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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 1:38

Verse 38 Mark1:38.For on this account I came out. Luke 4:43.For on this account am I sent. These words deserve our attention: for they contain a declaration of his earnest desire to fulfill his office. But it will perhaps be asked, is it better that the ministers of the Gospel should run here and there, to give only a slight and partial taste of it in each place, or that they should remain, and instruct perfectly the hearers whom they have once obtained? I reply. The design of Christ, which is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:21-39

The illustrative example of Christ's work. No sooner is the great work begun than a strikingly illustrative example of its true character and beneficent power is presented. It was in Capernaum, which, so far from being "exalted unto heaven," would hear the curse, "Thou shalt go down unto Hades." And it was "the sabbath day;" therefore of a surety "he straightway … entered into the synagogue." Now, in his "Father's house," he is doing the great work he came to do, "to bear witness of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:32-39

Parallel passages: Matthew 8:16 , Matthew 8:17 ; Matthew 4:23-25 ; Luke 4:40-44 .— A Physician for both body and soul. I. CURES OF DISEASED PERSONS AND DEMONIACS . 1 . The time specified. It was now evening, and the sun had just set; and so the sabbath—for it was the sabbath day, as we know from Luke 4:21 —was considered past. The people now felt at liberty, without encroaching on the sacred rest of that holy day, to bring their sick for healing. Another... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:35-39

Prayer and work. We are told concerning our Divine Lord, that "it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren." This indeed is implied in his designation, "Son of man." Our nature is both contemplative and active; the life of a religious man is distinguished alike by devout meditation and communion with God, and by consecrated and energetic labour in God's service. It was the same with our great Leader. The passage before us presents the Lord Jesus in both these aspects,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:36

And Simon and they that were with him followed after him κατεδίωξαν the word implies an "earnest pursuing." They that were with him would doubtless include Andrew and James and John, and probably others whose enthusiasm had been kindled by Simon Peter. St. Luke, in the parallel passage ( Luke 4:42 ). tells us that "the multitudes sought after him, and came unto him, and would have stayed him, that he should not go from them." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:37

All are seeking thee . The "thee" is here emphatic ( πάντες ζητοῦσίσε ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:37

Seeking Jesus. "All are seeking thee." It is man's nature to seek. Men are seeking many things. Some things they seek and find, other things they seek in vain, whilst there are things they seek, first to find and then to lose again. The impulses of our constitution respond to the appeals made from without. There is a mysterious personal attraction which renders some men the object of the quest of their fellows. But none has ever so been sought as was and is the Lord Jesus. Men, when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 1:38-39

These two verses indicate the extent and duration of our Lord's first missionary journey. It must have been considerable. He preached in the synagogues. This would be on successive sabbaths. According to Josephus, Galilee was a densely populated district, with upwards of two hundred villages, each containing several thousand inhabitants. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 1:35-37

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day - Luke says Luke 4:42, “when it was day.” The passage in Mark means, in the original, not literally “a great while before day,” but very early, or while there was yet “much appearance of night.” The place in Luke means “at daybreak,” at the beginning of day. Then, also, there is much appearance of night; and Luke and Mark therefore refer to the same time before it was fully light, or just at daybreak.And departed into a solitary place, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 1:38

And he said unto them ... - This was said in answer to their “implied” request that he would go and meet the multitudes. “Since the anxiety to hear the truth is so great, since such multitudes are waiting to hear the word, let us go into the next towns,” etc.Next towns - Towns in the neighborhood or vicinity of Capernaum. He proposed to carry the gospel to them, rather than that multitudes should leave their homes and attend him in his ministry. The word here rendered “towns” denotes places in... read more

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