Mark
Mark was a sister's son to Barnabas, Col 4:10; and Ac 12:12 shows that he was the son of Mary,
a pious woman of Jerusalem, at whose house the apostles and first Christians assembled. From
Peter's styling him his son, 1Pe 5:13, the evangelist is supposed to have been converted by that
apostle. Thus Mark was closely united with the followers of our Lord, if not himself one of the
number. Mark wrote at Rome; some suppose that Peter dictated to him, though the general testimony
is, that the apostle having preached at Rome, Mark, who was the apostle's companion, and had a
clear understanding of what Peter delivered, was desired to commit the particulars to writing. And
we may remark, that the great humility of Peter is very plain where any thing is said about himself.
Scarcely an action or a work of Christ is mentioned, at which this apostle was not present, and the
minuteness shows that the facts were related by an eye-witness. This Gospel records more of the
miracles than of the discourses of our Lord, and though in many things it relates the same things
as the Gospel according to St. Matthew, we may reap advantages from reviewing the same events,
placed by each of the evangelists in that point of view which most affected his own mind.
Chapter 1
Chapter Outline
The office of John the Baptist. (1–8)
The baptism and temptation of Christ. (9–13)
Christ preaches and calls disciples. (14–22)
He casts out an unclean spirit. (23–28)
He heals many diseased. (29–39)
He heals a leper. (40–45)Verses 1–8
Isaiah and Malachi each spake concerning the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the
ministry of John. From these prophets we may observe, that Christ, in his gospel, comes among
us, bringing with him a treasure of grace, and a sceptre of government. Such is the corruption of
the world, that there is great opposition to his progress. When God sent his Son into the world, he
took care, and when he sends him into the heart, he takes care, to prepare his way before him. John
thinks himself unworthy of the meanest office about Christ. The most eminent saints have always
been the most humble. They feel their need of Christ's atoning blood and sanctifying Spirit, more
than others. The great promise Christ makes in his gospel to those who have repented, and have
had their sins forgiven them, is, they shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost; shall be purified by
his graces, and refreshed by his comforts. We use the ordinances, word, and sacraments without
profit and comfort, for the most part, because we have not of that Divine light within us; and we
have it not because we ask it not; for we have his word that cannot fail, that our heavenly Father
will give this light, his Holy Spirit, to those that ask it.