Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man… In that Christ mourned in Himself for this hardness of their hearts, we may learn that it is a most fearful and grievous sin, and to be greatly lamented in whomsoever it is found. It is that sin whereby the heart of man is so rooted and settled in the corruption of sin, that it is hardly or not at all withdrawn or reclaimed from it by any good means that are used to that end. Two kinds are to be distinguished. I. When the obstinacy and perverseness of the heart is in some measure felt and perceived by those in whom it is, and also lamented and bewailed and resisted. This kind of hardness may be, and is, found more or less in the best saints and children of God (Mark 6:52; Mark 16:14). II. That hardness which either is not felt at all, or, if felt, is not resisted. This is found only in wicked men. It is a fearful and dangerous sin; for — 1. It keeps out repentance, which is the remedy for sin. 2. God often punishes other heinous sins with this sin (Romans 1:28). 3. God also punishes this sin with other sins (Ephesians 4:18). 4. In the Bible we find fearful threatenings against this sin (Deuteronomy 29:19; Romans 2:5). (G. Petter.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. |
    |