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Christian Biblical Reflections. Completed. Old Testament.
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Some words concerning Christian Biblical Reflections: I am most grateful to the Lord for allowing me to finish this work. The Book is some 2,500 pages of a journey with the Bible in the Christian path. CBR.1-3.v1. c. 570 pages. CBR.4.v2. c370 pages. CBR.5.v3.p1. c. 1020 pages. CBR.v3.p2. c. 550 pages. It has been 10 years in labor & production, 7 years in typing, 3 years on the Prophets alone. It consists of the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi, it is organized in Five Chapters in Three Volumes or broken up into Five Volumes. Due to further health issues, I delay no longer to send out this rush edition. The last 2 Selections are not properly edited; the Chronology in the Period of Daniel to Christ is not yet finished; spelling & grammar is still to be done, along with the Table of Contents, Index, etc. It does not look like I will be able to do all these things, but I'll continue as best as I can. My original intentions is to have a 2 volume work on the entire Bible, Old & New Testaments, but as you see that did not happen. I make no apologies for my literary unconvential quirks. I never intended for the work to be for the market, but to be available in digital formats freely to all. The Summary at the end of the Book, at the end of the Minor Prophets, is intended to make the work understandable to the Bible Reader. I have not tried to produce a Commentary, there are many good ones available, better than I could do; nor a translation, which I am not qualified to attempt; but only share what my exploration of biblical hermeneutics has encountered as a Cobbler examining & repairing worn shoes of doctrines & practices. I use the 1611 AKJV, 1910 ASV, NASB, NET Bible, Bullinger's Companion Bible, Dake's Annotated Reference Bible, Hebrew Text, Greek Text, Latin Text, 1960 Spanish Reina-Valera, etc. The work itself is self-explanatory as it progresses; & the Text Analysis-Digest became more defined. If & when the work is properly finished, edited, & supplemented where necessary, at that time I will reissue the work again in the 3 formats of a rtf, docx, and pdf downloadable copies. Also links will soon be provided of where the work is publicly posted or archived. I pray the work might be of help to the readers, especially the Bible Students. -mjm, 2021.
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Updates:
- 03-02-21: Selections 6-9 (Pusey to Briggs) are now completely edited, Selection 10 is still not finished.
- 03-15-21: Selection 10 (Smith) is completed. What is last edit to finish & add is the Chronology that commenced the Minor Prophets; and the final Reflections on the entire Prophetical Books with conclusion of the Twelve Minor Prophets.
- 03-24-2021: The Reflections on the Prophetic Books & particularly of Daniel & the 12 Minor Prophets is now finished, thus completing the Book CBR, Christian Biblical Reflections of Genesis-Malachi of the Hebrew Old Testament. After perusing the Selections & Reflections of the 4 Major Prophetic Books, its apparent that the several Tables of Chronology together complete the projected full Chronology or Timeline from David to Messiah, so that I need not add more to what has been presented. Any other revisions or changes will be automatically made & place here & all the formats made to match.
- As to the New Testament I cannot say, and little hope to complete it; but what I have started is the Text Analysis & Digest with Annotations from Matthew to Revelation, without any promises or commitments. The Colors of the Text Fonts of Black, Red, Blue, Purple are used in the original formats & preserved in the PDFs to distinguish the Author, Divine Direct Words, Quotes or Citations or References. This also will be available in this location with the other works.
- April 2021. Text of Matthew’s Gospel is now completed. I will work through the Gospels & Acts, then Paul’s Epistles, the Catholic Epistles, & the Apocalypse or Revelation. Reflections & Selections will not be attempted till the Text is completed. Revisions or Additions made without notifications.
- August 2021. The Gospels of Mark, Luke, & John each were completed per month for 3 months. Acts is here completed & so completes Part I of the CBR of the Text Analysis & Digest.
- Unless requested directly, Paul’s Letters from Romans to Hebrews will not be offered in installments, but will be shared when all 14 Epistles are completed as Part II, which will take several months.
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Christian Biblical Reflections. NewTestament. Continuation in Progress. 2021. Part I.
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Book of the Gospel of Mark: Chapters 1-16.
Beginning (Grk archē as in Gen.1, John 1) of the Gospel (Evangel, Good-News) of Jesus Christ, [God’s Son]. As written in the Prophet Isaiah, “I send My Messenger before Yu, to prepare Yur way. The voice of one proclaiming (preaching, crying) in the wilderness (desert), “Prepare the Lord’s (i.e., Jehovah’s, HaShem, Adonai) Way, Make His Paths straight.”” (Is. 40, 42, Mal. 3, Mt. 3) John came baptizing (immersing, washing, bathing) & preaching in the wilderness the baptism of repentance to (for) remission (forgiveness, pardon) of sins. Those of the Judaean country-area, & of Jerusalem came to him; and were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John was clothed with camel’s hair (i.e. made with camel’s hair), & leather girdle around his waist, & ate locusts (i.e. cooked or roasted as kosher by Jewish law, & still eaten to this day in Israel & elsewhere) & wild (raw, field, natural) honey. His message: “One comes after me is mightier than I, the latchet (buckle, strap) of whose shoes (sandals) I am not worthy to stoop down & untie. I baptized you in (by, with) water; He will baptize you in(by, with) [the] Holy Spirit (holy spirit).” Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in the Jordan; & coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens rent asunder (opened up), and the Spirit as a Dove descending on Him: and a Voice came out of the heavens, “Yu are My Beloved Son, in Yu I am well pleased.”
The Spirit drives (leads, compels) Him into the desert. He was in the wilderness 40 days tempted of Satan; He was with the wild animals; the Angels ministered to Him. After John was imprisoned, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching God’s Gospel, saying “the time is fulfilled, God’s Kingdom of God is near: repent & believe in the Gospel.” Passing along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon & his brother Andrew, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishers. Jesus said to them, “Come follow Me, I will make you fishers of men.” They left the nets & followed Him. Going a little further, He saw James of Zebedee, & his brother John, in the boat mending the nets. He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants (workers), & followed Him. In Capernaum, on the Sabbath day, He entered the Synagogue & taught. They were astonished at His teaching, with authority, and not as the Scribes. Soon there was in their Synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have we to do with Yu, Jesus the Nazarene (i.e., from Nazareth)? are Yu come to destroy us? I know Who Yu are: the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebuked him, “Be silent, come out of him.” The unclean spirit, tearing (twisting) him & crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, as to question among themselves, “What is this? a new teaching (doctrine)! with authority He commands the unclean spirits, & they obey Him.” The report of Him went out quickly everywhere into the region of Galilee roundabout. When they came out of the Synagogue, they came into the house of Simon & Andrew, with James & John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever; they tell him of her: He took her by the hand, and raised her up; the fever left her, & she ministered to them. At even, at sunset, they brought to Him all that were sick, and those demon possessed. The city was gathered-together at the door. He healed many that were sick with various diseases, expelled many demons; He permitted not the demons to speak, because they knew (recognized) Him. (Demons as in Matthew are described as spirits, spiritual beings, the word is Greek, rarely used in the Old Test. LXX, referring to idols, in Greek used with a wide variety of meanings, good & bad; that they possess people with sickness, diseases, & insanity, make them also psychological; compare liquor or alcohol as ‘spirits’.) In the morning, before sunrise, He rose up & went out, & departed into a desert-place, & there prayed. Simon & the others searched for Him; they found Him, & say to Him, “All are seeking Yu.” He told them, “Let us go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for to this end came I forth.”
He went into their Synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching & expelling demons. A leper came to Him, begging Him, kneeling before Him, “If Yu will, Yu can make me clean.” He was moved with compassion, He stretched forth His hand, & touched him, saying to him, “I will; be made clean.” Instantly the leprosy left him, he was made clean. He strictly charged him, and sent him out, telling him, “See yu say nothing to any man: go show yurself to the Priest, & offer for yur cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.” (See Lev. 13-15.) He went out, and began to publish it much, and to spread abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city but was outside in desert places: and they came to Him from every quarter. (1:1-45)
After some days He again entered Capernaum, it was noised that He was in the house. Many were gathered, so there was no longer room, even at the door: He spoke the Word to them. They came, with a paralytic (paralysis, sick-with-palsy), carried by 4. When they could not come near to Him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was: and had broken it up, they let down the bed whereon the paralytic lay. Jesus seeing their faith says to the paralytic, “Son, yur sins are forgiven.” Certain of the scribes sitting there, were reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man thus speak? He blasphemes: who can forgive sins but God?” Jesus, perceiving in His spirit (i.e. this is an example of spirit as the human spirit as is the human soul) that they so reasoned within (among) themselves, says to them, “Why reason these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Thy sins are forgiven;” or to say, “Arise, take up yur bed, & walk?” But that you may know that the Son of Man (see Ezekiel for the usage of this term) has authority on earth to forgive sins (He says to the paralytic), “I tell yu, Arise, take up yur bed, go to yur house (go home).” He arose, instantly, took up the bed, and went forth before them; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw it on this fashion.”
Again, He went forth by the seaside; and the multitude resorted to Him, and He taught them. As He passed by, He saw Levi of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll (tax), He says to him, “Follow Me.” He arose & followed Him. It came about, He was sitting at table (to eat) in his (i.e., Levi’s) house, and many publicans (tax-collectors) & sinners (immorals, reprobates, criminals) sat down with Jesus & His Disciples (followers, students): for there were many, and they followed Him. The Scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that He was eating with the sinners & publicans, said to His Disciples, “Eats He & drinks with publicans & sinners?” When Jesus heard it, He says to them, “The healthy have no need of a physician, only they who are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” John’s Disciples & the Pharisees were fasting: they say to Him, “Why do John’s Disciples & the Disciples of the Pharisees fast, but yur Disciples fast not?” Jesus said to them, “Can the sons (children, friends) of the bridechamber (wedding-chapel, chuppah) fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the groom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day.”
“No-one sews a piece of unwashed cloth on an old garment: lest the patch shrinks from it, the new from the old, and a worse rip is made. No-one putteth new wine into old wineskins; else the wine will burst the skins, & the wine & skins perish new wine is put into fresh wine-skins.” He was going through the grainfields (cornfields) on the Sabbath-day; His Disciples plucked (shucked) the corn-ears (i.e. with the husks or leaves). The Pharisees said to Him,” Why do they violate(do unlawful deeds, work on, transgress) the Sabbath-day?” He replied, “Did you never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he, & they those with him? How he entered God’s House when Abiathar was High Priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to them that were with him?” (1st Sam. 21, Abiathar benAhimelech who survived the slaughter) He tells them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: so, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”” (2:1-28)
Again, He entered the synagogue; there was a man who had a withered (deformed) hand. They watched him, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath-day; to accuse Him. He says to the man with withered hand, “Stand forth.” He says, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath-day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill?” They kept quiet. He looked about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, He says to the man, “Extend yur hand.” He stretched it forth; and his hand was restored. The Pharisees & Herodians went out, took-counsel (plotted, conspired) against Him, to destroy Him. Jesus & His disciples withdrew to the sea: great multitudes followed Him from Galilee, Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, & beyond the Jordan, & about Tyre & Sidon, (i.e., about 100 miles from north to south, east to west), hearing what great things He did, & came to Him. He told His Disciples, that a little- boat should wait for Him because of the crowd, lest they should throng Him: because He had healed many; so, many as had plagues pressed on Him that they might touch Him. The unclean spirits, when they beheld Him, fell before Him, crying, “Yu are God’s Son.” He charged them often not make Him known.
He went up the mountain & calls certain ones He wanted; they went to Him. [He appointed Twelve,] to be with Him, to send them forth to preach, & have authority (power) to expel demons: Simon He surnamed (renamed Simon) Peter; James & John, brothers, of Zebedee, & surnamed (renamed) them Boanerges, which is, Sons of Thunder; & Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananaean, & Judas Iscariot, His betrayer. He went into a house. The multitude again came together, that they could not eat bread. His Friends heard it, they went out to lay hold on (get) Him: saying, “He is beside Himself (crazy).” The Scribes from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub, & by the Prince of the demons expels the demons.” He called them & said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house be divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. If Satan revolts against himself, & is divided, he cannot stand, but is finished. No one can enter into the house of the strong [man], and rob his goods, except he first binds the strong [man]. Verily (Amen,) I tell you, All sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, & their blasphemies: but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has never forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin”: because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”” His Mother & brothers came, standing outside, calling for Him. A multitude was sitting about him; they told Him, “Yur Mother & Brothers outside seek Yu.” He answers, “Who is My Mother & Brethren?” Looking on them who sat round about Him, He says, “Look, My Mother & Brethren! Whoever shall do God’s Will, the same is My Brother, Sister, & Mother.” (3:1-35)
Again, He taught by the seaside. There gathered to Him a very great crowd, so that He entered a boat, & sat in the sea; the multitude were by the sea on the land. He taught them many things in parables, and told them in His Teaching (Doctrine, Message): “Listen: the sower went forth to sow: as he sowed, some fell by the way-side, the birds devoured it. Other fell on the rocks (rocky-ground, stony-soil), where it had not much earth; it sprang up quickly, because it had no depth of earth: when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Other fell among the thorns (weeds), and the thorns grew up, & choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up & increasing; and brought forth, 30-fold, 60-fold, & 100-fold.” He said, “Who has ears, let him hear (heed, listen, obey).” When He was alone, the Twelve asked of Him the parables. He told them, “To you is given the Mystery (secret, hidden-things) of God’s Kingdom: to those outside, all things are done in parables: that “seeing they may see, & not perceive; hearing they may hear, & not understand; lest perhaps they should turn-again (repent, convert), and they be forgiven.” (see Is. 44, etc.) He explained, “You know not this parable? how shall ye know all the parables? The sower sows (plants) the word. Those by the wayside, where the word is sown; when they have heard, quickly Satan comes, taketh away the word which hath been sown in them. These sown on (among) the rocks, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy; they have no root in themselves, endure for a while; when tribulation (trouble) or persecution arises because of the word, straightway they stumble (easily fall). Others, sown among the thorns; these, heard the word, and the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, the lusts (desires) of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Those sown on the good ground, such as hear the word, & accept it, & bear fruit, 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold.”
He said, “Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel (basket), or under the bed, not the stand? There is nothing hid, but to be manifested; neither secret, but to come to light. He who has ears, let him hear.” He said, “Take heed what you hear: how you measure will be measured to you; & more given. He who has, to him shall be given he who has not, what he has will be taken-away.”
He said, “God’s Kingdom is as if a man should cast seed on the earth; & should sleep & rise night & day, the seed spring up & grow, he knows not how. The earth bears fruit of herself; first the leaf (blade), then the ear (head, baby-corn), then the full grain in the ear (mature-corn). When the fruit is ripe, straightway he put forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.”
He said, “How shall we liken God’s Kingdom? or in what parable shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard planted, which, when it is planted on the earth, though it be smaller than all the seeds on the earth, when it is sown, grows up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, & putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under its shadow.” With many such parables spoke He the Word to them, as they were able to hear it; without a parable He spoke not to them: but to His Disciples privately He expounded all things.
That day, at even, He says to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” (i.e., the other side of the Sea of Galilee or Kinneret) Leaving the multitude, they took Him, as he was, in the boat. Other boats were with Him. There arises a great storm of wind, the waves beat into the boat, that the boat was filling. Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: they wake Him, saying, “Teacher, do Yu care we perish?” He awoke, rebuked the wind, said to the sea, “Peace, be still (be calm, quiet).” The wind ceased, there was a great calm. He said, “Why are you fearful? have you no faith?” They feared exceedingly, & said one to another, “Who then is This, that even the wind & the sea obey Him?” (4:1-41)
They came to the other side of the sea (i.e., mid or central Sea of Galilee), into the country of the Gerasenes (Gergesa, Gadarenes). As He came out of the boat, there met Him from the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who lived in the tombs: no one could any more bind him, no, not with a chain; because he had been often bound with shackles & chains, the chains were broken by him, & the shackles broken in pieces: no one had strength to tame him. Always, night & day, in the tombs & in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran & worshipped Him; crying out with a loud voice, “What have I to do with Yu, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure (beg, plead, implore, etc.) Yu by God, torment me not.” For He said to him, “Unclean spirit come out of the man.” He asked him, “What is yur name?” He says to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” He besought Him much not send them away out of the country. There was on the mountain side a great herd of swine (pigs) feeding. They besought Him, “Send us into the swine, to enter into them.” He gave them permission. The unclean spirits came out and entered into the swine: the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, about 2,000; they were drowned in the sea. Those who fed them fled, and told it in the city, & country. They came to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, saw the demon-possessed, who had the Legion sitting, clothed, in his right mind: they were afraid. Those who saw (witnessed) it related to them what happened to the demon-possessed & concerning the swine. They begged Him to depart from their borders. As He was entering into the boat, the demon-possessed begged Him to let him be with Him. He permitted him not, but told him, “Go home to yur friends, tell them how great things the Lord has done for yu, & had mercy on yu.” He went his way and published (testified) in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men marveled.
When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a great multitude was gathered to Him; He was by the sea. One of the Rulers of the Synagogue, Jairus by name, came & seeing Him, falls at His Feet, imploring Him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death: come lay Yur Hands on her, that she may be made whole, & live.” He went with him; a great multitude followed Him, they thronged Him. A woman, who had an issue of blood 12 years, & suffered many things of many physicians, & had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, having heard the things concerning Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched His garment. She said, “If I touch but his garments, I shall be made well (whole, healed, cured, etc.).” The fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague. Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power from Him had gone forth, turned about in the crowd, & said, “Who touched My garments?” His Disciples said to Him, “Yu see the multitude thronging Yu, & say, “Who touched Me?” He looked round about to see her who did this. The woman fearing & trembling, knowing what had been done to her, fell before Him, and told Him all the truth. He said to her, “Daughter, yur faith has made yu well; go in peace, be whole of yur plague.” While He spoke, they came from the Ruler of the Synagogue’s saying, “Yur daughter is dead: why trouble the Teacher any further?” Jesus, heeding not the word spoken, says to the Ruler of the Synagogue, “Fear not, only believe.” He allowed no man to follow Him, save Peter, James, & his brother John. They came to the house of the Ruler of the Synagogue; He saw a tumult, weeping & wailing greatly. After he was entered in, He says to them, “Why make you a tumult (commotion), & weep? the child is not dead, but sleeps.” They laughed Him with scorn. He, having put them all forth, takes the father of the child & her mother & those with Him, goes in where the child was. Taking the child by the hand, He says to her, “Talitha cumi” (Aram-Heb); which is, being interpreted, “Damsel, I tell yu, Arise.” The young girl rose up & walked; for she was 12 years old. And they were greatly amazed. He charged them again that no one should know this: He commanded her to be fed. (5:1-43)
He went out & comes into His own country; with His Disciples following. On Sabbath, He taught in the Synagogue: many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “How has He this? What is the wisdom given to Him, and such mighty-works wrought by His Hands? Is not this the Carpenter, Mary’s Son, and Brother of James, Joses, Judas, & Simon? are not His Sisters here with us?” They were offended in Him. Jesus said, “A Prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, among his own kin, & in his own house.” He could not do mighty works, except He laid His Hands on a few sick folks, & healed them. He marveled because of their unbelief. He went round about the villages teaching.
He calls unto him the Twelve and sent them forth by two’s; He gave them authority (power) over the unclean spirits; He instructed them that they should take nothing to journey (travel), a staff only; no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse; but with sandals: not wear two coats. He said, “If you enter into a house, there stay till you depart. If any place shall not receive you, and hear not you, as you leave thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony to them.” They went out & preached to repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many sick, & healed them.
King Herod (i.e., Antipas) heard; for His Name was known: and He said, “John the Baptizer is risen from the dead, so these powers work in Him.” Others said, “It is Elijah.” Others said, “a Prophet, as one of the Prophets.” Herod said, “John, whom I beheaded, is risen.” Herod had sent and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for yu to have yur brother’s wife.” Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; & could not; Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous & holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly. When a convenient day came, Herod on his birthday made a supper for his Lords, the High Captains, & the Chief Men of Galilee; the daughter of Herodias danced, she pleased Herod and those who sat at table with him; the King said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever yu will, and I will give it.” He sware to her, “Whatever yu shalt ask of me, I will give it, to the half of my kingdom.” She went out, told her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.” She came in quickly to the King, saying, “I want immediately on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The King was deeply sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at supper, he would not reject her. The King sent forth a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring his head: he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. When his Disciples heard, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. The Apostles (i.e., Disciples sent on a mission) came together to Jesus; they told Him all things, what they had done, & taught.
He says to them, “Come alone into a desert place, rest a while.” There were many coming & going, they had no leisure so much as to eat. They went alone in the boat to a desert-place. They were seen leaving, & were recognized, they ran together on foot from the cities, & outran them. He came forth and saw a great multitude, He had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: He began to teach them many things. When the day was now far spent, His Disciples came to Him, & said, “The place is desert, the day is now far spent; send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about and buy something to eat.” He answered, “Give them food.” They replied, “Shall we go buy 200 shillings’ worth of bread, to feed them?” (200 shillings or denars equaled some 200 days labor for a common worker, or 5 months wages; at best about 1,000 people could be fed a little.) He says, “Go, see how many loaves you have.” When they knew, they say, “5, & 2 fishes.” He commanded them to sit down by companies on the green grass. They sat down in ranks, by 100s, & by 50s. He took the 5 loaves & 2 fishes, looking up to heaven, He blessed, broke the loaves; and He gave to the Disciples to set before them; and the 2 fishes divided He among them all. They ate & were filled. They took up broken pieces, 12 basketfuls, also of the fishes. They who ate the loaves were 5,000 men. Straightway He constrained His Disciples to enter the boat, to go ahead to the other side to Bethsaida (Beth-Saida, little north of Sea of Galilee), while He sent the multitude away. After He left them, He departed into the mountain to pray. At even the boat was in mid sea, He alone on the land. Seeing them distressed in rowing, the wind was contrary to them, about the 4th watch (3 am to 6 am, last watch before sunrise) of the night He comes to them, walking on the sea; He would have passed by them: when they saw Him, supposed it was a ghost (phantom, specter, spirit), & cried out; they all saw Him, & were troubled. He spoke with them, “Be of good cheer: it is I; fear not.” He went up to them into the boat; the wind ceased: they were sore amazed in themselves; they understood not concerning the loaves, their heart was hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to Gennesaret, and moored (tied, secured) to the shore. When they came out of the boat, He was recognized, they ran round about that whole region, carried about on their beds those that were sick, where they heard He was. Wherever he entered, into villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched Him were made whole. (6:1-56)
The Pharisees & some Scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, gathered to Him, and saw some of His Disciples ate bread with defiled, unwashed (dirty, unclean), hands. (The Pharisees, & the Jews, except they wash their hands diligently, eat not, keeping the tradition of the Elders (i.e., Talmudic traditions & rules based on the Mishnaic commandments from Moses’ Law or Torah); and from (out of, leaving) the marketplace, except they bathe (baptize) themselves, they eat not; and many other things there are, which they have received to keep, washings (baptisms) of cups, pots, & brasen vessels.) The Pharisees & Scribes ask Him, “Why walk not Yur Disciples according to the tradition of the Elders, but eat their bread with defiled hands?” He said, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. In vain do they worship Me, Teaching doctrines, the precepts of men.” (Is. 29) You leave God’s commandment, to observe men’s (human) tradition.” He said, “Full well do you reject God’s commandment to keep your tradition (customs). Moses said, “Honor yur father & mother; He that speaks evil of father or mother, he must die:” You say, “If a man tells his father or mother, “What yu might profit (benefit) by me is Corban (Korban, Qorban = Heb-Aram, given, sacrificed, offered, pledged, donated, dedicated, consecrated, etc ),” that is to say, Given;” You no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother; making void the God’s Word by your tradition, which you have delivered (prescribed): many such things you do.” He called the multitude again, “Hear Me, all of you, & understand nothing outside man, going into him can defile him; things which proceed out of man are those that defile man. [He who has ears, let him hear.]” When he entered the house from the multitude, His Disciples asked of Him the parable. He told them, “Are you without understanding also? Perceive you not, whatever from outside goes into man, cannot defile him; because it goes not into his heart, but into his belly (stomach), (waste, excrement)?” Making (Declaring) all foods clean.” He said, “what proceeds out of man, defiles man. From inside, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetings (lusts), wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: these evil things proceed from within, & defile man.” He arose & went-away into the borders of Tyre & Sidon (i.e., some 30 miles away). He entered into a house, not wanting anyone to know it; He could not be hidden. Suddenly a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of Him, fell at His Feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged Him to expel the demon out of her daughter. He told her, “Let the children first be filled: for it is not proper to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.” She replied, “Yes, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.” He replied, “For this saying go yur way; the demon is gone out of yur daughter.” She returned home, found the child laid on the bed, and the demon gone out.
Again, He went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee (i.e. some 30 miles again), through the midst of the borders of Decapolis (Grk word: Deka-polis, ten-cities, alliance of 10 cities of Syrian province, consisting of some 50 x 50 miles; dependent on & protected by Rome, thus out of Herod’s Antipas & Jerusalem control). They bring to Him one that was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; they begged Him to lay His Hand upon him. He took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, He spat, & touched his tongue; looking up to heaven, He sighed, & says to him, “Ephphatha, (Heb-Aram), Be opened”. His ears were opened, and the bond (restriction, tightness) of his tongue was loosed, & he spoke plain. He charged them to tell no man: but the more He charged them, the greater they published it. They were beyond measure astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear, & the dumb to speak.” (7:1-37)
In those days, there was again a great multitude, they had nothing to eat, He called His Disciples, & said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with Me now 3 days, and have nothing to eat: if I send them away fasting (hungry, starving) to their home, they will faint on the way; some of them are come from far.” His Disciples answered, “Whence to feed them with bread here in a desert place?” He asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “7.” He commands the multitude to sit down on the ground: He took the 7 loaves, gave thanks, He broke, and gave to His Disciples, to set before them; they set them before the multitude. They had a few small fishes: having blessed them, He commanded to set these also before them. They ate, & were filled: they took up, of broken pieces that remained over, 7 baskets. They were about 4,000: and He sent them away. He entered the boat with His Disciples and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees came forth to question Him, seeking a sign from heaven, testing Him. He sighed deeply in His spirit, saying, “This generation seeks a sign? Verily (amen,) I tell you, There shall no sign be given to this generation (i.e., Jews then living rejecting Messiah).” He left them, again reentering, departed to the other side (i.e., of the Sea of Galilee). They forgot to take bread; they had in the boat only one loaf. He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees & of Herod.” They reasoned together, “We have no bread.” Jesus perceiving it says to them, “Why reason you, because you have no bread? do you not perceive, neither understand? have your heart hardened? Having eyes, see you not? having ears, hear you not? do you not remember? When I broke the 5 loaves among the 5,000, how many baskets full of broken pieces you took up?” They say, “12.” “When the 7 among the 4,000, how many basketfuls of broken pieces you took up?” They say, “7.” He said to them, “Do you not understand?”
They came to Bethsaida (i.e near northern-east Sea of Galilee). They bring a blind man, for Him to touch him. He took hold of the blind-man by the hand, brought him out of the village; when He spit on his eyes, laid Hands on him, He asked, “Yu see anything?” He looked up, & said, “I see men as trees, walking.” Again, He laid Hands on his eyes; and he looked steadfastly, & was restored, & saw all things clearly. He sent him home, saying, “Do not enter into the village.” Jesus left, with His disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi (i.e., few miles north to the Sea of Galilee): on the way He asked His Disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” They told him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; others, One of the prophets.” He asked them, “who say you that I am?” Peter answers, “Yu are the Christ(Messiah).” He charged (warned) them not to tell anyone about Him. He taught them, “the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the Elders (i.e., Rabbis), & Chief Priests, & Scribes, & be killed, & after 3 days rise again.” He spoke openly. Peter took Him, to rebuke Him. He turning about, seeing His Disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan; yu mind (value, care for) not the things of God, but the things of men.” He called the multitude with His Disciples, saying, “If anyone would follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross (i.e., death, execution, termination), & follow Me. Whoever saves his life shall lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake & the Gospel’s, shall save it. For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life (soul, self)? What should a man give in exchange for his life (soul, self)? Whoever shall be ashamed of Me & of My Words in this adulterous & sinful generation, the Son of Man also shall be ashamed of him, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy Angels.” (8:1-38)
He said to them, “Verily (Amen,) I tell you, There are some standing here, who shall not taste death (will not die), till they see God’s Kingdom come with power.” After 6 days Jesus takes Peter, James, & John, to a high mountain alone: He was transfigured (transformed, changed) before them; His Garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller (washer) on earth can whiten them. There appeared Elijah with Moses: talking with Jesus. Peter asks Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: let us make 3 tabernacles (booths, huts, sukkoths); one for Yu, one for Moses, & one for Elijah.” He knew not what to say; they were very afraid. A cloud overshadowed them: A voice out of the cloud, “This is My Beloved Son: hear(obey) Him.” Suddenly, they saw no one except Jesus alone. Coming down from the mountain, He charged them to tell no one what things they had seen, until (before) the Son of Man rises-again from the dead (death). They kept the saying (secret), questioning among themselves what the rising-again (resurrection) from the dead (death) should mean. They said, “the Scribes say that Elijah must first come?” He said, “Elijah indeed comes first, & restores all things: & it is written of the Son of Man, He should suffer many things & be rejected? I tell you, Elijah is come, and they have also done to him what they wanted, as it is written of him.” (See Isaiah & Malachi, etc.) When they came to the Disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and Scribes questioning with them. Straightway when they saw Him, the crowd were greatly amazed, and running to Him greeted Him. He asked them, “What question you with them?” One from the multitude answered Him, “Teacher, I brought to Yu my son, who has a dumb(mute, speechless) spirit; wherever it takes him, it dashes him down: he foams, & grinds his teeth, & pines away (is exhausted, depressed): I spoke to Yur Disciples that they should expel it; they were unable.” He responded, “Faithless generation (i.e., Jews, Israelites), how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him to Me.” They brought him to Him: when he saw him, the spirit tore him grievously; he fell on the ground, wallowed foaming. He asked his father, “How long has he been this way?” He said, “From a child. Often it has cast him both into the fire& into the waters, to destroy him: but if Yu can do anything, have compassion on us, help us.” Jesus replied, “If yu can! All things are possible to him who believes.” Straightway the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief.” When Jesus saw that a multitude running, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying, “Dumb & deaf spirit, I command yu, come out of him, and enter no more into him.” He cried out, & tore him much, he came out: & became as one dead; so many said, “He is dead.” Jesus took him by the hand & raised him up; and he arose. When He came into the house, His Disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not expel it?” He said, “This kind comes out only by prayer.”
They went thence, passed through Galilee (i.e., from the north-east to south-west); He wanted no man to know it. He taught His Disciples, “The Son of Man is delivered-up (betrayed) into the hands of men, to kill him; when He is killed, after 3 days He shall rise again.” They understood not the saying and were afraid to ask Him. They came to Capernaum (some 5 miles west of Bethsaida): when He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing on the way?” They kept quiet: for they had disputed who is the greatest. He sat down, called the Twelve; says to them, “If anyone would be first, he shall be last of all, & servant of all.” He took a little-child, set him amid them: taking him in His arms, said, “Whoever receives such little-children in My Name, receives Me: whoever receives Me, receives not Me, but Him Who sent Me.” John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw one expelling demons in Yur Name; we forbade him, because he followed not us.” Jesus said, “Forbid him not: for there is none who shall do a mighty-work in My Name, and be able quickly to speak evil of Me. He who is not against us is for us. Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you are Christ’s (i.e., Christians), verily (amen,) I tell you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Whoever shall cause one of these little ones who believe in Me (i.e., young Christians, new believer & disciple & follower) to stumble, it was better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. If yur hand cause yu to stumble, cut it off: it is better to enter life maimed, rather than having two hands to go into hell (hades, grave, death), into the unquenchable fire, [where their worm dies not, & the fire is not quenched.] If yur foot cause yu to stumble, cut it off: it is better to enter life halt, rather than having two feet to be cast into hell, [where their worm dies not, & the fire is not quenched.] If yur eye cause yu to stumble, pluck it out: it is better to enter God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. Everyone shall be salted with fire. Salt is good: but if the salt has lost its saltness (savor, flavor, quality), wherewith will you season it? Have salt in (among) yourselves and be at peace one with another.” (9:1-50)
He arose thence & comes into the borders of Judaea & beyond (near, across) the Jordan: multitudes gathered to him again; as He did, He taught them. There came to Him Pharisees, & asked, “Is it lawful for a man to put away (divorce) a wife?” testing Him. He answered, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses permitted to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.” Jesus replied, “For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of the creation, Male & female made He them. For this cause shall a man leave his father & mother, and shall cling to his wife; the two shall become one flesh: they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God joined together, let not man put asunder.” In the house the Disciples asked Him about this. He says, “Whoever divorces his wife, and marry another, commits adultery against her: if she herself divorces her husband, and marry another, she commits adultery.”
They were bringing to Him little children, to touch them: and the Disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw it, He was moved with indignation, said, “Allow the little children to come to Me; forbid them not: for to such belongs God’s Kingdom. Verily (Amen,) I tell you, Whoever shall not receive God’s Kingdom as a little child, shall never enter therein.” He took them in His arms, & blessed them, laying His Hands on them.
As He was going on the way, one ran to Him, kneeled, and asked, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “Why call Me good? none is good, only God. Yu know the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father & mother.” He said to Him, “Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth.” Jesus looking on him loved him, said to him, “One thing Yu lack: go, sell whatever Yu have, give to the poor, and yu shall have treasure in heaven: come, follow Me.” His countenance fell at the saying, he went away sorrowful: he was one that had great possessions. Jesus looked around, says to His Disciples, “How difficult shall they who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!” The Disciples were amazed at His words. Jesus repeated again, “Children, how hard is it for them who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” they were astonished exceedingly, saying to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looking on them says, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say, “We have left all, & have followed Yu.” Jesus said, “Verily (Amen,) I tell you, There is no man who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for My sake, and for the Gospel’s sake, but he shall receive a 100fold now in this time, houses, brethren, sisters, mothers, children, lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. Many first shall be last; & the last first.”
They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; Jesus going before them: they were amazed; they who followed were afraid. Again, He took the Twelve, to tell them the things to happen to Him: “We go up to Jerusalem; the Son of Man shall be delivered to the Chief Priests & Scribes; to condemn Him to death, to deliver Him to the Gentiles (1st occurs here in Mark, & never in John): to mock Him, to spit on Him, to scourge Him, to kill Him; and after 3 days He shall rise again.” James & John, the sons of Zebedee, come near to Him saying, “Teacher, we want Yu to do for us what we shall ask of Yu.” He ask, “What want you that I should do?” They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit in Yur Glory, one on Yur Right Hand, one on Left Hand.” Jesus said to them, “You know not what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said, “We are able.” “Jesus replied, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and with the baptism that I am baptized with shall you be baptized: but to sit on My Right Hand or on Left Hand is not Mine to give; but for whom it has been prepared.” When the 10 heard it, they were moved with indignation with James & John. Jesus called them to Him, saying, “Ye know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles (last occurrence in Mark) lord it over them; their great ones exercise authority (power) over them. It must not be so among you: whoever wants to be great among you, shall be your minister; whoever wants to be first among you, shall be servant of all. The Son of Man also came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom (purchase, redemption, payment) for many.”
They come to Jericho: as He left Jericho, with His disciples & a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the wayside. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Many rebuked him, to be quiet: he cried out the more a great deal, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus stood still, & said, “Call him.” They call the blind man, saying, “Be of good cheer: rise, He calls yu.” Casting away his garment, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus ask, “What should I do to yu?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni (Heb-Aram = my Master, Rabbi), that I may receive my sight.” Jesus said to him, “Go yur way; yur faith has made yu whole.” Straightway he received his sight, and followed Him in the way. (10:1-52)
When near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage & Bethany, at the mount of Olives, He sends 2 of His Disciples, “Go to the village opposite you: right as you enter it, you shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat; loose him, & bring him. If anyone say, “Why do you this?” say, “The Lord has need of him; he will send him back hither.” They went away, found a colt tied at the door outside in the open street; and they untied him. Certain of them that stood there said, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied as Jesus said: and they let them go. They bring the colt to Jesus, put on him their garments; He sat on him. Many spread their garments on the way, others branches, which they cut from the fields. They who went before, & who followed, yelled, “Hosanna; Blessed, He Who comes in the Lord’s Name: Blessed the coming Kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest.” He entered Jerusalem, in the Temple; when He looked around, it being now even, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve. In the morning, when they were come out from Bethany, He hungered. Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if perhaps He might find anything thereon: when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs. He told it, “No man eat fruit from yu ever again.” His Disciples heard it.
They come to Jerusalem: He entered the Temple, expelled (drove out) them who sold and bought in the Temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; He would not permit that anyone should carry a vessel through the Temple. He taught, “Is it not written, “My House shall be called a House of Prayer for all the nations? but you have made it a den of robbers.” The Chief Priests & Scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy Him: for they feared Him, for all the multitude was astonished at His Teaching (Doctrine). Every evening He left the city. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. Peter calling to remembrance says to Him, “Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which Yu cursed is withered away.” Jesus replied, “Have faith in God. Verily (Amen,) I tell you, Whoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and not doubt in his heart, but believe what he says comes about; he shall have it. Therefore I tell you, All things you pray & ask for, believe you receive them, and you shall have them. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; that your Father also Who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. [If ye do not forgive, neither will your Father Who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.]”
They come again to Jerusalem: as He was walking in the Temple, there come to Him the Chief Priests, & Scribes, & Elders; they said to Him, “By what authority (power) do Yu these things? or who gave Yu this authority to do these things?” Jesus replied, “I will ask of you one question, & answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? answer Me.” they reasoned among themselves, “If we say, “From heaven;” He will say, “Why then did you not believe him? But should we say, “From men –they feared the people: for all truly held John to be a prophet.”” They answered Jesus, “We know not.” Jesus says, “Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” (11:1-33)
He started speaking to them in parables: A man planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, digged a pit for the winepress, built a tower, rented it to husbandmen, and went into another country. At the season he sent to the husbandmen (tenant-farmer) a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard. They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty. Again he sent to them another servant; him they wounded in the head, & handled shamefully. He sent another; they killed him: & many others; beating some, & killing some. He had yet one, a beloved son: he sent him last to them, saying, “They will reverence my son.” Those husbandmen said among themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.” They took him, killed him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard. What should the Lord of the vineyard do? He will come & destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture: “The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Ps. 118) They sought to lay hold on Him; they feared the multitude; they perceived that He spoke the parable against them: they left him, and went away.
They send to Him some Pharisees & Herodians, to catch Him in talk. When they were come, they say, “Teacher, we know Yu are true, & without care; Yu regard not the person of men, but of a truth teach God’s Way: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or not give?” Knowing their hypocrisy, said, “Why try Me? bring Me a denarius, that I may see it.” They brought it. He says to them, “Whose is this image & superscription?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus told them, “Render to Caesar what are Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” They marveled greatly at Him.
Sadducees come to Him, they say there is no resurrection; they asked Him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us, “If a man’s brother die, and leave a wife behind him, without child, his brother should take (marry) his wife, and raise up seed (offspring, children) to his brother.” There were 7 brothers: the 1st took a wife, and dying left no seed; the 2nd took her, & died, leaving no seed; the 3rd likewise: the 7 left no seed. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife (married her).” (see 4th Mac. c. 13-18) Jesus said to them, “You err not knowing the Scriptures, nor God’s Power? When they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as Angels in heaven. As touching the dead, that they are raised; have ye not read in the book of Moses, in the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, “I, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, & the God of Jacob?” He is not the God of the dead, but of the living: you greatly err.” One of the Scribes heard them arguing, knowing that He answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, “Hear, Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is One: yu must love the Lord yur God with all yur heart, soul, mind, & with all yur strength.” (Deut. 6, etc.) The second is this, “Yu must love yur neighbor as yurself.” (Lev. 19) There is no other commandment greater than these.”” The Scribe said to Him, “Truth, Teacher, Yu have well said, He is One; there is no other but He: to love Him with all the heart, understanding, & strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings & sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said to him, “Yu are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one after that dared questioned Him.
Jesus asked, as He taught in the Temple, “How say the scribes that the Christ is David’s Son? David himself said in (by) the Holy Spirit, “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My Right Hand, Till I make Yur enemies the footstool of Yur Feet.” (Ps.110) David calls Him Lord; how is He his Son?” The common people heard him gladly. In His Doctrine (Teaching) He said, “Beware of the Scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and greetings in the marketplaces, & chief seats in the synagogues, & chief places at feasts: they devour widows’ houses, for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.” He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched how the multitude tossed money into the treasury: and many that were rich threw in much. There came a poor widow, she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. He called His disciples, and said, “Verily (Amen,) I tell you, “This poor widow cast in more than all they who are casting into the treasury: they cast in of their superfluity (abundance, surplus); she of her want (necessity) put in what she had, all her living(life, bios).” (12:1-44)
As He left the Temple, one of His Disciples says, “Teacher, what stones & what buildings!” Jesus said to him, “See these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone on another, not thrown down.” As He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, & Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and the sign when these things are about to be accomplished?” Jesus replied, “Take heed that no one mislead you. Many shall come in My Name, saying, I am, to mislead many. When you hear of wars & rumors of wars, be not troubled: it will happen; this is not the end. Nation revolts against nation, kingdom against kingdom; earthquakes in various places, famines: these things are the beginning of travail (pregnancy, birth pangs, contractions). Beware: they shall deliver you up to councils; in synagogues beat you; before governors (magistrates) & kings shall ye stand for My sake, for a testimony to them. The gospel must first be preached to all the nations (Gentiles). When they lead you & deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand what to speak: but what is given you in that hour, speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother shall deliver up brother to death, the father his child; children turn against parents, to cause them to be put to death. You shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: he who endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.”
“When you see the Abomination of Desolation standing where he ought not (let him who reads understand), (see Daniel 9-12) let them in Judaea flee to the mountains: the one on the housetop must not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out his house: the one in the field must not return back to take his jacket. Woe to the pregnant, and to those who nurse in those days! Pray that it be not in the winter. Those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, & never shall be. Except the Lord shorten the days, no flesh would be saved; for the elect’s sake, whom he chose, he shortens the days. If any man shall say to you, “Lo, here is the Christ;” or, “Lo, there;” believe not: there shall arise false Christs & false prophets, and shall show signs & wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. Beware: I have told you all things beforehand. In those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, the moon shall not give her light, the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken. They shall see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power & glory. He shall send forth the Angels, to gather His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.”
“From the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know summer is near; when you see these things, know He is near, at the doors. Verily (Amen,) I tell you, This (same) generation (i.e. Jews then living, Jewish race, nation, people) shall not pass away (end, terminate, disappear), till all these things be accomplished. Heaven & earth shall pass away: but My Words shall not pass away (i.e. of that generation). But of that day or that hour knows no one, not even the Angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Beware, watch & pray: you know not when the time is. As a man, sojourning in another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, to each one his work, commanded also the porter to watch. Watch: you know not when the Lord of the house comes, whether at even, midnight, cockcrowing (sunrise), or in the morning (daylight, mid-day); lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. What I say to you I say to all, Watch.” (13:1-37)
After two days was the Passover & Unleavened Bread: the Chief Priests & Scribes sought how they might arrest Him with subtlety, & kill Him: they said, “Not during the Feast, lest perhaps there shall be a tumult of the people.” While He was in Bethany in the house of Simon the Leper, as He sat at supper (at table, reclining for meal), there came a woman having an alabaster cruse (box, jar, etc.) of ointment of pure nard (spikenard, i.e. herbal plant fragrant & rare) very costly; she brake the cruse, and poured it over His Head. Some had indignation among themselves, “Why this waste of the ointment? This ointment might have been sold for above 300 shillings (denars, i.e. 300 days of wages, one year wages), and given to the poor.” They criticized her. Jesus said, “Let her alone; why trouble her? she hath wrought a good work on Me. Ye have the poor always with you, whenever you want you can do them good: Me you have not always. She did what she could; she has anointed My Body (i.e. Head to Feet) beforehand for the burial. Verily (Amen,) I tell you, Wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the whole world, what this woman did shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went away to the Chief Priests, to betray Him. When they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
On the 1st day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, His Disciples ask, “Where do Yu want us to prepare to eat the Passover?” He sends 2 of His Disciples, and says, “Go to the city, there shall meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water: follow him; where he enters, say to the master of the house, “The Teacher says, “Where is My guest-chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with My Disciples? He will show you a large upper room furnished already: there prepare for us.” The Disciples went to the city, found as He said: they prepared the Passover (i.e. mid-day to sunset on day before Passover, at end of Thursday). When it was evening (i.e. after sunset of at the beginning of Passover or start of Friday) He comes with the Twelve. As they were eating, Jesus said, “Verily (Amen,) I tell you, One of you shall betray Me: he who eats with Me.” They began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” He said, “One of the Twelve, he who dips with Me in the dish. The Son of Man goes, as it is written of Him: woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better if that man were not born.” While eating, He took bread, when He had blessed, He broke it, gave to them, “Take: this is My Body.” He took a cup, and when He gave thanks, gave to them: they all drank from it. He said, “This is My Blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many. Verily (Amen,) I tell you, I shall no more drink of the fruit of the vine, till I drink it new in God’s Kingdom.” When they sang a hymn (i.e. of Scripture, like the Hallel), they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus says to them, “You all shall be offended: for it is written, “I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” After I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” Peter said, “Although all be offended, I will not.” Jesus says to him, “Verily (Amen,) I tell yu, to-day, this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny Me thrice.” He spoke very insistently, “If I must die with Yu, I will not deny Yu.” Likewise said all of them. They come to a place which was named Gethsemane (i.e. before midnight): He says to His Disciples, “Stay here, while I pray.” He takes Peter, James, & John, became greatly amazed, & very troubled. He says to them, “My Soul is exceeding sorrowful even to death: stay here, & watch. He went forward a little, fell on the ground, & prayed, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from Him. He said, “Abba (Heb-Aram = Father; Abba, Abba, like Amen, Amen, is idiomatic & emphatic), Father, all things are possible to Yu; remove this cup from Me: not My will, but Yur will.” He comes (1st), finds them sleeping, says to Peter, “Simon, yu sleep? could yu not watch one hour? Watch & pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again He went away, prayed the same words. Again He came (2nd), found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; they knew not what to answer Him. He comes the 3rd time, says to them, “Sleep & rest: it is enough; the hour is come (i.e. about midnight.); the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
“Arise, let us be going: He who betrays Me is here.” While He spoke, Judas comes, one of the Twelve, with him a multitude with swords & staves, from the Chief Priests & Scribes & Elders. His betrayer gave them a token, saying, “Whom I shall kiss, that is He; take Him, and lead Him away safely.” When he came to Him, he says, “Rabbi”; & kissed Him. They arrested Him, & took Him. One of them who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the High Priest, struck off his ear. Jesus said, “Are you come out, as against a Robber, with swords and staves to seize Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you took me not: but that the scriptures might be fulfilled” (Zech., etc.). They all left Him, & fled. A certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth (bed sheet) wrapped about his nakedness: they lay hold on him; but he left the linen cloth, & fled naked. They led Jesus away to the High Priest: (i.e. after midnight) with Him the Chief Priests & Elders & Scribes. Peter had followed Him afar off, even to inside, into the Court of the High Priest; he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself by the light (heat, fire). The Chief Priests & the whole Council (Sanhedrin) sought witness against Jesus to put Him to death; and found it not. Many false-witness against Him, their witness agreed not together. There stood up some false witness against Him, saying, “We heard Him say, “I will destroy this Temple made with hands, and in 3 days I will build another made without hands.” Their witness did not agree together. The High Priest stood up in the midst, & asked Jesus, “Yu answer nothing? what is it which these witness against Yu?” He was silent. Again the High Priest asked Him, “Are Yu the Christ, the Son of the Blessed (i.e. euphemistically, God)?” Jesus said, “I am: and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the Right Hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” The High Priest ripped his clothes, saying, “What further need have we of witnesses? You heard the blasphemy: what think you?” They all condemned Him to be worthy of death. (i.e. now between midnight & sunrise.) Some spit on Him, & cover His face, & buffet him, to say to Him, “Prophesy:” and the officers received (took, led) Him with blows of their hands. As Peter was beneath in the court, there comes one of the maids of the High Priest; seeing Peter warming himself, she looked on him, and says, “Yu also was with the Nazarene Jesus.” He denied, “I neither know, nor understand what yu say:” (1st denial) He went out into the porch; and the rooster crowed (1st crow). The maid saw him, & said, “He is of them.” He again denied it (2nd denial). After a little while again they who stood by said to Peter, “of a truth yu are of them; yu are a Galilean.” He cursed & swore, “I know not this Man of Whom you speak.” (3rd denial) Straightway the 2nd time the rooster crowed. And Peter called to mind the word, how that Jesus said unto him, “Before the rooster crowed twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.” When he thought thereon, he wept. (14:1-72)
In the morning (i.e., after sunrise, between 6-9 a.m. the Passover, on Friday), the Chief Priests with the Elders & Scribes, & the whole Council (Sanhedrin), held consultation (council, assembly, hearing), and bound Jesus, carried Him away, & handed Him over to Pilate. Pilate asked Him, “Are Yu the King of the Jews?” He answers, “Yu say.” The Chief Priests accused Him of many things. Pilate again asked Him, “Yu answer nothing? look how many things they accuse Yu of.” Jesus answered nothing, insomuch that Pilate marveled. At the Feast he released to them one prisoner, whomever they requested. There was one called Barabbas (Bar-Abbas, Aram-Heb, father’s son), bound with them who made insurrection, who in the insurrection murdered. The multitude requested as he had before done for them. Pilate replied, “Will you that I release the King of the Jews?” He perceived that for envy the Chief Priests had delivered Him up. The Chief Priests stirred up the multitude, to release Barabbas to them. Pilate again replied, “What shall I do with Him Whom you call the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Crucify Him.” Pilate demanded, “Why, what evil has He done?” They cried out exceedingly, “Crucify Him.” Pilate, wishing to content (appease, satisfy) the multitude, released to them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus, after he had scourged (whipped, flogged) Him, to be crucified. (i.e., about 9 a.m. Passover day, Friday) The soldiers led Him away within the Court, which is the Praetorium (Station); they call together the whole band (i.e., of guards). They clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, put it on Him; they salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They smote His Head with a reed, and spat on Him, bowing their knees worshipped Him (i.e., in mockery). When they had mocked Him, they took off the purple, put on His clothes. They lead him out to crucify Him. They compel one passing by Simon of Cyrene (i.e., Libya), coming from the country, the father of Alexander & Rufus, to help, to bear His Cross.
They bring Him to the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, the Place of Skull. They offered him wine mingled with myrrh (i.e., as a sedative): but he received it not. They crucify Him, and part His garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take. It was the 3rd hour (about 9 -10 a.m.), they crucified Him. The superscription of His accusation was written above, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” With Him they crucify 2 robbers: one on His Right Hand, one on His Left. [The scripture was fulfilled, which says, “He was reckoned with transgressors.” (Is. 53)] They that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, saying, “Yu Who destroys the temple, and build it in 3 days, save Yurself, come down from the cross.” In like manner also the Chief Priests mocking among themselves with the Scribes said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let the Christ (Messiah), the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see & believe.” They who were crucified with Him reproached Him. When the 6th hour was come (i.e., about noontime or midday), there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth 9th hour (i.e., about 3 p.m. afternoon). At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (i.e., Heb-Aram.) which is, being interpreted (translated, rendered), “My God, My God, why have Yu forsaken Me? (Ps. 22) Some of them who stood by, when they heard it, said, “He calls Elijah.” One ran, filling (soaking) a sponge full of vinegar (i.e., sour wine), put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink, saying, “Let be, let us see whether Elijah comes to take Him down.” Jesus uttered a loud voice, & gave up the spirit (breath, expired). The veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom. When the centurion (i.e., captain over 100 soldiers), who stood across Him, saw that He so gave up the spirit, He said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God.” There were also women watching from afar: among whom both Mary Magdalene, & Mary the mother of James the less, & of Joses, & Salome; who, when He was in Galilee, followed Him, and ministered to Him; and many other women that came up with Him to Jerusalem. when even was now come (i.e., before sunset Passover day, Friday), because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath (i.e., 7th day, Saturday), there came Joseph of Arimathaea, a councilor of honorable estate, who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom; he boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ Body. Pilate wondered if he were already dead: calling the centurion, asked him whether he had been any while dead. When he learned it of the centurion, he granted the Corpse to Joseph. He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound Him in the linen cloth, & laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of a rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene & Mary of Joses saw where He was laid. (15:1-47)
When the Sabbath was past (i.e., after Saturday, the 7th day Sabbath which ended sunset Saturday evening, i.e., Sabbath ends & Sunday, the 1st day, begins at sunset), Mary Magdalene, Mary the of James, & Salome, bought spices (i.e., after Sabbath ended at sunset before it became too late, about 6-9 p.m.), to anoint Him. Very early on the 1st day of the week (i.e., Sunday which began 12 hours earlier on the end of the Sabbath day, Saturday, the 7th day), they come to the tomb (sepulchre, cemetery, burial-cave) when the sun was risen. They were saying among themselves, “Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb?” Looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back: for it was very large. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; they were amazed. He says to them, “Be not amazed: you seek Jesus, the Nazarene, Who was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold, the place where they laid Him! Go, tell His Disciples & Peter, He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall you see Him, as He said to you.” They went out, and fled from the tomb; for trembling & astonishment had come on them: they said nothing to anyone; they were afraid.
When He rose early on the 1st day of the week, He appeared 1st to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had expelled 7 demons. She went & told them who had been with Him, as they mourned & wept. When they heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved (doubted, incredulous). After these things He was manifested in another form (change, appearance, morph) to 2 of them, as they walked, on their way to the country. They told it to the rest: neither believed they them. Afterward He was manifested to the 11 themselves as they sat to eat; He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after He was risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world, preach the gospel to the whole creation (every creature, every person). He who believes & is baptized shall be saved; he who disbelieves (doubts, refuses, rejects) shall be condemned. These signs shall accompany (follow) them who believe: in My Name shall they expel demons; they shall speak with new tongues (languages); they shall take up serpents, if they drink any deadly thing (poison), it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then the Lord Jesus (only time in Mark, see Luke 24), after He had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, & sat down at God’s Right Hand. They went forth, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word by the signs (miracles) that followed. Amen. (16:1-20)
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