Mark 1

Mark 1:1

THe beginning of the Gospel] That is, the beginning of the euangelicall Storie of the first promulgation of the Gospel, which was by the ministery of John, at whose preaching Mark begins his relations. See the Argument on Matthew, and on chap. 1. 1. there.

the Son of God] Matthew calls him, The son of David, to shew his humane nature, and that he was the promised Messias; Mark stiles him, The Son of God, to set out his divine power, and ability to save us.

Mark 1:2

As it is written] John goeth before Christ, as it was forespoken by the prophets.

in the prophets] In the books of the prophets Malachi and Isaiah.

Behold] Malachi 3:1.

I send my messenger] The prophet useth the present tense, when he speaketh of a thing to come, being as sure of it, as if he saw it. So Hosea 10:7.

before my face] A metaphor taken from the usage of kings, which send harbingers before them.

which shall prepare thy way before thee] By removing all filth and letts out of the way. So did John, by preaching repentance, prepare the way to Christ.

Mark 1:3

The voice] Isaiah 40:3. Luke 3. 4. John 1. 23.

of one crying] As John was before compared to an harbinger that prepared the way for Christs coming: so here to a cryer or herauld, that proclaims or gives warning of it.

in the wildernesse] See on Matthew 3:1.

Prepare ye the way of the Lord] See on V. 2. and Matthew 3:3.

Mark 1:4

John did baptize] Matthew 3:1.

and preach the baptisin of repentance] John did teach those whom he baptized, that the outward washing with water did assure them of remission of sins, if they did truely repent.

for] Or, unto.

Mark 1:5

And there went out] Matthew 3:5.

confessing their sins] With craving pardon, and promising amendment.

Mark 1:6

clothed with camels hair] Matthew 3:4.

Mark 1:7

one mightier then I] John doth, as all faithfull ministers should do, cast his eyes upon Christ the Lord.

I am not worthy to stoup down and unloose] The meaning of John was, to expresse the condition of the basest servant, who stoups to pull off his masters shoes.

Mark 1:8

but he shall baptize you] He sheweth, that the whole force of baptism proceedeth from Christ, who baptizeth inwardly.

Mark 1:9

And it came to passe] Matthew 3:13.

Mark 1:10

coming up out of the water] John coming up saw it, Joh. 1. 33, 34. It is likely he went into the water with Christ, as Philip did with the eunuch, Acts 8:38.

opened] Or, cloven, or rent, as Matthew 27:51.

Mark 1:12

And] Matthew 4:1.

immediately] Or, shortly after.

the spirit] Leads him thither, as Matthew 4:1.

driveth] Or, sends away, as v. 43. Or, putteth forth, as John 10:4.

Mark 1:13

with the wilde beasts] In a place where no men dwelt, Luke 1. 80. Acts 8:26. alluding to Job 5. 21, 22.

the angels ministred unto him] After the fourty days fast expired, and the tentation ended, Matthew 4:11.

Mark 1:14

after that John was put in prison] After that John is taken, Christ sheweth himself more fully.

Jesus came into Galilee] Matthew 4:12.

Mark 1:15

The time is fulfilled] The time set by the prophets for the manifestation of Christ, is fully come, Galatians 4:4.

the kingdom of God is at hand] Christ will now, by the preaching of the Gospel, take possession of his Kingdom.

repent ye] Repentance and faith is the sum of the Gospel.

Mark 1:16

Now as he walked] Matthew 4:18.

he saw Simon] The calling of Simon and Andrew.

Mark 1:19

he saw James] The calling of James and John.

Mark 1:20

with the hired servants] Their service was gainfull to their father, else would he not have hired servants.

Mark 1:21

And they went into Capernaum] Matthew 4:13.

Mark 1:22

And they were astonisbed] Matthew 7:28.

Mark 1:23

And] Luke 4. 33.

there was in their synagogue] Our Saviour preaching that doctrine by which alone Satan is driven out of the world, confirms it by a miracle sutable.

a man with an unclean spirit] By nature he was a spirit, unclean in disposition.

Mark 1:24

Let us alone] Me and my fellows that go up and down in Judea.

thou Jesus of Nazareth?] Because he was bred there, though he were born at Bethlehem. See Matthew 2:23.

art thou come to destroy] To send us into hell-torments, Matthew 8:29. Or, restrain us from doing mischief, which is a torment to us.

us?] The devil are already by God adjudged to eternall condemnation; but yet they shall not be fully tormented before the end of this world, 2 Peter 2:4. Jude v. 6.

the holy One of God] The holy Saviour of the world, figured by the high priests title, Exodus 28:3. 6. and foretold, Daniel 9:24.

Mark 1:26

when the unclean spirit had lorn him] Cast him into a convulsion-sit, which may be without renting, Luke 4. 35.

cried with a loud voice] But said nothing; for he was forbidden to speak, v. 25. So Genesis 27:38.

Mark 1:27

among themselves] Or, within themselves, as Matthew 16:7.

what new doctrine is this?] They do not call it new by way of exprobation, as Acts 17:19. but strange, and acknowledge somewhat extraordinary in the matter of his teaching, and the confirmation of it by miracles, not used of long time before.

with authority] Not by prayer to God, as a servant; but by command, as Lord over them.

Mark 1:28

the region round about Galilee] Not onely into Galilee, but also into all the countreys bordering on it.

Mark 1:29

And forthwith] Matthew 8:14.

with James and John] It seems these four did dwell in one house; for these came with him.

Mark 1:30

Sunons wives mother lay sick] We see, by this example, that good people may be scourged by God, for the promoting of his glory, and their own salvation.

Mark 1:34

that were sick of divers diseases] By healing of divers diseases, he sheweth, that he hath brought true life into the world.

suffered not the devils] For it belongeth not to the devils to preach the Gospel, Acts 16:18. nor would Christ receive a testimony from them.

to speak, because they knew him] Or, to say that they knew him.

Mark 1:38

came I forth] Of that town, v. 35. Or, from God, John 16:28.

Mark 1:40

And there came] Matthew 8:2.

a leper] By healing of the leper, he sheweth, that he came for this cause, To purge away the infections of the soul.

Mark 1:41

I will, be thou clean] Christ will heal us also, if we pray to him in faith.

Mark 1:44

See thou say nothing] Till thou have first been with the priest to offer a sacrifice for thy cleansing. Christ was more carefull of his fathers glory, then of his own. Or, if he simply forbad him to speak of it, it was to prevent the inconvenience which followed, v. 45.

shew thy self to the paiest] Any of Aarons posterity might judge of a leper, whether he were cured or no, Leviticus 13:2.

Mark 1:45

But he went out] Luke 5. 15.