Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 4:8-15

"And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother`s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother`s blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now cursed art thou from the ground, which hath opened its mouth to receive thy brother`s blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said unto Jehovah, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the ground; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth; and it will come to pass, that whosoever findeth me will slay me. And Jehovah said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And Jehovah appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should smite him." — Genesis 4:8-15 (ASV)

Malice in the heart ends in murder by the hands. Cain killed Abel, his own brother, his own mother's son, whom he should have loved; his younger brother, whom he should have protected; a good brother, who had never done him any wrong. What fatal effects these were of our first parents' sin, and how their hearts must have been filled with anguish! Observe the pride, unbelief, and impenitence of Cain.

He denies the crime, as if he could conceal it from God. He tries to cover a deliberate murder with a deliberate lie. Murder is a crying sin. Blood calls for blood—the blood of the murdered for the blood of the murderer. Who knows the extent and weight of a Divine curse, how far it reaches, how deep it pierces?

Only in Christ are believers saved from it and inherit the blessing. Cain was cursed from the earth. He found his punishment there where he chose his portion and set his heart. Every creature is to us what God makes it: a comfort or a cross, a blessing or a curse. The wickedness of the wicked brings a curse upon all they do and all they have.

Cain does not complain of his sin, but of his punishment. It shows great hardness of heart to be more concerned about our sufferings than our sins. God has wise and holy ends in prolonging the lives even of very wicked men. It is futile to inquire what mark was set upon Cain. It was doubtless known, both as a brand of infamy on Cain and a token from God that they should not kill him.

Abel, being dead, yet speaks. He tells of the heinous guilt of murder, warns us to stifle the first stirrings of wrath, and teaches us that persecution must be expected by the righteous; also, that there is a future state and an eternal recompense to be enjoyed through faith in Christ and His atoning sacrifice. And he tells us of the excellence of faith in the atoning sacrifice and blood of the Lamb of God.

Cain killed his brother because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous (1 John 3:12). In consequence of the enmity put between the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, the war broke out, which has been waged ever since. In this war we are all concerned; none are neutral. Our Captain has declared, He that is not with me is against me. Let us decidedly, yet in meekness, support the cause of truth and righteousness against Satan.