Mark 3

Chap. III. Ver. 1—35. ‘‘Acts of mercy and charity can never be unseasonable; for it is as lawful ‘to do good’ to man, as it is proper to attend on the worship of God on the Lord’s day. But selfish and malicious men are especially glad to find something to condemn in those who are labouring to promote the salvation of souls, and to show the vanity of their assumed appearances of religion. While we steadily persevere in doing good, notwithstanding opposition, we may properly express an indignant abhorrence of wickedness; but it should be connected with compassion for the persons of opposers, and earnest desires of their salvation. We shall commonly find, that the rage and enmity of proud enemies will increase, in proportion as the power and grace of Christ are glorified; and that unbelievers of the most opposite sentiments and characters, will combine against the cause of evangelical godliness: but if we be at any time compelled to retire from their persecuting rage, we ought to seek for other scenes and opportunities of ‘If we were as earnest as our Lord, and ‘instant in season

Notes on the verses

May it not be reasonably concluded, that the information is here given to teach Christians…. that they are not warranted to pronounce on what passes in the hearts of others.” Ver. 14. Levi the son of Alpheus.—Evidently the same person as Matthew. See (Matthew 9:9), and compare (Luke 5:29). Ver. 15. In his house—That is, the house of Matthew, or Levi, who made a feast soon after he had been called, and invited his old acquaintances to come to see his new master. This might be a dangerous example to many persons; but we remember an instance somewhat similar in the life of the pious Col. Gardiner, who, after his conversion, finding that his former friends considered him as mad, invited them to meet him; and pleaded the cause of religion with such strength of reasoning, that one cut short the argument with; “We thought this man mad, and he is in good earnest proving us to Ver.

16—22. When the scribes, &c.—For the parallel histories to this, see (Matthew 9:10-17). “Superstitious and hypocritical persons, rashly place the sum of piety in things of an indifferent nature…. Not considering what the strength of each person can bear, they rashly enact any kind of laws about these things without discretion:… and they make no distinction between the laws which God made concerning them, and laws against things in themselves unlawful…. And they prefer the ceremonial law… to the moral; when, on the contrary, they ought to seek from the latter the true use of the ceremonial law.””—T. Scott. Ver. 23-28. And it came to pass.—See the parallel passage, (Matthew 12:1-8). Ver. 26. Abjathar the high priest.—[It appears from the passage referred to here, that Ahimelech was then high priest at Nob; and from other passages, that Abjathar was his son.

Various conjectures have been formed in order to solve this difficulty; and some, instead of untying, have cut the knot, by pronouncing it an interpolation. The most probable opinion seems to be, that both father and son had two names, the father being also called Abiathar; and this appears almost certain from (2 Samuel 8:17). 1 Ch. xviii. 16, where Ahimelech seems evidently termed Abiathar, while Abiathar is called Ahimelech or Abimelech. Compare (1 Kings 2:26-27).)— Bagster. Ver. 27. The sabbath.—The sabbath was made for the benefit and profit of man, not for mere external rest. x Chap. III. Ver. 1—12. And he entered again, &c.—The parallel passage to this will be found (Matthew 12:9-15). Ver. 4.

Is it lawful to do good, or to do evil, &c.—Dr. Campbell remarks, that in the style of Scripture, the mere negation of any thing is often expressed by the affirmation. Hence he infers, Not to do good when we can, is to do evil: not to save, (when we have opportunity,) is to kill. Ver. 5. With anger.—[With anger at their desperate malice and wickedness, and with commiseration for the calamities which they would thereby bring on themselves.]—Bagster. Ver. 8. From Idumea.—Hyrcanus, more than 150 years before this, compelled the Idumeans to be circumcised. See Josephus’ Antiq. bk. xiii Chap. 9. Ver. 10. Plagues.—Campbell, “Maladies.” (Matthew 10:1-4). Ver. 13—19. And he goeth up, &c.—For the parallel narrative to this, see Ver.

17. Boanerges, the sons of thunder.—This term has been generally mistaken, as implying that John and James were noisy preachers, of which there is neither proof nor probability. According to the Hebrew idiom, lightning is the son of thunder, and may represent their natural quickness of temper, of which we have a remarkable instance, (Luke 9:54-55). Ver. 18. Canaanite.—So called from the Heb. kana, to be zealous. Whence he is also called Zelotes, from a Greek word which means to be zealous. Ver. 21. He is beside himself.—But who were the friends that said this? Campbell, “His kinsmen,” or other members of the family, who did not cordially believe on him; and who were disconcerted by not having their meals. Ver. 20. He is beside himself, or “out of his wits,” as we say; Doddridge, “transported beyond himself.” Compare (John 10:20). Ver. 22—30. And the scribes, &c.—The parallel to this passage may be found (Matthew 12:22-33). Ver. 29. Is in danger of eternal damnation.—Campbell, “Liable to eternal punishment.” The Greek word (krisis) is used both for condemnation and subsequent punishment. Ver. 30. Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.—“Is it not astonishing (says Wesley) that men who have ever read these words, should doubt what is the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost? Can any words declare more plainly, that it is the ascribing those miracles to the power of the devil, which Christ wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost?”

Ver. 31—35. There came then his brethren and his mother.—We are not to suppose that his mother joined in the [implying] of his being beside himself; but she might be alarmed for his health, from his exertions and long fasting. Compare parallel, (Matthew 12:46-50).