1.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
The Gospel seems to have taken its name, ευαγγελιον, from the angel's words to the shepherds, Luke 2:10, I bring you good tidings of great joy; for the word in the Greek signifies a good message, or good news or tidings. It sometimes signifieth the historical narration of the coming of Christ, John Baptist's and Christ's preaching, and what he did in the world, his birth, life, death, &c.; sometimes the doctrine of salvation by Christ, in opposition to that of the law; sometimes, the dispensation of it, or that period of time when God began to publish the mystery hid from ages openly to the world. It seemeth here to signify the latter; for both Matthew and Luke seem to begin the history higher. Luke, from the history of John the Baptist and Christ, as to what things preceded their birth. Matthew, from the birth of Christ. But the dispensation of the gospel began with the preaching of John the Baptist. Before his time the doctrine of the gospel was made known to Adam, and Abraham and David; prophesied by Jacob, Isaiah, and several of the prophets; but John was the first in whom those promises and prophecies were fulfilled, the first public and plain preacher of the doctrine of the gospel; for the law and the prophets prophesied until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it, Matthew 11:13; Luke 16:16. So as John's preaching was the beginning of the gospel; for though the doctrine of the gospel was before darkly made known, yet it then began to be plainly and publicly declared to the world. He was the first in whom the gospel prophecies began to have an end, as both the prophecies and the types of it had a more full completion in Christ. Two prophecies at least had their completion in John, which we find in Malachi 3:1, which the evangelist mentions in the next verse, and Mark 4:5, concerning Elias first to come, which our Saviour applies to John, Matthew 11:14; Mark 9:11-13, and the angel before him, Luke 1:17; besides Isaiah's prophecy, Isaiah 40:3, applied unto him by Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3, and by John applied to himself, John 1:23. This Gospel is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because the history of Christ's birth, life, and death is the matter of it. Christ was by Matthew called the Son of David, the son of Abraham, to let us know that he was truly man, a native Jew, and of the royal family, and derived from those two families, to whom the promises of the Messias were made. By Mark he is called
the Son of God, to let us know that he was more than mere man. And indeed who, but he who was the Son of God, could fully reveal his Father's will, determine the law of Moses and introduce a new way of worship, and publish a mystery of salvation, hid from all preceding ages, though not from all individual persons in them.
2.
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4.
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke saith that John began about the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar. He baptized in the wilderness, that is, a place little inhabited. By his baptism is not to be strictly understood baptism, but his preaching and doctrine, his whole administration; which is called the baptism of repentance, because repentance was the great thing he preached, a seal of which baptism was to be; the consequent of which was to be the remission of sins, or the argument which he used to press repentance was the remission of sins. See Poole on "Matthew 3:5". See Poole on "Matthew 3:6", where we before had these words.
5.
And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6.
And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
See Poole on "Matthew 3:4".
7.
And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
We had the same, with very little difference in the phrase in Matthew. See Poole on "Matthew 3:11".
8.
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9.
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11.
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
12.
And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
13.
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
14.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15.
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
16.
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
17.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
18.
And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
19.
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
20.
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
21.
And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
22.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23.
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24.
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26.
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27.
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
The Jews had exorcists amongst them, who sometimes cast out devils by some forms of invocation they had; but Christ commanded them out; he neither did it by any kind of entreaty from any compact with the devil, nor yet by any invocation of God, but by an authoritative command. This was new to the Jews, and especially confirming a new doctrine that he had published. But still we read of no believing, no agnation of him as God, or the Son of God, or the Messias and Saviour of the world; only the generality are amazed they could not obtain of themselves to believe this new doctrine, nor yet so far command their passions, but they must be startled and amazed at it.
28.
And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
The fame of his miracles, rather than of his doctrine; by this means many were brought to him to be cured, many were brought also to hear him, some of whom believed, others were hardened.
29.
And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30.
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
31.
And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
32.
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33.
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34.
And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
35.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Secret prayer stands commended to us, as by the precept of Christ, Matthew 6:6, so by his frequent example, to teach us that our duty in prayer is not discharged without it: we are to pray with all prayer and supplication. There is in public and private prayer a more united strength and interest, but in secret prayer an advantage for more free and full communication of our souls unto God. Christ for this chooseth the morning, as the time freest from distractions and company; and a solitary place, as fittest for a secret duty.
36.
And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37.
And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
38.
And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
39.
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
40.
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
41.
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
42.
And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
43.
And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
44.
And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
45.
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.