Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 Vs. 30

 Jesus Heals Many

Mark 1:30 “But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.”

Simon’s wife’s mother... Paul also affirmed that Peter was married (1Cor. 9:5). That his mother-in-law was living with Peter and his wife may indicate that her husband was dead.

of a fever... That she was too ill to get out of bed, coupled with Luke’s description of her fever as high fever (Luke 4:38), suggests her illness was serious, even life-threatening.

Lay sick of a fever (κατέκειτο πυρέσσουσα)

Κατά, prostrate. Mark adds, they tell him of her. Luke, they besought him for her. Mark, he came to her. Luke, he stood over her. Mark only, he took her by the hand and raised her up.

and Anon they... Immediately, straightway, See Mat. 8:14-15.

straightway... Greek: eutheos, used 80 times; 40 times in Mark and 40 times by all other writers. Translated straightway, immediately, forthwith, as soon as, anon, by and by, and shortly.

We see in this Scripture above that Simon, better known as Peter, was married. We also can see from this that his wife’s mother was in the house with them. Someone told Jesus of the woman’s fever.

It is possible that such is the meaning of the expression, and if so, it has a useful lesson. Sometimes there are temporal gifts which we scarce know whether we should pray for, so complex are our feelings, so entangled our interests with those of others, so obscure and dubious the springs which move our desire. Is it presumptuous to ask? Yet can it be right to keep anything back, in our communion with our Father?

Now there is a curious similarity between the expression "they tell Jesus of her" and that phrase which is only applied to prayer when St. Paul bids us pray for all that is in our hearts. "In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." So shall the great benediction be fulfilled: "The peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts" (Phlp. 4:6-7). All that is unholy shall be purified, all that is unwise subdued, all that is expedient granted.

If this be indeed the force of St. Mark’s phrase, Jesus felt their modest reticence to be a strong appeal, for St. Luke says "they besought Him," while St. Matthew merely writes that He saw her lying. The "Interpreter of St. Peter" is most likely to have caught the exact shade of anxiety and appeal by which her friends drew His attention, and which was indeed a prayer.

He was promptly euthys told that Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed burning with a fever.

Book of Hosea Chapter 13 Vs. 11

 The Lord's Relentless Judgment on Israel

I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. Hos. 13:11

I gave thee... This refers to Saul who was given to them to be their first king (1 Samuel 8-10), and who was taken away in God’s wrath (1Sa. 15:22-28; 16:13-14; 31:1-13; 1Ch. 10:13-14). Not the king of Assyria, sent to waste and destroy them, and carry them captive, as some think, for of him the next clause cannot be said. Nor Jeroboam, the first king of the ten tribes, as others, who was not given in anger to Israel, but to Solomon. Rather Saul, as Kimchi and Aben Ezra, the first king of all Israel; and who was given at the request of the people, though in anger and resentment, they are rejecting God their King. Or it may design the kingly office and power in general, in a succession of kings from him the first of them.

נָתַן

nâthan

naw-than'

A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.): - add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, X avenge, X be ([healed]), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit consider, count, + cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute do, X doubtless, X without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up). + sing, + slander, strike, [sub-] mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, + weep, X willingly, + withdraw, + would (to) God, yield.

מֶלֶךְ

melek

meh'-lek

From H4427; a king: - king, royal.

in my wrath... God was angry when he gave such kings to Israel, and he was no better pleased when he took them away. They were punishments when given, and it was punishment to Israel when they were taken away. If you read this verse in the future tense, as you may, I will give them a king in my anger, it may refer to God’s giving the king of Assyria the rule over them. Making them his vassals; and I will take away (i.e. you), O Israelites, “in my wrath”, I will destroy some, and send others into captivity. I will take all away out of your land, and send you in wrath to the grave, or captives into Assyria.

אַף

'aph

af

From H599; properly the nose or nostril; hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire: - anger (-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forbearing, forehead, + [long-] suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath.

When He hath destroyed thee, O Israel-who then may help thee? Where is thy king now? that he may save thee, or all thy princes? that they may rule thee; those of whom thou hast said, Give me a king and princes. Aye, I give thee a king in Mine anger, and I take him away in My wrath! Fit summary of the short and bloody reigns of these last years.

God had never wanted Israel to have an earthly king. He wanted to be their only King. They kept insisting on having a king like the countries around them, until God gave them Saul to be their king. It turned out he was not a good king and God in His wrath, destroyed him, and put David in his place as king.

לָקַח

lâqach

law-kakh'

A primitive root; to take in the widest variety of applications: - accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, in-fold, X many, mingle, place, receive (-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.

When the Lord would come to destroy (Hos. 13:9) no one would be able to save the people, not even the political leaders they had demanded from the Lord (Hos. 13:10; cf. 10:3, 10:7, 10:15).

עֶבְרָה

‛ebrâh

eb-raw'

Feminine of H5676; an outburst of passion: - anger, rage, wrath.

In My anger I gave you a king probably refers to the Northern tribes’ part in crowning Saul (1Sam. 8:6-9; 12:12), as well as their secession under Jeroboam I (1Kgs. 12:16). Hos. 13:11 refers to the cessation of Israel’s kingship with Hoshea (2Kgs. 17:1-6).

Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 Vs. 29

 Jesus Heals Many

Mark 1:29 “And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.”

And forthwith when... ST. Matthew tells us that on leaving the synagogue they entered into Peter’s house. St. Mark, with his peculiar sources of information, is aware that Andrew shared the house with his brother.

the house of... Proving they lived in the same house. Originally from Bethsaida (John 1:44), the two brothers had moved to Capernaum when Jesus established his headquarters there (see verse 21).

A GROUP OF MIRACLES

And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever; and straightway they tell Him of her: and He came and took her by the hand and raised her up; and the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto Him all that were sick, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And He healed many that were sick with divers' diseases and cast out many devils; and He suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew Him. Mark 1:29-34 (R.V.)

James and John... Only Mark mentions their presence at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law.

Remember, earlier in this lesson that we mentioned that Peter’s home was on the edge of town there at Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps they came back to rest for the night; we are not told in the Scriptures.

Immediately euthys; cf. Mark 1:10 after leaving the synagogue Sabbath service, Jesus and the four disciples went to the nearby home of Simon Peter and Andrew. This house became something of a headquarters for Jesus when He was in Capernaum (cf. Mark 2:1; 3:20; 9:33; 10:10).

Book of Hosea Chapter 13 Vs. 10

 The Lord's Relentless Judgment on Israel

I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? Hos. 13:10

I will be... The 21st prophecy in Hosea (Hos. 13:10, unfulfilled). Next, Hos. 13:14. Here God predicted that He would eventually be their King and save them in all their cities. I would have been thy king to save and govern thee, but thou refused me in both respects: yet I will be thy king to judge me and punish thee. The LXX and all the ancient versions interpret the clause differently, and give the interrogative, Where? Where is thy king now, that he may serve thee?

where is any... Questions 12-13. Next, Hos. 14:8. Or who is there, what wise, valiant, and successful commander, in any of thy cities that can deliver thee first out of my hand, and next out of the Assyrians’ hand?

thy judges of... Where are they? Thy magistrates have sinned with thee and shall be destroyed with thee. Thy rulers or inferior governors,

of whom thou... Whom thou didst importune and solicit, in a manner forced to meet, consult, and resolve in seditious times? Who should be king next, when treasons had taken away him that was? Some refer this to their first asking a king, but it is better referred to the times either after Jeroboam the First, or to the times after Jeroboam the Second, between whose death and Hosea’s time, some say, there was a period of twenty or near twenty years, during which a turbulent people, as the Israelites were, would be frequent and earnest in all likelihood in moving for a king.

Give me a... This refers to their original rejection of God as King and the choosing of an earthly king and princes, thus becoming like the nations who would fight their battles (1 Samuel 8-10). Such kings and princes did not prove themselves capable of protecting Israel from their enemies, or they would not have been in their present condition of servitude, weakness, and facing destruction. God here simply told them that they would never be delivered from their enemies or have a true champion until He Himself came to be their King and fight their battles.

and princes... Necessary to assist the king.

Israel had been unfaithful to God, when they sought the help of the worldly kings around them. God was their help. These worldly kings not only could not save them from destruction but would not if they could. They have made agreement with the world and left God. God is the only One that could and would, save them.

Where is thy king now? that he may save thee, or all thy princes? that they may rule thee; those of whom thou hast said, Give me a king and princes.

When the Lord would come to destroy (Hos. 13:9) no one would be able to save the people, not even the political leaders they had demanded from the Lord (Hos. 13:10; cf. Hos. 10:3, Hos. 10:7, Hos. 10:15).

Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 Vs. 28

 Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit

Mark 1:28 “And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.”

his fame spread... Here fame is simply report; word about Jesus went out quickly in all directions. For some at least it is likely to have seemed notoriety.

You can imagine how this would spread. These people coming to the synagogue had never seen anything like this before.

It is the custom of unbelievers to speak as if the air of Palestine were then surcharged with belief in the supernatural. Miracles were everywhere. Thus, they would explain away the significance of the popular belief that our Lord wrought signs and wonders. But in so doing they set themselves a worse problem than they evade. If miracles were so very common, it would be as easy to believe that Jesus wrought them as that He worked at His father’s bench. But also, it would be as inconclusive. And how then are we to explain the astonishment which all the evangelists so constantly record? On any conceivable theory, these writers shared the beliefs of that age. And so did the readers who accepted their assurance that all were amazed, and that His report "went out straightway everywhere into all the region of Galilee." These are emphatic words, and both the author and his readers must have considered a miracle to be more surprising than modern critics believe they did.

Yet we do not read that any one was converted by this miracle. All were amazed, but wonder is not self-surrender. They were content to let their excitement die out, as every violent emotion must, without any change of life, any permanent devotion to the new Teacher and His doctrine.

His teaching was qualitatively new kainē and came with authority (cf. Mark 1:22) that extended even to demonic forces who were forced to obey submit to Him (cf. Mark 4:41). In summary, Mark declared that very soon euthys; (cf. Mark 1:10) all Galilee heard the news about Him.

Book of Hosea Chapter 13 Vs. 9

 The Lord's Relentless Judgment on Israel

O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. Hos. 13:9

hast destroyed thyself... They destroyed themselves because they would not follow God or obey Him. In God was their help and preservation from destruction if they had only realized it. After these menaces it might seem I had destroyed thee, but thou thyself hast done it by thy sins. It is the rebel that destroys himself, though he falls by the sword of his provoked sovereign: thou art the cause and author of thine own ruin.

but in me... Or, for I was always ready and able to help thee and would certainly have saved thee; but thy sins, thy wickedness carried thee toward other helps, which were lies, and have disappointed thee. And now thou dost perish under thine own choice, whereas hadst thou chosen me I would have helped and saved thee. Or else thus the whole verse: This hath destroyed thee, O Israel, for thou hast rebelled against me, against thy help.

This is a cry for them to stop and consider all of this, before it is too late. Their only help is in the Lord.

When He hath destroyed thee, O Israel-who then may help thee? Where is thy king now? That he may save thee, or all thy princes? that they may rule thee.

Ironically the Helper of Israel would become her Destroyer because she was against Him (Hos. 13:9).

Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 Vs. 27

 Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit

Mark 1:27 “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine [is] this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”

They questioned among themselves (συνζητεῖν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς)

Stronger than Luke, who has they spake together. Tynd., They demanded one of another among themselves.

What thing is... Questions 3-4. Next, Mark 2:7.

for with authority... (see verse 22). Jesus had absolute authority in His actions as well as His words (Mat. 28:18).

You must remember that in the synagogue there was much formality and tradition. Really these scribes had been trained to go through a certain ritual, and they knew technically what was required of them; but they had no power within themselves.

You might say that I am being judgmental, but we have just seen that these evil spirits had no fear of the scribes. They just came right into the synagogue with the man. The amazing thing to them was the power and authority of Jesus’ message.

they do obey... They always obey those that have power over them. When men claim this power and it does not work it is proof that they do not have power (Acts 19:13-18). This case is also proof that it is not necessary for unbelievers to be absent in order for God’s power to work. When men claim that opposition present hinders God’s power it is an excuse for their powerlessness.

Was it not a mournful association of ideas which then led Jesus to reply, Have I not chosen you the Twelve, and one of you is a devil?* (*The connection would be almost certain if the word devil were alike in both. But in all these narratives it is demon, there being in Scripture but one devil.)

But although the phrase is beautiful, and possibly wild with all regret, there is no relenting, no better desire than to be let alone. And so Jesus, so gentle with sinful men, yet sometime to be their judge also, is stern and cold. Hold thy peace -- be muzzled, He answers, as to a wild beast, and come out of him. Whereupon the evil spirit exhibits at once his ferocity and his defeat. Tearing and screaming, he came out, but we read in St. Luke that he did the man no harm.

All the people were greatly amazed ethambēthēsan, surprised, astonished; cf. Mark 10:24, 10:32). Their question, What is this? referred both to the nature of Jesus’ teaching and His expulsion of a demon with only a word of command. His teaching was qualitatively new kainē and came with authority (cf. Mark 1:22) that extended even to demonic forces who were forced to obey submit to Him (cf. Mark 4:41).

Book of Hosea Chapter 13 Vs. 8

 The Lord's Relentless Judgment on Israel

I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. Hos. 13:8

meet them as... The Syrian bear is fiercer than the brown bears to which we are accustomed. It attacks flocks (1Sam. 17:34), and even oxen. The fierceness of the she-bear, bereaved of her whelps, became a proverb (2Sam. 17:8; Prov. 17:12; and here). They who have written on the nature of wild beasts, say that none is more savage than the she-bear, when she has lost her whelps or lacks food.

and will rend... They had closed their hearts against God. Their punishment is pictured by the rending open of the closed heart, by the lion which is said to go instinctively straight to the heart, tears it out, and sucks the blood. Fearful will it be in the Day of Judgment, when the sinner's heart is laid open, with all the foul, cruel, malicious, defiled, thoughts which it harbored and concealed, against the will of God. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31).

there will I... Where I find them and seize them, like the hungry and fearless lion, which feasts on his prey where he caught it, draws it not into his den, but devours it immediately.

like a lion... An old lion that hath his great teeth, his grinders, and hath still whelps (Gen. 49:9); fierce and terrible, that will either call in his whelps to divide the prey, or drag the prey to his den for them: and what hope of anything to be spared, when you fall into such hands?

The wild beast shall tear them: it is said of the lion, that he calls by his roaring the wild beasts together to the prey when he hath taken it; so you shall be devoured by the whole troop of wild beasts. Or it may be a general threat added to those particular ones before; every wild beast shall prey upon them. All this God executed on them by the Assyrians, who in their fierceness, cruelty, greediness, and courage answered the character here given to them.

A mother bear that has lost her whelps is a ferocious animal. She will destroy everything that gets in her way. This is speaking of this ferocious animal grabbing at the heart area, and tearing an opening to the heart to kill it.

Ironically the Helper of Israel would become her Destroyer because she was against Him (Hos. 13:9).

Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 Vs. 26

 Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit

Mark 1:26 “And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.”

This unclean spirit did not want to give up this body.

This unclean spirit tore him and cried with a loud voice, because the spirit was vacating a place, he thought he had secured.

Had torn (σπαράξαν)

Rev., tearing, convulsions in margin. Luke has had thrown him down in the midst. Mark adds the crying out with a loud voice.

The devil will not give up without a struggle but is subject to Jesus. Our Bible says resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We are no match for the devil ourselves, but the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus are more powerful than the devil. Just as in the verse above when the unclean spirit obeyed the command of Jesus, we can also, fight unclean spirits with the name of Jesus and the power of His blood.

But men also are wont to forget their wrongdoing when they come to suffer, and it is recorded that even Nero had abundance of compassion for himself. Weird also and terrible is it, that this unclean spirit should choose for his confession that pure and exquisite epithet, the Holy One of God.

Submitting to Jesus’ authority, the evil spirit convulsed (cf. Mark 9:26) the possessed man, and with a loud shriek, left him.

Jesus did not accept the demon’s defensive utterance (Mark 1:24) because doing so would have undermined His task of confronting and defeating Satan and his forces. His authority over evil spirits was evidence that God’s rule had come in Jesus (cf. Mark 1:15). This initial exorcism set the pattern for the sustained conflict Jesus had with demons - an important element in Mark’s account. (See the list of Jesus’ miracles at John 2:1-11.)

Book of Hosea Chapter 13 Vs. 7

The Lord's Relentless Judgment on Israel 

Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: Hos. 13:7

Therefore I will... The 20th prophecy in Hosea (Hos. 13:7-8, fulfilled). Next, Hos. 13:10.

Six Predictions—Fulfilled:

1. I will be unto them as a lion (Hos. 13:7).

2. I will observe them as a leopard in the way.

3. I will meet them as a bear bereaved of her whelps (Hos. 13:8).

4. I will rend the caul of their heart.

5. I will devour them like a lion.

6. The wild beasts will tear them (Hos. 13:9).

be unto them... They had waxen fat, were full; yet it was, to become themselves a prey. Their wealth which they were proud of, which they abused, allured their enemies. To cut off all hopes of God's mercy, He says that he will be to them, as those creatures of His, which never spare. The fierceness of the lion, and the swiftness of the leopard, together portrays a speedy inexorable chastisement.

as a leopard... A very fierce, swift, sly, and watchful creature (Jer. 5:6; Hab. 1:8).

I observe them... Watch for them, that I may be sure to take them.

The end of all their sin is destruction. The lion or leopard stalks its prey, and then at a convenient time, pounces on them. The destruction that comes on them for their unfaithfulness to God will be sudden.

So that I must be to them like a lion, like a leopard in the way I must leap. I will fall on them like a bear robbed of its young, and will tear the caul of their hearts, and will devour them like a lion-wild beasts shall rend them.

Like a vicious and powerful wild beast lion… leopard, or bear the Lord would attack His people still viewed here as a helpless flock or herd, Hos. 13:7-8; cf. Hos. 5:14)

The moth (Hos. 5:12) is transformed into a raging lion which violently kills its prey. The use of six first-person forms (I) in the Hebrew emphasizes God’s role in this judgment. In the final analysis the Lord Himself would be the attacker and destroyer, even though He would use foreign armies as His instruments.

Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 Vs. 25

 Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit

Mark 1:25 “And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.”

Hold thy peace... Jesus wanted no testimony to the truth from the demonic realm to fuel charges that He was in league with Satan (3:22; Acts 16:16-18).

Hold thy peace (φιμώθητι)

Lit., be muzzled or gagged See on Mat. 22:12.

He was speechless (ἐφιμώθη)

Lit., he was muzzled or gagged. It is used of muzzling the ox (1TiM. 5:18) and is addressed by Christ to the demon (Mark 1:25), and to the raging sea (Mark 4:39). Peter uses it of putting the ignorant and foolish to silence (1Pet. 2:15).

Jesus commands the spirit to come out of the victim. He does not rebuke the man, but his oppressor. Jesus issues the same command, Hold thy peace, to the storm (in 4:39).

We will see that Jesus was speaking to this evil spirit in the man and not to the man. Jesus is the Lord overall. Jesus is even the Lord over this evil spirit, and this evil spirit had to obey the voice of Jesus. When Jesus told this evil spirit, to hush it hushed. When Jesus told the evil spirit to come out of him, it had to obey Jesus, as we see in the next verse.

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

Again, in a few direct words no incantations Jesus sternly rebuked epetimēsen cf. Mark 4:39) the evil spirit and ordered the demon to come out of the man. The words be quiet translate the forceful phimōthēti be muzzled or silenced (cf. Mark 4:39).

Book of Hosea Chapter 13 Vs. 6

 The Lord's Relentless Judgment on Israel

According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. Hos. 13:6

According to their... The thought here is that the more God blessed them, the more they rebelled against Him as they experienced the goodness of God, and their bodies were supplied their hearts became exalted and they forgot Him.

so were they... As I was their shepherd, and provided pasture for them, so they were fully fed; they had an abundant plenty of all things.

and their heart... The consequence of their having this plenty was, that from thence they grew proud and high-minded.

therefore have they... Who found them in slavery, poverty, reproach, and tears in Egypt, out of which I saved them. And they have most scandalously made them gods, worshipped them, and with sacrilegious UN-thankfulness given the praise of all I did for them to dumb idols, though I warned them of it beforehand (Deut. 6:11-12; 8:13-14).

God had led them to green pastures. He had provided for their every need. The most difficult time to stay in good fellowship with the Lord is when everything is going great. We have a tendency to be like them, when things are running smooth. We take God for granted, and the first thing you know, we are backsliding. A believer in God never stands still. They are either pressing closer to God (usually in time of great trials), or they are drifting away from God. They had become comfortable and wandered away from God.

In return for such blessings, they should have acknowledged the Lord as their God and Savior (Hos. 13:4). Instead, they became proud and forgot Him (Hos. 13:6; cf. Hos. 2:13).

But once they came hither, the more pasture they had, the more they ate themselves full, and the more they ate themselves full, the more was their heart uplifted, so they forgat Me.

Again, when God fed them is literally, when they pastured. It describes sheep or cattle grazing peacefully. In return for such blessings, they should have acknowledged the Lord as their God and Savior (Hos. 13:4). Instead they became proud and forgot Him (Hos. 13:6; cf. comments on Hos. 2:13).

The final statement in this section (Hos. 2:2-13) summarizes Israel’s basic sin and the reason for the coming judgment: she had forgotten šāḵaḥ the Lord. The verb here does not refer to a mental lapse or loss of knowledge; it describes a refusal to acknowledge the Lord’s goodness and authority (cf. Hos. 8:14; 13:6). Moses had repeatedly urged the nation not to forget the Lord’s gracious deeds (Deut. 4:9; 8:11) and His demand for exclusive worship (Deut. 4:23; 6:12; 8:19; cf. 2Kgs. 17:38). However, in fulfillment of Moses’ prediction (cf. Deut. 31:27-29 with Deut. 32:18) Israel throughout her history forgot the Lord and worshiped false gods (cf. Jdg. 3:7; 1Sam. 12:9-10; Psm. 78:9-11; Jer. 23:27).