Mark
1:14-28
Lesson 64
1:14-28
Lesson 64
In this lesson:
A year has passed since Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (lesson 63).
Jesus chooses the first four disciples.
The first preaching.
The first healing.
The Messiah's fame spreads.
A year has passed since Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (lesson 63).
Jesus chooses the first four disciples.
The first preaching.
The first healing.
The Messiah's fame spreads.
Simon, Peter, and Andrew are called by Jesus.
Study Tip:
When you come across a critical verse write it down, memorize it, and ponder its meaning.
When you come across a critical verse write it down, memorize it, and ponder its meaning.
Who was -
Simon -
Jesus' apostle Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1), also called Peter, Simeon (Acts 15:14), Simon Bar-jona (Matthew 16:17) or just Simon (Matthew 10:2). The Greek translation for Peter is Petros (meaning rock), the Aramaic is Cephas (John 1:42), and the Latin is Petrus. Peter was born in Bethsaida (John 1:44) on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. His father was Jona, also called Jonah or Jonas, (John 1:42; 21:15-17) and his younger brother was the disciple Andrew (John 1:40). Peter was a simple fisherman in Capernaum (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16) and partners with James and John (Luke 5:10) when he met Jesus. Bold but uneducated (Acts 4:13), Peter (along with Andrew) became the first disciples (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18) and part of Jesus' inner circle. Whenever Jesus was in Galilee, He used Peter's home as His base. 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 as He waited to be arrested (Mark 14:32-34). Peter rose up before the mob to resist Jesus' arrest (John 18:10-13) yet within hours denied even knowing Him three times (Matthew 26:69-75). 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 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 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 Emperor Nero in Rome about AD 70.
Andrew -
A follower of John the Baptist who became one of the original twelve disciples (John 1:40). From Bethsaida, Andrew was the son of Jonas and a fisherman with his older brother Simon Peter when they were called by Jesus to become the first disciples. It is said that Andrew was crucified in Achaia for refusing to worship pagan gods.
James -
One of the original twelve disciples. James was the son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19) and Salome (Mary's sister), Jesus' cousin, and older brother of the disciple John. Born into a wealthy family, James was a fisherman and partner with Peter (Luke 5:10) when Jesus called and made him part of His inner circle (along with Peter and John). He 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 while He waited to be arrested (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:32-34). Jesus nicknamed James and John the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). Jesus predicted that James would meet a bloody end (Matthew 20:23; Mark 10:38-39) and sure enough James was the first of the twelve apostles to die (not counting Judas), as documented in Acts 12:1-2.
Zebedee -
The father of James and John (who Jesus nicknamed "The sons of thunder"). Married to Mary's sister Salome, Zebedee was Jesus' uncle and a Galilean fisherman from Capernaum. Since he owned two boats and had "hired servants" (Mark 1:20), we know he was a man of some means.
John -
One 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, the younger brother to 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 cousins. John was born in Palestine (Bethsaida) into a wealthy family, was well connected, knew the high priest (John 18:15), captained a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee and gave up everything to follow the Messiah. As indicated above, Jesus nicknamed John and his brother James the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17) and John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; and 21:20 refer to him as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," quite an honor. Along with Peter and James, John was part of Jesus' inner circle and was allowed to witness the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42), Jesus praying in Gethsemane while waiting to be arrested (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 Christ to Calvary, witnessed 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 his life, the Romans exiled John to the island of Patmos, a penal colony in the Aegean Sea fifty miles offshore from Ephesus (in modern-day Turkey), for preaching the word of God (Revelation 1:9). He was eventually freed and died an old man around AD 98 in Ephesus. John was the last of the original twelve disciples to die and the only one to die a natural death.
Simon -
Jesus' apostle Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1), also called Peter, Simeon (Acts 15:14), Simon Bar-jona (Matthew 16:17) or just Simon (Matthew 10:2). The Greek translation for Peter is Petros (meaning rock), the Aramaic is Cephas (John 1:42), and the Latin is Petrus. Peter was born in Bethsaida (John 1:44) on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. His father was Jona, also called Jonah or Jonas, (John 1:42; 21:15-17) and his younger brother was the disciple Andrew (John 1:40). Peter was a simple fisherman in Capernaum (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16) and partners with James and John (Luke 5:10) when he met Jesus. Bold but uneducated (Acts 4:13), Peter (along with Andrew) became the first disciples (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18) and part of Jesus' inner circle. Whenever Jesus was in Galilee, He used Peter's home as His base. 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 as He waited to be arrested (Mark 14:32-34). Peter rose up before the mob to resist Jesus' arrest (John 18:10-13) yet within hours denied even knowing Him three times (Matthew 26:69-75). 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 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 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 Emperor Nero in Rome about AD 70.
Andrew -
A follower of John the Baptist who became one of the original twelve disciples (John 1:40). From Bethsaida, Andrew was the son of Jonas and a fisherman with his older brother Simon Peter when they were called by Jesus to become the first disciples. It is said that Andrew was crucified in Achaia for refusing to worship pagan gods.
James -
One of the original twelve disciples. James was the son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19) and Salome (Mary's sister), Jesus' cousin, and older brother of the disciple John. Born into a wealthy family, James was a fisherman and partner with Peter (Luke 5:10) when Jesus called and made him part of His inner circle (along with Peter and John). He 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 while He waited to be arrested (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:32-34). Jesus nicknamed James and John the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). Jesus predicted that James would meet a bloody end (Matthew 20:23; Mark 10:38-39) and sure enough James was the first of the twelve apostles to die (not counting Judas), as documented in Acts 12:1-2.
Zebedee -
The father of James and John (who Jesus nicknamed "The sons of thunder"). Married to Mary's sister Salome, Zebedee was Jesus' uncle and a Galilean fisherman from Capernaum. Since he owned two boats and had "hired servants" (Mark 1:20), we know he was a man of some means.
John -
One 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, the younger brother to 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 cousins. John was born in Palestine (Bethsaida) into a wealthy family, was well connected, knew the high priest (John 18:15), captained a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee and gave up everything to follow the Messiah. As indicated above, Jesus nicknamed John and his brother James the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17) and John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; and 21:20 refer to him as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," quite an honor. Along with Peter and James, John was part of Jesus' inner circle and was allowed to witness the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42), Jesus praying in Gethsemane while waiting to be arrested (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 Christ to Calvary, witnessed 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 his life, the Romans exiled John to the island of Patmos, a penal colony in the Aegean Sea fifty miles offshore from Ephesus (in modern-day Turkey), for preaching the word of God (Revelation 1:9). He was eventually freed and died an old man around AD 98 in Ephesus. John 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
|
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). "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), it is a large freshwater lake, thirteen miles long, seven miles wide, 150 feet deep, and in Jesus' day, surrounded by approximately thirty fishing towns. The fresh water of Galilee also supported a large agricultural base as well as other industries such as boat making and tanning. The Sea of Galilee sits 680 feet below sea level 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) - A large city on the north-west shore of the Sea of Galilee and hometown to several disciples. In addition to its thriving fishing industry, Capernaum was located on the main highway from Damascus to Acco and Tyre and became a bustling center of commerce. A customs station (Matthew 9:9; 17:24; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27) and a large contingent of Roman soldiers were stationed there, and the city became known for its moral excesses. The disciple Peter owned a house in Capernaum and Jesus made it His center of operations while in Galilee (as prophesized in Isaiah 9:1-2 and discussed in Matthew 4:13-16). Because its citizens witnessed many divine miracles (Matthew 8:14-16; Mark 1:30-34; Luke 4:38-41) yet still rejected Christ, the city was denounced in Matthew 10:15,11:23 and Luke 10:15. It's ancient remains have been excavated near the town of Tell Hum. Among its ruins are the remains of a synagogue unearthed in 1905 that could be the one built by the Roman centurion who came to Jesus seeking a miracle (Matthew 8:5-8; 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 out of town visitors could teach or speak to the assembly on the Sabbath. "They were astonished at his doctrine." (1:22) - They were astonished, amazed, dumbfounded at Jesus' teachings. "Scribes." (1:22) - Often called "doctors of the law" (Luke 5:17) or "lawyer" (Matthew 22:35; Luke 7:30; 10:25), scribes were experts on Mosaic Law and the Old Testament prophecies. Predominantly Pharisees (one of four Jewish sects), they interpreted Mosaic Law, taught Judaism, and helped settle religious disputes. They were highly regarded in Jewish society, to the point where "If a man's father and teacher 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). Because scribes hindered people in their religious journey, burdened them with unnecessary religious legalisms and tried to entrap Jesus (Luke 11:52-54), He 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.
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."
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)
Please forward this lesson to others.
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)
Please forward this lesson to others.
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. This short sentence is long on meaning. "The time is fulfilled" means that the divine plan laid out by God centuries earlier and prophesized by Daniel (Daniel 2:44) was about to be implemented, Jesus had come to save mankind from their sins. "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, and believe the gospel" are the clear and straightforward instructions for mankind to follow to be part of God's kingdom.
2. Yes, the demon knew who Jesus was and freely called Him "the Holy One of God" in front of the crowd (1:24). As indicated in the margin notes above, he was not the only devil who recognized Jesus. Isn't it strange that while many people deny Christ, demons instantly recognize Him 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 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 that is ready to hear God's holy message?
1. This short sentence is long on meaning. "The time is fulfilled" means that the divine plan laid out by God centuries earlier and prophesized by Daniel (Daniel 2:44) was about to be implemented, Jesus had come to save mankind from their sins. "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, and believe the gospel" are the clear and straightforward instructions for mankind to follow to be part of God's kingdom.
2. Yes, the demon knew who Jesus was and freely called Him "the Holy One of God" in front of the crowd (1:24). As indicated in the margin notes above, he was not the only devil who recognized Jesus. Isn't it strange that while many people deny Christ, demons instantly recognize Him 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 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 that is ready to hear God's holy message?
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