save me. Jesus comes into the ship, and the wind ceases. his hand, and caught 421 and beginning to sink, and, his faith failing him, he presently began to SECT. he cried, saying, Lord, sinks, and cried out in a great consternation of lxxix. spirit, saying, Lord, save me, or I shall be Mat. 31 And immediately swallowed up in a moment. And immediately XIV. 31 Jesus stretched forth Jesus stretching out his hand, laid hold on him; him, and said unto and, to remind him of his unbelief, said to him, him, O thou of little 0 thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt of my protection, when I was so near; when thou hadst my commission to make the trial, and hadst in part experienced my power in supporting thee thus far on the waves? faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? MARK VI. 51. And when they were come into the ship,] [JOHN, they willingly received him,] and the wind ceased: [JOHN, and were sore amazed in VI. 51. And, taking Peter with him, he ascended to Mark he went up unto them them into the bark; and, when they were come into the ship; and aboard, they, that were there, received him with the utmost pleasure, as the great pledge of their common safety. And they quickly found the happy effects of his presence: for all the fury of immediately the ship the wind now ceased at once; and, what was yet was at the land whither more surprising, the ship was immediately at the they went :) and they point of land to which they were going. And themselves beyond they were all exceedingly amazed in themselves, measure, and wonder- and astonished beyond measure, as if they had ed. [MAT. XIV. 52. never before seen any exertion of his miraculous JOHN VI. 21.] 52 For they consi- power. For their heart was so hardened, and 52 dered not the miracle their mind so insensible, that they considered not of the loaves, for their the yet more wonderful and glorious miracle of the loaves, which but the day before they had seen multiplied in so extraordinary a manner as to display even a creating power *. Leart was hardened. R He began to sink. He probably could swin, as most fishermen can (compare John xxi. 7.) and perhaps he might venture on the attempt he now made with some secret dependance on his art, which God, for wise reasons, suffered to fail him. The word natalis Ja is very expressive, and may intimate that he felt himself sinking with such a weight that he had no hope of recovering himself, and expected nothing but that he should go directly to the bottom of the sea. h Into the bark.] Though the evangelists generally use the word who, which signines any vessel in which men sail on the sea, Then savo, xa anual, are too emphatical to be exactly rendered; but this is plainly the sense of them: and the accurate reader will observe that I suppose the words y εκ περισσω to be equally connected with Javasov and ežisavîo. kAs to display even a creating power.] Had not this been done, it is hard to imagine how twelve baskets full of fragments could have been taken up: it was therefore in itself (as the evangelist plainly intimates) a more certain and glorious miracle than the ceasing of the wind immediately on his coming into the ship. Their speedy landing after this must also have increased their astonishment. Considering this instance, and that of Philip, Acts viii. 39, 40, we have room to admire the condescension of Christ, in submitting so often to the fatigues of journeying on foot from one place to another, when he could at pleasure have commanded angels to transport him. With equal ease he could have walked ashore from the waves of the sea, but with a most edifying modesty he avouled the se ostentation of it. I have sometimes varied it a little, in order to prevent that ill effect which the repetition of it so frequently as it occurs would have on the ear in reading; and have here called it a bark, that it may not be imagined like our modern ships. Accordingly John calls it πλοιαρίου, ότα little vessel; chap. vi. 22. Compare John AXI. 3, 8. i Exceedingly amazed — and astonished beyond measure.] The words at ex VOL. VI. 3 B 1 To 422 SECT. Reflections on Christ's readiness to help us in our troubles. Then they that were about him, even all that MAT. XIV. 33. in the ship came and 1xxix. were in the ship, came and worshipped him, as in Then they that were Mat. a rapture of wonder, devotion and joy, falling worshipped him, sayXIV.33. down at his feet with the utmost reverence, and ing, Of a truth thou Mark 34 VI. 54. saying, We are now convinced that thou art art the Son of God. indeed the Son of God, and hast an unlimited power over the whole creation. MARK VI. 54. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him. 55 [And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out,] and ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick,] and brought undiscased,] where they heard he was. [MAT. And, when they had thus passed over the lake, 34 And when they they came to a part of the land of Gennesareth, were gone over, they came into the land and put to shore not far from Capernaum', to of Gennesaret, [and winch, it was observed before (p 418), their drew to the shore.] course was tending. And when they came out [MARK VI. 53.] of the vessel, as it was a place where Jesus had often been, they that were present when he landed, immediately knew him and, though it was so early in the morning, the news of his arrival quickly spread through all the neighbouring 55 parts. For they were ready to inform each other of his coming; and the men of that place, who knew him, no sooner were apprised of his arrival, but presently they sent out, and ran to every place in all that country round about, to give notice to their neighbours, that Jesus was there, and that they now again should have the privilege of his preaching and working miracles among them: and they began to carry about the sick in beds, and brought unto him all that were XIV. 35.] diseased, to the place where they heard he was. 56 And this was indeed the general custom whereever he came as soon as he was entered into towns, or cities, or country [villages,] they laid the sick in the most public streets through which they expected he would pass, and entreated him that they might at least touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him, believing in his power and his readiness to heal them, were perfectly recovered, how extreme soever their illness had been. any to him all that were 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him, that they might touch, if it were garment: and as many as touched him were made [perfectly] whole. [MAT. XIV. 36.J but the border of his John 17, 18. IMPROVEMENT. THUS it still pleases Christ to exercise the faith of his people, that he may strengthen their dependance on him, and demon 1 To the land of Gennesareth, and put to shore not far from Capernaum.] The land of Gennesareth was a large tract of ground on the western shore of the lake, in part of which Capernaum appears from hence to have been situated. For, though Matthew and Mark only speak of their coming to the land of Gennesareth, and putting to shore strate there, it is plain, from John's account, that Jesus at his landing came to Capernaum; for it was there the people found him that followed him in the morning from the other side of the sea. Compare John vi. 22, 24, 25, in the next section, and ver 59, sect. lxxxii. The people, in the morning, see that Jesus was gone. 423 SECT. lxxix. VI. 48. strate at once his compassion and his power. Thus are storms permitted oftentimes to rise around them, and for a while they are left in darkness, and are tossed with tempests: but he is near at hand, even when they think him at the remotest distance; and when he seems to be passing by them, as regardless of their dan- Mark ger and distress, he has designs of grace and mercy to them, and acts in such a way on purpose to quicken and excite them to a greater earnestness and fervour in their applications to him. Happy would the Christian be, could he always discern his Lord and always conceive of him aright! but alas, how often does he appear to the disordered mind as the object of terror rather than 49 of confidence! and, in a day of darkness, while he may seem to treat his suffering people with neglect, instead of seeking him with a more earnest importunity, how are they ready to be overwhelmed with fears, and to conclude he has forgotten them! XIV. 28, 29. At the command of Jesus, Peter ventured to go to him on the sea. Mat. And through what storms and dangers may we not safely venture, if we are sure that our Lord calls us! Yet the rebuke, which he suffered, may warn us not rashly to throw ourselves on unne- 30 cessary trials, lest our excess of confidence end in fear and disgrace. Modesty and caution will adorn our other virtues, and render us amiable in the eyes of the humble Jesus. In how many circumstances of life does the Christian appear to 30, 31 his own imagination like Peter beginning to sink in the waves ! But in the time of our distress, like him, let us cry to Jesus for help; and, while we are lifting up the hands of faith and prayer, we may humbly hope that Christ will stretch forth his omnipotent arm for our rescue. Let every experience of this kind, and all 32, 33 the seasonable aid he is from time to time imparting to us, establish our dependance on him, and enforce our obedience to him, as the Son of God. May Divine Grace deliver us from that hardness Mark of heart, that stupidity and insensibility of mind, which sometimes remains unconvinced in the milst of evidence, and unaffected under the most moving illustrations of his abilities and willingness to help us! VI. 52. SECT. LXXX. Our Lord, being followed by the multitude to Capernaum, cautions them against those worldly views, with which they sought him, and declares himself to be the bread of life. John VI, 22—40. JOHN VI. 22. THE day following which JOHN VI. 22. SECT. N the mean time, while Jesus was thus cha- xxx. ritably employed in healing those, who were 3 E 2 brought John VI. 22. 424 1xxx. the other side of the sea, were gone away alone: The people cross the sea, and find Christ at Capernaum. SECT. brought to him in the places near the shore, which stood on from whence he soon went forwards to Caper- saw, that there was John naum, on the morrow after he had fed the five none other boat there, VI. 22. thousand, great search was made for him by those save that one, wherewhom he had sent away the night before: for into his disciples were entered, and that Jethey were so affected with the miraculous en- sus went not with his tertainment he had given them, that there were disciples into the boat, many of the multitude, who, though they might but that his disciples withdraw to a little distance on his dismissing the assembly (Mark vi. 46, p. 417), yet still conti nued on the other side of the sea that night, hoping to have another interview with him in the morning; and, as they saw there was no other vessel there on the coast, but that one, into which his disciples entered, when they departed in the evening, and knew that Jesus did not go with his disciples into the vessel, but that his disciples went away by themselves, leaving him there to spend the night alone, they made no question of his 23 being still on that side of the sea. But in the morning they perceived that he was gone, and presently determined to go after him: and, though there were no vessels there the night before, yet were they quickly furnished with an opportunity of following him; for there came other vessels very early from Tiberias, and put to shore nigh to the place where they had eat the bread and fishes after the Lord had given thanks, and commanded such a miraculous blessing upon 24 them. The multitude therefore, when they saw ple therefore saw that that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there on Jesus was not there, that side, went also themselves immediately aboard neither his disciples, the vessels, that were now arrived, as many of they also took shipthem as could, and came to Capernaum, seeking pernaum, seeking for for Jesus with all the appearance of the most Jesus. 25 eager importunity. And, when they had found 23 (Howbeit, there came other boats from place where they did eat bread after that the Lord had given thanks: Tiberias, nigh unto the 24 When the peo ping, and came to Ca 25 And when they had found him on the him on the other side of the sea, in the synagogue other side of the sea, them and said, Verily, But Jesus, modestly waving the recital of those 26 Jesus answered extraordinary circumstances which attended his passage, diverted the discourse to a yet more important and edifying subject; and, knowing, by an verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not be cause He tells them of their worldly views in seeking him. cause ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 425 John an intimate penetration of their very hearts, that SECT. they were governed only by carnal motives in _lxxx. this attendance upon him, humble and zealous as it might appear, he answered them with great VI. 26, solemnity, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, You seek me, not because you have seen the miracles, that I perform, and are convinced by them that I am a Divine Teacher, but because you have eaten of the loaves and were filled, and have from thence concluded that shall make yourselves rich and great by following me. But 27 these are mean and may be fatal views: and I which endureth unto would form you to nobler and wiser sentiments: everlasting life, which labour not therefore so much to procure the meat give unto you: for him which perishes, and can only support the mortal hath God the Father part of your nature; but rather be solicitous 27 Labour not for the meat which perish eth, but for that meat the Son of man shall sealed, you to obtain Divine knowledge and instruction, that They therefore, that they might appear willing 28 Jesus replying said unto them, Think not of 29 meriting the Divine favour by any thing you can do yourselves; for this is the great work of God, which he requires above all things, and which he will be ready to accept, that you believe on him, whom he has sent, crediting his message, and venturing your souls upon his power and grace. a Labour not to procure the meat which perishes.] Hardly any one can imagine our Lord intended to prohibit men's labouring for the subsistence of their bodies. Most of those who attended him probably had no other support than their labour but his intent was plainly to declare how much the interest of the soul was to be preferred to that of the body. (See noteh on Mat. xii. 7, p. 270. Εργάζεσθαι βρωσιν is to Labour to procure meat. b Him has God the Father sealed] Some have ingeniously conjectured, that this may Then allude to a custom which princes might have c Some |
