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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 8:27-38

We have read a great deal of the doctrine Christ preached, and the miracles he wrought, which were many, and strange, and well-attested, of various kinds, and wrought in several places, to the astonishment of the multitudes that were eye-witnesses of them. It is now time for us to pause a little, and to consider what these things mean; the wondrous works which Christ then forbade the publishing of, being recorded in these sacred writings, are thereby published to all the world, to us, to all... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 8:34-35

8:34-35 He called the crowd to him, together with his disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and let him take up his cross, and let him follow me." This part of Mark's gospel is so near the heart and centre of the Christian faith that we must take it almost sentence by sentence. If each day a man could go out with only one of these sentences locked in his heart and dominating his life, it would be far more than enough to be going on with. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 8:34

And when he had called the people unto him ,.... Who, it seems, followed him out of Galilee, from Bethsaida, and these parts; for it was in the way from thence to Caesarea Philippi, that Christ had this conversation with his disciples; who walked together alone, the multitude following at some distance; and the private conversation being ended, Christ called, or beckoned to the people, to come nearer to him: with his disciples also ; for what he was about to say, concerned them both: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 8:34

Whosoever will come after me - It seems that Christ formed, on the proselytism of the Jews, the principal qualities which he required in the proselytes of his covenant. The first condition of proselytism among the Jews was, that he that came to embrace their religion should come voluntarily, and that neither force nor influence should be employed in this business. This is also the first condition required by Jesus Christ, and which he considers as the foundation of all the rest: - If a man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:27-34

Parallel passages: Matthew 16:13-24 ; Luke 9:18-23 .— Christ's prediction of his death and rebuke of Peter. This section will be considered in connection with a like prediction in the following (ninth) chapter of this Gospel.—J.J.G. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:31-38

Unwelcome prophecies. I. PLAIN TRUTHS SELDOM WELCOME . He now spoke of suffering, rejection, even murder, at the hands of a conspiracy. The veil was drawn aside; at last it was seen what the Messiahship of Jesus meant. The same thing had before been expressed parabolically ( John 2:19 ; John 3:14 ; John 6:51 ). II. THE FLATTERY OF FRIENDSHIP . The honest-hearted Peter is endeared to us. He is so human; his feelings always on the right side, his intelligence often... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:34

He called unto him the multitude with his disciples . This shows that there was an interval between what had just taken place and what is now recorded. Our Lord now, without any further special reference to St. Peter, delivers a lesson of universal application; although, no doubt, he had Peter in his mind . If any man would ( εἴ τις θέλει ) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me . This self-denial ought to extend to everything, even to life itself,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:34-38

The worldling and the Christian: a contrast. Our Lord had just foretold his own sufferings, and now he goes on to speak of his requirement—that his disciples should be willing to follow him in the way of the cross. Soon they would be involved in persecution and trials, which they would be unprepared to meet unless they had wholly surrendered themselves to him. He never hid from his disciples what it would cost them to follow him. Again and again, when there were signs of defection on the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 8:27-38

See this passage illustrated in the notes at Matthew 16:13-28.Mark 8:32He spake that saying openly - With boldness or confidence, or without parables or figures, so that there could be no possibility of misunderstanding him.Mark 8:38Ashamed of me - Ashamed to own attachment to me on account of my lowly appearance and my poverty.And of my words - My doctrines, my instructions.This adulterous and sinful generation - This age given to wickedness, particularly to adultery.In the glory of his Father... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 8:34-38

Mark 8:34-38. When he had called the people unto him To hear a truth of the last importance, and one that equally concerned them all; whosoever will come after me And be a disciple of mine, entitled to all the privileges and blessings which belong to my disciples in this world and the next; let him deny himself His own will, in all things, great and small, however pleasing, and that continually; and take up his cross Embrace the will of God, however painful, daily, hourly,... read more

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