Mark (Expository Thoughts on the Gospels)

by J. C. Ryle, Alister McGrath (Editor), J. I. Packer (Editor), J. I. Packer (Introduction)

Overview

For hundreds of years Christendom has been blessed with Bible commentaries written by great men of God highly respected for their godly walk and their insight into spiritual truth. The Crossway Classic Commentaries present the very best work on individual Bible books, carefully adapted for maximum understanding and usefulness for today's believers.

Mark is a dynamic discussion of the second Gospel. Here is all the excitement and fervor of this action-packed biography of our precious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Familiar and not-so-familiar passages bring deep encouragement and powerful vision, leading to inner renewal and holier living.

A potent volume sure to enlighten and strengthen all modern-day believers as they seek to serve their Master!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433532283
Publisher:	Crossway
Publication date:	04/15/1993
Series:	Crossway Classic Commentaries , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	614 KB

About the Author

J. C. Ryle (1816–1900) was a prominent writer, preacher, and Anglican clergyman in nineteenth-century England. He is the author of the classic Expository Thoughts on the Gospels and retired as the bishop of Liverpool.

J. C. Ryle (1816–1900) was a prominent writer, preacher, and Anglican clergyman in nineteenth-century England. He is the author of the classic Expository Thoughts on the Gospels and retired as the bishop of Liverpool.

  Alister McGrath (PhD, University of Oxford) is the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, president of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, and senior research fellow at Harris Manchester College in Oxford. He is also a noted author and coeditor of Crossway's Classic Commentaries series. 

J. I. Packer (1926–2020) served as the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College. He authored numerous books, including the classic bestseller Knowing God. Packer also served as general editor for the English Standard Version Bible and as theological editor for the ESV Study Bible.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

The Gospel begun: John the Baptist's ministry (1:1-8)

The Gospel of St. Mark, which we now begin, is in some respects unlike the other three Gospels. It tells us nothing about the birth and early life of our Lord Jesus Christ. It contains comparatively few of his sayings and sermons. Of all the four inspired histories of our Lord's earthly ministry, this is by far the shortest.

But we must not allow these peculiarities to make us undervalue St. Mark's Gospel. It is a Gospel singularly full of precious facts about the Lord Jesus, narrated in a simple, terse, pithy and condensed style. If it tells us few of our Lord's sayings, it is eminently rich in its catalogue of his doings. It often contains minute historical details of deep interest, which are wholly omitted in Matthew, Luke and John. In short, it is no mere abridged copy of St. Matthew, as some have rashly asserted, but the independent narrative of an independent witness, who was inspired to write a history of our Lord's works, rather than of his words. Let us read it with holy reverence. Like all the rest of Scripture, every word of St. Mark is "God-breathed," and every word is "useful for teaching" (2 Timothy 3:16). [As Stier says in his Words of the Lord Jesus:

St. Mark has the special gift of terse brevity and of graphic painting in wonderful combination. While on every occasion he compresses the discourses, works and history into the simplest possible kernel, he on the other hand unfolds the scenes more clearly than St. Matthew does, who excels in the discourses. Not only do single incidents become in his hands complete pictures, but even when he is very brief, he often gives, with one pencil stroke, something new and peculiarly his own.]

1. The dignity of Christ's person

First, let us observe in these verses what a full declaration we have of the dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ's person. The very first sentence speaks of him as "the Son of God."

These words, "the Son of God," conveyed far more to Jewish minds than they do to us. They were nothing less than an assertion of our Lord's divinity. They were a declaration that Jesus was himself true God and "equal with God" Qohn 5:18).

There is a beautiful fitness in placing this truth at the very beginning of a Gospel. The divinity of Christ is the citadel and keep of Christianity. Here lies the infinite value of the satisfaction he made upon the cross. Here lies the particular merit of his atoning death for sinners. That death was not the death of a mere man like ourselves, but of one who is "God over all, forever praised!" (Romans 9:5). We need not wonder that the sufferings of one person were a sufficient propitiation for the sin of a world, when we remember that he who suffered was "the Son of God."

Let believers cling to this doctrine with jealous watchfulness. With it, they stand on a rock. Without it, they have nothing solid beneath their feet. Our hearts are weak. Our sins are many. We need a Redeemer who is able to save completely, and set us free from the wrath to come. We have such a Redeemer in Jesus Christ. He is "Mighty God" (Isaiah 9:6).

2. The beginning of the Gospel fulfilled Scripture

Second, let us observe how the beginning of the Gospel was a fulfillment of Scripture. John the Baptist began his ministry as "it is written in Isaiah the prophet" (verse 2).

There was nothing unforeseen and suddenly contrived in the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. In the very beginning of Genesis we find it predicted that the woman's offspring would crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15). All through the Old Testament we find the same event foretold with constandy increasing clearness. It was a promise often renewed to patriarchs, and repeated by prophets, that a deliverer and redeeemer would one day come. His birth, his character, his life, his death, his resurrection, his forerunner were all prophesied long before he came. Redemption was worked out and accomplished in every step, just as it was written.

We should always read the Old Testament with a desire to find something in it about Jesus Christ. We study this part of the Bible with little profit if we can see in it nothing but Moses, David, Samuel and the prophets. Let us search the books of the Old Testament more carefully. It was said by Jesus, whose words can never pass away, "these are the Scriptures that testify about me" (John 5:39).

3. The effects ofJohn the Baptist's ministry on the Jews

Third, let us observe how great were the effects which the ministry of John the Baptist produced for a time on the Jewish nation. We are told that "the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River" (verse 5).

The fact here recorded is one that is much overlooked. We are apt to lose sight of the person who went before our Lord, and to see nothing but our Lord himself. We forget the morning star in the full blaze of the Sun. And yet it is clear that John's preaching arrested the attention of the whole Jewish people, and created an excitement all over Palestine. It roused the nation from its slumbers, and prepared it for the ministry of our Lord when he appeared. Jesus himself says, "John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light" (John 5:35).

We ought to remark here how little dependence is to be placed on what is called "popularity." If ever there was one who was a popular minister for a little while, John the Baptist was that man. Yet of all the crowds who came to his baptism and heard his preaching, how few, it may be feared, were converted! Some, we may hope, like Andrew, were guided by John to Christ. But the vast majority, in all probability, died in their sins. Let us remember this whenever we see a crowded church. A great congregation no doubt is a pleasing sight. But the thought should often cross our minds, "How many of these people will reach heaven at last?" It is not enough to hear and admire popular preachers. It is no proof of our conversion that we always worship in a place where there is a crowd. Let us take care that we hear the voice of Christ himself, and follow him.

4. John the Baptist's clear teaching

Fourth, let us observe what clear doctrine characterized John the Baptist's preaching. He exalted Christ: "After me will come one more powerful than I" (verse 7). He spoke plainly about the Holy Spirit: "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (verse 8).

These truths had never been so plainly proclaimed before by mortal man. More important truths than these are not to be found in the whole system of Christianity today. The principal work of every faithful minister of the Gospel is to set the Lord Jesus fully before his people, and to show them his fullness and his power to save. The next great work he has to do is to set before them the work of the Holy Spirit, and the need of being born again and inwardly baptized by his grace. These two mighty truths appear to have been frequently on the hps of John the Baptist. It would be good for the church and the world if there were more ministers like him.

Let us ask ourselves, as we leave the passage, how much we know in our own experience of the truths which John preached. What do we think of Christ? Have we felt our need of him, and fled to him for peace? Is he King over our hearts, and all things to our souls? What do we think of the Holy Spirit? Has he done any work in our hearts? Has he renewed and changed them? Hashemadeus participate in the divine nature? Life or death depends on our answer to these questions. "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" (Romans 8:9).

Christ' baptism, temptation, and the calling of his first disciples (1:9-20)

This passage is unusually full of matter. It is a striking instance of that brevity of style which is characteristic of St. Mark's Gospel. The baptism of our Lord, his temptation in the wilderness, the commencement of his preaching and the calling of his first disciples are all related here in eleven verses.

1. The voice from heaven

First, let us notice the voice from heaven which was heard at our Lord's baptism. We read: "a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased'" (verse 11).

That voice was the voice of God the Father. It declared the wondrous and ineffable love which has existed between the Father and the Son from all eternity. "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands" (John 3:35). It proclaimed the Father's full and complete approval of Christ's mission to seek and save the lost. It announced the Father's acceptance of the Son as the mediator, substitute and surety of the new covenant.

There is a rich mine of comfort in these words for all Christ's believing members. In themselves, and in their own doings, they see nothing to please God. They are daily aware of weakness, shortcomings and imperfection in all their ways. But let them recollect that the Father regards them as members of his beloved Son Jesus Christ. He sees no flaw in them (Song of Songs 4:7). He sees them as "in Christ," clothed in his righteousness and invested with his merit. They are "accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6, kjv), and when the holy eye of God looks at them, he is "well pleased."

2. The nature of Christ's preaching

Second, let us notice the nature of Christ's preaching. We read that he came saying, "Repent and believe the good news!" (verse 15).

This is that old sermon which all the faithful witnesses of God have continually preached, from the very beginning of the world. From Noah down to the present day the burden of their sermon has always been the same: "Repent and believe."

The apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders, when he left them for the last time, that the substance of his teaching among them had been: "turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus" (Acts 20:21). He had the best of precedents for such teaching. The great head of the church had given him a pattern. Repentance and faith were the foundation-stones of Christ's ministry. Repentance and faith must always be the main subjects of every faithful minister's instruction.

We need not wonder at this, if we consider the necessities of human nature. All of us are by nature born in sin and are children of wrath, and all need to repent, turn to God and be born again if we want to see the kingdom of God. All of us are by nature guilty and condemned before God, and all must flee to the hope set before us in the Gospel, and believe in it, if we want to be saved. All of us, once penitent, need daily stirring up to deeper repentance. All of us, though believing, need constant exhortation to increased faith.

Let us ask ourselves what we know of this repentance and faith. Have we felt our sins, and forsaken them? Have we taken hold of Christ, and believed? We may reach heaven without learning or riches or health or worldly greatness. But we shall never reach heaven if we die unrepentant and unbelieving. A new heart and a living faith in a Redeemer are absolutely necessary to salvation. May we never rest till we know them by experience, and can call them our own! With them all true Christianity begins in the soul. Religious life consists in the exercise of them. It is only through the possession of them that people have peace in the end. Church membership and priestly absolution alone save no one. The only people who die in the Lord are those who "repent and believe."

3. The occupation of Christ's first disciples

Third, let us notice the occupation of those who were first called to be Christ's disciples. We read that our Lord called Simon and Andrew, when they were "casting a net into the lake" (verse 16), and James and John while they were "preparing their nets" (verse 19).

It is clear from these words that the first followers of our Lord were not the great of this world. They were men who had neither riches, nor rank, nor power. But the kingdom of Christ is not dependent on such things as these. His cause advances in the world " 'not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6). The words of St. Paul will always be found true: "Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:26-27). The church which began with a few fishermen, and yet spread over half the world, must have been founded by God.

We must beware of giving way to the common notion that there is anything disgraceful in being poor, and in working with our own hands. The Bible contains many instances of special privileges conferred on working men. Moses was keeping sheep when God appeared to him in the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-3). Gideon was threshing wheat when the angel brought him a message from heaven (Judges 6:11). Elisha was plowing when Elijah called him to be prophet in his place (1 Kings 19:19). The apostles were fishing when Jesus called them to follow him. It is disgraceful to be covetous, proud, a cheat, a gambler, a drunkard, a glutton or unclean. But it is no disgrace to be poor. The laborer who serves Christ faithfully is far more honorable in God's eyes than the nobleman who serves sin.

4. The task to which the disciples were called

Fourth, let us notice the task to which our Lord called his first disciples. We read that he said, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (verse 17).

The meaning of this expression is clear and unmistakable. The disciples were to become fishers for souls. They were to labor to draw people out of darkness into light, and from the power of Satan to God. They were to strive to bring people into the net of Christ's church, so that they might be saved and not perish everlastingly.

We ought to note this expression well. It is full of instruction. It is the oldest name by which the ministerial function is described in the New Testament. It lies deeper down than the name of bishop, elder or deacon. It is the first idea which should be before a minister's mind. He is not to be a mere reader of services, or administrator of sacraments. He is to be a "fisher" of souls. The minister who does not try to live up to this name has mistaken his calling.

Does the fisherman try to catch fish? Does he use every means, and grieve if he is unsuccessful? The minister ought to do the same. Does the fisherman have patience? Does he toil on day after day, and wait, and work on in hope? Let the minister do the same. Happy is the person in whom the fisherman's skill, diligence and patience are all combined!

Let us resolve to pray much for ministers. Their function is no light one, if they do their duty. They need the help of many prayers from all praying people. They have not only their own souls to care for, but the souls of others. No wonder St. Paul cries, "Who is equal to such a task?" (2 Corinthians 2:16). If we never prayed for ministers before, let us begin to do it today.

An evil spirit cast out; Peter's mother-in-law healed (1:21-34)

These verses begin the long list of miracles which St. Mark's Gospel contains. They tell us how our Lord cast out demons in Capernaum, and healed Peter's wife's mother of a fever.

1. Uselessness of mere intellectual knowledge

First, we learn from these verses the uselessness of a mere intellectual knowledge of religion. Twice we are specifically told that the evil spirits knew our Lord. In one place it says, "they knew who he was" (verse 34). In another, the demon cries out, "I know who you are - the Holy One of God!" (verse 24). They knew Christ, when teachers of the law were ignorant of him and Pharisees would not acknowledge him. And yet their knowledge did not save!

The mere belief of the facts and doctrines of Christianity will never save our souls. Such belief is no better than the belief of demons. They all believe and know that Jesus is the Christ. They believe that he will one day judge the world, and throw them down to endless torment in hell. It is a solemn and sorrowful thought that on these points some professing Christians have even less faith than the devil. There are some who doubt the reality of hell and the eternity of punishment. Such doubts as these find no place except in the hearts of self-willed men and women. There is no unbelief among demons. "The demons believe.. . and shudder" (James 2:19).

(Continues…)

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