John Peter Lange

The Gospel According to Mark: an Exegetical and Doctrinal Commentary (Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scripture) John Peter Lange

TmCTIVE CHAEACTEBISTICS OF THE SECOND GOSPEL. The Gospel by Mark, like that of Matthew, presents the theocratic side of the life and acts of Christ; while Luke and John bring out prominently their universal hearing, or application to mankind generally. On this common ground, however, it occupies a position distinct from that of Mattliew. Matthew sets forth ourS aviour as theN ew Testament King of the Jews, in whom theO ld Testament has been completely and throughout fulfilled; Mark, on the other hand, exhibits Him inH is independent Pei sonality, as that new and absolute manifestation of theD eity in Israel which the whole Old Testament was designed only to pre-announce and make ready for. Matthew presents the history of theL ord as that of the true Prophet, Priest, and King, inH is conflict with the spurious representations of these set up by traditionalism; while Mark shows how all the powers existing in the world, representing as they did tlie various phases of unbelief, rose in opposition to theL ord, and how all were vanquished by His absolute, victorious power. Hence, in the narrative of Matthew, the history of Jesus is presented as the summing up and culminating of the martyrdom of all theO ld Testament worthies and prophets, as that deepest and fullest suflfering which, through theS pirit of all grace, becomes and forms the expiatory service of the great High-P riest; in the Gospel of Mark, on the other hand, the element of victory and of triumph (I sa. ix.) appears, and is scarcely kept in the background, even amidst the scenes of intensest suffering. In the narrative of Matthew, Christ enters upon the scene in order to remove the conditions and limitations which had hitherto beset the course of history, and from His own infinite vantage-ground to transform it, and give it new direction; in the Gospel by Mark, the coming of Christ is presented as th
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