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And He said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath:

These words are given only by the present Evangelist; who, as well as St. Luke, (vi. 5,) omits some memorable sayings which our LORD delivered on this occasion,-and which are given by St. Matthew, chap. xii. 5 to 7 . . . . . . The Doctrine laid down in the present verse, seems to be like that conveyed by the precept "I will have mercy and not sacrifice";" which our LORD now also quoted :—namely, that Ceremonial Observances must give place, as often as the higher claims of Mercy require. Such an occasion was this,-when, faint and hungry, our LORD's Disciples rubbed out the ears of corn, and ate the grains, for very need. True, indeed, they were neglecting a traditional precept, by so doing: but it argued forgetfulness of the very institution of the Sabbath, to tax them with guilt on that account. Can we suppose that a creature, made in the image of GOD, should pine with hunger out of superstitious veneration for the Sabbath Day,which had been originally ordained for his sake only in order that it might be to him a relief, a solace, and a joy?

But these accusers forgot their Bible also. If David, merely because he had need, might—not only eat bread on the Sabbath,-but even eat the very shew-bread itself; dispensing it to his follow

"St. Matthew xii. 7.

ers; and in the Temple too: how could it be pretended that these suffering men might not eat a handful of dry grains in the open field on the Sabbath Day?

Therefore the Son of Man is LORD also of 28 the Sabbath.

The Son of Man,-since He made the Sabbath, -is LORD of it, also. Moreover, since He came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them, He must have power to dispense with the strict observance of this Day, in the letter, as often as it concerned the good of His creatures that He should do so. Here then was One, greater than David, greater than the Temple*,- greater than even the Sabbath itself. And dared they bring to Him an accusation, so blind, hollow, and heartless,-against the companions of all His wanderings,—the partners of all His privations and distress?

St. Matthew xii. 6.

The Prayer.

LORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without Charity are nothing worth; send Thy HOLY GHOST, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of Charity, the very bond of Peace and of all virtues without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before Thee: Grant this for Thine

Only SON JESUS CHRIST's sake. Amen.

A

PLAIN COMMENTARY

ON THE THIRD CHAPTER OF

St. Mark's Gospel.

1 CHRIST healeth the withered hand, 10 and many other infirmities: 11 rebuketh the unclean Spirits: 13 chooseth His twelve Apostles: 22 convinceth the blasphemy of casting out devils by Beelzebub: 31 and sheweth who are His brother, sister, and mother.

III. AND He entered again into the Syna- 1 gogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

By "again," in this place, St. Mark means "on another Sabbath,"-see St. Luke vi. 6. The Evangelist is shewing how "CHRIST reproved the Pharisees' blindness about the observation of the Sabbath, by Scripture, Reason, and Miracle." The two former proofs are contained in the last few verses (ver. 23 to 28.) of the preceding Chapter. The proof from 'Miracle,' follows.

And they watched Him, whether He would 2 heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse Him.

See the heading of St. Luke vi.: and compare the heading of St. Matthew xii.

What blindness of heart was here! what a benighted conscience! Rather, what hopeless villainy! In the very House of GOD,-on a miserable pretence of excessive jealousy for His honour,here are Scribes and Pharisees devising nothing less than the Destruction of their mighty Countryman. They know His merciful disposition. They have learnt, by experience, that He never beholds misery without seeking to relieve it. They therefore lay wait for Him; and watch, to see what He will do with respect to a poor sufferer, who sits before Him with a withered hand. Will He venture to overstep the letter of their own vile tradition; and so far incur the charge of working on the Sabbath day, as to perform an act of healing upon it?.... At last, they call His attention to the man's case, by the question,—“ Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath-daysb?"

Take notice, that the purpose with which they watched Him, as well as that with which they put their inquiry, -was, that they may find a ground of accusation against Him; and so, bring Him within the penalty of the Law, which required the Death of every offender".

It is with reference to this, their secret purpose, that the Evangelist St. Luke adds,-" But He knew their thoughts." And further, it will be observed that it was with reference to this, their murderous design, that our SAVIOUR spoke the words recorded in ver. 4.

b St. Matt. xii. 10. c Exodus xxxi. 15. d St. Luke vi. 8.