Mark 1: The Dawn of the Good News
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
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;
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.
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
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.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
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.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
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.
And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
The Gospel of Mark bursts onto the scene with immediacy and power, quickly establishing Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the King of a new kingdom. Attributed to John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), who scholars believe may have personally known Jesus (Mark 14:51–52), this Gospel is believed to be based on the eyewitness testimony of Peter. Unlike other Gospels, Mark wastes no time on Jesus's early life, instead plunging directly into the ministry of John the Baptist and the inauguration of Jesus's public work. Mark 1 sets the stage for a fast-paced narrative filled with action, miracles, and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. This chapter serves as a powerful introduction, highlighting key themes and conflicts that will resonate throughout the entire book.
The Herald of the King (Mark 1:1-8)
Mark begins his Gospel, the good news, by declaring that it is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1). This initial statement encapsulates the core message of the entire book. "Jesus," the Greek form of Joshua, means "The Lord saves." "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," signifying the "Anointed One," the promised King descended from David. "Son of God" affirms Jesus's divine nature, proclaiming Him as more than just a man – the God-Man.
The arrival of a king is often preceded by envoys who prepare the way. Mark tells us that God sent John the Baptist as a forerunner to prepare the way for His Son (Mark 1:2). John's mission, prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3), was to call people to repentance and prepare them for the coming of the Lord (Mark 1:3). He preached a message of spiritual cleansing, urging people to turn away from their sins and be baptized as a sign of their willingness to repent (Mark 1:4-5). By confessing their sins, they were agreeing with God's assessment of their actions; by repenting, they were adopting God's perspective.
John lived a simple life, reflected in his camel-hair clothing and his diet of locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:6). He humbly pointed to someone greater than himself, One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:7-8). This promise of the Spirit, spoken of long ago (Joel 2:28), would be fulfilled through Jesus (John 14:16-17; Acts 2:1-4). John's role was to decrease so that Jesus could increase.
The King's Anointing and Temptation (Mark 1:9-13)
Jesus's baptism by John in the Jordan River marks a pivotal moment (Mark 1:9). While Jesus was without sin, He identified with sinners, whom He came to save. This act also served to distinguish Him as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 1:29-34). As Jesus emerged from the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased" (Mark 1:10-11). This scene reveals the Trinity at work: the Father affirming the Son, and the Spirit empowering Him for ministry.
Immediately following His baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, mirroring Israel's forty years of testing (Mark 1:12-13). There, isolated among wild animals, He was tempted by Satan. Unlike Israel, which repeatedly failed to obey God, Jesus remained victorious, demonstrating the power of God over the devil when led by the Holy Spirit. This underscores the importance of being "led by the Spirit" and keeping "in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:18, 25).
The Kingdom Proclaimed in Galilee (Mark 1:14-20)
After John's arrest (Mark 1:14), Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee, proclaiming, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15). Jesus highlights that the focus of his mission is to declare and manifest the Kingdom of God—the visible manifestation of the comprehensive rule of God over every area of life. The Kingdom of God had drawn near in the person of the King. People should respond to this message by repenting (changing their minds about sin) and believing the saving message of Christ so the promise of the kingdom can come.
Jesus then called His first disciples, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, who were fishermen (Mark 1:16-17). He challenged them to follow Him, saying, "I will make you become fishers of men." Similarly, God often links our backgrounds and experiences to His purposes for our lives when He calls us to become disciples.
He also called James and John (Mark 1:19). Though they had much to learn, they knew that God’s kingdom was to overrule every other thing and relationship in their lives. They left their nets and followed Him, demonstrating a willingness to prioritize the Kingdom above all else (Mark 1:20).
Authority in Word and Deed (Mark 1:21-34)
Mark provides examples of Jesus's public ministry: teaching with prophetic authority (Mark 1:21-22), exercising power over the forces of darkness (Mark 1:23-28), and performing miraculous healing (Mark 1:29-34).
In Capernaum, Jesus taught in the synagogue, and the people were amazed at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes (Mark 1:21-22). Unlike the scribes, Jesus spoke with a directness and power that resonated with truth.
Jesus demonstrated the authority of His words through His actions. He cast out an unclean spirit from a man in the synagogue (Mark 1:23-26). Even demons recognized Jesus as "the Holy One of God," acknowledging His power to destroy them (Mark 1:24). While demons knew who Jesus was, they were unwilling to worship Him. It is possible to believe in God yet be unwilling to follow Him (James 2:18-20). By silencing the demon, Jesus refused to allow a servant of Satan to be His spokesman, preventing the accusation that He was in league with the devil. This miracle caused Jesus's fame to spread rapidly throughout the region (Mark 1:27-28).
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus and His disciples went to the house of Simon and Andrew, where Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a fever (Mark 1:29-31). Jesus healed her, and she immediately began to serve them. Gratitude and service are the appropriate responses to God's goodness in our lives.
As evening approached, people brought the sick and demon-possessed to Jesus, and He healed many (Mark 1:32-34). He drove out many demons, but He did not allow them to speak, because they knew who He was. He mercifully healed the sick and drove out many demons, not letting the agents of evil testify about his identity.
Prayer and Purpose (Mark 1:35-39)
Despite His demanding ministry, Jesus prioritized prayer. He woke early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35). If the Son of God considered uninterrupted prayer such a priority, why do so many Christians consider it an afterthought?
When His disciples found Him, they told Him that everyone was looking for Him (Mark 1:36-37). They seemed to believe He should capitalize on His popularity. However, Jesus had not come merely to perform miracles. He came to preach the gospel and prepare people for the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:38).
Jesus continued to travel and minister throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons (Mark 1:39).
Compassion and Cleansing (Mark 1:40-45)
A leper came to Jesus, begging Him, "If you will, you can make me clean" (Mark 1:40). Mark wants his readers to know that Jesus’s healing ministry wasn’t perfunctory. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean" (Mark 1:41). The sinless Son of God is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, so let us approach [his] throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:15-16).
No one touched a leper. Doing so risked infection and made Jews unclean according to the Mosaic law. But the Son of God fears no uncleanness. He cannot be contaminated; he can only purify.
Immediately, the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed (Mark 1:42). Jesus instructed him to tell no one, but to go and show himself to the priest and offer the prescribed sacrifice for his cleansing (Mark 1:43-44). However, the man disobeyed and began to proclaim it freely, spreading the news everywhere. As a result, Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter (Mark 1:45). The man hindered Jesus’s ministry because he could no longer enter a town openly.
Mark 1 powerfully introduces Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, whose ministry is marked by authority, compassion, and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The chapter showcases Jesus's power over disease, demons, and the forces of darkness, while also emphasizing the importance of repentance, faith, and obedience in responding to the good news. Despite the challenges and opposition Jesus faced, His ministry continued to draw people from all walks of life, eager to experience the transformative power of the Kingdom.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
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;
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.
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
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.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
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.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
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.
And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
The Gospel of Mark bursts onto the scene with immediacy and power, quickly establishing Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the King of a new kingdom. Attributed to John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), who scholars believe may have personally known Jesus (Mark 14:51–52), this Gospel is believed to be based on the eyewitness testimony of Peter. Unlike other Gospels, Mark wastes no time on Jesus's early life, instead plunging directly into the ministry of John the Baptist and the inauguration of Jesus's public work. Mark 1 sets the stage for a fast-paced narrative filled with action, miracles, and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. This chapter serves as a powerful introduction, highlighting key themes and conflicts that will resonate throughout the entire book.
The Herald of the King (Mark 1:1-8)
Mark begins his Gospel, the good news, by declaring that it is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1). This initial statement encapsulates the core message of the entire book. "Jesus," the Greek form of Joshua, means "The Lord saves." "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," signifying the "Anointed One," the promised King descended from David. "Son of God" affirms Jesus's divine nature, proclaiming Him as more than just a man – the God-Man.
The arrival of a king is often preceded by envoys who prepare the way. Mark tells us that God sent John the Baptist as a forerunner to prepare the way for His Son (Mark 1:2). John's mission, prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3), was to call people to repentance and prepare them for the coming of the Lord (Mark 1:3). He preached a message of spiritual cleansing, urging people to turn away from their sins and be baptized as a sign of their willingness to repent (Mark 1:4-5). By confessing their sins, they were agreeing with God's assessment of their actions; by repenting, they were adopting God's perspective.
John lived a simple life, reflected in his camel-hair clothing and his diet of locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:6). He humbly pointed to someone greater than himself, One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:7-8). This promise of the Spirit, spoken of long ago (Joel 2:28), would be fulfilled through Jesus (John 14:16-17; Acts 2:1-4). John's role was to decrease so that Jesus could increase.
The King's Anointing and Temptation (Mark 1:9-13)
Jesus's baptism by John in the Jordan River marks a pivotal moment (Mark 1:9). While Jesus was without sin, He identified with sinners, whom He came to save. This act also served to distinguish Him as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 1:29-34). As Jesus emerged from the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased" (Mark 1:10-11). This scene reveals the Trinity at work: the Father affirming the Son, and the Spirit empowering Him for ministry.
Immediately following His baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, mirroring Israel's forty years of testing (Mark 1:12-13). There, isolated among wild animals, He was tempted by Satan. Unlike Israel, which repeatedly failed to obey God, Jesus remained victorious, demonstrating the power of God over the devil when led by the Holy Spirit. This underscores the importance of being "led by the Spirit" and keeping "in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:18, 25).
The Kingdom Proclaimed in Galilee (Mark 1:14-20)
After John's arrest (Mark 1:14), Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee, proclaiming, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15). Jesus highlights that the focus of his mission is to declare and manifest the Kingdom of God—the visible manifestation of the comprehensive rule of God over every area of life. The Kingdom of God had drawn near in the person of the King. People should respond to this message by repenting (changing their minds about sin) and believing the saving message of Christ so the promise of the kingdom can come.
Jesus then called His first disciples, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, who were fishermen (Mark 1:16-17). He challenged them to follow Him, saying, "I will make you become fishers of men." Similarly, God often links our backgrounds and experiences to His purposes for our lives when He calls us to become disciples.
He also called James and John (Mark 1:19). Though they had much to learn, they knew that God’s kingdom was to overrule every other thing and relationship in their lives. They left their nets and followed Him, demonstrating a willingness to prioritize the Kingdom above all else (Mark 1:20).
Authority in Word and Deed (Mark 1:21-34)
Mark provides examples of Jesus's public ministry: teaching with prophetic authority (Mark 1:21-22), exercising power over the forces of darkness (Mark 1:23-28), and performing miraculous healing (Mark 1:29-34).
In Capernaum, Jesus taught in the synagogue, and the people were amazed at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes (Mark 1:21-22). Unlike the scribes, Jesus spoke with a directness and power that resonated with truth.
Jesus demonstrated the authority of His words through His actions. He cast out an unclean spirit from a man in the synagogue (Mark 1:23-26). Even demons recognized Jesus as "the Holy One of God," acknowledging His power to destroy them (Mark 1:24). While demons knew who Jesus was, they were unwilling to worship Him. It is possible to believe in God yet be unwilling to follow Him (James 2:18-20). By silencing the demon, Jesus refused to allow a servant of Satan to be His spokesman, preventing the accusation that He was in league with the devil. This miracle caused Jesus's fame to spread rapidly throughout the region (Mark 1:27-28).
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus and His disciples went to the house of Simon and Andrew, where Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a fever (Mark 1:29-31). Jesus healed her, and she immediately began to serve them. Gratitude and service are the appropriate responses to God's goodness in our lives.
As evening approached, people brought the sick and demon-possessed to Jesus, and He healed many (Mark 1:32-34). He drove out many demons, but He did not allow them to speak, because they knew who He was. He mercifully healed the sick and drove out many demons, not letting the agents of evil testify about his identity.
Prayer and Purpose (Mark 1:35-39)
Despite His demanding ministry, Jesus prioritized prayer. He woke early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35). If the Son of God considered uninterrupted prayer such a priority, why do so many Christians consider it an afterthought?
When His disciples found Him, they told Him that everyone was looking for Him (Mark 1:36-37). They seemed to believe He should capitalize on His popularity. However, Jesus had not come merely to perform miracles. He came to preach the gospel and prepare people for the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:38).
Jesus continued to travel and minister throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons (Mark 1:39).
Compassion and Cleansing (Mark 1:40-45)
A leper came to Jesus, begging Him, "If you will, you can make me clean" (Mark 1:40). Mark wants his readers to know that Jesus’s healing ministry wasn’t perfunctory. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean" (Mark 1:41). The sinless Son of God is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, so let us approach [his] throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:15-16).
No one touched a leper. Doing so risked infection and made Jews unclean according to the Mosaic law. But the Son of God fears no uncleanness. He cannot be contaminated; he can only purify.
Immediately, the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed (Mark 1:42). Jesus instructed him to tell no one, but to go and show himself to the priest and offer the prescribed sacrifice for his cleansing (Mark 1:43-44). However, the man disobeyed and began to proclaim it freely, spreading the news everywhere. As a result, Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter (Mark 1:45). The man hindered Jesus’s ministry because he could no longer enter a town openly.
Mark 1 powerfully introduces Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, whose ministry is marked by authority, compassion, and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The chapter showcases Jesus's power over disease, demons, and the forces of darkness, while also emphasizing the importance of repentance, faith, and obedience in responding to the good news. Despite the challenges and opposition Jesus faced, His ministry continued to draw people from all walks of life, eager to experience the transformative power of the Kingdom.