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Mark 16 - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge vs Calvin John

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Mark 16

Mark 16:1

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

when.

Mark 15:42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that …

Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day …

Luke 23:54,56 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on…

Luke 24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they …

John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies …

John 20:1 The first day of the week comes Mary Magdalene early, when it was …

Mary Magdalene.

Mark 15:40,47 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, …

Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and …

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's …

sweet.

Mark 14:3,8 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat…

2 Chronicles 16:14 And they buried him in his own sepulchers, which he had made for …

John 19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with …

Mark 16:2

And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

Mr. West supposes that the women made two different visits to the sepulchre, and, in consequence of that, two distinct reports to the disciples; that Mary Magdalene, with the other Mary and Salome, set out not only early, but very early in the morning, [lian proi,] i.e., before the time appointed to meet Joanna and the other women there. (Lu.

Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day …

Luke 24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they …

John 20:1 The first day of the week comes Mary Magdalene early, when it was …

Mark 16:3

And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

Who.

Mark 15:46,47 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the …

Matthew 27:60-66 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: …

Mark 16:4

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

they saw.

Matthew 28:2-4 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord …

Luke 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.

John 20:1 The first day of the week comes Mary Magdalene early, when it was …

Mark 16:5

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

entering.

Luke 24:3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

John 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, …

a young. This appears to have been a different angel from that mentioned by Matthew. The latter sat in the porch of the tomb, and had assumed a terrible appearance to overawe the guard. (Mat.

Daniel 10:5,6 Then I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed …

Matthew 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Luke 24:4,5 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, …

John 20:11,12 But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, …

and they.

Mark 6:49,50 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they supposed it had been …

Daniel 8:17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and …

Daniel 10:7-9,12 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me …

Luke 1:12,29,30 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell on him…

Mark 16:6

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Be not.

Matthew 14:26,27 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, …

Matthew 28:4,5 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men…

Revelation 1:17,18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right …

Ye seek.

Psalm 105:3,4 Glory you in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD…

Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Jesus.

John 19:19,20 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing …

Acts 2:22,23 You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved …

Acts 4:10 Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by …

Acts 10:38-40 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: …

he is risen.

Mark 9:9,10 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they …

Mark 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall whip him, and shall spit on him, …

Psalm 71:20 You, which have showed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken …

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly…

Matthew 28:6,7 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place …

Luke 24:4-8,20-27,46 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, …

John 2:19-22 Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three …

1 Corinthians 15:3-7 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how …

Mark 16:7

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

tell.

Mark 14:50,66-72 And they all forsook him, and fled…

Matthew 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the …

2 Corinthians 2:7 So that contrariwise you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him…

there.

Mark 14:28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

Matthew 26:32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Matthew 28:10,16,17 Then said Jesus to them, Be not afraid: go tell my brothers that …

John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at …

Acts 13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee …

1 Corinthians 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

Mark 16:8

And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

they went.

Matthew 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great …

Luke 24:9-11,22-24 And returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things to the …

for they trembled.

Mark 16:5,6 And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on …

Luke 24:37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had …

neither.

2 Kings 4:29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins, and take my staff in …

Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor money, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

Mark 16:9

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

the first.

John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week…

Acts 20:7 And on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together …

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, …

Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great …

he appeared.

Mark 15:40,47 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, …

Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and …

John 20:14-18 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus …

out.

Luke 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, …

Mark 16:10

And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

as.

Mark 14:72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word …

Matthew 9:15 And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridal chamber mourn, …

Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then …

Luke 24:17 And he said to them, What manner of communications are these that …

John 16:6,20-22 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart…

Mark 16:11

And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

believed.

Mark 16:13,14 And they went and told it to the residue: neither believed they them…

Mark 9:19 He answers him, and said, O faithless generation, how long shall …

Exodus 6:9 And Moses spoke so to the children of Israel: but they listened not …

Job 9:16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe …

Luke 24:11,23-35 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not…

Mark 16:12

After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

Luke 24:13-32 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, …

Mark 16:13

And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

they went.

Luke 24:33-35 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found …

neither.

Luke 16:31 And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither …

John 20:8,25 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, …

Mark 16:14

Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

he appeared.

Luke 24:36-43 And as they thus spoke, Jesus himself stood in the middle of them, …

John 20:19,20 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week…

1 Corinthians 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

at meat. or, together. and upbraided.

Mark 7:18 And he said to them, Are you so without understanding also? Do you …

Mark 8:17,18 And when Jesus knew it, he said to them, Why reason you, because …

Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works …

Matthew 15:16,17 And Jesus said, Are you also yet without understanding…

Matthew 16:8-11 Which when Jesus perceived, he said to them, O you of little faith, …

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief: for truly I say …

Luke 24:25,38,39 Then he said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that …

John 20:27 Then said he to Thomas, Reach here your finger, and behold my hands; …

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

unbelief.

Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said to Moses, How long will this people provoke me? …

Psalm 95:8-11 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of …

Hebrews 3:7,8,15-19 Why (as the Holy Ghost said, To day if you will hear his voice…

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Go.

Matthew 10:5,6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not …

Matthew 28:19 Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name …

Luke 14:21-23 So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the …

Luke 24:47,48 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his …

John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, …

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be to you: as my Father has …

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be …

into.

Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Psalm 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD: and …

Psalm 67:1,2 God be merciful to us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine on us; Selah…

Psalm 96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

Psalm 98:3 He has remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: …

Isaiah 42:10-12 Sing to the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, …

Isaiah 45:22 Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am …

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that you should be my servant to …

Isaiah 52:10 The LORD has made bore his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; …

Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the LORD is …

Luke 2:10,11,31,32 And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good …

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on …

Romans 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes truly, their sound went into …

Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, …

Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them …

Colossians 1:6,23 Which is come to you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth …

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting …

Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

that believeth and.

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: …

Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and …

John 1:12,13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the …

John 3:15,16,18,36 That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life…

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on …

John 6:29,35,40 Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you …

John 7:37,38 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, …

John 11:25,26 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes …

John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should …

John 20:31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, …

Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever …

Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which …

Acts 16:30-32 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved…

Romans 3:6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

Romans 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him …

Romans 10:9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall …

Hebrews 10:38,39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul …

1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and …

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism does also now save us (not …

1 John 5:10-13 He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he …

is.

Matthew 28:19 Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name …

Acts 2:38,41 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you …

Acts 8:36-39 And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water: and …

Acts 22:16 And now why tarry you? arise, and be baptized, and wash away your …

Romans 10:9-14 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall …

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism does also now save us (not …

but.

John 3:18,19,36 He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not …

John 8:24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if …

John 12:47,48 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for …

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that …

2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that …

2 Thessalonians 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had …

Revelation 20:15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into …

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, …

Mark 16:17

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

these.

John 14:12 Truly, truly, I say to you, He that believes on me, the works that …

In.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils …

Acts 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about to Jerusalem, …

Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that …

Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said …

Acts 19:12-16 So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, …

they.

Acts 2:4-11,33 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak …

Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on …

1 Corinthians 12:10,28,30 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another …

1 Corinthians 14:5-26 I would that you all spoke with tongues but rather that you prophesied…

Mark 16:18

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

shall take.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your …

Psalm 91:13 You shall tread on the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon …

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and …

Acts 28:3-6 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the …

Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. …

if. It is fully asserted here, that the apostles of our Lord should not lose their life by poison, and there is neither record nor tradition to disprove it. But it is worthy of remark, that Mohammed, who styled himself the apostle of God, lost his life by poison; and, had he been a true prophet, or a true apostle of God, he would not have fallen into the snare.

2 Kings 4:39-41 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild …

they shall lay.

Acts 3:6-8,12,16 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have …

Acts 4:10,22,30 Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by …

Acts 5:15,16 So that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them …

Acts 9:17,18,34,40-42 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting …

Acts 19:12 So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, …

Acts 28:8,9 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever …

1 Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing …

James 5:14,15 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; …

Mark 16:19

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

after.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me …

Luke 24:44-50 And he said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while …

John 21:15,22 So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of …

Acts 1:2,3 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the …

he was.

Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received …

Luke 24:50,51 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, …

John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour …

John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, …

John 17:4,5,13 I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which …

Acts 1:10,11 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, …

Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received …

Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things…

Ephesians 1:20-22 Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and …

Ephesians 4:8-11 Why he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, …

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his …

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into …

Hebrews 6:20 Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high …

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, …

Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such …

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which …

Hebrews 10:12,13,19-22 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, …

Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the …

1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels …

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even …

and sat.

Psalm 110:1 The LORD said to my Lord, Sit you at my right hand, until I make …

Acts 7:55,56 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into …

1 Corinthians 15:24,25 Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to …

1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels …

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, …

Mark 16:20

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

they went.

Acts 2:1-28:31 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with …

the Lord.

Acts 4:30 By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders …

Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders worked …

Acts 8:4-6 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word…

Acts 14:3,8-10 Long time therefore stayed they speaking boldly in the Lord, which …

Romans 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; …

1 Corinthians 2:4,5 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's …

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase…

2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you …

Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with …


×

Mark 16

Mar 16:1.And when the Sabbath was past. The meaning is the same as in Matthew, In the evening, which began to dawn towards the first day of the Sabbaths, and in Luke, on the first day of the Sabbaths. For while we know that the Jews began to reckon their day from the commencement of the preceding night, everybody understands, that when the Sabbath was past, the women resolved among themselves to visit the sepulcher, so as to come there before the dawn of day. The two Evangelists give the name of the first day of the Sabbaths, to that which came first in order between two Sabbaths. Some of the Latin translators (302) have rendered it one, and many have been led into this blunder through ignorance of the Hebrew language; for though (אחד) sometimes means one, and sometimes first, the Evangelists, as in many other passages, have followed the Hebrew idiom, and used the word μίαν, one. (303) But that no one may be led astray by the ambiguity, I have stated their meaning more clearly. As to the purchase of the spices, Luke’s narrative differs, in some respects, from the words of Mark; for Luke says that they returned into the city, and procured spices, and then rested one day, according to the commandment of the law before pursuing their journey. But Mark, in introducing into the same part of the narrative two different events, at—tends less accurately than Luke to the distinction of dates; for he blends with their setting out on the journey what had been previously done. In the substance of the fact they perfectly agree, that the women, after having observed the holy rest, left home during the darkness of the night, that they might reach the sepulcher about the break of day.

We ought also to recollect what I have formerly suggested, that the custom of anointing the dead, though it was common, among many heathen nations, was applied to a lawful use by the Jews alone, to whom it had been handed down by the Fathers, to confirm them in the faith of the resurrection. For without having this object in view, to embalm a dead body, which has no feeling, would be an idle and empty solace, as we know that the Egyptians bestowed great labor and anxiety on this point, without looking for any advantage. But by this sacred symbol, God represented to the Jews the image of life in death, to lead them to expect that out of putrefaction and dust they would one day acquire new vigor. Now as the resurrection of Christ, by its quickening vigor, penetrated every sepulcher, so as to breathe life into the dead, so it abolished those outward ceremonies. For himself, he needed not those aids, but they were owing to the ignorance of the women, who were not yet fully aware that he was free from corruption.



(302) “Aucuns En la translation Latine.”

(303) “Et ont ici mis le mot Grec qui signifie Un ; ” — “and have put here the Greek word which means One. ”



3. And they said among themselves. Mark alone expresses this doubt; but as the other Evangelists relate that the stone was rolled away by the angel, it may easily be inferred, that they remained in perplexity and doubt as to what they should do, until the entrance was opened up by the hand of God. But let us learn from this, that in consequence of having been carried away by their zeal, they came there without due consideration. They had seen a stone placed before the sepulcher, to hinder any one from entering. Why did not this occur to them, when they were at home and at leisure, but because they were seized with such fear and astonishment, that thought and recollection failed them? But as it is a holy zeal that blinds them, God does not charge them with this fault.



Mar 16:11.And when they heard. The testimony of Mary alone is related by Mark; but I am convinced that all of them in common conveyed the message in obedience to the commands of Christ. And even this passage confirms more fully what I have just now said, that there is no disagreement among the, Evangelists, when one of them specially attributes to Mary Magdalene what the other Evangelists represent as common to all the women, though not in an equal degree. But the disciples must have been held bound by shameful indifference, so that they did not recall to their recollection that what they had often heard from their Master was accomplished. If the women had related any thing of which they had not formerly heard, there would have been some reason for not immediately believing them in a matter which was incredible; but now they must have been uncommonly stupid in holding as a fable or a dream what had been so frequently promised and declared by the Son of God, when eye-witnesses assured them that it was accomplished. Besides, their unbelief having deprived them of sound understanding, they not only refuse the light of truth, but reject it as an idle fancy, as Luke tells us. Hence it appears that they had yielded so far to temptation, that their minds had lost nearly all relish for the words of Christ.



Mar 16:14.Afterwards he appeared to the eleven, while they were sitting. The participle (ἀνακειμένοις) which some have rendered sitting at table, ought, in my opinion, to be simply rendered sitting; and it is not without reason that I take this view of it, if it be agreed that the Evangelist here describes the first appearance; for it would have been an unseasonable hour of supper about midnight. Besides, if the cloth had been laid, (322) this would not have agreed with what Luke shortly afterwards says, that Christ asked if they had anything to eat. Now, to sit is the Hebrew phrase for resting in any place.

And upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart. This reproof corresponds more to the first appearance than to the second; for since, the disciples, as John tells us, (Joh 20:20) were glad when they had seen the Lord on the day after the Passover, their unbelief was then rebuked. To restrict these words of Mark to Thomas alone, as some have done, appears to be forced; and, therefore, I prefer to explain them simply as meaning, that when Christ first appeared to the apostles, he reproved them for not believing the testimony of eye-witnesses, who informed them of his resurrection. And yet when he condemns their hardness of heart, it is not solely because they did not give credit to men, but because, after having been convinced by the result, they did not at length embrace the testimony of the Lord. Since, therefore, Peter and Mary, Cleopas and his companion, were not the first witnesses of the resurrection, but only subscribed to the words of Christ, it follows, that the rest of the apostles poured dishonor on the Lord by refusing to believe his words, though they had already been proved by their result. Justly, therefore, are they reproached with hardness of heart, because, in addition to their slowness, there was wicked obstinacy; as if they had intentionally desired to suppress what was evidently true; not that they intended to extinguish the glory of their Master, or to accuse him of falsehood, but because their obstinacy stood in the way, and hindered them from being submissive. In short, he does not here condemn them for voluntary obstinacy, as I have already said, but for blind indifference, which sometimes hardens men that otherwise are not wicked or rebellious.

(322) “Si la nappe eust esté mise.”



Mar 16:16He who shall believe and be baptized shall be saved. This promise was added in order to allure all mankind to believe; as it is followed, on the other hand, by a threatening of awful destruction, in order to terrify unbelievers. Nor is it wonderful that salvation is promised to believers; for, by believing in the only begotten Son of God, not only are they reckoned among the children of God, but receiving the gift of free justification and of the Spirit of regeneration, they possess what constitutes eternal life. Baptism is joined to the faith of the gospel, in order to inform us that the Mark of our salvation is engraved on it; for had it not served to testify the grace of God, it would have been improper in Christ to have said, that they who shall believe and be baptized shall be saved. Yet, at the same time, we must hold that it is not required as absolutely necessary to salvation, so that all who have not obtained it must perish; for it is not added to faith, as if it were the half of the cause of our salvation, but as a testimony. I readily acknowledge that men are laid under the necessity of not despising the sign of the grace of God; but though God uses such aids in accommodation to the weakness of men, I deny that his grace is limited to them. In this way we will say that it is not necessary in itself, but only with respect to our obedience.

But he who shall not believe shall be condemned. By this second clause in which Christ condemns those who shall not believe, he means that rebels, when they reject the salvation offered to them, draw down upon themselves severer punishment, and not only are involved in the general destruction of mankind, but bear the guilt of their own ingratitude.



17And these signs shall follow them that shall believe. As the Lord, while he still lived with men in the world, had ratified the faith of his gospel by miracles, so now he extends the same power to the future, lest the disciples should imagine that it could not be separated from his bodily presence. For it was of very great importance that this divine power of Christ should continue to be exerted amongst believers, that it might be certainly known that he was risen from, the dead, and that thus his doctrine might remain unimpaired, and that his name might be immortal. When he says that believers will receive this gift, we must not understand this as applying to every one of them; for we know that gifts were distributed variously, so that the power of working miracles was possessed by only a few persons. But as that which was bestowed on a few was common to the whole Church, and as the miracles performed by one individual served for the confirmation of all, Christ properly uses the word believers in an indefinite sense. The meaning, therefore, is, that believers will be ministers of the same power which had formerly excited admiration in Christ, that during his absence the sealing of the gospel may be more fully ascertained, as he promises

that they will do the same things, and greater,

(Joh 14:12.)

To testify the glory and the divinity of Christ, it was enough that a few of the believers should be endued with this power.

Though Christ does not expressly state whether he intends this gift to be temporary, or to remain perpetually in his Church, yet it is more probable that miracles were promised only for a time, in order to give luster to the gospel, while it was new and in a state of obscurity. It is possible, no doubt, that the world may have been deprived of this honor through the guilt of its own ingratitude; but I think that the true design for which miracles were appointed was, that nothing which was necessary for proving the doctrine of the gospel should be wanting at its commencement. And certainly we see that the use of them ceased not long afterwards, or, at least, that instances of them were so rare as to entitle us to conclude that they would not be equally common in all ages.

Yet those who came after them, that they might not allow it to be supposed that they were entirely destitute of miracles, were led by foolish avarice or ambition to forge for themselves miracles which had no reality. Thus was the door opened for the impostures of Satan, not only that delusions might be substituted for truth, but that, under the pretense of miracles, the simple might be led aside from the true faith. And certainly it was proper that men of eager curiosity, who, not satisfied with lawful proof, were every day asking new miracles, should be carried away by such impostures. This is the reason why Christ, in another passage, foretold that the reign of Antichrist would be full of lying signs, (Mat 24:24;) and Paul makes a similar declaration, (2Th 2:9.)

That our faith may be duly confirmed by miracles, let our minds be kept within that moderation which I have mentioned. Hence, also, it follows that it is a silly calumny which is advanced by those who object against our doctrine, that it wants the aid of miracles; as if it were not the same doctrine which Christ long ago has abundantly sealed. But on this subject I use greater brevity, because I have already treated it more fully in many passages.



Mar 16:19.And after the Lord had thus spoken to them. The Evangelist Matthew, having extolled in magnificent language the reign of Christ over the whole world, says nothing about his ascension to heaven. Mark, too, takes no notice of the place and the manner, both of which are described by Luke; for he says that the disciples were led out to Bethany, that from the Mount of Olives, (Mat 24:3,) whence he had descended to undergo the ignominy of the cross, he might ascend the heavenly throne. Now as he did not, after his resurrection, appear indiscriminately to all, so he did not permit all to be the witnesses of his ascension to heaven; for he intended that this mystery of faith should be known by the preaching of the gospel rather than beheld by the eyes.



Mar 16:19.And sat down at the right hand of God. In other passages I have explained what is meant by this expression, namely, that Christ was raised on high, that he might be exalted above angels and all creatures; that by his agency the Father might govern the world, and, in short, that before him every knee might bow, (Phi 2:10.) It is the same as if he were called God’s Deputy, to represent the person of God; and, therefore, we must not imagine to ourselves any one place, since the right hand is a metaphor which denotes the power that is next to God. This was purposely added by Mark, in order to inform us that Christ was taken up into heaven, not to enjoy blessed rest at a distance from us, but to govern the world for the salvation of all believers.

20.And they went out and preached. Mark here notices briefly those events of which Luke continues the history in his second book (325) that the voice of a small and dispersed body of men resounded even to the extremities of the world. For exactly in proportion as the fact was less credible, so much the more manifestly was there displayed in it a miracle of heavenly power. Every person would have thought that, by the death of the cross, Christ would either be altogether extinguished, or so completely overwhelmed, that he would never be again mentioned but with shame and loathing. The apostles, whom he had chosen to be his witnesses, had basely deserted him, and had betaken themselves to darkness and concealment. Such was their ignorance and want of education, and such was the contempt in which they were held, that they hardly ventured to utter a word in public. Was it to be expected that men who were unlearned, and were held in no esteem, and had even deserted their Master, should, by the sound of their voice, reduce so many scattered nations into subjection to him who had been crucified? There is great emphasis, therefore, in the words, they went out and preached everywhere — men who but lately shut themselves up, trembling and silent, in their prison. For it was impossible that so sudden a change should be accomplished in a moment by human power; and therefore Mark adds,

The Lord working with them; by which he means that this was truly a divine work. And yet by this mode of expression he does not represent them as sharing their work or labor with the grace of God, as if they contributed any thing to it of themselves; but simply means that they were assisted by God, because, according to the flesh, they would in vain have attempted what was actually performed by them. The ministers of the word, I acknowledge, are called fellow-workers with God, (1Co 3:9,) because he makes use of their agency; but we ought to understand that they have no power beyond what he bestows, and that by planting and watering they do no good, unless the increase come from the secret efficacy of the Spirit.

And confirming the word. Here, in my opinion, Mark points out a particular instance of what he had just now stated in general terms; for there were other methods by which the Lord wrought with them, that the preaching of the gospel might not be fruitless; but this was a striking proof of his assistance, that he confirmed their doctrine by miracles. Now this passage shows what use we ought to make of miracles, if we do not choose to apply them to perverse corruptions; namely, that they aid the gospel. Hence it follows that God’s holy order is subverted, if miracles are separated from the word of God, to which they are appendages; and if they are employed to adorn wicked doctrines, or to disguise corrupt modes of worship.

(325) That inspired book which is now generally known by the name of The Acts of the Apostles, was often denominated, by older writers, Second Luke. — Ed.




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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge by R. A. Torrey [ca. 1880]
Expanded version courtesy INT Bible ©2013, Used by permission
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