Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Mark
Book: Mark
Chapter: 16
Overview:
Christ's resurrection made known the women.
(1-8) Christ
appears to
Mary Magdalene and other disciples.
(9-13) His
commission to the apostles.
(14-18) Christ's
Ascension.
(19,20)
1-8 Nicodemus brought a large quantity of
Spices, but these
good women did not think that enough. The respect others show to
Christ, should not hinder us from showing our respect. And those
who are carried
By holy zeal, to seek
Christ diligently, will
find the difficulties in their way speedily vanish. When we
Put
ourselves to trouble and expense, from
Love to
Christ, we shall
be accepted, though our endeavours are not successful. The sight
of the
Angel might justly have encouraged them, but they were
affrighted. Thus many times that which should be matter of
comfort to us, through our own mistake, proves a terror to us.
He was crucified, but he is glorified. He is risen, he is not
here, not dead, but alive again; hereafter you will see him, but
you may here see the place where he was laid. Thus seasonable
comforts will be sent to those that lament after the
Lord Jesus.
Peter is particularly named, Tell
Peter; it will be most welcome
to him, for he is in sorrow for
Sin. A sight of
Christ will be
very welcome to a true penitent, and a true penitent is very
welcome to a sight of
Christ. The men ran with all the haste
they could to the disciples; but disquieting fears often hinder
us from doing that service to
Christ and to the souls of men,
which, if
Faith and the joy of
Faith were strong, we might do.
9-13 Better news cannot be brought to disciples in tears, than
to tell them of
Christ's resurrection. And we should study to
comfort disciples that are mourners,
By telling them whatever we
have seen of
Christ. It was a
Wise Providence that the proofs of
Christ's resurrection were given gradually, and admitted
cautiously, that the
Assurance with which the apostles preached
this doctrine afterwards might the more satisfy. Yet how slowly
do we admit the consolations which the
Word of God holds forth!
Therefore while
Christ comforts his people, he often sees it
needful to rebuke and correct them for hardness of
Heart in
distrusting his promise, as
Well as in not obeying his holy
precepts.
14-18 The evidences of the
Truth of the
Gospel are
So full,
that those who receive it not, may justly be upbraided with
their unbelief. Our blessed
Lord renewed his choice of the
eleven as his apostles, and commissioned them to go into all the
world, to preach his
Gospel to every
Creature. Only he that is a
true
Christian shall be saved through
Christ.
Simon Magus
professed to believe, and was baptized, yet he was declared to
be in the bonds of iniquity: see his history in Ac 8:13-25.
Doubtless this is a solemn declaration of that true
Faith which
receives
Christ in all his characters and offices, and for all
the purposes of
Salvation, and which produces its right effect
On the
Heart and
Life; not a mere assent, which is a dead
Faith,
and cannot profit. The commission of
Christ's ministers extends
to every
Creature throughout the world, and the declarations of
the
Gospel contain not only truths, encouragements, and
precepts, but also most awful warnings. Observe what power the
apostles should be endued with, for confirming the doctrine they
were to preach. These were miracles to confirm the
Truth of the
Gospel, and means of spreading the
Gospel among nations that had
not heard it.
19,20 After the
Lord had spoken he went up into
Heaven.
Sitting
is a posture of
Rest, he had finished his work; and a posture of
rule, he took possession of his kingdom. He sat at the right
Hand of
God, which denotes his sovereign dignity and universal
power. Whatever
God does concerning us, gives to us, or accepts
from us, it is
By his Son. Now he is glorified with the
Glory he
had before the world. The apostles went forth, and preached
every where, far and near. Though the doctrine they preached was
spiritual and heavenly, and directly contrary to the
Spirit and
temper of the world; though it met with much opposition, and was
wholly destitute of all worldly supports and advantages; yet in
a few years the sound went forth unto the ends of the
Earth.
Christ's ministers do not now need to work miracles to prove
their message; the Scriptures are proved to be of Divine origin,
and this renders those without excuse who reject or neglect
them. The effects of the
Gospel, when faithfully preached, and
truly believed, in changing the tempers and characters of
mankind, form a constant proof, a miraculous proof, that the
Gospel is the power of
God unto
Salvation, of all who believe.