Mark (Hendriksen & Kistemaker New Testament Commentary | HK)

Top Highlights

“The main point is that by means of his simple mode of life, evident with respect to both food and clothing, he was a living protest against all selfishness and self-indulgence, hence also against that frivolousness, carelessness, and false security with which many people were rushing toward their doom.” (Pages 39–40)

“Not the sabbath but man was created first; then came the sabbath (Gen. 1:26–2:3). The sabbath was instituted to be a blessing for man: to keep him healthy, to make him helpful, hence happy, to render him holy, so that he might calmly meditate on the works of his Maker, might ‘delight himself in Jehovah’ (Isa. 58:13, 14), and look forward with joyful anticipation to the sabbath rest that remains for the people of God (Heb. 4:9).” (Page 108)

“The gospel is the message of salvation addressed to a world lost in sin. Not what we must do but what God in Christ has done is the most important part of that good news.” (Page 33)

“The dramatic figure, in the light of its context, which speaks of faith and prayer, must mean, therefore, that no task in harmony with God’s will is impossible to be performed by those who believe and do not doubt.⁵⁵⁶ Cf. Matt. 17:20; 21:21; Luke 17:6.” (Page 459)

“What is meant in all these passages is that man should love God with all the ‘faculties’ with which God has endowed him.” (Page 493)