Reference: Mark, The Gospel According to
Fausets
(See ACTS; BARNABAS; GOSPELS.) "John (his Hebrew name) whose surname was Mark" (his Roman name): Mr 12:12,25; 13/5/type/sawyer'>13:5,13; 15:39; Col 4:10; 2Ti 4:11; Phm 1:24. The Roman supplanted the Jewish name, as Paul did Saul. The change marks his entrance on a new and worldwide ministry. The fathers unanimously testify that Mark was "interpreter" (hermeneutees, Papias in Eusebius, H. E. iii. 39; Irenaeus, Haer. iii. 1,10, sec. 6) to Peter; meaning one who expresses and clothes in words the testimony of another. Papias, or John Presbyter (in Eusebius, H. E. iii. 39), states that Mark wrote "not in order," i.e. he wrote "some" leading facts, not a complete history. He attests Mark's accuracy, saying "he committed no error," but made it his aim "to omit nought of what he heard and to state nothing untrue."
Peter's name and presence are mentioned on occasions where apparently there is no reason for it; Mark herein wished to bring the apostle forward as his authority (see Mr 1:36; 5:37; 11:20-26; 13:3). There are indications of the author having been a Galilean, which Peter was. Thus, Herod the tetrarch is styled "king"; the "lake' (as Lu 8:22 calls it, for he knew larger sects) is called "the sea of Galilee" (Mr 5:1). Only in Mr 6:30 the term of dignity, "apostle," is found; in Luke, as writing later, it frequently occurs. Things to their discredit are ingenuously stated by Matthew and Mark (Peter), as we might expect from apostles writing about themselves; but are sparingly introduced by Luke (Mt 16:9; Mr 7:18; 10:41; 14:31; 6:52; 9:10; 10:32, the last three not in Matthew).
The account of many things is marked by vivid touches suitable to an eye-witness only, which Peter was; e.g. Mr 6:39, "the green grass" in the feeding of the 5,000; "the pillow of the ship" (Mr 4:38); Mr 10:50, "casting away his garment"; Mr 11:4, "the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met." The details of the demon-possessed Gadarene: "no man could bind him, no not with chains, because he had often been bound, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces; neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, crying, and cutting himself with stones," etc. (Mr 5:2-5); and also the wild cry of another reproduced, "Ea" ("Ha!" not as KJV, "let us alone"), Mr 1:24.
Jesus' looks, Mr 3:5, "He looked round about on them in anger" (Mr 3:34); Mr 8:33; 10:21-23, "Jesus beholding loved him," etc.; Mr 8:12, He sighed deeply in spirit ... why doth this generation seek after a sign?" Mr 1:41, "Jesus moved with compassion put forth His hand" touching the leper. All these minute touches, peculiar to him, show his Gospel is no epitome of the others but an independent witness, Mark tells Peter's humble origin (Mr 1:16-20), his connection with Capernaum (Mr 1:29), that Levi was son of Alphaeus (Mr 2:14), that Boanerges was the title given by Christ to James and John (Mr 3:17), that, the ruler of the synagogue was named Jairus (Mr 5:22), that Jesus was a "carpenter" (Mr 6:3), that the Canaanite woman was a Syrophoenician (Mr 7:26). Mark gives Dalmanutha for Magdala (Mr 8:10; Mt 15:39).
He names Bartimaeus (Mr 10:46), states that "Jesus would not suffer any to carry any vessel through the temple" (Mr 11:16), that Simon of Cyrene was father of Alexander and Rufus (Mr 15:21). Peter would be the probable source of these particulars of Mark's information. Jesus' rebuke of Peter is recorded, but His preeminent praise of him is omitted (Mr 8:32-33; compare Mt 16:18,23). The account of the thrice denial is full, but "bitterly" is omitted from his repentance (Mr 14:72). This is just what we might expect from an apostle writing about himself. The Roman character preponderates, abounding in facts rather than doctrines, and practical details told with straightforward, energetic, manly simplicity.
Of passages peculiar to Mark are Mr 3:20-21, Christ's friends' attempt on Him; Mr 4:26-29, parable of the seed growing secretly; Mr 7:31-37, healing the deaf mute; Mr 8:22-26, gradual cure of the blind; Mr 11:11; 14:51-52; 16:7, the special message to Peter after the resurrection, to cheer him in his despondency after the thrice denial. Only twice Mark quotes Old Testament himself (Mal 3:1; Isa 40:3), namely, Mr 1:2-3; but often introduces Christ and those addressing Him quoting it. The Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and Alexandrinus manuscripts omit Mr 15:28, which is an interpolation from Lu 22:37. Mark alone has "the sabbath was made for man" (Mr 2:27), and the scribe's admission that love is better than sacrifices (Mr 12:33); all suited for Gentile readers, to whom Peter, notwithstanding subsequent vacillation, first opened the door (Acts 10).
He notices Jesus being "with the wild beasts" when tempted by Satan in the wilderness; contrast Adam tempted amidst the tame animals in Eden (Genesis 2; 3). Adam changed paradise into a wilderness, Jesus changes the wilderness into paradise. Other scenes to Peter's honor omitted are Lu 5:1-11, his walking on the sea (Mt 14:28-31), his commission to get, the tribute money from the fish (Mt 17:24-27), Jesus' special intercession for him (Lu 22:31-32), his being one of the two sent to prepare the Passover (Lu 22:8). Mark's explanations of Jewish customs and names (Jordan is called a "river"; the Pharisees' fasting and customs, Mr 1:5; 2:18; 7:1-4; the Sadducees' tenets, Mr 12:18; the Passover described, Mr 14:1,12) which Jews would not need, and the absence of appeals by himself to Old Testament prophecy, also of the genealogy and of the term nomos, the Mosaic "law," show he wrote for Gentiles not for Jews.
Accordingly he omits the offensive references to the Gentiles found in Mt 6:7-8; 10:5-6; compare Mr 6:7-11; so Luke writing for Gentiles (Lu 9:1-5). Moreover Mark (Mr 11:17) inserts what is not in Matthew or Luke, "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer." He abounds in Latinisms, agreeably to the theory that he wrote for Romans, whose terms his and Peter's intimacy with them would dispose him to use: thus "centurion" for hekatontarchos elsewhere in New Testament, paidiothen = "a puero", kodrantes = "quadrans", denarion = "denarius", halas analon = "sal insulsum", "specoulator", "censos", "fragelloo" (flagello), xestes (sextarius), megistanes = "magnates", legeon = "legio". The explanation of a Greek term aulee by the Latin proetorium (Mr 15:16) could only be for Roman readers. Style. Unusual Greek expressions occur: exapina, epistentrechein, pistike, eneileo, efie, proelaben murisai, alalos, enangkalizesthai. Diminutives abound, thugatrion, korasion, otarion, kunaria.
He employs as the phrase most characteristic of his Gospel eutheoos, "straightway," "immediately," 41 times. His use of the present tense for the past gives vivid present reality to his pictures. He details minutely localities, times, and numbers. He introduces persons' speaking directly. He is often abrupt as he is graphic, e.g. Mark 1, where he hurries on to our Lord's: official life, which he sketches with lifelike energy. "While the sequence and connection of the longer discourses was that which the Holy Spirit peculiarly brought to Matthew's mind, the apostle from whom Mark's record is derived seems to have been deeply penetrated by the solemn iterations of cadence and expression, and to have borne away the very words themselves and the tone of the Lord's sayings" (Alford), e.g. the sublime reply Mr 9:39-50, the thrice repeated "where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched," sounding in the ears as a peal of doom.
This Gospel especially pictures Jesus' outward gestures, e.g. His actions in curing the deaf (Mr 7:33-34), He takes him aside from the multitude, puts His fingers into his ears, spits, touches his tongue, looks up to heaven, sighs, and saith, "Ephphatha". Hebrew (Aramaic) words are used, but explained for Gentile readers: Mr 3:17,22; 5:41, Talitha kumi; Mr 7:11, korban; Mr 9:43, gehenna; Mr 10:46, Bar-timaeus; Mr 14:36, Abba; Mr 15:22, Golgotha. The style, though abounding in Latinisms, is more related. to the Hebraistic style of Matthew than to Luke's pure Greek.
From the Latinisms, and the place where, and t
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And when you pray use not vain repetitions, as the gentiles do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not, therefore, like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
These twelve Jesus sent out and charged them, saying; Go not into a way of gentiles, and enter not into a city of Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel;
And Peter answered and said to him, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters. And he said, Come. And Peter going down from the ship walked on the waters to go to Jesus. read more. But seeing the wind strong he was afraid; and beginning to sink, cried, saying, Lord save me! and Jesus immediately stretching out his hand, took hold of him and said, Man of little faith, why did you doubt?
And dismissing the multitude he went into the ship, and came into the bounds of Magadan.
Do you not yet understand nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many travelling-baskets you took up?
And I tell you that you are Peter [a rock], and upon this rock will I build my assembly, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.
But he turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to me! For you regard not the things of God, but those of men.
And when they came to Capernaum, those who received the didrachma [28 cents], came to Peter, and said, Does not your teacher pay the didrachma? He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive taxes, or a tribute? From their children, or from strangers? read more. He said to him, From strangers. Jesus said to him; Then are the children free; but that we may not offend them, go to the lake, and cast in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and opening its mouth you will find a stater [56 cents]. Take that and give it to them, for me and you.
as it is written in Isaiah the prophet; Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way. A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight.
And all the country of Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
And passing along by the lake of Galilee, he saw Simon, and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting [a net] into the lake, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishermen of men. read more. And immediately leaving their nets they followed him. And proceeding a little further on he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; and they were in the ship mending the nets; and he immediately called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired men, they went away after him.
saying, What have you to do with us, Jesus Nazarene? have you come to destroy us? We know you who you are, the holy [Son] of God!
And going immediately out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John;
And having compassion on him, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, I will; be cleansed.
And passing by he saw Levi, the son of Alpheus, sitting at the custom house, and said to him, Follow me; and he arose and followed him.
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fasted. And they came and said to him, Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, and your disciples fast not?
And he said to them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath;
And looking around on them in anger, being grieved at the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, Stretch out your hand. And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James??nd he gave them the names of Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder??18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Zealot,
and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James??nd he gave them the names of Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder??18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Zealot,
and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James??nd he gave them the names of Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder??18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Zealot,
and again a multitude came together, so that they could not eat bread. And those with him hearing of it, went out to take him; for they said, He is beside himself. read more. And the scribes coming down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebul, and casts out demons by the ruler of demons.
And looking round on those sitting about him, he said, Behold my mother, and my brothers!
And he said, So is the kingdom of God as a man casts the seeds into the earth, and sleeps and wakes, night and day, and the seed germinates, and grows he knows not how. read more. The earth produces spontaneously, first the stalk, then the head, then the full wheat in the head. And when the wheat delivers itself, he immediately sends out the sickle, because the harvest has come.
And he was in the stern, on the pillow, asleep. And they awoke him and said to him, Teacher, do you not care that we perish?
AND they came across the lake to the country of the Gerasenes. And as he went out of the ship, a man with an impure spirit immediately met him from the tombs, read more. who lived in the tombs, and none could bind him with a chain; for he was often bound with fetters and chains, and his chains were broken by him, and his fetters crushed, and no one could subdue him. And he was always night and day in the tombs, and in the mountains, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
And one of the synagogue rulers came, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet,
And he permitted no man to accompany him except Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
and taking the hand of the little child, he said to her, Talitha cum, which is interpreted, Girl, I tell you arise;
Is not this the carpenter? the son of Mary? and a brother of James, and Joset, and Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended with him.
And he called the twelve, and sent them out two and two, and gave them power over impure spirits; and charged them to take nothing for the way, except a staff only; not bread, nor a provision sack, nor copper in the girdle, read more. but to wear sandals, and not to put on two coats. And he said to them, Where you enter into a house, there remain till you go out thence. And whatever place will not receive you, nor hear you, when you go out thence shake off the dust which is under your feet for a testimony to them.
And the apostles came together to Jesus and reported to him all things, both what they had done and what instructions they had given.
And he commanded them to cause all to recline in companies on the green grass.
for they understood not concerning the bread, for their heart was hardened.
AND the Pharisees and some of the scribes having come from Jerusalem came together to him,
1-2 pint measures], and brass vessels, and beds. and seeing some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, unwashed hands, [they found fault]. read more. For the Pharisees and all the Jews eat not unless they wash their hands with the fist, holding the tradition of the elders. And from a market, unless they baptize they eat not; and there are many other [customs] which they have received to hold; baptisms, of cups and sextuses [
But you say, If a man says to his father or mother, It is a corban, which is a gift, by whatever you might be profited by me, [he shall be free];
And he said to them, Are you also so without understanding? Do you not understand that nothing which enters into a man from without can defile him,
and she was a Greek, a Syrophenician by race; and she asked him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
And again going out of the bounds of Tyre, he came through Sidon, to the lake of Galilee, in the midst of the bounds of Decapolis. And they brought him a dumb man that stammered, and besought him to put his hand on him. read more. And taking him from the multitude by himself, he put his fingers in his ears, and spit, and touched his tongue,
And taking him from the multitude by himself, he put his fingers in his ears, and spit, and touched his tongue, and looking up to heaven he groaned, and said to him, Ephphatha, which is, Be opened.
and looking up to heaven he groaned, and said to him, Ephphatha, which is, Be opened. And immediately his ears were opened, and the cord of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke correctly. read more. And he charged them to tell no one; but as much as he charged them, so much the more they proclaimed [his works]. And they were astonished above measure, and said, He has done all things well; he makes both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
And entering immediately into the ship, with his disciples, he came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
And groaning in his spirit, he said, Why does this generation seek a sign? I tell you truly, there shall no sign be given to this generation.
And they came to Bethsaida; and they brought him a blind man, and besought him to touch him. And taking the hand of the blind man, he brought him out of the village, and spitting on his eyes, and putting his hands on him, he asked him, Do you see any thing? read more. And looking up he said, I see men, as trees walking. Then he put his hands on his eyes again, and he looked, and was restored, and saw all things clearly. And he sent him to his house, saying, Go not into the village.
And he spoke this word plainly; and Peter taking hold of him, rebuked him. But turning round, and looking on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, Get behind me, Satan! for you regard not the things of God, but the things of men.
But turning round, and looking on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, Get behind me, Satan! for you regard not the things of God, but the things of men.
And they kept the word, inquiring with themselves what the rising from the dead meant.
And Jesus said, Forbid him not; for no one will perform a mighty work in my name, and be able lightly to speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is for us; read more. and whoever gives you a cup of water because you are Christ's, truly he shall not lose his reward. And whoever shall offend one of the little ones having faith, it would be better for him if a millstone was put about his neck and he was cast into the sea. And if your hand offends you, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than having two hands to go away into hell, into the inextinguishable fire.
And if your hand offends you, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than having two hands to go away into hell, into the inextinguishable fire. (Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
(Added verse not retained in Sawyer) And if your foot offends you, cut it off: it is better for you to enter into life lame, than having two feet to be cast into hell. read more. (Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
(Added verse not retained in Sawyer) And if your eye offends you, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell, read more. where the worm dies not and the fire is not extinguished.
where the worm dies not and the fire is not extinguished. For every man shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. read more. Salt is good; but if the salt has become insipid, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.
And Jesus looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack; go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have a treasure in heaven; and come and take up your cross and follow me. And he was grieved at this saying, and went away sad, for he had great possessions. read more. And Jesus looking around said to his disciples, With what difficulty shall those having riches enter into the kingdom of God!
And they were on the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them; and they were amazed, and afraid, as they followed him. And again taking the twelve aside, he told them the things that were about to befall him;
And the ten, hearing this, were displeased with James and John.
And they came to Jericho. And as he went from Jericho, and his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timeus, Bartimeus, a blind beggar, sat by the way.
And they came to Jericho. And as he went from Jericho, and his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timeus, Bartimeus, a blind beggar, sat by the way.
And he cast aside his garment, and leaping up went to Jesus.
And they went and found a colt tied at the door without, at the crossing of the streets, and they untied him.
And Jesus went into Jerusalem, and into the temple, and looking round on all things when it was now evening he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
and permitted no one to carry a vessel through the temple. And he taught them, saying, It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations; but you have made it a den of robbers.
And passing along in the morning, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter remembering, said to him, Rabbi, behold the fig tree which you cursed is dried up. read more. And Jesus answered and said to them, Have faith in God; I tell you truly, that whoever shall say to this mountain, be raised up and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he says will be done, whatever he says shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all things whatever which you ask in prayer, believe that you shall receive them, and you shall have them. And when you stand praying, forgive if you have any thing against any, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your offenses. (Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
And they sought to take him, and feared the multitude, for they knew that he spoke this parable against them. And they left him, and went away.
And the Sadducees came to him, who say there is no resurrection, and asked him, saying,
For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are married, but are like angels in heaven.
and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
and to love him with all the heart, and all the understanding, and all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as himself, is more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, opposite to the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, asked him privately,
and you shall be hated by all on my account; but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
AND after two days was the passover and the unleavened bread. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might take him by deception, and kill him.
And on the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said to him, Where do you wish us to go and prepare to eat the passover?
And he said, more strongly, If it should be necessary for me to die with you I will by no means deny you; and they all said the same.
And he said, Abba, father, all things are possible to thee. Take away this cup from me; but not what I will but what thou wilt.
And one young man followed him with a linen cloth wrapped about his naked body. And the young men caught him; and leaving the linen cloth he escaped from them naked.
And a cock crew a second time. And Peter was reminded of the word, how Jesus said to him, Before a cock crows twice, you will deny me thrice. And he wept bitterly.
AND the soldiers led him away into the court which is the Praetorium, and called together all the cohort.
and compelled one Simon, a Cyrenian, who was passing along, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they brought him to Golgotha, which is interpreted A place of a cranium,
(Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
and the centurion who stood near, opposite to him, seeing that he so expired, said, Truly, this man was a Son of God.
But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you to Galilee; there you shall see him as he said to you.
AND having arisen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary the Magdalene from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, who were weeping and lamenting; read more. and when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they did not believe it. Afterwards he appeared in another form to two of them as they walked, going into the country. And they went and announced it to the rest; they did not believe it. And afterwards he appeared to the eleven, as they reclined, and reproached their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not those who had seen him since he rose from the dead. And he said to them, Go into all the world, preach the good news to all the creation; he that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that disbelieves shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow those that believe; in my name they shall cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly [poison] it shall not hurt them; and they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall be well. Then the Lord, after speaking with them, was taken up to heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went abroad and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the accompanying miracles.
And they went abroad and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the accompanying miracles.
And as the multitude pressed upon him to hear the word of God, and he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats standing by the lake; and the fishermen having gone out of them were washing their nets. read more. And entering into one of the ships, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land, and sat down and taught the multitudes from the ship. And when he ceased speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answered and said to him, Master, we have labored all night and taken nothing; but at your word I will let down the net. And doing this he enclosed a great number of fishes; and their net broke. And he made signs to his companions in the other ship to come and help him; and they came, and filled both ships, so that they began to sink. And Simon Peter seeing it fell on his knees to Jesus, saying, Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of fishes which they had taken. So also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; from this time you shall take men. And bringing the ships to the land they left all and followed him.
AND on one of those days both he and his disciples went into the ship; and he said to them, Let us cross over to the other side of the lake. And they set sail;
AND calling together the twelve, he gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases, and sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to cure the sick. read more. And he said to them, Take for the way neither a staff nor a provision sack, nor bread, nor silver, and have not two coats apiece. And into whatever house you enter, there remain and thence depart. And whoever does not receive you, when you go out of that city shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them.
And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go, prepare for us the passover, that we may eat.
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired you, to sift like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not entirely fail; and when you recover yourself, confirm your brothers.
For I tell you, that this which is written must be fully accomplished in me, And he was numbered with transgressors; for also the things concerning me have an end.
Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and curing all that were subjugated by the devil, for God was with him;
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark the nephew of Barnabas,??oncerning whom you received commandments, if he comes to you receive him,??11 and Jesus called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these are the only co-laborers for the kingdom of God who have been a comfort to me.