--- title: "Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible · Volume 2: Lamentations to Revelation" author: "Adam Clarke" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 247 of 769 url: https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-2-lamentations-to-revelation/247/ cite: "Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible · Volume 2: Lamentations to Revelation, section 247. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-2-lamentations-to-revelation/247/" --- # Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible · Volume 2: Lamentations to Revelation *Adam Clarke* Clarke's learned notes on the Hebrew and Greek, verse by verse, from Genesis to Revelation: volume 2 of 2. ## 247. Mark · 3 of 22 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-2-lamentations-to-revelation/247/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-2-lamentations-to-revelation/247/#p-N [¶0] When the sun did set - See on [Mat 8:14] (note). ### Verse 34 [¶2] Because they knew him - To be the Christ, is added here by several ancient and respectable MSS. and versions; but it appears to be only a gloss. ### Verse 35 [¶4] In the morning a great while before day - By πρωΐ, the morning, is to be understood the whole space of three hours, which finished the fourth watch of the night. [¶5] And there prayed - Not that he needed any thing, for in him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; but that he might be a pattern to us. Every thing that our blessed Lord did he performed either as our pattern, or as our sacrifice. ### Verse 36 [¶7] And Simon - followed after him - Κατεδιωξαν, followed him eagerly. They had now begun to taste the good word of God, and thought they could never hear too much of it. Many possess this spirit when first converted to God. O! what a pity that they should ever lose it! The soul that relishes God's word is ever growing in grace by it. ### Verse 37 [¶9] All men seek for thee - Some to hear; some to be healed; some to be saved; and some, perhaps, through no good motive. There are all sorts of followers in the train of Christ; but how few walk steadily, and persevere unto the end! ### Verse 38 [¶11] The next towns - Κωμοπολεις properly signifies such towns as resembled cities for magnitude and number of inhabitants, but which were not walled as were cities. The Codex Bezae, most of the versions, and all the Itala, read, Let us go into the neighboring villages, And Into The Cities. [¶12] For therefore came I forth - Εις τουτο, for this purpose am I come forth - to preach the Gospel to every creature, that all might hear, and fear, and return unto the Lord. The towns and the villages will not come to the preacher - the preacher must go to them, if he desires their salvation. In this, also, Jesus has left his ministering servants an example, that they should follow his steps. Let no minister of God think he has delivered his own soul, till he has made an offer of salvation to every city and village within his reach. ### Verse 39 [¶14] And he preached - He continued preaching - Ην κηρυσσων: this is the proper meaning of the words: he never slackened his pace - he continued proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation to all - there was no time to be lost - immortal souls were perishing for lack of knowledge; and the grand adversary was prowling about, seeking whom he might devour. This zealous, affectionate, and persevering diligence of Christ should be copied by all his servants in the ministry; it is not less necessary now than it was then. Thousands, thousands of Christians, so called, are perishing for lack of knowledge. O God, send forth more and more faithful laborers into thy vineyard! ### Verse 40 [¶16] There came a leper - See the notes on [Mat 8:2], etc. [¶17] Should any be inclined to preach on this cleansing of the leper, Mark is the best evangelist to take the account from, because he is more circumstantial than either Matthew or Luke. [¶18] I. Consider this leper. [¶19] 1. He heard of Jesus and his miracles. [¶20] 2. He came to him for a cure, conscious of his disease. [¶21] 3. He earnestly besought him to grant the mercy he needed. [¶22] 4. He fell down on his knees, (with his face to the earth, [Luk 5:12]), thus showing his humbled state, and the distress of his soul. [¶23] 5. He appealed to his love - if thou wilt; with a full conviction of his ability - thou canst; in order to get healed. [¶24] II. Consider Jesus. [¶25] 1. He is moved with tender compassion towards him: this is the alone source of all human salvation. [¶26] 2. He stretches forth his hand, showing thus his readiness to relieve him. [¶27] 3. He touches him; though this was prohibited by the law, and rendered him who did it in any common case legally unclean. [¶28] 4. He proves at once his infinite love and unlimited power, by his word and by his act; I will - be thou cleansed; and immediately his leprosy was removed. But see on [Mat 8:2] (note). ### Verse 43 [¶30] Straitly charged - See the reason for this, [Mat 8:4] (note). This verse is wanting in two copies of the Itala. ### Verse 45 [¶32] Began to publish it much - Began to publish πολλα, many things; probably all that he had heard about our Lord's miraculous works. [¶33] And to blaze abroad the matter - That is, his own healing; thinking he could never speak too much, nor too well, of him who had thus mercifully and miraculously cleansed him. [¶34] Jesus could no more openly enter into the city - A city of Galilee, probably Chorazin or Bethsaida, in which he did not appear, for fear of exciting the jealousy of the secular government, or the envy and malice of the Jewish rulers. [¶35] And they came to him from every quarter - So generally had the poor man, who was cleansed of his leprosy, spread abroad his fame. And can we suppose that, of all these people who came to him from all parts, and to whom he preached the glad tidings of the kingdom, by the power and authority of God, few or none were saved? This is a common opinion; but every person who seriously considers it must see that it is unfounded. Without doubt, Christ had thousands that were brought to God by his ministry; though, in general, only those are mentioned who were constant attendants on his person. It would be strange, if, while God manifested in the flesh was preacher, there should be few brought to the knowledge of themselves, and of the truth! In this respect he does not permit his faithful ministers to labor in vain. The Son of man sowed the seed of the kingdom; and it afterwards produced a plentiful harvest. Multitudes of Jews were converted by the preaching of the Gospel; and the first Christian Church was founded at Jerusalem. ### Introduction [¶37] Christ preaches in Capernaum, [Mar 2:1], [Mar 2:2]. A paralytic person is brought to him, whose sins are pronounced forgiven, [Mar 2:3-5]. The scribes accuse him of blasphemy, [Mar 2:6], [Mar 2:7]. He vindicates himself, and proves his power to forgive sins, by healing the man's disease, [Mar 2:8-11]. The people are astonished and edified, [Mar 2:12]. He calls Levi from the receipt of custom, [Mar 2:13], [Mar 2:14]. Eats in his house with publicans and sinners, at which the Pharisees murmur, [Mar 2:15], [Mar 2:16]. He vindicates his conduct, [Mar 2:17]. Vindicates his disciples, who are accused of not fasting, [Mar 2:18-22]; and for plucking the ears of corn on the Sabbath day, [Mar 2:23-26]; and teaches the right use of the Sabbath, [Mar 2:27], [Mar 2:28]. ### Verse 1 [¶39] In the house - The house of Peter, with whom Christ lodged when at Capernaum. See the notes on [Mat 4:13]; [Mat 8:13]. ### Verse 2 [¶41] So much as about the door - Meaning the yard or court before the house. [¶42] Preached The Word - Τον λογον. The doctrine of the kingdom of God; for so ὁ λογος is repeatedly used. ### Verse 3 [¶44] One sick of the palsy - A paralytic person. See on [Mat 9:2] (note), etc.