Commentaries
Arabic
- إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير متى
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير مَرْقُس
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إِنْجِيْلُ المَسِيْحِِِ حسبَ البَشير يُوْحَنَّا
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - أعمال الرسل حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُولِ إِلَى أَهْلِ رُوْمِيَة
(عَبدُ المَسِيْح وزُمَلاؤه) - رسالة بُوْلُس الرَّسُوْل إلى أهْلِ غَلاَطِيَّة
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - رِسالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُول إِلَى أَهْلِ كَنِيْسَةِ فِيْلِبِّي
(عبد المَسِيْح وزملاؤه) - رِسالةُ بولس الرَّسول إِلَى الكَنِيْسَةِ في كُوْلُوْسِّيْ
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالَةِ بولس الرَّسول إلى العِبْرَانِيِّيْنَ
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رِسَالةُ يَعْقُوب
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رُؤْيا يوحنا اللاهوتي
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه)
English
- The Gospel of Christ according to Matthew
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Mark
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Luke
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to John
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Acts of the Apostles
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
German
- Die Offenbarung des Johannes
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
PREFACE
PART 1
THE PREPARATIONS FOR CHRIST’S APPEARANCE
(MARK 1:1-1:13)
THE PREPARATIONS FOR CHRIST’S APPEARANCE
(MARK 1:1-1:13)
1. The Title and the Emblem of the Gospel of Mark
(Mark 1:1)
(Mark 1:1)
2. The Ministry of John the Baptist in the Jordan Valley
(Mark 1:2-8)
(Mark 1:2-8)
3. The Baptism of Jesus Christ
(Mark 1:9-11)
(Mark 1:9-11)
4. The Temptation of Jesus Christ
(Mark 1:12-13)
(Mark 1:12-13)
PART 2
THE BEGINNING OF JESUS’ MINISTRY IN GALILEE
(MARK 1:14-45)
THE BEGINNING OF JESUS’ MINISTRY IN GALILEE
(MARK 1:14-45)
1. The First Preaching of Jesus and the Emblem of His Message
(Mark 1:14-15)
(Mark 1:14-15)
2. Jesus Calls His First Four Disciples
(Mark 1:16-20)
(Mark 1:16-20)
3. Christ Heals a Demon-Possessed in the Midst of the Synagogue
(Mark 1:21-28)
(Mark 1:21-28)
4. The Praying Heavenly Physician Heals All Diseases
(Mark 1:29-39)
(Mark 1:29-39)
5. Jesus Heals a Leper
(Mark 1:40-45)
(Mark 1:40-45)
PART 3
THE CONFLICT BETWEEN JESUS AND THE JEWISH LEADERS
(MARK 2:1-3:6)
THE CONFLICT BETWEEN JESUS AND THE JEWISH LEADERS
(MARK 2:1-3:6)
1. Jesus Heals a Paralytic and Forgives Him His Sins
(Mark 2:1-12)
(Mark 2:1-12)
2. Jesus Calls Levi, the Tax Collector to Follow Him
(Mark 2:13-17)
(Mark 2:13-17)
3. A Conversation About Fasting
(Mark 2:18-22)
(Mark 2:18-22)
4. The Argument About the Observance of the Sabbath
(Mark 2:23-28)
(Mark 2:23-28)
5. The Withered Hand Restored on the Sabbath
(Mark 3:1-6)
(Mark 3:1-6)
PART 4
JESUS’ GREAT MIRACLES IN GALILEE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
(MARK 3:7-8:26)
JESUS’ GREAT MIRACLES IN GALILEE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
(MARK 3:7-8:26)
1. The Race of the Multitudes
(Mark 3:7-12)
(Mark 3:7-12)
2. The Calling of the Twelve Apostles
(Mark 3:13-19)
(Mark 3:13-19)
3. Jesus Refutes the Charge of Having Made an Agreement with the Prince of the Devils
(Mark 3:20-30)
(Mark 3:20-30)
4. The True Family of Jesus
(Mark 3:31-35)
(Mark 3:31-35)
5. Jesus Preaches on a Boat the Multitudes Who Sat by the Seaside
(Mark 4:1-34)
a) The Parable of the Sower and the Ground With its Four Kinds
(Mark 4:1-9)
(Mark 4:1-34)
a) The Parable of the Sower and the Ground With its Four Kinds
(Mark 4:1-9)
b) The Rule of Spiritual Growth and Fading Away
(Mark 4:10-12)
(Mark 4:10-12)
c) Jesus Explains the Parable of the Sower and the Ground with its Four Kinds
(Mark 4:13-20)
(Mark 4:13-20)
d) The Principles of Discipleship
(Mark 4:21-25)
(Mark 4:21-25)
e) The Parable of the Quietly Growing Seed
(Mark 4:26-29)
(Mark 4:26-29)
f) The Parable of the Mustard Seed
(Mark 4:30-34)
(Mark 4:30-34)
6. Jesus’ Power Over the Storm, Spirits, and Death
(Mark 4:35-5:43)
a) Jesus Silences the Storm on the Sea of Tiberias
(Mark 4:35-41)
(Mark 4:35-5:43)
a) Jesus Silences the Storm on the Sea of Tiberias
(Mark 4:35-41)
b) Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man in the Country of the Gadarenes
(Mark 5:1-20)
(Mark 5:1-20)
c) Jesus Restores the Ruler of the Synagogue’s Daughter to Life after Healing a Sick Woman
(Mark 5:21-43)
(i) The Ruler of the Synagogue begs Jesus to Hurry to His House
(Mark 5:21-24)
(Mark 5:21-43)
(i) The Ruler of the Synagogue begs Jesus to Hurry to His House
(Mark 5:21-24)
(ii) A Woman Healed
(Mark 5:25-34)
(Mark 5:25-34)
(iii) A Girl Restored to Life
(Mark 5:35-43)
(Mark 5:35-43)
7. Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
(Mark 6:1-6)
(Mark 6:1-6)
8. Sending Out the Twelve to Their Nation
(Mark 6:7-13)
(Mark 6:7-13)
9. King Herod’s Fear of the Death of John the Baptist
(Mark 6:14-29)
(Mark 6:14-29)
10. The Return of the Apostles From Their Missionary Journey, and the Feeding of the Five Thousand in the Wilderness
(Mark 6:30-44)
(Mark 6:30-44)
11. Jesus Appears to His Disciples on the Surface of the Sea
(Mark 6:45-56)
(Mark 6:45-56)
12. The Argument about the Washing of Hands, and the Traditions of the Elders
(Mark 7:1-13)
(Mark 7:1-13)
13. Jesus Reveals to the Hypocrites the Truth of Their Hearts
(Mark 7:14-23)
(Mark 7:14-23)
14. Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician Woman
(Mark 7:24-30)
(Mark 7:24-30)
15. Jesus’ Return to Galilee, His Going to Jordan, and His Cure of a Deaf and Dumb Person
(Mark 7:31-37)
(Mark 7:31-37)
16. Feeding the Four Thousand
(Mark 8:1-9)
(Mark 8:1-9)
17. Christ Denies the Demand for a Special Miracle
(Mark 8:10-13)
(Mark 8:10-13)
18. The Discourse on the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod
(Mark 8:14-21)
(Mark 8:14-21)
19. A Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida
(Mark 8:22-26)
(Mark 8:22-26)
PART 5
CHRIST REVEALS HIS DEATH AND HIS LIFE TO HIS DISCIPLES
(MARK 8:27-10:45)
CHRIST REVEALS HIS DEATH AND HIS LIFE TO HIS DISCIPLES
(MARK 8:27-10:45)
1. Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ, The Son of God, And Falls into the Temptation of the Devil
(Mark 8:27-33)
(Mark 8:27-33)
2. The Principles of Following Jesus
(Mark 8:34-38)
(Mark 8:34-38)
3. Jesus’ Transfiguration on a High Mountain
(Mark 9:1-7)
(Mark 9:1-7)
4. Coming Down From the Mountain
(Mark 9:8-13)
(Mark 9:8-13)
5. Jesus Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit
(Mark 9:14-29)
(Mark 9:14-29)
6. Jesus Again Predicts His Sufferings
(Mark 9:30-37)
(Mark 9:30-37)
7. The Calling to Broad-Mindedness
(Mark 9:38-41)
(Mark 9:38-41)
8. Jesus Warns His Followers to Take Heed of Drawing the Little Ones to Sin
(Mark 9:42-50)
(Mark 9:42-50)
9. Jesus’ Words About Marriage
(Mark 10:1-12)
(Mark 10:1-12)
10. Jesus Blessed the Children
(Mark 10:13-16)
(Mark 10:13-16)
11. Jesus and the Rich Man
(Mark 10:17-27)
(Mark 10:17-27)
12. The Reward of Jesus’ Followers
(Mark 10:28-31)
(Mark 10:28-31)
13. Jesus Speaks a Third Time about His Death and Resurrection
(Mark 10:32-34)
(Mark 10:32-34)
14. The Haughty Request of the Sons of Zebedee
(Mark 10:35-40)
(Mark 10:35-40)
15. Jesus Gives His Life
(Mark 10:41-45)
(Mark 10:41-45)
PART 6
JESUS’ ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM AND HIS LAST WORKS
(MARK 10:46-12:44)
JESUS’ ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM AND HIS LAST WORKS
(MARK 10:46-12:44)
1. Jesus Heals a Blind in Jericho
(Mark 10:46-52)
(Mark 10:46-52)
2. Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem
(Mark 11:1-10)
(Mark 11:1-10)
3. Jesus Curses the Fig Tree and Cleanses the Temple
(Mark 11:11-19)
(Mark 11:11-19)
4. Reflections on the Dry Fig Tree
(Mark 11:20-26)
(Mark 11:20-26)
5. Jesus’ Authority Questioned by the Highest Court of the Jews
(Mark 11:27-33)
(Mark 11:27-33)
6. The Parable of the Unfaithful Vinedressers
(Mark 12:1-12)
(Mark 12:1-12)
7. The Question Respecting the State and Tribute
(Mark 12:13-17)
(Mark 12:13-17)
8. The Mysteries of Resurrection
(Mark 12:18-27)
(Mark 12:18-27)
9. The Great Commandment
(Mark 12:28-34)
(Mark 12:28-34)
10. Are There Two Lords?
(Mark 12:35-37)
(Mark 12:35-37)
11. Jesus Warns Against the Scribes, and Commends the Poor Widow
(Mark 12:38-44)
(Mark 12:38-44)
PART 7
JESUS’ OLIVET DISCOURSE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF JERUSALEM AND THE END OF THE WORLD
(MARK 13:1-37)
JESUS’ OLIVET DISCOURSE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF JERUSALEM AND THE END OF THE WORLD
(MARK 13:1-37)
1. Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple
(Mark 13:1-4)
(Mark 13:1-4)
2. Jesus Warns Against Deceivers
(Mark 13:5-8)
(Mark 13:5-8)
3. Jesus’ Command to Preach the World in Spite of Persecution
(Mark 13:9-13)
(Mark 13:9-13)
4. The Signs of the End of the Universe
(Mark 13:14-18)
(Mark 13:14-18)
5. The Great Tribulation is Coming on us
(Mark 13:19-20)
(Mark 13:19-20)
6. The Antichrist is a False Savior
(Mark 13:21-23)
(Mark 13:21-23)
7. The Coming of Christ, the End of History
(Mark 13:24-27)
(Mark 13:24-27)
8. God Will not Consume Men in Spite of His Judgments
(Mark 13:28-30)
(Mark 13:28-30)
9. The Prophecy About the Entire Passing Away of the Universe
(Mark 13:31-33)
(Mark 13:31-33)
10. The Wise Servant Keeps Watching
(Mark 13:34-37)
(Mark 13:34-37)
PART 8
CHRIST’S PASSION AND DEATH
(MARK 14:1-15:47)
CHRIST’S PASSION AND DEATH
(MARK 14:1-15:47)
1. The Plot Against Jesus
(Mark 14:1-2)
(Mark 14:1-2)
2. Jesus Anointed at Bethany
(Mark 14:3-9)
(Mark 14:3-9)
3. The Betrayal of Judas Iscariot
(Mark 14:10-11)
(Mark 14:10-11)
4. Preparing the Passover
(Mark 14:12-16)
(Mark 14:12-16)
5. A New Covenant Made During the Lord’s Supper
(Mark 14:17-25)
(Mark 14:17-25)
6. Going to the Garden of Gethsemane
(Mark 14:26-38)
(Mark 14:26-38)
7. Jesus’ Struggle in His Prayer
(Mark 14:39-42)
(Mark 14:39-42)
8. The Arrest of Jesus, and the Running Away of the Disciples
(Mark 14:43-52)
(Mark 14:43-52)
9. Jesus Before the Religious Court
(Mark 14:53-65)
(Mark 14:53-65)
10. Peter Denies Jesus
(Mark 14:66-72)
(Mark 14:66-72)
11. Jesus Before the Civil Court
(Mark 15:1-15)
(Mark 15:1-15)
12. The Soldiers Mock and Whip Jesus
(Mark 15:16-20)
(Mark 15:16-20)
13. Carrying the Cross to the End
(Mark 15:21-23)
(Mark 15:21-23)
14. The Crucifixion
(Mark 15:24-25)
(Mark 15:24-25)
15. The King Crucified Between Two Robbers
(Mark 15:26-28)
(Mark 15:26-28)
16. The Crucified is Mocked
(Mark 15:29-32)
(Mark 15:29-32)
17. The Father’s Separation From the Son
(Mark 15:33-36)
(Mark 15:33-36)
18. The Death of Jesus, and the Wonderful Signs
(Mark 15:37-39)
(Mark 15:37-39)
19. The Women Under the Cross
(Mark 15:40-41)
(Mark 15:40-41)
20. The Burial of Jesus
(Mark 15:42-47)
(Mark 15:42-47)
PART 9
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE DEAD
(MARK 16:1-20)
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE DEAD
(MARK 16:1-20)
1. The Women Perplexed About the Stone At the Door of the Tomb
(Mark 16:1-4)
(Mark 16:1-4)
2. The Angel’s Preaching out of the Empty Tomb
(Mark 16:5-8)
(Mark 16:5-8)
3. Christ Appears to Mary Magdalene
(Mark 16:9-11)
(Mark 16:9-11)
4. Jesus Reveals Himself to the Two Disciples of Emmaus
(Mark 16:12-13)
(Mark 16:12-13)
5. Jesus Reproves His Disciples
(Mark 16:14)
(Mark 16:14)
6. The Disciples Commissioned to Preach The Gospel to Every Creature
(Mark 16:15)
(Mark 16:15)
7. Faith and Baptism in Salvation
(Mark 16:16)
(Mark 16:16)
8. The Signs of the Power of God in Those Who Follow Christ
(Mark 16:17-18)
(Mark 16:17-18)
9. The Heavenly King Reigns Through His Apostles
(Mark 16:19-20)
(Mark 16:19-20)
b) The Personal Name of Christ, and its Significance
The Lord’s personal name was “Jesus” (Iesous), the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Joshua” (yehoshua). This name is differently pronounced in different languages. Germans pronounce it as “Yisus”. Whereas the Arabs are nearer to the Semite pronunciation. They pronounce it as “Yasou’”. His name appears in the Qur’an as “Isa”.
The name “Jesus” is the same as Savior. It is derived from the verb signifying to save. In Hebrew, it is the same as Joshua, which signifies “God helps, intervenes, and saves”. The Almighty is merciful to men. He works, blesses, and saves through him who bears this name. The name Jesus is the summary of God’s work for us, for the Most High did not come for judgment, but he opened a new age of love and redemption through the coming of Jesus. Jesus was so named by Gabriel the angel to Joseph, his father by adoption, for he would save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Matthew the evangelist immediately acknowledged joyfully: “God is with us in Jesus. He is no more against us because of our sins. He will not destroy us according to the judgment of the law, which is against us, but he will save us for the sake of him who was born of Mary. Thus, the name Jesus signifies the end of the age of law, and the beginning of the age of grace.
It is necessary to recognize that “Christ” is not a name of Jesus. “Jesus” is his personal name. “Christ” is his title and official appellative, or personal designation, which indicates his divine office.
Did you recognize the essence of Jesus: that he was a true man from a true man, and at the same time true God from the true God?
In addition to the prophecies, the good news of heaven indicated his both divine and human person, for he was born of the Holy Spirit also of Virgin Mary, having a human body as all men, but also having the essence of God, which was hidden in him, since he was the spirit of the Most High. In the power of this Spirit, Jesus healed the crowds of the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons. The unclean spirits had already known his name and his essence, and they cried frightfully when he came near to them saying: “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are - the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24) The spirits of Hell know without interpretation who Jesus is, whereas men are blind. They rarely recognize him or know that he is the Lord himself.
This is the greatness and the mystery in the name of Jesus. He is a perfect man and a true Lord. The church confesses this mystery with joy and certainty: the Lord is Jesus.
This name “Jesus” continued in heaven as on earth. Stephen the martyr saw the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God, and he cried out before his death: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:56-59)
This glorious Nazarene stood in the way of Saul of Tarsus at the gates of Damascus and clarified to him rightly: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5), and the strict “lawyer,” i.e., expert in the Mosaic law, was changed from a fanatic self-righteous hypocrite into a believer and servant of Christ. He confessed in his Epistle to the Philippians cheerfully: “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
The name of Jesus is not a spell, but a wonderful mystery. Whenever it is pronounced with faith, his name means the presence of the Lord himself who speaks with the tongues of his servants, and works through their words. Today, we preach the name of Jesus that many may accept him, and that the divine promise may be fulfilled in them: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). In this unique name, Peter the apostle cured a lame man in Jerusalem (Acts 3:1-4:31). With the power of this name, the apostles cast out demons. The church waits for his next coming crying out: “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation).