U-sherian year of the World, 4030.-Alexandrian year of the World, 5528.-Antiochian year of the World, 5518.-Constantinopolitan Æra of the World, 5534.—Rabbinical year of the World, 3786.-Year of the Julian Period, 4740.—Æra of the Seleucidæ, 338.-Year of the Christian Era, 26.-Year of the CCI. Olympiad, 2.-Year of the building of Rome, 769.-Year of the Julian Æra, 71.-Year of the Cæsarean Æra of Antioch, 74.-Year of the Spanish Ara, 64.Year of the Paschal Cycle or Dionysian Period, 27.-Year of the Christian Lunar Cycle, or Golden Number, 8.Year of the Rabbinical Lunar Cycle, 5.-Year of the Solar Cycle, 7.-Dominical Letter, F.-Epact, 17.-Year of the Emperor Tiberius, 14.--Consuls, C. Calvisius Sabinus, and Cn. Corn. Lentulus Getulicus, from January 1 to July 1; and Q Marcius Barca and T. Rustius Nummus Gallus, for the remainder of the year. The reason why two sets of Consuls appear in this Chronology is this: the Consuls were changed every year in July, therefore taking in the whole year, four Consuls necessarily appear: two for the first six months, and two for the latter half of the year. CHAPTER I. The mission, preaching, and success of John Baptist, 1-5. His manner of life, 6. Proclaims Christ, and baptizes him in Jordan, 7-11. The temptation of Christ, 12, 13. John being put in prison, Christ begins to preach, 14, 15. He calls Andrew and Simon, 16-18. James and John, 19, 20. Teaches in Capernaum, 21, 22. Casts out a damon, 23-28. Goes into the house of Simon, and heals his mother-in-law, 29-31. Heals many diseased persons, 32-34. Goes to the desart, and is followed by his disciples, 35-37. Preaches in different towns and synagogues of Galilee, and casts out devils, 38, 39. Cleanses a leper, who publishes abroad his miraculous cure, 40-45. A. M. 4030. A. D. 26. An. Olymp. CCI. 2. b HE beginning of the gospel of Behold, I send my messenger before A. M.4080. D. 26. TJesus Christ, the Son of God; thy face, which shall prepare thy way A. O 2 As it is written in the prophets, before thee. Matt. 14. 33. Luke 1. 35. John 1. 34. b Mal. 3. 1. Matt. 11. 10. Luke 7. 2. Olymp. CCL. 2. character of the Messiah. See Matt. xvi. 16. xxvi. 63. Luke xxii. 67, &c. Verse 2. As it is written in the prophets] Rather, As it is written by Isaiah the prophet. I think this reading should be adopted, instead of that in the common text. It is the reading of the Codex Beza, Vatican, and several other MSS. of great repute. It is found also in the Syriac, Persic, Coptic, Armenian, Gothic, Vulgate, and Itala versions, and in several of the Fathers. As this prophecy is found both in Isaiah and Malachi, probably the reading was changed to ros Teontais,|| ses. This was necessary for a proselyte adult-a child dedithe prophets, that it might comprehend both. In one of As-cated to God by baptism, must be brought up in this faith. SEMAN'S Syriac copies, both Isaiah and Malachi are men- Verse 6. John was clothed, &c.] See the note on Matt. tioned. See all the authorities in Griesbach, 2d edit. and see iii. 4. the parallel place in Matthew, chap. iii. 3. where the prophet Isaiah is mentioned, which seems fully to establish the authority of this reading. Verse 3. The voice of one crying] See on Matt. iii. 1—3.. Verse 4. John] The original name is nearly lost in the Greek Iwzwng, and in the Latin Johannes, and almost totally so in the English John. The original name is a Yehochanan, compounded of pm Yehovah chanan, the grace or mercy of Jehovah: a most proper and significant name for the forerunner of the God of ALL GRACE. It was John's business to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God, and to point out that Lamb or sacrifice of God, which takes away the sin of the world. Verse 7. The latchet of whose shoes] The shoe of the ancients, was properly only a sole tied round the foot and ancle with strings or thongs. See on Matt. iii. 11. Verse 8. I indeed have baptized you with water] As if he had said: This baptism is not to be rested in; it is only an emblem of that which you must receive from him who is mightier than I. It is he only who can communicate the Holy Spirit; and water baptism is nothing, but as it points out, and leads to, the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The subject of these two verses, is not found in Matthew nor John; but is mentioned with some varying circumstances by Luke, chap. iii. 16. 13-17. Verses 9-11. See the subject of these verses, which conFor the remission of sins.] Or, toward the remission-stain the account of our Lord's baptism, explained Matt. iii. apoy. They were to repent, and be baptized in reference to the remission of sins. REPENTANCE prepared the soul for it, and BAPTISM was the type or pledge of it. See on Matt. iii. 2. Verse 5. All the land] See on Matt. iii. 4-6. Confessing their sins.] It was an invariable custom among the Jews, to admit no proselyte to baptism, till he had, in the most solemn manner, declared that he for ever had renounced all idolatrous worship, all heathenish superstitions; and pronised an entire and unreserved submission to the law of Mo Verse 12. The Spirit driveth him] Expaλλ, putteth him forth. St. Matthew says, chap. iv. 1. anxŷn, was brought up. See this important subject of our Lord's temptation, explained at large, Matt. iv. 1–11. Verse 13. With the wild beasts] This is a curious circumstance, which is mentioned by none of the other Evangelists; and seems to intimate, that he was in the most remote, unfrequented, and savage part of the desart; which, together with the diabolic influence, tended to render the whole scene the more horrid. Perhaps this very circumstance is mentioned, as emblematical of that savage and brutal cruelty, with which he was persecuted to death by the Jews and Gentiles, instigated thereto by the malice of Satan. Verse 14. Preaching the gospel of the kingdom] See the notes on Matt. iii. 2. and on the office of the Preacher or herald, at the end of that chapter. Verse 15. The time is fulfilled] That is, the time appointed for sending the Messiah: and particularly the time specified by Daniel, chap. ix. 24-27. Here are four points worthy of deep attention, in the preaching of the Son of God. 1. Every thing that is done, is according to a plan laid by the divine wisdom, and never performed till the time appointed was filled up. 2. That the kingdom and reign of sin are to be destroyed, and the kingdom of grace and heaven, established in their place. || Qor autov, his brother, the best MSS. and Versions have adsor TOU Epars, the brother of Simon, which should be received into the text. The most eminent critics approve of this reading. Verse 21. Capernaum] See Matt. iv. 13. Their synagogues- -E TALS σvvaywyais autwy, according to the Syriac, which has the word in the plural. Verse 22. As one that had authority] From God, to do what he was doing; and to teach a pure and beneficent system of truth. And not us the Scribes.] Who had no such authority, and whose teaching was not accompanied by the power of God to the souls of the people; 1. because the matter of the teaching did not come from God; and 2. because the teachers themselves were not commissioned by the Most High. See the note on Matt. vii. 28. Verse 23. A man with an unclean spirit] This dæmoniac is 3. That the kingdom of God, and his reign by grace, be- only mentioned by Mark and Luke, chap. iv. 31. It seems gins with repentance for past sins. 4. That this reign of grace is at hand; and that nothing but an obstinate perseverance in sin and impenitence, can keep any soul out of it; and that Now is the accepted time to enter in. Verse 16. As he walked by the sea, &c.] See on Matt. iv. 18-22. Andrew his brother] Instead of the common reading, adix the man had lucid intervals; else he could not have been admitted into the synagogue. Unclean or impure spirit—a common epithet for those fallen spirits: but here it may mean, one who filled the heart of him he possessed, with LASCIVIOUS thoughts, images, desires, and propensities. By giving way. to the first attacks of such a spirit, he may soon get in, and take full possession of the whole soul. Verse 24. What have we to do with thee] Or, What is it to us and to thee? or, What business hast thou with us? That this is the meaning of the original, x; Kypke has sufficiently shewn. There is a phrase exactly like it in 2 Sam. || xvi. 10. What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? 71178 133 03b1 14 mali v'lacem beney Tseruiah, What bu- | siness have ye with me, or, Why do ye trouble me, ye sons of Tseruiah? The Septuagint translate the Hebrew, just as the Evangelist does here, 71 μoi xai v; it is the same idiom in both places; as there can be no doubt but the dæmoniac spoke in Hebrew, or in the Chaldeo-Syriac dialect of that language, which was then common in Judea. See on Matt. viii. 29. so that there are very few of this class, whether male or female, that live out half their days: they generally die martyrs to their lusts. When the propensities of the flesh are most violent in a person who is determined to serve God, it is often a proof that these are the last efforts of the impure spirit, who has great rage, because he knows his time is but short. Verse 27. What thing is this?] Words of surprise and astonishment. And what new doctrine] I have added the particle And, from the Syriac, as it helps the better to distinguish the members of the sentence: but there is a vast diversity in the MSS. on this verse. See Griesbach. For with authority] They had never heard such a gracious doctrine, and never saw any teaching supported by miracles before. How much must this person be superior to men! they are brought into subjection by unclean spirits; this person sub Art thou come to destroy us?] We may suppose this spirit to have felt and spoken thus: "Is this the time of which it hath been predicted, that in it, the Messiah should destroy all that power which we have usurped and exercised over the bodies and souls of men? Alas! it is so: I now plainly seejects unclean spirits to himself. who thou art the Holy One of God, who art come to destroy that unholiness, in which we have our residence, and through which we have our reign in the souls of men." An unholy spirit is the only place where Satan can have his full opera- || tion, and shew forth the plenitude of his destroying power. Verse 25. And Jesus rebuked him] A spirit of this cast will only yield to the sovereign power of the Son of God. All watchings, fastings, and mortifications, considered in themselves, will do little or no good. Uncleanness of every description, will only yield to the rebuke of God. Verse 26. And when the unclean spirit had torn him] And had thrown him down in the midst, Luke iv. 35. και σñagakav, and convulsed him. Never was there a person possessed by an unclean spirit, who did not suffer a convulsion, perhaps a total ruin of nature by it. Sins of uncleanness, as the Apostle in- || timates, are against the body; they sap the foundation of life, Verse 28. And immediately his fame spread abroad] The miracle which he had performed was 1. great; 2. evidenced much benevolence in the worker of it: and 3. was very public; being wrought in the synagogue. The many who saw it, published it wherever they went; and thus, the fame of Christ as an incomparable teacher, and unparalleled worker of miracles, became soon spread abroad through the land. The words, immediately, occurs more frequently in this Evangelist, than in any other writer of the New Covenant: it is very often superfluous, and may often be omitted in the translation, without any prejudice to the sense of the passage in which it is found. It seems to be used by St. Mark, as our ancient writers used forsooth, and such like words. Verse 29. See this account of the healing of Peter's motherin-law, explained at large, Matt. viii. 14—17. Verse 32. When the sun did set] See on Matt. viii. 14. Verse 34. Because they knew him.] To be the Christ, is added here by several ancient and respectable MSS. and Versions; but it appears to be only a gloss. Verse 35. In the morning—a great while before day] By gs, the morning, is to be understood the whole space of three hours, which finished the fourth watch of the night. And there prayed.] Not that he needed any thing, for in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily; but that he might be a pattern to us. Every thing that our blessed Lord did, he performed either as our pattern, or as our sacrifice. Verse 36. Aud Simon-followed after him.] Karidwar, followed him eagerly. They had now begun to taste the good word of God; and thought they could never hear too much of it. Many possess this spirit when first converted to God: Oh! what a pity that they should ever lose it! The soul that relishes God's word, is ever growing in grace by it. Verse 37. All men seek for thee.] Some to hear; some to be healed; some to be saved; and some perhaps, through no good motive. There are all sorts of followers in the train of Christ-but how few walk steadily, and persevere unto the end! Verse 38. The next towns] Kupoλus, properly signifies such towns as resembled cities for magnitude and number of inhabitants, but which were not walled as were cities. The Coder Beza, most of the Versions, and all the Itala read, Let us go into the neighbouring villages, AND INTO THE CITIES. For therefore came I forth.] Els TOUTO, for this purpose am I come forth-to preach the gospel to every creature, that all might hear, and fear, and return unto the Lord. The towns and the villages will not come to the preacher-the preacher must go to them, if he desires their salvation. In this also, Jesus has left his ministering servants an example, that they should follow his steps. Let no minister of God think he has delivered his own soul, till he has made an offer of salvation to every city and village within his reach. Verse 39. And he preached] He continued preaching-H xngvowy: this is the proper meaning of the words-he never slackened his pace-he continued proclaiming the glad-tidings of salvation to all-there was no time to be lost-immortal souls were perishing for lack of knowledge; and the grand adversary was prowling about, seeking whom he might devour. This zealous, affectionate, and persevering diligence of Christ, should be copied by all his servants in the ministry it is not less necessary now than it was then. Thousands, thousands of Christians so called, are perishing for lack of knowledge. O God, send forth more and more faithful la-· bourers into thy vineyard! Verse 40. There came a leper] See the notes on Matt. viii. 2, &c. Should any be inclined to preach on this cleansing of the leper, Mark is the best Evangelist to take the account from, because he is more circumstantial than either Matthew or Luke. I. Consider this leper.. 1. He heard of Jesus and his miracles. 2. He came to him for a cure, conscious of his disease. 3. He earnestly besought him to grant the mercy he needed. 4. He fell down on his knees, (with his face to the earth, Luke v. 12.) thus shewing his humbled state, and the distress of his soul. 5. He appealed to his love-if thou wilt; with a full conviction of his ability—thou canst; in order to get healed. II. Consider Jesus. 1. He is moved with tender compassion towards him: this is the alone source of all human salvation.. 2. He stretches forth his hand, shewing thus his readiness to relieve him. 3. He touches him: though this was prohibited by the law, and rendered him who did it in any common case, legally unclean. 4. He proves at once his infinite love and unlimited power, |