Mark
1:1-13
Lesson 63
1:1-13
Lesson 63
The Gospel According to St. Mark:
"Christ, the Servant."
Authorship:
Mark, the shortest of the four Gospels, was written in Rome by John Mark (also called Mark or Marcus) approximately twenty-five years after the crucifixion but before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Although Mark was not one of the original twelve disciples, he almost certainly knew Jesus personally. Some scholars believe that the unnamed young man fleeing Gethsemane naked during Jesus' arrest was Mark (Mark 14:51-52).
Mark was a converted Jew, a cousin to Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), and the son of Mary, who turned her home into a Christian meeting place (Acts 12:12). He accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 12:25; 13:5) but fell out of favor with Paul when he left the mission early to return home to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Paul's disappointment in Mark created a rift between Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:36-40). Mark later regained Paul's confidence (2 Timothy 4:11) and stood beside Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome (Philemon 1:23-24). John Mark visited numerous countries witnessing and wrote "The Gospel According to Mark," probably while in Rome when the persecution of Christians was on the rise. He also traveled with and was like a son to the apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:13). Many Bible scholars believe Mark was also Peter's interpreter and was with him when "The First Epistle General of Peter" was written. It is believed that Mark was a Roman citizen and that he founded the church in Alexandra where he died during the eighth year of the Roman emperor Nero's reign.
Purpose and Theme:
"The Gospel According to St. Mark" concentrates on Jesus' Galilean ministry (as does Matthew and Luke) and was written to show the world that Jesus was their servant and the true Messiah. Perhaps Mark 10:45 sums up the theme of this entire gospel.
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
In other words, Jesus didn't come to be served. He came to be a servant freeing mankind from their sins with His blood. While the "Gospel According to St. Matthew" was written for an immediate audience of Jews, Mark was written for Gentiles. This is repeatedly demonstrated in verses 3:17; 5:41; 7:3-4; 7:11; 7:34; 14:36; 15:22; 15:34 and 15:42 when Mark translates Aramaic for his readers or explains Hebrew terms and customs. Something he wouldn't have to do for Jewish readers. "The Gospel According to St. Mark" is a fast-paced account of Jesus' ministry hitting on the highlights. Mark skips the entire birth of Christ and starts with His baptism. As you read, notice that the focus of Mark's Gospel is on the actions of Jesus more than His words.
Mark, the shortest of the four Gospels, was written in Rome by John Mark (also called Mark or Marcus) approximately twenty-five years after the crucifixion but before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Although Mark was not one of the original twelve disciples, he almost certainly knew Jesus personally. Some scholars believe that the unnamed young man fleeing Gethsemane naked during Jesus' arrest was Mark (Mark 14:51-52).
Mark was a converted Jew, a cousin to Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), and the son of Mary, who turned her home into a Christian meeting place (Acts 12:12). He accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 12:25; 13:5) but fell out of favor with Paul when he left the mission early to return home to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Paul's disappointment in Mark created a rift between Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:36-40). Mark later regained Paul's confidence (2 Timothy 4:11) and stood beside Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome (Philemon 1:23-24). John Mark visited numerous countries witnessing and wrote "The Gospel According to Mark," probably while in Rome when the persecution of Christians was on the rise. He also traveled with and was like a son to the apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:13). Many Bible scholars believe Mark was also Peter's interpreter and was with him when "The First Epistle General of Peter" was written. It is believed that Mark was a Roman citizen and that he founded the church in Alexandra where he died during the eighth year of the Roman emperor Nero's reign.
Purpose and Theme:
"The Gospel According to St. Mark" concentrates on Jesus' Galilean ministry (as does Matthew and Luke) and was written to show the world that Jesus was their servant and the true Messiah. Perhaps Mark 10:45 sums up the theme of this entire gospel.
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
In other words, Jesus didn't come to be served. He came to be a servant freeing mankind from their sins with His blood. While the "Gospel According to St. Matthew" was written for an immediate audience of Jews, Mark was written for Gentiles. This is repeatedly demonstrated in verses 3:17; 5:41; 7:3-4; 7:11; 7:34; 14:36; 15:22; 15:34 and 15:42 when Mark translates Aramaic for his readers or explains Hebrew terms and customs. Something he wouldn't have to do for Jewish readers. "The Gospel According to St. Mark" is a fast-paced account of Jesus' ministry hitting on the highlights. Mark skips the entire birth of Christ and starts with His baptism. As you read, notice that the focus of Mark's Gospel is on the actions of Jesus more than His words.
Mark is broken down into three parts:
1) Jesus the servant (1:1-9:1) - John the Baptist; The Galilean ministry begins (1:14); The ministry to Jews; The ministry to Gentiles.
2) Jesus the sacrifice (9:2-15:47) - The Transfiguration; Final trip to Jerusalem (10:1-52); The arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
3) Jesus the victor (16:1-20) - The resurrection; Conclusion.
1) Jesus the servant (1:1-9:1) - John the Baptist; The Galilean ministry begins (1:14); The ministry to Jews; The ministry to Gentiles.
2) Jesus the sacrifice (9:2-15:47) - The Transfiguration; Final trip to Jerusalem (10:1-52); The arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
3) Jesus the victor (16:1-20) - The resurrection; Conclusion.
Study Tip:
As you read, think of ways to apply each biblical teaching into your life.
As you read, think of ways to apply each biblical teaching into your life.
Who was -
John the Baptist -
John the Baptist was the son of the Jewish priest Zacharias and mother Elizabeth (Luke 1:8-13; 3:2). Elizabeth was the Virgin Mary's cousin (Luke 1:34-36), thus making John and Jesus distant cousins. John was a prophet of the Old Covenant sent by God to preach repentance (Matthew 3:2), to bridge the gap between the Old and New Testaments, and to prepare "the way" for the Messiah's arrival (Luke 1:17), a mission so important it is mentioned in all four Gospels (Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:2-5; Luke 3:4-11; John 1:19-27). Jesus said there was never a person born greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11). John was the first prophet in four hundred years and a lifetime Nazarite. To honor God, Nazarite Jews made religious offerings, took periodic vows not to drink alcohol, cut their hair, and to avoid contact with the dead. These vows lasted anywhere from thirty to one hundred days. Three men were under lifetime Nazarite vows, Samson (Judges 13:2-7), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11) and John (Luke 1:15). All three were set aside by God to perform extraordinary missions. John's mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah, as prophesied in Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6. He was eventually beheaded by King Herod Antipas for denouncing Herod's marriage to his niece and brothers ex-wife, Herodias, and other sins (Luke 3:19-20). To learn more about Nazarite vows read Numbers 6:1-21.
Satan -
The name Satan means "adversary." He is a real figure, a fallen angel who roams the earth (Job 2:2) continuously working against mankind (Ephesians 6:12). We first met Satan when he tested Job's faith (Job 1:6-12) in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus denounced Satan as "a murderer" and called him "the wicked one" (Matthew 13:19) who lives "not in the truth, because there is no truth in him...He is a liar" (John 8:44). Satan is the lord of evil, "the prince of this world" (John 12:31), "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2), "the tempter" (1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), and the enemy of mankind (Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 5:8) who convinced Judas to betray Jesus (John 13:26-27) and constantly strives to get the better of us (2 Corinthians 2:11). You can read how Satan tempted Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11.
John the Baptist -
John the Baptist was the son of the Jewish priest Zacharias and mother Elizabeth (Luke 1:8-13; 3:2). Elizabeth was the Virgin Mary's cousin (Luke 1:34-36), thus making John and Jesus distant cousins. John was a prophet of the Old Covenant sent by God to preach repentance (Matthew 3:2), to bridge the gap between the Old and New Testaments, and to prepare "the way" for the Messiah's arrival (Luke 1:17), a mission so important it is mentioned in all four Gospels (Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:2-5; Luke 3:4-11; John 1:19-27). Jesus said there was never a person born greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11). John was the first prophet in four hundred years and a lifetime Nazarite. To honor God, Nazarite Jews made religious offerings, took periodic vows not to drink alcohol, cut their hair, and to avoid contact with the dead. These vows lasted anywhere from thirty to one hundred days. Three men were under lifetime Nazarite vows, Samson (Judges 13:2-7), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11) and John (Luke 1:15). All three were set aside by God to perform extraordinary missions. John's mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah, as prophesied in Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6. He was eventually beheaded by King Herod Antipas for denouncing Herod's marriage to his niece and brothers ex-wife, Herodias, and other sins (Luke 3:19-20). To learn more about Nazarite vows read Numbers 6:1-21.
Satan -
The name Satan means "adversary." He is a real figure, a fallen angel who roams the earth (Job 2:2) continuously working against mankind (Ephesians 6:12). We first met Satan when he tested Job's faith (Job 1:6-12) in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus denounced Satan as "a murderer" and called him "the wicked one" (Matthew 13:19) who lives "not in the truth, because there is no truth in him...He is a liar" (John 8:44). Satan is the lord of evil, "the prince of this world" (John 12:31), "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2), "the tempter" (1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), and the enemy of mankind (Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 5:8) who convinced Judas to betray Jesus (John 13:26-27) and constantly strives to get the better of us (2 Corinthians 2:11). You can read how Satan tempted Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11.
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
|
Mark: 1:1-13
Jesus is baptized and tested 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; 7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. 9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. |
Margin notes:
"The gospel of Jesus Christ." (1:1) - Means, "the good news of Jesus Christ." "Christ." (1:1) - From the Greek word Christos meaning "Messiah" "anointed one." "I send my messenger before thy face." (1:2) - This is a paraphrase from Malachi 3:1, meaning, "I send my messenger ahead of you." As stated above, that messenger was John the Baptist and his job was to announce the coming of Jesus Christ. "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (1:3) - This is a paraphrase from Isaiah 40:3, written almost seven hundred years before the birth of Christ. The second half of the book of Isaiah (including this verse) speaks of God's promise of salvation and predicts the coming of John the Baptist and the Messiah. To "make his paths straight" is a call for people to repent. "John did baptize." (1:4) - As prophesized by his father years earlier Luke 1:76-77). "For the remission of sins." (1:4) - "For the forgiveness of sins." "Jerusalem." (1:5) - Hebrew for "foundation of Shalem" (peace). Jerusalem is also called Mount Zion, David's city, or the Holy City. Jerusalem is located fourteen miles west of the Dead Sea and thirty-three miles east of the Mediterranean and sits in the Judaean Mountains approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. Surrounded by valleys on three sides, Jerusalem dominated the area and in Jesus' time was the epicenter of Jewish life, government, and religion. The ancestral home of Israel's King David, ancient Egyptian texts mention the city going back to the 19th century B.C. It is first mentioned in the Bible under the name Salem (Genesis 14:18) and is first called Jerusalem in Joshua 10:1. The original city covered only about eight acres but was constantly being rebuilt and expanded. Many early Christians had to flee Jerusalem or face persecution. Through the centuries Jerusalem has been occupied by Assyria, Egypt, Babylon (2 Kings 25), Persia, Greece, and Rome (who destroyed the city and murdered its citizens in 70 A.D.). Rome then rebuilt the city, renamed it Colonia Aelia Capitolina, banned Jews, and constructed a temple to the pagan god Jupiter. In 614 A. D., the Persians captured the city and again Jerusalem's citizens were killed. The European Crusaders occupied Jerusalem in 1099 and later the Turks. Today, Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and holds religious significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. "Judaea." (1:5) - Also called Judea, it is the southern area of Palestine covering approximately two thousand square miles from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. It is almost fifty percent desert. Jerusalem and Bethlehem are in Judea. "The river of Jordan." (1:5) - The Jordan River lies approximately twenty miles east of Jerusalem and is about seventy miles long. It flows from the Sea of Galilee south to the Dead Sea. "John was clothed with camel's hair." (1:6) - John dressed as a poor person, similar to the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). "A girdle of a skin about his loins." (1:6) - "A leather belt around his waist." "Nazareth." (1:9) - Jesus' hometown, Nazareth was a small city (population 18,000) in Galilee (Luke 1:26) located approximately seventy-five miles north of Jerusalem and fourteen miles west of the Sea of Galilee along the southern ridges of Lebanon. The main road between Egypt and Asia passed by Nazareth and brought many travelers and tradesmen. In Jesus' day, the people of Nazareth were considered second class citizens and looked down on (John 1:46). Although Jesus was raised in Nazareth (Matthew 2:21-23; Mark 1:9), its citizens rejected Him (Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-4) and tried to throw Him from a cliff (Luke 4:22-30). "Straightway coming up out of the water." (1:10) - "Immediately coming out of the water." "The spirit driveth him into the wilderness." (1:12) - "The spirit drove (led) him into the wilderness." "Tempted of Satan." (1:13) - "Tested by Satan." To learn how Satan tested Jesus, read Matthew 4:1-11. "The angels ministered unto him." (1:13) - "The angels helped Him." |
Read more about the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:1-17 (lesson four); Luke 3:1-22; and John 1:19-34.
New Living Translation
Mark: 1:1-13
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
2 It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written:
"Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way.
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
'Prepare the way for the Lord's coming!
Clear the road for him!'"
4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
5 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am-so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.
8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"
The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.
10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11 And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy."
12 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness,
13 where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
2 It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written:
"Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way.
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
'Prepare the way for the Lord's coming!
Clear the road for him!'"
4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
5 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am-so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.
8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"
The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.
10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11 And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy."
12 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness,
13 where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Today's Question:
1. Did Jesus need to be baptized to have the Holy Spirit in Him? (1:9)
Read your Bible daily to strengthen your relationship with God.
1. Did Jesus need to be baptized to have the Holy Spirit in Him? (1:9)
Read your Bible daily to strengthen your relationship with God.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. No, Jesus was without sin and didn't need to repent or ask for forgiveness. But by being baptized Jesus connected
Himself with sinful mankind as He began His mission on earth. It was the perfect way to open His message of salvation.
Gospel stories unique to Mark:
The parable of the growing seed.............................4:26-29
A deaf man with a speech impediment is healed...7:31-37
A blind man sees.......................................................8:22-26
The parable of the absent householder..................13:32-37
Application thought for the day:
Re-read the first verse of Mark (1:1). Notice the words "the gospel" of " Jesus Christ" and "the Son of God." The Gospel (the good news) of Jesus Christ (anointed one), the Son of God (the Messiah, the Savior). Spend the day thinking about the meaning and truth packed into these few words.
1. No, Jesus was without sin and didn't need to repent or ask for forgiveness. But by being baptized Jesus connected
Himself with sinful mankind as He began His mission on earth. It was the perfect way to open His message of salvation.
Gospel stories unique to Mark:
The parable of the growing seed.............................4:26-29
A deaf man with a speech impediment is healed...7:31-37
A blind man sees.......................................................8:22-26
The parable of the absent householder..................13:32-37
Application thought for the day:
Re-read the first verse of Mark (1:1). Notice the words "the gospel" of " Jesus Christ" and "the Son of God." The Gospel (the good news) of Jesus Christ (anointed one), the Son of God (the Messiah, the Savior). Spend the day thinking about the meaning and truth packed into these few words.
Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke