In those days - But instead of εν εκειναις ταις ἡμεραις , many of the best MSS. and versions read, εν εκεινῃ τῃ ἡμερᾳ , in that day; viz. the day in which Jesus Christ should be delivered up to the Jews and Gentiles. Mill and Bengel approve of this reading, and Griesbach adopts it. The former part of the verse seems to vindicate the common reading. read more
No man - seweth - See Matthew 9:16 . No man seweth a piece of unscoured cloth upon an old garment. In the common editions this verse begins with και , and, but this is omitted by almost every MS. and version of note. The construction of the whole verse is various in the MSS. The translation given here, and in Matthew 9:16 , is intelligible, and speaks for itself. read more
Went through the corn fields - See on Matthew 12:1 ; (note). read more
The days of Abiathar the high priest - It appears from 1 Samuel 21:1 , which is the place referred to here, that Ahimelech was then high priest at Nob: and from 1 Samuel 22:20 ; 1 Samuel 23:6 , and 1 Chronicles 18:16 , it appears that Abiathar was the son of Ahimelech. The Persic reads Abimelech instead of Abiathar. Theophylact supposes that Abiathar was the priest, and Ahimelech or Abimelech the high priest, and thus endeavors to reconcile both the sacred historians. Others... read more
The Sabbath was made for man - That he might have the seventh part of his whole time to devote to the purposes of bodily rest and spiritual exercises. And in these respects it is of infinite use to mankind. Where no Sabbath is observed, there disease, poverty, and profligacy, generally prevail. Had we no Sabbath, we should soon have no religion. This whole verse is wanting in the Codex Bezae, and in five of the Itala. read more
The Son of man is Lord - See on Matthew 12:7 , Matthew 12:8 ; (note). Some have understood this as applying to men in general, and not to Christ. The Son of man, any man is Lord of the Sabbath; i.e. it was made for him, for his ease, comfort, and use, and to these purposes he is to apply it. But this is a very harsh, and at the same time a very lax, mode of interpretation; for it seems to say that a man may make what use he pleases of the Sabbath; and, were this true, the moral... read more
Verse 24 Mark 2:24.Why do they on the Sabbath what is not lawful? The Pharisees do not blame the disciples of Christ for plucking ears of corn from a field that was not their own, but for violating the Sabbath; as if there had been a precept to this effect, that famishing men ought rather to die than to satisfy their hunger. Now the only reason for keeping the Sabbath was, that the people, by sanctifying themselves to God, might be employed in true and spiritual worship; and next, that, being... read more
Verse 27 Mark 2:27.The Sabbath was made for man. This Fifth argument is related by Mark alone. The general meaning is, that those persons judge amiss who turn to man’s destruction, (83) the Sabbath which God appointed for his benefit. The Pharisees saw the disciples of Christ employed in a holy work; they saw them worn out with the fatigue of the journey, and partly with want of food; and yet are offended that, when they are hungry, they take a few grains of corn for the support of their... read more
The first sentence of this verse is better rendered thus: And when he entered again ( εἰσελθῶν πάλιν ) into Capernaum after some days; literally, after days ( δι ̓ ἡμερῶν ). It is probable that a considerable interval had taken place since the events recorded in the former chapter. It was noised that he was in the house ( ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστὶ ); or, if the ὅτι be regarded as recitative, it was noised, He is in the house , at home , in his usual... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 2:19
Can the children of the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? - Among the Hindoos, large parties of friends, belonging both to the bride and bridegroom, attend on both during the wedding day; on the following day, when the bridegroom leaves the house of his father-in-law, the attendants are filled with sorrow, especially the near relations. - Ward's Customs. read more