Mark:6

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* Verse 1-6 - Our Lord 's countrymen tried to prejudice the minds of people against him . Is not this the carpenter ? Our Lord Jesus probably had worked in that business with his father . He thus put honour upon mechanics , and encouraged all persons who eat by the labour of their hands . It becomes the followers of Christ to content themselves with the satisfaction of doing good , although they are denied the praise of it . How much did these Nazarenes lose by obstinate prejudices against Jesus ! May Divine grace deliver us from that unbelief , which renders Christ a savour of death , rather than of life to the soul . Let us , like our Master , go and teach cottages and peasants the way of salvation . * Verse 7-13 - Though the apostles were conscious to themselves of great weakness , and expected no wordly advantage , yet , in obedience to their Master , and in dependence upon his strength , they went out . They did not amuse people with curious matters , but told them they must repent of their sins , and turn to God . The servants of Christ may hope to turn many from darkness unto God , and to heal souls by the power of the Holy Ghost . * Verse 14-29 - Herod feared John while he lived , and feared him still more when he was dead . Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him ; but it is not enough to do many things , we must have respect to all the commandments . Herod respected John , till he touched him in his Herodias . Thus many love good preaching , if it keep far away from their beloved sin . But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness , than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness . The ways of God are unsearchable ; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his sake . Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man ; and the triumph of the wicked was short . * Verse 30-44 - Let not ministers do any thing or teach any thing , but what they are willing should be told to their Lord . Christ notices the frights of some , and the toils of others of his disciples , and provides rest for those that are tired , and refuge for those that are terrified . The people sought the spiritual food of Christ 's word , and then he took care that they should not want bodily food . If Christ and his disciples put up with mean things , surely we may . And this miracle shows that Christ came into the world , not only to restore , but to preserve and nourish spiritual life ; in him there is enough for all that come . None are sent empty away from Christ but those who come to him full of themselves . Though Christ had bread enough at command , he teaches us not to waste any of God 's bounties , remembering how many are in want . We may , some time , need the fragments that we now throw away . * Verse 45-56 - The church is often like a ship at sea , tossed with tempests , and not comforted : we may have Christ for us , yet wind and tide against us ; but it is a comfort to Christ 's disciples in a storm , that their Master is in the heavenly mount , interceding for them . And no difficulties can hinder Christ 's appearance for his people , when the set time is come . He silenced their fears , by making himself known to them . Our fears are soon satisfied , if our mistakes are set right , especially our mistakes as to Christ . Let the disciples have their Master with them , and all is well . It is for want of rightly understanding Christ 's former works , that we view his present works as if there never were the like before . If Christ 's ministers now could cure people 's bodily diseases , what multitudes would flock after them ! It is sad to think how much more most care about their bodies than about their souls . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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