1 Commentary

1.1 Isaiah 40:21-31

Isaiah 40:21 Have you not known? – The prophet, speaking for the L ORD, is
asking the community not only what they where taught about the L ORD but
also what they believe. This is an important discussion for the people since
they are in captivity.

Isaiah 40:22

Isaiah 40:23

Isaiah 40:24

Isaiah 40:25 To whom then will you compare me – The L ORD enters the conver-
sation and reminds the people that the L ORD cannot be seen as any ordinary
thing. The L ORD is different.

Isaiah 40:26 Who created these? who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name – The power of the Word is apparent here. All that
the L ORD needs to do is speak and then items are brought into existence.

Isaiah 40:27

Isaiah 40:28

Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. – These
words show how much the L ORD takes care of those that the others regard
as worthless.

Isaiah 40:30

Isaiah 40:31 they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not
be weary, they shall walk and not faint. – The imagery found in this verse is
often seen in illustrations of heaven.

1.2 Psalm 147:1-11, 20c

Psalm 147:1 How good it is to sing praises to our God – The psalmist will exhort
the congregation to lift up their voices and instruments to the L ORD.

1
Psalm 147:2

Psalm 147:3 He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds. – The
good hearted nature of the L ORD is a well known to the psalmist.

Psalm 147:4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their
names. – All of creation is the L ORD’s. It only exists because the L ORD
calls them into existence.

Psalm 147:5

Psalm 147:6 The L ORD lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the
ground. – This is not an either/or statement. In other words, the wicked can
be found everywhere.

Psalm 147:7 Sing to the L ORD with thanksgiving – When words alone will not
do, lift up your voice in song.

Psalm 147:8

Psalm 147:9

Psalm 147:10

Psalm 147:11 the L ORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope
in his steadfast love. – These actions are what makes the L ORD happy.

...

Psalm 147:20c

1.3 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Corinthians 9:16 If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting,
for an obligation is laid on me, and woe betide me if I do not proclaim the
gospel! – It appears that Paul makes the following arguments. First, there
are some people who boast that they preach the Good News. This is not how
I (Paul) see this because proclamation is something that I must do. In fact,
terrible things happen in my (Paul) life when I do not speak the Word.

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 Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my
own will, I am entrusted with a commission. – Paul is arguing that when one
does anything, that individual is expecting some level of retribution. The
case is different in the proclamation of the Gospel. This is the task that is
assigned to Paul.

Corinthians 9:18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I

may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights
in the gospel. – The reason that Paul preaches is freedom. Of course, this
begs the question of freedom from what.

Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself
a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. – This gift of freedom
that the Gospel provides allows Paul to do things that would be otherwise
impossible.

Corinthians 9:20 so that I might win those – Paul takes each of these different
roles gladly because it gives him a chance to preach the Word.

Corinthians 9:21

Corinthians 9:22

Corinthians 9:23

1.4 Mark 1:29-39

Mark 1:29 As soon – The Greek καὶ εὐθὺς here translated as “As soon” is used
eight times in the first chapter (Mark 1:10, 12, 18, 20, 21, 23, 29, 30) and it
give a “sense of urgency.”1

Mark 1:30 Simon’s mother-in-law – We never learn the name of Peter’s mother-
in-law nor do we learn the name of Peter’s wife even though it seems as if
she travels with him (1 Corinthians 9:5).
in bed with a fever – In the ancient world, this was viewed as an “illness
rather than a symptom.”2
1
John R. Donahue, S.J. and Daniel J. Harrington, S.J.; S.J. Daniel J. Harrington, editor, The
Gospel of Mark, Volume 2, Sacra Pagina Series, (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002),
p. 81.
2
Ibid., p. 82.

3
 Mark 1:31 she began to serve them – After healing she ministered to them (δια-
κονέω). This action not only shows the proper life of all disciples but it also
foreshadows the women at the cross.3
Mark 1:32 That evening, at sunset – Stating the time twice is a characteristic of
this author.4 This is the end of the Sabbath and people may start working
again.
Mark 1:33
Mark 1:34
Mark 1:35 In the morning, while it was still very dark – See the note on doubling
at Mark 1:32.
he prayed – It was common for Jews to pray in the morning.5
Mark 1:36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. – The narrator does
not tell us who these people are.
Mark 1:37
Mark 1:38 towns – These are smaller population centers that lack the organiza-
tion of a city.6
so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out
to do. – We learn that Jesus has other work that He must perform. Perhaps,
healing is a part of His ministry but the kingdom of God cannot be reduced
to a single item, no matter how important it might be.7
Mark 1:39 he went throughout Galilee – Jesus moves through the region

References
Donahue, S.J., John R. and Harrington, S.J., Daniel J.; Daniel J. Harrington, S.J.,
editor, The Gospel of Mark, Volume 2, Sacra Pagina Series, (Collegeville,
MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002).
3
Donahue and Harrington, Mark, p. 85.
4
Ibid., p. 82.
5
Ibid., p. 87.
6
Ibid., p. 88.
7
Ibid., p. 83.