Mark 6

Mark 6:1

HE went out from thence] Matthew 13:54.

into his own countrey] Nazareth, where he was bred, as appears, v. 3. not Bethlehem, where he was born.

Mark 6:2

what wisedom is this?] The faithlesse world doth no whit at all diminish the vertue of Christ, but wittingly and willingly depriveth it self of the efficacie of it, being offered unto them.

that even such mighty works] The word signifieth, powers and vertues, whereby are meant those wonderfull works that ChrisT did, which shewed and set forth the vertue and power of his Godhead to all the world, Matthew 7:22.

Mark 6:3

Is not this the carpenter] It appears, that Christ did exercise that trade in his younger yeers.

are not his sisters] After the manner of the Hebrews, who by brethren and sisters understand all their kinsfolks.

Mark 6:4

A prophet is not without honour] John 4:44.

without honour] Not onely hath that honour which of right is due to him taken from hi, but is also evil spoken of, and misreported.

but in his own countrey] He may be dishonoured elsewhere; but for the most part he is dishonoured there, though he be honoured in other places.

Mark 6:5

he could there do no mighty work] Because of their unbelief, v. 6. Matthew 13:58. Our unbelief doth as it were binde Gods hands from doing us good, as v. 2.

Mark 6:6

And he went round about] Matthew 9:35. Luke 13. 22.

Mark 6:7

And he calleth] Matthew 10:1.

began to send them forth] The twelve are prepared to that generall apostleship by a peculiar sending forth.

over unclean spirits] Gr. of the spirits that are unclean: that is, over all devils.

Mark 6:8

that they should take nothing] Faithfull pastours ought not to have their mindes set, no not on things that are necessary for this life, if they may be an hinderance unto them, be it never so little.

no money] The word signifieth a piece of brasse money, in value somewhat lesse then a farthing, Matthew 10:9. But here it is taken in generall for money, which, in most common use, was of brasse, as in Spain and some other countreys it is still at this day: unlesse the meaning be, They should not take so much as a farthing.

in their purse] Gr. in, or into, or upon their girdle.

Mark 6:9

But be shod with sandals] Having nothing but soles, and buckled over the foot.

not put on two coats] That is, they should take no change of garments with them, that they might be lighter for this journey, and make more speed.

Mark 6:10

there abide] Change not your lodgings in this short journey.

Mark 6:11

And whosoever shall not receive you] Matthew 10:14.

shake off the dust] Acts 13:51.

it shall be more tolerable for Sodom] The Lord is a most severe revenger of the neglect of the Gospel.

Mark 6:13

anointed with oil] James 5. 14. That oil was a token and signe of his marvellous vertue: And seeing that the gift of healing is ceased a good while since; the ceremonie, which is yet retained of some, is to no purpose.

Mark 6:14

And king Herod] Matthew 14:1.

king Herod heard of him] The Gospel confirmeth the godly, and vexeth the wicked.

therefore mighty works] The word signifieth, powers, whereby is meant, the power of working miracles.

Mark 6:15

as one of the prophets] Next door to a prophet.

Mark 6:16

But when Herod heard] Luke 3. 19.

whom I beheaded] Caused to be beheaded.

Mark 6:18

It is not lawfull for thee] Leviticus 18:16.

Mark 6:19

a quarrel against him] Or, an inward grudge; and therefore sought all means to do him hurt.

Mark 6:20

observed him] Gr. kept him, or saved him.

and heard him gladly] The tyrant was well content to hear Grods word; but the seed fell upon stony ground.

Mark 6:22

the daughter of the said Herodias] Which Herodias had not by this Herodes Antipas, but by Philip: and Josephus calls her Salome.

Mark 6:24

And she went forth] For women used not to sit at table with men.

Mark 6:27

an execuioner] Or, one of his guard. That word signisith, one that beareth a dart: and the kings guard was so called, because they did bear darts. Others say, that they were called so, because they cut off mens heads with a sword.

Mark 6:30

And the apostles] Luke 9. 10. It may be they were afraied at the tidings of Johns death, and durst not preach abroad any longer; but came back to Christ, as to tell him what they had done, so to know what they should do.

Mark 6:31

Come ye your selves] Come ye alone; having dismissed the people.

apart into a desert place] To retire and refresh your selves.

no pleasure] Or, fit opportunity, as v. 21.

Mark 6:32

And they departed] Mtth. 14. 13.

Mark 6:33

an a foot] Gr. ran afot together.

Mark 6:34

And Jesus] Matthew 9:36.

Mark 6:35

And when the day] Matthew 14:15.

Mark 6:37

Shall we go and buy] This is a kinde of demand, a distrustfully speaking of a thing that could not be compassed. So Num. 11. 21, 22.

two unbed peny-worth of bread] Which is about twenty crowns, which is five pound.

pny-worth] The Romane peny is seven pence half-peny; as Matthew 18:28.

Mark 6:39

by companies] Word for word, by banquets lanquets, after the manner of the Hebrews, who have no distributives, as chap. 6. 7. Now he calleth the rowes of the sitters banquets.

Mark 6:40

they sate down] Gr. the fell down.

in ranks] The word signifierth, the beds in a garden; and it is word for word, by beds and leds; meaning thereby, that they sate down in rowes one by another, as beds in garden.

Mark 6:43

of the fragments] Of broken bread, and remainders of the fish.

Mark 6:45

him] Or, it.

Mark 6:46

when he had sent them away] The people, v. 45. for his disciples were gone before, and he stayed some time after, to dismisse the people.

Mark 6:47

And when even was come] Matthew 14:23.

Mark 6:48

toyling in rowing] The faithfull servants of God, beside their labours, are subject to great tempests, which Christ doth so moderate, being present in power when he is absent in body, that he bringeth them to an happie haven, at such time and by such means as they looked not for. A lively image of the Church tossed to an fro in this world.

and would have passed by them] Made them believe so, to make them the more afraid, that the deliverance might be the more welcome.

Mark 6:49

a spirit] Gr. an apparition; as Matthew 14:26.

Mark 6:51

beyen mesure] More then they were when they saw him walk on the water, because they saw the winde and sea now obey him, and be still.

Mark 6:52

they considered not the miracle] These miracles seemed new and strange unto them, because they had not well considered the former.

Mark 6:53

And when they had passed over] Math. 14. 34.

Mark 6:54

straightway they knew him] Christ being rejected in his own countrey, and arrived upon a sudden amongst them of whom he was not looked for, is received to their great profit.