Mark 8

Mark 8:1

THe mulitude] Muth 15. 32.

Mark 8:3

they will faint y the way] Word for word, They will fall in sunder, or be disslved; for when men falin a swoon, their sinews fall one from another, Matthew 15:32.

Mark 8:11

And the Pharisees] Matthew 16:1. The stubborn enemies of the doctrine of the Gospel, giving no credit to the miracles already done, require new: but Christ, being angry with them, doth forsake them.

came forth] A common kinde of speech which the Hebrews use, whereby is meant, that the Pharisees went from their houses of purpose to encounter with him.

seeking of him a signe from heaven] That they might know thereby that he was sent from God, and his doctrine true.

Mark 8:12

he sighed deeply in his spirit] These sighs came even from his heart; for the Lord was very much moved with these mens so great infidelity.

There shall no signe be given] Word for word, If a signe be given. It is a cutted kind of speech, very common among the Hebrews; wherein some such words as these must be understood, Let me be taken for a lyer, or some such like. And when they speak out of the whole, they say, The Lord do thus and thus by me.

Mark 8:14

Now] Matthew 16:5.

Mark 8:15

beware of the leaven of the Pharisees] We must especially take heed of them which corrupt the word of God, what degree soever they be of, either in the Church, or in civil policie.

the leaven of Herod] The contagious doctrine of the Herodians, spoken of, Matthew 22:16.

Mark 8:16

they reasoned among themselves] Disputed what our Saviour meant by the word leaven.

because we have] Matthew 16:7. The Lord blames our negligence, who forgat to take bread with us, and so may be constrained to eat of their polluted bread.

no bread] They that have their mindes fixed on earthly things, are blinded in heavenly things, although they be never so plainly set forth unto them.

Mark 8:17

because] Or, saying it is, because, as Matthew 16:8.

Mark 8:21

How is it that ye do not understand?] How cometh it to passe that you understand not these things, which are so plain and evident?

Mark 8:23

spit] See on chap. 7. 33.

Mark 8:24

I see men as trees, walking] He perceived some motion, but could not discern they were bodies of men at first. A type of illumination, which encreaseth in us by degrees.

Mark 8:25

and made him look up] He commanded him to trie once more whether he could see well or no.

look up] Or, see again.

Mark 8:26

nor tell it to any in the town] Any of the townsmen that you meet with. It seems he dwelt in some out-place in the fields.

Mark 8:27

And Jesus went out] Matthew 16:13.

Mark 8:28

One of the prophets] Or, one of the other prophets, as Matthew 16:14.

Mark 8:30

that they should tell no man of him] To wit, that he was the Messias: for, that he was a teacher sent of God, he openly professed; but, that he was the Messias, he did not yet so commonly affirm.

Mark 8:31

the Sen of man must suffer] Christ suffered all that he suffered for us, not unwillingly, neither unawares; but foreknowing it, and wittingly.

and be rejected of the elders] Psalms 118:22.

and after three days rise again] Seeing he rose within three days, his word is much more amply made good: for in promises a set time is presixed, to the end that the thing promised may not beyond the time be delayed; but not to restrain the performance of it before.

Mark 8:32

openly] Not before the people, which were not present, v. 34. but in plain words, without figures, as John 16:29. for at other times, and to the people, he spake darkly of that mystery. See John 2:19. and John 3:14. and John 6:51. Or, freely.

and began to rebuke him] None are more indiscreet then they that are wise without Gods word.

Mark 8:33

and looked on his disciples] That they might take notice of his rebuking Peter.

Get thee behinde me, Satan] Thou art too forward to teach me, as a master: go behinde me, as becomes a scholar.

Mark 8:34

Whosoever will come after me] Matthew 10:38.

let him deny himself] The disciples of Christ must bear stoutly what burden soever the Lord layeth upon them, and subdue the affections of the flesh.

Mark 8:36

For what shall it profit a man] They are the most foolish of all men, which purchase the enjoying of this life with the losse of everlasting blisse.

Mark 8:38

Whosoever theresore] Matthew 10:33.

shall be ashamed of me] Shall refuse to own or acknowledge me, as Romans 1:16.

adulteres] See on Matthew 12:39.

of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed] He shall not own him as his, Matthew 7:23.