Mark Chapter One
The Good News About Jesus
[Text parallels Luke 3:1-2]
1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Often considered the original title for the book of Mark, this verse introduces the gospel (Greek ‘euangeliou’,[1] announce good news) as being about Jesus the Christ (Greek ‘Christou’,[2] anointed, equivalent to Hebrew ‘Messiah’), the Son of God. Making the point that Jesus is indeed God.
The root word ‘euangeliou’’ is from (‘euagelion’) can only found in the gospel accounts of Matthew (4 times) and Mark (8 times). Neither Luke nor John use the term in their accounts (although Luke used it twice in his record of the Acts of the Apostles, also known as the book of Acts, and John used the word once in the book of Revelation).
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
[Text parallels Matthew 3:1-6 and Luke 3:3-6]
1:2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”
Mark quotes the first part of Malachi 3:1 in verse two, the same phrase used by Jesus to refer to John the Baptist (see Matthew 11:10; Luke 7:27). There are several opinions as to why Mark refers to Isaiah instead of Malachi. Some commentators note that it was a common practice to mention the most prominent or recognizable name, while others believe it was a copyist error.
The quotation in verses 2 and 3 is composite, the first part being from Mal 3:1 and the second part from Is 40:3. It is easy to see, therefore, why copyists would have altered the words “in Isaiah the prophet” (a reading found in the earliest representative witnesses of the Alexandrian and the Western types of text) to the more comprehensive introductory formula “in the prophets.”[3]
Verse three is from Isaiah which, like the verse from Malachi, points to the need to prepare. John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the people of Israel that the Messiah was coming soon. How could one man help prepare the people for the coming Messiah?[4] He started by helping people see and understand what separates them from God, the problem of sin. Then he offered something that would have been considered outrageous, namely the forgiveness of those sins as explained in the following verses.
1:4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
John the Baptist proclaimed the need for the people to repent of their sins. One needs to first recognize and admit that they are sinners before they can receive forgiveness for those sins. To demonstrate the “inner washing” of those sins, John used the well-known practice of baptizing with water to represent that cleansing.[5] Believed to be a prophet sent by God along with the idea one could be forgiven, the people of Israel flocked to the Jordan River where John was preaching and baptizing. It is interesting to note that the people came to him in the wilderness. He did not go to Jerusalem or any other city to proclaim forgiveness. There are potentially a number of reasons, such as to avoid the corrupt leadership in Jerusalem or to separate those that truly believe they are sinners from those that don’t (as the trek to the Jordan River from Jerusalem would not have been easy).[6]
Mark describes John as being someone who would be considered in those days (and probably today) the antithesis of a prophet of God. Wearing camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. Yet he preached boldly, here Mark records how he introduced the One coming, beginning with the humble statement that he was not even worthy to untie the straps on His sandals. John further stated that he has been washing with water, but He will baptize with the Holy Spirit[7] (see John 1:33).
Considerations
Prophetic Text Overview No. 18
Continuing the count from the beginning of the New Testament, this 18th prophetic reference from the Old Testament in verses 2-3 is nearly identical to the references found in Matthew with the notable exception of the quote from Isaiah is in chapter three[8] and the quote from Malachi as spoken by Jesus is recorded in Matthew chapter eleven.[9]
Jesus Baptized
[Text parallels Matthew 3:13-17 and Luke 3:21-23a]
1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Mark does not specify a day or time when Jesus left Nazareth (Mark adds that Nazareth is in the Galilee region) and went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. Mark is the only gospel writer that notes that when Jesus came up out of the water they saw, “the heavens being torn open,” (Greek ‘schizomenous’,[10] to divide with violence) from the same root word used by Matthew to describe the Temple curtain being torn and the rocks splitting after Jesus died on the cross (see Matthew 27:51). Mark does not elaborate as to what that means, but it does imply a dramatic event. Which was followed by a highly visible representation of the Holy Spirit that looked similar to a dove that rested on Jesus. Then a voice from heaven said, referring to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” None of the gospel writers note the reaction of the people witnessing this event, nor do they explain how the “dove like” object was identified as the Holy Spirit. However, it is important to note that anytime all three members of the Godhead are present, that it is truly an important event. Scripture informs us that the trinity of the Godhead is involved in every major work of God including creation, the incarnation of Jesus, the baptism and beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and, of course, salvation for all believers.
Jesus Tempted by Satan
[Text parallels Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13]
1:12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
Mark noted that the Holy Spirit immediately drove Jesus out into the wilderness. Mark briefly states that Jesus endured 40 days in the wilderness. Both Matthew and Luke record greater detail (see Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13), however, neither one of those accounts record that the Spirit ‘drove’ Jesus out into the wilderness (Greek ‘ekballei’,[11] to cast out, throw out, implying force). Did the Holy Spirit force Jesus out into the wilderness as this word implies? No, as it undoubtedly is a reference to the Holy Sprit quickly bringing Him to the wilderness area (the word can also be translated as desert). While on the subject of things being ‘quickly,’ you may have noticed that Mark often inserts the word ‘immediately’ in his writing. The Greek word ‘euthys’[12] refers to something straight or occurring straightaway. Out of the 59 occurrences in the New Testament, 42 of them can be found in the book of Mark. Is Mark expressing an urgency or implying fast action? Neither, he is simply using ‘euthys’ (immediately) as a transitional word, referring to a chronological order more than a sense of urgency or speed.
Mark does record that Jesus was tempted by Satan and that He was living among wild animals. He also notes that the angels were ministering to Him, which according to Matthew occurred after Satan left Jesus (see Matthew 4:11).
Jesus Begins His Ministry
[Verse 14a parallels Matthew 4:12; Luke 3:19-20; 4:14a and John 4:1-4. Verse 14b-15 parallels Matthew 4:17 and Luke 4:14b-15]
1:14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus returns to Galilee to begin His ministry of proclaiming the gospel message. Mark notes that Jesus went to Galilee after John the Baptist was arrested, there is no indication that these two events are related. Mark was simply recording the fact that after John was arrested that Jesus arrived in Galilee.
It is interesting to note that Mark identifies the gospel as being the gospel of God, which clarifies the gospel as being God’s plan for salvation. Mark further states that Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled,” the time of the arrival of the Messiah has arrived. That the kingdom of God[13] is coming soon (once He rises from being dead, that victory begins the Kingdom of God on earth) and that everyone should repent of their sins and believe the good news. Jesus is teaching to both His audience at that time and those that will read this later, like us. Even though the atonement for sin was not yet complete, by faith they were to believe that He would provide salvation as He promised, just as we believe He did for us.
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
[Text parallels Matthew 4:18-22]
1:16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John, all four being fishermen, to be His disciples. Each one dropped what they were doing (and their careers) to follow Jesus. He tells Simon and Andrew that if they follow Him that He will make them “fishers of men.”[14]
Considerations
Leaving Everything to Follow Jesus
Even though Luke records a miracle for the benefit of these followers that would have left no doubt in their minds that Jesus had supernatural abilities (see Luke 5:1-11), the question that is often asked is, “How do you end a career and say goodbye to friends and family in order to learn from a total stranger?” While this concept was more common at that time, it still would be difficult. We also see how God uses ordinary people as these men were fishermen, essentially no one special. Which undoubtedly provided some amusement for the Pharisees and the religious leaders. But God used them to change the world. Throughout Scripture God has always used ordinary people to do extraordinary things to serve Him. Which means all people can be used by God if they are willing. Following Jesus today may not require leaving a career, but He might ask you to. Christians today should put following Jesus ahead of all other priorities.
Jesus Teaches and Heals a Man in a Synagogue
[Text parallels Luke 4:31b-37]
1:21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
In His ministry Jesus often taught in synagogues[15] on Sabbath days. Here the people in attendance were amazed as He was teaching as one who had authority. He taught as God Himself, something they never experienced before.
1:23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
His teaching was abruptly interrupted by a man with an unclean spirit[16] (Luke identifies it as a demon, see Luke 4:33) who cries out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” There are several facts to learn from this outburst: 1) Demons and fallen angels know who Jesus is; 2) they know they will be one day destroyed and sent to hell; and 3) they cannot resist God. Jesus then rebuked the demon, telling him to be silent and to come out of the man. The demon came out screaming but first made him convulse (Luke states that he was thrown down, see Luke 4:35).
When the people saw this they were further amazed and began to talk among themselves asking, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Jesus instantly became a celebrity, as they undoubtedly had no idea who He was, even though they heard the demon clearly say He was the “Holy One of God.” News about Jesus quickly spread around the region of Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many
[Text parallels Matthew 8:14-17 and Luke 4:38-41]
1:29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
After teaching and the casting out of the demon from the man, Jesus and His four disciples left the synagogue and went to Simon’s house. When He arrived, Jesus was told about Simon’s mother-in-law being ill. He approached her and took her hand and lifted her up out of either a chair or a bed and her fever was gone. She then began to serve them! She went from being sick to being a servant, an amazing transition.
1:32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Since a new day begins at sundown, it was no longer the Sabbath and people could now walk further distances as they were no longer restricted by the rules of the Sabbath day. The sick and those that were demon oppressed began to gather at the door (presumably at Simon’s house). Jesus healed the sick and cast out many demons, who He would not allow to speak as they knew who He was.[17]
Considerations
When we think about the apostles and how they left everything, it is hard to imagine that some of them were married. Simon-Peter was definitely married and for several years he was away from his family. These disciples who then became apostles (referring to someone sent with authority)[18] were truly dedicated to the teaching of Jesus and to the spreading of the gospel message. A message that started with Jesus, taught to the disciples then sent out as apostles and now to us, so that all of the world can hear the message too, that’s our job.
Jesus Preaches in Galilee
[Text parallels Matthew 4:23-24 and Luke 4:42-44]
1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Jesus got up early in the morning while it was still dark and went to a place where He could be alone and began to pray.[19] When His disciples woke up they began to search for Jesus. Note how Simon is the only disciple mentioned, he has become the unofficial spokesman for the disciples. Simon tells Jesus that they were looking for Him, Jesus does not respond or explain except only to mention that they need to move on to the next towns. Jesus further states “that is why I came out.” Jesus is saying that He came to preach the gospel message. He will use similar phrases to point out not only why He came to earth, but for all believers to understand their own priorities. As Christians we need to apply the simple axiom, if it was important to Jesus, it should also be important to us.
Mark records that they went throughout all of Galilee stopping at each town’s synagogue to preach and to cast out demons.[20] He does not provide any details as to the content of Jesus’ teaching[21] nor does he offer any city names other than they “went throughout all Galilee.”
Considerations
The Bible gives several reasons why Jesus came to earth. To use an accounting term, the “Bottom Line” is simple, He came to save mankind from eternal condemnation, restoring humanity to the way He originally created humans before sin[22]. Why? Because He loves us. As pointed out above, Jesus often used phrases like “Why I came out” (see verse 36), which can help us understand both the motivation of God offering His Son and His priorities.
Here are a few of those verses where Jesus offers insight as to why He came:
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Jesus makes it clear that God had no intention to change the law, He did not and would not change what was written. The law remains unchanged, He came to fulfill the law.[23] How? By remaining sinless, Jesus was able to fully comply with the law and therefore is able to provide salvation by adopting all believers as sons and daughters of God. What belief? That Jesus will do as He promised and intercede for them when they die.
Matthew 10:34
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” While the gospel message is truly great news, it is in direct conflict to what the world and Satan are teaching. As a result, proclaiming the gospel can cause division, hate, and in some cases, erupt into violence between people.[24]
Mark 2:17
“And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus came to save people who recognize that they are sinners and repent of their sin. Those that believe they either are, or think they know a way to being righteous,[25] are only fooling themselves (see Romans 3:9-20; 1 John 1:5-9).
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus notes two things in this verse: 1) He came as a humble servant, not to be served but to serve,[26] the exact opposite of any royalty on earth or any ‘god’ found in any alternate religion’s literature; and 2) He came to offer His life as a ransom, a payment for the lives of many (note that He does not say all, as there will be many who will reject His free offer of salvation).
Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jesus is reading from Isaiah 61:1-2, He came to: 1) proclaim good news (the gospel message) to the poor (word can also refer to someone that is helpless, remember all people are helpless to save themselves); 2) proclaim liberty to the captives of sin and Satan, Jesus paid the full price of everyone’s bondage and therefore they can be freed from that bondage; 3) heal those that are blind; 4) to free those that are oppressed (from sin, sickness, etc.); and 5) proclaim the year of God’s favor, the time the new covenant begins (see Jeremiah 31:31).[27]
John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Because God loves mankind, He sent His Son not to condemn but to save humanity.[28]
John 6:38
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” In this verse and the following verse from John chapter eight, Jesus acknowledges that He came because He was sent by His Father.[29]
John 8:42
“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.” Again stating that He came not for Himself but as His Father desired.
John 9:39-41
“Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.” Jesus also came to judge the world, especially those that do not see their own sin or refuse to accept Him as their Savior. There are some that have difficulty understanding how a “loving God” can judge and punish people. It is vital to understand that God is a just God and that all sin must be accounted for.[30]
John 12:27
“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” Shortly after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus began to feel some form of anxiety. While He was speaking about the events of that week, He mentioned that His soul was troubled. Knowing that He would suffer and be crucified He revealed to those around Him that His emotions were stirred up, but understood that the reason He came to earth was to suffer, die, and rise to life again. If He did not, humanity would remain condemned. Note that anxiety is not necessarily fear, it is a human condition that should be prayed about and turned over to God.[31]
John 12:44-50
“And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” This is essentially the gospel message “in a nutshell,” which begins with the fundamental belief in God. Jesus states: 1) a person is to believe in the One who sent Him, God the Father; 2) Jesus came to be a light so that those who believe will no longer be in the dark; 3) Jesus came to save the world, so if someone were to hear His words and does not obey them, He will not judge them now (the role of His second coming will be that of a judge); 4) Jesus notes that those who do reject Him and His words will indeed be judged on the last day, as His words carry the authority of His Father; and 5) Jesus tells us that He was given a commandment from His Father, to speak the words given Him, words that offer eternal life, that lead to belief in Jesus.[32]
John 18:37
“Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Jesus tells Pilate that He came into the world to bear witness to the truth. Regardless of modern teaching, there can only be one truth. Truth is not moldable, adjustable, or otherwise changeable to fit people’s viewpoints or worldviews.[33] The truth is simple, we are all sinners and Jesus came to offer salvation from being condemned.[34]
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
[Text parallels Matthew 8:2-4 and Luke 5:12-16]
1:40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
A leper came to Jesus and implored Him to heal his leprosy. Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and responded by saying, “I will…be clean,” the man was instantly healed.[35] He was then sternly told not to say anything about this healing to anyone.[36] Jesus further instructed that he was to present himself to a priest for examination along with the appropriate offering as the law required (see Leviticus chapter 14).
The healed man apparently could not keep his cleansing a secret and enthusiastically spoke about it to others. The news about Jesus and His ability to heal spread quickly, to the point He could no longer enter a town without a large crowd forming. Even though He remained in the wilderness, people still came out to Him from all directions.
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[1] Strong’s Greek 2098.
[2] Strong’s Greek 5547.
[3] Metzger, B. M., United Bible Societies. (1994). A textual commentary on the Greek New Testament, second edition a companion volume to the United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament (4th rev. ed.) (p. 62). London; New York: United Bible Societies.
[4] See also Considerations under Matthew 3:11-12 "Prepare."
[5] See commentary under Matthew 3:4-5.
[6] See commentary under Matthew 3:4-5.
[7] See also commentary and Considerations under Matthew 3:11-12 "Baptism by Fire."
[8] See Considerations under Matthew 3:11-12 for "Prophetic Text Overview No. 6."
[9] See Considerations under Matthew 11:18-19 for "Prophetic Text Overview No. 9."
[10] Strong’s Greek 4977.
[11] Strong’s Greek 1544.
[12] Strong’s Greek 2117.
[13] See Considerations under Matthew 3:11-12 “Kingdom of Heaven.”
[14] See commentary under Matthew 4:18-20.
[15] See Considerations under Matthew 4:23-25 regarding "Synagogues."
[16] See commentary and Considerations under Matthew 8:28-34 regarding "Demons."
[17] See Considerations under Matthew 9:27-31 titled “Tell No One.”
[18] See commentary under Matthew 10:5-15.
[19] See Considerations under Matthew 14:28-33 “Jesus Praying.”
[20] See Considerations under Matthew 8:28-34 “Demons.”
[21] See commentary under Matthew 5:1.
[22] See “The Problem of Sin” under “What is a Gospel” in the Introduction.
[23] See commentary under Matthew 5:17-18.
[24] See commentary under Matthew 10:34-39.
[25] See commentary under Mark 2:15-17.
[26] See commentary under Mark 10:35-45.
[27] See commentary under Luke 4:16-19.
[28] See commentary under John 3:16-18.
[29] See commentary under John 6:35-40.
[30] See commentary under John 9:35-41.
[31] See commentary under John 12:27-31.
[32] See commentary under John 12:44-50.
[33] See Considerations under Matthew 18:5-6 "What is a Wordview?"
[34] See commentary under John 18:36-37 and the Considerations under John 18:38-40 "Truth Revisited."
[35] See commentary under Matthew 8:1-4.
[36] See Considerations under Matthew 9:27-31 “Tell No One.”