Mark 4
DOYLYChap. V. ver. 1.—the country of the Gadarenes.] See note at Matt. viii. 28.
There is reason to suppose that the modern town of M’kess is the ancient Gadara. This town is situated on the southern bank of a river culled the Shariat Manadra, which falls into the river Jordan below the lake of Tiberias. It was formerly a large and opulent town, proofs of which are still visible in remnants of marble columns, and of large buildings, in great numbers of sarcophaguses, ornamented with bas-reliefs, with carved work and garlands, which are still tolerably perfect. Many beautiful, vast, and very remarkable caverns are seen hereabouts, which serve as places of retreat for five or six families of Arabs. The country about M’kess bears the name of Al-jedur, which is probably derived from Jadar, or Gadara. Seetzen.
Mark 4:10
- — when he was alone.] When He was in private: when the multitude were gone away, and none left with Him but His constant followers. Bps. Pearce and Mann.
Mark 4:11
- — unto them that are without.] This appellation the Jewawere accustomed to give to the heathens. Dr. Whitty.
Mark 4:12
- That seeing they may see, &c.] St. Matthew (chap. xiii. 13.) gives the words, “because they seeing see not:” and his expression explains the meaning of this passage of St. Mark. It is not meant that our Saviour spoke to them in parables with the design that they should not perceive nor understand; but He foreknew that this would be the case, by reason of their obstinate prejudices against Him and His doctrine; and therefore He would not suffer them to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. Bp. Pearce. — lest at any time they should be &c.] So that they should not at any time be converted. He speaks of the effect which would follow from their hardness of heart. St. Matthew (chap. xiii. 15.) supplies the words which make up the full sense, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, &c. — lest at any time they should see” &c. Bp. Pearce. From their voluntary hardening their hearts, God withdrew His grace, and the means which He would otherwise have afforded them, and which He did afford to others. Dr. Hammond. The saying is somewhat proverbial, and is applied to those who might see, if they would make use of their faculties, what they overlook through their inattention and folly. Le Clerc.
Mark 4:13
- — how then will ye know &c.] As ye understand not the meaning of so easy a similitude as this, how will ye understand the meaning of other harder parables? Dr. S. Clarke.
Mark 4:21
- — Is a candle brought &c.] Our Saviour had used words nearly the same as these in a different sense at Matt. v. 15. He means here, that the word of God, which is intended for a lantern to our feet, and a light to our paths, is delivered in parables, not that it may be concealed by those to whom it is delivered, but that, the attention being employed with the greater diligence to observe the intended application, the same may be more clearly understood and more deeply imprinted on the mind. Bp. Mann.
Mark 4:22
- For there is nothing hid, &c.] He means, that the things which He now tells them privately ought to Anno DOMINI 31. The parable of the mustard seed. Christ stilleth a tempest. Anno DOMINI 31. any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
Mark 4:24
24.—with what measure ye mete, &c.] This seems to be a proverbial expression, here applied in a spiritual sense. If you make a good use of religious knowledge, you will, by the grace of God, make a proportional improvement; if you be negligent or inattentive, you will lose that portion of knowledge you might have secured to yourselves. Bp. Mann.
—unto you that hear] To you that are attentive. Dr. Campbell.
Mark 4:26
26.—So is the kingdom of God.] This parable (ver. 26—29.) is related only by St. Mark. It seems to mean, that as the seed, after it is once sown, without any further knowledge or care of the husbandman, grows up and increases by secret and imperceptible
Mark 4:29
- But when the fruit is brought forth, &c.] “At the time of harvest, when the corn is grown ripe.” See the margin. So, at the end of the world, Christ will again visibly appear, to take to Himself and reward those who have received His doctrine, and brought forth the fruits of it. Dr. S. Clarke.
Mark 4:33
33.—as they were able to hear it.] That is, by degrees discovering the truth to them, as they were capable of bearing it. Dr. S. Clarke.
Mark 4:35
- And the same day,] In the original, “In that day,” meaning probably on some day about the same time of His teaching. St. Matthew (chap. viii. 23.) represents what follows as happening at a different time from the preceding events. Grotius, Bp. Pearce.
Mark 4:37
37.—that it was now full.] That there was now a considerable quantity of water in it. Bp. Pearce.
Anno DOMINI 31. 1 Matt. 13. 34.