Mark

• 14 min. read • grade level: 8

In this gospel our Lord is presented as the Prophet, or Servant of God. It is not especially for Jews nor for Gentiles, but for all.

It traces in historical order the unceasing activities of the Lord. Though it is the shortest of the gospels, and not written by one of the apostles, yet it gives often more precise details than the other gospels. The frequent occurrence of the word εὐθέως, rendered ‘immediately, anon, straightway,’ etc. is characteristic of this gospel: immediately when one work was finished another was engaged in. {See The Four Gospels}

Mark, the penman used by the Holy Spirit to describe the service of the perfect Servant, had been himself a faulty one, if he is the ‘John’ of Acts 15:37-38,³⁷And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. ³⁸But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. (Acts 15:37‑38) as is commonly supposed.

Having gone through the gospel by Matthew somewhat in detail, many of the same events in Mark are touched upon more cursorily, and references are given to both Matthew and Luke, and to the few corresponding places in John.

Chapter 1

Notice the omission of the birth and genealogy of the Lord, in perfect keeping with God’s design in this gospel. It is not the birth and pedigree of the divine Servant, but His faithful service and that in blessing, so that we have not here the baptism of fire. The service of the Lord is immediately entered on.

Verses 1-11. The beginning of the glad tidings of Jesus Christ, Son of God, is seen in the preaching of John the Baptist, and the baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:1¹In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, (Matthew 3:1); Luke 3:3³And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (Luke 3:3); John 1:15¹⁵John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (John 1:15)).

Verses 12-13. The temptation is named, but not in detail. Jesus was with the wild beasts, and angels ministered to Him (Matt. 4:1¹Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4:1); Luke 4:1¹And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, (Luke 4:1)).

Verses 14-15. After John’s imprisonment (for he must retire) Jesus preaches in Galilee the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23²³And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23); Luke 4:14¹⁴And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. (Luke 4:14)).

Verses 16-20. Call of Simon and Andrew, and of James and John (Matt. 4:18¹⁸And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. (Matthew 4:18); Luke 5:1¹And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, (Luke 5:1)).

Verses 21-28. Jesus teaches at Capernaum. He finds the power of the devil in the very synagogue of God’s people, and He casts out the unclean spirit. His word was with authority, and His works were in power (Luke 4:31³¹And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. (Luke 4:31)).

Verses 29-39. Peter’s wife’s mother cured of a fever (type of the excitableness of sin). Many are cured of diseases, and demons are cast out. After a day of activity, Jesus retires to be alone with God. All were seeking Him, but He proceeds with His ministry in other parts (Matt. 8:14¹⁴And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. (Matthew 8:14); Luke 4:38³⁸And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. (Luke 4:38)).

Verses 40-45. A leper is cured. Jehovah is there cleansing from this loathsome, incurable disease, type of the defilement of sin (Matt. 8:2²And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (Matthew 8:2); Luke 5:12¹²And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (Luke 5:12)).

Chapter 2

Verses 1-12. A man is cured of the palsy (expressive of the powerlessness of the sinner). The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins (Matt. 9:1¹And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. (Matthew 9:1); Luke 5:18¹⁸And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. (Luke 5:18); Psa. 103).

Verses 13-22. Call of Matthew (Levi): Jesus eats with tax-gatherers and sinners, the true subjects of grace. His disciples, children of the bridechamber, do not fast while the Bridegroom is with them. The new order of things requires new vessels (Matt. 9:9⁹And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. (Matthew 9:9); Luke 5:27²⁷And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. (Luke 5:27)).

Verses 23-28. The plucking of the ears of corn on the Sabbath manifests the opposition of the Pharisees. Christ, like David, was now in rejection, everything had become common and profane (Matt. 12:1-18¹At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. ²But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. ³But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; ⁴How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? ⁵Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? ⁶But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. ⁷But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. ⁹And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: ¹⁰And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. ¹¹And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? ¹²How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. ¹³Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. ¹⁴Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. ¹⁵But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; ¹⁶And charged them that they should not make him known: ¹⁷That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, ¹⁸Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:1‑18); Luke 6:1¹And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. (Luke 6:1)).

Chapter 3

Verses 1-5. Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, for God cannot be hindered by an ordinance from doing good (Matt. 12:10¹⁰And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. (Matthew 12:10); Luke 6:6⁶And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. (Luke 6:6)).

Verses 6-12. The hatred of the Pharisees now reaches the point that they will unite with their adversaries, the Herodians, to plot against Christ: whereupon Jesus withdraws Himself from the hatred of the rulers. The multitude thronging Him, He asks for the use of a small boat. The unclean spirits cried out, Thou art the Son of God.

Verses 13-20. Jesus appoints His twelve apostles to participate in His ministry (Matt. 10:1¹And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. (Matthew 10:1); Luke 6:13¹³And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; (Luke 6:13)). Like very busy servants, they could not so much as eat bread.

Verse 21. His relatives seek to lay hold of Him, saying He was beside Himself.

Verses 22-30. The scribes from Jerusalem (center of opposition) said that He had Beelzebub, which was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:24²⁴But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. (Matthew 12:24); Luke 11:15¹⁵But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. (Luke 11:15)).

Verses 31-35. His mother and His brethren, who represent His connection with the nation after the flesh, come forward, but Jesus will now only own association with the faithful remnant, that is, the doers of God’s will. He turns from the nation, and commences a new work as a Sower (Matt. 12:46⁴⁶While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. (Matthew 12:46); Luke 8:19¹⁹Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. (Luke 8:19)).

Chapter 4

Verses 1-20. The parable of the sower. The word, where received, produced fruit (Matt. 13:1¹The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. (Matthew 13:1); Luke 8:4⁴And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: (Luke 8:4)). Testimony will be the result, namely:

Verses 21-25. The light not to be hidden. To him that hath shall more be given.

Verses 26-29. The kingdom is like seed sown, which grows and spreads in secret, and produces fruit ready for the harvest. The Lord is seen active at the beginning in sowing, and at the close in harvesting, that is, at His coming again.

Verses 30-34. The parable of the mustard seed. The kingdom would become a great worldly power in the earth during the Lord’s absence (Matt. 13:31³¹Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (Matthew 13:31); Luke 13:18¹⁸Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? (Luke 13:18)).

Verses 35-41. His true disciples would be exposed to danger and difficulties; nevertheless, Jesus stills the tempest, and they will pass through all safely. He has power over creation (Matt. 8:23²³And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. (Matthew 8:23); Luke 8:22²²Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. (Luke 8:22)).

Chapter 5

Verses 1-20. The possessed man of the Gadarenes delivered from Satan’s power, and becomes himself an instrument of testimony to his friends (Matt. 8:28²⁸And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. (Matthew 8:28); Luke 8:26²⁶And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. (Luke 8:26)).

Verses 21-43. The daughter of Jairus, figuratively the ‘daughter of my people,’ is raised from death; and the woman with an issue of blood obtains healing by the touch of faith, while Jesus is still on His way to bless and restore His earthly people (Matt. 9:18¹⁸While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. (Matthew 9:18); Luke 8:41⁴¹And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: (Luke 8:41)).

Chapter 6

Verses 1-6. Jesus is contemned by His countrymen. He will not exhibit His power amongst them because of their unbelief (Matt. 13:54⁵⁴And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? (Matthew 13:54)).

Verses 7-13. The twelve sent out by two and two; they preached that men should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil (type of the Holy Spirit by whom the cures were effected, Matt. 12:28²⁸But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. (Matthew 12:28)) and healed them (Matt. 10:1¹And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. (Matthew 10:1); Luke 9:1¹Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1)).

Verses 14-16. At the report of the Lord’s works, Herod’s guilty conscience is stirred: he fears that John is risen from the dead (Matt. 14:1¹At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, (Matthew 14:1); Luke 9:7⁷Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; (Luke 9:7)).

Verses 17-29. Imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (narrated parenthetically). (Matt. 14:3³For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. (Matthew 14:3); Luke 3:19¹⁹But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, (Luke 3:19)).

Verses 30-44. The apostles return and relate what they had done and what they had taught. Jesus retires with them for rest into a desert place, and there feeds the five thousand (Matt. 14:13¹³When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. (Matthew 14:13); Luke 9:10¹⁰And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. (Luke 9:10); John 6:1¹After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. (John 6:1)).

Verses 45-52. The disciples sent in a ship to Bethsaida on the other side of the lake, and Jesus retires to pray. He walks on the water and joins them in the midst of their toil (Matt. 14:22²²And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. (Matthew 14:22); John 6:16¹⁶And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, (John 6:16)).

Verses 53-56. In Gennesaret many are cured by touching the border of His garment (Matt. 14:36³⁶And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. (Matthew 14:36)).

Chapter 7

Verses 1-23. The traditions of the Jews exposed. They rejected the commandment of God that they might keep their own traditions, which made the Word of God of none effect (Matt. 15:1¹Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, (Matthew 15:1)). (In contrast to such human religion the Lord shows the activity of grace.)

Verses 24-30. He leaves Galilee and goes away into Phoenice, where the Syrophenician woman, a Gentile ‘dog,’ gets blessing from Him (Matt. 15:21²¹Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. (Matthew 15:21)).

Verses 31-37. Jesus goes through Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee, and cures one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. The people acknowledge that Jesus did all things well (Matt. 15:21²¹Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. (Matthew 15:21)).

Chapter 8

Verses 1-9. Jesus feeds the four thousand. Though rejected, He had compassion on the multitude, and was ever ready to meet the need of the people (Matt. 15:32³²Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. (Matthew 15:32)).

Verses 10-21. Jesus proceeds by ship into the parts of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees ask for a sign, but Jesus refuses, and leaves them, again crossing the lake. He warns His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (Matt. 16:1¹The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven. (Matthew 16:1)).

Verses 22-26. A blind man is led out of the town, and is healed by a double application of the Lord’s hands (type of the believing remnant, subjects of the Lord’s sympathy, whom He separates from the nation, and connects with heaven).

Verses 27-33. Various opinions of the people as to Jesus; but Peter confesses Him as the Christ. He then tells His disciples that He must be killed, but would rise again. Peter began to rebuke Him, but is denounced as Satan. They were no longer to witness that He was the Messiah: as such He would be “cut off and have nothing” here on earth (Matt. 16:13¹³When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (Matthew 16:13); Luke 9:18¹⁸And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? (Luke 9:18)).

Verses 34-38. Self and natural ambition must be relinquished by all who would have part with Christ (Matt. 16:24²⁴Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24); Luke 9:23²³And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)).

Chapter 9

Verses 1-10. The transfiguration (which shows that the kingdom is only deferred, and will in due time be set up in power) (Matt. 17:1¹And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, (Matthew 17:1); Luke 9:28²⁸And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. (Luke 9:28)).

Verses 11-13. John the Baptist would have been Elias (if Jesus had been received as the Christ) (Matt. 17:10¹⁰And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? (Matthew 17:10)).

Verses 14-29. Jesus casts out a dumb spirit which the disciples could not, although so privileged and empowered by Christ: lacking in faith, prayer, and fasting they had no power in service against Satan (Matt. 17:14¹⁴And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, (Matthew 17:14); Luke 9:37³⁷And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. (Luke 9:37)).

Verses 30-32. Jesus again teaches His disciples that He will be killed and will rise again (Matt. 17:22²²And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: (Matthew 17:22); Luke 9:44⁴⁴Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. (Luke 9:44)). Immediately after —

Verses 33-37, the disciples dispute who shall be the greatest. (Matt. 18:1¹At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 18:1); Luke 9:46⁴⁶Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. (Luke 9:46)) and —

Verses 38-40, they would hinder one casting out demons, because he followed not with them (showing how little they entered into what the Lord had been teaching them, and how much they were thinking of themselves) (Luke 9:49⁴⁹And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. (Luke 9:49)).

Verse 41. A cup of cold water shall not lose its reward.

Verses 42-48. The little ones must not be stumbled. What would be a snare, or the cause of falling, must be avoided (Matt. 18:6⁶But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6)).

Verses 49-50. Every one shall be salted with fire (in the Christian only the flesh can be consumed; but for the wicked it will be eternal punishment); and every sacrifice (see Rom. 12:1¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)) must be salted with salt (the power of holy grace in the Christian). Salt is good; but if it loses its savour it is worthless. Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Chapter 10

Verses 1-12. Jesus instructs as to divorce, and restores the relationships of nature to their original status at the creation (Matt. 19:3³The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? (Matthew 19:3)).

Verses 13-16. Little children brought to be blessed (Matt. 19:13¹³Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. (Matthew 19:13); Luke 18:15¹⁵And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. (Luke 18:15)).

Verses 17-27. The rich young man (an example of what is admirable and lovable in creation, and the Lord acknowledges it; but the heart is manifested to be far from God; he cannot count all loss for Christ). The difficulty of the rich being saved (Matt. 19:16¹⁶And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (Matthew 19:16); Luke 18:18¹⁸And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 18:18)).

Verses 28-31. None lose by giving up for Christ, and taking the way to eternal life (Matt. 19:27²⁷Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? (Matthew 19:27); Luke 18:28²⁸Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. (Luke 18:28)).

Verses 32-34. Jesus goes up to Jerusalem to be condemned. The disciples are amazed and follow in the way with fear (Matt. 20:17¹⁷And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, (Matthew 20:17); Luke 18:31³¹Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. (Luke 18:31)).

(Notice in this chapter the way of discipleship through the cross to the glory, and compare Philippians 3, where we get the Christian in the same way, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, which the disciples here had not received.)

Verses 35-45. James and John seek for themselves the nearest places in the glory; but the Lord speaks of His sufferings (Matt. 20:20²⁰Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. (Matthew 20:20)).

(The Lord’s service as a prophet was now concluded, and it remained for Him to present Himself at Jerusalem, to be rejected as the One come in the name of Jehovah, and suffer on the cross: accordingly He approaches Jerusalem through Jericho.)

Verses 46-52. At Jericho blind Bartimaeus owns Him as Son of David, is cured, and follows Jesus in the way (Matt. 20:29²⁹And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. (Matthew 20:29); Luke 18:35³⁵And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: (Luke 18:35)).

Chapter 11

Verses 1-11. Jesus enters in triumph into Jerusalem. (Notice how, in keeping with the object of this gospel to describe the Servant character, the salutations as Son of David and the King are omitted.) The Lord inspects everything (Verse 11, see also Gen. 11:5; 18:21,⁵And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. (Genesis 11:5)
²¹I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. (Genesis 18:21) etc.). God has the right to review man’s doings (Matt. 21:1¹And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, (Matthew 21:1); Luke 19:29²⁹And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, (Luke 19:29); John 12:12¹²On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, (John 12:12)).

Verses 12-14. The barren fig-tree cursed, type of Israel (Matt. 21:17¹⁷And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. (Matthew 21:17)).

Verses 15-19. The temple cleared of the merchants (Matt. 21:12¹²And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, (Matthew 21:12); Luke 19:45⁴⁵And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; (Luke 19:45)).

Verses 20-26. The fig tree withered. ‘Have faith in God’ (then would this mountain — the Jewish polity — be removed, and be merged amongst the Gentiles) (Matt. 21:20²⁰And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! (Matthew 21:20)).

Verses 27-33. The authority of Jesus demanded by the leaders, who are convicted of moral incompetency (Matt. 21:23²³And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? (Matthew 21:23); Luke 20:1¹And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, (Luke 20:1)).

Chapter 12

Verses 1-12. The parable of the husbandmen, shewing the sinful course of the nation (Matt. 21:33³³Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: (Matthew 21:33); Luke 20:9⁹Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. (Luke 20:9)).

Verses 13-17. The rulers send spies to ask as to paying tribute to Caesar (Matt. 22:15¹⁵Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. (Matthew 22:15); Luke 20:20²⁰And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. (Luke 20:20)).

Verses 18-27. The Sadducees and the resurrection (Matt. 22:23²³The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, (Matthew 22:23); Luke 20:27²⁷Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, (Luke 20:27)).

Verses 28-34. Which is the first commandment (Matt. 22:34³⁴But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. (Matthew 22:34))?

Verses 35-37. Jesus, David’s Son and David’s Lord, is to be seated in the heavens at the right hand of God (Matt. 22:41⁴¹While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, (Matthew 22:41); Luke 20:41⁴¹And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? (Luke 20:41)).

Verses 38-40. The scribes exposed (Matt. 23:1¹Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, (Matthew 23:1); Luke 20:45⁴⁵Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, (Luke 20:45)).

Verses 41-44. The poor widow casts into the treasury more than they all.

Chapter 13

Future events foretold in a way that gives more prominence to the service and testimony of the faithful remnant than do the parallel passages in Matthew 24; Luke 21; see also Matthew 10.

Chapter 14

Verses 1-2. Two days before the feast the priests plot to destroy the Lord (Notice how in every detail man and Satan carry out what God had willed.) (Matt. 26:3³Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, (Matthew 26:3); Luke 22:1¹Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. (Luke 22:1)).

Verses 3-9. Jesus anointed with costly ointment by one who loved Him, thus anticipating His burial (Matt. 26:6⁶Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, (Matthew 26:6); John 12:1¹Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. (John 12:1)).

Verses 10-11. Judas covenants to betray the Lord (Matt. 26:14¹⁴Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, (Matthew 26:14); Luke 22:3³Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. (Luke 22:3)).

Verses 12-25. The Passover and the Lord’s Supper (Henceforth the disciples were to remember Him the true Passover, and not the deliverance out of Egypt.) (Matt. 26:17¹⁷Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? (Matthew 26:17); Luke 22:7⁷Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. (Luke 22:7)).

Verses 26-31. The boastful confidence of Peter: it induces the others to boast also (Matt. 26:33³³Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. (Matthew 26:33); Luke 22:31³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: (Luke 22:31)).

Verses 32-42. The garden of Gethsemane. Jesus accepts the cup from His Father’s hand, and does His will to the end (Matt. 26:36³⁶Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. (Matthew 26:36); Luke 22:39³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. (Luke 22:39)).

Verses 43-72. The arrest of Jesus: religious trial before the high priest: denial of Peter (Matt. 26:47⁴⁷And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. (Matthew 26:47); Luke 22:47⁴⁷And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. (Luke 22:47); John 18:3³Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. (John 18:3)).

Chapter 15

Verses 1-41. The civil trial of Jesus; His condemnation by Pilate, and His crucifixion. Having fulfilled the Scriptures, Jesus completes His service and obedience by laying down His life (Phil. 2:8⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)). Judaism is ended; the veil is torn; and a Gentile acknowledges Him as Son of God (Matt. 27:1¹When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: (Matthew 27:1); Luke 23:1¹And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. (Luke 23:1); John 18:28²⁸Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. (John 18:28)).

Verse 42-47. The burial of Jesus. Two women to whom Jesus was dear beheld where He was laid (Matt. 27:57⁵⁷When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: (Matthew 27:57); Luke 23:50⁵⁰And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (Luke 23:50); John 19:38³⁸And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. (John 19:38)).

Chapter 16