shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

See these verses fully explained in Matt. x. 9--15. In Matt. x. 5, they were commanded not to go among the Gentiles or Samaritans. Mark omits that direction, perhaps, because as he was writing for the Gentiles, the direction might create unneces sary difficulty or offence. Perhaps, also, because the command was given for a temporary purpose, and was not in force at the time of his writing.

12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Preached that men should repent.' See the nature of repentance explained, in Matt. iii. 2.

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

'Cast out many devils.' See note on Matt. iv. 24. • And anointed with oil.' Anointing with oil was in common use among the Jews in cases of sickness. It was supposed to have a mild, soothing, and alleviating effect on the body. In James v. 14, the elders of the church, in connexion with prayers, were directed also to anoint the sick with oil. It was also used in wounds. The good Samaritan poured oil into the wounds of the waylaid Jew, Luke x. 34. It need not be supposed, however, that the apostles used oil for mere medical purposes. It was used probably, like the imposition of hands, or like our Saviour's anointing the eyes of the blind with clay, merely as a sign, in expectation that God would impart that aid and comfort which was sought, and which was represented by the naturally soothing and gentle effect of oil. 14 And king Herod heard of him, (for his name was spread abroad :) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him. 15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. 17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. 18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: 20 For

21

Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just_man and an holy, and observed him: and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly And when a convenient day was come, that Herod, on his birth-day, made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; 22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, the head of John the baptist. 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the baptist. 26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

See this account of the death of John the Baptist fully explained in Matt. xiv. 1-12.

'He did many things.' But he did not do the thing which was demanded of him-break off from his sins. He attempted to make a compromise with his conscience. Sinners often treat ministers kindly, and do much to make them comfortable, and hear them gladly, while they are still unwilling to do the thing which is demanded of them-repent, and believe the gospel.

30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

And the apostles gathered themselves together.' That is, those whom he had sent out two and two, ver. 7. Having travelled around the country, they returned and met the Saviour at Capernaum.

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves

apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

'A desert place.' A retired place, across the sea from Capernaum, where they would be free from interruption. Coming and going. Coming to be healed, and retiring, or coming to hear him preach. It means that there was a vast multitude attending his preaching. See the miracle of the loaves and fishes explained in Matt. xiv. 13-21. By ship.' By a boat, a small vessel. Privately.' Without making their plan known. They intended to go privately.

33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

'Afoot thither. On foot to the place where they saw them. going. Out of all cities.' All cities or large towns in the neighbourhood.

34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

'Much people.' Many people. As sheep,' &c. They had no one to teach them, and guide them. The priests and scribes were proud, corrupt, and despised the common people, and neglected them.

35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

'The time is far passed.' The day is almost gone. It is drawing near to night.

37

36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

'Give ye them to eat. Give them food to eat. 'Two hundred pennyworth of bread. About six pounds nine shillings. As the disciples had a common purse in which they carried their little property, consisting of donations of their friends, and money to be given to the poor, (compare John xii. 6. Matt. xxvi. 8, 9.

Luke viii. 3,) it is not improbab.e that they had, at this time, about this sum in their possession. Philip, for it was he who asked the question, John vi. 7, asked whether they should take all their little property, and spend it on a single meal? And even if we should, said he, it would not be sufficient to satisfy such a multitude. It was implied in this, that in his view they could not provide for them if they wished, and that it would be better rather to send them away than to attempt it.

38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40 And

they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

'In ranks. By square, regularly formed companies. By hundreds and by fifties. Some companies had a hundred in them, and some fifty. We need not suppose that these were exactly formed, or arranged; but that this was about the number. The expression indicates a multitude. There were so many that they sat down, by hundreds and by fifties, in separate companies, on the green grass.

41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 42 And they did all eat, and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

'Twelve baskets.' Baskets in which they carried their provisions, belonging to the disciples, or, perhaps, to some of the multitude. Fragments.' Broken pieces of the bread that remained.

44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about · five thousand men. 45 And straightway he con strained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would

have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

See this passage explained in Matt. xiv. 22-36. 'They considered not the miracle of the loaves.' They did not remember or call to mind the power which Jesus had shown in feeding the five thousand by a miracle, and that, having done that, he had power also to save them from the storm. 'Their heart was hardened.' Their mind was dull to perceive it. They did not quickly learn, as they ought to have done, that he had all power, and could therefore allay the storm. The word 'heart' is frequently used in this sense. See Rom. i. 21; ii. 15. 2 Cor. iv. 6.

53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought aim that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

They knew him.' They recollected him, for he had been there before, and worked miracles. The border of his garment.' Compare note on Matt. ix. 20.

CHAPTER VII.

1 THEN came together unto him the pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. See this passage explained in the notes on Matt. xv. 1-20. "Came from Jerusalem.' Probably to observe his conduct, and to find matter of accusation against him.