Mark 6

They are seldom wholly exempt from convictions of their own guilt, and they are often unable to exclude the dread of divine vengeance. “Did men value the health of their souls as they do that of their bodies, and had they strong faith in the Redeemer’s power and grace, they would flock to him from villages and cities, sparing neither trouble nor inconvenience, and beseeching him, that they might be enabled in faith to ‘touch even the hem of his garment;’ for certainly those who thus apply to him, will be made whole of their most inveterate diseases.

Notes on the verses

Chap. VI. Ver. 1—56. ‘‘The servants of Christ must go forth in his name, every where ‘preaching, that men should repent, and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance;’ and enforcing their exhortations both by the terrors of the law, and by the encouraging truths and promises of the gospel. In this way we may hope that our labours will be blessed, to turn many ‘from darkness unto light, and the power of Satan.’ Ver. 5. And he could there do no mighty work, &c.—‘We are not to understand…. as if the power of Christ was here disarmed; but rather…. that they brought few sick people to him for cure.” Doddridge; who remarks also, that, so far as appears, ‘‘he never after this returned to Nazareth.”’ Ver.

8. A staff only.—Not staves. [St. Matthew says, that they were to take “neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves;” but this precept plainly means, ‘‘Go just as you are; take no other coat, shoes, or staff, than what ye already have.’”’}—Bagster. Perhaps the meaning is, that they were only, like Jacob, to take a staff for support in travelling, ((Genesis 32:10),) but no weapons of hostility. Ver. 9. But be shod with sandals.—[The sandal consisted only of a sole, catered about the foot and ankle with straps.]—Bagster. Matthew inhibits _Ver. 13. And anointed with oil many that were sick.—This is not mentioned by either of the other Evangelists; but it is evident from (James 5:14). that in the age of miracles, oil was thus employed; yet the reason of this, as of many other things in Scripture, we are not able to assign.

Ver. 14—29. And king Herod, &c.—Matthew’s account of this (pages) event may be found (Matthew 14:6-12); some things are here stated more fully, as mentioned in the following notes. Ver. 15. Others said, That it is Elias.—Compare (Matthew 16:14).—Or as one of the prophets—Meaning, of the Old Testament. Ver. 20. And observed him.—Campbell, ‘“Protected him;” i.e. from Herodias, by whose means he had been arrested.—Heard him gladly.—The pleasure with which many hear the gospel, is no proof of the benefit they derive from it. He heard him gladly, perhaps, in all things, but his reproofs, for Herodias still lay in his bosom. Ver. 27. Sent an executioner.—[As sentinels kept guard at the palaces of kings, and the residences of Roman governors, so they were employed in other offices besides guarding, and usually performed that of executioners.

As, however, we learn from Josephus, that Herod was at this very time engaged in war with Aretas king of Arabia, in consequence of Herod having divorced his daughter in order to marry Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; and as this event occurred at an entertainment given at the castle of Macherus, while his army was on its march against his father-in-law, we are furnished with an additional reason why a sentinel should have been employed as an executioner; and are thus enabled to discover such a latent and undesigned coincidence, as clearly evinces the truth of the evangelical narrative. See Bp. Marsh’s Lectures.]—Bagster. Ver. 30—46. And the apostles, &c.—The first two verses of this paragraph (not in Matthew) show that our Lord was much more anxious for the rest and refreshment of his disciples than for his own.

The parallel verses to the remainder of the section may be found (Matthew 14:13-36). Ver. 33. Said them departing—That is, though they said nothing, and proceeded as quietly as might be, still the people perceived they were preparing to wait. Knew him.—Jebb and Priestley, ‘it;” i.e. the place, or the fact that they were going.—A foot—Or “by land.” See note on (Matthew 14:13). Ver. 34. As sheep not having, &c.—See (Matthew 9:36). Ver. 40. They sat down in ranks.—Campbell, ‘In squares,” like plats, or square flower beds in a garden. See Ecclus. xxiv. 31.—[It is generally supposed, that they were so arranged as to be a hundred in rank or depth, and fifty in front, or file; which would make the number just five thousand; and will reconcile this account with St.

Luke’s, who only speaks of their sitting down by Ver. 44. Were about.—Campbell says, “‘We have the authority of all the best MSS., editions, and versions, for rejecting the word (osez) ‘about.” Ver. 45. Bethsaida.—{Bethsaida, according to Josephus, was situated on the sea of Gennesareth, in the lower Gaulonitis, (consequently on the east of the lake, as Pliny states,) and at the beginning of the mountainous country and it was raised from a village to the honour of a city by Philip, and called Julias in honour of the emperor’s daughter. Some learned men, however, are of opinion, that the Bethsaida mentioned in the gospels was a different place and that it was situated on the western shore of the sea of Tiberias, in Galilee, near Chorazin and Capernaum, with which it is associated; ((Matthew 11:21, 23). (John 12:21).) and Bishop Pococke mentions the ruins of a town or large village in the plain of Huttin, about two miles west of the lake, still bearing the name of Baitsida, which he thinks occupies its site.}—Bagster. Ver. 48. Would have passed—That is, he made as if he would. Ver. 51. Sore amazed, &c.—Doddridge, “Exceedingly amazed in themselves, and astonished beyond measure.” i Bagster. Ver. 52. Their heart was hardened.—Campbell, “‘Stupified,”” which is undoubtedly the sense. Ver. 54. They knew him—That is, the people of Gennesaret did. Ver. 55. Carry about in beds.—Not feather beds; but a sort of mats, mattresses, or common carpets, carried upon hurdles.