the Lord's followers. Their delight will be, not in self-gratification, but in doing good "unto all men as they have opportunity, especially to the household of faith." (Gal. 6:10) R2435:4
Not having a shepherd – They had a soul-hunger which their forms, ceremonies, rituals, could not satisfy. R5087:2
He was the true Shepherd and ready at all times to fulfil his mission, to lay down his very life for the sheep--not only at Calvary, but hourly and daily during his ministry. R3780:2
Today, many of the Lord's people in Babylon are in a similar condition--persuaded that we are living in remarkable times, but without political or religious shepherds to guide them. R3780:2
Following blind guides and about to fall with them into the ditch of Israel's great calamity. R2435:6
The common people always refer to the learned. The learned therefore have the greater responsibility. This is in a large measure true today also. R5087:2
Though they had synagogues, regular readings of the Scripture, scribes, Pharisees, priests and Levites; they had a soul-hunger which the forms, ceremonies, rituals and burdens bound upon them could not satisfy. R5087:2
Teach them many things – He taught them much to their advantage, to their comfort and as a preparation for their development, so that they would by and by be prepared for the deeper things, which were for his disciples only. R3780:3
We are to be specially on guard against choking the babes in Christ with strong meat; but nevertheless we are not to allow them to starve, but to give them the milk of the Word that they may grow thereby. R3780:4
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| 35 And now the hour being advanced, his disciples having come near to him, say, 'The place is desolate, and the hour is now advanced, |
Now far spent – From another Gospel account it seems evident that, after teaching the people, our Lord left them for a time and went with his disciples apart on the hillside, where they reviewed their ministries. R3780:4
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| 36 let them away, that, having gone away to the surrounding fields and villages, they may buy to themselves loaves, for what they may eat they have not.' |
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| 37 And he answering said to them, 'Give ye them to eat,'
and they say to him, 'Having gone away, may we buy two hundred denaries' worth of loaves, and give to them to eat ' |
Give ye them – Thus associating his people with himself, blessing them by these experiences even more than he blesses those to whom he sends them with his mercies, temporal and spiritual. R3780:5
Thus the people were made more or less acquainted with the apostles, who perhaps later on, after Pentecost, met many of them and, as the Master's representative, bore to them the heavenly bread. R3781:2
Before sending the people away he instructs all who are his disciples to supply them with something to eat, spiritual food, truths pertaining to the kingdom, to afford some strength and encouragement for the dark hour ahead. R2436:1
When anyone is present who is hungering and thirsting after righteousness, we are to tell him the good tidings, no matter in what form they must be presented, no matter how intolerable the conditions. R3333:5
Two hundred pennyworth – About $32.00 (in 1905). R3503:2
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| 38 And he saith to them, 'How many loaves have ye go and see;'
and having known, they say, 'Five, and two fishes.' |
Have ye – How eager we should be that any little barley loaves we may possess, any little fishes, any dollars and dimes, and shillings and pence, any time and influence, might be used of the Lord in his blessed work! R3781:2
Five, and two fishes – The Lord takes our time and talents, little and unworthy as these are, and blesses them and uses them in his service and accomplishes great things. R3780:5
It is a matter of continual wonder to the enemies of the truth, as well as to the slightly interested, that means never seem lacking for the promulgation of the harvest message without resorting to appeals to the world. R3781:2
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| 39 And he commanded them to make all recline in companies upon the green grass, |
Make all sit down – They had learned to be obedient to whatever the Master would propose, hence no objection to the command which would appear to make them look foolish--preparing for a feast when apparently no feast could be spread for them. R3780:5
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| 40 and they sat down in squares, by hundreds, and by fifties. |
They sat down – They obeyed; the Lord did the rest. R3780:6
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| 41 And having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, having looked up to the heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves, and was giving to his disciples, that they may set before them, and the two fishes divided he to all, |
When he had taken – While Scripturally dignified by the name of sacrifice, yet really, to those who understand the situation properly, it is the very reverse, a blessing, a privilege, a favor. R3781:2
The two fishes – Hence discountenancing any claim of special sanctity and acceptableness with God on account of vegetarianism. R3098:3
He looked up – Christians should not neglect to render thanks for their daily food; but mere outward acts of formalistic piety by others are not pleasing to God. R2643:6, 2644:2
And blessed – John's Gospel says, "He gave thanks." The giving of thanks to God brought indeed a blessing upon the food. R3780:6
Gratitude to God is appropriate however simple our bill of fare; but we might well refrain in public if our conduct would be misapprehended as Pharisaism. R3781:1
How can we partake of food, recognizing that it is of God's bounty and provision, without returning our thanks of acknowledgments? R3780:6
Undoubtedly food which is eaten in a pleasant and thankful attitude of mind is more nourishing, more refreshing, than the same food if eaten in unthankfulness or anger or with feelings of dissatisfaction. R3780:6, 2644:1
To his disciples – The disciples were thus the better witnesses of the power of the miracle, and the people were made acquainted with them. R3781:2
The Lord could have fed the multitude without their help. R2644:4
Those who now follow the Lord will be privileged in the Millennial age to distribute the bread of eternal life to all families of the earth. R3781:4
To set before them – During the thousand years of Christ's reign, the bread of life, the truth, will be freely distributed amongst all mankind. R5087:6
Those who now follow the Lord as his special disciples will be supplied abundantly in the kingdom with the bread of eternal life and will be privileged to distribute it to all the families of the earth. R3781:4
Among them all – The Lord's miracles of feeding and healing were performed, not upon his consecrated disciples, but upon others. R1754:6
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| 42 and they did all eat, and were filled, |
They did all eat – Not sumptuously, not served in elegant and decorated ware, not fine food, but plain barley bread and dried fish. R3781:1
Plainness and simplicity of food would not only be more healthful, but would leave much more time for the spiritual refreshment, the bread from heaven, and the service of the truth to others. R3781:1
Chief object of the miracle was to reinforce and establish the faith of the apostles--effect upon the multitudes was secondary and similar. R1754:5
This miracle speaks to us of the power that our Lord will have in his kingdom for providing for the necessities of the whole world. R5087:5
Not only attesting to our Lord's sympathy, but it also spoke volumes to the people about the divine power that was in the Great Teacher. R5087:5
And were filled – Skeptics who question this miracle cannot deny no less a miracle whereby the barley of the loaves and the two fishes could in due time, by natural processes, have brought forth enough of their kind to feed the multitude. R3333:2
It was not merely a taste of food that the Lord provided, but a satisfying portion--all had plenty. R3781:3
It would be better if we lived more upon the plain substantials of life, and did not too much pamper our appetites and encourage ourselves to eat beyond the point of proper satisfaction for hunger. R3781:4
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| 43 and they took up of broken pieces twelve hand-baskets full, and of the fishes, |
They took up – While the Lord had abundance of power to create, he would have his disciples note the principle of economy and practise it. R3781:5, 2435:5
The Lord's people should be careful to avoid wasting, not because of selfishness and a desire to accumulate, but, as the Apostle explains, "that ye may have to give." (Eph. 4:28) R2435:6
Twelve baskets full – Haversacks, in which the apostles carried their provisions. R2435:5
None of God's provisions for his people are to be wasted. R3333:3
Those who distribute will find in the end their own vessels full. R2436:4
It was those who scattered to others who had their haversacks filled in the end. Those who are most intent upon feeding others with the bread of life are themselves most bountifully supplied. R3504:2
The memory is our "basket" in which to gather up in store for ourselves and others every spiritual morsel. R2435:6
Of the fragments – Not the fragments left by the multitude, but those broken by our Lord and not distributed. R3781:4
Probably the fragments fingered by the multitude were left for the birds and squirrels, and these were the fragments from the breaking of the bread by the Lord. R3781:4
Let us take heed to the fragments, too, that we may render up a faithful record of our stewardship, that the talents entrusted to us have not been buried in the earth. R3781:6
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| 44 and those eating of the loaves were about five thousand men. |
About five thousand men – Besides women and children. (Matt. 14:21) R1754:3
Yet, when tempted in the wilderness, he refused to use divine power to satisfy his own hunger. F650
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| 45 And immediately he constrained his disciples to go into the boat, and to go before to the other side, unto Bethsaida, till he may let the multitude away, |
To the other side – To Galilee, Herod's territory, showing that our Lord's conference with the disciples had a pacifying and strengthening effect upon them. R2435:3
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| 46 and having taken leave of them, he went away to the mountain to pray. |
He departed – For he "perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him king." (John 6:15) R1754:6
To pray – The Lord frequently spent whole nights in prayer and he prayed earnestly and with many tears (Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; 6:22; Heb. 5:7) R1865:5
Nearly all of the Great Teacher's recorded prayers are simple and brief. Whenever he wished to make long prayers he went to the Father alone. This would be a good example for all to observe. R5095:3
We cannot come too often or tarry too long. R1865:3
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| 47 And evening having come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he alone upon the land; |
When even was come – The night-time of this Gospel age, with darkness of error and superstition. R2650:4
The ship – The boat and the twelve toiling rowers picture the Lord's one true Church. R2650:3
Midst of the sea – The stormy sea of the world's unparalleled trouble. B191
He alone – They had learned from previous experiences that, while the Master was with them, all would be safe; but now he was absent. HG372:4
On the land – He remained behind for this very purpose--that they might have these experiences and that he might teach them a lesson thereby respecting his providential care. HG372:5
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| 48 and he saw them harassed in the rowing, for the wind was against them, and about the fourth watch of the night he doth come to them walking on the sea, and wished to pass by them. |
Wind was contrary – The adverse influences and fearful opposition that come against the Church. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood." (Eph. 6:12) R2650:4
The storms and billows of trouble and persecution which may impede and weary us. R2650:3
After the Master's ascension, no doubt the disciples felt themselves very much alone in the midst of a contrary people and found progress difficult and all of their experiences stormy. R5095:5
The fourth watch – Between three and six o'clock A.M. R2650:2
As he comes to us in the early dawn of the Millennial Day. R2650:4
He cometh – Picturing our Lord's second coming. B191; R2650:4
Unto them – The Church, to rescue her from her toil and weariness and peril. R2650:4; B191
Walking – As the manner of his coming was different from that expected, so the manner of the second advent differs. R2650:4
Upon the sea – Picturing the stormy sea of the world's unparalleled trouble. B191
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| 49 And they having seen him walking on the sea, thought [it] to be an apparition, and cried out, |
A spirit – An apparition, a spirit manifestation in human form. R5095:3
A hobgoblin, a phantom, in harmony with stories always told by the seafaring. HG372:5
Some thought they had seen a supernatural being, and that it foreboded some calamity. R2650:2
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| 50 for they all saw him, and were troubled, and immediately he spake with them, and saith to them, 'Take courage, I am [he], be not afraid.'
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Were troubled – The same apostles who here cried out in terror, grew stronger and stronger in faith until they could and did trust the Lord in his absence where they could not trace him. R3338:5
Be of good cheer – No doubt it helped the disciples later to remember the Master's ability to come to them on the troubled seas, and how his coming brought peace and quiet. R5095:5
This precious lesson still holds good for the Lord's people, that he will sanctify to them their deepest distress. R5095:6
It is the privilege of those who are fully consecrated to the Lord to be cheerful, happy, even in the midst of unsatisfactory and painful conditions. R4592:4, 2083:5, 1949:5
Cheerfulness is one of the loveliest graces of the Christian character. R1123:2*
It is I – Learn to look to me, to remember that, having become my disciples, I have supervision over all your affairs, whether in storm or in calm. HG372:5
Be not afraid – "All things work together for good to them that love God." (Rom. 8:28) Q272:2; R5058:6, 4784:2, 1607:5
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| 51 And he went up unto them to the boat, and the wind lulled, and greatly out of measure were they amazed in themselves, and were wondering, |
The wind ceased – When the Lord has joined himself to his Church the trials, storms, difficulties and oppositions will be at an end and the desired haven of the heavenly condition will be reached. R2650:5
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| 52 for they understood not concerning the loaves, for their heart hath been hard. |
They considered not – They had already forgotten. R5095:3
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| 53 And having passed over, they came upon the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore, |
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| 54 and they having come forth out of the boat, immediately having recognised him, |
They knew him – Crowds continued to gather; partly for hearing, partly from curiosity and partly because the message that he gave was one of consolation, comfort and hope. R5095:2
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| 55 having run about through all that region round about, they began upon the couches to carry about those ill, where they were hearing that he is, |
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| 56 and wherever he was going, to villages, or cities, or fields, in the market-places they were laying the infirm, and were calling upon him, that they may touch if it were but the fringe of his garment, and as many as were touching him were saved. |
Besought him – Showing how interested people become in anything that will relieve them of sickness. R5095:2
The crowds continued to gather wherever Jesus went--for hearing, from curiosity, because his message was one of consolation, comfort, hope. he was not forever blaming them for not keeping the Law. R5095:2
They might touch – God's consecrated people have realized a blessing also--a spiritual blessing--as Jesus passed their way, as by faith they reached out and touched the hem of his garment. R5096:4
The border – The corner. R5096:4
Were made whole – In healing the sick, vitality went out from him and he healed them all. All his public preaching also cost him considerable vitality. R5096:4
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