Ver. 1. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:28”]
Ver. 2. A man with an unclean spirit] Graece, εν πνευματι ακαθαρτω. In an unclean spirit, quod eum spiritus quasi inclusum teneret. (Beza.) So the flesh is called “the old man,” as if it were the whole of a natural man; and the devil is said to “work effectually” in such, Ephesians 2:2. [See Trapp on “Mr 1:23”]
Ver. 3. Who had his dwelling among the tombs] The burial places of the saints were anciently thought to have a kind of holiness in them. Hence grew that superstition of meeting and praying together at the saints’ sepulchres; and afterwards of praying for them, and to them. Which to foment, the devil usually haunted such places, there to play his pranks.
Ver. 4. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:28”]
Ver. 5. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:28”]
Ver. 6. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:28”]
Ver. 7. I adjure thee by God] Exemplum horrendum impudentiae sceleratorum spirituum, saith Beza. To adjure one is to take an oath of him for our own security. An oath is not rashly to be undertaken, but by a kind of necessity, when it is exacted. Hence the Hebrew Nishbang is a passive, and signifieth to be sworn, rather than to swear.
Ver. 8. For he said] Or, For he had said: and so had put him into a new hell, as it were, “ Qui si non aliqua nocuisset mortuus esset. ”
Ver. 9. My name is Legion] That is, a multitude. A legion was commonly among the Romans, saith Isidore, 6000 armed soldiers: 6666, saith Hesychius. So many devils were gotten in one poor man. Let us in him see what the best of us have deserved; and, since we have escaped, offer a passover each for himself.
Ver. 10. He would not send them away, &c.] Because, saith Cajetan, they have several regions where they most haunt, and do hurt; and are therefore loth to be put out of their old quarters.
Ver. 11. Nigh unto the mountains] All this country was full of hills (intercursantibus montibus Galaad) and mountains of Gilead.
Ver. 12. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:31”]
Ver. 13. Jesus gave them leave] If Christ condescended to the devils, though to the loss of others, will he not hear us? Into the sea] So that standing pool in Gadaris is called, which, Strabo saith, is of such a foul nature, that if beasts taste of it, they shed their hair, nails, hoofs, or horns.
Ver. 14. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:33”]
Ver. 15. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:33”]
Ver. 16. They come to Jesus] And, amazed with the miracle, they expostulate not an injury; but, acknowledging him Lord of all, they beg him to be gone, lest they should sustain further loss by him. The devil shall have his dwelling again in themselves rather than in their pigs (as the martyr Bradford phrased it): they will rather lose Christ than their porkers. And in his right mind] Sanguis medici factus est medicina phrenetici. The surgeon’s blood was the sick man’s salve.
Ver. 17. And they began, &c.] [See Trapp on “Mt 8:34”]
Ver. 18. Prayed him that he might be with him] This poor man had tasted how good the Lord is, and desired therefore to abide with him; when his countrymen of Gadara had only seen his power, and were therefore glad to be rid of him.
Ver. 19. Tell how great things, &c.] This was all the fee Christ looked for for his cures. Words seem to be a slender and slight recompence; but Christ (saith Nazianzen) calleth himself the Word.
Ver. 20. Began to publish in Decapolis] A great mercy to them to have such a preacher sent among them. Bethsaida was denied this favour, Mark 8:26.
Ver. 21. He was nigh unto the sea] Here, and now, it was that Levi made him a great feast; whereof see Mark 2:15,16.
Ver. 22. [See Trapp “Mt 9:18”]
Ver. 23. [See Trapp on “Mt 9:18”]
Ver. 24. [See Trapp on “Mt 9:19”]
Ver. 25. And a certain woman] This history happened fitly, that Jairus might be confirmed, and the different degrees of faith in several saints the better discerned.
Ver. 26. And had spent all that she had] Physicians are many of them crumenimulgae, et sordida poscinummia. (Plaut.) They call their drugs δοσεις, gifts; yet we pay dear for them, besides that they sometimes give their patient a “decipe” for a “recipe,” which made Chaucer say, Farewell, physic. “ Iurisconsultorum idem status et Medicorum: Damna quibus licito sunt aliena lucro, Hi morbis aegrorum, agrorum litibus ill; Dant Tatienter opem, dum potiantur opum.” (Owen Epigr.) Howbeit their greedy desire of money seldom prospereth with them. “ Dicis te medicum, nos te plus esse fatemur; Una tibi plus est littera quam medico.” (Mendico sc.)
Ver. 27. [See Trapp on “Mt 14:10”]
Ver. 28. If I may but touch] [See Trapp on “Mt 9:21”]
Ver. 29. [See Trapp on “Mt 14:12”]
Ver. 30. That virtue had gone out of him] As heat goeth out of the sun into the air, water, earth, earthly bodies, and yet remains in the sun; so here. Salient; aquarum font; undas si tollas, nec exhauritur, nec extenuatur, sed dulcescit; scientia, etiam docendi officio, dulcedinem sentiat, non sentiat minutias. A fountain is not drawn dry, but cleared; so skill is not lost by communicating it to others, but increased.
Ver. 31. Rest a while] God would not have the strength of his people to be exhausted in his service, but that respect be had to the health of their bodies, as well as to the welfare of their souls. Therefore the priests of the law took their turns of serving in the order of their course, as Zacharias, Luke 1:8. And the ministers of the gospel are allowed to drink a little wine for their health’s sake, as Timothy. Those that neglect, their bodies must reckon for it. Colossians 2:23.
Ver. 32. And he looked round about] He confuted the rashness of his disciples, not with words, but looks. We may more fitly sometimes signify our dislike of sin by frowns than by speeches. As the north wind drives away rain, &c.
Ver. 33. Came and fell down] sc. Upon her knees, and at his knees, as suppliants used also to do among the heathens; who therefore consecrated the knees to mercy. Genua miseriae consignavit antiquitas. Γουνουμαι ς’ εγωγε. Hom.
Ver. 34. Daughter, thy faith, &c.] They that can shame themselves to honour Christ, shall receive much settlement and inward satisfaction.
Ver. 35. Thy daughter is dead] Christ commonly reserves his holy hand for a dead lift.
Ver. 36. Be not afraid, only believe] Faith quelleth and killeth distrustful fear; but awful dread it breedeth, feedeth, fostereth, and cherisheth.
Ver. 37. Save Peter, and James, and John] Still Andrew is excluded, though Peter’s brother, an apostle of equal standing, and a good man: yet he is not offended, but content to be accounted a loyal subject for the general, though he was no favourite in these particulars.
Ver. 38. [See Trapp on “Mt 9:23”] [See Trapp on “Mt 9:24”]
Ver. 39. [See Trapp on “Mt 9:23”] [See Trapp on “Mt 9:24”]
Ver. 40. [See Trapp on “Mt 9:24”]
Ver. 41. Tabitha cumi] The Syriac was then the vernacular or common tongue; for the Jews had lost their ancient language, in that seventy years’ continuance in Babylon.
Ver. 42. They were astonished with a great astonishment] Gr. εξεστησαν εκστασει μεγαλη. With an ecstasy of admiration: they were even carried out of themselves, vix sui compotes.
Ver. 43. That no man should know it] Lest he should be too soon known and acknowledged by the people. But when he knew that he was shortly to die, he openly restored to life Lazarus, and the widow’s son. Everything is beautiful in its season.