Ver. 1. He went through every city] To teach us unweariableness in God’s work. He went about doing good: so should we, waiting all opportunities.
Ver. 2. Which had been healed] Exodus 30:10. After sickness they were to offer to God the ransom of their lives. Hezekiah testified his thankfulness for recovery by a song; these good women, by following Christ; when they might have staid at home with more ease to themselves, and more thank of their friends. Nay, very heathens, after a fit of sickness, would consecrate something to their gods. Mary, called Magdalen, out of whom went seven devils] Which some interpret of seven deadly sins.
Ver. 3. Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward] Or treasurer, as the Arabic calleth him, his vicar-general, or protetrarch. This court lady followeth Christ: so did Serena the empress, who was therefore martyred by her husband Diocletian. So Elizabeth, Queen of Denmark; of whom Luther testifieth (in Epist. ad Jo. Agrieol.) that she died a faithful professor of the reformed religion; and addeth, Scilicet Christus etiam aliquando voluit Reginam in coelum vehere. Christ would once save a queen: which he doth not often.
Ver. 4. And when much people, &c.] [See Trapp on “Mt 13:2”] &c
Ver. 11. See Matthew 13:18.
Ver. 12. Taketh away the word] Lest, if it should lie long upon their hard hearts, it should break through them with its weight, as being able to save their souls, James 1:21.
Ver. 13. With joy] Which yet was but a flash.
Ver. 14. Go forth, &c.] viz. About their worldly businesses; which, as the lean kine in Pharaoh’s dream, devour the fat, and it is nothing seen by them. After awhile they remember no more than the man in the moon doth, what they had heard delivered.
Ver. 15. In an honest] Referred to the end and intent in the action. And good heart] In respect of inward renewed qualities. Having heard the word, keep it] As food or physic, which if not kept, profiteth not. They incorporate it into their souls, so as it becomes an ingrafted word; they are transformed into the same image, conformed to the heavenly pattern. With patience] Or, with tarriance for the fit season, εν υπομονη. Not as that first ripe fruit, Luke 8:13 Ps 129:6,7
Ver. 16. No man, when he hath lighted, &c.] q.d. Though to you it is given to know mysteries, &c., as Luke 8:10, yet not for your own use only, but that your light may shine before men.
Ver. 17. See Matthew 16:26 Mr 4:22 Lu 12:2.
Ver. 18. Take heed therefore how ye hear] For else ye shall neither bear good fruits, nor be borne with for your barrenness. All shall out, and you shall smart for it. Even that which he seemeth to have] There is a great deal of seemingness abroad; and every grace hath its counterfeit. Simia quam similis, turpissima bestia, nobis, saith Ennius. But God strips men of common gifts; and counterfeit complexion will not long hold.
Ver. 19. See Matthew 12:46 Mr 3:31.
Ver. 20. See Matthew 12:46 Mr 3:31.
Ver. 21. See Matthew 12:46 Mr 3:31.
Ver. 22. See Matthew 8:23 Mr 4:36.
Ver. 23. See Matthew 8:23 Mr 4:36.
Ver. 24. See Matthew 8:23 Mr 4:36.
Ver. 25. Where is your faith?] It is not having faith, but living by it, the actuating of it, that helps us in an exigence.
Ver. 26. See Matthew 8:28 Mr 5:2.
Ver. 27. A certain man which had devils] All Pharaoh’s cruelty exercised over the Israelites was nothing to this. Oh then the inexpressible torments of the damned! Utinam ubique de Gehenna dissereretur! saith a Father (Chrysostom). I could wish men would discourse much and often of hell.
Ver. 29. And was driven of the devil] As a horse is by his rider (so the word ηλαυνετο signifieth) or a ship with oars. All wicked men are acted and agitated by the devil, Ephesians 2:2, persecutors especially. Quod si videris aliquando persecutorem tuum nimis saevientem, scito quia ab ascensore sue diabolo perurgetur. If persecutors sometimes be more moderate, it is because the devil spurs not so hard. (Bernard.)
Ver. 30. And he said, Legion] We must be ready and well-appointed to resist; for the devil sets upon us not without military discipline and singular skill. Cataphractus incedit Satan, saith Luther. The devil marcheth well armed and in good array.
Ver. 31. To go out into the deep] i.e. Hell, that bottomless deep, Revelation 20:3 2Pe 2:4, where they could do no more hurt: which would be another hell unto them. Augustus, consulting Apollo’s oracle, was told, that a Hebrew child had stopped his mouth, and sent him with a mittimus to hell, &c. (Pucer de Orac.) A warrant under the hand and seal of a justice of the peace or other proper officer, directed to the keeper of a prison, ordering him to receive into custody and hold in safe-keeping, until delivered in due course of law, the person sent and specified in the warrant. ŒD
Ver. 33. And the herd ran violently] So would the possessed man soon have done, but that God preserved him.
Ver. 35. Sitting at the feet of Jesus] As fearing lest, if he departed, he should be repossessed. So we see it is an old error and weakness for men to be too strongly conceited of Christ’s corporeal presence.
Ver. 36. See Matthew 8:33,34.
Ver. 37. See Matthew 8:33,34.
Ver. 38. Sent him away] Christ would not have him depend upon his bodily presence, but upon his Almighty power.
Ver. 39. Show how great things] This was all the fee Christ called for for all his cures. He is content that we have the benefit, so he may have the glory of what he does for us.
Ver. 40. When Jesus was returned] viz. Into Galilee, where he was highly honoured.
Ver. 41. See Matthew 9:18 Mr 5:22.
Ver. 42. See Matthew 9:18 Mr 5:22.