Bible Commentary


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1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you.

3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

5 And there went out to him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

7 And preached, saying, There comes one mightier than I after me, the lace of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending on him:

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

12 And immediately the spirit drives him into the wilderness.

13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.

14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.

16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

17 And Jesus said to them, Come you after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

19 And when he had gone a little farther there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with you, you Jesus of Nazareth? are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God.

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold your peace, and come out of him.

26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commands he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

29 And immediately, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and immediately they tell him of her.

31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered to them.

32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought to him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

37 And when they had found him, they said to him, All men seek for you.

38 And he said to them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If you will, you can make me clean.

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and said to him, I will; be you clean.

42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

43 And he straightly charged him, and immediately sent him away;

44 And said to him, See you say nothing to any man: but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.

45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.


beginning: Luk 1:2, Luk 1:3, Luk 2:10, Luk 2:11, Act 1:1, Act 1:2

Christ: Joh 20:31, Rom 1:1-4, 1Jn 1:1-3, 1Jn 5:11, 1Jn 5:12

son: Psa 2:7, Mat 3:17, Mat 14:33, Mat 17:5, Luk 1:35, Joh 1:14, Joh 1:34, Joh 1:49, Joh 3:16, Joh 6:69, Rom 8:3, Rom 8:32, Heb 1:1, Heb 1:2

Reciprocal: Hos 1:2 - beginning Mat 21:25 - baptism Mar 3:11 - the Son Mar 11:30 - General Joh 1:6 - a man Joh 9:35 - the Son Joh 15:27 - have Act 1:22 - Beginning Act 10:37 - after Act 19:4 - John Rom 1:9 - the 2Co 1:19 - the Son 2Co 10:14 - the gospel Heb 4:14 - Jesus Heb 6:1 - principles of the doctrine

written: Psa 40:7, Mat 2:5, Mat 26:24, Mat 26:31, Luk 1:70, Luk 18:31

in: Several manuscripts have, "by Isaiah the prophet." See the parallel texts.

Behold: Mal 3:1, Mat 11:10, Luk 1:15-17, Luk 1:76, Luk 7:27, Luk 7:28

Reciprocal: Deu 32:41 - I will Isa 40:3 - The voice Mar 9:12 - restoreth Joh 3:28 - but Joh 6:45 - written Act 13:24 - General

Isa 40:3-5, Mat 3:3, Luk 3:4-6, Joh 1:15, Joh 1:19-34, Joh 3:28-36

Reciprocal: Mal 3:1 - I will Mat 11:7 - What Mar 6:12 - preached Luk 1:76 - thou shalt Luk 1:77 - give Luk 1:80 - and was Luk 3:2 - in Joh 1:23 - I am Joh 1:31 - therefore Act 1:22 - Beginning Act 18:25 - instructed 1Th 3:11 - our way 2Ti 2:25 - repentance

did: Mat 3:1, Mat 3:2, Mat 3:6, Mat 3:11, Luk 3:2, Luk 3:3, Joh 3:23, Act 10:37, Act 13:24, Act 13:25, Act 19:3, Act 19:4

for: or, unto

remission: Act 22:16

Reciprocal: Luk 1:77 - give Luk 1:80 - and was Luk 7:24 - wilderness 2Ti 2:25 - repentance

there: Mat 3:5, Mat 3:6, Mat 4:25

baptized: Joh 1:28, Joh 3:23

confessing: Lev 26:40-42, Jos 7:19, Psa 32:5, Pro 28:13, Act 2:38, Act 19:18, 1Jn 1:8-10

Reciprocal: Mar 1:33 - General Mar 1:37 - All Luk 3:3 - the country Luk 7:24 - wilderness 1Jn 1:9 - we confess

clothed: 2Ki 1:8, Zec 13:4, Mat 3:4

eat: Lev 11:22

Reciprocal: Luk 7:33 - came

Mat 3:11, Mat 3:14, Luk 3:16, Luk 7:6, Luk 7:7, Joh 1:27, Joh 3:28-31, Act 13:25

Reciprocal: Deu 25:9 - loose his shoe Joh 1:15 - bare Joh 1:20 - General Joh 1:33 - the same

have: Mat 3:11

he shall: Pro 1:23, Isa 32:15, Isa 44:3, Eze 36:25-27, Joe 2:28, Act 1:5, Act 2:4, Act 2:17, Act 10:45, Act 11:15, Act 11:16, Act 19:4-6, 1Co 12:13, Tit 3:5, Tit 3:6

Reciprocal: Mat 3:6 - were Luk 3:16 - I indeed Joh 1:20 - General Joh 1:26 - I Joh 1:33 - the same

that: Mat 3:13-15, Luk 3:21

Reciprocal: 2Ki 5:12 - better Mat 3:6 - were

coming: Mat 3:16, Joh 1:31-34

opened: or, cloven, or rent, Isa 64:1

the Spirit: Isa 42:1, Luk 3:22, Joh 1:32

Reciprocal: Luk 3:21 - the heaven Joh 1:51 - Hereafter Act 7:56 - I see Act 8:39 - were Rev 4:1 - a door

there: Mat 3:17, Joh 5:37, Joh 12:28-30, 2Pe 1:17, 2Pe 1:18

Thou: Mar 9:7, Psa 2:7, Isa 42:1, Mat 17:5, Luk 9:35, Joh 1:34, Joh 3:16, Joh 3:35, Joh 3:36, Joh 5:20-23, Joh 6:69, Rom 1:4, Col 1:13

Reciprocal: Mat 12:18 - my beloved Mar 12:6 - his Joh 5:32 - is another Joh 6:27 - for him

the Spirit: Mat 4:1-11, Luk 4:1-4

driveth: Or, "sendeth him forth," εκβαλλει [Strong’s G1544], αυτον. The expression does not necessarily imply any violence; but seems to intimate the energy of that impulse on our Lord, by which he was inwardly constrained to retire from society.

forty: Exo 24:18, Exo 34:28, Deu 9:11, Deu 9:18, Deu 9:25, 1Ki 19:8

tempted: Heb 2:17, Heb 2:18, Heb 4:15

and the: 1Ki 19:5-7, Mat 4:11, Mat 26:53, 1Ti 3:16

Reciprocal: Luk 4:1 - and was

am 4031, ad 27

after: Mat 4:12, Mat 11:2, Mat 14:2, Luk 3:20, Joh 3:22-24

preaching: Isa 61:1-3, Mat 4:23, Mat 9:35, Luk 4:17-19, Luk 4:43, Luk 4:44, Luk 8:1, Act 20:25, Act 28:23, Eph 2:17

Reciprocal: Mat 4:17 - that Mar 2:2 - and he Luk 4:14 - returned Luk 9:2 - General Luk 16:16 - the kingdom Luk 23:5 - beginning Act 10:37 - after Act 28:31 - Preaching Heb 2:3 - began

The time: Dan 2:44, Dan 9:25, Gal 4:4, Eph 1:10

the kingdom: Mat 3:2, Mat 4:17, Mat 10:7, Luk 10:9, Luk 10:11

repent: Mat 21:31, Mat 21:32, Luk 24:47, Act 2:36-38, Act 20:21, 2Ti 2:25, 2Ti 2:26

believe: Rom 16:26

Reciprocal: Isa 56:1 - for Mat 3:1 - John Mat 12:28 - then Mar 6:12 - preached Mar 16:16 - that believeth and Luk 2:10 - to Luk 4:43 - I must Luk 9:2 - General Act 10:37 - after

as he: Mat 4:18-22, Luk 5:1, Luk 5:4-11

Simon: Mar 3:16, Mar 3:18, Mat 10:2, Luk 6:14, Joh 1:40-42, Joh 6:8, Joh 12:22, Act 1:13

Reciprocal: Mat 15:29 - unto Mar 10:28 - Lo Mar 13:3 - Peter Mar 14:33 - Peter

fishers: Eze 47:10, Mat 4:19, Mat 4:20, Luk 5:10, Act 2:38-41

Reciprocal: Mat 10:2 - Simon Mat 13:47 - a net Mat 19:27 - we have forsaken Mar 2:14 - Follow me

forsook: Mar 10:28-31, Mat 19:27-30, Luk 5:11, Luk 14:33, Luk 18:28-30, Php 3:8

Reciprocal: Mat 4:19 - I will

James: Mar 3:17, Mar 5:37, Mar 9:2, Mar 10:35, Mar 14:33, Mat 4:21, Act 1:13, Act 12:2

Reciprocal: Luk 5:2 - washing Luk 6:14 - James

they left: Mar 10:29, Deu 33:9, 1Ki 19:20, Mat 4:21, Mat 4:22, Mat 8:21, Mat 8:22, Mat 10:37, Luk 14:26, 2Co 5:16

Reciprocal: Mar 3:17 - James Mar 10:35 - James

they went: Mar 2:1, Mat 4:13, Luk 4:31, Luk 10:15

Capernaum: Capernaum was a city of Galilee - Luk 4:31, situated on the confines of Zebulun, and Naphtali - Mat 4:13, on the western border of the lake of Tiberias - Joh 6:59, and in the land of Gennesaret - Mar 6:53, Mat 14:34, where Josephus places a spring of excellent water called Capernaum. Dr. Lightfoot places it between Tiberias and Tarichea, about two miles from the former; and Dr. Richardson, in passing through the plain of Gennesaret, was told by the natives that the ruins of Capernaum were quite near. The Arab station and ruins mentioned by Mr. Buckingham, said to have been formerly called Capharnaoom, situated on the edge of the lake from nine to twelve miles nne of Tiberias, bearing the name of Talhewn, or as Burckhardt writes it, Tel Houm, appear too far north for its site.

he entered: Mar 1:39, Mar 6:2, Mat 4:23, Luk 4:16, Luk 13:10, Act 13:14-52, Act 17:2, Act 18:4

Reciprocal: Mar 1:32 - at even Mar 3:1 - he entered

they were: Jer 23:29, Mat 7:28, Mat 7:29, Mat 13:54, Luk 4:32, Luk 21:15, Joh 7:46, Act 6:10, Act 9:21, Act 9:22, 2Co 4:2, Heb 4:12, Heb 4:13

as the: Mar 7:3-13, Mat 23:16-24

Reciprocal: Mar 6:2 - he began Mar 11:18 - astonished Luk 2:47 - General Tit 2:15 - with

a man: Mar 1:34, Mar 5:2, Mar 7:25, Mar 9:25, Mat 12:43, Luk 4:33-37

Reciprocal: Mar 3:11 - unclean

Let: Mar 5:7, Exo 14:12, Mat 8:29, Luk 8:28, Luk 8:37, Jas 2:19

the Holy One: Psa 16:10, Psa 89:18, Psa 89:19, Dan 9:24, Luk 4:34, Act 2:27, Act 3:14, Act 4:27, Rev 3:7

Reciprocal: Dan 4:13 - an holy Mar 3:11 - unclean Mar 5:17 - General Act 16:17 - These Act 19:15 - General 1Jn 2:20 - the Holy 1Jn 3:8 - this purpose

rebuked: Mar 1:34, Mar 3:11, Mar 3:12, Mar 9:25, Psa 50:16, Luk 4:35, Luk 4:41, Act 16:17

Reciprocal: Psa 44:4 - command Zec 3:2 - The Lord rebuke Mat 8:8 - but Mat 8:16 - and he Mar 5:8 - General Act 16:18 - being

torn: Mar 9:20, Mar 9:26, Luk 9:39, Luk 9:42, Luk 11:22

Reciprocal: Psa 44:4 - command Mar 5:2 - with Luk 4:35 - thrown Act 16:18 - being

they were: Mar 7:37, Mat 9:33, Mat 12:22, Mat 12:23, Mat 15:31

for: Luk 4:36, Luk 9:1, Luk 10:17-20

Reciprocal: Mat 8:27 - General Mar 2:12 - insomuch Mar 5:42 - General Mar 6:51 - and they Luk 4:15 - being Luk 7:7 - but Luk 9:42 - the devil Act 2:7 - amazed Act 17:19 - new Tit 2:15 - with

Mar 1:45, Mic 5:4, Mat 4:24, Mat 9:31, Luk 4:17, Luk 4:37

Reciprocal: Mat 14:35 - General Mar 6:14 - his name Luk 4:14 - and there Luk 5:15 - went Luk 7:17 - General

entered: Mat 8:14, Mat 8:15, Luk 4:38, Luk 4:39, Luk 9:58

Reciprocal: Mat 10:2 - Andrew Luk 6:14 - James

wife’s: 1Co 9:5

they tell: Mar 5:23, Joh 11:3, Jas 5:14, Jas 5:15

Reciprocal: Act 28:8 - the father

and took: Mar 5:41, Act 9:41

ministered: Mar 15:41, Psa 103:1-3, Psa 116:12, Mat 27:55, Luk 8:2, Luk 8:3

Reciprocal: Psa 44:4 - command Mat 9:25 - and took Mat 14:31 - stretched Mar 1:42 - immediately Mar 9:27 - General Mar 10:52 - followed Luk 8:54 - took Joh 5:9 - immediately Act 3:7 - General Act 28:8 - the father

at even: Mar 1:21, Mar 3:2, Mat 8:16, Luk 4:40

Reciprocal: Mat 4:23 - healing Mat 9:2 - they brought Mat 9:35 - General Mat 15:30 - great

Mar 1:5, Act 13:44

Reciprocal: Mar 2:2 - straightway

and suffered: Mar 1:25, Mar 3:12, Luk 4:41, Act 16:16-18

speak, because they: or, say that they

Reciprocal: Mat 8:16 - and he Mat 17:18 - rebuked Mar 1:23 - a man Luk 4:34 - what Act 16:18 - being Act 19:15 - General

Mar 6:46-48, Psa 5:3, Psa 109:4, Luk 4:42, Luk 6:12, Luk 22:39-46, Joh 4:34, Joh 6:15, Eph 6:18, Php 2:5, Heb 5:7

Reciprocal: Jos 3:1 - rose early 1Sa 1:19 - they rose Psa 55:17 - Evening Psa 88:13 - and in Psa 119:62 - midnight Psa 119:147 - I prevented Pro 18:1 - intermeddleth Pro 31:15 - riseth Son 5:2 - my head Isa 26:9 - my spirit Jer 25:3 - rising Lam 2:19 - cry out Mat 8:18 - saw Luk 5:16 - General Luk 9:28 - into Act 10:9 - Peter Act 20:13 - minding

Reciprocal: Luk 5:16 - General

All: Mar 1:5, Zec 11:11, Joh 3:26, Joh 11:48, Joh 12:19

Reciprocal: Mar 2:2 - straightway Luk 4:42 - and the Joh 6:24 - seeking Joh 10:41 - many Act 18:20 - he

Let: Luk 4:43

for: Isa 61:1-3, Luk 2:49, Luk 4:18-21, Joh 9:4, Joh 16:28, Joh 17:4, Joh 17:8

Reciprocal: Mat 11:1 - he departed Act 10:38 - who Act 18:20 - he

preached: Mar 1:21, Mat 4:23, Luk 4:43, Luk 4:44

Galilee: Galilee was a province of Palestine, being bounded, says Josephus, on the west by Ptolemais and mount Carmel; on the south by the country of Samaria and Scythopolis, on the river Jordan; on the east by the cantons of Hyppos, Gadara, and Gaulon; and on the north by the confines of the Tyrians. It was divided into Lower and Upper Galilee; - Upper Galilee, so called from its being mountainous, was termed Galilee of the Gentiles - Mat 4:15, because inhabited, says Strabo, by Egyptians, Arabians, and Phoenicians, and comprehended the tribes of Asher and Naphtali; the Lower Galilee contained the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar, and was sometimes termed the Great Field. It was, says Josephus, very populous and rich, containing 204 cities and towns.

and cast: Mar 7:30, Luk 4:41

Reciprocal: Mat 11:1 - he departed Mar 3:7 - Galilee Mar 6:2 - he began Luk 4:15 - he Luk 8:1 - that Act 10:38 - who

there: Mat 8:2-4, Luk 5:12-14

a leper: Lev 13:1 - Lev 14:57, Num 12:10-15, Deu 24:8, Deu 24:9, 2Sa 3:29, 2Ki 5:5-27, 2Ki 5:27, 2Ki 7:3, 2Ki 15:5, Mat 11:5, Luk 17:12-19

kneeling: Mar 10:17, 2Ch 6:13, Mat 17:14, Luk 22:41, Act 7:60, Eph 3:14

if thou: Mar 9:22, Mar 9:23, Gen 18:14, 2Ki 5:7

Reciprocal: Lev 14:2 - He shall Mar 7:25 - at Act 14:9 - he had Act 21:5 - we kneeled

moved: Mar 6:34, Mat 9:36, Luk 7:12, Luk 7:13, Heb 2:17, Heb 4:15

I: Mar 4:39, Mar 5:41, Gen 1:3, Psa 33:9, Heb 1:3

Reciprocal: Psa 44:4 - command Mat 8:3 - I will Mat 8:15 - touched Mat 14:31 - stretched Mar 2:11 - General Mar 7:34 - Be opened Mar 8:2 - compassion Mar 9:27 - General Act 14:9 - he had

immediately: Mar 1:31, Mar 5:29, Psa 33:9, Mat 15:28, Joh 4:50-53, Joh 15:3

Reciprocal: Joh 5:9 - immediately

Mar 3:12, Mar 5:43, Mar 7:36, Mat 9:30, Luk 8:56

Reciprocal: Mat 8:4 - See

show: Lev 14:2-32, Mat 23:2, Mat 23:3, Luk 5:14, Luk 17:14

for a testimony: Rom 15:4, 1Co 10:11

Reciprocal: Lev 13:2 - he shall Lev 14:10 - take Deu 24:8 - General Mat 6:3 - let Mat 8:4 - See Mat 9:31 - spread Mar 7:36 - General Mar 13:9 - a Act 23:22 - General

and began: Psa 77:11, Mat 9:31, Luk 5:15, Tit 1:10

could: Mar 2:1, Mar 2:2, Mar 2:13

Reciprocal: Mat 9:26 - the fame hereof Mar 1:28 - General Mar 6:14 - his name Mar 6:31 - come Mar 7:36 - General Luk 4:15 - being Luk 4:37 - the fame Luk 4:42 - and the Luk 8:39 - and published Luk 16:16 - and every Joh 5:15 - and told