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In this lesson:
A year has passed since Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (lesson 63). Since then, Jesus turned water into wine at Cana (John 2:1-11), cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem (John 2:13-17), healed a nobleman's son (John 4:46-54), and preached in the lower Jordan for eight months. Now, Jesus chooses His first four disciples (1:16-20). The first miracle in Capernaum, casting out demons (1:21-27). The Messiah's fame spreads (1:28). Study Tip: When you come across a critical verse, write it down, memorize it, and ponder its meaning. |
Simon Peter and his brother Andrew are called by Jesus
By the British painter Simon Dewey |
Who was -
Simon -
This is Jesus' disciple Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1), also called simply Peter, or Simeon (Acts 15:14), Simon (Matthew 10:2), or Simon Bar-jona (Matthew 16:17) meaning Simon son of Jonah (Matthew 1:42). The Greek translation for Peter is Petros (meaning rock), the Aramaic is Cephas (John 1:42), and the Latin is Petrus.
Peter, the oldest of the twelve disciples, was born a Jew in Bethsaida (John 1:44) on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. His father, Jonah, was also called Jona or Jonas (John 21:15-17), and his younger brother was the disciple Andrew (John 1:40; 6:8). Peter was a simple fisherman in Capernaum (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16) and partnered with James and John (Luke 5:10) when he met Jesus. Bold but uneducated (Acts 4:13), Peter (and Andrew) were the first disciples (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18) and became part of Jesus' inner circle. Jesus used Peter's home as His base whenever He was in Galilee.
Peter wrote the First and Second Epistles of Peter (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1), walked on water (Matthew 14:28-31), performed the miracle at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1-10), witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18), the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42), and Jesus praying in Gethsemane Garden as He waited for the mob to come and arrest Him (Mark 14:32-34). It was Peter who drew a sword to prevent Jesus' arrest (John 18:10-13). Yet within hours, he denied knowing the Messiah three times (Matthew 26:69-75; John 18:15-27). After the crucifixion, Peter became the rock on which Jesus built His church (Matthew 16:16-19) and helped spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. Whenever the Bible lists the twelve disciples/apostles, Peter is always listed first (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19), and Roman Catholics call him their first Pope. Peter was married (Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38) and brought his wife (Concordia) on his missionary journeys (1 Corinthians 9:5).
Although Jesus told Peter he would be crucified when he "shalt be old" (John 21:18-19), the Bible gives us no details of his death. However, the Christian writers Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (AD 160-220) and Origen Adamantius (AD 185-254) report that Peter was crucified upside down by Nero in Rome circa AD 70, three years after writing 2 Peter. An unverified tradition claims that Peter's wife, Concordia, was also martyred for her faith.
Andrew -
Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist (John 1:40) when he met Jesus and became one of the original twelve disciples. Born in Bethsaida (John 1:44), Andrew was the son of Jonah (also called Jona or Jonas) and the younger brother of Simon Peter (John 6:8). He and Peter were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee when called by Jesus (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18). It is said that Andrew was crucified in Achaia for refusing to worship pagan gods.
James -
Another of the original twelve disciples. James was the son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21; 10:2, Mark 1:19; Luke 5:10) and Salome (Mary's sister), Jesus' cousin, and older brother of the disciple John. Born into a wealthy family, James was a fisherman and a partner with Peter (Luke 5:10) when Jesus called and made him part of His inner circle (along with Peter and John). James was allowed to witness the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36), the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42; Luke 8:49-55), and Jesus praying in Gethsemane as He waited to be arrested (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:32-34). Jesus nicknamed James and his brother John the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17) and predicted that James would meet a bloody end (Matthew 20:23; Mark 10:38-39). Sure enough, James was the first of the twelve apostles to die (not counting Judas). He was killed by King Herod Agrippa as documented in Acts 12:1-2.
Zebedee -
Zebedee was the father of James and John (who Jesus nicknamed "The sons of thunder"). Married to Mary's sister Salome, Zebedee was a Galilean fisherman from Capernaum and Jesus' uncle. Since he owned two boats and had "hired servants" (Mark 1:20), we know he was a man of some means.
John -
The youngest of the original twelve disciples, John was the son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21-22; 10:2; Mark 1:19-20; 10:35; Luke 5:10-11) and Salome. He was the younger brother of the disciple James (Matthew 10:2), and a fisherman when called by Jesus. John's mother, Salome, and the Virgin Mary were sisters, making Jesus and John's cousin. John was a Jew, born in Palestine (Bethsaida) into a wealthy family. John was well-connected, knew the high priest (John 18:15), and captained a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. He believed that John the Baptist was "sent from God" (John 1:6) to pave the way for Jesus. Once he met Jesus, John forsook his wealth, connections, and position to follow the Messiah. Jesus nicknamed John and his brother James the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; and 21:20 refer to him as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," quite an honor. John is often called the "Apostle of love" for his empathy toward his fellow believers. In his writings, he routinely calls Christians "my dear children" (1 John 2:1). Along with Peter and James, John was part of Jesus' inner circle. He sat next to Jesus, leaning on Him at the Last Supper (John 13:23), and was allowed to witness the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42), Jesus praying in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-34), and the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36). Unlike the other disciples who ran and hid when Jesus was arrested, John followed Jesus to Calvary, watched the crucifixion, and stayed by Jesus' side until the end. While dying on the cross, Jesus turned over His mother's care to John (John 19:26-27). After the crucifixion, John became a driving force for Christianity. Bold yet uneducated (Acts 4:13), John wrote "The Gospel According to St. John," the Three Epistles of John, and the prophetic "The Revelation of John the Divine." Late in life, the Romans exiled John to the island of Patmos, a Roman penal colony in the Aegean Sea, for preaching the word of God (Revelation 1:9). The Romans eventually freed John and he died an old man around AD 98 in Ephesus. But what a life John led. He traveled with Jesus, saw the miracles, heard the sermons, and witnessed the Messiah's suffering, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension. He was the last of the original twelve disciples to die and the only one to die a natural death.
Simon -
This is Jesus' disciple Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1), also called simply Peter, or Simeon (Acts 15:14), Simon (Matthew 10:2), or Simon Bar-jona (Matthew 16:17) meaning Simon son of Jonah (Matthew 1:42). The Greek translation for Peter is Petros (meaning rock), the Aramaic is Cephas (John 1:42), and the Latin is Petrus.
Peter, the oldest of the twelve disciples, was born a Jew in Bethsaida (John 1:44) on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. His father, Jonah, was also called Jona or Jonas (John 21:15-17), and his younger brother was the disciple Andrew (John 1:40; 6:8). Peter was a simple fisherman in Capernaum (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16) and partnered with James and John (Luke 5:10) when he met Jesus. Bold but uneducated (Acts 4:13), Peter (and Andrew) were the first disciples (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18) and became part of Jesus' inner circle. Jesus used Peter's home as His base whenever He was in Galilee.
Peter wrote the First and Second Epistles of Peter (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1), walked on water (Matthew 14:28-31), performed the miracle at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1-10), witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18), the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42), and Jesus praying in Gethsemane Garden as He waited for the mob to come and arrest Him (Mark 14:32-34). It was Peter who drew a sword to prevent Jesus' arrest (John 18:10-13). Yet within hours, he denied knowing the Messiah three times (Matthew 26:69-75; John 18:15-27). After the crucifixion, Peter became the rock on which Jesus built His church (Matthew 16:16-19) and helped spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. Whenever the Bible lists the twelve disciples/apostles, Peter is always listed first (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19), and Roman Catholics call him their first Pope. Peter was married (Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38) and brought his wife (Concordia) on his missionary journeys (1 Corinthians 9:5).
Although Jesus told Peter he would be crucified when he "shalt be old" (John 21:18-19), the Bible gives us no details of his death. However, the Christian writers Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (AD 160-220) and Origen Adamantius (AD 185-254) report that Peter was crucified upside down by Nero in Rome circa AD 70, three years after writing 2 Peter. An unverified tradition claims that Peter's wife, Concordia, was also martyred for her faith.
Andrew -
Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist (John 1:40) when he met Jesus and became one of the original twelve disciples. Born in Bethsaida (John 1:44), Andrew was the son of Jonah (also called Jona or Jonas) and the younger brother of Simon Peter (John 6:8). He and Peter were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee when called by Jesus (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18). It is said that Andrew was crucified in Achaia for refusing to worship pagan gods.
James -
Another of the original twelve disciples. James was the son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21; 10:2, Mark 1:19; Luke 5:10) and Salome (Mary's sister), Jesus' cousin, and older brother of the disciple John. Born into a wealthy family, James was a fisherman and a partner with Peter (Luke 5:10) when Jesus called and made him part of His inner circle (along with Peter and John). James was allowed to witness the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36), the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42; Luke 8:49-55), and Jesus praying in Gethsemane as He waited to be arrested (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:32-34). Jesus nicknamed James and his brother John the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17) and predicted that James would meet a bloody end (Matthew 20:23; Mark 10:38-39). Sure enough, James was the first of the twelve apostles to die (not counting Judas). He was killed by King Herod Agrippa as documented in Acts 12:1-2.
Zebedee -
Zebedee was the father of James and John (who Jesus nicknamed "The sons of thunder"). Married to Mary's sister Salome, Zebedee was a Galilean fisherman from Capernaum and Jesus' uncle. Since he owned two boats and had "hired servants" (Mark 1:20), we know he was a man of some means.
John -
The youngest of the original twelve disciples, John was the son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21-22; 10:2; Mark 1:19-20; 10:35; Luke 5:10-11) and Salome. He was the younger brother of the disciple James (Matthew 10:2), and a fisherman when called by Jesus. John's mother, Salome, and the Virgin Mary were sisters, making Jesus and John's cousin. John was a Jew, born in Palestine (Bethsaida) into a wealthy family. John was well-connected, knew the high priest (John 18:15), and captained a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. He believed that John the Baptist was "sent from God" (John 1:6) to pave the way for Jesus. Once he met Jesus, John forsook his wealth, connections, and position to follow the Messiah. Jesus nicknamed John and his brother James the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; and 21:20 refer to him as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," quite an honor. John is often called the "Apostle of love" for his empathy toward his fellow believers. In his writings, he routinely calls Christians "my dear children" (1 John 2:1). Along with Peter and James, John was part of Jesus' inner circle. He sat next to Jesus, leaning on Him at the Last Supper (John 13:23), and was allowed to witness the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42), Jesus praying in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-34), and the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36). Unlike the other disciples who ran and hid when Jesus was arrested, John followed Jesus to Calvary, watched the crucifixion, and stayed by Jesus' side until the end. While dying on the cross, Jesus turned over His mother's care to John (John 19:26-27). After the crucifixion, John became a driving force for Christianity. Bold yet uneducated (Acts 4:13), John wrote "The Gospel According to St. John," the Three Epistles of John, and the prophetic "The Revelation of John the Divine." Late in life, the Romans exiled John to the island of Patmos, a Roman penal colony in the Aegean Sea, for preaching the word of God (Revelation 1:9). The Romans eventually freed John and he died an old man around AD 98 in Ephesus. But what a life John led. He traveled with Jesus, saw the miracles, heard the sermons, and witnessed the Messiah's suffering, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension. He was the last of the original twelve disciples to die and the only one to die a natural death.
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Mark: 1:14-28
The ministry begins 14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. 21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. |
Margin notes:
"John was put in prison." (1:14) - John the Baptist was arrested for condemning King Herod's incestuous relationship with his niece, Herodias. Herod eventually had John beheaded (Mark 6:21-29). "Jesus came into Galilee." (1:14) - This is Jesus' first trip in Galilee. Read also Matthew 4:12-17. "Sea of Galilee." (1:16) - Also called the Sea of Chinnereth (Numbers 34:11; Joshua 12:3; 13:27), Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1), or The Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1; 21:1). The Sea of Galilee is a large freshwater lake, thirteen miles long, seven miles wide, and 150 feet deep. At 680 feet below sea level, it is the world's lowest freshwater lake. In New Testament times, the Sea of Galilee was surrounded by approximately thirty fishing villages. Fisherman caught, salted, and dried fish for shipment throughout the Roman empire. The Sea of Galilee was the primary source of fresh water for the area and supported a broad agricultural base and other industries such as boat manufacturing and tanning. It sits in a basin surrounded by mountains and suffers many unexpected storms. According to "Matthew, the Life Change Series," (Published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; pg. 65), "Cool air from the Mediterranean is drawn down through the narrow mountain passes and clashes with the hot, humid air lying over the lake" causing storms that sometimes include twenty-foot waves. "And straightway they forsook their nets." (1:18) - Means "And immediately they left their fishing nets" (to follow Jesus). "Capernaum." (1:21) - Capernaum (meaning village of Nahum) was a large city on the north-west shore of the Sea of Galilee and the hometown of several disciples. Located on the main highway from Damascus to Acco and Tyre, Capernaum was a bustling center of commerce. It also boasted a thriving fishing industry. A customs station (Matthew 9:9; 17:24; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27) and a large contingent of Roman soldiers were stationed in Capernaum, and the city became famous for its moral excesses. The disciple Peter owned a house in Capernaum, and Jesus made it His center of operations while in Galilee (as prophesied in Isaiah 9:1-2 and discussed in Matthew 4:13-16). From Capernaum, Jesus travelled all over Galilee, teaching and performing miracles. Because its citizens witnessed many of Jesus' miracles (Matthew 8:14-16; Mark 1:30-34; Luke 4:38-41) yet still rejected Him, Jesus denounced Capernaum in Matthew 10:15, 11:23, and Luke 10:15. Its ancient ruins have been excavated near the modern-day town of Tel Hum. Among the ruins are the remains of a synagogue unearthed in 1905 by a German archeology team. It could be the same synagogue built by the Roman centurion who begged Jesus for a miracle in Matthew 8:5-8 and Luke 7:1-10. "Synagogue." (1:21) - Jewish place of prayer, worship, and teaching (Mark 1:21; 6:2; Luke 6:6; 13:10). Members of the congregation and even out-of- town visitors could teach or speak to the assembly on the Sabbath. "They were astonished at his doctrine." (1:22) - People were amazed and dumbfounded by Jesus' teachings. This was not the only time Jesus astonished His audience (Matthew 7:28; Mark 1:27) "Scribes." (1:22) - Often called "doctors of the law" (Luke 5:17), teachers, or "lawyer" (Matthew 22:35; Luke 7:30; 10:25), scribes were experts on Jewish Law and the Old Testament prophecies. Predominantly Pharisees (one of four Jewish sects), scribes made copies of the Scriptures, interpreted Mosaic Law, taught Judaism, and helped settle religious disputes. Scribes and Pharisees were the spiritual leaders of Israel. They were highly regarded in Jewish society, to the point where "If a man's father and teacher (scribe) have lost anything, the teacher's loss should have the precedence - i.e., he must first be assisted in recovering it - the burden of a teacher is to be born in preference to that of a father, a teacher must be ransomed from captivity before one's own father." (From "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; page 981). Scribes often found meaning in the Mosaic Law that wasn't there. They obscured Scripture with their questionable interpretations and burdened the Jewish people with unnecessary religious rites, ceremonies, and legalisms that hindered their spiritual journey. Scribes should have recognized Jesus as the Messiah, but instead they tried to entrap Him (Luke 11:52-54). Jesus condemned them as hypocrites (Luke 11:44). "Unclean spirit." (1:23) - An evil spirit or demon. Demons are fallen angels allied with Satan. According to verse 1:24, Matthew 8:29, Mark 1:24, 1:34, 3:11, 5:7, and Luke 8:27-28, demons know full well who Jesus is. They also believe in God (James 2:19). "Hold thy peace." (1:25) - Means "Be quiet." "When the unclean spirit had torn him." (1:26) - "After the demon had convulsed him." |
You can read two additional accounts of Jesus calling His first four disciples in Matthew 4:18-22 and Luke 5:1-11. You can also learn more about the healing of the demoniac in Luke 4:31-37.
New Living Translation
Mark: 1:14-28
14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God's Good News.
15 "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
The First Disciples
16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.
17 Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!"
18 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee's sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets.
20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit
21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach.
22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority-quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
23 Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting,
24 "Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One sent from God!"
25 Jesus cut him short. "Be quiet! Come out of the man," he ordered.
26 At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.
27 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!"
28 The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.
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."
14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God's Good News.
15 "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
The First Disciples
16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.
17 Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!"
18 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee's sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets.
20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit
21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach.
22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority-quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
23 Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting,
24 "Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One sent from God!"
25 Jesus cut him short. "Be quiet! Come out of the man," he ordered.
26 At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.
27 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!"
28 The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.
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."
Key verses from this passage
"And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." (1:17)
"And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes." (1:22)
"And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him." (1:27)
"And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes." (1:22)
"And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him." (1:27)
Today's Questions:
1. What does "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" mean? (1:15)
2. Did the demon know who Jesus was? (1:24)
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1. What does "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" mean? (1:15)
2. Did the demon know who Jesus was? (1:24)
Know anyone interested in a Free Bible course? Please share our link with them: The Free Bible Lessons Center - Home.
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. Although short, verse 1:15 is long on meaning.
"The time is fulfilled" means that God's divine plan laid out centuries earlier in the Old Testament and prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 2:44), was about to be implemented. The Messiah had arrived to save mankind from sin.
"The kingdom of God is at hand" means that God's kingdom of grace would soon destroy sin and reign in its place.
"Repent ye" is a straightforward instruction if we want to be part of God's kingdom. The word repent is a translation of the Greek verb "metanoeo," which means to change your mind. To repent is to regret, be penitent, to turn away from, be remorseful, to atone, and ask forgiveness. To repent is to humble ourselves and admit that our past questionable thoughts and actions were wrong, and agree to change the direction of our lives.
"Believe the gospel" is another explicit instruction for us to follow. The word Gospel means "good news," and refers to Jesus Christ. Let Jesus into your life and believe in his death and resurrection. Read the Bible and trust its message.
2. Yes, the demon knew who Jesus was and openly called Him "the Holy One of God" in front of the crowd (1:24). As indicated in the "Margin Notes" above, this was not the only devil who recognized Jesus and acknowledged His power to destroy evil. Isn't it strange that while many deny Christ, demons instantly recognize Jesus and His authority?
Application thought for the day:
James and John left their home and a profitable family business to follow Jesus. Not everyone is asked to make such a hard choice. Most believers are asked to make modest sacrifices for their faith. If the disciples can give up everything and risk their lives to travel with the Messiah, can't we spread the Gospel of Jesus from the comfort of our homes and neighborhoods? Who do you know who is ready to hear God's holy message?
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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; "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; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Reader's Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible," published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version, published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament," published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation," published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; 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; "The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; 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