Mark 5

Mark 5:7

That seeing they may see. Matthew gives this saying more fully and clearly. See notes on Matthew 13:13,14.

Mark 5:16

Is a candle . . . put under a bushel? The Jews used lamps instead of candles. These were set on, not a candlestick, but a light stand. See PNT Matthew 5:15. It is possible that these words, as well as Mr 4:24, were not spoken on this day, but borrowed from the Sermon on the Mount, because they are parables of a certain kind.

Mark 5:19

Take heed what ye hear. Lu 8:18 says, “‘How’ you hear”. Both admonitions are very important. Our ears should be deaf to evil counsel. We should hear attentively, earnestly and devoutly the word of the Lord.

Mark 5:21

So is the kingdom of God. This parable is given only by Mark, but its general lesson is enforced by parallel passages, e.g. Isaiah 55:10,11 Jas 5:7,8 1 Peter 1:23-25. In the kingdom of grace, as in nature, we are laborers together with God; the results of our work depend on him, and for the perfection of these results he takes his own time (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). Hence, (1) it is ours to sow the seed (the truth), his to give it growth; (2) having sown, we are to wait for time and God to perfect it; (3) this he does according to the definite order of development–first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear; (4) not until there has been time for the development, are we to expect to reap. The lesson is one of trust and hope. Should cast seed. The word of God, the Gospel.

Mark 5:22

Should sleep, and rise, etc. While giving the seed sown time to germinate and come forth.

Mark 5:23

First the blade. There is a law of orderly development in natural growth, so also is it in reference to spiritual growth. Compare 1 John 2:12-14. Some growths are quicker than others, but in all there is “growth”. And we have no right to look for the end at the beginning, the ripened Christian experience in the young convert, the full corn in the first appearance of the blade. Observe, too, that we can know that “there is growth” by its results, though we know not “how”, and that each stage of the growth is more apparent than the preceding stage.

Mark 5:24

Immediately he putteth in the sickle. The time of harvest is when the fruit is ripe; in this instance when the word had produced faith, repentance and obedience. Then those who exhibit the fruit are to be gathered into the church.

Mark 5:26

Like a grain of mustard seed. See note on Matthew 13:31-35. Compare Lu 13:18-19.

Mark 5:29

Without a parable, etc. See notes on Matthew 13:36-43.

Mark 5:30

The same day. The days the parables were uttered. Unto the other side. Of the sea of Galilee.

Mark 5:32

There arose a great storm of wind. See notes on Matthew 8:23-27. Compare Lu 8:22-25. The Sea of Galilee lies 600 feet below the level of the Mediterranean and has a tropical climate. Only a short distance north are the high mountains of Lebanon. The heated air about the sea invites the rush of cold waves from the mountains.

Mark 5:36

They feared exceedingly. The disciples in the boat. Such an astounding display of power, the control of the storm in which are as helpless as infants, filled them with awe. What manner of being could he be whom storm, wind, and sea obeyed? They had not yet learned that the word which the sea obeyed was the word in obedience to which the world itself was made.

Mark 5:38

Healing the Afflicted SUMMARY OF MARK 5: In the Country of the Gadarenes. The Fierce Demoniac. The Demons and the Swine. The Gadarenes Do Not Wish Jesus. The Preacher in Decapolis. Jesus Again in Capernaum. The Daughter of Jairus. The Woman with the Issue of Blood. Healed by Faith. The Dead Damsel Made Alive. They came over unto the other side. After the storm. Into the country of the Gadarenes. Matthew in the parallel account says “Gergesenes” (Matthew 8:28). The explanation is easy. Gerasa, a town whose modern name is Gersa, stood on the southeast shore of the sea, while Gadara, the chief city of the district, was south about seven or eight miles. As the capital of the district, “the country of the Gadarenes” embraced Gerasa and its vicinity.

Mark 5:39

There met him out of the tombs. The tombs are still seen in the cliff near Gersa. For notes on demoniacal possession and this account see Matthew 8:28-33. Compare Lu 8:26-39.

Mark 5:40

Dwelling among the tombs. The tombs of that age were either natural or artificial caves in a rocky hillside, and hence would afford shelter. They are now sometimes the homes of the poorer classes. No man could bind him. Modern lunatics in their frenzy often exhibit almost superhuman strength.