Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Matthew Luke
Mark 3
Such was the question raised in the synagogue (chap. 3) on the occasion of
the man with the withered hand. The Lord sets it publicly before their
conscience; but neither heart nor conscience answered Him; and He acts in
His service according to the goodness and rights of God, and heals the man.
[
4]
The Pharisees and their enemies, the Herodians-for all were against God and
united in this-consult together how they might destroy Christ. Jesus
departs to the sea-coast of the sea of Tiberias. There the multitude follow
Him, because of all that He had done; so that He is obliged to have a boat,
that He may be outside the crowd. Spirits are subject to Him, compelled to
own that He is the Son of God; but He forbids them to make Him known.
Service in preaching, and in seeking souls, in devoting Himself to all,
shewing Himself by His acts to be the possessor of divine power, hiding
Himself from the notice of men, in order to fulfil, apart from their
applause, the service He had undertaken-such was His human life on earth.
Love and divine power were disclosed in the service which that love
impelled Him to accomplish, and in the accomplishment of which that power
was exercised. But this could not be circumscribed by Judaism, however
subject the Lord was to the ordinances of God given to the Jews.
But, God being thus manifested, the carnal opposition of man soon shews
itself.
[
5]
Here, then, the description of Christ's service ends, and its effect is
manifested. This effect is developed in that which soon follows, with
respect both to the iniquity of man and to the counsels of God. Meanwhile
the Lord appoints twelve of His disciples to accompany Him, and to go forth
preaching in His name. He could, not merely work miracles but, communicate
to others the power to work them, and that by way of authority. He goes
back into the house, and the multitude re-assemble. And here the thoughts
of man display themselves at the same time as those of God. His friends
search for Him as one who was beside Himself. The scribes, possessing
influence as learned men, attribute to Satan a power which they could not
deny. The Lord answers them by shewing that in general all sin could be
pardoned; but that to acknowledge the power, and attribute it to the enemy,
rather than own Him who wielded it, was taking the place not of ignorant
unbelief but of adversaries, thus blaspheming against the Holy Ghost-was a
sin that could never be pardoned. The "strong man" was there; but Jesus was
stronger than he, for He cast out the devils. Would Satan endeavour to
overthrow his own house? The fact that the power of Jesus manifested itself
in this manner left them without excuse. God's "strong man" was then come:
Israel rejected Him; and, as regards their leaders, by blaspheming against
the Holy Ghost, they brought themselves under hopeless condemnation. The
Lord therefore immediately distinguishes the remnant who received His word
from all natural connection He had with Israel. His mother or His
"brethren" are the disciples who stand around Him, and those who do the
will of God. This really sets aside Israel at that time.
[
4] One cannot but see how the old system, based on what man ought to be
for God, is being set aside for what God is for man. But, the former having
been established by God, nothing but the words and works of Jesus would
have justified the Jews in giving it up. As it was, it was clearly
opposition and hatred to the full revelation of Him who had ordained the
other. Compare John 15: 22, 24.
[
5] This is the secret of all the history of Jesus, Son of David. All the
promises being in Him for the Jews, the servant of every want too and every
sorrow, yet being God and God manifested in Him, man could not bear it. The
mind of the flesh is enmity against God.
Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Matthew Luke
This version of Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1995 by L. Hodgett. Used by permission. This material may be freely copied for private use or for distribution without charge but must not be used commercially without written permission from the compiler--L. Hodgett. A special thanks to L. Hodgett for permission to create and post this version of Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament.
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
