Chap. I. ver. 1. Forasmuch as many &c.] It appears from these words, that before St. Luke wrote his Gospel, there had been many accounts of Jesus published, which were agreeable to the information received by the first Christians, from “the eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word,” ver. 2. Bp. Pearce.

Mark 1:3

3. — having had perfect understanding] The literal translation of the words in the original is, “Having diligently traced out all things from the beginning;” that is, having gotten from eyewitnesses an exact account of all those things which happened, &c. Bp. Pearce.

— in order.] We must refer this expression to all the main circumstances of the history, the conception, birth, circumcision, death, resurrection, &c.; all which he truly details “in order.” Dr. Whitby.

— most excellent Theophilus.] Who this Theophilus was, to whom St. Luke addresses his Gospel, is wholly unknown.

Mark 1:4

4. — they uncovered the roof &c.] It seems that, when they were unable to carry the paralytick by the door to Jesus, by reason of the crowd, they brought him to the flat roof of the house by the stairs on the outside: when they were there, they forced open the door which led to the inside of the house, and so conveyed him to Jesus: this is called “uncovering the roof;” because the door, lying even with the roof, was a part of it when it was laid down and shut. Bp. Pearce. Or perhaps the form of houses in Palestine now subsisting may suggest a somewhat different explanation. The houses, being low and flat-roofed, consisting generally of a ground-floor only, or one upper story, are built round a paved court, into which the entrance from the street is through a gateway: the stairs which lead to the roof are usually in this gateway. It is customary to fix cords from the parapet walls (Deut. xxii. 8.) of the flat roofs across this court, and upon them to expand a vail or covering, as a shelter from the heat. Perhaps it was in this area that our Saviour taught: the paralytick was brought to the roof by making a way through the crowd to the stairs in the gateway, or by the terraces of the adjoining houses: they then rolled back the vail or covering, and let the sick man down over the parapet of the roof into the area or court of the house where Jesus was. Dr. Shaw.

5. — wherein thou hast been instructed.] The words may be more properly translated, “wherein thou hast been catechized;” which implies, that St. Luke’s Gospel is an historical exposition of the catechism which Theophilus had learned when he was first made a Christian. We have more, then, than the mere testimony of St. Luke for the facts which he relates; we have the express information from him that these facts formed the catechetical instructions which were learnt by the early converts to Christianity. Bp. Horsley.

Mark 1:5

5. — perceived in his spirit] Perceived by the spirit that was in Him. Bp. Pearce.

6. — Herod, the king of Judea.] Herod the Great. See note at Matt. ii. 1.

— of the course of Abia:] The Priests were divided into twenty-four courses by David, as is specially recorded at 1 Chron. xxiv. These courses served under the first temple and continued in their ministry till the Babylonish captivity; but it is generally allowed that not more than four of them returned from that captivity. Every one of these courses ministered its week from sabbath to sabbath. The course which went out did not depart till the sabbath was over, and that which came in, entered when it began. Lewis. Abia or Abijah is mentioned at 1 Chron. xxiv. 10, as the eighth in course.

— of the daughters of Aaron.] It was lawful for a priest to marry into any of the tribes of Israel; see Esra ii. 61; 2 Chron. xxii. 11; but more commendable to take one of the line of the priests. Dr. Lightfoot.

Mark 1:6

6. — righteous before God.] Eminent for their singular piety and integrity. Dr. S. Clarke.

Mark 1:9

9. — his lot was to burn incense] See note at 1 Chron. xxiv. 1, where it is stated that the priests in each course had their particular part in the temple service assigned to them by lot.

— into the temple of the Lord.] Into the sanctuary where was the altar of incense, and where the law required that the priest should burn incense morning and evening, Exod. xxx. 6—8. When the priests went into the sanctuary to offer incense, notice was given by the sound of a small bell that it was the time of prayer, and

Mark 1:22

22. And they were astonished &c.] See notes at Matt. vii. 28, 29. 24. — to destroy us? To take away our power over mankind. — the Holy One of God.] The Messiah, the Son of God. Dr. S. Clarke.

Mark 1:26

26. — had torn him.] Had shaken or convulsed him. It appears from Luke iv. 35, that “he hurt him not.” Bp. Pearce.

Mark 1:32

32. — at even, when the sun did set.] The reason why they brought the diseased persons at even, and when the sun did set, seems to have been, that then the sabbath was past, and no objection could be made to their bringing them to be healed. Bp. Pearce.

Mark 1:41

41. — I will; be thou clean.] See note at Matt. viii. 3.

Mark 1:44

44. — See thou say nothing to any man:] Instead of accepting that due tribute of esteem and veneration, which must naturally attend the opening His divine commis-

Christ healeth one sick of the palsy.

Amo DOMINI 31. way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

p Luke 5. 15. 45 p But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

CHAP. II.

Mark 1:45

45. — could no more openly] Did not think it proper to enter openly any more into the city, Capernaum, called “His own city” by St. Matthew, chap. ix. 1. Bp. Pearce.

Chap. II. ver. 3. — which was borne of four.] So helpless, that he had four persons to carry him. Bp. Mann. Respecting this transaction of the paralytick, see notes at Matt. ix. 1—8.