Jesus raises to life CHAPTER VI. the daughter of Jairus. A. M. 4035. 37 And he suffered no man to fol- || that were with him, and entereth in A. M. 4035. low him, save Peter, and James, and where the damsel was lying. John the brother of James. A. D. 31. 40 And they laughed him to scorn. 1But, when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them A. D. 31. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi: which is, being interpreted, Damsel, (I say unto thee,) arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. Matt. viii. 4; ix. 30; || xii. 16; xvii. 9; Chap. iii. 12; Luke v. 14. k John xi. 11.—Acts ix. 40. —m Matt. viii. 4; ix. 30; courage, the virtues, and the actions of the deceased, with an intention to increase the sorrow of the afflicted relations. In process of time they accom formed the cure, by the concurring efficacy of his will, which sent forth the healing virtue, thought fit, on this occasion, to show that it had not escaped his notice, and to take the opportunity of illustra-panied these lamentations with music, particularly ting and commending the faith of the woman for the encouragement of others to confide in his power and love. of flutes, (Josephus, Bell., iii. 8,) a custom which prevailed likewise in the West. Ovid, Fast., lib. 6, Cantabant mæstis tibia funeribus. But the Jews Verse 37. John, the brother of James-John is were forbidden to tear their hair and cut their flesh in thus described here, because, when Mark wrote his mourning for the dead, (Lev. xix. 28; Deut. xiv. 1,) gospel, not long after our Lord's ascension, the || because such expressions of grief were inconsistent memory of James, lately beheaded, was so fresh, with resignation to the divine will, and looked as if that his name was more known than that of John|| they had no hope of their friends' resurrection. himself. Hence the apostle's precept, 1 Thess. iv. 13, Sorrow not as others which have no hope. Besides, these rites were practised by the heathen, as a kind of || sacrifices to the manes of the dead."-Macknight. || Verses 38-42. He seeth the tumult-The crowd of people that wept and wailed greatly-Greek ahahačovτas tohλa, howling much, as some render the word. "From several passages of Scripture, Verse 43. He charged them that no man should (see Jer. ix. 17, and xvi. 6, 7; Ezk. xxiv. 17,) it ap- know it-That he might avoid every appearance of pears that the people of the East used to bewail the vain-glory, might prevent too great a concourse of dead by tearing their hair, and cutting their flesh, people, and might not further enrage the scribes and crying most bitterly. Nor did the relations of || and Pharisees against him; the time for his death, and the deceased content themselves with these expres- || for the full manifestation of his glory, not being yet sions of violent grief. They hired persons of both sexes, whose employment it was to mourn over the dead in the like frantic manner, and who besides sung doleful ditties, in which honourable mention was made of the age, the beauty, the strength, the || come. He commanded that something should be given her to eat-So that when either natural or spiritual life is restored, even by immediate miracle, all proper means are to be used in order to pr serve it. CHAPTER VI. Christ's wisdom and mighty works astonish his countrymen, and yet he is contemned by them, because he was one of them, and they knew his origin and kindred, 1-4. Their unbelief prevents his working many miracles among them, but he teaches in their villages, 5, 6. He sends forth his disciples by two and two to preach, giving them power to confirm their doctrine by miracles, 7–13. The opinion of Herod, and others, concerning Christ, 14-16. The story of the martyrdom of John the Baptist, 17-29. Christ retires into a desert place with his disciples, and is followed by crowds of people, 30-34. He feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, 35-44. He sends away his disciples by sea to Bethsaida, and retires himself to a mountain to pray, 45, 46. The disciples are overtaken by a storm and in great distress, and Christ comes unto them, walking on the water, 47-52. He performs many cures in the land of Gennesaret, 53-56. The chapter coincides partly with Matt. xiii. 53, &c., and xiv. 273 a Jesus rejected by his countrymen, a d A D. 31. A. M. 1035. AND he went out from thence, us? And they were offended at A. M. 4035. and came into his own country;|| him. and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath-day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, "From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, * the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with a Matt. xiii. 54; Luke iv. 16.- b John vi. 42.-c Matt. xii. 46;. Gal. i. 19.- -d Matt. xi. 6.——————e Matt. xiii. 57; John iv. 44. f Gen. xix. 22; xxxii. 25; Matt. xiii. 58; Chap. ix. 23. NOTES ON CHAPTER VI laid claim to their submission by the most stupendous miracles, instead of convincing them, these miracles made him who performed them obnoxious to the hottest resentment of that proud, covetous, sensual people. It seems they could not bear to see one so low in life as Jesus was, doing things which they fancied were peculiar to that idol of their vanity, a glorious, triumphant, secular Messiah. Our Lord, therefore, having made this second trial with a view to see whether the Nazarenes would endure his ministry, and to show to the world that his not || residing with them was owing to their stubbornness and villages in the neighbourhood where he expected to find a more favourable reception. Thus the unbelief of these Nazarenes obstructed Christ's miracles, deprived them of his preaching, and caused him to withdraw a second time from their town. In which example the evil and punishment of misimproving spiritual advantages, is clearly set forth before all who hear the gospel." Verses 1-6. And he came into his own country,|| &c.-For an explanation of this paragraph, see the notes on Matt. xiii. 53-58. Is not this the carpenter's son ?—There can be no doubt that Jesus in his youth wrought with his supposed father Joseph. He could there do no mighty work-Not consistently with his wisdom and goodness; it being inconsistent with his wisdom to work miracles there, where || he knew the prejudices of the people would certainly prevent any good effect they might otherwise have had in promoting the great end he had in view in coming into the world; and with his goodness, || and wickedness, he left them, and visited the towns seeing that he well knew his countrymen would reject whatever evidence could be given them of his being the Messiah, or a divinely-commissioned teacher. And, therefore, to have given them greater evidence would only have increased their guilt and condemnation. And he marvelled because of their || unbelief-He wondered at their perverseness in re- || jecting him upon such unreasonable grounds as the meanness of his parentage. It is justly observed here by Dr. Macknight, that "the Jews in general seem to have mistaken their own prophecies, when they expected the Messiah would exalt their nation to the highest pitch of wealth and power, for this was an end unworthy of so grand an interposition of Providence. When the eternal Son of God came down from heaven, he had something infinitely || more noble in view: namely, that by suffering and dying he might destroy him who had the power of death; that by innumerable benefits he might over- || come his enemies; that by the bands of truth he might restrain the rebellious motions of men's wills; that by the sword of the Spirit he might slay the monsters of their lusts; and that by giving them the spiritual armour he might put them in a condition to fight for the incorruptible inheritance, and exalt them to the joyful possession of the riches and honours of immortality. Wherefore, as these characters of the Messiah were in a great measure unknown to the Jews, he who possessed them was not the object of their expectation. And, though he 274 || Verse 7. He calleth unto him the twelve-While Jesus preached among the villages in the neighbourhood of Nazareth, he sent his twelve apostles through the several cities of Galilee, to proclaim that God was about to establish the kingdom of the Messiah, wherein he would be worshipped in spirit and in truth; and instead of all external rites and ceremonies, would accept nothing but repentance, faith, and sincere obedience. Moreover, to confirm their doctrine, he gave them power to work miracles of healing, which also would tend to procure them acceptance. See Luke ix. 1, 2. See Luke ix. 1, 2. By two and twoWe may suppose that Matthew had an eye to this circumstance in the catalogue which he has given of the apostles; for, chapter x. 2-4, he has joined them together in pairs; very probably just as they were sent out now by their Master. Jesus ordered his disciples to go by two and two, doubtless that they might encourage each other in their work. The history of their election and commission is given, Matt. x. 1, &c.; where see the notes. But it seems they were not actually sent till now, when ( 18* ) a Jesus intended forthwith to enlarge the scene of his ministry. He, therefore, on this occasion renewed || their powers, and repeated the principal things contained in the instructions formerly given. Verses 8,9. He commanded that they should take nothing for their journey-That they might be always unencumbered, free, ready for motion. Save a staff only-He that had one might take it; but he that had not, was not to provide one. No scrip, no bread-Our Lord intended by this mission to initiate them into their apostolic work. And it was, doubtless, an encouragement to them all their life after, to recollect the care which God took of them when they had left all they had, and went out quite unfurnished for such an expedition. In this view our Lord himself leads them to consider it, Luke xxii. 35,|| When I sent you forth without purse or scrip, lacked ye any thing? See the note on Matt. x. 9, 10; where the particular directions here given are explained at large. Verses 10, 11. In what place soever ye enter-See || these verses explained, Matt. x. 11–15. || to teach and work miracles. 12 And they went out, and preached A. M. 4035. that men should repent. A. D. 31. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. 14 And king Herod heard of him, (for his name was spread abroad,) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him. 15 9 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. r 16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded he is risen from the dead. : 17 For Herod himself had sent forth and ix. 4; x. 7, 8.—— Matt. x. 14; Luke x. 10.- Acts xiii. 51; xviii. 6. ————2 Gr. or.——————— Jam. v. 14.-P Matt. xiv. 1; Luke ix. 7.- 9 Matt. xvi. 14; Ch. viii. 28.- - Mat. xiv. 2; Luke iii. 19. bears scarcely any resemblance to it; the former being used only as a means of health; the latter, only when life is despaired of. It is not said how long they were out on this their first expedition; but it is probable they spent a considerable time in it, for Luke says, chap. ix. 6, they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere. || Verses 14-16. And King Herod (the tetrarch; see notes on Matt. ii. 1, and xiv. 1) heard of him— While the apostles were making their circuit about || the country, proclaiming everywhere the glories of their great Master, and working miracles in his name, information concerning him and his marvellous works came to the ears of King Herod; for his name was spread abroad-And reached many places far more distant than the court of Herod, Matt. iv. 24, 25. And he said, that John the Baptist was risen from the dead—This his own guilty conscience suggested, and he could not forbear speaking of it to those that were about him. Others said, That it is Elias; and others, That it is a prophet Verses 12, 13. They went, and preached that men —It is easy to account for the opinion of those who, should repent-They went away and published upon Christ's appearing in this part of the country, everywhere the glad tidings of the approach of the began to take notice of his miracles, and, being struck Messiah's kingdom, and exhorted men on that con- with them, imagined that he was Elias, or one of the sideration to turn to God in true repentance, forsak-prophets. For they expected that Elias would acing all their sins in temper, word, and work, and in tually descend from heaven, and usher in the Mesall respects bringing forth fruits worthy of repent- siah, Matt. xvi. 14; and that one of the prophets was ance. They cast out many devils, &c.-And did to be raised from the dead for the same end. But many other miracles. And anointed with oil many when Herod heard thereof—Of their various judgthat were sick-Which St. James gives as a general || ments concerning Jesus; he still said, It is John, direction, (chap. v. 11, 15,) adding those peremptory | whom I beheaded, &c.-The suggestions of his guilty words, And the Lord shall heal him. He shall be restored to health: not by the natural efficacy of the oil, but by the supernatural blessing of God. And it seems, this was the great standing means of healing desperate diseases in the Christian Church, long Verses 17-26. For Herod had laid hold on John, before extreme unction was used or heard of, which || &c.-See the note on Matt. xiv. 3-7. Herodias had conscience were too powerful to be removed by the flattery of his servants; and he persevered in affirming that it was certainly John whom he had beheaded, and that he was risen from the dead. Herod, at the request of Herodias, A. D. 30. A. Ú. 32. A. M. 4034. laid hold upon John, and bound him ||thou shalt ask of me, I will give it A. M. 4036. in prison for Herodias' sake, his bro-thee, unto the half of my kingdom. ther Philip's wife: for he had married her. 24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me, by and by, in a charger, the head of John the Baptist. Z 5 an 26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27 And immediately the king sent executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison; 28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in 23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever a tomb. s Lev. xviii. 16; xx. 21.- -3 Or, an inward grudge.t Matt. xiv. 5; xxi. 6.- 4 Or, kept him, or, saved him. " Matt. xiv. 6.—— Gen. xl. 20.—y Esth. v. 3, 6; vii. 2. z Matt. xiv. 9.——————5 Or, one of his guard. a quarrel against him-This princess was the grand- was a just man and holy-Such force has virtue daughter of Herod the Great, by his son Aristobulus, || sometimes upon the minds of the highest offenders! and had formerly been married to her uncle Philip, || And observed him—Or rather, preserved, or protected the son of her grandfather, by Mariamne, and brother || him, (as ovvernpei, it seems, should rather be rendered) to Herod the tetrarch. Some time after that mar- namely, against all the malice and contrivances of riage this Herod, happening in his way to Rome to Herodias. And when he heard him--Probably sendlodge at his brother's house, fell passionately in love ing for him occasionally; he did many things-Rewith Herodias, and on his return made offers to her; commended by him; and heard him gladly—Deluwhich she accepted, deserting her husband, who || sive pleasure, while he continued in the practice of was only a private person, that she might share with known sin! Thus it often happens that they who the tetrarch in the honours of a crown. On the do not truly fear God and turn to him, will go cerother hand, he, to make way for her, divorced his tain lengths in obedience to his commandments, wife, the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia. || provided something be remitted to them by way of Wherefore both parties being guilty of incest as indulgence. But when they are more straitly well as adultery, they were reproved by the Baptist, pressed, throwing off the yoke, they not only become with a courage highly becoming the messenger of obstinate but furious, which shows us, that no man God. For though he had experienced the advantage has any reason to be satisfied with his conduct beof the tetrarch's friendship, he was not afraid to cause he obeys many of the divine laws, unless he displease him when his duty required it. This free- has learned to subject himself to God in every redom Herod resented to such a degree, that he laid spect, and without exception. spect, and without exception. When a convenient his monitor in irons. But if Herod's resentment of day was come-Convenient for her purpose; that the liberty which John took with him was great,|| Herod made a supper for his lords, high captains, that of Herodias was much greater. The crime she and chief estates-Greek, rois xiλiapxοiç kaι тоiç прwwas guilty of being odious, she could not bear to Tois, the tribunes (or commanders of one thousand have it named, and far less reproved. She was, men each) and principal men of Galilee: that is, to therefore, enraged to the highest pitch, and nothing the great men of the court, the army, and the proless than the Baptist's head would satisfy her: and|| vince. When the daughter of Herodias came in ever since he had offended her, she had been plotting || and danced-See notes on Matt. xiv. 6-12. For his against his life, but had not yet been able to get her oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, purpose accomplished. For Herod feared John- || he would not reject her-Herod's honour was like Great and powerful as the king was, he stood in awe of John, though in low life, and for a while durst not attempt any thing against him; knowing that he τοις, the conscience of the chief priests, Matt. xxvii. 6. To shed innocent blood wounded neither the one nor the other! Jesus retires with his disciples, A. M. 4036. a A. D. 32. 30 ¶ And the apostles gathered || is a desert place, and now the time A. M. 4036. themselves together unto Jesus, and is far passed: told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. b 31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a|| while for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. 37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, h Shall we go and buy two hundred penny 32 And they departed into a desert place by worth of bread, and give them to eat? ship privately. 33 And the people saw them departing, and || many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. 34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. f 6 38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, i Five, and two fishes. i 39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 41 And when he had taken the five loaves, and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, k and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 6 The Roman penny is seven pence halfpenny sterling; as Matt. xviii. 28. Matt. xiv. 17; Luke ix. 13; John vi. 9; Matt. xv. 34; Chap. viii. 5.—————k 1 Sam. ix. 13; Matt. xxvi. 26. Verse 30. The apostles gathered themselves to- there, and the strong desire which they had thus gether unto Jesus-Namely, at, or quickly after the || manifested to receive religious instruction; and time of the awful event of the Baptist's death, rela- || reflecting, likewise, how sadly they were neglected ted above; and told him all things, &c.-Recounted by those who ought to have been their spiritual to him; both what miracles they had done-In his || guides; and how they were forced to wander from name and by his power; and what doctrine they place to place, as sheep having no shepherd-To had taught—According to his direction. And he feed and take care of them; he was moved with said, Come ye yourselves apart, &c.-Come with such compassion toward them--That though he had me into the neighbouring desert; and rest a while || come thither for retirement, he neither dismissed -After the fatigue of your journey, and let us nor forsook them, but, on the contrary, receiving endeavour to improve this awful dispensation by them in a most kind and condescending manner, suitable meditations. For there were many coming || began, immediately, to teach them many things— and going, &c.—To and from the public place in || Namely, concerning the kingdom of God, Luke which they then were; and they had no leisure so ix. 11; healing also as many sick as were brought much as to eat-Namely, without interruption. And to him. much less had they leisure for religious retirement and recollection. And they departed into a desert place privately—Across a creek of the lake; and the people-Who had been attending on his ministry; saw them departing, and many knew him- || Though he was at some distance; and observing how he steered his course, and guessing right as to the place at which he intended to land, they ran afoot thither out of all cities—By which they passed, thereby increasing their numbers continually. And with such eagerness did they pursue their journey, that they outwent them that had taken ship, and getting round to the shore where he was to land, they stood ready there to receive him in a large body. And Jesus, when he came out-Of the ship; seeing much people-Collected together, and considering what pains they had taken to meet him Verses 35-44. When the day was far spent, &c. |--See notes on Matt. xiv. 15-21, where the circumstances of the miracle here recorded are explained at large. And they sat down in ranks—Or rather, in squares, as Campbell renders paσial, observing, "The word denotes a small plat, such as a flowerbed in a garden. It has this meaning in Eccles. xxiv. 31. I do not find it in the LXX., or in any other part of the New Testament. These beds were in the form of oblong squares. The word is therefore very improperly rendered either ranks or rows." Thus, also, Dr. Macknight, "They sat down in oblong squares. The word σvμñoσiov, used here by Mark, signifies a company of guests at a table, but hoia, the word in Luke, denotes properly as many of them as reclined on one bed, according to the eastern manner of eating. By Christ's crder |