Mark—The Beginning Of The Gospel
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 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. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 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. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of Jesus
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 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. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
The Temptation of Jesus
The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 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.
Jesus Begins His Ministry
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
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. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 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. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 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.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Mark 1:1-28
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 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. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 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. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of Jesus
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 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. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
The Temptation of Jesus
The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 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.
Jesus Begins His Ministry
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
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. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 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. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 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.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Mark 1:1-28
The Gospel
Mark is vibrant, full of action, and terse; this Gospel emphasizes both the deeds of Jesus of Nazareth and people's responses to him. Mark opens with an announcement of good news: Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God—but not in the way that most people expect. He will not be a military leader; he will not crush the Romans and set up a Jewish state. Jesus the Messiah will seem utterly defeated before he wins, but he is God's Son, and he will carry out his Father's work.
The Baptist And The Baptism
The coming of John the Baptist is indeed a realization of Old Testament prophecy. Malachi 3:1 foretells that he will clear the way for our Lord, while Isaiah 40:3 discloses his wilderness sermon, which calls on people to get ready for Christ's arrival. The messenger's statement hints at how massive and life-changing this momentous event would be (1:15). By presenting the OT prophecies about the forerunner in verses 1:1–3, it is clear that John the Baptist meets these Biblical expectations through his actions (1:4–6) and words (1:7–8). Every detail of John's life and ministry declares that God is fulfilling His plan to send a Savior into the world.
The anticipation of the OT was fulfilled by the forerunner, proving that God's plan to bring Christ into our world is being realized (1:1-8). Further evidence at Jesus' baptism included both a descent of the Spirit and an audible identification from the Father. This affirmation serves as undeniable authenticity for His divine mission on earth. Jesus’ baptism not only provides evidence but also sets the stage for His future ministry.
The anticipation of the OT was fulfilled by the forerunner, proving that God's plan to bring Christ into our world is being realized (1:1-8). Further evidence at Jesus' baptism included both a descent of the Spirit and an audible identification from the Father. This affirmation serves as undeniable authenticity for His divine mission on earth. Jesus’ baptism not only provides evidence but also sets the stage for His future ministry.
Temptation
Jesus' journey into the wilderness, sent by the Holy Spirit (Matt 4:1), reinforces the notion that this trial was part of God's plan (1:12). It could not be more distinct from Adam's temptation—Jesus was tested for forty days in a barren land compared to Adam who endured only a brief moment in paradise. Jesus faced similar temptations to those of Adam, with animals and angels alike participating in the scene (Matt 1:13; Gen 2:19; 3:24). This temptation was essential for Jesus' role as Redeemer. Christ proved Himself superior to the first Adam by resisting temptation while still alive and bringing life rather than death, like His predecessor (Romans 5:17).
Authority And Power
Mark emphasizes Christ's compassionate nature through His urgent missional activity. Jesus calls His disciples and explains that he will make them "fishers of men." Isaiah 52:7 foretold a glorious missional movement that was fulfilled by Jesus Himself. Christ's authority is demonstrated through his words and actions (1:22,27). Jesus taught with authority which was different from the scribes and shows the power of His ministry by curing a demon-possessed man. Humanity is oppressed by—these spiritual entities due to the original fall from grace (Gen 3:1-6; Eph 2: 1-3; 6:12-16.) However, Jesus has authority over them—he has come to save his people.
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