Ver. 1. And as he was wont, he taught] Praedicationis officium suscipit quisquis ad sacerdotium accedit. (Greg. in Pastoral.) It was death for the high priest to enter the holy place, or to come abroad, without his bells and pomegranates. St Mark is much in setting forth Christ’s forwardness to teach.
Ver. 2. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:3”]
Ver. 3. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:7”] The Athenians and Romans had their divorces also. Their bill was only this, Res tuas tibi habeto, Take what is thine own, and be packing.
Ver. 4. Moses suffered to write] Not commanded. There is a difference between a permission and a precept, properly so called. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:7”] Non statim probat Deus quod permittit, God approves not presently whatsoever he permits.
Ver. 10. And in the house] This is one of those passages related by St Mark only.
Ver. 11. Whosoever shall put away his wife] Annon columnae Germanae, atque imprimis Lutheras, putidissime errarunt et turpissime se dederunt, cum illud sanctissimum scilicet consilium dederunt fortissimo illi et optimo Principi Philippo Landgravio, ut vivente adhuc priore legitima nimirum uxore, duceret alteram, hoc est adulteram? saith Zanchy: Luther and his fellow divines were shamefully out in licensing the Landgrave to put away his lawful wife, and marry another.
Ver. 12. And if a woman have put away] No such thing was permitted by Moses, but usurped by the women of those licentious times. Among Turks the woman may sue a divorce; but only then when her husband would abuse her against nature. (Blount’s Voyage.)
Ver. 13. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:13”]
Ver. 14. For of such is the kingdom of God] As oft, therefore, as we see an infant, let us think that a teacher is given us of God, Psalms 131:1,2.
Ver. 15. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:1”]
Ver. 16. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:15”]
Ver. 17. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:16”]
Ver. 18. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:17”]
Ver. 19. Defraud not] Do no man injury either by force or fraud. This seems to be an abstract of all the other afore mentioned commandments.
Ver. 20. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:20”]
Ver. 21. Loved him] As a tame man, and fit to live in a civil society. Or he loved him, that is, he pitied him, as a self-deceiver: like as we pity moderate Papists. Common gifts should cause some union: for they are of a middle nature between nature and grace: as the spirits of a man are of a middle nature between his soul and body, and serve to unite both.
Ver. 22. Went away grieved] Which he would have not done, if he had loved God and his neighbour, as he professed to do. The Greek word λυπουμενος signifies, that he wen t away pouting and louring, fronte nubila, with a cloudy forehead, betokening his great discontent; he came hastily, but went away heavily.
Ver. 23. That have riches] Or rather, are had of riches. Have them we may, love them we may not, 1 John 2:15.
Ver. 24. For them that trust in riches] As most rich men do, thinking themselves simply the better and the safer for them. This blab is soon blown up.
Ver. 25. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:24”]
Ver. 26. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:25”]
Ver. 27. With God all things are possible] This place is much pleaded by the Papists for their fiction of transubstantiation. I tell thee (said Bonner to Philpot) that God, by his omnipotence; may make himself to be this carpet, if he will. (Acts and Mon.)
Ver. 28. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:27”]
Ver. 29. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:28”]
Ver. 30. Brethren, and sisters, and mothers] Mothers he cannot receive in kind, when once dead; but God will be to him better than ten mothers: communion with him shall yield more comfort than all outward comforts can. He can also make Jonathan more loving to David than any wife, and the kings of Moab and Ammon to be his foster parents. This made Hermannus, Archbishop of Cullen, to reform his church, using therein the aid and advice of Martin Bucer: wherefore he was deposed by the Emperor, which he patiently suffered. Zechariah 10:6 “They shall be as if I had not cast them off, and I will hear them.” God will one way or other make up his people’s lowlies; they shall have it again either in money, or money’s worth. Ne excrucier ob aurum et argentum: tu enim es mihi omnia, said Paulinus Nolanus, when the town was taken by the Barbarians. Let not my losses trouble me, Lord; for thou art mine exceeding great reward. (Aug. Civ. Die. i. 1.)
Ver. 31. [See Trapp on “Mt 19:30”]
Ver. 32. Jesus went before them] As most willing of his way, though he went now to suffer. Show we like forwardness, and say, “I am in prison till I am in prison.”
Ver. 33. [See Trapp on “Mt 20:17”] [See Trapp on “Mt 20:18”]
Ver. 34. [See Trapp on “Mt 20:19”]
Ver. 35. Whatsoever we shall desire] One said he could have what he would of God; and why? but because he would ask nothing but what was agreeable to the will of God. Fiat voluntas mea, said Luther in a certain prayer; but then fails off sweetly, Mea voluntas, Domine, quia tua. One saith of Luther, Vir iste potuit quod voluit apud Deum: that man can do what he will with God. (Melch. Adam.)
Ver. 36. [See Trapp on “Mt 20:21”]
Ver. 37. [See Trapp on “Mt 20:21”]
Ver. 38. [See Trapp on “Mt 20:22”]
Ver. 39. Ye shall indeed drink of the cup] But not of that bitter cup of his Father’s wrath, which he drank off in his passion. Only the saints fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ, Colossians 1:24, υστερηματα, non προτερηματα. Ye shall be baptized] And come out of the waters of affliction with as little hurt as a babe doth out of the water in baptism, by the help of divine grace.
Ver. 42. They which are accounted to rule] All earthly kingdoms are but shows and shadows to that of G od. Οι δοκουντες, Qui videntur imperare. They do but seem to rule.
Ver. 46. Blind Bartimeus] Named and celebrated in the Gospel, when many mighty monarchs are utterly forgotten, or else lie shrouded in the sheet of shame.
Ver. 47. [See Trapp on “Mt 20:29”] [See Trapp on “Mt 20:30”]
Ver. 48. The more a great deal] True faith works its way through many obstacles, as the clouded sun doth.
Ver. 49. Jesus’ stood] The Sun of righteousness stood still to hear a poor beggar. I have seen the King of Persia many times (saith a late traveller) to alight from his horse to do justice to a poor body. Be of good comfort] It seems by this that he was troubled in mind. Rise, he calleth thee] So he doth every poor penitent, who therefore ought to come boldly to the throne of grace, since the golden sceptre is thus held forth, Hebrews 4:16.
Ver. 50. And he casting away his garment] Though a beggar, he stood not upon the loss of his coat; but for joy of his calling, cast it from him. So John 4:28 Heb 12:1.
Ver. 51. What wilt thou, &c.] Christ, though he know our thoughts and suits long before (for he is intimo nostro intimior nobis), yet he will have us utter our own wants in our own words, and make our requests known unto him with thanksgiving, Philippians 4:6; this is as sweetest music in his ears.
Ver. 52. Followed Jesus in the way] Followed him now without a guide; or followed him, though going up to Jerusalem to suffer death. Love is strong as death.