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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:4

A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country , etc. One reason for this is that it is almost natural for persons to hold of less account than they ought, those with whom they have been brought up and have lived on familiar terms. Prophets are commonly least regarded, and often most envied, in their own country. However unworthy may be the feeling, the inhabitants of a district, or members of a community, do not like to see one of themselves put above them, more especially a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:5-6

And he could there do no mighty work . This is a remarkable expression. He could do no mighty work there. The words imply want of power—that in some sense or other he was unable to do it. He did indeed perform some miracles. He laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them; but he wrought none of his greater miracles there. Of course, even these less striking miracles ought to have sufficed. in a miracle there must be the suspension of some known law of nature; and one clear... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:6

Christ ministering to the villages. I. REJECTED IN ONE DIRECTION , THE SAVIOUR BEGINS AFRESH ELSEWHERE . 1 . Indomitable zeal , and inextinguishable love for souls. 2 . Divine wisdom. The sinning city or individual not altogether abandoned even when left alone. When the Redeemer cannot work within a heart, he will work about it. Where faith is not at once forthcoming, evidence is accumulated, and the unbelieving are approached from new directions and points... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:7

At Mark 3:7 we had the account of our Lord's selection of the twelve. Here we find the notice of their being first sent forth. Their names have already been recorded. He gave them authority —mark the imperfect ( ἐδίδου )— over unclean spirits . St. Matthew ( Matthew 10:1 ) adds, "and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." But St. Mark here fixes the attention upon the great central object of Christ's mission—to contend against evil in every form, and especially... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:7-12

Preparations for preaching. From amongst his disciples our Lord selected a few who were to be in a peculiar sense his representatives and ambassadors, and they have had their successors in all the ages of Christendom. Mark significantly says," Then Jesus began to send them forth;" for ever since that day he has been giving similar work, and qualifying similar representatives. A study of their characteristics and of their instructions may be profitable to us. I. THEY WERE TO GO... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:7-13

The mission of the twelve. The twelve disciples now first became apostles. This sending forth was a prelude to their life-long mission, to be fulfilled alter their Lord's ascension. They had now been long enough with the Master not only to have imbibed much of his spirit, but to have learned the nature of his ministry and to have entered into its methods. Their evangelistic journey would be disciplinary to themselves and profitable to the population of Galilee, and it would increase and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:7-13

The mission of the twelve. Already the Master had called them more than once. He had "many things to say" unto them, and was ever drawing them into closer sympathy with himself, and a higher sense of individual responsibility. St. Mark is not so full as St. Matthew, but from what he does tell us we are able to understand the nature of the work and its reason. The disciples are now to become apostles. I. CHRIST PREPARES AND AUTHORIZES HIS OWN MINISTERS . There was need for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:7-13

The apostolic commission. " The harvest truly is plenteous" and " the labourers are few," therefore "the Lord of the harvest" would "send forth labourcrs late his harvest." To this end "he called unto him the twelve," and gave them the grandest commission ever entrusted to man. let us consider that commission in— I. ITS IMPOSED CONDITIONS . 1 . In company: "by two and two." Thus for mutual encouragement and help. For the heart of the strongest may fail in presence of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:7-13

Missionaries. I. MISSIONARIES MUST NOT BE , AS A RULE , SOLITARY MEN . For counsel, defense, cheerfulness, "two are better than one." Without artificially imitating this example, in natural and quiet ways it will be found good to follow. II. MISSIONARIES , AS A RULE , MUST BE FRUGAL MEN . NO luxuries; bare necessaries compose their outfit. It is like the soldier in "marching order," or the exploring traveler. Luxury is a relative term, but the Christian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 6:7-13

Parallel passages: Matthew 9:35-38 ; Matthew 10:5-42 ; Luke 9:1-6 .— The mission of the twelve. I. THEIR FIRST MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE . Our Lord had already, as recorded in Luke 3:1-38 ., made choice of his twelve disciples, to accompany himself during their time of training, and subsequently to go forth on their apostolic mission and with indubitable credentials of their commission. The time had now come for their first brief and tentative effort in that direction. They... read more

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