14 The sower soweth the | riches, and the lusts of other word. things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 15 And these are they by the way-side, where the word is sown; but when they have 20 And these are they which heard, Satan cometh immedi- are sown on good ground; such ately, and taketh away the as hear the word, and receive word that was sown in their it, and bring forth fruit, some hearts. thirty-fold, some sixty, and some 16 And these are they like- | a hundred. wise which are sown on stony 21 And he said unto them, ground; who, when they have Is a candle brought to be put heard the word, immediately under a bushel, or under a bed? receive it with gladness; and not to be set on a candlestick? 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of 66 expresses the idea which we express by the terms so that [they will] not," &c. 14-20. Compare Matt. 13: 18-23. 21. A candle-bushel — candlestick. See on Matt. 5:15. || Under a bed. Beds, in the East, did not admit of a lamp's being placed under them; bedsteads, like ours, not being in use. Mattresses, or quilts, laid on an elevation, in a side of the room, composed the bed. The original word here signifies, not a bed to sleep on, but a couch on which the people reclined at their meals, and which was elevated three or four feet above the floor. By the comparison here employed, the Saviour showed his disciples that more abundant instruction was given to them than to the multitude, in order that they might impart to others the benefits which they had received from their Master. On them 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall it would be incumbent to spread divine instruction. 22. Manifested. No part of the Saviour's instructions was intended to be always kept in obscurity; his design was, that in due time the truths which he was communicating should be distinctly and fully apprehended. When that time should arrive, his disciples were to be employed in the work of announcing and explaining his doctrines to the world. 23. Let him hear. It was the duty, then, of the disciples to hear attentively, and become prepared for their work. 24. What ye hear; probably, in what manner ye hear. Compare Luke 8: 18. The idea would be well expressed thus: "Take heed to (that is, consider carefully) what ye hear," || With what measure, &c.; a common be measured to you; and unto | putteth in the sickle, because you that hear shall more be the harvest is come. given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear; after that, the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he proverb, applicable in various circumstances. See Matt. 7:2. The general meaning is, You will be treated as you treat others. In applying this thought to the present occasion, the Saviour is to be understood as saying, I will conduct, as a teacher, towards you, in a manner corresponding to that in which you, as my disciples, conduct towards me. If you value my instructions, and profit by them, you shall receive more instruction. You that hear; that is, hear profitably. 30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it ? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. 33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. drew an illustration respecting his religion. The husbandman commits the seed to the ground, and there quietly leaves it. By the care of divine providence, it springs up, and produces mature fruit, which at the proper time is gathered in. So, the principles of the Messiah's religion were communicated to men; God will make them efficacious, and secure the spread of them; blessed results will infallibly grow from these principles, in the spiritual welfare and salvation of men. The history of the Christian religion affords the appropriate illustration of this parable. Christianity has been exerting its influence; it has produced happy results; and when the end of the world shall have come, countless multitudes, sanctified and redeemed, will be welcomed to the holiness and bliss of heaven. 25. Compare Matt. 13: 12. 26-29. And he said; that is, to the multitude. Compare v. 34. Perhaps this parable was spoken on a different occasion. The precise order in which the parables were delivered, is not observed by the sacred writers, it being of comparatively little importance. The kingdom of God. See on Matt. 3: 2. || He knoweth not 30-32. Compare Matt. 13: 31, 32. how; he understands not the pro- 33. As they were able to hear it. cess; yet it goes on. Of herself; Jesus accommodated himself, in his spontaneously, without human aid, teaching, to the ability of the people. after the seed is sown. The full He knew their ignorance and their corn; the grain, wheat, for instance. prepossessions; and like a wise, af From the growth of grain, Jesus | fectionate teacher, he adapted his in 34 But without a parable the sea, Peace, be still. And spake he not unto them: and the wind ceased, and there was when they were alone, he ex- a great calm. pounded all things to his disciples: 35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship: and there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto structions to their necessities and their capacities. This remark of the evangelist confirms the view presented of v. 12; and shows that the Saviour was not harsh, and did not deal in vengeance with the ignorant, misjudging multitude; but in a patient and condescending manner sought to gain a lodgement in their hearts for the great principles of his religion. How worthy an example for ministers of the gospel, for parents, and for all who are engaged in the work of religious instruction! 34. Expounded; explained. 35-41 Compare Matt. 8:18, 23 -27. They took him even as he was in the ship; just as he then was, without waiting to make any particular preparation for the tour, and without any intermission of his labors. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? ΑΝ CHAPTER V. ND they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: of little faith. In animated speaking or description, expressions are often used which are not to be strictly understood. In the present instance, Jesus did not mean to charge the disciples with an utter destitution of faith; but with a lamentable deficiency of it, shown by their being filled with terror. Their going to Jesus in the midst of their fears, shows that they had some confidence in him as able to rescue them from danger, REFLECTION. Trusting in the goodness and power of God is the best relief amid the sorrows of life. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." Is. 26: 3. CHAPTER V. 40. No faith. Compare Matt. 8: 1-20. Compare Matt. 8: 28-34. 26, who relates that Jesus said, O ye 6. Worshipped him; prostrated him VOL. I. 22 4 Because that he had been | to the swine: and the herd ran often bound with fetters and violently down a steep place chains, and the chains had been into the sea, (they were about plucked asunder by him, and two thousand,) and were choked the fetters broken in pieces: in the sea. neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray to depart out of their 8 (For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou un-him clean spirit.) 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out and entered inself before him. 9. Legion. This was the name of a division in the Roman armies, comprising a few thousands of men. Hence the word came to be used indefinitely for a multitude. coasts. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not; but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him and all men did marvel. 21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people 15. In his right mind. The man had been deranged through the influence of evil spirits. 20. Decapolis. See on Matt. 4:25. | 21-24. Compare Matt. 9: 1, 18, 19 gathered unto him, and he was | had gone out of him, turned him nigh unto the sea. 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 1 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death; I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. 25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment: 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee; and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, certain which said, Thy daughter is dead; why troublest thou the Master any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 29 And straightway the foun- 37 And he suffered no man tain of her blood was dried up; to follow him, save Peter, and and she felt in her body that she | James, and John the brother of was healed of that plague. James. 30 And Jesus, immediately 38 And he cometh to the knowing in himself that virtue house of the ruler of the syn 25-34. Compare Matt. 9: 20-22. | 27. The press; the crowd. 29. Plague. See on 3: 10. 30. Virtue; healing power. know it. This injunction was doubtless merely a temporary one, on account of some existing circumstances. Jesus was not anxious that all his deeds of benevolence should be publicly known and celebrated; and the current of popular favor, which would be increased by his miracles, needed to be regulated with much 35-43. Compare Matt. 9: 23-26. 41. Talitha cumi. These are two words in the dialect of Hebrew which was spoken in the time of our Lord, and which are explained as meaning, Damsel, arise. 43. That no man should | prudence. |