Bible Commentaries

1. Again he entered into Capernaum — After leaving Capernaum, as mentioned in the last chapter, on account of the crowds.

§ 30. — CURING OF THE PALSIED MAN, Mark 2:1-12.

(See notes on Matthew 9:2-8.)

2. Many were gathered together — Luke informs us that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law from every town in Galilee, Judea, and from Jerusalem. It is not probable that they came so far for the purpose of hearing him, but there may have been some convocation which drew them to that locality, and the fame of Jesus drew them to hear him. Not so much as about the door — So great was the crowd that access could not be obtained to the door. This might intimate that the paralytic was taken up through a neighbour’s house to the roof over Jesus. The word — The Gospel word or doctrine.

3. Borne of four — Each holding him by a limb. Or more probably, each holding a corner of the litter.

8. Perceived in his spirit — Not by the Divine Spirit, but by his own spirit in a supernatural clearness.

§ 31. — MATTHEW CALLED, Mark 2:13-14.

(See comment on Matthew 9:9.)

14. Levi the son of Alpheus — We learn from the parallel passage in Matthew that this Levi was Matthew himself. If the Alpheus here mentioned was the same Alpheus as in Matthew 10:3, then Matthew was the cousin of Jesus, being brother of James the Less.

15. His house — Matthew’s house. See our Life of Matthew, prefacing his Gospel.

§ 52. — LEVI’S FEAST DISCOURSE OF JESUS, Mark 2:15-22.

This narrative of the feast given by Levi is furnished here, previous to its proper time, to connect it with his call. The account is different in points that show independence, yet the essential agreement is very complete.

§ 33. — PLUCKING EARS OF CORN, Mark 2:23-28.

(See notes on Matthew 12:1-8.)

26. In the days of Abiathar the high priest — It appears by the account of the transaction here referred to in 1 Samuel 21:1, that Ahimelech, father of Abiathar, was the high priest who supplied David the showbread. His son Abiathar was then priest, and afterward high priest; and as such under David attained a celebrity in Jewish history. Jesus, therefore, specifies the time as being the period of Abiathar’s life and office, who afterward became high priest. It is by no means improbable, though there is no other proof than arises from this passage, that Abiathar may have been high priest with his father, as he was high priest a part of his life conjointly with Zadock. There would be no extraordinary error, however, in saying that the American Constitution was formed in the time of President Washington.

27. Made for man — Man was first created, and then the Sabbath was given to subserve his highest good — physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, and eternal. That mode of keeping the Sabbath which most conduces to this intention is the true mode.

How beneficent is the Sabbath under this construction of its obligations! It is one of the best of God’s gifts to man. He who would destroy its enjoyment is therein the enemy of his race.

How profound and comprehensive is the maxim which our Lord utters in regard to the relations of the Sabbath to man! It is full of the benevolent wisdom of his Gospel.

And if the Sabbath be made for man it is not made for the Jew alone. It is founded on the necessities of the race, and must be intended for the race. If it be made for man, it is not made for one age or for one generation or one dispensation alone, but for all ages and dispensations of men. Hence the Sabbath is perpetual. Whether it be on the same day of the week or not, is comparatively, in this view, unimportant. That the week is perpetuated under the Christian dispensation may be shown from Revelation 1:10, where the “Lord’s day” is a weekly institution. That the Sabbath of the week is continued appears from the same consideration.