Bible Commentaries

Genesis 4:12 — Verse Genesis 4:12. A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be — Thou shalt be expelled from the presence of God, and from thy family connections, and shalt have no fixed secure residence in any place. The Septuagint render this στενων και τρεμων εση, thou shalt

Jonah 4:8 — Verse Jonah 4:8. A vehement east wind — Which was of itself of a parching, withering nature; and the sun, in addition, made it intolerable. These winds are both scorching and suffocating in the East, for deserts of burning sand lay to the east or south-east;

Micah 4:11 — Verse Micah 4:11. Many nations are gathered against thee — The Chaldeans, who were composed of many nations. And, we may add, all the surrounding nations were their enemies; and rejoiced when the Chaldean army had overthrown Jerusalem, destroyed the temple,

Zechariah 10:4 — Verse Zechariah 10:4. Out of him came forth the corner — This is spoken of the tribe of Judah: all strength, counsel, and excellence came from that tribe. The corner stone, the ornament and completion of the building; the nail, by which the tents were fastened, and

Mark 1:23 — Verse 23. A man with an unclean spirit — This demoniac is only mentioned by Mark and Luke, Luke 4:33. It seems the man had lucid intervals; else he could not have been admitted into the synagogue. Unclean or impure spirit - a common epithet for those fallen spirits: but here it may mean, one who filled the heart of him he possessed with LASCIVIOUS

Mark 4:1 — CHAPTER IV. The parable of the sower, 1-9. Its interpretation, 10-20. The use we should make of the instructions we receive, 21-26. The parable of the progressively growing seed, 26-29. Of the mustard seed, 30-34. Christ and his disciples are overtaken by a storm, 35-38. He rebukes the wind and the sea, and produces fair weather, 39-41. NOTES ON CHAP. IV.Verse Mark 4:2. He taught them many things by parables — See every part of this parable of the sower explained on Matthew 13:1, &c.

Luke 7:44 — Verse 44. Thou gavest me no water — In this respect Simon was sadly deficient in civil respect, whether this proceeded from forgetfulness or contempt. The custom of giving water to wash the guest's feet was very ancient. See instances in Genesis 18:4;

John 3:4 — Verse John 3:4. How can a man be born when he is old? — It is probable that Nicodemus was pretty far advanced in age at this time; and from his answer we may plainly perceive that, like the rest of the Jews, and like multitudes of Christians, he rested in the letter, without paying proper attention to the spirit: the shadow, without the thing signified, had hitherto satisfied him. Our Lord knew him to be in this state, and this was the cause of his pointed address to him.

John 4:14 — Verse John 4:14. Springing up into everlasting life. — On this account he can never thirst:-for how can he lack water who has in himself a living, eternal spring? By this water our Lord means also his doctrine, explaining and promising the gifts and graces

John 4:7 — Verse John 4:7. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water — That this was the employment of the females, we see in different parts of the Sacred Writings. See Genesis 24:11, c. Exodus 2:16, and the note at the end of that chapter. The Jews say that those who wished to get wives went to the wells where young women were accustomed to come and draw water; and it is supposed that women of ill fame frequented such places also. See several proofs in Schoettgen.

Acts 2:4 — Verse Acts 2:4. To speak with other tongues — At the building of Babel the language of the people was confounded; and, in consequence of this, they became scattered over the face of the earth: at this foundation of the Christian Church, the gift of various languages

Acts 4:18 — Verse Acts 4:18. Not to speak - nor teach in the name of Jesus. — Any other doctrine, and any other name, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites and infidels will bear, but the doctrine which is according to godliness, proclaiming salvation through the blood of

2 Corinthians 9:13 — produced by their liberal almsgiving to the poor saints at Jerusalem.1. The wants of the saints would be supplied.2. Many thanksgivings would thereby be rendered unto God.3. The Corinthians would thereby give proof of their subjection to the Gospel. And,4. The prayers of those relieved will ascend up to God in the behalf of their benefactors.

Philippians 2:4 — Verse Philippians 2:4. Look not every man on his own things — Do nothing through self-interest in the things of God; nor arrogate to yourselves gifts, graces, and fruits, which belong to others; ye are all called to promote God's glory and the salvation of men. Labour

2 Thessalonians 3:17 — salutation and benediction with his own hand; and this was what authenticated all his epistles. A measure of this kind would be very necessary if forged epistles were carried about in those times. See note on 1 Corinthians 16:21, and see Colossians 4:18.

Hebrews 11:38 — hide by night in dens and caves of the earth, to conceal themselves from the brutal rage of men. Perhaps he refers here principally to the case of Elijah, and the hundred prophets hidden in caves by Obadiah, and fed with bread and water. See 1 Kings 18:4. David was often obliged thus to hide himself from Saul; 1 Samuel 24:3, &c.

Hebrews 11:8 — Verse Hebrews 11:8. Abraham, when he was called — See on Genesis 12:1-4.Not knowing whither he went. — Therefore his obedience was the fullest proof of his faith in God, and his faith was an implicit faith; he obeyed, and went out from his own country, having no prospect of any good or success but what his implicit

Hebrews 12:4 — Verse Hebrews 12:4. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood — Many of those already mentioned were martyrs for the truth; they persevered unto death, and lost their lives in bearing testimony to the truth. Though you have had opposition and persecution, yet you have

1 Peter 4:5 — Verse 1 Peter 4:5. To judge the quick and the dead. — They shall give account of these irregularities to Him who is prepared to judge both the Jews and the Gentiles. The Gentiles, previously to the preaching of the Gospel among them, were reckoned to be dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:1-5; under the sentence of death, because they had sinned. The Jews had at least, by their religious profession, a name to live; and by that profession were bound to give to God.

Revelation 1:13 — a reference to Daniel 7:13. This was our blessed Lord himself, Revelation 1:18.Clothed with a garment down to the foot — This is a description of the high priest, in his sacerdotal robes. See these described at large in the notes on Exodus 28:4, &c., Jesus is our high priest, even in heaven. He is still discharging the sacerdotal functions before the throne of God.Golden girdle. — The emblem both of regal and sacerdotal dignity.