Mark 3

Mark 3:1

HE entred again] Matthew 12:9.

there was a man there] This history is sutable to the former, to instruct us what may be done on the sabbath.

which had a withered hand] That is, dead and unprofitable.

Mark 3:2

And they watched him] The Pharisees, who were present to entrap him, v. 6. Such auditours Gods ministers often meet withall.

Mark 3:3

Stand forth] He bids him stand forth, that the miracle might be the more manifest, and that the sight of him might move them to compassion.

Mark 3:4

or to do evil?] I meet this man on the sabbath, and can heal him with a word; if I do it not, I may further his death: Which is best? Thus he sheweth how hypocrites prefer the ceremonial law before the moral.

Mark 3:5

with anger] Men, when they have wrong done unto them, are angry, but not without sin: but Christ is angry without sin, as we should be, Eph. 4. 26. neither is he sorry so much for the in jury that is done to his own person, as for their wickednesse; and therefore he had pitie upon them, and for that cause is said to have mourned.

for the hardnesse of their hearts] As though their heart had been so closed up and grown together, that wholesome doctrine could prevail no more with them.

hardnesse] Or, blindnesse.

Mark 3:6

took counsel] The more the truth is kept under, the more it cometh out.

with the Herodians] Lock on Matthew 22:16.

Mark 3:9

that a small ship should wa on him] Should always be ready for him.

Mark 3:10

pressed] Or, rushed. Gr. fell.

as many as had plagues] Diseases, wherewith God scourgeth men, as it were with whips.

Mark 3:11

And unclean spirits] In them whom they had entred into: or, by a Metonymia, they which were vexed with unclean spirits.

Mark 3:13

And he goeth up] Matthew 10:1.

Mark 3:14

And he ordained] Chose and appointed welve to be familiar and conversant with him.

ordained] Gr. made.

twelve] Twelve disciples are set apart, to be trained up in the office of the apostleship.

Mark 3:17

The sons of thurder] So Christ called the sons of Zebedeus, either because their voice should be heard in all the world; or, because they should preach more vehemently then the rest of the apostles.

Mark 3:18

Thaddeus] He had three names; Lebbeus, Thaddeus and Judas. See Matthew 10:3. Luke 6. 16. By the two former, he is distinguished from Judas the traitour.

Mark 3:19

Judas I scariot] To distinguish him from Judas the brother of James, mentioned, Luke 16. 16. Jude 1.

into an house] Or, home.

Mark 3:21

his friends] Word for word, they that were of him: that is, his kinsfolks: for they that were thought to be mad, were brought to their kinsmen.

He is beside himself] Gods ministers are oftentimes, by worldly men, thought to be beside themselves, 2 Kings 9:12. Acts 26:24. 2. Cor. 5. 13.

Mark 3:22

He hath Beekebub] Matthew 9:34.

Mark 3:24

if a kingdom be divided against it self] Be divided into factions and partakings.

Mark 3:26

if Satan rise up against himself] Satans imps and bands.

Mark 3:28

Verily I say unto you] Matthew 12:31.

All sins shall be forgiven] They onely are without hope of salvation, which do maliciously oppugn Christ, whom they know, Hebrews 6:6. and Hebrews 10:26.

Mark 3:29

he that shall blaspheme against the holy Ghost] He that, contrary to the internall motion of his conscience, enlightned by the holy Ghost, and convinced of the truth of the Gospel, shall, out of meer malice, oppose it.

Mark 3:31

There came] Matthew 12:46.

then] Or, therefore. Because he spake thus, they thought him mad, as v. 21. and would pull him out of danger.

his brethren] By this name, Brother, the Hebrews understand all that of the same stock and kinred, Genesis 13:8.

Mark 3:34

Behold my mother] The spirituall kinred is far otherwise to be accounted of, then the carnall or fleshly.