Bible Commentaries

Matthew 4:18 ; Mark 1:16 .

Their net brake - Began to tear.

Depart from me, for I am a sinful man - And therefore not worthy to be in thy presence.

They forsook all and followed him - They had followed him before, John 1:43 , but not so as to forsake all. Till now, they wrought at their ordinary calling.

Matthew 8:2 ; Mark 1:40 .

Leviticus 14:2 .

He withdrew - The expression in the original implies, that he did so frequently.

Sitting by - As being more honourable than the bulk of the congregation, who stood. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them - To heal the sickness of their souls, as well as all bodily diseases.

Matthew 9:2 ; Mark 2:3 .

Not being able to bring him in through the multitude, they went round about by a back passage, and going up the stairs on the outside, they came upon the flat - roofed house, and let him down through the trap door, such as was on the top of most of the Jewish houses: doubtless, with such circumspection as the circumstances plainly required.

We have seen strange things to. day - Sins forgiven, miracles wrought.

Matthew 9:9 ; Mark 2:14 .

Leaving all - His business and gain.

And Levi made him a great entertainment - It was necessarily great, because of the great number of guests.

Make prayers - Long and solemn. Matthew 9:14 ; Mark 2:18 .

Can ye make - That is, is it proper to make men fast and mourn, during a festival solemnity?

He spake also a parable - Taken from clothes and wine; therefore peculiarly proper at a feast.

And no man having drunk old wine - And beside, men are not wont to be immediately freed from old prejudices.