•The allegorical and typical allusions to marriage have exclusive reference to one object, viz., to
exhibit the spiritual relationship between God and his people. In the Old Testament (Isaiah 54:5;
Jeremiah 3:14; Hosea 2:19) In the New Testament the image of the bridegroom is transferred from
Jehovah to Christ, (Matthew 9:15; John 3:29) and that of the bride to the Church, (2 Corinthians
11:2; Revelation 19:7; 21:2,9)
Mars Hill
the hill of Mars or Ares, better known by the name of Areopagus, of which hill of Mars or Ares
is a translation. The Areopagus was a rocky height in Athens, opposite the western end of the
Acropolis. It rises gradually from the northern end, and terminates abruptly on the south, over
against the Acropolis, at which point it is about fifty or sixty feet above the valley. The spot is
memorable as the place of meeting of the Council of Areopagus. This body existed as a criminal
tribunal before the time of Solon, and was the most ancient and venerable of all the Athenian courts.
It consisted of all persons who had held the office of archon, and who were members of the council
for life unless expelled for misconduct. Before the time of Solon the court tried only cases of willful
murder, wounding, poison, and arson: but he gave it extensive powers of a censorial and political
nature. The council continued to exist even under the Roman emperors. Its meetings were held on
the southeastern summit of the rock. The Areopagus possesses peculiar interest to the Christian as
the spot from which St. Paul delivered his memorable address to the men of Athens. (Acts 17:22-31)
St. Paul “disputed daily” in the “market” or agora, (Acts 17:17) which was situated south of the
Areopagus in the valley lying between this and the hills of the Acropolis, the Pnyx and the Museum.
Attracting more and more attention, “certain philosophers of the Epicureans and Stoics” brought
him up from the valley, probably by the stone steps, to the Areopagus above, that they might listen
to him more conveniently.
Marsena
(worthy), one of the seven of Persia, “wise men which knew the times,” which saw the king’s
face and sat first in the kingdom. (Esther 1:14)
Martha
(a lady), the sister of Lazarus and Mary. [Lazarus] The facts recorded in Luke 10 and John 11
indicate a character devout after the customary Jewish type of devotion, sharing in Messianic hopes
and accepting Jesus as the Christ. When she first comes before us, (Luke 10:38) her spirit is
“cumbered with much serving,” is “careful and troubled about many things.” Her love, though
imperfect in its form, is yet recognized as true, and she has the distinction of being one whom Jesus
loved. (John 11:5) Her position is obviously that of the elder sister the head and manager of the
household. In the supper at Bethany (John 12:2) the old character shows itself still, but it has been
freed from evil. She is no longer “cumbered,” no longer impatient. Activity has been calmed by
trust.
Mary
a Roman Christian who is greeted by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, ch. (Romans 16:6)
as having toiled hard for him.
(a tear) of Cle’ophas. So in Authorized Version, but accurately “of Clopas,” i.e. the wife of
Clopas (or Alphaeus). She is brought before us for the first time on the day of the crucifixion,
standing by the cross. (John 19:25) In the evening of the same day we find her sitting desolate at
the tomb with Mary Magdalene, (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47) and at the dawn of Easter morning
she was again there with sweet spices, which she had prepared on the Friday night, (Matthew 28:1;
frankie
(Frankie)
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