Command Commanded Commandment Commandments Cross Crowd Crowds Depart Directions Lake Mass Multitudes Order Orders Seeing
8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the {d} other side.
(d) For Capernaum was situated upon the lake of Tiberias.
8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him. The multitudes had gathered to listen to his teaching, or to behold his miracles. The sea was only six miles wide, and the Savior often crossed it in order to secure retirement. There is no deep recess in the eastern hills; no towns along its banks corresponding to those in the plain of Gennesareth.
8:18 He commanded to go to the other side - That both himself and the people might have a little rest.
8:18-22 One of the scribes was too hasty in promising; he proffers himself to be a close follower of Christ. He seems to be very resolute. Many resolutions for religion are produced by sudden conviction, and taken up without due consideration; these come to nothing. When this scribe offered to follow Christ, one would think he should have been encouraged; one scribe might do more credit and service than twelve fishermen; but Christ saw his heart, and answered to its thoughts, and therein teaches all how to come to Christ. His resolve seems to have been from a worldly, covetous principle; but Christ had not a place to lay his head on, and if he follows him, he must not expect to fare better than he fared. We have reason to think this scribe went away. Another was too slow. Delay in doing is as bad on the one hand, as hastiness in resolving is on the other. He asked leave to attend his father to his grave, and then he would be at Christ's service. This seemed reasonable, yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for the work. Burying the dead, especially a dead father, is a good work, but it is not thy work at this time. If Christ requires our service, affection even for the nearest and dearest relatives, and for things otherwise our duty, must give way. An unwilling mind never wants an excuse. Jesus said to him, Follow me; and, no doubt, power went with this word to him as to others; he did follow Christ, and cleaved to him. The scribe said, I will follow thee; to this man Christ said, Follow me; comparing them together, it shows that we are brought to Christ by the force of his call to us, Ro 9:16.
Command Commanded Commandment Commandments Cross Crowd Crowds Depart Directions Great Jesus Lake Mass Multitudes Order Orders Sea Side
Command Commanded Commandment Commandments Cross Crowd Crowds Depart Directions Great Jesus Lake Mass Multitudes Order Orders Sea Side
