9:1 Then 1 he called his twelve disciples together, and gave
them power and authority over all devils, and to cure
diseases.
(1) The twelve apostles are sent forth only at the commandment
of Christ and equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit:
both that none of the Israelites might pretend ignorance,
and also that they might be better prepared for their
general mission.
9:4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there a abide, and
thence depart.
(a) When you depart out of any city, depart from that place
where you first took up your lodging: so that in these
few words the Lord forbids them to change their
lodgings: for this publishing of the gospel was as it
were a publishing throughout the whole land, that no one
in Judea might pretend ignorance, as though he had not
heard that Christ had come.
9:72 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by
him: and he b was perplexed, because that it was said of
some, that John was risen from the dead;
(2) As soon as the world hears tidings of the gospel it is
divided into differing opinions, and the tyrants especially
are afraid.
(b) He stuck as it were fast in the mire.
9:103 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all
that they had done. And he took them, and went aside
privately into a c desert place belonging to the city
called Bethsaida.
(3) They that follow Christ will lack nothing, not even in the
wilderness.
(c) The word signifies a desert: note, this was not in the
town Bethsaida, but part of the fields belonging to the
town.
9:13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said,
We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; d except
we should go and buy meat for all this people.
(d) This is said imperfectly, and therefore we must
understand it to mean something like this: "We cannot
give them to eat unless we go and buy, etc.".
9:16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and
looking up to heaven, e he blessed them, and brake, and
gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
(e) He gave God thanks for these loaves and fishes, and
prayed at the same time that God would feed this
multitude which was so great with such a small
quantity, and to put it briefly, that this whole
banquet might be to the glory of God.
9:184 And it came to pass, as he was f alone praying, his
disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom
say the people that I am?
(4) Although the world be tossed up and down between different
errors, yet we ought not to condemn the truth but be all
the more desirous to know it, and be more steadfast to
confess it.
(f) Alone from the people.
9:225 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be
rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and
be slain, and be raised the third day.
(5) Christ himself attained to the heavenly glory, by the cross
and invincible perseverance.
9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross g daily, and
follow me.
(g) Even as one day follows another, so does one cross
follow another, and the cross is by the figure of
speech metonymy taken for the miseries of this life:
for to be hanged on the cross was the most grievous
and cruel punishment that there was amongst the Jews.
9:286 And it came to pass about an eight days after these
sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into
a mountain to pray.
(6) So that his disciples do not stumble at his debasing
himself in his flesh, he teaches them that it is voluntary,
showing in addition for a moment the brightness of his
glory.
9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his h decease which
he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
(h) What death he would die in Jerusalem.
9:36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And
they kept [it] close, and told no man in i those days any
of those things which they had seen.
(i) Until Christ was risen again from the dead.
9:377 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they
were come down from the hill, much people met him.
(7) Nothing offends Christ as much as incredulity, although he
bears with it for a time.
9:39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out;
and it teareth him that he foameth again, and k bruising
him hardly departeth from him.
(k) As it happens in the falling sickness.
9:438 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.
But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus
did, he said unto his disciples,
(8) We have no reason to promise ourselves rest and quietness
in this world, seeing that they themselves who seemed to
fawn upon Christ crucify him shortly after.
9:44l Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son
of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
(l) Give diligent ear to them, and once you have heard them
see that you keep them.
9:469 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them
should be greatest.
(9) Ambition results in dishonour, but the result of modest
obedience is glory.
9:4910 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting
out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he
followeth not with us.
(10) Extraordinary things are neither rashly to be allowed nor
condemned.
9:5111 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he
should be received up, he stedfastly m set his face to go
to Jerusalem,
(11) Christ goes willingly to death.
(m) Literally, "he hardened his face": that is, he
resolved with himself to die, and therefore ventured
upon his journey and cast away all fear of death, and
went on.
9:5412 And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they
said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down
from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
(12) We must take heed of zeal and fond imitation which is not
moderated, even in good causes, that whatever we do, we do
it to God's glory, and the profit of our neighbour.
9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what
manner of n spirit ye are of.
(n) So the Hebrews say, that is, you do not know what will,
mind, and counsel you are of: so the gifts of God are
called the spirit because they are given by God's
Spirit, and so are the things that are contrary to them
also called the spirit, which proceed from the wicked
spirit, such as the spirit of covetousness, of pride,
and madness.
9:5713 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a
certain [man] said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee
whithersoever thou goest.
(13) Those who follow Christ must prepare themselves to endure
all discomforts.
9:5914 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said,
Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
(14) The calling of God ought to be preferred without any
question, before all duties that we owe to men.
9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury o their dead: but
go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
(o) Who, even though they live in this frail life of man,
yet are strangers from the true life, which is
everlasting and heavenly.
9:6115 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but
let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my
house.
(15) Those who follow Christ must at once renounce all worldly
cares.
